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Xeogaming Forums - General Chat - Pentacle OK'd for use on U.S. soldiers' graves | |
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Rogue
If you're reading this... You are the Resistance











Since: 08-17-04

Since last post: 395 days
Last activity: 203 days
Posted on 04-25-07 12:27 PM Link | Quote
Article

Originally posted by CNN.com
Wiccan symbol OK for soldiers' graves
POSTED: 8:58 a.m. EDT, April 25, 2007

MADISON, Wisconsin (AP) -- The Wiccan pentacle has been added to the list of emblems allowed in national cemeteries and on government-issued headstones of fallen soldiers, according to a settlement announced Monday.

A settlement between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Wiccans adds the five-pointed star to the list of "emblems of belief" allowed on VA grave markers.

Eleven families nationwide are waiting for grave markers with the pentacle, said Selena Fox, a Wiccan high priestess with Circle Sanctuary in Barneveld, Wisconsin, a plaintiff in the lawsuit.

The settlement calls for the pentacle, whose five points represent earth, air, fire, water and spirit, to be placed on grave markers within 14 days for those who have pending requests with the VA.

"I am glad this has ended in success in time to get markers for Memorial Day," Fox said.

The VA sought the settlement in the interest of the families involved and to save taxpayers the expense of further litigation, VA spokesman Matt Burns said. The agency also agreed to pay $225,000 in attorneys' fees and costs.

The pentacle has been added to 38 symbols the VA already permits on gravestones. They include commonly recognized symbols for Christianity, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism, as well as those for smaller religions such as Sufism Reoriented, Eckankar and the Japanese faith Seicho-No-Ie.

"This settlement has forced the Bush Administration into acknowledging that there are no second class religions in America, including among our nation's veterans," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which represented the Wiccans in the lawsuit.

The American Civil Liberties Union said the agreement also settles a similar lawsuit it filed last year against the VA. In that case, the ACLU represented two other Wiccan churches and three individuals.

VA-issued headstones, markers and plaques can be used in any cemetery, whether it is a national one such as Arlington or a private burial ground like that on Circle Sanctuary's property.

Wicca is a nature-based religion based on respect for the earth, nature and the cycle of the seasons. Variations of the pentacle not accepted by Wiccans have been used in horror movies as a sign of the devil.


Though it might sound small, this is a pretty sweet victory for religious tolerance.
Belial

Bazu








Since: 01-29-05
From: New Zealand

Since last post: 4126 days
Last activity: 3740 days
Posted on 04-25-07 01:02 PM Link | Quote
This is pretty amazing, if you think about it. Bush has been known to criticize Wiccans, by saying that there is no such thing as witchcraft, etc... In your face, Bush!
NUCKLEARKNIGHT

Marco








Since: 12-17-04
From: Petaluma, California

Since last post: 5672 days
Last activity: 5266 days
Posted on 04-25-07 02:18 PM Link | Quote
So all of those pentagrams or pentacle that you see representing the devil are not real? Wow they have been giving out a completely wrong image.
Bitmap

#1 Enhancement Shaman US Ravenholdt








Since: 09-05-04
From: His Laughin' Place

Since last post: 4318 days
Last activity: 4312 days
Posted on 04-25-07 02:29 PM Link | Quote
Originally posted by NUCKLEARKNIGHT
So all of those pentagrams or pentacle that you see representing the devil are not real? Wow they have been giving out a completely wrong image.


I thought the Pentagram was symbolic for Satanists?

But with a little research, it was used by Jews, pagans, and Wiccans. ( According to various resources to which im not going to reveal unless you PM me)

But I cant say anything (Personal) about this. Go Pentacles!


(Last edited by Nagis on 04-25-07 06:20 PM)
Elara

Divine Mamkute
Dark Elf Goddess
Chaos Imp
Penguins Fan

Ms. Invisable








Since: 08-15-04
From: Ferelden

Since last post: 73 days
Last activity: 73 days
Posted on 04-25-07 02:43 PM Link | Quote
You know, Satanists use the Cross of St. Peter as their other main symbol... does that make all crosses signs of the Devil? No, it doesn't. Do research before you post Nucklearknight, your post was offensive. The symbol you are thinking of is an inverted pentagram with Baphomet's head in it... some may just have an inverted pentagram, but I rarely see those.

