Are we beginning to see a pattern developing here in America, readers?
Travis AFB Nativity – photo by MRFF “This conspicuous display of ritual objects is a clear endorsement of religion in violation of the Establishment clause of the First Amendment, and must either be removed from the premises or moved to a more appropriate location on the Air Force Base to ensure compliance with the United States Constitution,” wrote attorney Katherine Ritchey on behalf of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. The Nativity features figures representing the baby Jesus, the Virgin Mary, Joseph and the Wise Men. Adjacent to the Nativity is the Menorah. “There is no doubt that a reasonable person, upon viewing these two religious symbols, would believe that they convey anything but a religious message,” Ritchey wrote. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation accused the Air Force of endorsing ‘rituals and beliefs associated with that faith.” The MRFF said they received a letter from an anonymous airman complaining about the holiday decorations and what he called the “tyranny of the majority.”
“The presence of these clearly religious displays on the main corner of the base deeply concerns me. I am not alone in my feelings of distress,” the anonymous airman wrote. “I know many other people are similarly offended and confused.”
“I joined the military to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, not to spread the gospel,” the airman added. “I fear that the religious symbols so prominently displayed on my Air Force Base convey a different message.”
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, blasted the threat and called it “yet another flyby-attack on Christianity.”
“No one is forced to stand in front of the Nativity, and salute it, but people in this country should have the right to celebrate Christmas and what it means,” Perkins told Fox News & Commentary last week.
Travis AFB Menorah – photo by MRFF
Perkins cited a Gallup poll that suggested more than 95 percent of the nation celebrate Christmas – and a Pew Research poll that indicated 78 percent of Americans identify as Christian.
“Increasingly, people are saying it is time to stop the bombardment of our religious freedom by this zealous. Minority,” Perkins said.
http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/air-force-will-not-remove-holiday-display.html
Related articles
- Nativity, menorah displays cause stir at Travis Air Force Base (mercurynews.com)
- Air Force Base denies atheist display, allows Menorah and Nativity Scene – Justin Griffith – Rock Beyond Belief (richarddawkins.net)
- That Dern’ Nativity Again (lifeofafemalebiblewarrior.wordpress.com)
- Nativity Scene Erected in Central Park (deaconjohnspace.wordpress.com)
- Controversial nativity display to remain at Travis Air Force Base (mercurynews.com)
- SFgate.comTravis AFB asked to move menorah, nativity (sfgate.com)
- Nativity scene, menorah can stay at Travis AFB (sfgate.com)
life of a female bible warrior 
I like you have been raising my voice against the rapid loss of our freedoms. I get offended by the massive billboard hawking the wares of several strip clubs, but no one complains about that.
There was the recent passage of Senate bill 1887 (I believe) which gives the right to arrest with minimal cause, hate speech will be considered a cause, and blogging about the name of Jesus, or speaking out against some aspect of life that is wrong will be covered too. It also strips us of our rights to due process under the constitution.
That means that you, I, and many others like us may be imprisoned for blogging.
God help us.
One last thought. As I awoke two mornings ago, I felt so strongly that I needed to fling this exact sort of thing out on the internet. Oddly a high majority of reads come from Russia. I hope God is doing a work in the heart of some Russian believer, if not then I am probably on a series of hit lists.
By: remso on December 21, 2011
at 12:28 am
The freedom of religion in the Constitution of the United States covers the right of anyone to follow any religion they choose, or none, without state interference. There is no right to use public (aka taxpayer financed) land to promote religious views even if it has been traditional to do so at a certain time of the year. These atheists that you claim are attacking religous rights are doing no such thing–rather they are pointing out quite vocally and legally when necessary that a Christian gets no more rights in this country then an atheist, Muslim, buddhist, or any other type of non-Christian citizen. If the Christians get to put up displays, then everyone gets to put up displays if they choose to do so. Christians have been used to having special priviledges due to their majority in the US, and considering that the GOP (and some democrat) politicians are falling all overthemselves to court the “religous right,” I would say they do still have a great deal of that priviledge. You can try to “spread the gospel” all you want, but don’t expect support from our religously-neutral government and military structures in doing so. Atheists have the same rights to spread a message that you do.
