Clipmarks | boniface's 'pentacle' clips

Wiccan veterans to participate...

Sat, 26 May 2007 18:54:43 GMT

clipped by: boniface

Widows of Wiccan veterans to participate in dedication ceremony

MADISON, Wis. — The first-ever Memorial Day dedication of grave markers with the Wiccan pentacle on them was planned at a pagan cemetery after more than a decade of fighting the federal government for approval of the symbol.

Wiccans sued the government last year, arguing that it was unduly stalling a decision on whether to add the pentacle to the list of acceptable symbols for graves. Under the settlement announced in April, the VA agreed to add the pentacle to the list of 38 others, which includes symbols for Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism and Islam.

Winning the fight over the grave markers is vindication for all Wiccans, said DePolito, who plans on saying a Hebrew mourner’s prayer for her husband and placing a crystal that he owned at the grave site.

Tags: wicca, wiccan, pentacle, veteran, marker

First Two Gravemarkers with Pentacle

Fri, 11 May 2007 16:54:21 GMT

clipped by: boniface
clipper's remarks: Finally!

Clip Source: www.circlesanctuary.org

Tags: grave, stone, pentacle, va

What a Whiner!!!

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 07:19:07 GMT

clipped by: boniface
clipper's remarks: A man lays down his life for his country and this man wants to deny him his choice of religion and keep him from using his own religious symbol on his own grave! I can't believe this. Then he whines about not being able to put artificial flowers on a grave. I guess honoring veterans is fine so long as he is able to put cheap flowers instead of the real thing.

Clip Source: www.chattanoogan.com

National Cemetery And Symbols

I am proud to have served my country for 20 years as a United States Marine. It greatly disturbs me to know that when I am laid to rest in the National Cemetery, my family will have the option of having a pentacle (five pointed star emblem of Wicca - Witchcraft) placed on my headstone but they will not have the option of placing silk flowers on my grave for six months out of every year because the National Cemetery is viewed as a “shrine" and the artificial flowers are said to detract from that image.

What is the next step? Will witches be allowed to conduct their rituals on the grounds of our national cemeteries? Why is it that we have to become politically correct in every facet of our life and now every facet of our death? The local newspaper stated that Wicca is a "nature based religion" (occult) and the points on the star represent earth, air, water, fire. Where is God? As in "God, corps, country, family" (Marine Corps philosophy).

Tags: marine, whiner, grave, veteran, wicca, symbol, pentacle

Pentacle Allowed

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 19:49:13 GMT

clipped by: boniface

Clip Source: www.startribune.com

Wiccans will be allowed to place pentacles on graves, VA says

"This settlement has forced the Bush Administration into acknowledging that there are no second class religions in America, including among our nation's veterans,'' said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which brought the lawsuit on behalf of the Wiccans. "It is a proud day for religious freedom in the United States.''

The VA sought the settlement in the interest of the families involved and to save taxpayers the expense of further litigation, VA spokesman Matt Burns said. Under the settlement, the VA agreed to pay $225,000 in attorneys' fees and costs.

Tags: pentacle, pentagram, wicca, wiccans, wicccan

FINALLY!

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 19:27:53 GMT

clipped by: boniface
clipper's remarks: Finally, the VA has approved the pentagram for grave stones.

Clip Source: www.cem.va.gov

Available Emblems of Belief for Placement on Government Headstones and Markers

WICCA (Pentacle)

Tags: pentagram, pentacle, grave, marker, symbol, approved