Warmly Wish Whiners Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

An associate was worried this week about wishing someone "Merry Christmas" so I had a few things to say about how some folks are offended by being wished good thoughts. After all, it isn't wishing them anything other than they have a good Christmas.

"Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the United States on June 26, 1870" but after all these years, some people just don't get it.

They complain! They are offended by seeing Christmas displays, even those without religious

"Article the third... Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

This part keeps getting forgotten "or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" because some only care about what they can complain about.

How did this nation established for freedom become a nation of whiners assuming they have the power to "prohibit" what the Bill of Rights never gave them? How did we end up being told we cannot say what we want?

It seems the VA didn't get the memo and must be showing up for work on the 25th.  Someone complained about Christmas decorations so someone else took them down.  Guess it didn't matter how many people enjoyed seeing them.

It also seems that a Professor doesn't seem to understand this date either.

A professor at the University of Central Florida thinks the safest way to greet other people during the Christmas season is to wish them a “Happy Federal Holiday.” This bright idea belongs to Terri Fine, a professor of political science at the University of Central Florida
Happy Federal what? Because the U.S. government in some cases and the state government in others have identified certain days during the year as state and federal holidays, including those that fall during the late fall and winter season – Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day –we have no choice but to observe these holidays whether we want to or not.

Seriously? Well, she can't exactly show up for work if UCF is closed, then again, why would she want to if she gets paid for not working? She doesn't have to do anything she doesn't want to on December 25. No one does. No one has to do, hear or say anything they don't want to.

Hear Christmas music on the radio and don't like it, then change the station. Don't want to watch a program on TV, change the channel. If you don't want anything tied to Christmas, that is your choice, but that does not allow you to remove the rights of others to enjoy a day the way they want to.

Full Definition of holiday
: a day on which one is exempt from work; specifically
: a day marked by a general suspension of work in commemoration of an event

Simple Definition of holy day
: a day when a religious festival or holiday is observed

I am Easter Orthodox (Greek) and our tradition is,

Today, in the Greek and Russian orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated 13 days after the 25th, which is also referred to as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. This is the day it is believed that the three wise men finally found Jesus in the manger.

The real day Jesus was born is not known but then again, there are some Christians not acknowledging Christmas at all.

Christian sects and communities that reject the observance of Christmas for theological reasons include Jehovah's Witnesses; some adherents of Messianic Judaism; most Sabbatarian denominations, such as the True Jesus Church and the Church of God (7th-Day); the Iglesia ni Cristo; the Christian Congregation in Brazil; the Christian Congregation in the United States; and certain reformed and fundamentalist churches of various persuasions, including some Independent Baptist, Holiness, Apostolic Pentecostal, and Churches of Christ congregations

No one is forced to do anything when it comes to Christmas. They are not forced to stay home or go to a family dinner or even buy gifts for someone else. They are not forced to give to charities or volunteer their time with the homeless. They are not forced to go to parties or wear an ugly Christmas sweater. They don't have to decorate their property and when it comes to the neighbors doing it, it is their right to do it.

If you are offended by someone wishing you something good or wanting to do something nice for you, then you have bigger issues and should seek professional help. How does it harm you to let others enjoy it their way while you have the right to spend the day anyway you want to?

SO FROM ME TO YOU, I WARMLY WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Religious Freedom Fight On Marine Base

'God Bless The Military' Sign Sparks Religious Freedom Fight On Marine Base
If the sign isn't removed, a group demands more signs, including one saying, "There is no god...We have each other."
HuffPost Hawaii
Chris D'Angelo
Associate Editor
October 1, 2015

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF MILITARY RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOUNDATION

A large sign was erected on a Hawaii military base in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with the message, "God bless the military, their families and the civilians who work with them."

Now, 14 years later, a nonprofit religious rights group is demanding it be removed, claiming it violates the Constitution.

"For now, at least, the sign is still there. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation followed up its initial demand with a second on Wednesday -- saying that if the sign is not removed, six more signs should be erected to satisfy Jewish, Muslim, Norse Religious Faith, atheist, agnostic, humanist, secularist, Hindu and Wiccan U.S. Marine clients.

The additional signs, as depicted in the photo illustration below, would contain the same message, but start with "Yehweh bless," "Allah bless," "Odin bless," "Vishnu bless" and "Goddess bless." Another would begin, "There is no god to bless" and end with "We have each other."

The Marine complainants, according to the Marine Corps Times, include at least 21 Protestants, while it was "not immediately clear how many of them are Vikings."
read more here

Trespass and Peril For Your Religious Freedom

Religious freedom is only threatened when one person or group thinks they have the right to force anyone else to surrender their own choice to them. It is as simple as that. Christianity is not being threatened. It may appear that way because few seem able to actually think about what it means to believe what you want while respecting the rights of others to believe what they choose to believe or not.

