Emblems of Belief
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs has a problem. They allow “emblems of belief” on memorials, but only those of approved religions.
Wicca is not an approved religion — at least as far as the Department of Veterans Affairs is concerned. Which means Sgt. Patrick D. Stewart, possibly the first wiccan killed in the line of duty, cannot have a pentacle on his memorial.
“But,” you say, “Wicca is a minority religion.” Here are the approved Emblems of Belief. What’s Eckankar (number 28)? Oh. What about the Izumo Taishakyo Misson of Hawaii? They don’t have a web site, but it sounds pretty… er… regional.
With 1,800 active duty Wiccans, it seems like this is something that ought to be addressed.
Photo: Pentacle by Kendalia of i am a butterfly.
