Christian concert at U.S. base challenged

Christian concert at U.S. base challenged

www.upi.com

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Advocates for separation of church and state are urging cancellation of a Christian concert at a U.S. Army base but base officials say the event will be held.

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Troops Punished After Refusing to Attend Evangelical Concert

My main concern isn't that this is a direct violation of the separation of church and state. Rather, I'm more curious where the funding is coming from.

We shouldn't be using tax payer money to fund Christian concerts for the military. Especially when the military is still lacking in essentials such as vehicular armor or Kevlar.

Other sources have mentioned CNN omitted that the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) president Michael Weinstein has a "past invective against Christianity".

I don't see what the real issue is. Those against the event are not against religious freedom. They're just curious what right the military has to play an evangelical role on behalf of the church.

I am so against this. Is there a place and address to voice opposition?

I am a 100% supporter of No Religion in Government (that would be government sanctioned/funded) - - - it has nothing to do with individual beliefs.

This is NOT an Anti-Christian subject or discussion.

What about the people involved, I think it should be up to them whether they have the concert or not.

Originally posted by alonzo730
What about the people involved, I think it should be up to them whether they have the concert or not.

Then they can have it off base in a non-government facility.

Not paid with by tax money.

I don't agree......we already pay chaplains, have churches etc on base........remind me again, what's wrong with it? The military has a right to have religious functions, always has had........none issue here, just someone wanting their name in the media.....

reply to post by adifferentbreed


If they were muslim it would be ok........

2nd gratuitous line........

Originally posted by adifferentbreed
I don't agree......we already pay chaplains, have churches etc on base........remind me again, what's wrong with it? The military has a right to have religious functions, always has had........none issue here, just someone wanting their name in the media.....

The Chaplains/Clergy of many faiths are for the service people to seek out. Of course all service people of faith should have access to leaders of their faith. There are specific areas of worship on most bases for all service people to seek out. Notice the word "Seek Out".

That is not even close to the same thing as any government division sponsoring and promoting a specific religion - - - paid by tax payer money.

It is not a none issue. There has been major problems in the military - - - with forced Christianity - - - resulting in lawsuits and legal action.

reply to post by Annee


Is every soldier forced to go to the Christian concert? If not the only problem I see is that the tax payers may be paying for it. Otherwise, the soldiers can seek out the concert if they choose to or not.
I am utterly against tax payers money paying for events like these BTW.

Originally posted by kimish
reply to post by Annee

 

Is every soldier forced to go to the Christian concert? If not the only problem I see is that the tax payers may be paying for it. Otherwise, the soldiers can seek out the concert.

We've already had the discussion of what happens to non-Christians who do not wish to attend these events.

No Religion should be promoted by the military. Period!

reply to post by Annee


Very true in my opinion, religion should not be PROMOTED by the military but everyone does have their rights as individuals to worship and so forth. This is a pretty touchy subject so I'm going to stay out of it for now.

reply to post by Annee


Wow, I'm a Pagan, was in the military for 6 years......never was forced to go to anything religious, and never suffered any consequences for not attending anything religious. Again, you already pay for religion in the military.....this is no different.

Yet again .. More american idiocy.. Leave religion - esp. christianity OUT of the military. Oh wait keep forgetting that in america its becoming a theocrasy and only christianity is sanctioned by the state... Separation of church and state has died in amerika long ago..

reply to post by adifferentbreed

The establishment clause has generally been interpreted to prohibit 1) the establishment of a national religion by Congress, or 2) the preference of one religion over another. The first approach is called the "separation" or "no aid" interpretation, while the second approach is called the "non-preferential" or "accommodation" interpretation. The accommodation interpretation prohibits Congress from preferring one religion over another, but does not prohibit the government's entry into religious domain to make accommodations in order to achieve the purposes of the Free Exercise Clause.

Source: Establishment Clause of the First Amendment

A.

Ever since Lemon v. Kurtzman summarized the three familiar considerations for evaluating Establishment Clause claims, looking to whether government action has "a secular legislative purpose"...

Source: ACLU v. McCreary

So ask yourself simply, does hosting a Christian rock concert serve a secular purpose considering it's a non-secular event?

From your source


". . . . Voluntary religious belief and expression may be as threatened when government takes the mantle of religion upon itself as when government directly interferes with private religious practices. When the government associates one set of religious beliefs with the state and identifies nonadherents as outsiders, it encroaches upon the individual's decision about whether and how to worship. In the marketplace of ideas, the government has vast resources and special status. Government religious expression therefore risks crowding out private observance and distorting the natural interplay between competing beliefs. Allowing government to be a potential mouthpiece for competing religious ideas risks the sort of division that might easily spill over into suppression of rival beliefs. Tying secular and religious authority together poses risks to both. "

This is ridiculous.........they aren't favoring anther religion over another they are merley allowing a religious "Festival" to occur.............hey if the muzzies can come up with a rock show, I',m sure they'll be allowed to as well. As stated, we already pay for religious services, clergy, buildings, etc now.......for a range of religions.........this is just another nut case wanting media attention. This isn't an exclusion thing at all........just another excuse to harass the miilitary members and decide what's good for them....all in the name of freedom. What a joke.

Originally posted by adifferentbreed
reply to post by Annee

 

Wow, I'm a Pagan, was in the military for 6 years......never was forced to go to anything religious, and never suffered any consequences for not attending anything religious. Again, you already pay for religion in the military.....this is no different.

How many service people are there in the military?

Because one person (yourself) has not had a negative experience - - - it excuses or diminishes the experience of those who have?

Are you aware of the defacing of the Pagan worship site at the Air Force Academy?

Originally posted by kimish
reply to post by Annee

 

Very true in my opinion, religion should not be PROMOTED by the military but everyone does have their rights as individuals to worship and so forth. This is a pretty touchy subject so I'm going to stay out of it for now.

Absolutely! Some bases (probably not all) have Mosques - - - as they should.

Having the right to worship - - - - is not even close to the military promoting a specific religion. Which - in my opinion - this concert is. Whether one is forced to go or not.

Originally posted by adifferentbreed
. . . Voluntary religious belief and expression may be as threatened when government takes the mantle of religion upon itself as when government directly interferes with private religious practices.

Since when did the military become privatized?

reply to post by Annee


Yes, I'm aware of the Air Force incident.....idiots abound in all walks of life. I'm not saying no one has ever been "persecuted" for ther beliefs in the military, however, I also think alot of people tend to blow things out of proportion.

reply to post by mryanbrown


The military isn't privatised but the members religious beliefs are, I think people tend to forget that. One of the rights one does not give up when entering military service is their right to freedom of religion........and no one has the right to say you can't enjoy secular entertainment.