Trespass Law. an unlawful act causing injury to the person, property, or rights of another, committed with force or violence, actual or implied. a wrongful entry upon the lands of another. the action to recover damages for such an injury. 2. an encroachment or intrusion. 3. an offense, sin, or wrong.

There law is clear and gay rights should not be surrendered due to some religious groups. There are some Christian churches that have no problem with gay parishioners or even performing gay weddings.

The Episcopal Church approves religious weddings for gay couples after controversial debate and so do these. The Presbyterian Church (USA) formally recognized same-sex marriages and Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and United Church of Christ has allowed same-sex couples to get married since 2005.

Most churches will not allow them and that is fine considering Christians have not agreed on much over the last few thousand years, still, had there been any law establishing the right for all gay people to be married wherever they wanted, there would have been a scream heard around the world because then there would be no freedom of religion.

So why would anyone be ok when one Christian believes she has the right as an employee of the government to prevent someone else from having the same right to believe as they want? It is not her right to hinder the rights of others because she does not agree with them.

I am naturally referring to Kim Davis and what she is pulling in Kentucky. It isn't just about the folks seeking equal rights in that county it is about setting a standard for all rights to be reduced in the eyes of the law.

What on earth would she say to a servicemember seeking a license to marry his/her partner? "Sorry but your rights are not as good as mine?"

Any level headed person should be appalled by this because if you are not, then ask yourself who you'd give the power to over your own right to believe as you will. Let them trespass someone else's freedom and you put your own in peril.

Air Force Defends Freedom of Christians to Speak, Finally

Aren't they tired of telling people they are too weak in their own convictions? After all, if they really believed they were right then why would they be so afraid to see a cross or hear someone offer a prayer for them?

Freedom of speech, on of the freedoms they risk their lives to preserve, does not mean they have the right to take it away from people they don't agree with.

No one is stopping them from simply replying they don't approve of the message.

Outcry leads Air Force to rescind ‘blessed day’ ban
Macon Telegraph
BY WAYNE CRENSHAW
March 12, 2015

In the complaint from the airman posted on the foundation’s website, the airman stated “I found the greeting to be a notion that I, as a non-religious member of the military community, should believe a higher power has an influence on how my day should go.”

After widespread outcry, the Air Force reversed a decision to ban Robins Air Force Base security personnel from saying “Have a blessed day” to people entering the gates.

Earlier, the gate guards were told not to give the greeting after an unidentified airman complained to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, according to the group’s website.

The foundation complained to the base, and the base issued the ban.

News of the ban went viral Thursday. That, in turn, led to this statement from the Air Force later in the day:
“Defenders have been asked to use the standard phrase ‘Welcome to Team Robins’ in their greeting and can add various follow-on greetings as long as they remain courteous and professional,” the statement read. “The Air Force takes any expressed concern over religious freedom very seriously.

“Upon further review and consultation, the Air Force determined use of the phrase ‘have a blessed day’ as a greeting is consistent with Air Force standards and is not in violation of Air Force Instructions.” In the complaint from the airman posted on the foundation’s website, the airman stated “I found the greeting to be a notion that I, as a non-religious member of the military community, should believe a higher power has an influence on how my day should go.”
read more here

Suicide Prevention Chaplain Gets Support From Lawmakers

When this story first broke, I posted "Holy Crap" Christian Chaplain Told He Can't Share Faith? simply stunned by how low some people will sink to "protect" religious rights for their own freedom but never once consider it doesn't give them the right to take away in the process.

It is disgusting when some believe they can force their beliefs on others and equally so when someone believes they can force their non-belief on everyone else.

Most experts say the best way to treat combat PTSD is a triple play, mind, body and spirit since the veteran will struggle with surviving as well as judging their own actions. It is actually harder for believers to seek help afterwards than for non-believers. Why? Because unfortunately there are many who consider PTSD judgement from God topped off with if the veterans struggles with thoughts or attempts to commit suicide, wow, that is a huge sin in their eyes, as long as they don't have to see how they are in fact judging the veteran, which is also a huge sin in Christ's book.

Anyway, people in general believe in God and most believe in Christ. They may not agree on dogma or doctrine and a large percentage no longer attend church services but the majority tell me they believe.

They walk away from an event or a deployment believing that either God saved them or judged them and did it all to them. They believe their pain is God's will simply because they do not understand God anymore than they understand PTSD.

If everyone they know professing to be religious give the appearance of being fine, the veterans needing help will be more reluctant to ask for help. Then you can toss in the cluster of FUBAR they are fed with "resilience training" and you get the idea none of it bodes well for openness or, as Stephen Colbert coined, "truthiness."

