Re: Chillicothe

Published On: October 20, 2016|Categories: MRFF's Inbox|2 Comments on Re: Chillicothe|

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I wonder how a book that is not required reading could possibly do harm to someone in the Chillicothe VA while sitting on a table.
 
I get what you’re saying. I just don’t understand the tactics.
If you don’t want to read it, don’t.
 
Best Regards,
(name withheld)
Response by MRFF’s President, Mikey Weinstein
…(name withheld), having the bible in that VA waiting room means it is being officially sanctioned by the VA…..such display violates the time, place and manner restrictions of the No Establishment Clause of the First Amendment as well as VA’s own regulations…if it was a non-gov’t hospital, NO prob…but t’s not….simple as that, bro…thx for reaching out…Mikey W.

 Response from MRFF Advisory Board Member

John Compere
Brigadier General, Judge Advocate General’s Corps, US Army (Retired)
 Dear (name withheld),
Thank you for your inquiry. Attached is a factual, historical & lawful explanation of why our public military cannot promote a private religion. What would you think if an Islam Quran or the writings of religions other than Christianity were exclusively promoted in a public display by our military, which is composed of men & women of many different faiths, religions, non-religions, beliefs & practices?
 
Most Sincerely,
John Compere
Brigadier General, Judge Advocate General’s Corps, US Army (Retired)
MRFF Advisory Board Member
I’m amazed with people that have so little to do that they force their agendas on others. In a world with all of the trouble we have today, I’d think you could pick a more valuable fight.
Have a blessed day,
(name withheld)

 Response from MRFF Advisory Board Member

John Compere
Brigadier General, Judge Advocate General’s Corps, US Army (Retired)
We can rationally explain in plain language for you the facts, history & law regarding American constitutional separation of church & state, but we cannot comprehend it for you. You will have to do that for yourself. Happy Trails & Shalom,
John Compere
 Response from MRFF Advisory Board Member Mike Farrell

Hi (name withheld),

If you understand what we’re saying, how can you not understand the need to be consistent? The separation of church and state doesn’t exclude the military, the VA or any other aspect of government. If they choose to place a religious artifact there for the potential comfort of some, they must also have artifacts representative of all beliefs for others and, perhaps, a book with blank pages for the non-believer.

Isn’t it simpler to just remove the book?

Mike Farrell

(MRFF Board of Advisors)

There are many interpretations of the constitution.  I don’t read it the way you read it.   I believe that the constitution simply means that the government will not be directing or enforcing any religion. We still have the right to choose what we religion we want to be if we decide to be involved with religion at all.

 

May 5, 2014 The Supreme Court on Monday narrowly upheld the centuries-old tradition of offering prayers to open government meeting

 

If it’s OK with the supreme court, shouldn’t it be OK with the rest of us.

 

Furthermore, with all of the battles that truly need to be fought in the US today, I’m amazed that this is the battle that the MRFF thinks is worthy to be fought.  Here’s a thought. How about dedicating time to black on black crime, justice for police officers, homeless and helpless veterans, drugs, teen pregnancy, and many more.  I do get what you’re trying to push. I don’t understand why you’re putting forth so much effort to remove a book from a table when there are so many other more worthy causes to fight for.

 

To answer your question, yes, it is easy to remove a book.  Isn’t it better to pick a fight more relevant?

(name withheld)

Response from MRFF Advisory Board Member Mike Farrell

Well, I guess we’ll continue to read the constitution differently. As to the other issues you’d apparently prefer to have us deal with, worry not. Many of the people associated with the MRFF are doing just that. But this organization continues to be dedicated to the protection of the separation of church and state and your lack of understanding of the way we do it, like your reading of the constitution, won’t change that.

Mike Farrell

(MRFF Board of Advisors)

 

 

 

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2 Comments

  1. XaurreauX October 21, 2016 at 7:28 am

    It is frightening that so many people don’t get it.

  2. Mary November 1, 2016 at 2:21 pm

    I think they get it, they just don’t like it, ’cause their preacher told them not to.

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