I just got another chain e-mail from the relatives. Seems the Government has banned a recitation used during the flag folding ceremony at military funerals, due to religious content. True enough - the outrage is all overthe web! (Malkin, Powerline, Townhall, etc.)
In fact, the American Family Association sent out a call to action alert over it.
It is time for Christians to say enough is enough
October 26, 2007
In the latest attack on Christianity, the U.S. government has banned the flag-folding recitations at all 125 national cemeteries. The banning came as the result of one complaint! The situation is similar to that in which one person removed prayer from schools.
http://www.afa.net/...
Why is this a howling funny, and not just ho-hum business as usual? As Dear Abby says, Read On.
The newspaper said a complaint was lodged against the words for the 11th fold, which "celebrates Jewish war veterans and "glorifies the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob."
http://www.upi.com/...
Yes, indeedy.
The complaint that raised the furor was over this recognition of the Jewish faith
- In the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Not this recognition of the Christian faith
- In the eyes of Christian citizens, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost.
(All 13 points can be read here.
You may note a number of other religious references. However, the same article suggests such recitations may not have been all that common.)
However, Fox News declares victory. The VA has recently "clarified" the policy.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has clarified its stand on recitations during military funeral flag-folding ceremonies after a memo halting the practice caused a nationwide uproar among veterans.
"Honoring the burial wishes of veterans is one of the highest commitments for the men and women of VA," said William F. Tuerk, the VA’s Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, in a statement released late Tuesday. "A family may request the recitation of words to accompany the meaningful presentation of the American flag as we honor the dedication and sacrifice of their loved ones."
Under the VA's clarification, volunteer honor guards "are authorized to read the so-called '13-fold' flag recitation or any comparable script" though "survivors of the deceased need to provide material and request it be read."
Honor guards will also have to accept requests for recitations that reflect "any or no religious traditions, on an equal basis."
http://www.foxnews.com/...
I do have to wonder how many of the Christians howling about this would change their view if they knew that the complaint was about the Jewish God, and not their God? I am just about certain, though, about how proud they will be that their defense of religious freedom has led to a policy clarification so that survivors can now honor their soldiers with Wiccan, Muslim, Hindu or Native American readings.