By: Mikel on December 21, 2011
at 11:04 am
AMEN!
By: Naphtali on December 21, 2011
at 1:38 pm
“They are converting the naïve and the innocent at a frighteningly rapid pace. ”
With all due respect, converting the naive and innocent is religion’s stock and trade. Religious traditions indoctrinate young children as early as humanly possible. To turn around and decry such a method in the atheist community is therefore profoundly hypocritical.
That said, your facts are wrong: people like Hitchens, Harris, Dennett, and Dawkins are not indoctrinating the young as you claim. The religiously-themed books they write, and the religiously-themed debates and speeches they give, are aimed at adults, not children.
“If you haven’t yet grasped that religious rights are under attack in America, sit up and take notice.”
I realize this fits the narrative that some Christians like to find themselves in: they like to think that they’re persecuted, because it makes them feel like righteous martyrs. But I have to repeat what I’ve said in these comments before: your view stems from an unwillingness to acknowledge some very important distinctions with this issue. No atheist organization, and no well-known atheist figure, is suggesting that individuals’ rights to practice religion be taken away.
If you cannot recognize this fact, then you are tilting at windmills. As I suggested before, acquaint yourself with what’s actually going on (i.e., a defense of the separation of church and state), instead of creating a fake battle against religion that simply feeds your martyr complex.
By: Keith on December 21, 2011
at 1:59 pm
It’s important to begin to consider whether or not it’s wise to exhibit your real picture and share your real name online, Remso. At some point, it will not be recommended that we do so.
God has put this burden on my heart for quite sometime, that I share what I’m feeling with others, especially other Christians. Many jeered at me, so I’m relieved that’s not occurring anymore, as it was at the old site I was blogging on. It seems that more are ready to listen now, recognizing the urgency due to what’s happening in the world around us. Thanks so much for commenting here and trying to get the message out. (hugs) God bless you, Remso.
By: the warrioress on December 21, 2011
at 2:56 pm
I know you believe what you’re saying here, Mikel, and I can respect your opinion, in regard to that. Unfortunately, if you’ve read the books by Dawkins and company, you know that they want to rid the world of religion. They are attempting to do so through mocking it, but are also fired up politically as well. Christians must respond to this as American Atheists and Freedom From Religion are all in league to do the same.
It’s fairly easy to go to any atheist site and read the forums there. You most definitely minimize what is occurring. There are aggressive, radical atheists and anti-theists that do not look kindly upon our beliefs. We will continue to band together with our own and see that we do all we can politically to keep them.
I do appreciate the dialogue here, however, and your opinions, as I’m always open to hearing the other side’s feelings on the matter.
By: the warrioress on December 21, 2011
at 3:01 pm
Agreed, Naphtali. Amen! (hugs)
By: the warrioress on December 21, 2011
at 3:02 pm
Dawkins and their ilk are in league with the other aggressive new atheists and their purpose is clear if one has read any of their books. And yes, I understand what you’re saying in regard to limiting religious expression to private property, but this is the “give them an inch and watch them take a mile” proposition, imo, and thus I don’t agree with you based upon what I’ve read from these atheists. I don’t trust their desires and political plans for America. As for tilting at windmills, I’ll continue to tilt, if you don’t mind. 😉
Again, I know what I’ve read, Keith. And I’ve read a lot. You also minimize the intent of these “people.” You also have no idea what is behind them, urging them on, because you don’t believe in him.
By: the warrioress on December 21, 2011
at 3:05 pm
Warrioress
Dawkins et al. have no legal power to make any significant change in the status quo in America. They are private individuals expressing their personal viewpoints in books. That is their right. And there is no need to be afraid of what they’re writing – it has no legal power whatsoever.
As for the “give them an inch, watch them take a mile” argument, that is an opinion born, once again, out of fear. There is no possible legal avenue by which atheists could ask for anything more than fair representation by government.
By: Keith on December 21, 2011
at 3:45 pm
Momentum is building and if it were just a few Dawkins types, it wouldn’t matter, but it’s much more than a few, as these incessant nativity battles illustrate. It’s the money, prayer in the schools, creationism versus evolution, secularism (a religion in and of itself) versus freedom of religious expression, and the battles go on.
