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Land of the Free...?
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The USA is often held up as an example of a country where freedom is paramount, and in particular freedom to practice religion is enshrined in the constitution. There are numerous examples of the separation of church and state being ignored or muddied. But what justification can be given that the US administration denies the use of certain religious symbols on military gravestones, yet allows others? (eg The use of pentacles on gravestones for Wiccans is disallowed, yet crosses, buddhist wheels, star of David etc are allowed).
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In my opinion the reason that pentacles are disallowed is because Wicca is thought by the uneducated to encompass 'Devil Worship', evil covens, black magic, human sacrifice, etc, etc - all very Hammer Horror and darkest Hollywood - and this is why it is viewed with suspicion, superstition, and fear. Many Christian Americans appear to be brainwashed, evangelising 'God Fearing Folk', who often seem to know more about the Devil than they know about their God, so anything they deem (even in error) to be remotely connected to him is unacceptable. In reality there is no justification for discimination whatsoever.
The US may claim to embrace freedom of religion, but clearly, in its ignorance, that applies only to some.
The US may claim to embrace freedom of religion, but clearly, in its ignorance, that applies only to some.
It seems I've been reading some older sites - the use of the pentacle has been approved for Wiccans, but it took a court case for it to happen. However, it's unfortunate that the issue is still to be resolved for others
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pagan-Headstone- Campaign/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pagan-Headstone- Campaign/
Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The problem, with which your article didn't address, is that the Veteran's Administration (VA) was placed in an untenable position because of the lack of organizational responsibility (my phrase) of not only Wiccans but other such groups. The VA has a list of at least 38 recognized approved emblems that can be placed on Veteran's headstones. But, in order for an emblem to be approved, a simple letter from the petitioning organization's headquarters, responsible and recognized leader or at least some kind of count as to the numbers of adherents is requested. I don't think this is unreasonable, since, without some restraints, any individual could claim a "religious denomination" and insist the U.S. taxpayer foot the bill for their symbology. Unfortunately, Wiccans and others have no organizational structure. So, although the issue has been layed to rest (pun only partially intended) in this case, it won't be long before someone claiming membership in the Ku Klux Klan, as an example, insists on a burning cross emblem paid for by the U.S. taxpayer be engraved on their headstone. Then, what do you suggest the VA do?
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The problem, with which your article didn't address, is that the Veteran's Administration (VA) was placed in an untenable position because of the lack of organizational responsibility (my phrase) of not only Wiccans but other such groups. The VA has a list of at least 38 recognized approved emblems that can be placed on Veteran's headstones. But, in order for an emblem to be approved, a simple letter from the petitioning organization's headquarters, responsible and recognized leader or at least some kind of count as to the numbers of adherents is requested. I don't think this is unreasonable, since, without some restraints, any individual could claim a "religious denomination" and insist the U.S. taxpayer foot the bill for their symbology. Unfortunately, Wiccans and others have no organizational structure. So, although the issue has been layed to rest (pun only partially intended) in this case, it won't be long before someone claiming membership in the Ku Klux Klan, as an example, insists on a burning cross emblem paid for by the U.S. taxpayer be engraved on their headstone. Then, what do you suggest the VA do?
Clanad - some interesting points. Can i suggest that the Klan question wouldn't arise as their members are (nomianlly anyway) Christian, although i'm happy to stand corrected on that.
More and more religious beliefs are unorganised - to some that's one of the attractions. As to whether the taxpayer foots the bill - i don't think many would deny the right of a soldier killed in action to have an official headstone; in fact I'd imagine it would outrage the majority if this didn't happen. I'd go further and say that in that case there should be NO religious symbolism, but then you do have to weigh that against the family's wishes and they must be given priority.
However, this is unfortunately just one example of religious intolerance in the US government towards Paganism, and for some reason especially Wicca. (BTW - I'm not Wiccan...)
Take this from President (then Governor) Bush stating "I don't think that witchcraft is a religion. I wish the military would rethink this decision." - to ABC NEWS, June 1999, regarding Ft. Hood's decision to allow Wiccan rituals; or "I do not think witchcraft is a religion, and I do not think it is in any way appropriate for the U.S. military to promote it." - October 15, 2000. This from the 'leader of the free world'.
"Sen. Strom Thurmond, Rep-S.C., submitted a statement decrying Wicca, a nature-based faith, as irreligious and saying it should not be accommodated by the military." (source - Senate Judiciary Committee, June 99. )Continues:"I do not dispute that individuals may believe what they wish, and they can practice their religion in private life," Thurmond told the committee. "However, limits can and should be placed on the exercise of those views, especially in the military"
More and more religious beliefs are unorganised - to some that's one of the attractions. As to whether the taxpayer foots the bill - i don't think many would deny the right of a soldier killed in action to have an official headstone; in fact I'd imagine it would outrage the majority if this didn't happen. I'd go further and say that in that case there should be NO religious symbolism, but then you do have to weigh that against the family's wishes and they must be given priority.
However, this is unfortunately just one example of religious intolerance in the US government towards Paganism, and for some reason especially Wicca. (BTW - I'm not Wiccan...)
Take this from President (then Governor) Bush stating "I don't think that witchcraft is a religion. I wish the military would rethink this decision." - to ABC NEWS, June 1999, regarding Ft. Hood's decision to allow Wiccan rituals; or "I do not think witchcraft is a religion, and I do not think it is in any way appropriate for the U.S. military to promote it." - October 15, 2000. This from the 'leader of the free world'.
"Sen. Strom Thurmond, Rep-S.C., submitted a statement decrying Wicca, a nature-based faith, as irreligious and saying it should not be accommodated by the military." (source - Senate Judiciary Committee, June 99. )Continues:"I do not dispute that individuals may believe what they wish, and they can practice their religion in private life," Thurmond told the committee. "However, limits can and should be placed on the exercise of those views, especially in the military"
All the quotes you provide, Whickerman, are individual points of view and, albeit from heads of government, carry little weight in the changing of regulations, as witnessed by the acquiesence of the VA to the use of the pentacle. Individuals come and go, even Senators and Presidents, but the business of Government is ponderous and plodding. In my view, that's not a bad thing, in most respects. It would be truly disconcerting if the everyday Regulations, under which we all live, changed at every election.
It's rather like the rule of law... "The wheels of law grind slowly, but exceeding fine..."
By the way, my example of Ku Klux Klan has already been tested and discarded. Followed by in-for-life prisoners petitioning for recognition of various and sundry "religious" recognition, some truly bizarre. A line has to be drawn somewhere, and unfortunately, that line often favors the majority, at least for the moment.
I think most would espouse the view that a person's choice of symbology on a gravestone matters not a whit as far a questions of eternality. Walking through any cemetery, military or otherwise, reveals unique choices of self-expression... one of my favorites is a headstone in appropriately named Tombstone, Arizona...
"Here lies Les,
Shot by a .44
No Les, no more"...
Alles Gute im Neuen Jahr!
It's rather like the rule of law... "The wheels of law grind slowly, but exceeding fine..."
By the way, my example of Ku Klux Klan has already been tested and discarded. Followed by in-for-life prisoners petitioning for recognition of various and sundry "religious" recognition, some truly bizarre. A line has to be drawn somewhere, and unfortunately, that line often favors the majority, at least for the moment.
I think most would espouse the view that a person's choice of symbology on a gravestone matters not a whit as far a questions of eternality. Walking through any cemetery, military or otherwise, reveals unique choices of self-expression... one of my favorites is a headstone in appropriately named Tombstone, Arizona...
"Here lies Les,
Shot by a .44
No Les, no more"...
Alles Gute im Neuen Jahr!
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