balance

Published On: February 3, 2011|Categories: MRFF's Inbox|0 Comments|

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MRFF:

Judging from the rhetoric in articles by your researchers and Mr. Weinstein, there is a certain “edge” that resembles MoveOn.org more than a balanced organization concerned about First Amendment abuses by military leadership. Mr. Weinstein is reputed to be a foul-mouthed activist who does not even try to exhibit impartiality toward things religious. If this is true, then you will have little success convincing many people of the legitimacy of your cause. Instead, you may attract a few like-minded extremists marching in lock-step, singing, “Hooray for our side.”

Given what I’ve read, both from your organization and from others, I don’t feel safer, nor do I feel the military is stronger, because of your group’s efforts. I, too, do not want to see the First Amendment trampled, but the way your group appears to go about its agenda seems far more divisive and unproductive than the activities you lament.

(name withheld)

Dear (name withheld),

Good morning.

I want to take a moment of your time to respond to your comments regarding my good friend and client Mr. Mikey Weinstein, founder of MRFF. I met Mikey many years ago, while I was giving a speech
in Albuquerque New Mexico. I was the guest of a number of scientific groups that had invited me to speak during the Darwin Day Celebrations. Mikey spoke at one of the venues I attended, soon after he commenced his speech I was struck by the seriousness of the problem he was addressing, his son, a Jewish cadet at the United States Air Force Academy was being treated very unfairly because he was not “Christian”. Mikey soon learned that it was not just Jewish cadets that were being mistreated, cadets deemed not to be “sufficiently Christian” were the subject of discrimination.

As soon as Mikey concluded his remarks I volunteered to join in his efforts to help prevent religious discrimination at the academy. Not long after meeting Mikey I learned that the problem of religious discrimination was much larger in scope, it was in fact widely spread in our armed services. Ever since that day I have considered Mikey a brother, he has worked hard for justice and equality. From personal experience Mikey’s family knows the danger involved when a chosen religion is used to control others or conversely when a religion is made the subject of attack.

MRFF is not anti religion, quite the opposite we protect religion by insuring equal treatment. Our organization has been contacted for help by Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and other faiths as well as by Atheists. We do not promote a particular faith, we promote freedom of and from religion in a secular military setting.

Today MRFF represents thousands of brave men and women that are defending our nation’s interest with their service in America’s armed forces. These brave men and women seek our help in defense of their First Amendment rights. We provide our assistance on a pro bono basis. I have never been sought nor have I received any financial compensation for my services to MRFF, like many others I provide my service free of charge because I love America. I am originally from Cuba, as a political refugee I know that responsibility in the care of government is essential for its survival. We must insure our democracy never turns into a theocracy, history has taught us the dangers involved with such a situation.

Instead of attracting “…a few like-minded extremist marching in lock-step, singing, “Hooray for our side”….” MRFF has attracted a significant number of volunteers dedicated to the principle that our military forces are not a religious organization. Please take a look at our web site and the men and women involved. We work hard to insure that the men and women in our armed services have both, freedom of religion and freedom from religion. The First Amendment’s elegant mandate is a necessary component for our continued freedom, it must therefore be protected.

I urge you to consider joining us.

Pedro Luis Irigonegaray
Counsel MRFF

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