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United States (and occupied territories): Wiccan service people face a number of problems. In one incident, a small circle was pelted with bottles and stones by fellow squaddies while worshipping in Iraq. Military chaplain Patrick McCollum described some of the other problems:
An advisory team became a Pentagon priority when Wiccan military personnel reported problems while conducting rites and religious activities.
The Wiccans said that some chaplains were trying to convert them and that commanding officers made it difficult to practice, McCollum said.
Wiccans also have been pressuring the Department of Veterans Affairs to allow a Wiccan emblem, most likely the pentacle (sic.), for armed forces burial headstones or markers. Mike Nacincik of Veterans Affairs, said the department authorizes 38 emblems, including one for atheists, but none for Wiccans.
The military should honor the beliefs of Wiccans asked to fight and die to uphold freedom of speech and religion, McCollum said.
If these freedoms are taken away while they're defending these values, it creates a paradox.
Interestingly, the Air Force boasts the highest number of Wiccans - perhaps a fast jet is the closest they'll ever get to a broomstick.
Military casts Wicca in the shadows - Contra Costa Times (via Religion News Blog), 12th August 2004.
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at 11:17. Last modified on September 28 2006 at 23:42.
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1: Posted by: Homunculus | August 15, 2004 11:38 PM
I just googled the existing emblems at http://www.cem.va.gov/hmfact.htm. They've got an Eckankar emblem, for crying out loud, but not one for Paganism?!
2: Posted by: A Voice of Sanity | September 7, 2008 8:26 AM
New list at Available Emblems of Belief - they now have a pentacle for Wicca.
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