Friday, July 22, 2011

VA's Reaction To Censoring Veterans From Saying "Jesus" Or "God" Hits All Time Low

A Texas-based Christian law firm that defends First Amendment freedoms says the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' reaction to accusations of religious censorship at the Houston National Cemetery stoops to a "new low."

As previously reported on OneNewsNow, Liberty Institute has filed suit on behalf of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, and The National Memorial Ladies over allegations of religious hostility and unlawful censorship by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and its director of the Houston National Cemetery.

The suit accuses officials of closing the cemetery chapel and banning the words "God" and "Jesus" from prayers during veterans' burial services, unless families put their requests in writing and submit prayers for pre-approval. But in a brief filed in federal court, the VA denies the allegations.

"The Department of Veterans Affairs, instead of fixing this religious censorship ... and [its] continued dishonoring of veterans, [has] stooped to a new low, referring [to the veterans groups] now as liars," reports Hiram Sasser, Liberty Institute director of litigations. "And it's absolutely outrageous that they would attack these veterans, whose only thing they've ever done is that they have served our country well. And now, because these veterans have spoken up, [the Department of Veterans Affairs is] attacking these veterans and stooping to a new low. It's absolutely hideous."

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