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The ACLU and Religion: Don't Believe Everything You Read On the InternetA malicious and factually inaccurate e-mail accusing the ACLU of not standing solidly on the side of religious liberty – an e-mail that was first circulated six years ago – has once again reared its ugly head and popped up in the e-mail inboxes of people across the country. In an effort to set the record straight, below are two myths the e-mail passes off as truth, followed by the facts which effectively debunk the e-mail’s claims. MYTH: The ACLU has filed a lawsuit to have all cross-shaped headstones removed from federal cemeteries. FACT: The ACLU has never once advocated for or initiated any litigation in favor of removing cross-shaped headstones from federal cemeteries. In fact, as the website Politifact.com makes clear, there are no cross-shaped headstones at VA national cemeteries. The headstones and markers the government issues are rectangular. What the ACLU did do in 2006 was file a lawsuit seeking to protect the right of veterans and their families to choose religious symbols to engrave on headstones in federal cemeteries. The result of this litigation was not the forced removal of any crosses, but rather an expansion of the official government list of religious symbols allowed on headstones by the National Cemeteries Administration of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to include the Wiccan pentacle. There are military cemeteries with rows of crosses in them, but most of those are in Europe, the final resting place of some American troops killed during World War I and World War II. Those cemeteries are maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission and, according to Politifact.com, are technically owned by the foreign country in which they are located but sit on land given to the U.S. for use in perpetuity as commemorative cemeteries. Politifact.com further reports that commission officials are not aware of any effort – by the ACLU or anyone else – to remove cross-shaped headstones from those sites. MYTH: The ACLU filed a lawsuit to end prayer in the military completely. FACT: The ACLU has filed no such lawsuit. This totally false assertion is likely misrepresenting a letter the ACLU and the ACLU of Maryland sent in June 2008 to officials at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis asking them to stop forcing midshipmen to participate in the Academy’s compulsory "noon meal prayers." A New York Times article very effectively details why forcing midshipmen to stand in attendance at the daily "noon meal prayer" is a violation of their religious freedom and rights of conscience. In the letter sent to the Academy, ACLU of Maryland Legal Director Deborah A. Jeon makes clear that the ACLU opposes compulsory religious services mandated by the government, not voluntary religious exercises by Academy midshipmen. As Jeon writes: "[T]his request is not motivated by any hostility to voluntary religious exercises by Academy midshipmen, nor do we fail to recognize the important place religious faith holds among many in the military. Indeed, the ACLU has long defended the fundamental right of religious communities, families and individuals – including those in the armed services – to practice their faith freely and openly." Let there be no question that the ACLU vigorously defends the right of all Americans to practice religion (PDF). We at the ACLU sincerely hope that providing you with this factual information regarding the erroneous claims made in the e-mail will not only help you avoid bearing false witness, but, should you desire, also empower you to set the record straight should it find its way to you.
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Oct 14th, 2009 at 2:27am
I believe there is so much you could do, but you seem to concentrate so much on religious and sexual discremenation that I believe you are not as effective as you should be. Many more problems are happening out there. After I read your first few pages, it gives me the impression that all your attentions are focused on the above matters. Move on. Whether they say a noon blessing at the Naval acedemy is just a distraction from what your organization should be reviewing. My mother lived in a retirement home (Christian City) for ten years which received government assitance for the residence. They did a great job. They never tried to force their religion on my mother who was Catholic. They probably had prayer from time to time at events. So what. Just as I have always told anyone going to my church on a visit--you can just sit and watch --no problem. I was going to ask you a question regarding property rights and the government. Are you interested or do you just take care of relgion and sex. You need to change your focus.
Oct 15th, 2009 at 8:44am
FACT: The ACLU DOES NOT support our basic constitutional right to keep and bear arms!
The ACLU will claim to support the Bill Of Rights yet they completely ignore the importance of our Second Amendment.
The Bill Of Rights is NOT multiple choice!
Oct 16th, 2009 at 8:57am
It's so difficult for Christians to understand how important separation of church (not synagogue, right?) and state is to the rest of us...Have you seen the email with subject, "Nominee for the best email of the year? It's edited by me here, with my response below:
After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said:
'Let me see if I've got this right.
'You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits...
'You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs...
'You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play...
'You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior...
'You also want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps...
'You want me to do all this with... a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps.
'You want me to do all this and then you tell me. . . I CAN'T PRAY?
I clicked reply all to 40 people, many of whom I didn't even know and said:
Dear teacher,
Pray! Pray to your hearts content. Pray in the morning! Pray at noon. Pray in the evening. Pray while you interact with a difficult student. Pray on, woman, pray on.
