Outrageous!

[LoboGunLeather]

Reported in the Sept. 2011 issue of VFW magazine.

The US National Cemetery at Houston, TX, has banned prayers at veterans' funerals, unless requested in advance in writing and the prayer is submitted for prior approval. This policy was enacted by cemetary director Arleen Ocasio.

Issues related to First Amendment rights and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act have brought a lawsuit from the Liberty Institute on behalf of the VFW and American Legion.

As a veteran I am shocked. As an American I am outraged. I will be making myself heard at:

Houston National Cemetery
10410 Veterans Memorial Drive
Houston, TX 77028
281-447-8686

and at my congressman's office, my senators' offices, and at the Secretary of Veterans Affairs office.

This policy cannot be permitted to stand even a moment longer.

 

[s&wchad]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/198422-veteran-makes-me-sick.html#post136015506

 

[novalty]

Unbelieveable! Where do they come up with this ...stuff.

 

[jlrhiner]

So, lets just suppose you don't comply, are they going to stop the funeral and throw you out?

 

[DeadAye]

At least it's still OK to protest a vet's funeral.
Good to see we still have some rights.

Arleen should be run out of town on a rail - once the tar has set.

The VFW, American Legion, and others are on the case - Thank God.

 

[rock doc]

What don't the progressives understand? It's freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion.

 

[TACC1]

Since When....??

Since when, did a "Right to Not Be Offended" get included
in the Constitution?
If you have NO Moral Values, then anything you do is okay.
Seems like some folks would like to see the USA go to perdition,
just to further their own interests. Like many of you, I've been to the Wall in DC and been thru Arlinton National Cemetery. The
permanent residents there lived and died for their flag, with their
own vision of God along with them. Too bad those folks can't vote.
(Except in Illinois)
Sorry, can't complete this post

 

[Out West]

Wow. How terrible for the families of veterans. Veterans that served to preserve freedom. Unless the Constitution has changed, that freedom included religious self expression. Just amazing. Is this policy limited to Houston, or has it gone nation wide?

This kind of PC nonsense seems to be happening with greater frequency. Apparently there are a lot of citizens that no longer care about liberty.

Out
West

 

[7Iron]

I think if you read the original report, the cemetery does not ban prayer at all. It bans independent groups from praying at a funeral where the family or deceased asked for a non-religious service.

When you hear something that sounds over-the-top crazy, its usually either not true or not what you think it is.

 

[LVSteve]

What don't the progressives understand? It's freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion.

Even this fundamentalist agnostic agrees with that point. Prayers, or lack thereof, are a matter for the family in line with the habits or wishes expressed by the departed. It is nobody else's business.

BTW, if you don't like Klingon opera, don't come to my service.

 

[27145]

They are also forbidding the clergy at the WTC on 9/11/2011.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I think if you read the original report, the cemetery does not ban prayer at all. It bans independent groups from praying at a funeral where the family or deceased asked for a non-religious service.

When you hear something that sounds over-the-top crazy, its usually either not true or not what you think it is.

Sorry, 7Iron, but that is not the case in this situation.

The lawsuit was brought by the VFW, American Legion, and Memorial Ladies. These are service organizations chartered by the US Congress and authorized by law to perform prescribed military honors at veterans' funerals in public, private, and national cemeteries. Military honors are performed only when specifically requested at the time that national cemetery interment is requested.

The situation involves a lawsuit brought by those service organizations in response to a VA official banning those groups from performing certain parts of the prescribed rituals, banning the use of certain words such as "God" and "Jesus Christ", and requiring that all prayers be submitted in advance for pre-approval (and censoring out all such words). A federal judge has entered a temporary injunction preventing that official from interfering, and she continues to interfere, thus is in contempt of court.

The significant facts are (1) the families have requested the duly-authorized military honors, (2) the duly-authorized service organizations have been actively prevented from performing the duly-authorized military honors, (3) the national cemetery director is in continuing violation of a court order, (4) the First Amendment of the US Constitution affirms the rights to free assembly, free association, and free exercise of religion, and (5) federal law prohibits government interference of the specific nature that is occurring.

 

[mg357]

As a very proud supporter of our's nation's veteran's this makes me want to vomit.

 

[whitecoyote]

That is outrageous!
But I say go ahead, and say all the prayers you want. What are they going to do arrest you?