Fort Eustis soldiers told go to Christian Rock Concert or stay in their racks

With all the uproar around the proposed Islamic Center in lower Manhattan, it appears that religious freedom has come under attack again.  This time from within the United States Army. 

According to an Associated Press story on August 20, 2010, the Army is investigating if Fort Eustis soldiers who did not want to attend a Christian Rock concert on base were forced to stay in their barracks.  To read the full story click here. 

Those on the Evangelical Right vigorously advocate that this nation was founded on Christian principles and that this is a Christian nation.  I don't think it can be disputed that the people who came to this continent from Western Europe were predominantly of the Christian faith (Catholic and Protestant).  But, it also cannot be denied that the First Amendment and specifically the parts about Religious Freedom and the Separation of Church and State, were discussed, debated, argued just as strongly during the drafting of our Constitution. 

It is clear that our Founding Father didn't want one faith to have legal preference over another, and that in referring to "God" they went to great lengths to acknowledge the "Creator" of all mankind.  It cannot be denied that there is a strong connection to Christianity in our founding documents.  This is reflected by the men who had the greatest influence in their development.  But, it is also clear that in forming a Federal Republic, a nation based on the rule of law, that Enlightenment thinking was also woven into the fabric of the Constitution to protect and preserve the individual rights of man.  Specifically freedom of Religion, as advocated by Thomas Jefferson. 

When a person signs-up for military service in the United States, our men and women are not protected by all the laws they have sworn to "defend."  But, Religious Freedom and the free exercise thereof does apply to our brave men and women of the Armed Forces.  What kind of a military, and nation, would we be if the exception to the rule were the very citizens that have sworn to fight for Religious Freedom and all the other lliberties the United States Constitution affords us all? 

If this were just one or two, or even a just few more, then this could be chalked-up to soldiers gripping.  But out of a 200 soldiers, nearly 100 were confined to their barracks because they didn't want to attend a Christian Rock concert on base.  I hope the Army's investigation is unbiased and complete, and if these soldier's Constitutional Rights were violated then the offender(s) should be punished accordingly. 

Image found at:  http://www.citizensproject.dreamhosters.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Church-State1.jpg

4th of July Open Thread

Happy 4th of July to everyone. This 4th of July marks some key events and turning points for our nation. The United States has pulled out of the major cities in Iraq and turned over those responsibilities to the Iraqis. The largest military operation in many years is going on in southern Afghanistan with 4,000 Marines in their efforts to root out Al Qaeda.

Iran is still grappling with a disputed election, and in the United States we have resolved a disputed election (finally) in the Minnesota U.S. Senate Race between Democrat Al Franken and now former Senator Norm Coleman.

North Korea continues to threaten the world with war if the international community does anything to reign-in it's nuclear threat.

We have a surprise resignation by Alaska Republican Governor, Sarah Palin, and another Republican Governor, Mark Sanford of South Carolina, that is being called on to resign because of his Argentinian Mistress, by his own party. U. S. Senator John Ensign has resigned as Chair of the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee over the revelation of his infidelity, as well.

Many other things going on in the entertainment world as well. Most notable is the death of Michael Jackson. A lot has been going on, so feel free to openly discuss these and any other topics.

Picture found on: http://www.norcalblogs.com/post_scripts/archives/DC%20Fireworks.jpg