Silently.
I'm a student in your class, and we don't "pray" like you do, nor do I choose to listen to your prayers. Nor am I here for praying.
Pray on! woman, pray on. No one stops you.
Prayer is a matter of the heart. Share it in a place of prayer, not in a public school.
The world needs you to pray - please pray on.
Oct 16th, 2009 at 1:22pm
The only rights that the right wingers
want people to have are gun and the chance to shove their warped version of Christianity down everyone's throats.
Oct 16th, 2009 at 3:22pm
The ACLU supports the Constitution of the United States of America, which makes no mention of an individual's "right" to keep and bear arms.
The United States Supreme Court has ruled that the Constitution's provision for State militia force does not conflict with the individual's keeping and bearing arms.
Oct 17th, 2009 at 9:38pm
Remember, it was ACLU founder Roger Baldwin who was quoted as saying ".....communism is the goal." Can someone on the far- left please name a communist nation where freedom of religion without government involvment florishes? Are there any Christian conservatives sitting on the board of the ACLU, or are they all marxist in their thinking? The Alliance Defense Fund is the true gardian of religious freedom in this nation. It's founder hated communism and all it stood for.
Oct 20th, 2009 at 1:30pm
The Alliance Defense Fund is the true guardian of freedom to be a proselytizing Christian in this nation. And they do not consider all Christian sects to be Christian.
Walk a mile in a Muslim's shoes.
Oct 20th, 2009 at 3:21pm
Be ashamed...be very ashamed. Those of you leading the "fight" to cover crosses is true, not propaganda! You have lost touch with reality and apparently have more time (and greed) than you know what to do with. Let one of your family members begin to suffer and see how quick you fall to your knees in prayer!! I bet you already have! Those lawyers and the Park Officials suing should return to elementary school to study history and the basis on which these great United States of (not in) America was founded! Do something productive and leave us true Americans alone! If you don't like it feel free to pack your bags and leave the U.S.A. we don't want any of you here anyway! Signed:a true blooded Cherokee Indian
Oct 21st, 2009 at 7:40am
is it true that military pastors are forbidon to say the name Jesus Christ in their services and while speaking with soldiers?
Oct 22nd, 2009 at 8:23pm
God loves you :)
Oct 23rd, 2009 at 10:56pm
Was the staff forcing the students to pray ? Probably not. These students who made these allegations could have opted out of the prayers, they were not "mandatory"! Although I'm sure these students were money and attention hungry . I am more than positive that they are enjoying thier new found flood of dislike. Oh how silly are you views on religion " you can pray in public but not on public property" .... so tell me.... am I not to pray in my public park?
Oct 26th, 2009 at 2:15am
Steve, it seems that you're resorting to both the genetic and poisoning the well fallacy. Are you even remotely aware of the dismal state of leftist dissidents during the time the ACLU was formed? For being a Communist, Socialist, or Pacifist, the Wilson administration could simply send you to jail. Does that sound right? Of course not. I'm glad someone stood up for these people. If it takes a Communist to defend freedom of thought and expression, then so be it, because someone had to.
Oct 27th, 2009 at 2:03pm
Brenda - Why do you accept an e-mail w/o an original source or any references to objective reporters over several, independent fact check organizations and the word of the ACLU?
I have a member of my family in poor health. I do not waste any of my time praying. I use my time to work with medical professionals to get her cured.
Susanna - By forcing, do you mean holding a gun to their heads or presenting a clear quid pro quo? Probably not. However, teachers and administrators can exert significant, non-overt pressure on students. How can you be sure these students want money or attention? Could this be your way of rationalizing the behavior of someone whose motives you do not understand?
Where did you get your quote on where to pray. The ACLU has defended people's rights to pray in the park. They oppose the State's assumption its representatives can force you to pray.
Nov 5th, 2009 at 1:46pm
Fuck the ACLU u evil bastards when ur burning in he'll who will stand for ur rights?
Nov 9th, 2009 at 8:30am
Theres none more useless than those on their knees with their eyes shut.
Get up and make change.
Nov 10th, 2009 at 6:40pm
Count me among the Christians who applaud the ACLU for there work Promoting Christianity in Our Country.
It is a well known fact that more Christians are persecuted each day than any other Religious Follower. Where the ACLU errs, in my opinion, is in trying to prevent the US Government from fulfilling its Constitutional Obligations to protect Christians from persecution.