Best resource for all this is www.religioustolerance.com

But anyway, yay victory for us! It is good to see that the government is recognizing the non-mainstream religions have rights too. Maybe this will get Bush to shut up.





(Last edited by Elara on 04-25-07 05:49 PM)
Bitmap

#1 Enhancement Shaman US Ravenholdt








Since: 09-05-04
From: His Laughin' Place

Since last post: 4318 days
Last activity: 4312 days
Posted on 04-25-07 03:01 PM Link | Quote
Post deleted. Read thread in Sunset


(Last edited by Nagis on 04-26-07 08:05 PM)
Rogue
If you're reading this... You are the Resistance











Since: 08-17-04

Since last post: 395 days
Last activity: 203 days
Posted on 04-25-07 08:50 PM Link | Quote
Often because of the way the pentacle is portrayed in the media, people get a lot of misleading ideas.

Example: In Tenacious D's recent movie "The Pick of Destiny," they show pentacles in various scenes to either channel the mystical, magical metal that only Satan himself can spew, and even their version of Satan has an inverted pentacle on his chest.

After reading into it (and it's even addressed in the article in various places), the pentacle represents the elements: earth, fire, wind, water, and spirit. It's a symbol of empowerment, much like the cross, Jesus fish, the Star of David, the Om symbol, and the crescent moon are for people of other faiths.

By a government institution like Veteran Affairs acknowledging and recognizing Wicca as a faith, it opens the door for more people to gain a greater understanding of it and in turn be more open to the religious views and philosophies of others.
WhiteRose

Warrior
Sailor Delerium

Have you ever spent days and days and days making up flavors of ice cream that no ones ever eaten before? Like chicken and telephone ice cream?...Green mouse ice cream was the worst.








Since: 08-17-04
From: The Dreaming

Since last post: 4213 days
Last activity: 4917 days
Posted on 04-25-07 09:41 PM Link | Quote
One: Nagis, when you said "And you Elara, I can point out one thing that you have said awhile back about you saying "Stupid Cross worshippers" or something like that. I was going to say something, but I held my trap in. " I think you misunderstood Elara. She isn't saying that applies to all those of Christian faith. Cross-worshipers is a term she uses to those who follow their religion blindly without question and try and impose their views on the world, without consideration of what the others view is. Elara has nothing against Christians.

Two: This news makes me very happy. It is a small step, but it is a step towards better religious tolerance. Huzzah!
z33r0

Octorok








Since: 04-07-06

Since last post: 5169 days
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Posted on 04-25-07 11:15 PM Link | Quote
Originally posted by Nagis


I thought the Pentagram was symbolic for Satanists?

But with a little research, it was used by Jews, pagans, and Wiccans. ( According to various resources to which im not going to reveal unless you PM me)




The pentacle when upside down is used as a bad symbol. The top point on the star represents spirit and is at the top to control the other four points which are erath, fire, water, and air.

when you flip it upside-down the elements control the spirit and you get trouble.

but everyone just seems to see a star in a circle so it gets a bad rap, yo.

this is according to [paraphrased from] raven grimassi, can't remember the title of the book[t'was a wiccan book I got from the library because it was damaged], my stupid bitch friends who moved to vancouver and I hate her and she's fat borrowed itand still has it and I want it back >=(
Elara

Divine Mamkute
Dark Elf Goddess
Chaos Imp
Penguins Fan

Ms. Invisable








Since: 08-15-04
From: Ferelden

Since last post: 73 days
Last activity: 73 days
Posted on 04-26-07 04:11 AM Link | Quote
I believe I have that book. And besides that, the inverted Pentacle represents the Horned God (think Pan) in most Pagan religions... possibly why Satanists chose to use it.

And Nagis, note that I did not say that your post was offensive? You did your research and I am glad of it. However, I am hurt that you took my previous posts so horribly out of context in an attempt to make me look bad. Do you even remember what those threads were about? It doesn't even seem to matter that my comments were in a joking manner in BOTH posts, but apparently you are choosing to overlook that.

