The following is in response to the many happy feelings in the afterglow of our victory regarding the Encircled Pentacle approval. Please feel free to contact me if you wish to help in this effort and I can forward Rev. Kay's information to you. Many blessings to all who read this!
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Yes, we are thrilled, and definitely in the glow of the moment after a ten year long battle to win the Encircled Pentacle approval.
BUT, the Quest is not over. There are troops and veterans from other paths among the Earth Religions who would also like to see their own chosen religious emblems also approved. The Asutruar - Thor's Hammer, the Druids - The Awen, and so forth. So I am hoping the larger Earth Religions/Pagan community will continue the good fight with us to win the day for our Pagan troops and veterans who are not truly represented yet according to their own religious choices.
And in reality, the V.A. should not have the right to determine what religious emblems are chosen by our troops and veterans for grave and memorial markers. That is in direct contradiction of our U.S. Constitution, the freedoms of religion and speech, and the separation
of church and state. The only exceptions being that the V.A. should not engrave emblems on these markers that depict things that are already written into U.S. laws as criminal activities, and they do have to maintain a budget. So the symbols need to remain reasonably simple and within specified size limitations to be cost effective. Other than that, it really shouldn't be any of their business.
Also, there is the matter of the U.S. Military Chaplains Boards, in all four branches, still dragging their heels on approving any Wiccan, or any other type of Pagan congregation, to be approved for endorsing chaplains for the military. This is a more complicated issue, with educational requirements, and other matters involved. But it is still a matter of blatant discrimination, and a system of requirements that needs to be revised to truly represent freedom of religion, and separation of church and state for our Pagans on active duty in the U.S. Military.
So please stay with us folks. The victory of the approval of the Encircled Pentacle for Wiccans, and other Pagans who wish to choose that as their religious emblem for military grave and memorial markers, is in effect the incredible legal precedent that has 'opened the door' for all else that still needs to be accomplished for our Pagan U.S. Military troops and veterans to truly have equal religious rights while serving our country, and afterward.
Blessed Be in Life, Love, Service, and Liberty,
Kay
Rev. Kay J. Ahl
aka: Tia Hu
Amor Vincit Omnia!
Holding you all in my heart, prayers, and rites.......
***************
Yes, we are thrilled, and definitely in the glow of the moment after a ten year long battle to win the Encircled Pentacle approval.
BUT, the Quest is not over. There are troops and veterans from other paths among the Earth Religions who would also like to see their own chosen religious emblems also approved. The Asutruar - Thor's Hammer, the Druids - The Awen, and so forth. So I am hoping the larger Earth Religions/Pagan community will continue the good fight with us to win the day for our Pagan troops and veterans who are not truly represented yet according to their own religious choices.
And in reality, the V.A. should not have the right to determine what religious emblems are chosen by our troops and veterans for grave and memorial markers. That is in direct contradiction of our U.S. Constitution, the freedoms of religion and speech, and the separation
of church and state. The only exceptions being that the V.A. should not engrave emblems on these markers that depict things that are already written into U.S. laws as criminal activities, and they do have to maintain a budget. So the symbols need to remain reasonably simple and within specified size limitations to be cost effective. Other than that, it really shouldn't be any of their business.
Also, there is the matter of the U.S. Military Chaplains Boards, in all four branches, still dragging their heels on approving any Wiccan, or any other type of Pagan congregation, to be approved for endorsing chaplains for the military. This is a more complicated issue, with educational requirements, and other matters involved. But it is still a matter of blatant discrimination, and a system of requirements that needs to be revised to truly represent freedom of religion, and separation of church and state for our Pagans on active duty in the U.S. Military.
So please stay with us folks. The victory of the approval of the Encircled Pentacle for Wiccans, and other Pagans who wish to choose that as their religious emblem for military grave and memorial markers, is in effect the incredible legal precedent that has 'opened the door' for all else that still needs to be accomplished for our Pagan U.S. Military troops and veterans to truly have equal religious rights while serving our country, and afterward.
Blessed Be in Life, Love, Service, and Liberty,
Kay
Rev. Kay J. Ahl
aka: Tia Hu
Amor Vincit Omnia!
Holding you all in my heart, prayers, and rites.......
Furl It
Simpy
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