So fast forward to when a Chaplain dared to not just talk about having PTSD, but when it was like to have a crisis in faith and then be restored.

To the soldiers sitting there listening to him they would have taken away a deeper understanding that it is ok to feel what they do and ok to ask for help as well as having someone stand there and offer hope that they were not condemned to remain grieving instead of experiencing healing.

I am glad lawmakers have taken this on because freedom of religion must include the right to also choose to worship as well as to not.

This Army Chaplain Was Trying to Help Prevent Suicide. Now 24 Lawmakers Are Defending Him.
IJ Review
BY MIKE MILLER
MILITARY, RELIGION
February 20, 2015

Army chaplain Capt. Joe Lawhorn conducted a suicide-prevention training session at the University of Georgia in November. As a chaplain, he made references to the Bible. He was disciplined by the Army for doing so.

Now 24 lawmakers are trying to help him fight back.

Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), James Inhofe (R-OK), Tom Cotton (R-AR) David Vitter (R-LA), Roy Blunt (R-MO), and James Lankford (R-OK), along with 17 House members, co-signed a letter to Army Secretary John McHugh. They wrote, in part:

We believe this administrative action sets a dangerous precedent for Army suicide prevention initiatives, the role of Army chaplains, and most importantly, the ability for service members to exercise and express religious beliefs, as protected under the First Amendment and reinforced by current law and [Department of Defense] regulations.

“We fully expect the Army to take the steps necessary in protecting the religious freedom of all soldiers while affirming the vital role of chaplains in ensuring the well-being of our soldiers. During the training session, Lawhorn recounted his bouts with depression while serving as an Army Ranger, and how reading the Bible helped him cope with his struggles.
read more here

Religious Debate Intensifies on Academy Whiteboard

Religious Debate Intensifies on Academy Whiteboard
Military.com
by Bryant Jordan
Mar 19, 2014

An Air Force Academy cadet claims she was verbally and physically accosted by senior cadets for writing "there is no evidence that God ever existed" on her dorm whiteboard in response to a fellow cadet posting a Bible verse.

Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, said the cadet wrote the statement to point out that posting personal beliefs in a hallway of a squadron area is wrong.

But, according to the cadet's parents who wrote Weinstein a letter, almost immediately upon writing the statement she was "shouted down" by two male cadets who were senior to her in rank. They called her "anti-faith" and said she was insulting "all people of faith."

When she tried to stop them from wiping off the whiteboard they pushed her and forcibly held her back, the letter states. Weinstein would not name the cadet and, as the MRFF keeps its clients' identifies confidential.

The parents of the cadet told Weinstein that the family is Christian, and she was only trying to make a point. In the original incident, a cadet penned a Bible verse that read, in part, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."

In their letter, they said the senior male cadets defended the original whiteboard inscription that spurred their daughter to act. After a cadet complained about the public posting, academy officials got involved, talked to both cadets and the quotation was erased.

"What happened here sparked a debate between competing beliefs," Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson said in a statement afterwards. "One side's perspective of this decision is that [it] elevated one religious faith over all others, and that posting scriptures from any religion on cadets' whiteboards creates a hostile environment."
read more here

Air Force forced to defend religion policies?

Freedom of Religion means everyone is free to believe what they choose or no one is free.

Air Force leaders detail force cuts, defend religion policies
Stars and Stripes
By Jon Harper
Published: March 14, 2014

WASHINGTON — Air Force leaders detailed future force cuts and defended the service’s religious accommodation practices after coming under attack from conservative lawmakers at a congressional budget hearing Friday.

When presenting the fiscal 2015 budget request and the Future Years Defense Program last week, the Air Force announced that it wants to eliminate the entire A-10 close air support fleet and the U-2 spy plane fleet, and significantly reduce the number of F-15 and F-16 fighters, and MQ-1 drones, because of budget constraints imposed by Congress. Pentagon leaders want to use the resulting savings to invest in modernization and readiness.

The budget request must be approved by Congress. Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh III said a congressional decision to protect these programs would necessitate cuts in higher-priority programs, and lead to imbalances in the force. As an example, Welsh said that saving the A-10 would force the service to cut back on the number of F-35, F-16 and F-15 fighters.
read more here

Freedom of Religion

Freedom of Religion
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
March 1, 2014

26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Genesis 1

I am free to believe. To believe that God started all of it, no matter how much we get wrong. Even Albert Einstein said "There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.

I am free to believe that Jesus was the Son of God and that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit live within me and I walk with them, no matter how many times I stumble, fall, lose my way and sin, I am forgiven. Forgiven, not because of me or anything I did, but because of what Jesus did.

