Dec 2, 2011
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Walter Reed National Military Medical Center said they are rescinding a policy that prohibits family members of wounded military troops from bringing Bibles or any religious reading materials to their loved ones.
The decision to rescind the ban on Bibles came exactly one day after a Republican lawmaker denounced the policy on the House floor and called on President Obama to publicly renounce the military policy.
“The President of the United States should address this and should excoriate the people who brought about this policy and the individual who brought it about should be dismissed from the United States Military,” Rep. Steve King (R-IA) told Fox News & Commentary.
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King spoke from the House floor Thursday blasting a policy memorandum from the commander of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center written by Chief of Staff C.W. Callahan. The September 14th memo covers guidelines for “wounded, ill, and injured partners in care.”
“No religious items (i.e. Bibles, reading material, and/or artifacts) are allowed to be given away or used during a visit,” the policy states.
“That means you can’t bring in a Bible and read from it when you visit your son or your daughter, perhaps – or your wife or husband,” King said. “It means a priest that might be coming in to visit someone on their death bed couldn’t bring in the Eucharist, couldn’t offer Last Rites. This is the most outrageous affront.”
A spokesperson for the medical center told Fox News late Friday that the policy will be rewritten and its intent will be made “crystal clear.”
“The instructions about the Bibles and reading material have been rescinded,” said Sandy Dean, a public affairs officer for Walter Reed. “It will be written to articulate our initial intention which was to respect religious and cultural practices of our patients.”
Dean said the instruction was “in no way meant to prohibit family members from providing religious items to their loved ones at all.”
If that’s the case, why is the policy being rescinded?
“We don’t want there to be any misinterpretation of what we’re trying to say,” she told Fox News. “We appreciate Congressman King bringing this to our attention. We don’t want our instructions to be ambiguous.”
We appreciate him bringing it to our attention.
Rep. King said the military has some explaining to do.
“I don’t think there’s any excuse for it and there’s no talking it away,” King told Fox News. “The very existence of this, whether it’s enforced or not, tells you what kind of a mindset is there.”
“The idea that these soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines that have fought to defend our Constitution, and that includes our First Amendment rights to religious liberty –would be denied that religious liberty when they are lying in a hospital bed recovering from wounds incurred while defending that liberty is the most bitter and offensive type of an irony that I can think of,” he said.
The policy has brought strong condemnation from religious and conservative advocacy groups.
“It flies in the face of not only the Bill of Rights, but 200 years of federal law,” said Ken Klukwoski, of the Family Research Council. “This current administration is showing unprecedented hostility towards those practicing the Christian faith.”
“But beyond that,” he told Fox News, “We’ve also seen a militantly secular attitude of trying to sterilize the Defense Department of all references to faith.”
Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, echoed Rep. King’s demand that whoever is responsible for the memo be fired.
“It cannot be allowed to stand,” Land told Fox News. “It must be rescinded and the people responsible for perpetrating it should be fired.”
Land said the policy “shows the ugly face of the pseudo-tolerance of secularism.”
“They claim to be tolerant but this is as intolerant as you can be – to not allow wounded soldiers to have religious artifacts,” Land said.
King said Americans must “take a very strong stand.”
“Christians are generally nice people and for that reason they can victimize the Christians in this country,” he said. “There was a reason that Christ gave us the demonstration of righteous anger when he threw the money changers out of the temple. It gives us some license to throw these kinds of people out of the military.”
King said he’s been alarmed at a trend he’s seen to scrub Christianity from the military – most recently the decision to remove a cross from an Army chapel in northern Afghanistan because it violated Army regulations.
He placed the blame on the Obama Administration.
“This is Orwellian,” he said. “Who would have believed even two or five years ago that the Executive branch of government led by our Commander in Chief Barack Obama would produce some kind of document that would prohibit family members coming into our military hospitals
Klukwoski said he’s noticed a similar trend in what he called “anti-faith measures.”
“We are seeing a shocking level of hostility towards religious faith but beyond that – we’ve also seen a militantly secular attitude of trying to sterilize the defense department of all references to faith and references,” he said.
FOX News Talk
The pledge of the allegiance says" One Nation Under God" and is still there. And we sing..".America..God shed His grace on thee"… When this country was founded, they had prayers before every meeting for God to be with their decisions in running this Country. We had to swear on the Bible, so help us God. By dissolving that, where is the conscience? By leaving God, destruction is on its way, and we are seeing it happen now. Having a President that mocks God and the Bible and gets away with it..what happened to respecting all religions? heh I am scared for the future of our children.
