1st Amendment

Published On: June 5, 2013|Categories: MRFF's Inbox|0 Comments|

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PLEASE Pass this on to Mikey
“What country have you been living in? The primary reason the pilgrims came to America was for religious freedom. It’s in the FIRST AMENDMENT. Why are you using your religious bigotry to tromp all over FREEDOM OF RELIGION?
Grow up and get a life!

(name withheld)


Dear (name withheld),

Mr. Weinstein and the staff of the MRFF are busy protecting the religious freedom of our men and women in uniform, so as a member of the Board of Advisors I’ve been asked to respond to your email.

While it appears to me you’ve missed the point of our work, you are correct about the reason the Pilgrims came to the New World. As I’m sure you’re aware, many other groups and individuals made the same trek for the same reason, and continue to do so today. And it is, as you suggest, embedded in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

What you seem to have misunderstood, however, is that Thomas Jefferson initiated the concept of the “separation between church and state” as a protection of that very First Amendment right: “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

You see, it is to protect and maintain Jefferson’s articulation, long and often underlined and supported by decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court, that the MRFF does its work. We believe that every person has the right to the belief system of his or her choice, and we just as strongly believe that neither the government nor any branch thereof has the right to promote, promulgate or insist a particular religious view on its citizens. In a situation like the military of the United States, as I trust you understand, it is critical that those in leadership ensure that there be no proselytizing or endorsement on behalf of a particular view or belief to which those in uniform are subjected. To pressure those in the ranks, by whatever method, to subscribe to a particular viewpoint is not only wrong, dangerous and inappropriate, it is against the law.

So we’re actually on the same page, and I hope, given your obvious passion on the subject of religious freedom, that you’ll take a look at our website and consider joining our effort.

Best,

Mike Farrell

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