I am free do love and to do good just as much as I am free to hate and do selfish things. I am not free of guilt if I do those things to someone else instead of for someone else.

I am free to walk into any house of worship as I see fit to attend but I am not free of their rules. If I decide to attend, then I am obligated to live within their rules.

I am free to walk away from what I do not believe in as much as I am free walk toward where my soul pulls me.

I am free to hold private that which I choose to leave between my soul and God, who knows all I am, just as I am free to speak and make public that which I will. I am not free to stop someone else from doing the same.

In this country we are all supposed to be free to believe what we want, do as we will, say what we want and go where we want, but all of this comes with an obligation.

If we seek to retain these freedoms, we must defend the rights of those we do not agree with. It is not our right to take away the freedoms of someone else.

I refuse to trivialize freedom. I refuse to hear fools speak of their rights being taken away simply because someone does not agree with them. I refuse to defend anyone attempting to take rights away from someone else because they do not like the way they live, the way they think or what they do with their own lives.

God did not give me the right to do anything other than make my own choices and leave the choices others make up to them. He gave me the right to freewill but freedom is something men and women risked their lives to retain.

I refuse to allow one religious denomination to force their beliefs on anyone else. To legislate their beliefs while they are supposed to be elected to represent everyones ability to make their own choices.

We have all heard far too much from people screaming their rights are being taken away because they have been prevented from taking the rights of others away.

If everyone is not free to believe, then no one is.

Pentagon rules adapt for religious exemptions

Religious exemptions for troops easier to request under new rules
Army Times
Andrew Tighman
Staff Writer
January 22, 2014

The Pentagon on Wednesday announced new rules that make it easier for troops to request religious exemptions from uniform rules, grooming standards and other military policies.

The new rules aim to address a spate of controversies in recent years from religious troops seeking special treatment; for example, an Army Sikh wanted to wear a turban with his uniform and a rabbi wanted to wear a beard.

Until now, the Pentagon had no force-wide rules for how to handle requests for religious accommodation, making it unclear who should ultimately make those decisions and what force-wide standards to impose.

From now on, troops’ requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and be denied only “if it is determined that the needs of mission accomplishment outweigh the needs of the Service member,” according to the new policy.

“Each request must be considered based on its unique facts; the nature of the requested religious accommodation; the effect of approval or denial on the Service member’s exercise of religion; and the effect of approval or denial on mission accomplishment, including unit cohesion,” the policy states.

In addition to grooming and uniform standards, troops can request special accommodation for:

■ Worship practices or special observances

■ Rations that comply with religious dietary restrictions

■ Waivers for some medical requirements

Requests will be denied if they:

■ Interfere with the safe operation of military weapons or equipment

■ Interfere with the proper use of safety or protective gear

■ Jeopardize the public health or safety of the unit
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Vietnam veteran gets VA to pull Duck Dynasty "ugly divisive items" from store

Freedom of speech? Freedom of religion? Yes in both cases. Freedom does not mean you, or anyone else, has the right to use yours while abusing theirs. When Phil Robertson said something and people were hurt by it some came out and screamed about his right to say what he wants. That is absolutely true. He does have the right. So does everyone else.

When they were offended by his words and voiced their views publicly, supporters of Robertson came out and screamed about their faith and free speech. Just because they feel the same way does not mean they have the right to silence those who do not share their same views. Robertson does not represent all Christians and there are Christian denominations embracing gay people as God's children. That is what freedom means. Free to make your own choices and believe what you want. Freedom works both ways.

Today some will be screaming about Robertson and Duck Dynasty's right to make a fortune off a TV show while few will actually stop and think what freedom means. The very freedom veterans fought for and many died for. The freedom generations of homosexual military men and women were ready to die to protect while their own rights were removed.

Removing the products has little to so with the show but more to do with showing a religious view condemning the laws of the military shall not be tolerated.

Duck Dynasty products under fire at VA medical center
ABQ Journal
By Mike Bush
Journal Staff Writer
January 7, 2014

A Vietnam veteran has taken aim at Duck Dynasty products on sale at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center store in Albuquerque, and it looks like all the items in his cross hairs will be removed from the canteen’s shelves.

Robert Anderson is one of many people upset over a magazine interview in which Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson made comments they found racist and homophobic. In the January issue of GQ, the 67-year-old TV patriarch calls homosexuality a sin, comparing it with bestiality. Robertson, who is white, also claims that African-Americans he knew during the Jim Crow era in the South “were happy.”

On Dec. 27, Anderson – who served in the Air Force in Vietnam in the 1960s – wrote to the canteen that he was “greatly offend(ed) that the Veterans Administration Patriot Store would sell items promoting an entertainment group that clearly stands for racism and bigotry.

