Dec 18, 2011
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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
well done American Airforce……………..your brothers in the UK are with you on this…..keep up the good work.
Atheists, litigious anti-Christmas crybabies.
Good for them, Christmas is about the birth of Jesus and it would be stupid to ask them to remove the nativity. And Hanukkah is just as important this time of year and should be treated with the same respect.
Phillipians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Happy Birthday Jesus, Whatever day it falls on…is not important…we celebrate it on Dec. 25th! May everyone have a blessed and peaceful Merry CHRISTmas!
I say we bombard her law firm with fax and phone calls to the point they can't do anything else today but clear their fax and answer the phone! Phone: 1.415.875.5728 (Business Phone) Fax: 1.415.875.5700 (Business Fax).
What happened to them good old days? when at this time all we worried about is who can we help out for Christmas, now its take this down or remove Merry Christmas.All I got to say is if you don't believe, then sit back in your lonely little home and let the majority of this country enjoy a very well celebrated holiday.Merry Christmas Grinch or Scrooge.
Didn't Jesus teach tolerance?
It's not going to change my day if there are holiday items at an Air Force Base but I have to admit – bit bothered by the fact that an organization that has been charged to defend the Constitution might not have all that great of an understanding of said document. Didn't Jesus teach tolerance?
It's not going to change my day if there are holiday items at an Air Force Base but I have to admit – bit bothered by the fact that an organization that has been charged to defend the Constitution might not have all that great of an understanding of said document. Didn't Jesus teach tolerance?
So I wonder does this same airmen complain about having Christmas off? Probably not smh really if you don't like the display, then don't look at…smh.
Gurl they need to stop.
You would be one of the ones complaining if it was a big islam display during ramadan…. I wouldn't have a problem with it if it were in its rightful place in front of the chapel….
You would be one of the ones complaining if it was a big islam display during ramadan…. I wouldn't have a problem with it if it were in its rightful place in front of the chapel….
I don’t understand what the big deal is….
If you are Jewish, tell me “Happy Hanukkah”.
If you are Christian, tell me “Merry Christmas”.
If you celebrate Kwanzaa, tell me “Joyous Kwanzaa”.
If you don’t prefer those, tell me “Happy Holidays”.
I will not be offended. I will be thankful that you took the the time to say something nice to me.
Makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it?
Love it! You have my support!
That is great and I support them 100%….
I think the most telling statement in the entire article was the quote by the anonymous airman. "The tyranny of the majority". It works both ways. I can cite many instances where the "tyranny" of the MINORITY have infringed upon my rights and beliefs. This country, our political system, was founded on the principal that the "majority rules". It is still a fact tha the "majority" of American citizens identify themselves as Christian. And as a 23 year veteran of the Air Force, and stationed at Travis for 8 years, I know for a fact that if ANY other religious group (sorry, athiests, by your own definition that is not a religious belief) were to ask to display something that represented their religious culture, there would be no issue. The military is very sensitive to the needs of ALL its members beliefs, and takes great pains to ensure everyones religious point of view is respected.
Lets also do a quick review of Consititutional law. The First Amendment clearly states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;". This passage is what most opponents of Christian symbolism on federal property hang their hat on; attempting to connect the presence of these displays as federal endorsement of a single religion (separation of church and state concept). This phrase does not even appear anywhere in the US Constitution. The original concept was found in a letter that Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1802, "… I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church & State." Jefferson's words only reaffirm that the intent of the Constitutional authors was to ensure the government would not pass any laws that would interfere with the rights of citizens to practice their religions freely and without persecution. And it is a fact that Congress has never successfully passed a law establishing Christianity as the sole recognized religion of the United States.
So glad that people cannot erase the truth everywhere. Before the birth of Christ-there was no Christmas. People may choose to live without Christmas but should keep their misery to themselves.
And the idea the Bible could be banned from Walter Reed was reversed as well…
http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/dc/2011/12/walter-reed-accidentally-bans-bibles/2011941
And the idea the Bible could be banned from Walter Reed was reversed as well…
http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/dc/2011/12/walter-reed-accidentally-bans-bibles/2011941
Thank's troops for once again helping us celebrate another peaceful year here at home.
