Joke?

Is this some kind of joke?

My grandfather fought and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge WWII.  He would be appalled to know that there is an organization such as this that tries to stamp out an individual’s Freedom of Speech and suppression of one’s Freedom of Religion.

What a waste of resources that could be put to better use such as feeding the hungry and clothing the world’s poor.

You should be ashamed of yourselves.  Regardless of religion, there are human traits called decency and respect that your organization should uphold instead of tearing into someone for mentioning the Holy Creator!

(name withheld)

Dear (name withheld),

I am writing in response to your May 18, 2015 email to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (“MRFF”).  You clearly do not understand the mission and work of MRFF.  I hope I can shed some light on this topic for you.

MRFF’s mission is to protect and defend the religious freedom of all soldiers, sailors, Marines, cadets, and veterans.  It receives numerous complaints every day from service members throughout the country who have suffered religious discrimination or persecution at the hands of their superiors.  MRFF works tirelessly to correct the wrongs inflicted on these individuals by ensuring that military leaders respect and adhere to the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, as well as Article VI of the Constitution.  As you can see, MRFF does not seek to suppress the freedom of religion, as you claim, but rather to protect it for all men and women in uniform.

I agree with you that feeding the hungry and clothing the poor are very worthwhile causes.  However, I cannot fathom how protecting the Constitutional rights of the brave individuals who sacrifice so much to protect our rights could be considered a “waste of resources.”  I assure you that neither MRFF’s founder, Mikey Weinstein, nor any of its board members or volunteers feels ashamed for their devotion to protecting our protectors, as you claim they should.

You state, “there are human traits called decency and respect” that MRFF “should uphold instead of tearing into someone for mentioning the Holy Creator.”  First, MRFF has never attacked anyone for simply mentioning the “Holy Creator” or any other deity or religious belief.  It simply requires that any religious expression in the military conforms to the time, place, and manner requirements of the Establishment Clause.  Second, although you claim that decency and respect should be upheld, you fail to demonstrate either in your email, in which you only assert meritless accusations based on false information.  Accordingly, I respectfully submit that perhaps you are the one who should feel ashamed for making no attempt to learn about MRFF before condemning it.

Blessed be,

Tobanna Barker

MRFF Volunteer