“The reactionary views incorporated into the Duck Dynasty group are contrary to the policies and mission of the VA medical system to not discriminate among veterans based on race or gender,” he continued. “Please remove these ugly divisive items immediately.”

A few days later, in an email to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Anderson urged quick action “to remove the racist and bigoted products” from VA canteens. On Monday, the Central New Mexico Community College instructor said he was still waiting to hear back from the national office.

Last week, Debra Abeyta, assistant chief of Canteen 501 in Albuquerque, advised Anderson that she, too, was “very upset by the racist remarks made” by Robertson, adding, “We here at the canteen service in no way promote such ideas and have taken steps to remove the product from the store.”
read more here

This is what he said he believed in 2010


While it was very difficult to listen to this whole video of Robertson's preaching what he wants, it became clearer that homosexuals are not his only target. Robertson says he does not believe in evolution even though many believe that God created the world that way. Even the brightest minds say that had the earth been created an inch away from where it began we wouldn't be here. Think about how magnificent that is. He has the right to simplify it anyway he wants.

He ranted about healthcare providers, abortion on and on pointing to the Founding Fathers.

He talks about killing animals but does not mention how putting the "creatures" into our hands also means caring for them along with the earth. Being a meat and potatoes type of person, appreciating the bounty of God providing these creatures into our care.

17:45 he begins on immorality. Running down the list of "sins" all lumped together. As he blows into his duck call devices he talked about Lincoln and the "little piece of meat" hanging down the back of your throat. I had to listen to this part a few times because it didn't make any sense.

This video has some pretty strong language but a friend sent a link to it because the hypocrisy of Robertson is spotlighted along with their yuppy histories. The show is a show but Robertson's preaching is not a show. He says it is what he believes. Pretty sad.

Gay Army couple says chaplain barred them from marriage retreat

Are military chaplains chaplains first or soldiers first? That is a simple question that has to be answered once and for all, and I do mean all. Not all Christians agree on anything and that needs to be clarified. Some have problems with gay people while others have no problem at all.. Who gets to decided which denomination wins? Who gets to decide which doctrine is "worthy" and which is not? Here is a pretty good list of churches and gay people.

But the military as part of the government these men and women vow to defend says this, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." In other words anything dealing with the freewill choice to believe or not shall not be taken out of their hands. It is their right to not join a church or group just as it is their right to decide on their own what they believe. The war on faith happens when one group tries to control everyone else but then screams their rights are being taken away from them. Nice little trick.

Gay Army couple says chaplain barred them from marriage retreat
Military Times
By Joe Gould
Staff writer
November 21, 2013

A same-sex couple at Fort Irwin, Calif., says they have been denied participation in an Army marriage enrichment program because of their sexual orientation, even though they are legally married.

Shakera Leigh Halford said her wife, a soldier at the post, approached a chaplain at Fort Irwin about participating in a “Strong Bonds” retreat at the base but was told the couple is “ineligible” because of their sexual orientation.

“I’m very sad and disappointed,” Halford said in a statement. “To know there are valuable resources available to soldiers and their families to help us through the challenges of military life, and then be told that we aren’t eligible because of our sexual orientation ... it hurts. It really hurts. We’re at a pretty secluded base and there aren’t many other resources out there for us, so what are we supposed to do?”

The retreat is one of the many services run by the Army’s Chaplain Corps. The Southern Baptist Convention, which provides the largest share of active-duty military chaplains, has barred members from taking part in weddings, counseling sessions and couples retreats for same-sex couples. Similar restrictions apply to Roman Catholic chaplains.
read more here

AF Sgt. claims he was fired for religious views on gays

Keep in mind that there are different views on this even in "religious" groups. Some Christians have no problem with gay people at all while some do. No one speaks for all and none of them should try. This story is a bit different. You'll understand when you read it.

AF sgt. claims he was fired for religious views on gays
Wing says reassignment was due
Army Times
By Rick Maze
Staff writer

A 19-year Air Force veteran says he was relieved of duties at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in a dispute with his commanding officer over same-sex marriage.

The case of the senior master sergeant is exactly what some lawmakers are trying to prevent by seeking changes in military policies on diversity, tolerance and religious freedom that would allow service members with strong religious or moral objections to homosexuality to speak their minds without fear of reprisal.

Senior Master Sgt. Phillip Monk, assigned to the 37th Training Wing, said Friday he was relieved July 26 of his duties as first sergeant of a training squadron and forced to take leave because he disagreed with his commanding officer’s position on gay marriage. He says his company commander is openly lesbian.

A spokeswoman for the wing, Collen McGee, said Monk was “not removed from duty.”

