Sorry, Master Sergeant, that’s not on our approved reading list.
It used to be that when I would hear a news story about Christians being persecuted, my first question was, which country is doing it this time? Not anymore. Now, my first question is, which branch of the U.S military is doing it this time?
An increasing number of alarming stories are coming out of our military these days about Christians being persecuted for their faith. While our military leaders repeatedly bend over backwards to demonstrate politically correct behavior to soldiers with alternative lifestyles and other religions, Christians are being told to keep their faith to themselves.
The latest in a string of news stories about Christians being persecuted in the U.S. military – and believe me, we’re just getting started here; there will be plenty more of these types of reports – is Master Sergeant Nathan Sommers, a 25-year Army veteran based in Fort Myer near Washington, D.C. He’s a recipient of an Army Commendation Medal and was a soloist at the funeral of former First Lady Betty Ford.
Sommers, a conservative Christian who has been criticized for expressing his support for traditional marriage, says he is facing retribution and punishment for, among other things, reading books written by conservative authors including Sean Hannity, Mark Levin and David Limbaugh.
“It seems like with the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ that the Christians have been the ones who’ve had to go underground and in the closet, for fear of retaliation and reprisals,” Sommers told Fox News. “Christians feel like they can’t be forthright with their faith. They have to hide.”
Sommers said he was reprimanded by a superior officer for silently reading books by conservative authors backstage during a U.S. Army band concert. He was told that the literature was “offensive” and that it was causing “unit disruption.”
Isn’t it ironic that the same people who preach about tolerance are the ones who are the least tolerant of people who disagree with them?
Are you concerned that Christians are facing more and more persecution in the U.S. military? Who do you think is instructing our military officials to crack down on people who publically express their Christian faith?
That officer was way out of line for criticizing ANYTHING the soldier was reading. Our constitution guarantees freedom of speech, religion, press, etc. If the man had been preaching his conservative or religious beliefs in a setting where that is inappropriate, such as an official briefing or training session, then there is room for criticism. People of any religion must be allowed by our Constitution to preach their beliefs in a public setting. Those who do not like it can walk away, just as those who don’t like Sunday morning programming can change the channel. I did 20+ years in the military, and I was severely persecuted for my religious beliefs, or lack of them, for I am an atheist. All of us in the military signed the dotted line and took the oath to defend our constitution and country from enemies foreign and domestic, and one of the things we MUST defend is the right to free speech, whether we like what is being said or not.
Sorry on the voter ID thing, all the states that are clamoring for vote ID are GOP run, not Dem. That being said I believe that the ACLU is behind a lot of the anti-christian politically correct crap we have to put up with now. I belong to a group that has been fighting them since the forced the county of LoS Angeles to remove the cross from the mission icon on the county seal. We in San Diego have been fighting them for over 20 years regarding our cross on Mt. Soledad. I don’t subscribe to any religion but I feel like others have a right to their symbols such as creches, menorahs as long as they don’t infringe of the rights of others like the Westboro Baptists do by spewing their hate for our service members.
Only a fool says there is no God. Helen
If he had been reading the Koran or some radical Jihadist crap, would that have been alright? ……….I WONDER…………..SADLY I THINK AMERICA IS DOOMED………..THIS ONCE GREAT COUNTRY IS ALL BUT A MEMORY THANKS TO THESE KIND OF ACTIONS BY THE LIKES OF OUR OWN GOVERNMENT LEADERS
Shortly after the “bank holiday” in 1933, orders from the FDR White House suddenly demanded without explanation that all copies of this book be withdrawn from the Government Printing Office and the Army posts, to be suppressed and destroyed. So began the demagogic descent of the United States and the subversion of the Constitution into Americanized National Socialism, bankruptcy and the continued state of national emergency that we have experienced as a nation for the past -1819 (sic) years.
http://www.barefootsworld.net/tm_2000-25.html
The military is something near and dear to my heart. There are a lot of people in various branches in the military that have set aside their own personal freedoms to ensure that you get to exercise yours.
I have seen various clicks operate within the military from the ass kissers to the generals to the brothers and sisters in a special unit or section. I have had some of those religious stand outs, usually from a visiting country; but nothing that would hamper the effectiveness of our military.
