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Opinion
Wiccan soldiers win star of respect
Top Headlines Recognition of life cycles - so manifest in the explosion of beauty around these parts in late April - is fundamental to Wicca, a nature-based religion. Some might argue that Wiccans were reverent toward the environment long before many of the rest of us caught on, the result of dire warnings related to global warming. We welcome Monday's settlement between Wiccans and the government, a settlement that will now mean the five-pointed star, the pentacle, can be added to grave markers. It's unfortunate that recognition necessitated a standoff. The very personal beliefs of soldiers who serve their country should be honored without bias and without stonewalling. Already the Veterans Administration had recognized 38 symbols, ranging from those of majority religions to those practiced in relative obscurity. "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 represented the Wiccans in the lawsuit, in an Associated Press story. President George W. Bush remarked in a 1999 ABC News interview on Ft. Hood's decision to allow Wiccan rituals: "I don't think that witchcraft is a religion. I wish the military would rethink this decision." Wiccans live in harmony with nature, follow the cycles of the sun and moon, and see the divine spirit in all things, including animals and plants, members of the Circle of Salgion, Church of Wicca, which originated in Rehoboth, have often explained. To them, divine energy is both a god and a goddess, who take different names and forms. Resistance to the Wicca grave marker, we imagine, was not only unalloyed discrimination but a reflection of knee-jerk ignorance regarding intention and practices of Wicca. With Monday's ruling comes victory for soldiers whose beliefs should have been honored by their country without forcing them into one last battle.
Post Your Comments Wolfspeaker wrote on Apr 27, 2007 12:32 AM: " As a witch myself, I use the pentacle as a symbol of my faith. However, I don't think that I or other Wiccans "own" it any more than we own the trees because we worship nature. I'm comfortable sharing it with the Satanists and Setians, both of whom treat the pentacle with as much respect as any Wiccan. Sure, I use it right-side up and they use it up-side down, making the meanings vary, but who am I to say which is right and which is wrong? The philosophy and dogma of Satanism is just as valid as any. I say let them have the damn star, too!
On another note, there is no "One Religion" of the pagans. Wiccan is a pagan religion, yes, but there are other forms, such as Greek paganism and Egyptian paganism. Wicca is just the most popular.
Hope the clears everything up. " Paul Couturier wrote on Apr 26, 2007 9:23 PM: " Ok, all you wiccan and pagan supporters, just WHAT is the "religion" of pagans and wiccans??? And if the wiccans own the rights to the pentagram, then WHY don't they sue the satanists over it's use??? " John wrote on Apr 26, 2007 9:06 PM: " Paul,
Satanists also use an inverted Christian cross. That does not make the cross a Satanist's symbol. " Dee wrote on Apr 26, 2007 7:04 PM: " Thank you very much for such a kind & thoughtful commentary. I am Wiccan and a service-connected veteran and I am so glad we have finally won this battle. " don oorst wrote on Apr 26, 2007 12:57 PM: " Paul. I realise it looks like that. But look deeper (Im not a wiccan btw). The satanists one is upside down from the pagan one. If you go into parts of asia, you'll see swastikas everywhere. But they are backwords to the Nazi one, and represent budhism (Budhists are perhaps a little less attached to symbols, and dont use it in the west to avoid upsetting folk, generally).
Back in the day, perhaps around the inquisition, pagans where falsely accused by the catholic church of being satanists. The celts etc hadnt even heard of 'satan' till the catholics rolled in, but that was not the point. So the catholics claimed the symbol was satanic, and pointed out that upside down you could fit a goats head in it. The goats head , being another apropriated symbol (pan the piper).
Thers alot of pagans and wiccans around still. Its actually a big religion. Dont let folks force religious choices on others in a free country. We wouldnt dream of doing it to jews or budhists, so why do it to pagans? " Kevin wrote on Apr 26, 2007 12:47 PM: " What about the Scientology dollar sign? $ " maggotx wrote on Apr 26, 2007 9:51 AM: " Thank you for a very fair article on Wicca which explains what these poor families were going through. You should be commended. " WiccanTexan wrote on Apr 26, 2007 9:46 AM: " The point-up pentacle is not Satanic; in fact, it's earlier origin is Christian, symbolizing the 5 wounds of Christ. The Congressional Medal of Honor is also represented by the 5-pointed star.
Regardless, I'm thrilled that our soldiers, who fought and died serving a country based on religious freedom, can have the religious symbol of their faith in death. May it open the door for others in a similar situation. " Paul Couturier wrote on Apr 26, 2007 7:04 AM: " Why would anyone want a symbol on their headstones that satanists use? In case anyone hasn't noticed, satanists used the VERY SAME SYMBOL! " or
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