{"id":14084,"date":"2019-07-03T17:50:27","date_gmt":"2019-07-03T17:50:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/07\/03\/va-revamps-policies-for-religious-and-spiritual-symbols\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T05:29:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T05:29:20","slug":"va-revamps-policies-for-religious-and-spiritual-symbols","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/veterans\/2019\/07\/03\/va-revamps-policies-for-religious-and-spiritual-symbols\/","title":{"rendered":"VA revamps policies for religious and spiritual symbols"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Department of Veterans Affairs unveiled new policies surrounding religious and spiritual symbols in VA facilities, following several incidents where prior policies were \u201cinterpreted inconsistently.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the new policy issued<\/a> Wednesday, religious symbols such as holiday displays may be erected in public areas of VA facilities \u2014 provided they are part of a \u201cpassive display\u201d that \u201cfollows in the longstanding tradition of monuments, symbols, and practices that simply recognize the important role that religion plays in the lives of many Americans.\u201d The VA defines a \u201cpassive display\u201d as one on a wall, table, cemetery monument, or other structure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSuch displays should respect and tolerate differing views and should not elevate one belief system over others,\u201d the policy reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The policy also allows patients and guests to receive religious literature or symbols if they request it at VA facilities and at VA chapels. Additionally, VA facilities may accept gifts of religious literature, cards and other symbols, and share them with patients and guests upon request.<\/p>\n\n\n\t