Someone is forgeting that the anglos christians landed at Plymouth Rock Landed in this country and this country's Constitution was foundon Christian Principles and the right to Practice the freedom of religion without penalty. Are they throwing out the united Stats constitution?
Enough said this is my country land of the free land of the brave we have had our rights, our, religions and our holidays long before forignors came to the United States of America and we should be able to keep our rights and religious rights why do we have to give them up what really pisses me off is taking good Friday away as one of our religoius holidays. When we go to thier Countries we have to do everything They do and more besides bowing down and kissing thier asses I am pissed off we are being violated of our American rights the goverment has lied to us this is no longer the land of the free because they are taking everything away from us that makes us Americans, next they will take in God we trust off our money and I hope and Pray we as Americans go crazy and take our country back or move to Canada because I will be Dammed if I am changing my Catholic beliefs because some one came here from another country and said I don't like that then go back to your own country and leave mine alone oh and by the way Merry freakin CHRISTMAS not happy holidays.2-2-2012.
It is not anyone's business if a person wants his bible or religious material especially after serving his country and fighting for our freedom. Then to come home and have his freedoms taken away!
I agree whoever wrote that memo should be relieved of duty and severely reprimanded.
I agree with the Aussie Prime minister John Howards speech, I am inclined to agree with his views. I'm British & before long I feel we will have no culture left here at all. I know what I believe & what I feel & what I care about & nobody is going to tell me it offends anyone else. if it does that's thier problem, there has to be a line where we say NO, if you don't like it don't come here , just go! & leave everyone else in peace.
THIS is America! This Country and it's Military are founded on Christian values! We have stood for every one to be free to worship, speak, now we are told we in our own Country we cannot say anything about God. WE HAVE TO STAND UP FOR OUR BELIEFS AND GOD before we lose our rights and America is no longer a free country, IN GOD I WILL ALWAYS TRUST AND DEFEND GOD AND OUR COUNTRY LEAVE the US IF YOU DO NOT WISH THESE FREEDOMS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
86% of U.S.citizens are CHRISTIAN. This nation was founded as a CHRISTIAN nation and nobody has the authority to dictate otherwise. There is a guy in the oval office that we all know almost NOTHING about EXCEPT he has not hidden his beliefs and they are very opposite of a CHRISTIAN nation. Forget, name tags for a moment and realize this is now an election of either restoring OUR Nation or allowing it to be given away and we become nothing more than pawns of a different empire. Many say, "Oh, that can't happen here" – IT IS TAKING PLACE, that is a fact. For me and many of my generation, right or wrong, I WILL DEFEND MY OATH TO GOD AND MY COUNTRY, so far we have that right.
CHRISTIAN BELIEVES ARE WHAT THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED ON AND WHAT WE DEFEND; IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT AMERICA IS OR WHAT WE DO, FIND A BETTER PLACE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD AND GO THERE. I'M NOT OFFENDED BY ANY OTHER RELIGION, SO WHY IS EVERYBODY OFFENDED BY MINE. SO I WON'T BE IN YOUR HEAVEN AND YOU WON'T BE IN MINE. RESPECT THE SACRIFICES WE PAID FOR; SO YOU COULD COMPLAIN.
James Lott , You need Jesus. He loves you in spite of your big mouth.
Me to what the hell is happening to this country?
Unbelievable that anyone would ban a family member from bringing their wounded soldier a Bible!
They better rescind that policy! If I were in the military , I would not only want someone bringing me a bible in the hospital , but I would be carrying one with me at all times too!
Great people A family that prays together stays together.
The statement near the last, "“Who would have believed even two or five years ago that the Executive branch of government led by our Commander in Chief Barack Obama would produce some kind of document that would prohibit family members coming into our military hospitals".
I would have believed it then, and still believe he has more to come.
I guess Muslim patients weren't allowed head coverings or copies of the Koran.
The constitution forbids the government to enforce or restrict the free practice of religion. The order mentioned in this article is a blatant violation of the constitution. And, the mere fact that some one in authority thought they would get away with it suggests that high ranking officials in this current administration have fostered an atmosphere that promotes this mentality. My first suspect would be either someone who is blatantly atheist, openly gay, or attended Muslim schools. Take your pick.
When will they change the Pledge of Allegiance in it's reference to GOD? Has Obama forgotten one? Oops.
Which side of the fence?
If you ever wondered which side of the fence you sit on, this is a great test!
If a Republican doesn't like guns, he doesn't buy one.
If a Democrat doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.
If a Republican is a vegetarian, he doesn't eat meat.
If a Democrat is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.
If a Republican is homosexual, he quietly leads his life.
If a Democrat is homosexual, he demands legislated respect.
