Ft. Bragg Hearts Jesus…Dawkins Not So Much

After military officials at Fort Bragg in North Carolina gave financial support and content endorsement to a Christian evangelical concert called “Rock the Fort,” they promised the same level of support for a non-theistic festival.  Surprised?  Well, don’t be.  They were lying anyway.

From the website of American United for the Separation of Church and State:

Back in September, Americans United urged Army officials to cancel an evangelistic event at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

AU said “Rock the Fort” targeted both service personnel and civilian families in the surrounding community for conversion to evangelical Christianity. Despite its clear religious nature, the rally and concert received the full backing of military brass, who helped advertise and fund the event to the tune of $54,500.

In a letter to Fort Bragg officials, our legal department asserted that it was not the job of the military to proselytize soldiers or civilians. In fact, we said the military’s participation in such a project was unconstitutional.

Despite our protest, military officials went ahead with the program. They said Rock the Fort was sponsored by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and that the military was just being supportive. They said they would do the same for any other comparable event.

That has apparently turned out to be an empty promise.

Late last week, the news media reported that a secularist event had to be canceled after Fort Bragg refused to provide the kind of support that was extended to the Christian rally.

Sgt. Justin Griffith had spent the past six months organizing “Rock Beyond Belief.” It was planned to include famed British scientist (and outspoken atheist) Richard Dawkins as its keynoter, as well as several other speakers and musical performers.

Just last month, Griffith was told that his event would receive the same level of support as Rock The Fort. But in a letter March 1 from Col. Stephen Sicinski, the promise evaporated.

Did these men and women enlist in order to defend freedom or some particular flavor of evangelical Christianity?  I’m virtually certain that some of our more moral and above-board religious leaders got to someone at Ft. Bragg.

Organizers are now using the event’s website to call for our help.  Please do what you can to make your voices heard and to help these brave people who really do believe that they were called to service in the defense of enlightened values of freedom and equal treatment under the law.