Toys for childlren

Published On: November 14, 2011|Categories: MRFF's Inbox|0 Comments|

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Dear Military Religious Freedom Foundation,

As usual another left wing radical organization hides behind the constitution saying that it’s wrong to pass out presents to children at Christmas. I was in the US Air Force from 1968-1972. We did not have a problem with religion. We were concentrating on being the best airman we possibly could. To say it is a violation of the Constitution to pass out gifts to children by the AF Academy is ridiculous. Why don’t you people wake up and stop pushing your minority views on everyone else in America by hiding behind the Constitution? The purpose of the military is to defend our country. The founding fathers said that the country was not allowed to establish a national religion and people were FREE to practice and express what they believe. It did not mean that everything a Christian did should be called out and ridiculed. I get so tired of your ridiculous reasons for trying to prevent anyone from practicing their faith. Gen. Patton prayed during WWII for guidance and help. Abraham Lincoln prayed during the Civil War. Get with it folks and quit craming your views down everyone else’s throat. Just as you are free to express your opinions, so are those who believe in a higher power! You need to remember that. I would be very interested to know if any in your organization believe in this country or mainly believe in yourselves and how rich you have become. Get over it! What is wrong with giving gifts to children? Are you against that also? I’ll bet you wouldn’t have complained if they had a message about Islam in the gifts! Hiding behind the constitution because you are anti-faith is wrong. That is not the purpose of separation of church and state.

This is a quote from the article:
” The Military Religious Freedom Foundation said military commanders crossed the line when they promoted the gift program, sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse, an organization run by Franklin Graham.”
MikeyWeinstein, of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, said an evangelical Christian message is also included in the boxes.
“This is a proselytizing entity of Franklin Graham,” said the group’s president, Mikey Weinstein. He filed a complaint on behalf of 132 Academy personnel including two sets of Muslim-American parents.”

(name and location withheld)


Hi (name withheld),

Thank you for contacting the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF).

We are not hiding behind the Constitution – we are defending it. And how do you hide behind the Constitution? It either means what it says or it doesn’t.

The first amendment in the Constitution states;
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion (establishment clause), or prohibiting the free exercise thereof (free exercise clause).”

The establishment clause stops the government from establishing one religion over another.

The free exercise clause gives people the freedom to believe in any religion they want or no religion at all.

No one has the right to impose their religion on other people.

First and foremost, we are not anti-Christian. In fact, there are many mainline Christians that volunteer with MRFF. I am one of them and I am an ordained minister in the Assemblies of God. Also, the California Council of Churches IMPACT with 5,500 churches supports us besides many individual churches, ministers and lay people. We are the most ardent supporter of the Constitution and the separation of church and state under the articles within it.

As a Christian I have filled and given many shoeboxes to Samaritans Purse. It filled my heart with joy knowing that some child was getting things he/she needed.

We at MRFF have absolutely no problem with the Chaplains instituting a call for “Samaritan’s Purse” within the confines of their church affiliation parishioner soldiers. What we do have a problem with is the Commander and other high ranking military endorsing an email to ALL soldiers – regardless of their religious beliefs or non-belief – for Christmas gifts under the guise of “Operation Christmas Child” which is deceptive in its true purpose.

The Commander is responsible for ensuring that soldiers and their families have the opportunity for the free exercise of religion.

The Chaplain is a special staff officer to the Commander and soldiers who want to attend church and receive religious support. It is the Chaplains job to alert his/her parishioners on any church activity.

There is a difference. The Commander’s job is to make sure his soldiers are free to exercise any religion they want or lack thereof. A Chaplains job is to be the religious guide for those seeking it.

The Gazette –

“The academy, which initially stood by its promotion of the charity, changed its tune Thursday evening, with an email to cadets that retracted an earlier missive asking for help with the program. The academy’s commandant of cadets Brig. Gen. Richard Clark called Weinstein Thursday with an apology.
“We agree that it was inappropriate,” said Lt. Col John Bryan, an academy spokesman.
The project has been handed over to the academy’s chaplains, who can legally take part and recruit support for religious endeavors.”
Brig. Gen. Richard Clark even admitted that it was inappropriate (illegal) and the academy’s Chaplains are now in charge, as they should be.

“Commanders have put “religious respect” training in place. In September, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz issued a memo to commanders that told them to avoid mixing religion with their military roles.
They must refrain from appearing to officially endorse religion generally or any particular religion,” Schwartz wrote.”
General Schwartz even issued a memo that supports our position.
We are not trying to take Christianity out of our military. If MRFF was attempting to do that I wouldn’t be volunteering for them. We are just trying to put religion back where it belongs – in the hands of the Chaplains.
I hope this clarifies what seems to be perceived as an attack on Christianity. We are more than grateful that those in charge at the USAFA have seen the illegality of their original position. Now the Chaplains are in charge and they can send the message on about their Christian activity to his/her parishioners.
My God bless your socks off!
Pastor Joan


Dear Joan,
First I must thank you for taking the time to contact me back. However, in my opinion you are still hiding behind the constitution. The quote you stated merely says the Congress should not establish a national religion. It says nothing about sharing about your religion.

