This entry is a reply to another entry at TheQuietPatriot, below is his entire post as it appears on his site:

“Cross removed at base in Afghanistan – Tim Mak – POLITICO.com.

Wow, this is so wrong. Why can’t we have a cross on the chapel? The BS reason of “in accordance to Army regulations” two step is a crock. If you go to any military post you will see that there are crosses either on the building or on a sign in front of the building and inside. This suppression of the christian faith by left wing radical groups like the ACLU (socialist) and by atheist organizations needs to be stopped. Our constitution clearly states “Freedom of Religion” not the freedom to suppress the one you dont like or believe in. If you dont like looking at the cross in front of a church then exercise your fredom to take a different route.

“I really don’t understand why Christians are always attacked. If it was a crescent moon on top of a mosque, it would never be taken down,” said an Army serviceman.

This guy is totally correct, if we did this to another religion like islam, then it would cause a conflict. People need to wake up and protect their rights.”

This is not suppression of Christianity. Please put out your self-righteous persecution complex for a second to examine the facts of the situation. The regulation specifying that no “permanent” religious symbols be in army chapels was adopted in 1940. It was part of a compromise to even allow the army to have chapels. The reasoning behind it, was that it created a religious space which could be used by all servicemen for their preferred religion. In short, Christians can bring in whatever non-permanent symbols they want, hold a conference call with their imaginary friend Jesus, and then clean up and leave the space for the next group. Muslims can then come in, bring their symbols, have a conference call with their imaginary friend Allah, then clear up and leave the space for the next group. The cycle repeats for everyone who is comforted by a conference call with their imaginary friend.

The cross was not taken down because it was a cross, it was taken down, because it was “permanent” in nature. IE, not easy to cover up, or remove for other groups. Christians were not being persecuted because they were told to take it down, they were told that they aren’t exempt from a 71 year old army regulation. In effect, that they were equal to everyone else, and had to play by the same rules that everyone else did.

Here is a book of regulations for army chaplains. It is from 2009, and summarizes the regulations placed on chaplains in the military. On page 36, in section ‘K’, you can read the regulation for yourself. For those too lazy to read it, I’ll paste it below.

“k. Symbols. The chapel environment will be religiously neutral when the facility is not being used for scheduled worship. Portable religious symbols, icons, or statues may be used within a chapel during times of religious worship. Symbols are to be moved or covered when not in use during services. Distinctive religious symbols, such as crosses, crucifixes, the Star of David, Menorah, and other religious symbols will not be affixed or displayed permanently on the chapel interior, exterior, or grounds. Permanent or fixed chapel furnishings, such as the altar, pulpit, lectern, or communion rail will be devoid of distinctive religious symbols.”