More over, this did not need to be in this thread. If you had an issue you should have PMed me about it. I would have thought you'd learned that by now, but apparently I'd be wrong.
Siobhan.

Red Paragoomba








Since: 02-15-07
From: Boston

Since last post: 6024 days
Last activity: 5064 days
Posted on 04-26-07 01:48 PM Link | Quote
Originally posted by z33r0
Originally posted by Nagis


I thought the Pentagram was symbolic for Satanists?

But with a little research, it was used by Jews, pagans, and Wiccans. ( According to various resources to which im not going to reveal unless you PM me)




The pentacle when upside down is used as a bad symbol. The top point on the star represents spirit and is at the top to control the other four points which are erath, fire, water, and air.

when you flip it upside-down the elements control the spirit and you get trouble.

but everyone just seems to see a star in a circle so it gets a bad rap, yo.

this is according to [paraphrased from] raven grimassi, can't remember the title of the book[t'was a wiccan book I got from the library because it was damaged], my stupid bitch friends who moved to vancouver and I hate her and she's fat borrowed itand still has it and I want it back >=(



oh yes, it is terrible horrible when an image of a star is flipped upside down and people choose to wear it, oh goodness this horrible symbol is going to destroy people!!

PEOPLE.

really. they are all SYMBOLS. they only have meaning if you give it meaning. if you choose to give a symbol meaning, fine, but don't think that a symbol specifically belongs to a certain religion. many christians i know dislike the symbol of a cross and specifically only want a symbol of a CRUCIFIX for representation, because that actually shows jesus and yadda yadda. many witches use pentagrams or inverted pentagrams, and many of these witches are not wiccans, although many are.

some satanists use an inverted pentagram when practicing witchcraft or to display their beliefs, but god please don't go calling it a "bad symbol". all it is is a little design someone created to represent something. don't get your panties in a bunch. the only reason anyone would label anything associated with satanism as "bad" is because they are ignorant.
NUCKLEARKNIGHT

Marco








Since: 12-17-04
From: Petaluma, California

Since last post: 5672 days
Last activity: 5266 days
Posted on 04-26-07 02:41 PM Link | Quote
I am sorry if I offended anybody. I was simply saying that I have seen a lot of pentagrams that represent evil things and I have gotten the impression that they represent the devil. I'm sorry Elara if I offended you.


Originally posted by Rogue
Often because of the way the pentacle is portrayed in the media, people get a lot of misleading ideas.

Example: In Tenacious D's recent movie "The Pick of Destiny," they show pentacles in various scenes to either channel the mystical, magical metal that only Satan himself can spew, and even their version of Satan has an inverted pentacle on his chest.


Don't forget Doom 3. There is extensive use of the pentagram in that video game. Used to call demons etc. Basically associated with hell...

However I did do some research and found that the pentagram was associated with Christianity at one point to represent the five wounds of Jesus and was believed to protect against witches and demons. It has also been associated with Freemasonry.
Elara

Divine Mamkute
Dark Elf Goddess
Chaos Imp
Penguins Fan

Ms. Invisable








Since: 08-15-04
From: Ferelden

Since last post: 73 days
Last activity: 73 days
Posted on 04-26-07 07:04 PM Link | Quote
Well, at least you know now.

But yeah, when you really look at it, the pentagram is present in many religions and societies. It is really old, and we all know that cultures love to borrow/steal things from older cultures.

The use of it for "demon summoning" generally seems to be misunderstood. I don't know how it started, but people seem to think that you need it to get the power to summon the demon. However, in most fantasy novels and games it states that the pentacle is there to bind the demon and protect the summoner from it. Again, this is me going off my D&D knowledge and not historical stuff, so it isn't that complete.
geeogree

Ninji








Since: 10-19-04

Since last post: 4936 days
Last activity: 29 days
Posted on 04-26-07 08:07 PM Link | Quote
well.... as with any symbols, what they represent changes. Their uses change and popular culture today has made that particular symbol "evil". That's not to say that the particular symbol can't be used for evil purposes.

I'm willing to bet that the pentacle has very positive uses before movies made them evil. A great example: "the swastika is a symbol of Nazism in the mid-twentieth century, but is a symbol of the sun-god or of good luck in India and Tibet".

