Sonny Hernandez: Latest attempt to squelch religious liberty

[TomSea]

IN THE MILITARY
Latest attempt to squelch religious liberty
Exclusive: Chaplain Sonny Hernandez battles notion Guard base should end prayers

The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) is a professing atheistic group that is requesting the Air National Guard end the practice of prayers at official ceremonies and other base events as a result of a complaint by a guardsman who contacted them.

“A concerned guardsman informed FFRF that ceremonies at the Pease Air National Guard Base regularly have chaplains delivering invocations. These include readings from the bible and references to a Christian god. Attendance at these ceremonies is mandatory for all guardsmen,” notes a statement from FFRF.

The FFRF and the guardsman appear to be oblivious that the Constitution does not guarantee them the right not to be offended. If a service member attends an official military ceremony or base event, it would be highly incumbent upon him or her to expect an invocation or reference to a religious sentiment. This does not contravene the Establishment Clause on the First Amendment since military ceremonies and base events are historical, interfaith, and are not publicized as distinctively Christian events.

The FFRF request to end prayers implies that it is constitutional malfeasance to hear military chaplains express their inviolable liberties, which is unwarranted, since service members are not under compulsion or coerced to bow their heads to pray; it is voluntary. If the disgruntled guardsman felt that his constitutional liberties would be violated for attending an event that offers voluntary prayers he is not mandated to participate in, the first step should not have been to contact the Freedom From Religion Foundation, but to seek accommodation, which can be found in the Department of Defense Instruction 1300.17 (4b.):

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2017/02/latest-attempt-to-squelch-religious-liberty/#wPmGoVSg3PzUPvWI.99