Navy removes Bibles from hotels on bases after Freedom From Religion complaint
The U.S. Navy is reportedly removing all Bibles from hotels which are located on bases, a decision that has upset religious military members and families. The Navy is respondng to the demands of atheist group Freedom From Religious Foundation (FFRF), that filed a complaint with the organization.
Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) spokesperson Kathleen Martin refused to address the issue directly to Todd Starnes of Fox News, according to his Aug. 11 article. The FFRF released a statement expressing its satisfaction with the ongoing situation.
“FFRF is pleased to learn that NEXCOM has taken seriously its constitutional obligation to remain neutral toward religion as a representative of our federal government. By removing Bibles from Navy-run lodges, the Navy has taken a step to ensure that it is not sending the impermissible message that Christians are favored over guests with other religious beliefs or over those guests with no religion,” said Sam Grover for FFRF.
“The current direction is to remove all religious material from Navy Lodge guest rooms. For those Navy Lodges with religious materials currently in guest rooms, the Navy Lodge General Manager will contact the Installation Chaplain’s office who will provide guidance on the removal procedure disposition of these materials,” an unnmaed Navy Chaplain wrote.
Like in hotels across the country, the Bibles were placed in the rooms by Gideon International, for free. A Navy lodge housekeeper said hotel staff was told to put the Bibles in a box to be donated.
Ron Crews, Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty executive director said, “This is just one more assault by military leaders against anything Christian. It’s getting tiresome to see senior military leaders cave in to those who appear to be offended by Christians, by Christian symbols and now by the Bible itself.”
photo John per wikimedia commons
