Lawsuit Alleges Military of Unconstitutional Religious Activities

By Lawrence Jones|Christian Post Reporter

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A watchdog group said it recently uncovered evidence that bolsters its federal lawsuit alleging violations of religious freedom in the military.

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation claimed the photos and videos of religious activities support accusations made in a suit against the military for pressuring soldiers to adopt fundamentalist Christian beliefs.

The material was gathered from Fort Riley in Kansas, the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., and Fort Jackson, S.C.

Evidence cited at Fort Riley included a display outside the military’s police battalion’s office with a quote from conservative columnist Ann Coulter saying, "We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity."

Another photo from Fort Riley shows the book A Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam for sale at the post exchange.

At Fort Jackson, a bible study program entitled “God’s Basic Training” is reportedly held by Campus Crusade for Christ's military ministry. Among the new evidence disclosed, another photo shows soldiers involved in the ministry posing with a rifle in one hand and a Bible in the other. Troops dressed in uniform also appear in a promotional video for the ministry.

"These astonishing and saddening evidence which our foundation is making public today only further buttress our lawsuit," said Mike Weinstein, president of the foundation, according to The Associated Press.

A spokeswoman for Campus Crusade for Christ said the ministry officials haven’t reviewed the evidence and declined to comment.

Weinstein helped Army Specialist Jeremy Hall, an atheist, file the lawsuit in September in U.S. District Court in Kansas City against several members of the Defense Department for violating Hall’s religious freedom.

One defendant, Major Freddy Welborn, was accused of threatening Hall, who is now stationed in Fort Riley, with military charges and blocking his re-enlistment after the plaintiff held a meeting of atheists and non-Christians in Iraq.

The lawsuit also names Defense Secretary Robert Gates as a defendant, charging him with permitting a culture in the military that imposes Christian teachings upon soldiers and tolerates anti-Semitism.

Officials at the bases cited in the evidence have denied any intent to force a religious belief on troops.

A spokesman for Fort Riley said they would be reviewing the allegations.

"Command at Fort Riley takes the Army value of respect very seriously," Major Nathan Bond told Military.com. "The things you have mentioned to me, if they are true, do not seem in line with the Army values of respect, and we will look into it."

A survey last year by the Military Times newspaper reported that 80 percent of troops felt free to practice and express their religion in the military.

This is the first case Weinstein has filed against the military. In 2005, he filed a suit on behalf of his son alleging the Air Force Academy, where his son was a cadet, pressured non-Christian students to attend Christian meetings. A Pentagon investigation found no overt discrimination at the academy and the suit was dismissed.

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xristosnika »

Thu Dec 27, 2007 9:54 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 1

Actually, Maranatha, you and I would probably agree completely on these issues; but, I was involved with an inter-seminary seminar a few years ago between several east-coast Protestant and Catholic seminaries and the Catholics were the only ones firmly committed to the Word of God besides the conservative Presbyterians. Of course, the sampling was admittedly heavy on the "liberal". I know there are many Protestant seminaries that remain true to our Lord and His teaching.
maranatha7593 »

Thu Dec 27, 2007 3:48 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

xristosnika, I do not believe some Protestant churches have departed from Biblical standards any more than have Roman Catholics, and many's beliefs and practices are closer to Biblical truth than those of Catholics. There are many contradictions between scripture and Catholic tradition, dogma, Magestrium, and papal bulls. I also do not understand why Roman Catholics say they were the earliest believers when there were clearly no Roman Catholics (or any other believers identified as anything except "Christians") in the earliest record of church history, the book of Acts.

Beyond these different views, I do understand your point and totally agree with your last two paragraphs.
xristosnika »

Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:19 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 1

ingoditrust --

Yes, Roman Catholics are Christians, but the claim of being "the first" can be debated; it depends upon how one interprets the split between the Western and Eastern churches. You could say the Roman church traces its lineage back to the earliest churches. You could even argue that Jesus was thinking of Rome in Matthew 16 (though I don't believe it). But, let's not answer hyperbole with hyperbole. I suppose the question we could ask is if the Roman Catholic church holds firmly to the gospel...but that is another matter. I do know that your church is my friend when it comes to submitting to the Bible, as written, as the Word of God (if only we could deal with the Tradition question). Many Protestant churches have rejected the Bible for all sorts of authorities.

We need to stop throwing accusations and think clearly and soberly about our Faith and what is going on in the world. The military is usually one of the forums unbelievers have used to wear away the position of the Church in America. As this article shows, they are going to keep attacking our freedom until it is gone. I will grant the unbeliever's freedom to what I see as ignorance, but they will not be content with that.

