VA Issues New Policies On Religious Literature and Symbols At VA Facilities

In a News Release issued Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced a new directive on Religious Symbols in VA Facilities and amendments to its directive on Spiritual and Pastoral Care in the Veterans Health Administration. According to the VA:

The new policies will:

• Allow the inclusion in appropriate circumstances of religious content in publicly accessible displays at VA facilities.
• Allow patients and their guests to request and be provided religious literature, symbols and sacred texts during visits to VA chapels and during their treatment at VA.
• Allow VA to accept donations of religious literature, cards and symbols at its facilities and distribute them to VA patrons under appropriate circumstances or to a patron who requests them.

The Hill reports on the policy changes. Earlier this year, suit was filed yesterday in New Hampshire federal district court against a VA Medical Center challenging a lobby display that includes a Bible. (See prior posting.)