Paganism

Americans United Represents Circle Sanctuary in Wiccan Gravemarker Case

August 3, 2006

Source: Americans United press release

[au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2006/08/presses-va-for-r.html]

 

On August 3, 2006 an Americans United press release reported, "Americans United for Separation of Church and State is stepping up its effort to persuade the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to approve a Wiccan symbol for headstones, plaques and other memorials of deceased veterans.

Americans United is now officially representing Circle Sanctuary, one of America's oldest Wiccan...

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Chicagoland Woman Sues Company She Says Fired Her for Being a Wiccan

July 6, 2006

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

[suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-wiccan06.html]

On July 6, 2006 the Chicago Sun-Times reported, "A Schaumburg company allegedly fired a woman, and one employee is accused of calling her a 'devil worshipper' after she disclosed she practiced Wicca -- a pagan religion viewed by some as witchcraft.

Now, the woman is suing.

Rebecca Sommers said the company fired her in 2004, citing poor job performance. She had worked with the firm since 2002.

But Sommers insists in a federal...

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Soldier's Widow Threatens Lawsuit Over Refusal of Wiccan Symbol on Memorial

July 5, 2006

Source: KWTX.com

[kwtx.com/home/headlines/3279581.html]

On July 5, 2006 KWTX.com reported, "The widow of a U.S. soldier killed in Afghanistan is appealing the government's refusal to put a Wiccan symbol on his memorial plaque.

Roberta Stewart was scheduled to meet Wednesday with an undersecretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and is threatening to sue unless her demand is met.

Her husband, Nevada Army National Guard Sgt. Patrick Stewart, died Sept. 25, 2005 when his Chinook helicopter was shot down....

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Widow of Wiccan Soldier to Speak at July 4th Interfaith Religious Rights Rally

July 3, 2006

Source: Las Vegas Sun

Wire Service: AP

[lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2006/jul/03/070310047.html]

On July 3, 2006 the Associated Press reported, "The widow of a Nevada soldier is taking her fight for a veteran's memorial plaque recognizing her husband's Wiccan religion to the nation's capital.

Roberta Stewart will a guest speaker Tuesday at a Fourth of July interfaith religious rights rally in Washington, D.C.

Stewart's husband, Nevada Army National Guard Sgt....

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Supporters Back Grave Marker for Wiccan Soldier

June 27, 2006

Source: Religion News Service

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/193/story_19363_1.html

On June 27, 2006 Religion News Service reported, "The space where the memorial marker of Sgt. Patrick D. Stewart, a decorated American soldier who was killed last year in Afghanistan, should stand is empty because his Wiccan faith is not one of 30 approved for such designation by the federal government. Stewart, a 34-year-old native of Fernley, Nev., was killed Sept. 25 by a rocket-...

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Religious Rights Rally to Be Held on July 4

June 27, 2006

Source: U.S. Newswire

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=68364

On June 27, 2006 U.S. Newswire reported, "A religious rights rally will be held at Farragut Square Park in Washington, D.C. between noon and 4 p.m. on America's birthday, the Fourth of July. The rally is in support of universal religious tolerance and free exercise for all religions, as guaranteed in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights. Speakers include: Rev. Barry Lynn, spokesperson...

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Pagan Population on the Rise in Nashville

June 17, 2006

Source: The Tennessean

[tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060617/NEWS06/606170326/1023/NEWS]

On June 17, 2006 The Tennessean reported, "In the city of churches, there's a new congregation in town. Its numbers are small, but its gods are many. The Many Rivers Grove is the latest enclave of pagans in a city where their Bible-Belt bashfulness is fading. 'There's a ton of pagans in Nashville,' says Andi Houston, an organizer of the grove (or congregation). 'I've found Nashville to be very open and welcoming.' The...

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Link to Articles Related to Wiccan Headstone Symbol Debate � Lady Liberty League

June 14, 2006

Source: Lady Liberty League

http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/veteranpentacle/

On June 14, 2006 the Lady Liberty League reported, "Circle Sanctuary is among those working to have the Pentacle, Wiccan emblem of belief, added to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs list of emblems that can be inscribed on government issued memorial markers, headstones, and plaques for deceased veterans." A full list of links related to this controversy can be found on the...

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Update: Wiccan Tax Exemption Case Before State Supreme Court

June 12, 2006

Source: LifeSiteNews.com

[lifesite.net/ldn/2006/jun/06061202.html]

On June 12, 2006 LifeSiteNews.com reported, "A Wiccan group has challenged Florida state tax-exemption on sales of religious articles and publications, after the organization lost its own tax-exemption status on items for sale. Tax exemption was withdrawn from the Wiccan Religious Cooperative because it did not own a place of worship, required by the Department of Revenue rules, reported the Orlando Sentinel on Friday. The group then launched a lawsuit on...

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Wiccan Widow Fights for Husband�s Tombstone Marker

June 5, 2006

Source: Christianity Today

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/123/12.0.html

On June 5, 2006 Christianity Today ran an opinion piece by John W. Whitehead, constitutional attorney and author and founder and president of The Rutherford Institute, about the refusal of the government to allow a Wiccan veteran to have a Wiccan symbol on his tombstone. Whitehead writes, "Whatever one's opinion might be about the Wiccan faith, there should be no doubt in anyone's mind...

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Widow of Wiccan Vet Holds Alternative Memorial Service

May 29, 2006

Source: Daily Bulletin

[dailybulletin.com/news/ci_3878710]

On May 29, 2006 the Daily Bulletin reported, "A war widow who wants the government to put a Wiccan religious symbol on her husband's memorial plaque held an alternative service Monday as a protest, hours before an official Memorial Day ceremony nearby.

'This is discrimination against our religion,' Roberta Stewart said at the gathering of about 200 at a park east of Fernley for her late husband, Sgt. Patrick Stewart. 'I ask you to help us remember that all...

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Top Veteran Official Joins Wiccan Headstone Fray

May 27, 2006

Source: CBS News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/27/ap/national/mainD8HS48LO0.shtml

On May 27, 2006 the Associated Press reported, "Over the years, families have used religious symbols such as the Jewish Star of David, the Christian cross and the Islamic crescent and star to honor their loved ones on headstones and markers. For Sgt. Patrick Stewart's family, the symbol of choice was also from...

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