Wiccan widow seeks help from church-state group

[NVMojo]

Roberta Stewart has chosen a national church-state watchdog group to help her get the Wiccan emblem recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Since her husband's death Sept. 25, when his Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan, the Fernley resident has sought a memorial plaque that recognizes her husband's religion.

Stewart said her personal experience with the VA and knowing that Wiccans have been requesting approval for an emblem since 1997 has prompted her decision to seek assistance from the Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The Washington, D.C.-based organization litigates religious freedom cases.

"We're coming up on a year anniversary for my husband's death and still don't have a plaque," Stewart said. "I feel that this is a stronger, more forceful stonewalling. It could be years before my husband has a plaque."

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http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060804/NEWS10/608040427/1016/NEWS

[silverojo]

1. That is just too freakin' sick.

I'm a Wiccan, and I think this is truly disgusting. He deserves to be honored properly!

[progressoid]

2. "It could be years before my husband has a plaque"

Try decades.

[formercia]

3. Fight On

Do not let the Xtian State take control.

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. Do you know that the Wiccan beliefs did more to assuage my

desire for revenge than my Christian beliefs? It's true. First, Christianity use to be very effective in teaching a person to turn the other cheek. But lately, Christianity has taken hijacked, and now it has become a vengeance-seeking religion. You saw it in the Mel Gibson movie when Jesus's closing shot was anything but forgiving and you see it as our Evangelical-influenced president seeks affirmation from his religious base with each bomb that gets dropped in the Middle East.

But I visited the Salem Witch Museum and one thing stood out. The Wiccan's believe that anything you wish upon someone else, comes back to you three times fold. It's like getting a cold bucket of ice water thrown on you. So, that's how the Wiccan religion reminded me that the old way of practicing Christianity, is still the right way.

[Maat]

5. She certainly picked the right group to help.

I'm a proud member, a proud monthly donor, and well aware of the superb professional capabilities of the Legal Staff of A.U. (A.U.S.C.S.).

This is great news - not only for her. Now, I will get regular updates on the status of this case! Another fascinating topic for my monthly "Church and State" magazine.