Your long and numerous deployments will never be forgotten. God Bless You All.
Thank's troops for once again helping us celebrate another peaceful year here at home.
Your long and numerous deployments will never be forgotten. God Bless You All.
Funny how these people are intolerant towards Christmas, but tolerate the day off from work they will receive. By the way, being in the military these people will be afforded four days off from work paid. Do you think they will volunteer to work?
Funny how these people are intolerant towards Christmas, but tolerate the day off from work they will receive. By the way, being in the military these people will be afforded four days off from work paid. Do you think they will volunteer to work?
Thank you for or Freedom and standing upto these pothetic thugs. God Bless America.
It's time for all people Christian or not to take a stand for our rights and freedoms.If you don't like the way things are done then go back to your country and do things your way.Don't tell us to change for you.
I look at it this way. If you don't like it, don't celebrate it. Oh, and you can work this holiday and Easter while us christian believing people celebrate our holiday. Along with jewis and muslim people we will enjoy our holidays.
Glad to see this!—However, as a Christian I am ashamed to see some of the verbal attacks form other christians….while I believe that it is very important for us to stand up for our faith, I feel it is equally important that we do it in a way that is pleasing to God… "and they'll know we are christians by our love"….
I'm so proud of you, Becky! You get it. Jesus was tolerant of others and led by example, as you do today. Keep up the good work!
Great News!
Katherine Ritchie…go pound sand. Perhaps you would like to be personally sued by every veterans group in this USA for melicioous prosecution. Just go away.
No one told those who are offfended that they had to stand in front of it and look it…..just go somewhere else. That is the privilege of living in the USA. I appreciate the brave people who took a stand.
The only real question here is are other religions allowed to put up displays of their own. If so what is the problem. If not shame on those whom would not allow them to do so.
AMEN, I am so very proud to see someone stand up to these people. I hope more people will see this stance and begin to do the same. Way to go Travis AFB!
Maybe the anonyous airmen should read the constitution he says he is fighting for. No where in the constitution does it say you should not be religious. It does say that the federal government shall not force religion on anyone, something quite different than no religion.
Amen to Travis AFB! You are making all us Christians serving this fine country proud to say we belong to the United States Air Force. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all!
As adults you would think that some who don't agree with what the Air Base has done could be tolerated by thouse who have a level of maturety of attitude for political correctness. Instead we get little kids with little maturety who what to spoil it for all because they do not get ther own way in the minority of viewpoint.
Good job Air Force, I can only hope the rest of the Federal Government had the balls to do the same.
Good for the US Air Force… and Travis AFB.
YAY for the Air Force! And whoever actually wrote the "anonymous" complaint needs to know that this IS a Christian nation and that WE the MAJORITY of the people have rights too!
DO NOT BACK DOWN.
He should have joined the military to fight for our freedom of religion! (not our freedom from religion).
Isn't it strange that not only this group, but the ACLU always file a claim on behalf of some "anonymous complaint?" Could it be that they just can't find someone to do their bidding?
Freedom of religion in this country is just that…FREEDOM. Many people in our country would like to squelch the Christian and Jewish faiths because it makes them uncomfortable. In the name of freedom and equality, they would have us denounce our faiths and become slaves of the world standards. May God forbid it!
I have to agree with the Anonymous Airman on this one. He and his like minded friends are very confused.
Confused about what? Did you not attend school and learn about our founding fathers and why "we" immigrated to this country? RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
I think I'm confused with "Military Religious Freedom Foundation?" Your Religious Freedom to bitch ends where mine starts. Stop trying to convert others to your lack of faith – whatever it may be!
I believed I served so that we may all practice our "freedom of religion." Stop getting your undies in a bundle. You are not going to like everything in life, it is not going to be fair for all every second. Get used to it and stop being politically correct. Grow up!
If the silent majority in this nation does't speak out about our religious rights we will wake up one morning and be bowing to Boda or some other foreign god. Why should a very small minority force all the good God-fearing people of this country togive up God and believe their odd beliefs.
When the Minority rules the majority, it's not called freedom, it's called FASHISM! Good call!