How do we hide behind the Constitution? It either says what it means or it doesn’t.

MRFF has many retired and active duty military as Advisory Board Members and volunteers. Some of our distinguished military are-
A Lt Col (Ret) 25 year veteran of the Air Force who served as an ICBM crewmember

A former Navy Seal

A Retired brigadier general

A Naval Academy graduate with a 36 year career in the United States Air Force, he also served a three-year assignment as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the first to hold that position.

A former Chaplain in the United States Air Force

A retired U.S. Air Force Major General, recently Deputy Director, Center for Special Operations, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida

A retired Air Force Brigadier General – a Master Navigator

A military aviator who possesses both Senior Command Air Force wings and aircraft carrier qualified Naval Aviator wings, in addition to having been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in combat during Operation Desert Storm.

If anyone knows the proper place of the Constitution in the military it is the above mentioned individuals.

It just amazes me that muslims are part of why you said there was a problem in the first place.
Actually it was 120 USAFA Cadets, 12 USAFA Chaplains and 2 Muslim families. Some media failed to report the USAFA complaints.

Do you not share your faith as a minister? Have you not ever sent out a religious card as a minister.

Are you serious? I’m amazed you even asked this question. What do you think ministers do?

I am very sorry but I have to say again this is just another way other cultures are trying to undermine the United States because of their hatred and disdain for our country.

What cultures within America are trying to undermine the US? What hatred and disdain? Show me one law they passed that does anything you say.

Do you not pray for those who serve in our armed forces?

Another “are you serious?” response. I actually worked for the military under contract.

We are so concerned in this country with “political correctness” that it has caused harm to others.

What “political correctness?” We operate under the laws of this land. And what harm to others are you talking about? The Chief of Staff for the Air Force, Gen. Norton Schwartz, sent a memo to the Commander of the USAFA and told him not to sanction any religion but to leave it up to the Chaplains – that there must be “religious neutrality” as far as the Commander is concerned. We are doing nothing more than endorsing his memorandum If you have a problem with the this I suggest you take it up with Gen. Schwartz.

Gen. Schwartz’s memo-

MEMORANDUM FOR ALMAJCOM-FOA-DRU/CC

FROM: HQ USAF/CC
1670 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330-1670

SUBJECT: Maintaining Government Neutrality Regarding Religion

Leaders at all levels must balance Constitutional protections for an individual’s free exercise of religion or other personal beliefs and its prohibition against governmental establishment of religion. For example, they must avoid the actual or apparent use of their position to promote their personal religious beliefs to their subordinates or to extend preferential treatment for any religion. Commanders or supervisors who engage in such behavior may cause members to doubt their impartiality and objectivity. The potential result is a degradation of the unit’s morale, good order, and discipline.

Chaplain Corps programs, including activities such as religious studies, faith sharing, and prayer meetings, are vital to commanders’ support of individual Airmen’s needs and provide opportunities for the free exercise of religion. Although commanders are responsible for these programs they must refrain from appearing to officially endorse religion generally or any particular religion. Therefore, I expect chaplains, not commanders, to notify Airmen of Chaplain Corps programs.

Our chaplains are trained to provide advice to leadership on matters related to the free exercise of religion and to help commanders care for all of their people, regardless of their beliefs. If you have concerns involving the preservation of government neutrality regarding religious beliefs, consult with your chaplain and staff judge advocate before you act.

NORTON A. SCHWARTZ
General, USAF
Chief of Staff

This is a prime example.

Oh, please!

Our country was founded upon godly principles that we are created equal and endowed by our Creator, Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Notice that it does not say Jesus. Other religions have their own Creator/God so this does not mean Christianity. And “godly principles” are moral values that exist in other religions and those with no religion.

Notice that says pursuit not the right of happiness.

You have got to be kidding? How in the world did you read that into it?

I think you get my point.

No, I did not get your point because it doesn’t make sense.

I am glad you give and I applaud that, but when you filled those shoeboxes for children, did you add Christian tracts showing the way to Jesus Christ. I think we as Christians were commanded to share the gospel by Christ.

Actually we were told not to do that – Samaritan’s purse would do it.

So as you can see, your argument as far as I am concerned is worthless and without merit.

I did not argue with you but gave you facts. You can choose to believe them or not. As far as I am concerned YOUR argument is worthless and without merit and I can’t believe you actually asked some of those questions.

“You are entitled to your own opinion, but you are not entitled to your own facts.” Ex-Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan

Thank you

Thank you and I will be sharing your original response with others.


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