The Missing Man display at the Sioux Falls VA initially featured an oversized Bible, disrespecting the sacrifices of countless non-Christian servicemembers since the Revolutionary War. Image from: Military Religious Freedom Foundation
You would think a story this big that someone in our local media or even the local ACLU would be all over this;
The VA hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota has a serious problem. Not with health-care—they’re one of the best in the nation—but with the US Constitution that the veterans they serve risked their lives to defend. And with the veterans whose rights they are trampling on. And the dead they are disrespecting.
A POW/MIA Missing Man display in the main lobby features a Christian Bible, despite a slew of complaints which the VA has not simply ignored, but made a mockery of, by replacing one Bible with another, thus pretending to “resolve your concerns,†in an email to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, which is representing 21 VA patients who have contacted them with complaints.
As is normally the case, the majority of MRFF’s clients are Christian, while the totality includes a wide variety of faiths, as well as non-believers.
“Of the 21, 14 are Christians—so two thirds are Roman Catholic or Protestants,†MRFF founder and President Mikey Weinstein told Crooks and Liars. “The other seven are Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, Native American and then atheist/agnostic.”
It reminds me of Steve, a veteran who shows up to city council meetings almost weekly and contends the VA has discriminated against him because he is atheist (among other things). We have to remember, many people who have fought for our country are of many different religious stripes or none at all. That is one thing that separates our country from others, religious freedom. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
The military acknowledges religious freedom on soldier dogtags. It’s respect that’s not distinction or infraction of separation of church and state. The Bible doesn’t belong in this exhibit. Imposing Christianity is not what soldiers stand for. Freedom and religious choice is the basis meant from the constitution and what those who serve pledge.
You could stack the Bible with Book of Mormon, Quran, etc. but I think the original missing soldier thought would get lost. Then it becomes a table gurneys must steer around for no apparent reason.
Th. Jefferson cut and pasted the Bible to his liking in what he called the ‘The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth.’
I guess Jefferson would not be welcomed at the VA either.
Although, we recently named a school after him.
they should put a dollar bill on the table, instead of the Bible, as a reminder of why wars are really fought.
Dacoal’s version of Clickbait.
Actually I got the story sent to me a few days ago, and after I posted it, I realized that Cory already posted something. What I find ironic is that when people drag religion into military memorials I often wonder if they understand that religion has caused more wars and death and destruction then probably any natural event in recorded human history. If people would just resolve to pray to one (non-religious) universal God or no God at all we would be a much more peaceful world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55h1FO8V_3w