Complacency is what Christians need to fear. We’ve been complacent enough; the end of morality and the values of a once-great nation are the result.
By: the warrioress on December 21, 2011
at 4:31 pm
I have read their books, and I seriously think you have misread them if you think the intent is to outlaw religion. They (and I) would like to knock religion off it’s high horse in culture and in government. And allow children to the opportunity to be exposed to ideas other than what their parents might happen to believe. In America there is a huge focus on the separation of church and state, so that all citizens are treated equally regardless of their religious belief. This means not going into government buildings as a non-Christian and being told by Christian symbolism there, essentially, that our government does not identify with and represent us to the same degree as Christians. But the atheists I know and work with cry out whenever some one’s religious rights really are being abused. Freedom of religion (and freedom from religion in government) protects us all.
By: Mikel on December 21, 2011
at 5:35 pm
Well said Keith.
By: Mikel on December 21, 2011
at 5:47 pm
Christians losing their rights in America because of atheists? Well, atheists have been getting our rights denied for ages just for not believing in some sort of supreme being. Before freedom of religion was applied to the states, many state explicitly denied atheists from public office (I will get you the specific examples if you want.) I know atheists who have faced real consequences at work and home due to real prejudice against atheists. A friend of mine lost a valuable client in his home business because he used his full name in the newspaper in a story about atheists in our town. A man in nearby southern Indiana had his atheism used against him in court in a custody battle for his children. What specific concrete examples can you give of Christians being denied their rights because of atheist influences or secular government? Or have you just not gotten used to the fact that Christians are losing their hegemony in our society?
By: Mikel on December 21, 2011
at 5:56 pm
By the way, I hang out and read the books of the very type of atheists you describe as “aggressive and radical.” I am the type that leads a local atheist group and goes to atheist conferences. Yes, we are aggressive and radical against what we consider to be religious nonsense. But never, NEVER, do we advocate for outlawing anyone’s freedom to practice their religion and to do so openly. We mostly want to be just as open with our view of the world and to be able to question religious ideas that have been largely shielded from criticism by a misguided sense of respect. Respect is for people, not dogmas.
By: Mikel on December 21, 2011
at 6:06 pm
Warrioress
Unless you can cite specific examples of individuals losing their personal freedom of religious practice, I still think you’re overreacting.
Kick back and have a glass of mulled wine 🙂
By: Keith on December 21, 2011
at 9:43 pm
[…] Freedom Of Religion! (lifeofafemalebiblewarrior.wordpress.com) […]
By: One Nation Under God « life of a female bible warrior on December 22, 2011
at 12:44 am
I came across this posting/ video http://therevolutionaryonline.wordpress.com/2011/12/21/occupy-christmas/
It is interesting that some assume that in the midst of protest, and the exercise of free speech that two Christians doing the same might be considered illegal.
If we are to prohibit the use of public space for the religion, then we would have to make an accross the board prohibition of the use of public space for any opinion which might be considered offensive. If you have ever walked the mall in DC or the Board Walk at Venice beach, you know full well that folks have the right to say what they believe in public spaces. This has been and should be a universal right so long as tax payers have differing oppinions and beliefs.
By: tobeforgiven on December 23, 2011
at 7:20 am
t is now up to the family to instill such values (~_~) the way we are raised is the stepping stones to get this country back on track, whle being led by a non-christian does not help. Hope is not lost it i merely on hold.
By: zendictive on December 26, 2011
at 8:58 am
Specific examples documented and shared in the various sources I supplied in “The Erosion of our Religious Rights.”
By: the warrioress on December 28, 2011
at 4:12 am
There ya go, Keith.
By: the warrioress on December 28, 2011
at 4:13 am
I agree with you “Tobeforgiven.” Thanks so much for your input here.
By: the warrioress on December 28, 2011
at 4:14 am
This is a hopeful way to look at things and I sure hope you’re right, Zen. Thanks for the comment.
By: the warrioress on December 28, 2011
at 4:15 am