VA sued to allow Wiccan headstone symbol

[icymist]

WASHINGTON--A religious watchdog group sued the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on Monday in reaction to the federal government's refusal to permit followers of the Wiccan faith to adorn their military headstones with the religion's symbol.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed suit on behalf of Roberta Stewart, who has been pressing the VA for more than a year to allow the Wiccan pentacle symbol to be placed on the headstone of her husband, a Nevada National Guard soldier who died last September in Afghanistan.

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"There can be no hierarchy of faith as far as the government is concerned," said the Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United. "Where citizens worship and how they relate to the Divine--or whether they choose to relate at all--should be no concern of the state."

The VA did not return several telephone calls seeking comment. In the past, the department, which oversees policies in national cemeteries, has said it is studying the issue and has not yet come to a final decision on the appropriateness of the Wiccan pentacle, a five-pointed star surrounded by a circle.

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The VA is taking upon itself to decide 'appropriateness' of an entire religions' symbols?