The training squadron commander who Monk claims fired him does not intend to issue a statement, McGee said.

Monk, an evangelical Christian, said the issue came up when he was advising his company commander about a situation involving a staff sergeant who had expressed opposition to homosexuality on religious grounds — an opinion shared with trainees that might be a violation of an Air Force policy barring the use of a position of authority to promote personal religious beliefs.
read more here

Florida Atheists put up monument to nothing

Some of my friends are very upset over Atheists putting up a monument near where the Ten Commandments monument is. I am no more upset about this than I am about the fact some people do not believe in God. It is up to them. If this is public land, then they have the same rights believers do. They do not harm my faith any more than idol worshipers hurt the faith of early Christians. As a matter of fact, how they treated the Christians in the beginning caused more people to hear about Christ and they ended up joining no matter what price they would have to pay. They worshiped in hiding knowing if they were caught, they would be put to death.

No one can ever control what is in the mind and hearts of others. This nation began so that all people could worship or not as they see fit. To feel threatened in anyway by a monument put up by Atheists that believe in nothing honors it. How can we complain about nothing? They have an equal right under the laws of this nation. I just find it ironic when they fear Christian symbols like the Cross, as if it does them any harm at all, then turn around and put up a symbol of their faith in nothing.

Atheists unveil monument in Florida and promise to build 50 more
RAW Story
By David Ferguson
Saturday, June 29, 2013

At the unveiling of the first-ever atheist monument erected on government public property Saturday, the organization American Atheists announced that they plan to erect more monuments at locations throughout the country. In a press release, American Atheists President David Silverman said that the organization has plans for 50 more monuments at public sites across the country.

The unveiling took place at noon on Saturday at the courthouse in Starke, Florida, where last year a Christian group erected a monument to the Christian Bible’s Ten Commandments. The new atheist monuments will be placed in similar locations, where Christian groups have erected monuments to their beliefs in public, government-owned places.

“We’re not going to let them do it without a counterpoint,” Silverman told the Miami Herald. “If we do it without a counterpoint it’s going to appear very strongly that the government actually endorses one religion over another, or — I should say — religion in general over non-religion.”
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Atheist Seeking U.S. Citizenship, Told To Join Church Or Be Denied?

Margaret Doughty, Atheist Seeking U.S. Citizenship, Told To Join Church Or Be Denied
The Huffington Post
By Nick Wing
Posted: 06/19/2013

Margaret Doughty, an atheist and permanent U.S. resident for more than 30 years, was told by immigration authorities this month that she has until Friday to officially join a church that forbids violence or her application for naturalized citizenship will be rejected.

Doughty received the ultimatum after stating on her application that she objected to the pledge to bear arms in defense of the nation due to her moral opposition to war. According to a letter to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services by the American Humanist Association on Doughty's behalf, officials responded by telling her that she needed to prove that her status as a conscientious objector was due to religious beliefs. They reportedly told her she'd need to document that she was "a member in good standing" of a nonviolent religious organization or be denied citizenship at her June 21 hearing. A note “on official church stationary [sic]" would suffice, they said.
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Air Force Academy Religious Respect Program May Go Servicewide

As a Chaplain, the only thing that matters to me is someone needs help. After they are respected as a human in need, what they believe is secondary. If I am talking to a Christian, I talk to them about Christ and what He said. It doesn't matter to me what denomination they were trained to believe. If I am helping someone of a different faith, I have a basic knowledge of what they believe and I don't try to change that. If I talk to someone with no beliefs at all, it is the same way. It is not up to me to covert them any more than it is to condemn them if they do not believe as I do. Usually people laugh when I tell them I won't hit them over the head with a Bible or try to convert them especially when I am Eastern (Greek)Orthodox. If I have the right to believe what I make the choice to do, so do they.

That is what Religious Freedom is all about. No one faith has the right to force their views on others. Even if you accept the claim the US is a "Christian Nation" whenever you hear someone say that, you need to ask them what one they are talking about. Don't forget there are so many different denominations of Christians it is hard to keep track. Even within groups, there are divisions so all people should be able to have their rights to use their own God Given Freewill to make their own choices in life. No one should have the right to have what they believe forced on anyone else. This is a step in the right direction.

AFA Religious Respect Program May Go Servicewide
Nov 02, 2012
The Gazette
Colorado Springs, Colo.
by Erin Prater

An Air Force Academy program to teach cadets to respect the religious beliefs of comrades will soon go to all Air Force bases and schools, if academy chaplains have their way.

While a target date has not been set for the program's expansion, chaplains hope to transition the Religious Respect Training Program throughout the Air Force as soon as possible, chaplain Maj. Shawn Menchion said Wednesday at the conclusion of the academy's Religious Respect Conference.

