Painting (with a reponse from Blake Page)

We are totally disgusted with your despicable anti-religion agenda.That individual at the base who supposedly complained and said the picture made “me feel terribly uncomfortable, disheartened and disappointed”needs mental help, that painting shouldn’t dishearten or make anyone uncomfortable.  If he doesn’t like the painting don’t look at it… it’s real simple. And please don’t claim it violates the establishment clause of the first amendment, it doesn’t.  Congress never made a law forcing anyone to look at it. You act like there is a freedom from being exposed to religion, there isn’t!  I will be contacting my congressman about this fascism.
Matthew 5:9   Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.
(name withheld)

Evening (name withheld),

If an image of a Christian Crusader as a representation of our armed forces doesn’t bother you, does this image cause you any malcontent?

It is effectively making the same statement, just with a different religion.  Would you “need mental help” if you took offense to the idea of our government being hijacked by any faith other than yours?  I imagine you would.  But with the application of your logic in this case you should just look the other way and shut your mouth.  Would it be fascist to oppose a military leader who made a continuous effort to convert his subordinates to Islam, or had them swearing oaths to spread the word of Mohammad?  I don’t think so.  I think it’s perfectly reasonable to oppose such absurdities.  Under our constitution no religion (Christianity included) is placed above any other, but by branding our military with crusader imagery, one religion is being made an exception to the law.  I oppose that.  Call me a fascist if you’d like, but understand the folly in doing so.
Cheers,
Blake A. Page
Military Religious Freedom Foundation
Special Assistant to the President
Director of West Point Affairs