Once the Pentagon was notified by atheists that a Christmas nativity scene had been placed by volunteers near a lake on Shaw Air Force base in South Carolina, the display was removed by base officials within two hours. Then, following a week of public outcry, the Air Force issued a policy to allow only "approved displays" and the nativity scene was then placed outside the base chapel.
For background, read Gays & Atheists Demand Air Force Fire Evangelicals and also read Air Force Drops God; Army Admits Training Labeled Christians as Terrorists as well as Nativity Scene Demolished by Obama Admin. at Navy Base
In addition, read the latest news of the secular rebellion against Christmas.
-- From "SC air base mulls nativity display after protest" by The Associated Press 12/10/13
Air Force spokeswoman Lt. Keavy (kev-EE) Rake said Tuesday a Nativity display was set up Friday by a group of volunteers from the base chapel at a small lake on the installation. The site was near where a tree lighting ceremony was scheduled Friday evening.
Rake says the Military Religious Freedom Foundation lodged a complaint about the display through the Air Force in Washington.
Rake says Air Force officials want a holiday display that reflects more than a single group, so the Nativity scene was taken down . . .
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Air Force removes Nativity scene" by Todd Starnes, FOX News 12/11/13
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation [MRFF] praised officials at Shaw Air Force Base for removing a Nativity scene located near Memorial Lake on Friday. The traditional Nativity included plastic statues of Mary, Joseph, the Baby Jesus and an assortment of animals.
Hiram Sasser, the director of litigation for Liberty Institute, told me the military's actions were unconstitutional.
"This was private speech," he said. "The military can say no displays on a base but it cannot allow a display and then ban it simply because of its religious viewpoint."
Sasser said the Supreme Court has ruled in the past that viewpoint discrimination even in a non-public forum such as a military base in unconstitutional.
"It appears that Mikey Weinstein [lead atheist at MRFF] has a special hotline to call his friends in leadership at the Pentagon to alert them to engage in unnecessary and, in this case, unlawful censorship of private religious speech," he said.
To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.
From "SC Republicans applaud restoration of Nativity scene at Air Force base" by Rebecca Shabad, The Hill 12/12/13
A human-sized portrayal of the Nativity that had been removed at an Air Force base in South Carolina last week has been moved to a new location.
South Carolina Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott and Rep. Mick Mulvaney said they had complained to officials at Shaw Air Force base in Sumpter, S.C., about the scene’s removal.
A spokesman at the base told Fox News that Pentagon attorneys were afraid the presence of the plastic baby Jesus would imply the military is endorsing Christianity.
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation, which promotes the separation of church and state, had requested that it be removed.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read President Obama's Veterans Administration Strips Jesus & Bible from Chaplains
For further background, read President Obama Redefines 1st Amendment Freedom of Religion and yet President Obama Denies Leading War Against Christianity, and so Congress Responds to Obama's Military Attack on Christians
