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CNN – Is the Military Too Religious?
– May 7, 2010
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I am an enthusastic supporter of Mikey Weinstein’s work. Not only he, but his children, are military, so if anybody can report accurately about this horrible cancer on our military, it’s the Weinstein family. I wish I had millions of dollars to give to MRFF, but I send what I can. I urge all who believe in separation of Church and State to join MRFF and contribute what they can — not only in money, but in publicizing MNRFF and alerting friends and contacts to the danger to our military.
The outgoing administration not only condoned religious pressure on our solders. They also brazenly infiltrated Fundamentalist Christians into the government, expecially the Department of Justice. Government appointees who would have left with the end of the administration were hastily converted to Civil Service, so now they can continue their un-American boring from within. It is scarier than you realize! Wake up and smell the coffee, while the wall between Church and State still stands!
The Separation of Church and State was conceived by the minister who founded Rhode Island, the only state which was founded on “Religious Liberty” for all. In 1636 he settled in the valley now known as Providence. He paid the Narragansetts (native peoples) who resided on that island south of the Massachusett border for their land. He never forced them to convert to his version of Christianity. He became a Baptist and founded the 1st and oldest Baptist Church in America.
The writings of Rev. Williams made its way into the library of Thomas Jefferson almost a 150 years later. This belief is what makes the first Amendment to the US Constitution.
This is the sacred document these airmen, soldiers, sailors, and marines defend. It is their sacred vow.
I say this because the precedent has been set right here in America. Yes, it was almost 400 years ago but if we realized we can serve all and by doing that we serve our souls and the One Creator who gave us each the Breath of Life. We can feel secure in knowing there is ONE Creator. If Rev. Roger Williams could minister to Indians, Quakers, Jews and Turks without converting them, then what is wrong with a military chaplain serving any member regardless their religious tradition.
I work for the federal government. I am a Sikh-American. I have met thousands of folks traveling each day. Once, a couple of soldiers, one a sergeant, one a corporal. They noticed I was a Sikh. They then told me that the best Chaplain they ever experienced was a Sikh who supported them to worship and pray in the way the way they were accustomed. IF there is truly One God, then a Baptist, a Catholic, a Jew, a Muslim or a Sikh (all monotheistic faiths) should feel enough security to engage with their men and women and know the prayers all go the same One God.
Thanks Mickey for all the work you continue to do. God bless you.
Cherdi Kala (May your Spirit Rise!)
S.S. Sathanuman S. Khalsa