Should this headstone be allowed?

[Salty]

Check this story: http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/09/14/D8K4DACO0.html

Salty

 

[Not_hard_to_find]

According to the link,

...a legal opinion from the Nevada attorney general's office...

says it should be allowed.

 

[El_Guero]

No, it should not be allowed. Wiccan is not a 'religion' it is a loose association of worshipping satan and nature.

 

[Scarlett O.]

It's not a "christian" cemetery. It's a state cemetery.

The article said that the VA already recognizes and allows headstone symbols for 30 different religions, including the Tenrikyo Church, the United Moravian Church, Sikhs, and atheists.

The Wiccan belief is definitely a religion. They worship the earth and call themselves "good" witches.

I don't like it, but if that was what the soldier believed and practiced, then his family has a right to have the symbol on his gravestone.

As much as it may turn my stomach and your stomach, this is America, where people can worship as they please and have the headstone of their choice......

.....remember, not all our wonderful veterans who sacrificed their lives for us were christians. Some of these fallen soldiers have, based on their own personal beliefs, requested an atheist symbol on their headstones.

If he wanted a Wiccan star, it's his choice.

 

[El_Guero]

"Should this headstone be allowed?"

No, No, No

Evil is evil . . . . and should not be recognized.

 

[JamieinNH]

I don't like it, but if that was what the soldier believed and practiced, then his family has a right to have the symbol on his gravestone.

As much as it may turn my stomach and your stomach, this is America, where people can worship as they please and have the headstone of their choice......

.....remember, not all our wonderful veterans who sacrificed their lives for us were christians. Some of these fallen soldiers have, based on their own personal beliefs, requested an atheist symbol on their headstones.

If he wanted a Wiccan star, it's his choice.

As sad as it is that he wasn't a Christian, I do agree with you that it should be allowed.

Jamie

 

[BrianT]

Why shouldn't it be allowed? He died for his country, which has this and other pagan symbols all over its currency, government buildings, historical artwork and documents, flags and seals, etc.

 

[TaterTot]

I agree. As much as I disagree with his beliefs and sorrow for his soul, it is a free country.

 

[donnA]

Wiccan certainly is a religion, they do worship(satan), thats a religion.
I wish no false religious anything were allowed, but it's a free country they can do what they want.

 

[LeBuick]

Let the dead bury the dead, let's go witnessing at the Wiccan's!

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

Where's the poll???

We have Wiccans in the small rural town that I live in. In fact, a Wiccan is leading the local Homeschool Co-op here. I declined to join. I will witness to her if I get the chance, but I will not fellowship with her.

We allow Muslim symbols (and they're trying to kill us), so I guess Wiccan is acceptable too, in a free country...

 

[donnA]

I remember back years ago in Romania the goverment had all the crosses broken off the headstones. If we start dictating these things, which are we going to allow and disallow, where do you think in our modern anti christian society we will stand when we want a christian headstone.

 

[Bro. James Reed]

If the VA doesn't recongnize it, then the VA shouldn't pay for it. If the state of Nevada recognizes the symbol, and wants it, then they should pay for it.

I think that is the way it is turning out, and I believe it is correct, according to the law/rules.

Now, what if he was a satanist and wanted an upside-down cross on the headstone? Would you all be okay with that?

 

[Lagardo]

I would hate to set a precidence where the government decides what is and is not a religion and who is or who is not allowed to express their religion.

Many people, including this man, fought and died for our freedom. Lets not give it back to the government and hope they will always be Christian.

 

[Lagardo]

Now, what if he was a satanist and wanted an upside-down cross on the headstone? Would you all be okay with that?

Happy about it? No. Think it should be allowed? Yes. Let's say we allow the government to dictate what is and is not a religion. And our humanist and universalist government declares a new universal religion to make everyone happy. Let's assume this religion blends humanism, islam, catholicsm, and Judaism and creates a new symbol. Then the government says you can have the new symbol if you want or nothing. Or better yet, if you didn't follow this new government religion you can't have a headstone at all.

Just how much control of religion do you want to give the government?

 

[Bro. James Reed]

Having a cross or not on my grave wouldn't bother me in the least. The cross is a symbol of shame.

These are government cemeteries, not public cemeteries. They can have whatever rules they want. Don't like it? Then don't be buried in a government cemetery.

The VA already sets precedent for what they allow in the government cemeteries and what the government is willing to pay for.

Personally, I don't know why they have any so-called religious symbols in government cemeteries. A simple headstone, like they issue for soldiers buried in private cemeteries, would suffice.

Let the rules prevail. If we don't like the rules, then elect people who will change the rules.

 

[Melanie]

I find it grotesque personally! :type:

 

[LeBuick]

Having a cross or not on my grave wouldn't bother me in the least. The cross is a symbol of shame.

These are government cemeteries, not public cemeteries. They can have whatever rules they want. Don't like it? Then don't be buried in a government cemetery.

The VA already sets precedent for what they allow in the government cemeteries and what the government is willing to pay for.

Personally, I don't know why they have any so-called religious symbols in government cemeteries. A simple headstone, like they issue for soldiers buried in private cemeteries, would suffice.

Let the rules prevail. If we don't like the rules, then elect people who will change the rules.

I agree, if you want an upside down cross you will have to choose a cemetary that will accept them. Then Jewish woun't allow them in their cemetaries so I believe the government has a choice also.

 

[Magnetic Poles]

It's not a "christian" cemetery. It's a state cemetery.

The article said that the VA already recognizes and allows headstone symbols for 30 different religions, including the Tenrikyo Church, the United Moravian Church, Sikhs, and atheists.

The Wiccan belief is definitely a religion. They worship the earth and call themselves "good" witches.

I don't like it, but if that was what the soldier believed and practiced, then his family has a right to have the symbol on his gravestone.

As much as it may turn my stomach and your stomach, this is America, where people can worship as they please and have the headstone of their choice......

.....remember, not all our wonderful veterans who sacrificed their lives for us were christians. Some of these fallen soldiers have, based on their own personal beliefs, requested an atheist symbol on their headstones.

If he wanted a Wiccan star, it's his choice.

Scarlett, I agree with you 100%!

Regardless of his personal religious beliefs, I salute this fallen hero who died for our freedom. He deserves no less than his own, and his family's, freedom of religion.

Government has no business deciding whose religion is legitimate and whose is not.

BTW, people saying that Wiccans worship the devil show they know nothing about that religion. I know some Wiccans, and it is a neo-pagan nature religion. Although there are many variations of Wicca, they typically do not believe in the devil, which would be required to worship him.

 

[Hope of Glory]

Just plant me in the garden with the lion...