Shelbyville Times-Gazette

More Attacks on Faith, Christian's Must Unite and Stand Strong!

Posted Tuesday, November 13, 2007, at 8:51 PM
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Have you ever been to the funeral of an honored veteran or a serviceman or woman killed in action? You probably left the proceedings awestruck with the tradition, reverence and precision of the ceremony presented on behalf of a grateful nation.

In the same way our money is inscribed with the words, "In God we Trust," and the Ten Commandments are included in a mural in the U.S. Supreme Court Building, our nation's Judeo-Christian heritage is significant to the traditions and ceremony of military funerals. Who in their right mind would want to change that?

Causalities from Iraq and Afghanistan, along with the increasing number of World War II and Korean War veterans who have died over the last few years, have recently brought more attention to the particulars of these venerable proceedings. So it is with little surprise that "in this day and age" someone made a stink over a recitation with religious references that was incorporated into the familiar flag folding ceremony at some our nation's military cemeteries. "Foul," the malcontents cried. "We can't be mixing God business and military business." Can't we? Even if it's what the fallen hero's family wants?

The Brass at the National Cemetery Administration's headquarters unfortunately decided to side with the malcontents, sending out a directive that at national graveyards, any references to God during any portion of the burial proceedings, including the folding and presentation of the American flag, should be discontinued.

Veterans groups were justifiable outraged. U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., in fact, quickly sent a letter to President Bush asking that the decision be overturned. Wrote Lamborn, "If they (families) choose to invoke the name of God, Jesus Christ, or any reference to the Almighty, government should not interfere…" Additional Congressional action is gaining support.

While the recitation at the heart of the hubbub was apparently never a part the original significance behind the 13 flag folds, the words have been repeated at thousands of military burials. Many families have found comfort in these words that reference the valued role of the Christian and Hebrew citizen in our nation. Indeed, if ever there was a time when the role of faith was more needed as part of our national dialogue, it is when we contemplate the sacrifice of our service personal.

Americans have the freedom from religion, but they also have freedom of religion.

The song God Bless America comes to mind, maybe it is time that America blessed God.

They want him off the money, off the national monuments, out of schools, apart from Christmas and everything else.

They may accomplish all that, but the one place they can't take him from is my heart for I will die for my Saviour as he died for me.

I am still proud to be an American, but not the path that she is taking.

Joshua 24:15 As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.

This will be done no matter what laws or persecutions that may be enforced.

Comments
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You go TN.Moonshiner and please don't let this so- called Christians stop you from commenting we all need to stick together.

-- Posted by michaelbell on Fri, Nov 23, 2007, at 7:44 PM

To answer you'r question, No I don't make the decision who goes to hell. the people who denounce GOD do a pretty good job of it. I just wish the christians would stand up for their right to worship, and the right to display GOD'S word in schools,government and to the world. my gripe is if we offend some one with GOD they want GOD taken away. By the way I have driven a truck over the road for 30 years and the tn.moonshiner handle was given me because I am from east tennessee where my ancestory was in moonshine. my friends gave that to me . I assure you I do not drink smoke or any other thing GOD'S word tells me not to do. I am proud to serve my { Lord Jesus Christ} my one and only savior. and yes we are all GOD'S children, and we are supposed to love each other and lift one another up in prayer, as I do daily and several times daily instead of talking or thinking bad of some one let us pray. I had no idea my c-b radio handle would have such a questionable responce. It does'nt matter what people think of me!all that matters is my relationship with GOD! My ultimate goal is to go to heaven. This is the last time I will respond to this conversation. My faith is in GOD!

-- Posted by tn.moonshiner on Fri, Nov 23, 2007, at 7:03 PM

I didn't judge you, I asked you a question... But the usual, no answers...

-- Posted by darrick_04 on Tue, Nov 20, 2007, at 2:25 PM

To respond to Darrick_04

You don't even know me, so how can you question my faith by my signature. that has been my e-mail address for years so being you don't know where I stand with GOD.you should not judge me that is certainly not a christian attitude. and as far as any one person taking "In GOD We Trust" off our money it is not one person we have to worry about it is the whole movement of the offencive of GOD'S WORD.