"It may reach basic training for enlisted airmen before it reaches the officers," Menchion said.

The program was launched in 2010 at the recommendation of senior academy leaders after several years of religious-related controversies, Menchion said.

Initially, it was a one-hour training session on the First Amendment's clauses that relate to religious freedom, and was taught by academy chaplains to the class of 2014 at cadet basic training.

Last year, the academy and its partners, including the Anti-Defamation League, developed three additional lessons that will be taught at other times: one-hour lessons during sophomore and junior years, and a two-hour lesson during senior year, Menchion said.

The training teaches cadets "to become allies to other cadets when they witness respect infractions," he said. "We're giving them avenues to address those issues. We emphasize addressing those issues at the lowest level."

"This is something new," Menchion said of the program. "No other military members are getting this training except for the cadets."
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Senators Bill proves they don't know what religious freedom is

If you just read what these Senators had to say, you'd think that religion is under attack, but you'd have to have lived under a rock to believe that. Every time they come out with something like this it is one more reminder of the basis of this nation. If we do not defend everyone's right to make their own choices, decide what/who they want to believe, feel as free as anyone else to do so, then we all lose.

INHOFE AND WICKER:
Lifting Obama’s gag order on military chaplains
Military Religious Freedom Act defends conscience

By Sen. Jim Inhofe and Sen. Roger Wicker

Friday, October 5, 2012

Our Founding Fathers spoke much about the importance of “freedom of conscience” and its underpinning of all other freedoms. In 1803, Thomas Jefferson said, “We are bound, you, I, and every one to make common cause even with error itself, to maintain the common right of freedom of conscience.”

Recent decisions by the Obama administration and Pentagon leaders threaten this common right, and their assault on freedom of conscience raises new and serious concerns — especially for our servicemen and women. Our armed services were created with an apolitical framework, and this unique platform has helped maintain Americans’ trust and respect for the military. Since repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, however, the administration has looked to the military as a way to advocate a liberal social agenda and challenge Americans’ freedom of conscience.

Last year, the Department of Defense (DOD) said state laws would be acknowledged and upheld when it came to marriage and civil unions. Now, in a heated presidential election season, DOD and the Obama administration are pushing the limits on their promise and the rule of law for the sake of politics. A prime example of this occurred in May, when the first homosexual marriage-like ceremony took place in a chapel on Fort Polk in Louisiana.
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This will give you an idea of Christians usually mentioned when a politician talks about "freedom of religion" but all too often fail to mention how many believe differently. So which faith is under attack? What about Jews, Muslims, Hindu, Buddhists or any of the other faiths or branches of these faiths? That's the point. We are all supposed to be able to decide on our own, not be forced to acknowledge any other faith but to be tolerant of all of them equally including the citizens of this nation when they chose to not believe at all.

I've heard soldiers say that they went to see a military Chaplain for spiritual issues and ended up being told they were going to hell because they were not a member of the Chaplain's faith. Is that right? Is that what these Senators want to defend?

I've read complaints about how Atheist soldiers, willing to die for believers, being forced to attend religious events and forced to hear someone pray. Is that what these Senators consider religious freedom?

Gay rights are not about religion. No one is forcing any religious body to acknowledge these rights under the law. They are not forced to welcome gay married couples under the law. They are not forced to break their own rules. Is that what these Senators think is going on?

Do they even know what a Chapel is? There are denominations of Christians where gay members are equal in their eyes. This is not something that elected officials should be trying to get involved with unless they really want to begin a nation where no one is free to make their own choices. These men are Senators, elected to serve the citizens of their states and that means all of them.

Let's take a look at what they have not gotten done for the sake of the people of this nation that would have mattered to everyone and compare that to the rights they want taken away from others.

Jobs? No they didn't have time for that issue. They want to end the Affordable Care Act, but came up with no plan of their own to take care of the people in this nation unable to afford to pay for health insurance. There is no issue these folks were capable of taking on when it mattered to everyone in this nation but they spent more time complaining about what has not been done by them. Nice work and they get a pay check to do it on top of everything else.

Bible verse on M-4 rifles puts troops in danger

No fix for 'Jesus rifles' deploying to Afghanistan
By Kari Huus
NBC News

When the so-called "Jesus rifle" came to light in Jan. 2010, it sparked constitutional and security concerns, and a maelstrom of media coverage. The Pentagon ordered the removal of the secret code referring to Bible passages that the manufacturer had inscribed on the scopes of the standard issue rifles carried by U.S. soldiers into battle in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Nearly three years later — despite the military's assertion that is making "good progress" — the code remains on many rifles deploying to Afghanistan, which some soldiers argue is endangering their lives by reinforcing suspicions that the United States is waging a crusade against Muslims."I honestly believe that this is a dangerous situation. It literally could be a matter of life and death for a soldier if he fell into the wrong hands," said an Army officer who spoke to NBC News from Fort Hood, Texas. "The fact that combatant commanders are not following (rules set by Department of Defense) commanders is very disturbing to me."

