separation of church and state is a good thing

Published On: January 15, 2020|Categories: MRFF's Inbox|Comments Off on separation of church and state is a good thing|

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Hi. I’m a atheist  and I believe that separation of church and state is a good thing.

That being said, freedom is what this is mostly about. According to your website, you are fighting for the freedom from Christian aggression towards non Christian’s within the military. Unfortunately you have gone too far with your “crusade”.

  I assume we can agree that not every christian member of the US military spends their time aggressively attacking or otherwise somehow reducing other religions. I would say it’s a very small percentage of people in general that live their life that way.

Your all or nothing approach has some issues that show your hypocrisy.

The very concept that you fight to limit the freedom of some over the freedom of others based on their religion is troublesome. The bigger issue is that you use the freedom given to you here as your base to attack those who provide it. Even those who really aren’t “bad actors” until you decide they are.

But much like evangelists on tv and various other groups, you’ve found a nifty way to make money.

How very stereotypical of you.

(name withheld)

Response from MRFF Founder and President Mikey Weinstein

Why what’s the problem, little fella?… I was almost going to grant you a little bit of credibility for having some small measure of civility professionalism and courtesy until I saw the last sentence you sent to me… Classic old-school anti-Semitism… You’re clearly a low intelligent poorly educated ignorant anti-Semite… Besides Jews, who else do you hate little sport?

Ok…

I just sent a email a bit ago basically saying you guys are mostly about making money and being over the top.

I’ve done more research and read through quite a few of your letters on both sides.

Overall, I think you’re doing good and needed work. My experience in the USMC showed me that unfortunately most of those in command are simply those that reenlist the most.  Not a great indicator of leadership ability. Especially in the non com ranks.

It’s good that active service members have somewhere to turn outside of the system that is creating the problem.

Keep up the good fight.

(name withheld)

Response from MRFF Founder and President Mikey Weinstein

You forgot one thing Jesse… The last words of your first email were incredibly racist bigoted prejudiced and particularly anti-Semitic… I would like you to please apologize for that… Cowboy up and do it and I will accept the apology and respect the fact that you offered it… But first you have to offer it…

Response from MRFF Board Member John Compere

On Jan 15, 2020, at 10:13 AM, John Compere  wrote:

For your information, the US Constitution, American law & US Armed Forces regulations require our government to refrain from promoting or endorsing a religion. The Constitution also provides only secular oaths & prohibits religious tests. Your critical comments are misdirected & would be more credibly communicated to those who disrespect & disregard our laws rather than those of us who respect & request compliance with them.
 
Please be advised the Military Religious Freedom Foundation is a “non-profit” constitutional rights organization that has been officially nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 7 times for its “pro-bono” advocacy on behalf of American military men & women.
 
Brigadier General John Compere, US Army (Retired)
Disabled American Veteran (Vietnam Era)
Board Member, Military Religious Freedom Foundation

Yup. Your perspective of the statement is understood. Except that’s not what’s in my heart.

Which is the problem with a few of the cases you have been involved in.
My being aware of a stereotype doesn’t make me a bigoted racist.
Nor does your ability to paint any particular situation to look worse than it is make you always right.
People are allowed to be offended.
You seem to be regularly.
Doesnt negate the rights of others
(name withheld)
Response from MRFF  Founder and President Mikey Weinstein
I will forget about the rhetoric in what you just sent to me… The simple question is, what you wrote is reasonably and rationally construed as anti-Semitic… Marrying up making a lot of money with the “stereotype“ of being Jewish… I’m a public figure so I get this all the time brother… So I put it to you again, are you or are you not actually apologizing irrespective of what you MEANT in your “heart“ to express to me?

Under those terms ,lol, yes I apologize.

Surprising how reasonable we all(including me) can be when we get past the face of things
(name withheld)
Response from MRFF Founder and President Mikey Weinstein
OK, brutha , the apology you proffered is fully accepted … It is best to do some homework and research before throwing stones… I have found that to be a useful way to live myself… Maybe we can sit down and have a beer or two in the future should our paths ever cross? :-)… Oh, and if you hear from other folks associated with MRFF on this you can tell them that you and I have made peace…
Response from MRFF Advisory Board Member Mike Farrell
On Jan 15, 2020, at 3:52 PM, Mike wrote:
Hi (name withheld),
You’ve obviously misread the website. And, if I may, some of what you’ve said suggests you may have done so intentionally.
We are not, and nowhere does the mission statement suggest we are, “fighting for the freedom from Christian aggression towards non Christian’s (sic) within the military.” In fact, if you’d read carefully, you’d have found that our mission is to ensure everyone’s right (that is everyone in the military) to believe as she or he chooses.
Since the fact is that the largest religious group in America is Christian in some form, and it is divided into many different faiths or interpretations of Christ’s teaching, there tends to be an assumption on the part of some that ours is a “Christian country.” As a result of that belief, some feel just fine about Christian artifacts, religious symbols, prayers and the like being displayed or associated with our military, its functions, its displays and its nomenclature. However, since the U.S. Government does not and cannot favor or promote any one belief system over all the others, such displays and associations are not allowed by law or military regulations. That is because of the U.S. Constitution and what is known as the separation of church and state.
Because, however, there is a passionate belief on the parts of some Christians that they must spread the “good news” about Christianity everywhere, some cross that line unthinkingly and need to be reminded that not everyone in our country is a Christian and every belief or belief system is to be recognized, respected and honored as much as any other. Our problem, though, is there are some who are so zealously passionate in the belief that theirs is the one true faith and all others are false that they are determined to find ways to infiltrate Christian beliefs, symbols, artifacts and thoughts into our government through its military despite the existing laws and regulations. Their agenda is to make ours officially a Christian Nation and our military Jesus’ Army.
So I hope that clarifies your misunderstanding of our position and our goal.
Now let me say that I fear I’ve wasted my time explaining this to you. The last line of your message suggests an anti-Semitic trope that displays a disgusting level of ignorance and hostility on your part. I hope I’m wrong. We’ll see.
Mike Farrell
(MRFF Board of Advisors)

 

 

 

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