accused of censoring religious speech

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... zz1QhjhPCG
"Local veterans and volunteer groups accuse Department of Veterans Affairs officials of censoring religious speech — including the word "God" - at Houston National Cemetery.

In one example cited in documents filed this week in federal court, cemetery director Arleen Ocasio reportedly told volunteers with the National Memorial Ladies that they had to stop telling families "God bless you" at funerals and that they had to remove the words "God bless" from condolence cards.

"It's just unfair that somebody would ask us to take God out of our vocabulary," said Cheryl Whitfield, founder of Houston National Memorial Ladies."...............................



Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... z1QhzqFP8q

Shameful.

I have no problem with that prohibition. Those individuals are there as representatives of the government acting in a government capacity. They should not be pushing their religious beliefs in their government role. Note that there is no prohibition against individuals acting in their own to push their religious beliefs in that cemetery, only in their government role. Also, note that the VA does allow the use of religious symbols on their government provided tombstones, since those symbols are personal to the deceased, not as a government symbol.

Liberals use the government to hatefully hurt others, such as those who have lost loved ones in military action and those who served for the U.S.

What's wrong with "Bless you?"

major bean wrote: Liberals use the government to hatefully hurt others, such as those who have lost loved ones in military action and those who served for the U.S.

What if the relatives of a fallen soldier were atheists? A government representative comes up to them and, in their official capacity, says "God bless you." Harmless phrase, right? Perhaps in your opinion, but to the parents of that soldier, it may be extremely offensive and hurtful, however well meaning it may have been intended.

2wlady wrote: What's wrong with "Bless you?"

Nobody sneezed, someone died.

Something the Dog Said wrote: I have no problem with that prohibition. Those individuals are there as representatives of the government acting in a government capacity.

Bigger issue aside, in what universe are they "representatives of the government acting in a government capacity".

Kate wrote:

major bean wrote: Liberals use the government to hatefully hurt others, such as those who have lost loved ones in military action and those who served for the U.S.

What if the relatives of a fallen soldier were atheists? A government representative comes up to them and, in their official capacity, says "God bless you." Harmless phrase, right? Perhaps in your opinion, but to the parents of that soldier, it may be extremely offensive and hurtful, however well meaning it may have been intended.

ditto.

Kate wrote:

major bean wrote: Liberals use the government to hatefully hurt others, such as those who have lost loved ones in military action and those who served for the U.S.

What if the relatives of a fallen soldier were atheists? A government representative comes up to them and, in their official capacity, says "God bless you." Harmless phrase, right? Perhaps in your opinion, but to the parents of that soldier, it may be extremely offensive and hurtful, however well meaning it may have been intended.

Really, why would an atheist get hurt by someone's condolences expressed in the best way they know how to express them? My mother passed away a while back, and one of my relatives came up and after offering condolences ended with 'blessed be'. I didn't bite their head off or tell them they were offensive, I took it for what it was - an expression from their heart. I also don't get offended by an atheist NOT saying 'God Bless' even if they know I'm a christian.