If a Republican is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.
A Democrat wonders who is going to take care of him.
If a Republican doesn't like a talk show host, he switches channels.
A Democrat demand that those they don't like be shut down.
If a Republican is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church.
A Democrat non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced.
If a Republican decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.
A Democrat demands that the rest of us pay for his.
If a Republican reads this, he'll forward it so his friends can have a good laugh.
A Democrat will delete it because he's "offended".
Well, I forwarded it.
This say they don't want to prevent family members from bringing in religious materials, but the standard HAD been to be sure a BIBLE was PRESENT in every room! Don't let them get by with 1/2 truth & partial compliance with earlier standards. They want us to THINK we've won, while actually LOSING!!!!
I thought this was a "freedom of religion" nation? Y do the atheist tell, the " AMERICAN PEOPLE" what to think? Just because they think they came from "NOTHING" doest mean I have to think that. I came from "SOMETHING" which was my HEAVENLY FATHER!!!
I thought this was a "freedom of religion" nation? Y do the atheist tell, the " AMERICAN PEOPLE" what to think? Just because they think they came from "NOTHING" doest mean I have to think that. I came from "SOMETHING" which was my HEAVENLY FATHER!!!
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS WHY atheist, Muslims, etc….ARE SO AFRAID OF GOD IF THEY THINK THERE IS NONE??
You know its pretty simple. Keep bibles in a storage room. If a soldier wants one he can request it. When I go F-ed up in Iraq the last thing I wanted to see is a damn bible or someone to tell me " god is mysterious or who can understand gods will". On another note, there should be a text from every faith kept on hand not just the christian bible.
Simply another sign that this president is trying to "Drastically change America", none of it for the better! One and Done, he's out come November!
The fact that this policy was in place is beyond disturbing. What is this, the 600th time this administration has done something to undermind / insult Christianity? How does this administration feel its ok to even comment on issues of faith, much less take action against? Its called the 1st Amendment-and it states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,…… Sadly this president has no use for the constitution. Time to Go Mr. Marxist.
With all of the issues facing this country, it's telling that he chooses to "address" this one. Not a federal budget, an energy policy or fixing the many broken federal programs…no, he continues one of his main "changes" – silence Christianity and the majority of Americans. Now for my own "hope" – anyone but this amateur.
With all of the issues facing this country, it's telling that he chooses to "address" this one. Not a federal budget, an energy policy or fixing the many broken federal programs…no, he continues one of his main "changes" – silence Christianity and the majority of Americans. Now for my own "hope" – anyone but this amateur.
As a Lieutenant Colonel working in an Army hospital, I can honestly tell you that the author of this article is full of it. Quarterly prayer breakfasts. Weekly bible study. Our chaplain is a very active member of the hospital staff.
Factually, the article was spot on: There was to be a new regulation, to not allow bibles into Walter Reed-once the public heard this, an outcry, and now, the regulation has been cancelled. Those are the facts-and I am reacting to those facts.
I just found this… I had no idea… Jean O'Donnell, I love your spirit, yours too Robert Hayhurst! But here's the deal… It does not matter who tries to get rid of the Bible. The One who wrote it will see to it that it is preserved. To the leadership at Walter Reed, whoever you are… let me quote you a little something from the Bible that should be taken note of, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hand of the Living God…" Also, another great quote I love…."We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Michael Dillinger, I wouldn't even presume to encroach upon your right to be an atheist, God gave you the right to choose to reject him or not….. but I will not give up my own freedom of religion… I will not. There is another quote I love from Isaiah… "I have set my face like a flint."
I'm sure the analogy of " a frog in cool water vs. one in hot water", is applicable to the state of our country now. We witness slowly but surely a plethora of small sometimes obscure attacks on our culture. Attacks on the very fiber of our countries existence. This is a war declared by those that hate America, hate what we stand for , and would compel humanity to elitist beliefs;or lack thereof.
I too served in the United State s Army, and honorably discharged. It was my honor to do so. It was my honor to take an oath to defend its constitution….with my life if necessary. To witness events today;such as the Walter Reed debacle, makes my blood boil. It is long past time for Americans that believe our country is in peril, to voice our outrage. Remember this in November.
Does not surprized me the way our Country is heading. Everyone one is coming out of the closets, where are the Christians?
Does not surprized me the way our Country is heading. Everyone one is coming out of the closets, where are the Christians?
So they want to start something. They better be prepard for the mayhem they are releasing.
More BS to keep folks angry…that's what this is all about…nothing to do with religion, which is private for all of us…playing the victim…again, and it's so obvious and so scripted.
May GOD help us!
Good report !