CHAPLAIN ALLIANCE FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY June 12, 2012 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact CHAPLAIN ENDORSERS at info@chaplainalliance.org or call (571) 293-2427
Chaplain endorsers: Bibles should stay in Military Exchange System
WASHINGTON — Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty expresses disappointment over a decision by Department of Defense officials to remove military edition Bibles from the shelves of military exchange stores. This is one more case of Department of Defense officials bowing to political pressure to create a “religion free” zone in the military.
“From General George Washington until today, military personnel have taken counsel, received comfort, and been encouraged by biblical texts,” said COL Ron Crews, executive director for Chaplain Alliance. “These Bibles cost the Department of Defense nothing, and their presence is legally legitimate; therefore, no reason exists for the DoD to retreat in the face of the small anti-religious group that demanded removal of the Bibles.”
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation took credit Tuesday for convincing DoD officials to remove Bibles printed with military branch emblems. The DoD had previously granted permission for these Bibles to use branch insignia. DoD regularly allows vendors to use branch insignia for other books, for paintings, and for other items.
“Why should these Bibles be removed because of the demands of a small activist group?” COL Crews said. “MRFF must cease and desist their reckless assault on religious liberty. The Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty calls on Congress to investigate this frivolous threat and apparent discrimination against religious views by the DoD.”
Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty is an organization of chaplain endorsers, the faith groups that provide chaplains for the U.S. military and other agencies needing chaplains. The endorsers in Chaplain Alliance speak for more than 2,600 chaplains serving the Armed Forces.
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