Decius wrote:

"BARNEVELD, Wis. — With an estimated 400,000 members nationwide, and a high-profile fight with the federal government over veterans' grave markers, Wiccans are moving into a more prominent place in the religious landscape.

I'm not sure why this had to turn into a lawsuit given the current diversity of allowed symbols.

Because the VA has refused to allow the pentagram, which is the one symbol that most pagans revere and agree on. A 'list of diverse sacred symbols' is no good if your symbol is excluded! How would Christians like it if there were no cross?

skullaria wrote:

Decius wrote:

"BARNEVELD, Wis. — With an estimated 400,000 members nationwide, and a high-profile fight with the federal government over veterans' grave markers, Wiccans are moving into a more prominent place in the religious landscape.

I'm not sure why this had to turn into a lawsuit given the current diversity of allowed symbols.

Because the VA has refused to allow the pentagram, which is the one symbol that most pagans revere and agree on.

Yes, I know that. What I meant was that I don't understand why the VA would go to court rather then add the symbol to their list given the current diversity of the list as is. They allow a lot of symbols. Why won't they allow this one, too. Your alternative interpretation of what I wrote seems to have me saying "why would pagans bother to sue when they could pick symbols from so many different religions." That obviously doesn't make any sense, as pagans would prefer their religion's symbol.

Forgive me - I should have given you more credit than to be thinking that.

There are speculations - that's all their are. The main ones involve GWB himself - he's made several remarks that "HE didn't think wicca was a real religion, why should it be recognized?" and the other main speculative reason is that some Christians may not want to be buried next to someone with 'that symbol.'

I guess it is ok to die beside someone wearing it inside his shirt, fighting on the same side, but burial is out.

That is all speculation - no one knows because the VA won't say. At first they said it was a long process, but other symbols have been approved that were applied for after the pentagram.

Right now, they are holding off on approving any more, but only since the publicity of the case.