I have heard of rumors that a commander with strong Christian beliefs surrounded himself with subordinates that were also had strong Christian to the extant that they created a click that hampered and held back other members in the unit from performing at peak efficiency. not to mention that they were discriminated against. If this is true, then the commander would have been relieved of his command and the those involved would either receive discipline procedures and/or transferred into another unit. To say the very lease, such occurrences are very rare inside the military and are not tolerated.
A click eh? Like the one in Washington that despises the Constitution? GLAD TO HEAR IT! I will NOT be registering my son for any future draft based on religious grounds as well enlisting in local militia instead GOOD LUCK finding someone to protect your freedoms perhaps, like Israel, women will help too?
Why are we not seeing an Officers name and rank? I think it only fair that if you’re singling out an NCO, the other side of the coin should also be displayed. If you tarnish one career, it’s only fair to have the others brought up also. Name that superior officer! Let’s get this out into the sunlight so we can see the whole story!!!
this country has survived as long as it has because of the belief and trust in the true God of the world who taught peace and has answered prayers to help those who had need to overcome the problems that faced them. Seek his help to find leaders who will support the freedoms that have been fought for for the citizens of our country and the world. the attitude of our politicians is for power and seem to support those who would destroy our agency to think for ourselves and worship as we please. they cannot overcome the christian way of life unless we allow them to do so. choose wisely who you vote for and call for the cowards in congress to do their job and impeach the president who would destroy our way of life and vote only and agency to worship the way we please. jesus never taught us to kill those who didn’t believe the way he taught, but taught that before he would return, the true gospel would be taught in the whole world. read about it in Revelations chapter 14. He taught peace and if you will take the time to read the signs of His second coming in the book of Matthew chapter 24. But we still need to stand up to the opressors that would take our freedoms away. teach and defend what is right and and we will prevail. Vote those politicians who are afraid to vote for freedoms out or have them recalled and replaced with someone who believes in freedom and don’t be afraid to vote for someone from the other political party than the one you have been affiliated with all your life. there are good people in both parties. find those who are willing to live under the same regulations they impose on us… while having good times on the wealth they accumulate while in office and after they are out of office. reference that they are not require to participate in obamacare as an example.just get over your fears and make things better. we are not expected by God to sit around and do nothing while our freedoms are taken. A special thanks to all who fought and those who died so we could worship as God intended.
This a sign of things to come and test our faith, stand up for your rights, other wise, what are you fighting for, some one else’s rights. It is also a sign of how the Zionist are taking over the world, now that no-one is fighting them any more.
It is so very sad that Mr. Obama and his “Believers” are trying to change America’s Judeo-Christian culture to one of an all tolerant-all inclusive society where anything except God or Jesus is acceptable. I can’t believe how some people are now being apologetic and ashamed of being white and-or Christian
MSG Sommers,
Do not tolerate that kind of behavior from your leadership! It’s your responsibility as a Senior Non Commissioned Officer to take this to whatever level necessary to protect your rights as well as those of your troops. I’ve been retired for 14 years now and realize things have changed. One thing that has not changed is the basic tenet of Service Before Self. Bow-up and make it happen either through Legal, IG, or whatever the hell they call Social Actions, Military Equal Opportunity Office. You have resources at your disposal. Be an NCO and make it happen!
This is really sad. Tell you what….all you christians,….don’t enlist. They don’t like us?? Then let them do without us. See how they like it.
David, that is not a good idea either. Do you really want a godless Armed Services controlling you and/or representing you? I think not. If enough people outside of the military complain, we can effect a change in the Pentagon leadership. Will probably have to wait until a change in the presidency to do it, but that’s only two more years. Keep the faith and let’s keep the faith in our Armed Services as well.
“Patients is a virtue until it becomes an excuse to accept the tyrant’s lash.” REALPatriot
WE NEED TO FIGHT FOR VOTER ID IN EVERY STATE. THE DEMOCRAPS ARE EXPERTS AT STEALING ELECTIONS. WITHOUT VOTER ID IN EVERY STATE, WE ARE FACED WITH THE WICKED WITCH AS OUR NEXT PRESIDENT UNLESS OBAMA DECLARES MARTIAL LAW SO HE CAN BE DICTATOR FOR LIFE
What has happened to:
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with LIBERTY and JUSTICE For All.
