Wiccan War Hero Patrick Stewart is Finally Accepted
Sgt. Patrick Stewart may be the first American Wiccan ever killed in combat. He was honored with the bronze star and the purple heart. But he was the only veteran in a whole cemetery without a memorial plaque because they refused to put up anything with the Wiccan pentagram. ( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/03/AR2006070300968.html)
Now they have, even though the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs still refuses to accept Wicca. The state of Nevada learned they didn't have to do what Veterans Affairs said, so they honored him. (http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20060913-1728-nv-wiccansoldier1stld-writethru.html)
How can they say you can fight and be killed for your beliefs, but if you die for them and for America they'll refuse to recognize your religion?
There are about 1,800 Wiccans who are in active service in America's military. "Wicca is one of the fastest-growing faiths in the country. Its adherents have increased almost 17-fold from 8,000 in 1990 to 134,000 in 2001, according to the American Religious Identification Survey." (That's what is says in the Washington Post article). So how can they not accept it?
Because they don't understand what Wicca is. If you don't know, I'm a Wiccan priestess. Wiccans aren't Satan worshippers and don't even believe in Satan. We do not practice black magic. We do not cast evil spells on people. Wicca is a nature religion that believes in doing good for people and the earth.
We still have a battle. Veterans Affairs lets atheists use a symbol of their beliefs but not Wicca. But religious freedom affects everyone. Even if you aren't Wiccan, remember what my friend Alden Loveshade who helped me with this article said. "If you refuse to give freedom to one religion, you refuse to give it to them all."
You can learn more about Wicca at http://lorien.loveshade.org/wicca/ and fight to have Veterans Affairs recognize it by checking out Lady Liberty League at http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/veteranpentacle/ And you can see that even Christianity Today agrees at http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/123/12.0.html
Comments
It's ironic that they would accept a symbol for atheism (as a recognized religion?), but not Wicca. It's a reminder that freedom of religion, like other freedoms, is often something that has to be fought for, even if that fight is against the very people who are promising to give it to us.
Posted by: Alden Loveshade | September 14, 2006 06:52 PM
That's great. Now if we can just get the veterans to accept it. For a country that believes in freedom of religion, America can sure be backward.
Posted by: Binky The WonderSkull | September 16, 2006 06:19 PM
Ppl still think Wiccan means Wicked! Get with it America!
Posted by: Wiccan Wanda | September 20, 2006 05:57 PM
Freedom of religion only applies if you believe what they want you to believe.
Posted by: Rev. Bootie | September 22, 2006 08:35 PM
Patrick Stewart? Wasn't he the guy on Star Trek and X-Men?
Posted by: Reverend Loveshade | September 28, 2006 04:36 AM
Sorry we took this one off! But it was a link to a website that wasn't there! lol
Posted by: http://mjqoqb99.com | October 17, 2006 11:16 PM
The most bizarre part is that Wicca is officially recognized as a religion by the military, but not by Veterans Affairs. So if you're a Wiccan in the Army, you're a member of a recognized religion until you retire, and then you aren't.
Maybe the VA thinks "Wicca" is what they make chairs out of "Back East", around Hahvahd Yahd.
Q: What is a witch's favorite tree?
A: Coventry.
(honi soit que) Mal Y. Pense
Posted by: Mal Y. Pense | November 23, 2006 05:50 AM
When will Wicca FINALLY be accepted? We're a real religion America!
Posted by: shelia manning | February 13, 2007 12:36 AM
Very well! Are you dudes agree with me? When I read it I was like: oh man!Sounds great! This is just what I was searching for! All is true, and checked, I’m sure.
Posted by: Jay | April 11, 2008 06:33 AM