The U.S. Navy is reportedly removing all Bibles from hotels that are located on bases, a decision that has upset religious military members and families. The Navy is bowing to the demands of atheist group Freedom From Religious Foundation (FFRF), that filed a complaint with the organization.
One Navy chaplain wrote, “The current direction is to remove all religious material from Navy Lodge guest rooms. For those Navy Lodges with religious materials currently in guest rooms, the Navy Lodge General Manager will contact the Installation Chaplain's office who will provide guidance on the removal procedure disposition of these materials."
Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) spokesperson Kathleen Martin refused to say outright if the hotel room Bibles were going to disappear. However FFRF released a statement expressing its satisfaction with the ongoing situation.
"FFRF is pleased to learn that NEXCOM has taken seriously its constitutional obligation to remain neutral toward religion as a representative of our federal government. By removing Bibles from Navy-run lodges, the Navy has taken a step to ensure that it is not sending the impermissible message that Christians are favored over guests with other religious beliefs or over those guests with no religion,” said Sam Grover for FFRF.
The Bibles were placed in the rooms by Gideon International, for free. A Navy lodge housekeeper said hotel staff was told to put the Bibles in a box to be donated.
Ron Crews, Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty executive director said, "This is just one more assault by military leaders against anything Christian. It's getting tiresome to see senior military leaders cave in to those who appear to be offended by Christians, by Christian symbols and now by the Bible itself."
Publication date: August 12, 2014