You might recall there’s been a fight over the use of the Wiccan pentacle at VA cemeteries. That’s apparently over; as of April 23 pentacle is now on the list of approved emblems of belief (It’s #37).
The VA settled with Americans United for Separation of Church and State after AU uncovered evidence that the VA was intentionally dragging its feet.
Americans United’s attorneys uncovered evidence that the VA’s refusal to recognize the Pentacle was motivated by bias toward the Wiccan faith. President George W. Bush, when he was governor of Texas, had opposed the right of Wiccans to meet at a military base in that state. Bush’s opinion of Wiccans was taken into consideration when making decisions on whether to approve the Pentacle.
It’s worth noting that atheists (#16) and humanists (#32) had their symbols approved long before the Wiccans did. Sorry, guys, you can no longer lay claim to “most despised belief system.”
Thanks to Jason at the Wild Hunt for birddogging this.
