UPDATE “Atheists Demand Removal of Bible”

| September 25, 2019

missng man
The “Missing Man Table” at the center of a federal lawsuit in Manchester, New Hampshire. (Kristin Pressly/Manchester VA Medical Center)

ChipNASA sends us an update on Mikey Weinstein’s law suit against the Veteran’s Administration, over a “Missing Man” display at a VA facility in New Hampshire. He claims the Bible displayed at the facility violates the Constitution’s prohibition of government establishment of religion. Really?

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.


Mikey Weinstein, the founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), said the group has filed the suit on behalf of New Hampshire veteran James Chamberlain.

Weinstein, who declined to make Chamberlain available for an interview, said the VA is a federal agency and its display of the Bible is an “outrage.”

And now this:

Lawsuit over Bible in veterans hospital can move forward, judge says

By Rob DiRienzo

A lawsuit over a Bible on display at a memorial for POWs at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center can move forward, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

The ruling failed to end a months-long fight over a Bible display that prompted even Vice President Mike Pence to chime in.

The Bible, which sits on the “Missing Man Table” at the Manchester VA Hospital, was donated by a former POW in a German prison camp who is now 100 years old, the Union Leader reports.

But U.S. Air Force veteran James Chamberlain – who is a Christian himself – said it offended him every time he walked past it at the hospital and sued in May with the assistance of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. The organization also bought a billboard in downtown Manchester calling on President Trump and Vice President Pence to “Remove the Bible, Honor All Veterans.”


A billboard calling on President Trump, Vice President Pence, and the VA to take the Bible out of the hospital on display in downtown Manchester, N.H. (Rob DiRienzo | Fox News)

“Based upon Jim’s beliefs and his service to our country and his Christianity,” Chamberlain’s lawyer, Lawrence Vogelman, said outside the courthouse, “he thinks excluding people is just wrong.”

Judge Paul Barbadoro said in his decision not to toss the lawsuit that any case involving alleged religious freedom violation requires a “highly fact-specific analysis.” There was also a legal debate over whether or not Chamberlain could claim “injury” over the Bible’s presence since he himself is Christian. Vogelman argued that it was, in fact, a violation of his beliefs not to include other religions.

Thanks, ChipNASA. Mikey has all the morals and credibility of the Westboro Baptist Church’s Fred Phelps (1929-2014). The entire article may be viewed at Fox News

The “assault weapon” ban didn’t stop the [World Trade Center/Pentagon] terrorists, Brady checks didn’t stop them, the high capacity magazine ban didn’t. Right to Carry would have. If it had saved only one tower and the people in it, it would have been worth it. GUN CONTROL KILLS. — LTC Stasski, 9/11/01

Category: Guest Link, Legal, Politics, Religion

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11B-Mailclerk

“…nor prohibit the free expression..”

That prohibition includes the free expression of government employees. They do not lose that right by being employed.

Ex-PH2

I may have said this before: No one is forcing anyone to look at that Bible, right?

How much money is Whinestein trying to get out of this schtick this time?

Hondo

Hey, Mikey-boi has to do something in exchange for all that compensation his “foundation” pays him each year (in 2017, that was $288,434). And he has to do something to fill all those hours he “works” on his organization’s behalf. In 2017, that was reported to the IRS to be 105 hours weekly – or 15 hrs daily, 7 days a week.

https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/203967302/201832419349300013/IRS990

FWIW: that $288k salary in 2017 doesn’t appear to include travel costs or other benefits/taxes paid by the foundation on Mikey’s behalf. And it represents just under 40% of his “foundation’s” 2017 total revenue.

Oh, and did I mention that in 2017, about half ($359k) of Mikey-boi’s foundation’s income ($722,702) came from something called “government grants”? Yep. That means his foundation is getting nearly half its income, indirectly, from taxpayers who almost certainly have no idea they’re helping to fund his activities.

The situation was much the same in 2013.

https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/203967302/201412199349300136/IRS990

I’d guess the situation was much the same in 2014, 2015, and 2016 as well.

I guess running a “charity” like Mikey’s is one way to make a living – if you have a strong stomach and no shame, anyway. Personally, I’ll pass.

