Unconstitutional prayer – Philadelphia Inquirer 11/8
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To the editor:
This is not the first case (Unconstitutional prayer, 11/8) in which the Obama administration has supported Dominionist proselytizing at public expense and in public venues. Much more egregious has been the required attendance of cadets and enlisted military under orders from their commanding officers, at overtly religious “education” lectures — where soldiers were harrangued with sectarian religious thumpery. Thousands of those forced into these situations have filed complaints with the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, many complainants being Christians themselves (just not the “right” kind). The Obama administration might have been expected to respond in favor of religious liberty, but has normally responded to MRFF only under court order. Secretary Hagel, who was once an enlisted soldier, might have been expected to be sympathetic to abuse by his chain of command, but has been unusually oblivious to MRFF complaints.
(name withheld)
Dear Mr. Burrows,
Mikey Weinstein asked that we get back to you to convey his profound appreciation for your support. If only others showed such concern about the ongoing assaults on our freedoms which are committed by these disgusting hypocrites, we might be able to firmly reestablish the long-destroyed “wall” separating church and state.
Our simple goal is to prevent the backwards forces of Christian fundamentalist extremism from hijacking the United States armed forces for the purpose of advancing their exclusivist religious agenda, which of course contradicts the remaining Constitutional guarantees of freedom which are presently under assault. Those we are fighting against certainly would like to see a return to the religion-guided Crusades of the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries.
Ben, we thank you for your continued support and the donations you have given. We need this assistance now more than ever because the bigots, fundamentalist extremists, and Bible-thumping “End Timers” are well-financed, in addition to holding influential and powerful positions in state and media organizations. This is a bruising, ongoing struggle and there’s so much more that we could do with additional funding. Your support has allowed us to be powerful advocates for our voiceless servicemembers who are suffering persecution within the armed forces.
—
Military Religious Freedom Foundation
Promotion & Outreach Team
13170-B Central Avenue, SE Suite 255
Albuquerque, NM 87123
(800)736-5109 extension 4
[email protected]
Please make a tax-deductible donation to MRFF: helpbuildthewall.org
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As an attorney in the U.S. Army, I can assure you that prayer is alive and well in the military–as it should be and always will be. Last time I was in Iraq, our commander gathered us all around and prayed aloud before every mission. No one objected. All official ceremonies begin and end with an invocation and benediction, and I’ve never attended a unit-sponsored, special event involving a meal (Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc.) that didn’t involve a prayer. In fact, I would relish an encounter with a military official who tried to infringe on religious expression. He would quickly find himself embroiled in every variety of administrative complaint found in this JAG officer’s kit bag.