Posted on Oct 12, 2015
UPDATE: Marine Base Commander decides controversial sign will remain in place. Good call?
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A Marine Corps base in Hawaii has decided to keep a controversial “God bless the military” sign that has riled some activists in recent weeks, saying that the placard serves as a “secular symbol.”
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation complained late last month that the sign at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, was inappropriate and should be moved to the base chapel, but a commander has declined that request.
Commander Col. Sean C. Killeen sent a letter on Friday to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, explaining that the sign — which reads in full, “God bless the military, their families and the civilians who work with them” — will not be taken down.
“This sign will remain in its present location and not be altered in any way,” the commander wrote.
Killeen said that, following an intense legal review, it was determined that the sign is secular and does not represent a sectarian stance, the Associated Press reported.
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation complained late last month that the sign at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, was inappropriate and should be moved to the base chapel, but a commander has declined that request.
Commander Col. Sean C. Killeen sent a letter on Friday to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, explaining that the sign — which reads in full, “God bless the military, their families and the civilians who work with them” — will not be taken down.
“This sign will remain in its present location and not be altered in any way,” the commander wrote.
Killeen said that, following an intense legal review, it was determined that the sign is secular and does not represent a sectarian stance, the Associated Press reported.
Religion
Freedom
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
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CPO Andy Carrillo, MS
Yes, and those are not cool with that motto can send their non-1st Amendment compliant money to me and I will dispose of it, for free...
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Maj Matt Hylton
I wouldn't exactly say everyone is "cool" with it. I don't like that it is on my money, but I have no other choice but to use it. I do support it's removal from our money and as a motto. Our motto should still officially be E Pluribus Unum (which if you didn't realize, is printed on all coins, but not bills).
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
There's actually been complaints about that SFC Mark Merino. Quite a few.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aronow_v._United_States
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/response/religion-public-square-us-motto
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aronow_v._United_States
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/response/religion-public-square-us-motto
Aronow v. United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aronow v. United States was the first case to challenge the inclusion of "In God We Trust" on U.S. currency.[1] The law it challenged was "31 U.S.C. § 324a "the inscription 'In God we Trust'...shall appear on all United States currency and coins".[1]
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I am sure we will see a good commander "moved" if it is determined to be a bad call by the higher HQs.....I agree with his call - especially after a thorough legal review.
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As an atheist I have no issue with this sign, yeah don't care, it holds no true importance to anything. The issue i have is "religious freedom".. freedom for who? Christians? what about the rest of us.
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Cpl (Join to see)
No one says you can't practice your own religious beliefs and I did say "your religious beliefs." There wouldn't be a Church of Atheism if it wasn't a secular belief. It would be dishonest for me to say you didn't have a devoted belief in atheism.
re·li·gious
rəˈlijəs/
antonyms: secular
treated or regarded with a devotion and scrupulousness appropriate to worship.
"I have a religious aversion to reading manuals"
synonyms: scrupulous, conscientious, meticulous, sedulous, punctilious, strict, rigorous, close
"religious attention to detail"
http://firstchurchofatheism.com/
re·li·gious
rəˈlijəs/
antonyms: secular
treated or regarded with a devotion and scrupulousness appropriate to worship.
"I have a religious aversion to reading manuals"
synonyms: scrupulous, conscientious, meticulous, sedulous, punctilious, strict, rigorous, close
"religious attention to detail"
http://firstchurchofatheism.com/
With the First Church of Atheism you can become ordained quickly, easily, and at no cost. Since its inception, the First Church of Atheism has amassed quite a following around the world. FCA ministers come from all walks of life. They are every race, ethnicity, age, and creed. The one thing binding every FCA minister is his or her belief in science, reason, and reality. The First Church of Atheism wants you to pursue and cherish your realistic...
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LCpl Mark Lefler
Cpl (Join to see) - i wasn't saying you personally said anything, I was making a general statement about "religious liberty" nothing to do with anything you specifically said.
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Cpl (Join to see)
I actually commend you on your restraint. I consider myself an agnostic atheist at best and seeing religious artifacts affects me in no way. There are still those on this site who have a vampiric aversion to all things Christian.
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LCpl Mark Lefler
Cpl (Join to see) - i dont have a problem with christian expressionism, I just have a problem with christians acting like they're the only good deal in town.
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