I have long admired (though not always agreed with) the religion blog “Get Religion”. They often pursue what the mainstream press doesn’t “get” about religious faith in the news. Yet contributor Dan Pulliam (who I took issue with recently on this blog) seems to completely miss the mark on a story concerning modern Paganism. Pulliam looks at the religious “ghosts” (missed religious angles in stories) in the lawsuit over inclusion of the Pentacle on military veteran’s headstones or markers. Once again, Pulliam wants to dig up the “controversy” of modern Paganism.

“The problem with the article, as Eden noted to us, is that there is no mention of the possibility that widows and other family members of GIs might find a pentagram offensive…There is something unique in that the Pentagram is considered a satanic symbol, by some…to some Christians, this symbol is like a swastika to them. The article gives no voice to anyone with that perspective. Should it? Discuss.”

Like a swastika? How does this in any way encourage reasonable discussion about whether or not the potential offense to some military families should be taken into account? No one seems to care if the atheist symbol on military markers is offending conservative Christians. That post does a disservice to the pursuit of better religious journalism by sinking to pot-stirring and finding controversy where none is needed for the story. Frankly, when it comes to the sacrifice made by Pagans in the military, who cares what Christians like this think of us.

Addendum: Dan Pulliam has removed the reference to Christians seeing the Pentacle as they would a swastika:

“After some consideration, I removed the offensive word from this post. I regret violating my own personal rule against comparing anything to the Holocaust not only because it engages in a significant amount of exaggeration, but because overuse lowers the offensiveness of that historic crime.”

He also protests that he has nothing against Pagans:

“I do not have a bias against modern Paganism. I do not think the Pentagram is comparable to the swastika. I was merely suggesting that some might. It was a poor comparison. Personally I feel that if there are any people out there that would be offended by the Pentagram being a grave stone of a U.S. vet at the request of his family … they should probably find another country. I also personally doubt this it the reason the VA hasn’t given them permission to do so. I do not think that this is a case of Pagans vs. Christians. Rather, I think it would be helpful for journalists to do a more thorough job covering the controversy and try to find out the reasons that Pentagrams are not currently allowed on grave stones. I think the answer could be enlightening.”

The funny thing is that Dan and I do agree on something. Religious attitudes towards Pagans within the VA could be holding things up. But considering how hard it has been to get quotes from within the VA on attitudes towards the Pentacle, I don’t want to see reporters pulling aside their local anti-Pagan crusader to give a “voice” to the stonewalling of the Pentacle.

Tags: Paganism