Military Religious Freedom

Mikey Weinstein and Military Religious Freedom Foundation,

I find the political correctness that your organization pursues to be an outrage to the people who placed the very constitutional freedoms into place; freedoms you pledge to protect. Religious freedom and separation of church and state, have become by words to silence the Christian church and programs associated with it, even if they aim to help those in need. (I.e. Operation Christmas Child). Americans in the past would have simply ignored something if it was not their religious preference, rather than complain that someone or something, were “doing wrong”. It is common knowledge, and common sense, that you cannot and will not appease everyone. We have instead, looked to the “entitlement” mindset, as if someone or something owes us freedom from disagreement or discomfort, rather than simply ignoring it. When the constitution was written, many Americans were respectful of God, as a higher being, whether or not they believed Christianity. Thus, “respect no ESTABLISHMENT of religion” keenly implied a sect or denomination, rather than religion as a whole. While I am ok with not shoving it down someone’s throat, you show me where one terrorist has ever respected the thoughts or beliefs of any one they were seeking to kill. Ironically, Christians on the other hand, are told to “love your enemies; bless those who persecute you”.

Have a wonderful, blessed day.

(name withheld)

Dear (name withheld),

Thank you for your service to our nation. It is, and always will be, greatly valued, respected, and appreciated.

Great Email ‘name’ by the way. The Super Chief was a frequent visitor here in Albuquerque, in fact, there’s a great photo of the Super Chief in the Albuquerque yard circa 1943 on its Wikipedia page. If however, your email name refers to your Navy rank, let me issue this early apology for the misunderstanding.

Now to the business at hand:

Mikey has read your email and has asked me to respond on the behalf of MRFF.

Political correctness, whatever you may take that to be, has absolutely nothing to do with MRFF’s actions. Nor does MRFF seek to silence any religious group. What we do seek however, is to keep the government out of religious activities and vice versa as clearly intended in the Constitution. We whole heartedly agree with you that Americans should be able to ignore any religious actions as they see fit. It is this well stated right of Americans, particularly those serving in the military, to ignore (…or freely participate in) religion without government interference we seek to defend.

In regards to your reference to Operation Christmas Child, you should be aware that it continues unabated at the US Air Force Academy simply with the lead change as requested by MRFF. A change by the way, requested by MRFF, in order to follow clear direction recently ordered by the Air Force Chief of Staff (http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/09/air-force-schwartz-warns-commanders-on-religious-programs-091611/). Confirmation of this can be seen in this USAFA press release:
Friday, November 4, 2011
Academy responds to cadet community project — Community project will continue, led by Academy Chaplains
http://www.usafa.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123278819
As a Christian volunteer with MRFF, I have found the easy willingness of many to bear false witness against Mikey or MRFF in this matter to be quite troubling.

We believe that terrorists, religiously motivated or not, are a low standard to employ in measuring our actions as the clearly secular democratic republic envisioned in the Constitution. We believe this constitutional vision remains a clear national priority as our nation continues to promote the emergence of like minded secular democracies in the wake of U.S. military action in Afghanistan/Iraq and ‘The Arab Spring’. To act otherwise here at home, is a hypocrisy I don’t care to see.

Sincerely,

Andy Kasehagen