Freedom of Religion or Freedom From Religion

[KDMafia]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Here in Houston we've just recently had a problem with the VA and the funeral services of veterans. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...n/7583145.html
Could there be anything more riduclous than forbidding people from saying "God bless you" at a funeral?

I am confused, the way I read the article was that the issueswas to keep a Memorial Day prayer as non-denominational as possible with the understanding that not all Solider's are Christian and the Minister wanted to end with Jesus Christ as the one savior. That's way different than someone saying "God bless you" at a funeral.

I am Christian but I don't see this as being easily offended, I see it as not wanting to feel like your religion is second class and/or you're not blessed if you don't believe a certain way. I can see how it can be alienating for people, especially at group memorials where people have died. It can send an implicit message that certain people are saved/remembered while others aren't.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by KDMafia

I am confused, the way I read the article was that the issueswas to keep a Memorial Day prayer as non-denominational as possible with the understanding that not all Solider's are Christian and the Minister wanted to end with Jesus Christ as the one savior. That's way different than someone saying "God bless you" at a funeral.

I am Christian but I don't see this as being easily offended, I see it as not wanting to feel like your religion is second class and/or you're not blessed if you don't believe a certain way. I can see how it can be alienating for people, especially at group memorials where people have died. It can send an implicit message that certain people are saved/remembered while others aren't.

I don't even see anything in the article about not saying "God bless you" at a funeral. I haven't ever heard of an athiest/agnostic arguing that individuals can express their religious thoughts openly. Their problem would be the expression coming from an official, government sanctioned source, ie. the VA. The majority usually doesn't see how others might have a problem with this...until they see another religion "threatening" theirs. (Islam anyone?)

[SWTXBelle]

Sorry - wrong article.
Here you go!

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...n/7630537.html

PRIVATE religious speech shouldn't be subject to governmental censorship - ANY private religious speech.

And again, if I went to a service and any other religious leader wanted to pray and invoke his/her deity - I wouldn't be "offended", or think my religion was being relegated to a second class status. I'd think he/she had a different religious tradition and I would be respectful.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Sorry - wrong article.
Here you go!

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...n/7630537.html

PRIVATE religious speech shouldn't be subject to governmental censorship - ANY private religious speech.

I agree that if what is alleged in this article is true, this is ridiculous. If a family wishes to have a religious ceremony, they shouldn't have to have the ceremony pre-approved by the VA. The attendants should be able to say "God Bless You"...unless the bereaved are non-religious, then they should keep their traps shut. The funneral isn't about them, it's about the dead service member and their family. I bet you ten bucks, though, that this is more about a bureaucrat "following" the rules rather than an atheist laying down the law on separation of church and state. You see this type of crap in VA hospitals all the time with lifetime employees who can't be fired.

[KDMafia]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Sorry - wrong article.
Here you go!

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...n/7630537.html

PRIVATE religious speech shouldn't be subject to governmental censorship - ANY private religious speech.

And again, if I went to a service and any other religious leader wanted to pray and invoke his/her deity - I wouldn't be "offended", or think my religion was being relegated to a second class status. I'd think he/she had a different religious tradition and I would be respectful.

Hmm this one is different although I think it depends. It sounds like, based on the quote that the text should be approved by the family, that they are not stopping private religious ceremonies, but instead telling different volunteer groups who have contact with many individuals that they cannot use one specific religion. I do think the "god bless you" is pretty innocent but if they are working as a representative as the VA and it is considered a gov't agency I can understand their concern. Although, like I said, in terms of religious expression it doesn't seem too worrisome.