Symbols and their Negative Connotations?

As we have explored the first chapter of Material Christianity and delved into McDannell's view of symbols and how "the scrambling of the sacred and the profane is common in American Christianity", I've noticed that the majority of our discussions have been placed upon symbols that are hopeful, or inspirational, or patriotic. In truth, we view just as many symbols daily that are given negative connotations as we do symbols that give positive ideals/feelings. While looking for an article to fit in with my point for this blog, I came across a news article that discusses a current trial occurring in Sioux City for a double homicide.
Lawerence Douglas Harris Sr. is being charged with two counts of first degree murder for the death of his two step-daughters, age 8 and 10. Harris' defense is that "the girls had died when a spell he was casting 'had gone bad'" (Sioux City Journal). Harris was a known to practice witchcraft, and was a selfproclaimed Wiccan, and due to the inverted pentagram found on the floor of his basement and the various books found within Harris' home (including The Satanic Bible), both Satanism and Wicca have been dragged into the trial. The prosecution is claiming that "Harris was practicing satanism and carefully planned the killings as part of a spell or ritual from "The Satanic Bible", throwing various religious groups up in arms. Expert witnesses had to be called in to explain to the jury that pentagrams were not part of the Wiccan religion, and that one of the laws of Satanism is that children are to never be harmed.
As I read the article, I found myself amazed at how misunderstood and misrepresented both the pentagram and the religions that use it as a symbol are. I find it unfair that experts in these religions have to get up and protect themselves in our courts when people try to use their beliefs as excuses for committing horrible crimes. Although we all realize that many religious symbols are misunderstood or simplified, such as the Jesus fish example we had in our previous class, it is important to remember that many religions and people suffer from this misunderstanding as well as some people use that misunderstanding to their advantage.