God Created

Published On: January 19, 2015|Categories: MRFF's Inbox|0 Comments|

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For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Colossians 1:16 KJV)

(name withheld)


 

Dear (name withheld),
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1-2
“But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” Acts 5:39
WE ARE obeying our “governing authorities” according to the Bible by enforcing the strict laws and guidelines laid out by them.
As defenders of the Constitution we fight for the separation of church and state.
“…but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” (Article I, III)
 
This means that from the President to Congress to the military – no one’s job is based on their religion.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion (Establishment Clause), or prohibiting the free exercise thereof (Free Exercise Clause).”(First Amendment)
 
The Establishment Clause means that you cannot favor one religion over another even though it is in the majority. This clause respects the RIGHTS of all religions. Our military is SECULAR and there are people of other faiths that don the uniform that love this country.
The Free Exercise Clause means that our soldiers are free to exercise any religion they want or no religion at all but cannot elevate one God above others.
Our military swears an oath to the Constitution – not the bible.
If you emailed Mikey in response to an article on the wording of the poster, this practice is prohibited by Supreme Court ruling: Lemon Vs. Kurzman (1971) in which the court  held that the government, including the armed forces, may not, in the course of their duties promote, elevate, prefer, recommend or proselytize one religion over another or religion over non-religion. The court devised a test which would determine if an act fell under this ruling. It is called the “Lemon Test.”
 1. First, the act or legislation must have a secular purpose. 
 2. Second, its principal or primary effect must be one that neither advances nor inhibits religion. 
 3. Finally, the act or legislation must not foster an excessive government entanglement with religion.
 
So you see, the poster indicates an endorsement of Christianity and would therefore be in violation.
The Parker v. Levy case, decided on June 19, 1974, defined under the Uniform Code of Military Justice that “the military constitutes a specialized community governed by a separate discipline from that of the civilian…”
The rules that apply to the military do not apply to you or other Christians as civilians.
The Army Times gives the whole story on the poster.

The poster, which features a Special Forces patch along with Ranger, Airborne and Special Forces tabs, includes “a stock image” the command makes available for local recruiters, spokesman Brian Lepley said in an email, “but the text was changed by the local recruiting personnel” and not cleared by command headquarters.

Had the process been followed, the copy shown would not have been approved, Lepley said.

“Local recruiting offices order such display materials online, Lepley said, and the orders are filled by Accessions Support Brigade. An ASB catalog shows a similar image available as a sandwich board, with the tagline, “We don’t call for reinforcements. We make them.”

There are instructions in the catalog on how to tailor some materials to suit a local audience, but the wording on the Phoenix poster isn’t listed as one of 47 taglines that cover a variety of products.

Army Recruiting Command is investigating who ordered and/or approved the display, Lepley said.

The recruiter overstepped the bounds of the acceptable wordings on the poster and without the approval of his Command. Under the UCMJ he must be investigated and punished according to the rules and regulations he must obey.

According to God we must obey our governing authorities – including those in the military – or we will face His judgment.

I wouldn’t want to be that person.

Pastor Joan
MRFF Advisory Board Member

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