And, what about:
We believe that all men are created equal, and are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are LIFE, LIBERTY, and THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.
When are we going to stop beating our gums and start voting those of all parties that do not uphold their oaths: to SUPPORT AND DEFEND The CONSTITUTION of The UNITED STATES against ALL ENEMIES, BOTH FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC?
SO HELP THEM GOD!
Thank you, f. Lee. My thoughts exactly! Taking God out of the equation is asking for trouble on all sorts of fronts. It has been my experience that very few atheists enlist. They like to say it is because they are more intelligent but i think it is because they know that they will have no one to pray to when the going gets rough during battle.
I used to recite the Pledge of Allegiance well before they put the phrase ‘under God’ into it. It was a fine, all-inclusive pledge that ostracized no one and slighted no one. However since I am an Atheist, the pledge became an exclusive phrase. Even today, when I say the Pledge, I say it the way it was before religious fanatics corrupted it. As for enlisting, I did it not once, but FIVE times, and each time, I crossed out the phrase ‘under God’ from my oath, and did not say it that way either. The officers who administered the oath, understood that it is my right to deny God, and administered it the way I wanted. To this day, well after my retirement from the military, I am fiercely loyal to my country and the Constitution, and I didn’t need any religion to defend my country and my birthright. This country was founded by people who fled religious tyrrany seeking to worship as they pleased. This country was founded on freedom of religion, freedom from religion, tolerance for different ideas and ways of thinking. The mixture of many cultures and nationalities and religions and philosophies of life is what made this country strong and vibrant, perhaps the best country in the world. Sure, we made mistakes and even committed atrocities in the name of freedom and democracy, and enslave a whole race, but what makes us great is we are able to stand up and admit our errors, and fix the problem. Very few other countries are able to do that. Lets put religion back to what it is supposed to be, a PERSONAL belief. It does not belong in an official setting such as our military, or government or on our money, even. Our military chaplains attend to the religious needs of our soldiers. Our society is founded on tolerance and respect for the rights and beliefs of others, so celebrations like Christmas, Hanukkah, Id, and so on should be enjoyed and respected by all, regardless of their beliefs. Ending this rambling diatribe, I add, that even atheists enjoy Christmas and religious holidays, for there is a spirit of giving and acceptance, and joy that you don’t need a religion to appreciate.
Thank you for your post and for your service.
Religion is not the answer. A relationship with Jesus Christ if the answer to all the questions of life. He loves us too much to hurt us. He proved it at Calvary.
An all Muslim army will enable a Muslim president to control a nation under Sharia law. This nation will change overnight where Christian law enforcement will have to either contend with unlawful orders or act, succumb to tyranny and do the bidding of a rogue president. There are leaders in all branches of our government that are not patriots. They are selfish mongrels that seek power, money, and future settlements at the detriment of this country and its people.
Have you checked yhe amount of muslims now sitting on obama’s cabinet in other “controlling” positions…including Homeland Security? Check it out. NOW is the time for alarm because oreoman and his henchmen
What a joke, since the evangelical nutcases run the AirForce there is way too many people with imaginary friends in the Military.
Last place we need confessed insanity.
I don’t know where you have been lately, but it is not the Air Force. They recently outlawed Christian Chaplains.
Non other than the Comander-In-Chief.
“A little revolution is good, now and then” Tomas Jefferson. This nation is going the way of the Roman Empire. Sheep set upon by wolves, And those who are the sheep dogs, are shunned, until the sheep are being consumed, then and only then do they look to us to protect them. And we do this ,as we have always done, because, it is who we are. Sheep dogs, pray for the sheep and stand ready to be called, or, stand up now and defend the sheep even at the risk of being cursed .
GOD BLESS THE U S A
Yeah I’m sure that will work….. its worked so well for the poor in the past.
Wow, you really are bitter, aren’t you? But “reality”? That part needs a check, buddy. Sometimes attitude clouds our judgment AND perceived reality.
