US Government Discriminates Against Fallen Wiccan Soldier

The US Department of Veterans Affairs has refused to also a Wiccan religious symbol, the five-pointed star with a circle, on a memorial to Sgt. Patrick D. Stewart of Fernly, Nevada. Sgt. Stewart was killed in action in Afghanistan last year and received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart.  He had previously served in Korea and in Operation Desert Storm. 

CNN and the Washington Post reports that the approval of the Wiccan religious symbol has been under review by the Department of Veterans Affairs for nine years.  During that time religious symbols for 38 other religions including, Mormon, Bahai, Buddist and Islam have received approval. The Department was unable to explain why the approval for Wicca was taking so long.

 Sgt. Stewart's family and fellow Wiccans believe that the Department of Veterans Affairs is refusing to grant the use of the symbol because of continuing discrimination against the Wicca religion.  Federal Courts recognized the Wicca Religion since 1986 as has the IRS and the US Military.  Approximately 1,800 Wiccans currently serve in the armed forces.

 This just another example of how governmental entities favor mainstream religious groups and attempt to discriminate against minority or our of favor religions, and in the process, violate the First Amendment right of religious freedom. 

A letter to a Nevada newspaper on the subject equated Wicca with "witchcraft and Satanism", reflecting the general publics' lack of understanding about the religion which reflects an emphasis on the cycles of nature and non-traditional beliefs.