#215 (5/26) - "Is The War on God Changing the Military?"

- Posted on May 1, 2012 by Dr. Jerry Newcombe, Truth in Action Impact Newsletter http://www.truthimpact.me/index.php/2012/05/is-the-war-on-god-changing-the-military/?utm_source=Impact+e-Newsletter&utm_campaign=ef89947701-Impact_Newsletter_5_8_2012&utm_medium=email

Is there a war on God among some in the military? That would seem to be the case.

For example, at the Veterans Administration’s Houston National Cemetery, the director told a local Nazarene pastor that he could not pray in the name of Jesus because it was not “all inclusive.” He respectfully sought the right to do so, but was denied. Liberty Institute filed suit on his behalf and won a last minute injunction, so he was able to pray in the name of Jesus after all.

Kelly Shackelford, founder and director of Liberty Institute, wrote an article with attorney Eri Leu on another example of recent V.A. censorship of God: “One widow testified that a cemetery employee sought to restrict the religious speech of the VFW Honor Guard just moments before her husband’s funeral was about to begin. Another widow, whose husband served in the army for thirty years, held her husband’s funeral service at a nearby private chapel due to V.A. restrictions on religious expression.” Thankfully, Liberty Institute prevailed in their lawsuit to stop these anti-religious abuses.

Meanwhile, there is a lawsuit to remove a 58-year old cross in San Diego that serves as a veterans’ memorial. A three-judge panel in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (in the San Francisco area) has ruled the tall, concrete cross at Mt. Soledad to be unconstitutional. The ACLU filed suit on behalf of a non-Christian group of veterans to remove the symbol. This case is headed on its way to the Supreme Court (www.donttearmedown.com).

Elsewhere, a leading military hospital was poised to implement an anti-Bible policy that would have been spiritually devastating. Thankfully, once the light was shone on the policy, common sense prevailed, and the policy was quashed.

Since 1909, Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington, D.C., has been caring for injured Army personnel. Later it was named Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Recently, they moved to Bethesda, Maryland, and became Walter Reed National Military
Medical Center, expanding their mission beyond just the Army. As the new facility was opening, the Navy issued a 4-page memo with new guidelines for the new hospital. Amazingly, the guidelines stated “no religious items (including Bibles, reading material, and/or artifacts) are allowed to be given away or used during a visit.” Thankfully, active Christians managed to get the policy reversed.

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, a conservative pro-family think tank in Washington, D.C., sounded the alarm on December 2, 2011: “Effective immediately, families, friends, and even pastors will have to check their beliefs at the door to visit one of the largest military hospitals in the United States.” Family Research Council was able to alert officials on Capitol Hill, including Rep. Steven King of Iowa. So Congressman King went to the House floor and shone the light on this case. The Navy rescinded the noxious order. The Bible is allowed at Walter Reed. But why was it going to be disallowed at all? This is the book that gives comfort and hope and eternal life to grieving veterans and their families.

As a student of American history, I find it fascinating that the first thing George Washington did as Commander in chief, when he received the Declaration of Independence on July 9, 1776 (mail was slow back then), was to systematically make sure that chaplains serve throughout the regiments. (There were chaplains before him, but he systematized their placement more thoroughly and made sure they were paid a decent wage.)

Speaking of himself in the third person, Washington said once about his army, “The General hopes and trusts, that every officer and man, will endeavor so to live, and act, as becomes a Christian Soldier, defending the dearest Rights and Liberties of his country.” I have no doubt where the father of our country would have stood on these issues.

Jeff Mateer, General Counsel of the Liberty Institute, said, “Our veterans fought and many died for our religious freedom and to have it stripped away under the façade of inclusiveness is the height of offense to those who have served our country.”

[bold and italics emphasis mine]