Ex-PH2

Thank you, Hondo, for your perceptive and detailed response to my inquiry.

3/10/MED/b

I am a little curious about Mr. Chamberlain’s record(s), and his sudden need for attention.

Butthurt by a Bible. I know what Whine/sign’s motives, but what is Jimmy’s primary malfunction?

5th/77th FA

Finally got my blood pressure back down to a reasonable level and now this dipsh^t whineystinie showed his aggravating azz up. I try to remember my Backsliding (Southern) Baptist upbringing, but damned if this SOB ain’t making me want to drop another EEF bomb. This sissy punk AND SCOTUS really needs to read and comprehend what the intent of that part of the FIRST Amendment means. And what’s up with this Chamberlain cat? I don’t think I’d like to be either one of them come Judgement Day… And yes, no matter your belief, there will come a Judgement Day. My 2 pennies opinion.

Used to be still serving

I’m an atheist. These militant atheists make me nauseated. I am not threatened or disturbed by the bible, a cross, the ten commandments, prayer or religious preaching. I don’t understand why these other atheists are. I understand that religion is an important part of society and free practice of religion is guaranteed by our great constitution.

Roh-Dog

This!

David

Why do they always seem to be Air Force…

Cameron Kingsley

And to think there are people out there who are foolish enough to believe that we need to get rid of the Constitution (I had the displeasure of meeting one of these clowns on Qoura who tried to use the excuse that it took a long time for amendments 13 thorugh 15 plus the 19th amendment to be added as to why it needs to be thrown out while completely ingnoring the fact that there is a way to edit it only it was made difficult on purpose so it can’t be easily butchered). Of course they never say what they want to replace it with (I wonder how they would feel if they replace it with something that can be changed, edited, and reinterpruted easily only to have the other side take control and decide that it needs to be changed in a way that he will not like).

SGT Ted

” I am not threatened or disturbed by the bible, a cross, the ten commandments, prayer or religious preaching. I don’t understand why these other atheists are.”

It’s because militant atheists are bigoted towards public expressions of religion. Normal atheists and agnostics recognize that allowing religious expression is inclusive by nature.

Perry Gaskill

Chamberlain needs to put on his big-boy pants. If he’s going through life being triggered every time he sees a bible, he’s either a hopeless neurotic or working an agenda.

Mikey’s lawsuit also continues a slippery slope. I’m reminded that at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco there’s an outdoor sculpture to honor those who died in the Holocaust. Just across the way, there’s also an equestrian statue of El Cid. Both have a fair amount of religious symbolism, and both are on city property:

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Since both works could arguably offend Muslims, it’s probably fair to ask if Mikey, who is Jewish, would want to get rid of both of them, or just the horse.

Personally, I happen to be offended lately by the sight of Greta Thunberg. Since I imagine she will pass on the sailboat back to Sweden, and choose to ride a little broom instead, I think a fair question to ask is if brooms should not be displayed in public buildings…

A Proud Infidel®™️

I’m sure that Greta Thunberg will soon join Cindy Sheehag and Bradley Manning on the ash heap of the left’s forgotten useful idiots!

Toxic Deplorable Racist B Woodman

Late to the party, but here’s my nickle.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”

So, show me the law that has your panties in a twist. Chapter and verse. No law? Your honor, I rest my case, and move to dismiss with prejudice. In Whineystein’s case, EXTREME prejudice.

Roh-Dog

As a card carrying member of the “Church of Atheists/Agonistics” that fat fuck is off-base as hell.
I recognize, because I’m a rational human with a brain, that Christianity is part of the history of America, so should a Bible be part of the display? A thousand times: YES!
Now, if XYZ religion wanted to add their book, I have no qualms.
If the table becomes littered with holy books, may I suggest a faux leather Cato Constitution and dogeared FM 7-8?
See, even this Infantryman has a bias and living mine would disenfranchise someone.
It’s called ‘reality’ Mikey, you can join whenever the fuck you want.

David

Why do they always seem to be Air Force…

David

Apologies for the double post.

26Limabeans

I’ll bet he steals bibles from hotel rooms.
Check his basement.

Pointyhead

One who shuns the Word of God about Jesus the Savior is no Christian. Just sayin…

Usafvet509

THIS

Ex-PH2

Can someone countersue Whinestein?