I will continue to pray for our military in the future, as I have in the past; for God to lead them in his way and keep them safe from harm and persecution. Our military is America’s greatest asset and our God, our troops, and the freedom of speech and worship is what made our country so great in the first place. May God forbid that they take any of those blessings away. Amen
Christians should not be surprised by the increasing antagonism being brought against them. The Lord Jesus said that if we belong to Him we WILL be persecuted because of Him. The early followers of Christ REJOICED to be considered worthy to suffer for the Name of Christ. Are we any less than those early believers? When antagonism and persecution come to us, and they will, let us also rejoice that we have been considered worthy to suffer for His glorious Name. As the book of Hebrews says, let us gladly be cast outside the city where Christ is and let us gladly bear His shame and reproach.
I am not surprised by it all , I am surprised at the speed in which it is happening.
Believe me, the blood moons are a great sign and with all this going on the time is short.
I was hoping that the Christians would not have to see all this happening but I guess it is a good thing for some as it removes their grasping fingers from this place.
As a Retired USAF Master Sergeant, I am a simple man who believes that God and Country are both to be Honored, When you can no longer worship your God in the military service, or you are at odds with the way the military is being run, as I was, then it is time for you, Master Sergeant Sommers, to retire with honor, while you still can. You can hold your head high and your voice will still carry authority among your fellow Christian compatriots who believe as you do, as I do. It is a sad day in our nation’s history that there are so many unbelievers in positions of leadership over the young men and women who volunteer to serve God and Country. You can do more good as a Honorably Retired Master Sergeant than you will be able to in a military service that is being led by fools. Thank you for your courage and your service to our God and Country.
Concur with all. I retired 1.5 years ago from USMC as a E-9….Thank You Lord. I helped prepare my invocation and asked the Blessing at several previous retirement ceremonies. For 2 months I was harassed by senior leaders to tone down the Blessing for my ceremony. The day before I was to apply for a Congressional Inquiry to stop the attack on my invocation, the JAG told my seniors that they should back off before they find themselves in a bind. We need to use some moral courage, claim His Promises and stand by our countries founding principles for His Glory and Honor!
Right on Charles. I remember even back when I was in Vietnam how there were those mockers and scoffers around. Thanks for YOUR service, and I DO MEAN SERVICE, as there is no way anyone can be compensated ENOUGH for putting their life on the line for others as all us VETs know. As Yeshua said,”This is LOVE, that a man lay down his life for his brother’s sake”. Oh God, please put this back in the hearts of men and change our nation before it’s too late. SEMPER FI REALPatriot
The anti-Christian orders come from the top. The Obama Administration is forcing subordinate agencies (like the Department of Defense, Veterans Administration, Department of Homeland Security, DOJ, Etc) to adopt these attitudes that are hostile to Judeo/Christian beliefs. THEY ARE CORE BELIEFS OF THE LEFT! The Main Stream Media supports these heathen movements. WE NEED TO REMOVE ALL LEADERS FROM POLITICAL OFFICE THAT DO NOT FOLLOW CONSTITUTIONAL GUIDELINES!
It is too late, the clock is ticking. Jesus is at the door. Look up for we shall soon be out of here.
Whatever you do, don’t let them disarm us. Some of us old soldiers will have to be soldiers again. We are going to have to capture our flag back. Freedom isn’t free and we should never let a lie replace truth. We must keep our oaths and stand firm. Our government is so corrupt that I do not believe we will be able to fix it by electing the right people. Elections where I live have been corrupted by the left. They are lying destroyers following a liar. Remember who the Biblical “father of lies” is. Wisconsin University president has just banned the Bible from it’s guest rooms. There can be no righteousness in a godless nation, and they want that knowledge completely removed from history. As the days roll forward, hour by hour, you are going to see more of this. It’s in end times prophesy. They don’t want you to read about it. How else can they have complete corruption and control? Certainly not with any freedom to read or believe anything other than the lie of the state! We live in an incredible time in history. Just be able to defend your loved ones because there will be a day in which they will kick in your door to arrest or kill you because you are a believer. And why wouldn’t they? The Muslim Brotherhood is in the White House and top levels of what once was our government. Freedom is irrelevant as Mr. Obama wakes every morning and ignores or bastardizes our founder’s dream.
You’re exactly right, Dave! Semper Fi!
It’s all about stamping out Christians of any faith. All other beliefs are fine. Military leaders who are of Christian faith are slowly being replaced and have been replaced by this administration. Just look around at this administration and it’s so called leaders how often do you her the word GOD used? Only way to effect change is clean out these people and replace with those who are GOD fearing.
