This is political, yet very much affects Pagans & Wiccans.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is accepting comments about their new regulations for approving religious symbols as emblems of faith for vets' tombstones. It is in the congressional record. Comments must be sent to the VA by March 20th. You do not have to be a veteran to make a comment.
There are several new clauses which would make it harder for Pagans to get approval of the Pentacle (and eventually other symbols too). This includes demanding that a congregation have a set membership, in a specific location. There are several oblique references to symbols that might have an "adverse impact" on others, or which might be offensive. I'm sure that was on purpose so that if anyone objects to the Pentacle, or calls it offensive, the symbol would be rejected by the VA.
The regulations also don't have any set time limit for approving religious emblems, or for giving people a distinct YES or NO answer. This matter has already been in government limbo for nearly ten years.
The lawsuit against the VA to have the Pentacle approved was put on the docket for June 29th by a federal judge in Wisconsin. The VA tried to delay it for another whole year, and the judge refused.
There is more information on www.witchvox. com or at my blog.
All the stuff about the new regulations, instructions for making comments about the VA regs, and a copy of our family's comments are at my blog. Please look at it and send your comments to the VA. Thank you.
http://theaceplace. blogspot. com
There is boodles of information about the struggle to have the VA accept Wicca and approve the Pentacle on the Circle website, www.circlesanctuary .org
Please pass this message along to any other groups / lists / people you may feel are interested. Thank you! -- A.C.
Indywiz
Gaia Works
www.gaiaworks. org
Pagan Educational Network
http://www.paganedu cationalnetwork. org/