When the Minority rules the majority, it's not called freedom, it's called FASHISM! Good call!
Thank you UNITED STATES AIR FORCE for making a stand against the non believers in this country!
It's called freedom of religion not freedom from religion god bless whoever here that had a spine to keep these scenes up.
It's about time, love it!
As a former Air force officer, I am deeply proud of the Office of the Air Force Judge Advocate General for coming to the "common sense" conclusion that the Nativity scene and Menora scene do not violate or blessed US Constitution. The amendment clearly states: "Freedom OF Religion", NOT Freedom FROM Relgion. I spent nearly 23 years in the USAF flying B-52's and FB, F-111's as a navigator and bombardier early on with many WWII retreads from bombers and fighters and never once during those 23 years ever heard a word of any form of protest for the Nativity scenes and Menoras displayed on our Air Force Bases. Most of those WWII retreads are long ago dead and buried, but if they were still alive and read these mutterings like the so-called MRFF are spouting off, they would swear that they woke-up in a different universe than the one they fought against the godless Hitler and then the godless Stalin and all his following leaders of atheism/communism in the cold war and Vietnam.
I would say to the MRFF, go seek solice with Jane Fonda. She's starting to make noise once again.
Merry Christmas!
Grif it was a pleasure serving with you and all of the WWII retreads. I completely agree with your sentiments regarding freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
As a former Air force officer, I am deeply proud of the Office of the Air Force Judge Advocate General for coming to the "common sense" conclusion that the Nativity scene and Menora scene do not violate or blessed US Constitution. The amendment clearly states: "Freedom OF Religion", NOT Freedom FROM Relgion. I spent nearly 23 years in the USAF flying B-52's and FB, F-111's as a navigator and bombardier early on with many WWII retreads from bombers and fighters and never once during those 23 years ever heard a word of any form of protest for the Nativity scenes and Menoras displayed on our Air Force Bases. Most of those WWII retreads are long ago dead and buried, but if they were still alive and read these mutterings like the so-called MRFF are spouting off, they would swear that they woke-up in a different universe than the one they fought against the godless Hitler and then the godless Stalin and all his following leaders of atheism/communism in the cold war and Vietnam.
I would say to the MRFF, go seek solice with Jane Fonda. She's starting to make noise once again.
Merry Christmas!
Finally! Someone with reason! YES! Way to go Airforce~!
Did you read the comments following the story? Isn't it funny how this world has celebrated countless holidays for centuries without all of this personalizing taking place as attacks on peoples beliefs. Throughout history people have celebrated their own special events without the pressure of others, but now it's become rampant to personalize the display of one's belief or holiday as an attack on others. Fruitless ! Senseless groups that stir up the pot to rally people into attacking those who are not attacking them, but because they want to make a big deal about it, they make it personal. To those who feel that they are offended, just walk away. It's not that big a deal, turn around and do as you like, you will anyway and we won't try and stop you. If you choose not to participate in such and event, then go to work that day, if you can't because your business is closed, go find someone to be kind to or help out. But don't harass others because of what they believe or wish to celebrate. It's no skin off my nose if you choose something else, no loss to me, i'm not the one to save you. Christ will walk away from you too when the time comes and you will have made your choice and won't be able to change it. But we won't care.
Udo Wegmann, well said!
Janet – I copied what you wrote me and am pastig it to remind you and answer you , sorry it has taken me so long. — Quote from you: "Scott Reis, the documentary The Star of Bethlehem (bethlehemstar.net) coroborates your position as well. So, the Word AND Science agree! I like what you've written – do you mind if I copy your words along with your name? I wrote an article about this very thing last year. I'll send you a link if you're interested. Thanks for your clarification!" — Thank you for your comments, no I do NOT mind you using my name and words – go ahead my sister! And yes, ples send me the link – send it to "pastorscott@camping4eloah.com" Thank You Father Bless!
I'm so proud of you Travis AFB. Please stand strong. Christians and Jews have been bullied and demonized far too much these days. Most people support your decision to celebrate this time of year. Thank you!
It's about time someone stood up to those idiots Merry Christmas.