Dec 18, 2011
Print This Post
Travis Air Force Base has decided they will not remove or relocate a Nativity scene and a Menorah in spite of a threat from The Military Religious Freedom Foundation.
“While we appreciate the concerns raised by the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, the Office of the Air Force Judge Advocate General, upon review, concluded the inclusion of a Wing Chaplain sponsored Nativity Scene and Menorah as part of a broader, secular holiday seasonal display does not violate the establishment clause of the United States Constitution,” read a statement provided to Fox News & Commentary.
The MRFF had threatened to sue Travis Air Force Base unless they removed or relocated the holiday display currently located on a major thoroughfare at the military installation.
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.
FOX News Talk
It's about time someone stood up to those idiots Merry Christmas.
well if those people don't like it they must or should to comminest china they would love to have them…
Yay Air Force!
Great! It's about time someone really stood up for the real meaning of freedom of religion.
Good Job! It's our country too! It's also what this country was founded on.Freedom! Hang in there we the people are right behind you. Glad you spoke up.
I bet that same Airmen will take the day off to celebrate the birth of Christ though. There would be no holiday if not for Christ! Tell him to go to work while the rest of us celebrate!
everytime I walk by it I'm proud. =)
Good they should stand by it I don't see the harm in it
This is great news for our country. Don't fall for the lies of the left that they don't care whether or not if you display your religious symbols on private property. The left doesn't even believe in the concept of private property. The city of San Juan Capistrano also went after a couple who held Bible studies inside their own homes.
Katherine Ritchey should confess her sins. Another prime example of a tainted attorney from Californication.
Many people concerned about establishment of religion in the first amendment seem to forget that this clause also prohibits THE GOVERNMENT from PROHIBITING the free excercie of religious faith.
This part of the same clause is too often not quoted and is ignored so much that people have become to belive that there is only one part of the clause because THE SAME CLAUSE seems no longer lauded for the fact that not only is Governement not to establish specific religion, but it also states Government is not to PROHIBIT the free excercise of religion (which at the time of the framers was primarily Christian and I don't they anticipated the array of religions, or not practice of Christian faith, could have been something theycould foresee in Americal's future). However, this clause about specific religiion hot being 'Mandated"BY government WAS BALANCED with not prohibiting the free excercies of religion. Displaying symbols isn't estalishing a religion, it is recognizing the 'free excercies of religion' that has been and was the founders and framers of our Consitutions concern because the history that many 'original' American settlers had come to America was for the freedom to practice their faith free from persection and governent restrictions barring the excercise of their faith and government control of what religion (liscensed or sent to prison) was allowed and what was considered criminal to participate in.
I for one can not understand why athiests raise such a fuss they profess that they do not believe and by such a pronouncement should view such displays as inocuous and meaningless so how can they be offended furthermore the base and wing commanders should demand the identity of the offended airman since the UCMJ does not give him privacy protection or if he is that dedicated to his convictions he should stand up for them but since he will not it clearly paints him as a coward so deploy the son of a bitch.
Thank You U.S. Air Force, this is what America is! And also a thanks to all of the service members sacrifice in keeping our nation free!
Perhaps they should include a big sign with "NOTHING" painted on it, just so the atheists feel included.
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!! It's about time for a little political INcorrectness!!!!!!!
100% behind keeping the displays. No one is forcing religion on anyone. The displays are a celebration of the season. Good for the Air Force for having some backbone.
Sounds like that Airman needs to put his Big Boy underwear on and get rid of the underroo's.
Oh yeah, and Katherine Richey will burn in HELL like most attorney's.
about time some one told the to shut up and if they don't like it don't celebrate Christmas or any other holiday that has ties like Easter and go out and work those days , but they wouldn't do that would they! get over it.don't like it don't celebrate it but mind your business if other want to!
In America, the majority rules… so good for Travis for standing up for American ideals and laws.
OUR FOUNDING FATHERS CAME TO THIS COUNTRY TO GET AWAY FROM THIS KIND OF CRAP.
If you don't like it, don't look at it. That goes for any religious decorations. I don't believe in any religion or god and Satan and I could care less.
If the people who don't celebrate Christmas or Hannakuh, why take away the rights of us who do? If you decide to feel "offended and confused" then get some education as to why people choose to celebrate something with this significance. Get your own holiday and leave ours alone.