This is all about the traitor Obama and his administration…how much more do we need to take?
All of you people who are grumbling have the power to do something about all of this crap. Quit grumbling and unite!!! In a united stand their is power. That seems to be the only thing that our elected officials will listen to, and that seems to be what it’s all about. You don’t like the way things are being run, then dam it do something about it. I’m with you… For my money most of the people in government offices shouldn’t be their anyway, join together and reclaim our country before it’s to late.
I sit here and read day after day about things like this. It has gotten to the point that if you speak your mind you are branded as a hater. Because you don’t agree with a life style. That fact that you believe in God or your life is based on biblical teachings. I want to know one thing here. Where is our representation in congress ? I’m sure that has not been removed from our constitution. Have we forgotten that war back in the 1700’s The one that gave us our independents from this vary thing. It is our right, and maybe time to start bombarding our congress with our views. To the point they have to do something other then sitting on their fat asses do the arunf thing like in blazing saddles, where the only thing agenda is doing nothing. And do something for us, not just the gays or the nonbelievers. The only hate I see, is by the ones calling us haters. Because we ratter stand with Gods word, ratter then the one they’re inflicting us.
This has been going on since the beginning of so called “religious movements” simply nobody wants to be converted to anything against their will and certainly do not appreciate being preached to by hypocrital individuals. Religion is something established in order to solve problems, but most often it only leads to more conflicts and even wars. Everyone is training very uniquely and people should respect others individualized trainings, but shouldn’t be forced to take on anothers way of life. People should simply study culture over religions, since the culture is usually the reflection of the so called “religion” but most importantly the people’s overall trainings. Peace be the journey!
Judeo Christian Culture is one of the oldest cultural belief systems on Earth! Those preaching so called tolerance are zealously religious! They want to force conformity to their system of practices and beliefs or else they will destroy you. It is violently religious, reserving physical violence for when they don’t get their way. So they don’t want YOU to be able to counter them or their tactics with equal or superior force or persuasion. If you are ignorant and unlearned in your ideas and positions then you are their quarry. Make them openly explain themselves while we still have that ability. That Odoacer cannot make his own regulation authority. He can commit it to writing even if it is s formal reprimand. Too many value position and the opinions others have of them over what is right and true. When this happens you are no more free than the people who where kind and cooperative while being led by slave masters to ships to the New World, by Nazis to the ovens, the Cramer Rouge to the killing pits and on and on and on. Is resistance futile at this point? Can we quit relying on the old political machine that is compromised? Are we still a government of the ppeople? We need to use video technology audio and other means at our disposal to expose and wake our government, the people, up before the bureaucracy that wants to rule us takes over and exposure becomes illegal and deadly. Read Patrick Henry, edmund Burke, Ben Franklin, john Locke and other PRIMARY SOURCE documents including the Constitution itself. Biblical commentary by Wesley, Matthew Henry, Charles Spurgeon, AW Pink and others will confound these unlearned creatures. They think “old books” are irrelevant, but they still discuss the core ideas and beliefs that have not changed in hundreds and thousands of years. Nothing is new under the sun as one wise man once wrote about 2500 BC.
I just deleted a huge rant about the issue and the military I just retired from. What’s the point? There are hypocrits all over the world and in every level of gov’t and what not. It’s not worth the wasted energy.
The only thing that needs be said is, Master Sergeant, you are supported and not alone my friend. Read what you choose, they can look the other way if they find it offensive.
Along with our commander in chief, The national news media and the Democommunist elites. You will certainly find their common goals are relatively the same! All with an anger and glaring disgust for all who are Christian. The USA is a Judeo/Christian Country. The freedom to worship GOD(JESUS) in the particular way they came to accept before or after the Reformation. Michael , ( my 1st amendment thoughts).
Put in your papers and Retire before it becomes mandatory to be gay or atheist. Retirement is great. (USAFRet)
AMEN!, brother!
At times I wish that I was still in. But, on the dark side of the coin, I would probably be in trouble as I was and am very vocal about my dislike of homo’s. I even helped one find his way out of the military with a dishonorable discharge. I liked it better when DADT was the rule. Well, at least I am retired and don’t have to put up with the sickness.