A Win for Religious Freedom
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Debra Eichenbaum is a Legislative Assistant at the Religious Action Center. She is a graduate of Brandeis University. |
Often it feels as if we are fighting defensive battles in the world of religious freedom – making sure that federal dollars aren’t being used to discriminate against someone based on religion or ensuring the full protection of the First Amendment. It isn’t often that we have the opportunity to launch a proactive offensive battle to gain more religious freedom; not often are we in a position where we can further expand our religious rights. This week however there was a “win” in the courts for religious freedom.
This past November Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed a lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs on behalf of several families of Wicca soldiers after the U.S. government refused to issue grave markers, headstones or memorial plaques with the Wiccan symbol to these veterans. The refusal to issue such a marker shows a blatant disregard for religious pluralism and equality, claiming the supposed superiority of one religious tradition over another.
On Monday a settlement was reached when the Bush Administration agreed to allow Wicca pentacles in military cemeteries – thereby acknowledging that there are no second-class religions in America and enabling these fallen soldiers to receive a religious marker on their tombstones just like their comrades. To learn more about this legal battle click here and read an article from the Washington Times.