And I cannot believe my eyes to read on this here interblog that the ACLU is defending believers of the Demon. It is one thing to cast us God-Fearing Christians to the wolves, but what sort of craziness has gotten into you fellers to defend Satan Himself!!??
It is no wonder nobody respects you folk.
-RPTH
Nov 12th, 2009 at 9:22pm
i recently received an e-mail about the cemetery headstones and prayer in the military. the pictures accompanying it were of people grieving. i am glad that i found your fact and myths page, so that i had a response that was intelligent and informative. left on my own to respond to these idiots would have left me sounding like an evil brain-washed aclu member. thanks for all of your good work.
Nov 13th, 2009 at 1:48pm
rev, I don't know about your well-known fact, especially here in the US where the ACLU tends to operate. I would appreciate any information you could provide.
I would also appreciate a pointer to where in the Constitution the US government has an obligation to protect Christians or any other religion beyond, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." and "The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."
Thanks in advance.
Nov 14th, 2009 at 9:43am
The actions of the ACLU has earned it the badge of distain it currently wears among the American people. I was there in the 60s, 70s, and beyond while the ACLU used the laws of the united states to completely dismantle Christianity in every place if flourished. I was there when the ACLU used the United States courts to make every despicable, type of perversion not only acceptable but teachable to young children.
No ACLU, you are not blameless. Because of you I can not even mention the name of the God of Israel in any School or public building. Because of you I can not proudly display the 10 commandments for which I profess faithfully to support. Because of you my children are taught they progressed from monkeys and apes. Because of you my son keeps having to take a back seat to someone less qualified simply because of skin color. Because of you the schools are forced to teach my children that the very acts the brought destruction to Sodom, are completely acceptable in the United States. Because of you, I am forced to focus on each word or phrase I utter in fear of being locked up for hurting someones feelings (hate crime).
The ACLU is the corner stone of all that is indecent and despicable in the United States, where you badge proudly ACLU, you earned it!
Nov 15th, 2009 at 2:10am
Notice that none of the negative comments are censored like any pro-ACLU comments would be on Christian sites.
Nov 16th, 2009 at 10:44am
I too received the emai about removal of headstones and removal of prayer in particular the Navy. I would love to believe you website, as I would love to believe what I see on TV and read in the papers...the bottom line is that MUCH is full of propaganda in today's society. The ACLU has had it's name attached to MANY contraversial issues...quite honesty what YOU call discrimination and so many of the "issues" your name gets attached to DOES NOT stand for true patriotism. YOU are WAY too powerful...WAY too political...and WAY too racial. Yes, I said it racial...not politically correct, but bottom line is that political correctness is threatening our very way of life AND our FREEDOM! So whether the eamil about the crosses and the prayers are correct or not....I am one American that is glad that they are circulating and in a BIG way....I believe we are at the thresshold of a true awakening in America...one that will stand up against powerful, corrupt organizations and make TURE efforts to get this country back to her greatness.
Nov 16th, 2009 at 12:28pm
I am all for people disagreeing with the ACLU, however, spreading lies is not a proper way to do this. I received the aforementioned e-mail and as an attorney, knew it was false due to legal principles established long ago. Therefore, I came to the site to debunk my e-mailer's mistaken belief. Spreading hatred through false statements is not morally correct. Remember the Ten Commandments, especially the one about lies.
Nov 16th, 2009 at 7:34pm
ACLU, you posted about that. How about posting about how come Christian teachers can't pray out loud? Oh, & if a teacher leads a Christian group friday morning, would it be illegal? & the kids get to choose if they want to go or not? Our teachers have to be careful all because of you. All I can say is try suing one of my teachers & I promise you, they will have basically the entire school & most of the city for them. You will never sue one of my teachers & win.
Nov 18th, 2009 at 1:19pm
Sir allow me to pose a question.
When you say “Believers of the Demon”, of whom do you speak?
Do you speak of it the followers of Islam who consider your messiah to be a profit and have found one more? Or do you refer to those of the Buddhist faith, who seek an inner path to enlightenment? Or do you direct your statement at Hindus who, through deeds in this life, seek to attain a higher place in the next? Or is it the Jewish faith which still awaits the coming of a messiah? Or perhaps you refer to Wiccans, people who attempt to harm none and who tread lightly upon the earth? Or maybe you refer to another sect of Christianity, even though they accept the same messiah as you? Or is it the church of Scientology that has spurned your wrath, with their creed “man is basically good”? Or do you refer to those who renounce faith in an abstract divine figure and believe in the divinity of man?
Please Sir, explain your question.
Nov 18th, 2009 at 1:26pm
This is the USA and if you dont like our policy's Amendments and God in schools go HOME! You dont belong..
