I read in the Herald News Online that a lawsuit filed last November against the VA (Veterans Affairs) will be allowed to proceed despite a request by the VA to put the lawsuit on hold while they make a decision on rules concerning placing symbols on the grave stones of veterans.

Well, woohoo! Maybe this will grant us a better foothold in at least earning some serious recognition for our liberties and rights as WIccans in the US. Maybe.

"The lawsuit says it makes no sense for Wiccan symbols to be banned from grave markers when Wiccan soldiers can list their faith on dog tags, Wiccan organizations are allowed to hold services on military installations and the Army Chaplains Handbook includes an explanation of the religion."

Why yes they can! And yes it does! It has always seemed a bit strange to me that even back during Desert Storm we saw pictures of service men and women Circling in the deserts, observing Wiccan and other Pagan faiths while in the military, and low and behold... even during active duty and in the middle of a conflict in some other country! Yet, those who died in teh service of our country could be denied something so simple yet prfoundly meaningful as putting a small symbol of their faith on their headstones. Well, maybe that is about to change.

Its not an insignificant issue. This is another opportunity for Wiccans everywhere to show that - regardless of what others or even the President might think - Wicca is a valid and recognized religion, and as such we have just as much right to be recognized as such in the US, and should be afforded an equal degree of freedom to express that religion as any other.

More personally, and more to the point of this post, we are looking at a shift in perception regarding Wicca in the US. The successful outcome of this lawsuit could result in providing foundation for future actions and responses in a variety of courts and cases for the legally weighted push for recognition and respect that our community so desperately needs now.

This could all lead to improved opportunities and a more level playing feild when we consider cases such as wrongful termination, evictions, harassments, and the like we see scattered all over the US, creeping up as evidence that while we supposedly live in a country where religious freedom is a liberty afforded us, its a sham, and serves only whichever churches are most dominant at the time. This seems like a step in the right direction toward empowering our communities with the opportunity to call government, and community bluffs.

Seriously, its about time we be taken a little more seriously. We are not after converts, and if we were afforded just the simple respects of being left to believe what we choose (without fear of harm or harrassment), being able to observe our religion, and not be treated or dismissed as "not real" then we - as a community - would most likely be less concerned with making sure people "find out what we are about". Honestly, most to all Wiccans could really care less if anyone else knew what we do and what we believe, let alone come do that with us.

Regardless of what the fanatical and fruity Christians on the left might say about us, we are not bent on brainwashing children, killing small fuzzy things, or taking over your city. Also, we are not concerned - as a community of faith - with "setting the record straight", but only that we offer enough to get the recognition, respect, and social validity afforded any other religion, so that we can observe our faitha nd live our lives freely and with dignity.

I applaud the two widows, and Circle Sanctuary, Selena Fox, and every other Wiccan and reasonable person who has contributed and persisted in this effort. My experiences with the VA and its internal politics leads me to believe that getting to even this point was no small accomplishment. Hoorah!

Now... I better see what I can find on the Starbucks thing since I have been out of the loop for a while ;o)

Birghtest Blessings.










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