Army Refuses to Provide Honor Guard for Church's July 4th Celebration | thebereancall.org

TBC Staff - EN

ARMY REFUSES TO PROVIDE HONOR GUARD FOR CHURCH'S JULY 4TH CELEBRATION

For nearly two decades, the U.S. Army has provided an honor guard for an Independence Day celebration at a Baptist church that predates the founding of the nation. But this year – that tradition has come to an end.

Officials at Fort Gordon say they will not be able to send an honor guard to a July 5th service at Abilene Baptist Church because it violates a military policy banning any involvement in a religious service.

“While there are conditions under which the Army can participate in events conducted at a house of worship, we cannot participate in the context of a religious service,” Public Affairs Officer J.C. Mathews told me.

He said officials at Fort Gordon as well as the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate reviewed the church’s request and determined they were in fact holding a “religious service.”

“As a result, the Army is not permitted to take part,” Mathews said.

That policy would be an offense to most churches in America – but it is especially offensive when you consider the Army just refused to provide an honor guard for a church whose first pastor was a chaplain in the Revolutionary Army.

Last year the Department of Defense gave permission for an honor guard to participate in Washington, D.C.’s gay pride parade – a historic first. An honor guard is also expected to march in the 2015 Capital Pride parade.

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/06/09/army-refuses-to-provide-honor-guard-for-church-s-july-4th-celebration.html