Brothers and Sisters, we are responsible for this generation.
Ingoditrust »

Wed Dec 26, 2007 7:07 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 2

marantha-

Christian bashing is perfectly politically correct. We are the last group to still be more or less unprotected by religious laws. It is even worse for Protestants and Catholics, they are most picked on.

pburwell-

It is hilarious that you do not include Catholicism in Christianity. Not only are we the largest and most organized Christian church, we were the first. We believe in Christ, thus we are Christian. Very laughable.
maranatha7593 »

Tue Dec 25, 2007 7:41 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 1

"At Fort Jackson, a bible study program entitled “God’s Basic Training” is reportedly held by Campus Crusade for Christ's military ministry. Among the new evidence disclosed, another photo shows soldiers involved in the ministry posing with a rifle in one hand and a Bible in the other. Troops dressed in uniform also appear in a promotional video for the ministry."

Campus Crusade for Christ is not affiliated with the military at all; this is a private ministry opportunity soldiers can CHOOSE (or not) to attend. When we were in the military, meetings such as this were routinely offered by differing faiths. Why focus only on what Christians offer?
retrop »

Mon Dec 24, 2007 8:28 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 2

Could the fact that Mr. Wienstein is Jewish have anything to do with his hatred of christianity? Does he not realize that if it wasn't for the Christians in this country protecting Isreal the muslims would wipe them off the face of the earth. I'm sick and tired of every Jew, Muslim, Budist and atheist in this country whining all thetime about how badly they're treated. Go to some of these Muslim countries and gripe about how badly you're treated. Your head will be hanging from a post.
SummaTheologica »

Mon Dec 24, 2007 3:15 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 2

Sounds like these guys need to listen to Mitt Romney's speech: "Faith in America."
Online4Him »

Mon Dec 24, 2007 2:48 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

It will be interesting to see how all this plays out; hopefully, these charges are not true. If so, shame on them for thinking that the gospel can be forced upon others. It is exampes like these, that give the enemies of God an occaison to rail against him.
s_vawter »

Mon Dec 24, 2007 11:58 am Agree: 3 Disagree: 1

I was in the navy for ten years. There are no "religious indoctrinations" in the military. No one is forced to go to, participate in, or observe ANY relifously orientated event against their will. There was evening prayer offered by the ships chaplian over the general announcement system (1mc) but hearing it didn't mean you had to listen to it. However, there are rules that discriminate against religion, such as forced non-observances of Sabbath and forcing the base chaplian to disregard the Laws of God and allow pagan rituals to be performed at the Altar.
As for the PX, I wish the NEX had more Christian books in it. I had to buy my study Bibles and apologetics from Borders and my Church. However, a book called "Letters to a Christian Nation" was prominently offered at the NEX- Can I sue for Atheistic Doctrination? Seriously, this is ridiculous.
Citizen »

Mon Dec 24, 2007 10:17 am Agree: 1 Disagree: 0

pburwell: Find evidence that those faiths are being forced on the rank and file, and you could file a lawsuit as well if you could find a plaintiff with standing, but that's not legal advice, I'm not an attorney, and you should consult an attorney if you have questions about the law.

xizwyck: the question is whether those non-requirements are only empty words, and that officers and others are pressuring non-evangelical Christians, and non-christians to convert to evangelical christianty anyway. That's what the lawsuit is about, not your eagerness to imagine that your faith is being persecuted in the United States.

Slacker: way to completely miss the point. Good job.

djem60: It took a lot of courage to speak out, and I hope Mr. Hall will continue to do so.
Slacker »

Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:17 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 1

"Another photo from Fort Riley shows the book A Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam for sale at the post exchange."

hmmm, i wonder if they put a book about Jimmy Hoffa in the PX if they can claim that the commanders had something to do with his disappearance...
djem60 »

Sun Dec 23, 2007 8:58 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 1

Mr.Hall needs to shut his piehole.
xizwyck »

Sun Dec 23, 2007 1:06 pm Agree: 3 Disagree: 2

I don't get it. You are not required to purchase anything from the PX. You are not required to contribute nor participate in any religious activities. You are not required to become a Christian to enlist and/or re-enlist in the military. For that matter, you don't even have to be a citizen. Why don't we hear about ethical atheists suing over inappropriate reading material (half naked models appearing on the cover)? But praise God anyway, we knew this was coming.
pburwell »

Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:17 am Agree: 1 Disagree: 3

So where are the lawsuits showing advocacy of Catholicism, Mormonism, Islam or Buddhism in the military? Why are there only lawsuits against Christianity? BECAUSE CHRISTIANITY IS THE ONLY FAITH THEY TAKE SERIOUSLY. Hallelujah!

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