Sealiah

VA-2007-NCA-0008-0001
Http://www.regulations.gov

As some of you may know, the VA has denied Wiccan soldiers, for hte past 9 years, the ability to have a pentacle engraved on their tombstone. Despite multiple requests. And in the meantime, 6 other emblems of faith were approved. If that is not bad enough, it took a lawsuit for even the appearance of change to show up.

The above link and Document Number are their 'proposed' change. But in this change, they reserve the right to deny a symbol that is 'frivolous, offensive' etc... However, who is to decide what is offensive or frivolous? Wicca is a recognized religion in the US. The Military recognizes it. They provide space for congregation. They allow it on dogtags, and wills, and deployment information packets.

It is even listed in the Chaplain's handbook!

So why can the VA even have the remote right to deny this symbol? I beg of you guys, go to that site, look up that doc, and put in a comment demanding equality for our troops. The deadline is March 20th, and if the public does not show overwhelming support, the VA will continue its discriminatory ways.

Our soldiers die, for our country. They deserve the honor of having their last wishes fulfilled.

nomadicrhymer

Sealiah, if you are a soldier, it is the military that has the final say so over your burial, and not your family? That doesn't seem right.

Nomad

P.S. Are you Wiccan? I've always thought it was an interesting religion, even though I know nothing about it, just bits and pieces that I've read.

Sealiah

Yeah, I'm wiccan. And the military doesn't have say over your burial exactly. See, the family can choose to have you buried in a national cemetary, but the rules for it are pretty strict. Most religions have symbols, right? Well the VA approves most symbols.

HOWEVER, for 9 YEARS they have sat on their laurels and and not approved mine.

nomadicrhymer

Very wierd, why would they care one way or the other? Talk about continuing to control you even into your afterlife! After all, you are dead and gone and your last wishes should be fulfilled...one would think? Wow!

Nomad

Sally Roberts

Merry Meet:

I totally agree Sealiah, The Wiccan religion has been chastised since King James changed the Bible. He killed everyone who was not of his Christain faith. MOST of them were innocent medicine women. King James branded them as witches and burned them at the stake. It is a fact to this day that NONE of them were evil.
It was just another way of getting rid of the people who didn't agree with them. And all it took was one person saying WITCH! and they were killed.
And it is going on today. They may not be burning us at the stake they are killing us in other ways.
Wicca is and probably will always be put down by the Christains. Don't they know that if Wiccans COULD cast spells on the Christians they would all be gone. What are they afraid of anyway?
I do not and will not ever put down any religion. As a matter of fact I do have some wonderful Christian friends who accept me for who I am. But It's up to the individual to what he or she may believe in. I just wish they wouldn't judge us for not believing in their God.

These eight words the Rede fullfill An ye harm none, Do what ye will


Blessed be

nomadicrhymer

Oh cool, Sally! You are Wiccan as well? I have to say I have always been totally fascinated by it and absolutely love reading about it. I"m curious, does it have anything to do with the ancient Celtic rituals?

Nomad

MsJacquiiC

I think mostly Wicca is misunderstood - When someone says "witch" or "warlock" peoples eyes tend to glaze over picturing some kinda little known evil or some ridiculous such. Anyway... About the Armed Services of the US are notoriously known as discriminatory bastards. Didn't even allow Blacks in the service for a very good period of time. The most ridiculous policy American government has ever seen: Don't Ask Don't Tell policy is still in existence as far as I know - And know known homosexual is allowed to serve...

So as far as I'm concerned - It's not too surprising this post about the VA clutching discrimination against Wicca as some type of comfortable blanket.

Just my opinion...

Jacquii.

~Serenity~