I just spent a few minutes reading about the pentacle and it has been used by many different cultures including Hebrews (early Jews), Uruks, and even some Christians.

There are many symbols associated with with "Satanism" that aren't inherently evil. Plus who is it hurting that instead of a cross some people have pentacles on their graves.

This whole post feels kind of disorganized but I think you all get what I'm trying to say (this coming from the conservative Christian board member )
Rogue
If you're reading this... You are the Resistance











Since: 08-17-04

Since last post: 395 days
Last activity: 203 days
Posted on 04-26-07 08:53 PM Link | Quote
What a wonderful response, geeogree. That wasn't meant to sound sarcastic or like I'm knocking on any of your past posts, but that was cool.

Great point about the swastika. The Nazi's version has the points going clockwise, while the Eastern cultures' version going counter-clockwise, but often some still lock them both with a symbol of hate.


(Last edited by Rogue on 04-27-07 01:34 AM)
Siobhan.

Red Paragoomba








Since: 02-15-07
From: Boston

Since last post: 6024 days
Last activity: 5064 days
Posted on 04-26-07 10:02 PM Link | Quote
Originally posted by Rogue
What a wonderful response, geo. That wasn't meant to sound sarcastic or like I'm knocking on any of your past posts, but that was cool.

Great point about the swastika. The Nazi's version has the points going clockwise, while the Eastern cultures' version going counter-clockwise, but often some still lock them both with a symbol of hate.


the pentagram was originally a sign of protection
geeogree

Ninji








Since: 10-19-04

Since last post: 4936 days
Last activity: 29 days
Posted on 04-27-07 01:12 AM Link | Quote
Originally posted by cawn Q byne
Originally posted by Rogue
What a wonderful response, geo. That wasn't meant to sound sarcastic or like I'm knocking on any of your past posts, but that was cool.

Great point about the swastika. The Nazi's version has the points going clockwise, while the Eastern cultures' version going counter-clockwise, but often some still lock them both with a symbol of hate.


the pentagram was originally a sign of protection



Thanks Rogue. That's what I sound like when I take more than 30 seconds to respond to a thread . And no worries. Some of my past posts are less thoughtful than that one was.

The pentagram has been used for many reasons. Most of them until recently are "good".

Something to note though: the cross was used by egyptian "pagans" thousands of years ago. Now it's about Jesus. Does it matter what it used to be used for?
Pockets

Werewolf
pockets








Since: 10-20-04

Since last post: 4852 days
Last activity: 4368 days
Posted on 04-27-07 01:22 AM Link | Quote
The Pentacle was also a sign of Venus. I have a Pentacle on my belt buckle,
and one with a serpent biting it's own tail as the circle on a chain around my neck
that I wear every day. The symbol is comforting and gives me a feeling of protection
and safety.

It's sad that so many people misunderstand the meaning of that symbol, the
many meanings of it aside from the stupid and uneducated masses that
associate it with evil and devil worship and other such crap.

I'm quite pleased to see that it's now available for fallen Soldiers and Veterans.
Siobhan.

Red Paragoomba








Since: 02-15-07
From: Boston

Since last post: 6024 days
Last activity: 5064 days
Posted on 04-27-07 10:13 AM Link | Quote
i really hate how people keep using the terms "good" and "bad" to describe the pentagram when these ideas are so subjective anyway.

i am a satanist and a satanic witch, and i practice magic, which some would consider a combination of "white" and "dark" magic. if i wear or use a pentagram, does it make it bad?

.____.
geeogree

Ninji








Since: 10-19-04

Since last post: 4936 days
Last activity: 29 days
Posted on 04-27-07 02:05 PM Link | Quote
well, I'm putting quotations around my goods and bads to try and make the point that to most people these terms are relative.

I believe there is an absolute good and evil. Every action is either positive or negative. I believe things/symbols are both good and bad/evil depending on their use.

A pentagram is both depending on how it's used.

For many people they don't know that the pentagram is used for good things. They only have it associated with evil or at least anti-christian uses eventhough for some time Christians actually used the symbol themselves.
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