Sometimes I wonder if this story would be getting as much attention if the soldier had had a different name.
It's ridiculous that the VA is dragging its heels on approving the pentacle symbol. It's approved several symbols of more obscure religions with far fewer adherents in the Armed Forces than this.
(Of course, there's some disagreement within the Pagan community—if that's the right word—as to whether we want a symbol at all, and if so, whether this should be it. Ah, Pagan community, if someone said the sky was blue, half of you would start arguing about what shade, and the rest would insist that blue is subjective.)
How dare you try to pin down one set color for the loving arms of our Sky Mother! Our limited subjective perspective cannot even begin to comprehend Her glorious multihuedinosity, nor can we pin down Her gloriousness with such ephemeral things as words in this particular limited reality.
Sorry, couldn't resist. Really if I had to give any sort of "religion" at all, it'd be pagan of some flavor, but I guess that's the point... "Pagan" doesn't really even remotely describe one specific religion or viewpoint or what-have-you.
Of course, this is about a "Wiccan" symbol instead of specifically a "Pagan" one, but even that's just about as scattered.
Oh, it gets worse...there are non-Wiccan Pagans who use the pentacle, and Wiccans who would prefer no official symbol at all, thank you (and never mind that that's presumably an option on a personal level).
What would make it really entertaining would be if some Christians decided to "reclaim" it or something.
This is what happens when, strictly for dramatic purposes, you continue to ignore the Starfleet regulations against allowing the captain to beam down into war zones.
(Condolences to the family, and I hope they win their fight with VA.)
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(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-26 09:27 pm (UTC)It's ridiculous that the VA is dragging its heels on approving the pentacle symbol. It's approved several symbols of more obscure religions with far fewer adherents in the Armed Forces than this.
(Of course, there's some disagreement within the Pagan community—if that's the right word—as to whether we want a symbol at all, and if so, whether this should be it. Ah, Pagan community, if someone said the sky was blue, half of you would start arguing about what shade, and the rest would insist that blue is subjective.)
(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-26 09:45 pm (UTC)Sorry, couldn't resist. Really if I had to give any sort of "religion" at all, it'd be pagan of some flavor, but I guess that's the point... "Pagan" doesn't really even remotely describe one specific religion or viewpoint or what-have-you.
Of course, this is about a "Wiccan" symbol instead of specifically a "Pagan" one, but even that's just about as scattered.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-26 10:42 pm (UTC)What would make it really entertaining would be if some Christians decided to "reclaim" it or something.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-26 09:46 pm (UTC)(Condolences to the family, and I hope they win their fight with VA.)