I often wonder how America finally reached the state that it’s in now. Elementary schools will ban Christmas celebrations all in the name of not offending anyone, but the result, of course, is that most people are offended. Prayers are not allowed because an atheist might get spun up… yet what about the rest of us? And now, we have another example of children losing out, simply because common sense has been thrown out the window.
What we have in this story is a group of kids at a vacation Bible school. Mix that with America’s military, and what do you get? A bunch of disappointed children and angry parents, that’s what.
As reported by Todd Starnes at Fox News, the problem arose when the Bible Baptist Church in Carthage, Missouri was holding a vacation Bible school, and the theme for one particular week was “God’s Rescue Squad.”
The paramedics came on Monday and on Tuesday, the fire department showed up. The boys and girls were taught how to stop, drop and roll. On Wednesday, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Dept. brought their K-9 unit..
But our story picks up with what happened on Thursday. That was the day when the church was supposed to honor the National Guard. They had invited troops from the nearby armory to drop by with one of their Humvees.
But the National Guard did not visit Bible Baptist Church on Thursday night, and the reason why has caused great anger and frustration among church members.
It turns out that the National Guard is not allowed to participate in such functions. That’s right. Paramedics can come out. Police officers can come out. But members of the military can’t. And why? Because it’s against regulations. The local state representative, Republican Mike Kelley, said that “federal policy prohibits them from doing anything with any specific church.”
This is just crazy. The whole theme is about people who protect and defend and rescue. In addition to people like police officers and fire fighters, what better example is there than members of our military? Just because you show up an event for kids does not mean you endorse a particular religion. Come on!
The Missouri National Guard did not return my calls for comment – but it doesn’t matter. Kelley sent me a copy of the Army regulation.
It states: “Army participation must not selectively benefit (or appear to benefit) any person, group, or corporation (whether profit or nonprofit); religion, sect, religious or sectarian group, or quasi-religious or ideological movement.”
The policy also states that troops are to avoid any activities that might involve or appear to involve the promotion, endorsement, or sponsorship of any religious or sectarian movement.
Showing up where invited does not constitute sponsorship. It means you are going where you are wanted. That’s pretty plain to see.
Starnes interviewed several Guardsmen who agreed to speak if their identities were not revealed. They all expressed dismay and frustration at what was happening.
“I will never understand why it’s okay for the military to march in a gay pride parade but not be allowed to spend an hour talking to children who look up to them (soldiers),” the Guardsman said. “I honestly never thought I’d see the day that this would happen in my hometown.”
In June, the Department of Defense gave permission for a military color guard to march in Washington, D.C.’s gay pride parade. It marked the first time in history the U.S. Army Military District of Washington participated in the parade.
So there you have it. It turns out that some functions are okay… assuming they fit the politically correct model that the government is pushing on us. Enough already!
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