So Many of Us Have Nowhere Else to Turn

Dear MRFF:

I would like to give my sincerest and most heartfelt thanks to everyone at MRFF, and especially to Mikey Weinstein, for their tireless dedication to our Constitution and the rights of our brave men and women in service. Like many, I was raised in a traditional Christian household but no longer adhered to any specific belief structure by the time I completed college. Upon entering the military several years ago I knew it was a predominately conservative, Caucasian, and Christian organization, but I was reassured that the military did not discriminate based on religion or creed and certainly upheld each member’s right to their own beliefs (or lack thereof) as protected under the law. How surprising it was, then, to go through my commissioning source and be told that the only way for me to get my caffeine-starved hands on a cup of coffee was to attend a church service on Sunday morning. Or to see a Muslim unit-mate be denied the right to attend Friday evening services for no explicit reason. Entering active duty proved no better. I was told by a superior officer I was “going to hell” for not celebrating certain Christian holidays, I witnessed non-Christian service members hide their faith so as not to draw denigrating comments or be denied career advancement, and I sat through dozens of official (read: mandatory) formations, briefings, and events where a Protestant chaplain prayed, proselytized, or otherwise held court over a captive audience. I mean, do I really need to stand in silence and bow my head to a deity in whom I do not believe at o-dark-hundred so a man can drone on about the Lord Jesus Christ before my unit can begin its morning PT session? This is not right, and our military services should NOT allow this to happen, but it does. And often.

This leads me to my latest frustration–what can only be characterized as acts of Protestant Christian harassment at my current duty station. I recently transitioned from active duty to civil service and attended a station-wide mandatory event for all military and civilian workers. Upon leaving the event, the crowd was greeted by eager young enlisted and officer service members shoving flyers to a Chaplain-sponsored Protestant “faith” event into their hands. I tried to wave them off but a zealous young man practically put one down my shirt! Over the next week, no less than four e-mails from three separate command sources went out station-wide reminding us all of the event. Having stomached enough, I contacted the good folks at MRFF and they immediately jumped on the case. In less than three hours from sending out an e-mail invite to the religious event, an apology message came out from the station commander’s office. What a victory, and proof yet again that we CAN stand up for our Constitutional rights! I urge ANYONE of any faith or creed who has any questions or concerns to contact MRFF—they are here when it is difficult or embarrassing, dangerous and by all practical, reasonable means IMPOSSIBLE for us to stand up and fight the fight alone. Thanks so much again, Mikey, and all of you wonderful MRFF staffers around the country, for all you do for so many of us who have nowhere else to turn for meaningful, swift help. I am a now a lifelong supporter.

Respectfully,
(name, USAF position, assigned military installation and unit withheld)

The apology letter referenced in the previous email:

From: 42 ABW/CCE Org Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2011 7:02 PM
To: Maxwell/Gunter Domain Users
Subject: RE: Final Announcement for Faith, Family and Freedom

It was brought to my attention that some in the Maxwell/Gunter community were offended by my previous e-mail. That was not the intent and I apologize to anyone who may have been offended. In case there was any misinterpretations, there is no command influence to attend or official 42 ABW sponsorship of this event. The event is merely a service provided to the 42 ABW and attendance is strictly voluntary. This is a Chaplain-sponsored event and the e-mail was intended only for informational purposes. In the future, all information on this and similar events will be provided by the Chaplain’s office.

v/r,

DOUGLAS W. BENTON, Capt, USAF
Executive Officer, 42d Air Base Wing
Maxwell AFB AL

A MRFF supporter in the Air Force responds to the apology letter:

From: USAF Member’s E-Mail Address Withheld
Date: Thu, 7 Apr 2011
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: RE: Final Announcement for Faith, Family and Freedom

Mikey,

I am sure this is from your work, so thank you.

v/r

(name withheld)