Thank you for standing up for freedom.
I am a Christian and enjoy people saying Merry Christmas to me. I have Jewish friends and I am happy to say Happy Hanaucak(spelling) If the atheists don't have a holiday I will be most happy to say "Have a Great Day" to them also. Won't offend me at all to let my neighbor live in peace and celebrate however he or she wishes. I commend you for serving yours and my country. You are protecting your own freedom too you know that RIGHt!
So proud to say I was born at Travis AFB! Way to go Travis and Merry Christmas!
The constitution says to make no law respecting an establishment of religion. It does not mention "endorsement". If the atheists can show me the law that was past to require the display I might agree with them. Then pass a law outlawing atheism.
The Nativity and Menorah belong there because this is AMERICA!
I'm glad to see the air force leading the way and standing up to all pagans.
There might be a display of the Atheists, however, what do they stand for?
Amen. We live in the United States of America, one nation under God!
My dad was stationed at Travis when I was a girl– glad to hear they are doing the right thing!
Jesus is the reason for the season. Anything else is just stupid. God Bless the Air Force for keeping the holiday special.
I wonder if the Airman understands the 1st Amendment…It does not allow Congress to dictate/have preferiential treatment to one religion or another, HOWEVER, it does allow COngress to get into a Legal matter to show/defend the right of FREE RELIGION EXERCISE…So if the Airbase wants to have the Nativity and the Menorah displayed, by Law they are allowed to because it is FREE EXERCISE of the rights of those who believe that way to DISPLAY their belief. We don't have to like what others believe BUT we do HAVE TO allow their FREE EXPRESSION of their Faith. And if like the anonymous airman wrote, he is defending The Constitution, then he is IN FACT defending the very *Constitutional Right* that he is complaining about. Just say a Prayer for his ignorance and enjoy the display if you like it and turn the other cheek if you don't. After all iat the end of each of our lives we ALL have to answer for what we believe or DON'T BELIEVE…
^^Lots of misconceptions presented as truths, therefore rendering them lies.
Atheist, Why are you so intimindated by a baby or a few candles. If God doesn't exist, why do you pay attention to what is displayed?
This nativity scene was part a large display of squadron holiday decorations…each squadron created a display that represents a combination of their squadron & a holiday greeting…the nativity scene was from the chaplain, there was also a menorah…there were no bible verses, crosses, or other religious symbols…nothing even really says Merry Christmas that I saw…everything says Happy Holidays…its all very general & non-offensive to most. To man non-christians although they understand what the nativity scene means to christians to them its a baby in a barn type scene….Most of the signs with the nativity scene have Santa Claus on them…should we take them down if some do not believe in Santa & find him offensive? Really lets all calm down a bit this time of year is about warmth & good will….Christian or Non-christian mutual respect & acceptance of one another is the order of the day….I live on base & drive past the display its festive not offensive.
I love this, This War on Christmas is getting out of hand. I think the devil is working through these organizations such as AFA; Etc. pretty soon it will be all gone. We should all fight back. Salutes to you Air Force;).
It's great when people stand up for what is true and for what they believe. Of course the nativity and the menorah are religious symbols. I hope that these symbols of God's love do not get watered down into just a a tradition, but will stir more faith in God than controversy over whether or not they remain in public view.
THANK YOU! FREEDOM OF RELIGION. THIS IS STILL AMERICA?
What does Obama have to say about this?
Probably not a happy camper. No M uslim scene!
YES!
Dear Anonymous Airman:
Feel free to get out of MY Air force and Country. My taxes pays your salary and you are NOT paid to think. You are paid to defend America and her Constitution…not interpret it!
Now slink back to th slim hole you slithered out of! Of course I say this with all hope you will see the light and humble yourself to the Lord of Lords before it is too late for you.
I am glad to see this upheld but I am very saddened by much of what I read in these posts. Christians calling non-Christians by names and hurling terrible insults is not how God wants us to act. Jesus is our example. I am not perfect so I am not preaching, just reminding. Why would a non-believer ever want to be a believer when we act as nasty as the rest of the world? Non-believers, I do not agree with your not believing and I hate how it is affecting my rights. However, I pray for you and I love you all as fellow creations of God.