Ok, so a local branch of the Veterans Association holds a ceremony on each Memorial Day at the Houston National Cemetery, just like many other communities around the country do. For the past two years, a preacher has been giving the invocation during the ceremony, explicitly mentioning Jesus Christ. This year, the VA asked for the prayer in advance and the opening reads as follows; "While respecting people of every faith today, it is in the name of Jesus Christ, the risen Lord, that I pray. Amen." The VA asked the preacher to remove Jesus Christ from the prayer as it could be disrespectful to other faiths represented in the United States Armed Forces. Preacher takes case to court and Federal Judge Lynn Hughes ruled in favor of the preacher stating that the government cannot "gag citizens when it says it is in the interest of national security, and it cannot do it in some bureaucrat's notion of cultural homogeneity."
This is wrong on so many levels. First, ALL people that served should be respected no matter what their faith is. It is their sacrifice that allows us to freely speak and debate these issues openly without fear and persecution. Second, how is a VA Memorial Day Ceremony any different from a high school graduation commencement? They are both a gathering of citizens representing institutions that receive funds from our federal government and the highest court in the land states that there will not be any religious bias at events such as this. Third, this is not an issue relating to the freedom of speech, this is freedom of religion. Yes, both are protected in the First Amendment, but two completely different topics to uphold.
How much money would our country save by avoiding frivolous law suits dealing with religion? If people were to stop trying to force religion into every aspect of our lives, people would stop being offended and our court systems could do some actual good. Here in Tennessee, the Gideons had the gall to actually start handing out bibles in a public high school. The principle allowed it and the administration would not stop it. Now the ACLU is suing the county. Hey Moral Majority, Christian Coalition, Conservative Right Wing or whatever you wish to be called; we are not all alike. We do not hold the same views as you, so stop forcing it on us as we do not force our beliefs on you (Evolution is a fact compared to the story of creation which you have to have faith in to believe).
I've attached a link to the story for y'all to review. Have a safe and enjoyable weekend and be sure to thank a vet.
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