I should think a gift of an old family bible from a WWI vet or a WWII vet who was a POW is simply a gesture of faith and nothing else, certainly not an ad for recruiting anyone.

If we Episcopalians are lapsed Catholics and I”m not offended by this gift, then why does Whinestein have his undies in a bunch?

Money, people – it’s always about money. Always follow the money. That’s why someone should countersue this waste of his parents’ time in the sack.

NHSparky

On behalf of 1.3 million New Hampshire residents, eat a fat bag of dicks, Mikey.

Live Free or Die still means something to most of us.

Pointyhead

I wonder how many POWs came out of captivity as atheists?

Veritas Omnia Vincit

As one of the more vocal non-believers here, this is also a big nothing burger for me.

At no point in my life has a bible ever injured, harmed, or otherwise interfered with my life in any capacity. It provides no comfort, no discomfort, and no problem.

I am neither offended by a bible on a display for a missing man than I am by the presence of a cross in a military cemetery for veterans of wars long since passed.

I do not believe such displays are the government forcing me to accept any religion regardless of what some dipshit like Weinstein says.

As Jefferson would have said, it neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg thus there is no crime as I remain uninjured and unharmed by its presence.

Freedom means understanding others have the same freedoms as you and that sometimes you might see something that holds no value for you or even offends you, so what? There was never a guarantee you wouldn’t be fucking offended. Only that our government couldn’t force a religious test on you. This display bears none of that.

Mason

Precisely. Freedom of religion is not freedom from religion.

3/10/MED/b

I have found the followers of Christianity are the ones most likely to try to push their beliefs onto another. “Prostelytize” is the word I am looking for. Hope I spelled it right.
Start putting the Quoran, or the Menorah, or whatever Hindus, Buddhists, or Tibetian Monks use as their literature in a VA facility. See how that goes.
No disrespect to any religion. If you feel guilty, you know who you are.
If you don’t feel guilty, you know who you are as well.

Get the fuck over it.

b out

11B-Mailclerk

Marxists are far worse.

Tommer

Not a big fan of the koran since one ruined my septic system but I wouldn’t try to stop someone from having one. Need to tell this hater to p**s off.

Frankie Cee

Mikey Whinestein is a slimy, attention whore, piece of shit. That is all that I have to say about that.

HMCS(FMF) ret

Good to see you post, Frankie!

5th/77th FA

Welcome Home Frankie Cee “In the Clear”! Good to hear from you again.

And I agree with you wholeheartedly!

Frankie Cee

I have been both busy, and preoccupied with “other things”, keeping me from being here a lot. I will try to follow TAH a little closer. I have been in pretty good health, still getting GREAT care from the Pensacola VA JACC, and “VA Choice”, including getting my prime pain complaint of “Lower Back Pain” handled. The problem is my age, and I cannot reverse and become younger, but a very qualified primary care doctor does her best to keep me up and moving. We tried spinal shots that helped, but carry some risk. I settled for a 5% Lidocaine patch that does much t alleviate the continual pain. After being told 15 years ago that I wasn’t qualified for ear care, my doctor recommended me for, and I got hearing aids. They are a help and a hindrance, (I had forgotten about a lot of the noise until being reminded when I put them on. A few years ago, the VA Choice program got me a pacemaker that has given me “new life”. As is said: “I am in pretty good shape for the shape I am in.”. Getting old ain’t for sissies, but I am handling it, working through problems, and staying afloat.

Ex-PH2

Glad you’re back and feeling spiffy, Frankie. Stick around.

Frankie Cee

A week ago, I got told that the person who owns the place that I live at, commit my security/caretaker thing at, has a new plan and it doesn’t include me. Foolishly, I hadn’t been putting part of my Social Security income aside, and now must scramble to find the funds to buy another older, but usable travel trailer, (my preferred type of residence), as the one I have, (an old 1993 that is not structurally sound enough to move and set up again), must be replaced. I built a “Go Fund Me” to handle the immediate need, and should come out alright. I have a good network of neighborhood friends who are all looking for that next place for me, so things will work out in time.
But, now back to the Mikey Whinestein thing.