I ask for your help

Hello and good day,

I am writing to your organization from SHAPE HQ, Belgium. We are referred to as the BENELUX community. (Belgium, NL, and Luxembourg) I have some concerns over what I consider to be proselytizing by the US Army and the chaplains of the US Army. Specifically in regards to the official USAG Benelux blog. The people that run the blog had asked for a contribution to their blog. I agreed and welcomed the opportunity to express opinions and views, much like the republicans and democrats do, and each generally get their own time and voices heard. When it comes to the subject of religion, this however, is not the case. The christian fundamentalism is in charge here, and it seems to be their will to impose that view, at any cost. In this blog, the christian view of Adam and Eve was expressed. This does not necessarily offend me. What does is not hearing other peoples view, and thats when it becomes proselytizing. I was informed that my blog entry was “not acceptable” and was offensive, and that the public affairs office did not want to deal with the retaliation of this blog entry. I even pleaded my case on the phone and was told no. I then forwarded my concerns to the USAG Benelux commander, who told me absolutely not, and that blog was not to express views. Well, he forgot to mention views that do not agree with christian fundamentalism. Where does this end? In no way at all am I saying any side be silenced. Where are the Jewish voices? Where is the Muslim side? By the Army establishing their stance and only allowing the fundamentalist view, this is my opinion, is now a 1st amendment issue. Since when can the military bend, or even outright break the 1st amendment?

Also, about a month ago tried to start an outreach group of “Recovering Religionists”, which is a group support unit, that was founded and sponsored by Dr. Darrel Ray. I went to the AAFES PX store here on base and was denied putting up a flyer in the community case. (AAFES is in charge of the case. They have adverts and other flyers there) They informed me that it was “for sale” items only. I know this to be false as their have been local church flyers up. I ask for your help in this matter due to the fact I have seem to exhausted my efforts here and took it to the command, only to be turned away with someone who perhaps shares the same fundamentalists view of life. Secularism, and all other views, are clearly being silenced here, in the name of their belief system, and at the cost of 1st amendment. I ask for your help and perhaps equal time. I proudly served along side people of all beliefs, and people of no beliefs. We are all Americans.

I give my permission to use my name, email, and all contact information concerning this concern/case. Please feel free to contact me with any concerns.

(name withheld)