-- Posted by tn.moonshiner on Sun, Nov 18, 2007, at 8:48 PM

There is no decision on my part who is going to hell if you read GOD'S word it tells you plain as day the the ways to heaven and hell and these people are not living by the word of GOD so you dont judge me [LOL]

-- Posted by tn.moonshiner on Sun, Nov 18, 2007, at 8:36 PM

Yeah, plus the moniker of "tn.moonshiner" really doesn't conjure up for me any form of Christian attitude or beliefs . . . seems more of the opposite.

-- Posted by jaxspike on Fri, Nov 16, 2007, at 12:04 PM

We are all GOD'S children no matter what the radicals think. I would like to hear them all when the realize they are certainly going to hell.-- Posted by tn.moonshiner on Thu, Nov 15, 2007, at 6:55 PM

LOL... We are ALL God's children and we do NOT decide who is going to hell. Do you? Hmm, I don't think any one person is going to take "In God We Trust" off of the currency. After all, the "U.S. Dollar" circulates throughout the entire world and over 60% of it circulates in countries besides our own.

By your name, I wonder how much of "In God We Trust" is spent on things that doesn't please god? I mean, seriously, credit cards and checks don't say "In God We Trust" but nobody seems to have a problem using those...

-- Posted by darrick_04 on Thu, Nov 15, 2007, at 9:55 PM

You go Mr. Bell! We are all GOD'S children no matter what the radicals think. I would like to hear them all when the realize they are certainly going to hell. The next time GOD is taken out of our lives because of the offended,think about who let it happen! Did you vote for them?

-- Posted by tn.moonshiner on Thu, Nov 15, 2007, at 6:55 PM

Yup.

-- Posted by darrick_04 on Thu, Nov 15, 2007, at 5:43 PM

I agree Brian . . . it's hard to disagree with something when you dont know exactly what they stand for or what the whole issue is about. As a moderate, I try to look at both sides and make my decision based on what seems more logical for me.

I can understand someone who doesnt want religion pushed on them if they dont believe but the family of those soldiers who wish to have a religious burial should have the right to do so . . . considering the soldier gave his life for this country for freedom and the rights we have and the family has lost someone very dear to them. They should be able to have any kind of funeral service they want.

-- Posted by jaxspike on Thu, Nov 15, 2007, at 2:30 PM

I like to read all sides. It broadens your view of things.

-- Posted by Brian Mosely on Thu, Nov 15, 2007, at 9:46 AM

It's been the talk of many conservative sites as of late.

-- Posted by Brian Mosely on Wed, Nov 14, 2007, at 9:12 AM

No wonder I have never heard of it.

-- Posted by darrick_04 on Thu, Nov 15, 2007, at 8:15 AM

I have a friend who works for a group called "The Center for Moral Clarity" he sent me the highlights of the story in a E-Mail.

-- Posted by michaelbell on Wed, Nov 14, 2007, at 2:51 PM

I went to a military funeral in mid-October in Chattanooga...complete silence while folding the flag. This was the first military funeral I've ever attended so I assumed that was the way it was supposed to be.

I would have liked to have heard the recitation.

-- Posted by pleasebenice on Wed, Nov 14, 2007, at 1:48 PM

It's been the talk of many conservative sites as of late.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,3061...

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/ca...

-- Posted by Brian Mosely on Wed, Nov 14, 2007, at 9:12 AM

What was your source for this story?

-- Posted by nathan.evans on Wed, Nov 14, 2007, at 8:58 AM

I think it is despicable for the government to do this! Personally I feel if a family or the individual being honored does not want God in their service, then they should be able to request a different service, but on the same note I feel that those that want God included in the service should have it.

I recently attended a military funeral service in early October and I was so in awe and so proud to be an American and believer in God. I'm glad that the service still included the flag folding and the presenting of that flag to my sister on behalf of a grateful nation.

I for one will be praying that our government gets it right and puts this back into military services.

William

-- Posted by HorseGentler on Wed, Nov 14, 2007, at 5:46 AM

View From the Crossroads

Michael Bell

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