ICC Note: The Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) recently issued a letter of complaint regarding prayer and Bible passages which are read during ceremonies at a New Hampshire Air National Guard base. The group asserted that including a Christian prayer violated the US Constitution by favoring one religion over another, and called the act “unnecessary and divisive.” The chaplain stated that the FFRF’s logic was faulty, but it is not yet clear if or how the base will respond.
By Heather Clark
02/16/2017 United States (Christian News Network) – A prominent professing atheist organization is seeking to put an end to prayers and Bible readings that are presented by a chaplain during ceremonies at a Air National Guard base in New Hampshire.
The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) recently sent a letter to the leadership of Pease Air National Guard Base to assert that the inclusion of the invocations and Scripture readings are unconstitutional. It stated that it was contacted by a concerned guardsman, who informed them of the chaplain’s offerings.
“Christian prayers delivered at an official military event violate the Constitution’s mandate of government neutrality between religious beliefs,” FFRF contended. “Any prayer—including non-denominational prayer—violates the required neutrality between religion and nonreligion.”
The organization also opined that the inclusion of the prayers is “unnecessary and divisive.”
“The Air National Guard must refrain from lending its power and prestige to religion, amounting to a government endorsement that excludes the over 23% of military personnel who either express no religious preference or are atheists,” it said. “It is also simply insensitive for a government employer to inflict prayer on employees regardless of their personal beliefs.”
FFRF asked that it be assured in writing that the invocations would be discontinued at future events.
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