The officer, who asked not to be named out of fear of reprisal from commanders, provided a photograph, taken on Tuesday, of the code on an M-4 rifle assigned to a soldier who is slated to deploy to Afghanistan in coming weeks.

The code stamped into the metal of the soldier’s ACOG (Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight) ends with the model number with "JN8:12." which refers to the New Testament passage, John 8:12, which reads: "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
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Organizers prepare atheism-themed Fort Bragg event

Organizers prepare atheism-themed Bragg event
By Tom Breen - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Feb 29, 2012 13:41:13 EST
RALEIGH, N.C. — It has been more than a year in the making, but organizers of the first concert at a U.S. military base aimed at atheists and other non-religious service members and their families say they’re putting the final touches on the Fort Bragg event.

“Rock Beyond Belief” is scheduled for Saturday, March 31, and plans to feature bands and speakers, including Richard Dawkins, the famed British scholar and atheist author. It will be the highest-visibility event so far in a growing effort by military personnel without belief in God or religions to be recognized by their peers and the Pentagon.

“We just want an equal place at the table,” said Sgt. Justin Griffith, primary organizer of the event and the military director of American Atheists.

Griffith is also trying to gain official recognition at Bragg for a chapter of the Military Atheists and Secular Humanists, which would give it the same privileges enjoyed by Christian denominations and other religious groups at the post. An active duty officer stationed at Bragg is applying to be the first humanist recognized as a “distinctive faith group leader” by the Army, a position roughly equivalent to a lay leader in a religious group.

Organizers hope the concert, with its high-profile speakers and openness to the public, will be the first large demonstration of the extent of the military’s non-believing population. They expect a crowd of 5,000 for an event initially planned as a rejoinder to a Christian event called “Rock the Fort” held at Bragg in 2010 by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
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Dispute over cross casts light on four fallen Marines

Dispute over cross casts light on four fallen Marines
The controversial hilltop memorial at Camp Pendleton honors two enlisted men and two officers, three of whom helped erect a cross there in 2003 before going to Iraq.

By Tony Perry, Los Angeles Times
January 3, 2012

Scott Radetski, 49, a retired Navy chaplain; Sgt. Josue Magana, 32; and Staff Sgt. Justin Rettenberger, 31, work to secure a cross at Camp Pendleton on Veterans Day. A constitutional scholar says that because the crosses are only visible from Camp Pendleton they could be viewed as a memorial rather than having a religious purpose. (Rick Loomis, Los Angeles Times / November 11, 2011)

Reporting from San Diego— In the early days of the U.S. battle with the Sunni insurgency in Iraq, the four Marines from Camp Pendleton were among those troops on the front lines in Anbar province.

The two enlisted Marines would not survive those violent days in the spring of 2004: one was killed by "friendly fire" when a mortar round went awry and one was mortally wounded while hurling a grenade to repel an enemy assault, bravery for which he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.

The two officers survived, only later to be killed in other battles in other parts of the country: one by gunfire while leading a raid in Baghdad to kill or capture a "high-value" target in 2007 and one by stepping on a buried bomb while scouting an attack position near the Syrian border in 2005.

Now the four — Lance Cpls. Robert Zurheide and Aaron Austin, and Majs. Douglas Zembiec and Ray Mendoza — are the focal point of a legal dispute about how best to honor their service and sacrifice, and that of other U.S. military personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Here's a way to show support for Marines Camp Pendleton Cross

Camp Pendleton Cross Up Close [Poll]
The newly-erected cross on Camp Pendleton has become a source of much controversy.
By Daniel Woolfolk

Since Veterans Day, a 13-foot cross has stood atop a San Onofre Mountain peak overlooking Camp Horno. At its base are rocks painted with messages, dog tags and offerings of whiskey for fallen Marines.

Last month, a group of Marines and civilians carried the fire retardant cross up a steep and slippery climb and erected it as a memorial to four Marines who died in Iraq. However, they did so without permission from Camp Pendleton officials.

Members of the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers quickly demanded it be taken down. An opinion piece in The Huffington Post by Chris Rodda, senior research director of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, countered arguments by supporters of the cross.

This was the count after I voted.

Should the Camp Pendleton cross be kept up or taken down?
Keep it up

578 (59%)
Take it down

390 (40%)
Other

5 (0%)
Total votes: 973 This is not a scientific poll

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