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Published On: February 10, 2012|Categories: MRFF's Inbox|0 Comments|

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Hello Ms. Weinstein,

I was hoping to contact Michael Weinstein, as I have a comment about the MRFF that directly relates to the quotation placed at the top of the organization’s website. I’m assuming that he was recieving too much “hate” e-mail, and therefore removed his address from the website’s contact page. I find it depressing that Mr. Weinstein believes that soldiers have to surrender faith in a higher power in exchange for a religious text of the U.S. constitution, and calling the United States flag a religious symbol is very offensive. Most who practice a religion believe that earthly concerns are secondary to those of the afterlife, so suggesting that one should not join the armed forces unless he is prepared to casually disregard his values and beliefs is a horrible thing to suggest. Therefore, I was even more shocked to read that the MRFF was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. As a veteran who served in the army for six years, it is devastating to me that your organization exists. It is one that is based on disrespecting the majority of the soldiers in the military and I hope Mr. Weinstein eventually realizes that his attempts to “help” soldiers will only lead to an increase in segregation and a decrease in morale within the squads, platoons, and companies that they belong to.

(name withheld)


Hi (name withheld),

Mikey is up to his knickers in mail and other actions right now so I’m pitching in to help out and make sure we get a response to every letter writer.

My name is Rick Baker and I’m a long time supporter of and former volunteer with MRFF. I’m a former Air Force Officer and rescue pilot having served two combat tours in Vietnam. I feel qualified to render an opinion on this issue.

You are correct that Mikey receives a lot of hate mail. Mostly from nice folks who totally misunderstand his mission in life ad who judge him solely on their own less than constructive views and misled religious criteria.

Mikey does not believe that soldiers should surrender their faith for any reason. Factually Mikey fights for complete religious freedom for all armed forces members. It is often those who mistake religion for power who make it hard on our young military members.
Earthly concerns, unfortunately is what MRFF is stuck with since our enemies are in the here and now and are considered present danger.
The Supreme Court has held that government, including the Armed Forces, may not advance, elevate, prefer or proselytize one religion over another religion over non-religion. Believe it or not, much of the discord has been stirred up by practitioners of a militant sect of Christianity known as Dominion Christians. These preset a greater danger to our youngsters in the armed forces than anything Mikey could conceive of.

Hang in there with us and go to militaryreligiousfreedom.org and read further than just the home page. There’s a wealth of information that I firmly believe will have you in our corner.

Respectfully,

Rick Baker

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