Were tired of you pushing your views down our throats.
You people are a bunch of idiots with to much time on your hands.
Why dont you go down to the shelters and start helping your communities and show some humanity instead of hurting it!
Nov 21st, 2009 at 9:26pm
Perfect example of the religious intolerance that the ACLU is fighting against.
And seriously? You people who are asking "what's so wrong about Christian teachers praying in school"-- THEY'RE WORKING AT A PUBLIC SCHOOL!!
Imagine being a Muslim and having to sit through some teacher going on and on about Jesus everyday. It's persecution, saying "Majority of Americans are Christians anyway" IS NOT A VALID REASON FOR PERSECUTION!
Then you'll probably ask "What does it hurt a Muslim student to humor a teacher leading a Christian prayer in school?" Why don't you ask the same question backwards:
"What would happen if a Muslim teacher tries to lead a class full of American students in Islamic prayer every day?" Would you want the ACLU to respond and sue them then?? If you answer "Yes" (and I know every Christian person in here would) then you're a hypocrite for not wanting the ACLU to do the same for Christian teachers.
Prayer is for the home. Keep it out of schools, period.
Nov 22nd, 2009 at 7:57pm
No you stupid idiots. This is America the land OUR fathers protected and WE the people, not some stupid foreigners should be able to pray in our Schools. If you don't like it LEAVE!
Get on your knees for once to pray not to suck!
Nov 23rd, 2009 at 3:34pm
Anon #26...How many generations back do your ancestors need to be US citizens before you are no longer a "foreigner"? My grandparents became US citizens? My father served in the military in WWII. Am I a citizen?
I say that the representatives of the State must confine prayer leading to church, home, and street corners. They may pray to themselves wherever the distraction does not put anyone else at risk.
Why do you insist I accept your efforts to convert me and mine to your mythology?
Nov 24th, 2009 at 1:10am
I suppose that when prayer (aka Christian values) was taken out of school, it was just a coincidence that the violence and bloodshed began. Don’t you see what you are doing to this country? Where you are leading our children? It’s on the news every day. In god we trust, it’s on the bills you have no problem spending. One nation, under god… we have always been that, now you are dividing us.
Nov 24th, 2009 at 3:53pm
Hello there.
Today I recieved an email containing the following:
"For those of you who aren't aware of them, the ACLU, (the American Civil Liberties Union) is the one suing the U.S. Government to take God, Christmas or anything Christian away from us. They represent the atheists and others in this war."
I've come to this website to look for more factual evidence, as I know that people can tend to exaggurate. I saw some myths refuted, but not this topic. I was wondering if someone could write an article about what the ACLU's take is.
Thanks,
M.
Nov 25th, 2009 at 5:38am
aclu sounds like a bunch of hipocritical assholes
Nov 27th, 2009 at 3:32pm
The hateful angry language from the so-called Christians would make me ashamed to admit to being a Christian if I were not aware that these people are angry about something else in their lives and they have to attack someone to vent their misery, just as they were commanded by Jesus (weren't they?)
It's easier and safer to spew venom at an organization that gives them the opportunity right here, instead of screaming at the wife, the husband, inlaws, children, boss, elected officials. Actually expressing frustration and anger to an individual is dangerous for these frustated anti-ACLU posters.
People whose language is incapable of expressing negativity without resorting to some of the ranting vulgarities i read here are to be pitied. Unless they decide to take up arms to make their points because some media propagandist tells them how right they are and how evil the ACLU is.
Some days one has to just marvel at the hostility.....
Nov 29th, 2009 at 11:25am
To #29 above (M) - my sentiments exactly.
Our Founding Fathers did one hell of a job in setting up our Constitution. (If you're a senior citizen, take a free U.S. history course at your local college; you'll be more interested now than when you were in school because it truly means something to us now that we've lived it.) Bottom line? Whatever your religious beliefs, always strive to be honest, kind, and vigilant. Remember, when we 'pass on,' we go alone; we're responsible only for ourselves and how we chose to live the life we were given.
Dec 3rd, 2009 at 1:41pm
Rob #28: Using your logic, it was BEFORE prayer was taken out of schools that people lynched blacks, denied them the right to vote, treated women like second-class citizens, etc. Therefore, praying in school caused whites, and men in particular, to mistreat women and minorities.
Dec 8th, 2009 at 2:01pm
Rob, my take is that as the wealth in this country became more unevenly distributed, the violence began. I can be proven correct as easily as you. Casual is not causal.
Nov 23rd, 2011 at 2:04pm
Cracking blog.