Making the Christianists Scream

From the Washington Post:

RENO, Nev. -- The widow of a soldier killed in Afghanistan saw a Wiccan symbol placed on a memorial plaque for her husband Saturday, after fighting the federal government for more than a year over the emblem.

Roberta Stewart, widow of Sgt. Patrick Stewart, and Wiccan leaders said it was the first government-issued memorial plaque with a Wiccan pentacle, a five-pointed star enclosed in a circle.

More than 50 friends and family dedicated the plaque at Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley, Nev., about 45 miles east of Reno.

I DO NOT wish to do any disrespect to Sgt. Stewart. His sacrifice and the suffering of his friends and family should in no way be seen as something 'good' because it produced an outcome I like. To any person that knew Patrick Stewart, I'm pleased only that the memorial that your loved one deserved is the one that he got. I'm pleased that meddling Christianists were unable to prevent a man who has earned so much more than this small mark of respect have been unable to prevent the fulfilling of his wishes.

The list of 'approved symbols' includes about 20 variations of the Christian Cross, "the Jewish Star of David, the Muslim crescent, the Buddhist wheel, the Mormon angel, the nine-pointed star of Bahai and an atomic whirl for atheists are also permitted" but until now, the pentacle was not among the 'approved' symbols.

V.A. Officials are in the process of re-writing the rules. Let's see how the Christianists behave during the 'public comment period' that is required.