Official U.S. Military Bibles Being Sold

[n2doc]

Posted on: June 3, 2011 12:34 PM, by Ed Brayton

An active duty JAG officer in the Air Force writes to Mikey Weinstein:

I am an active duty Judge Advocate in the Air Force. I have been a financial supporter of MRFF since 2007 after I heard Mr. Weinstein speak at an Air Force Judge Advocates' conference at Lackland Air Force Base. Fortunately I have never personally been the subject of religious persecution since I joined the Air Force, however, I was always taught from a young age that religious tolerance is amongst the most important virtues in life. That is why I choose to make a yearly financial contribution to MRFF. With that in mind I was browsing today at the Andrews Air Force Base Exchange after lunch when I came across the following two books respectively entitled "The Airman's Bible," and "The Soldier's Bible." I do not object to the generic use of "Airman," and "Soldier," as these are terms that could apply to a member of any country's Air Force or Army respectively. What is disturbing about these volumes is that they so prominently feature the Department of the Air Force and Army seals. I find such conspicuous violation of the Joint Ethics Regulations and the Establishment Clause of the US Constitution shocking. It is a big step towards establishing the Holman Christian Standard Bible as the official religious text of the military services of the United States. I find it even more offensive that officials of AAFES have prominently displayed these books on the shelves of the BX of the home of our Commander in Chief. It is appalling that the the symbols of our military services, that represent the millions of lives sacrificed to defend our Constitution and freedoms, are being co-opted in such blatant manner. The work of the MRFF to end this injustice is appreciated.
http://scienceblogs.com/dispatches/2011/06/official_us_military_bibles_be.php

[NightWatcher]

1. being sold in the px is better than being issued

If it brings some soldier comfort, go for it. I preferred to buy playing cards and smokes at the px for comfort's sake

[qazplm]

2. not official

it looks more like the publisher has more or less stolen the copyrighted seals/coat of arms for use.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

6. Many do that...look at all the shirts, sweats, bags, towels etc with military symbols

Branch of service and others. Best I can tell there is no commercial restrictions on use of those "trademarks".

[TheWraith]

7. I believe those symbols are considered works of the US govt, and cannot be copyrighted.

By federal law, nothing produced by the US government can be copyrighted--it's automatically public domain.

[qazplm]

8. the services do copyright

their seals and whatnot.

[TheWraith]

9. I wasn't aware that they were able to do that. nt

[damntexdem]

3. And where are the Marine Corps Qurans?

No problem in having books available at the BX -- so long as ALL religions can make their books available.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

5. The exchanges are run with non-appropriated funds IIRC

and management has some say in what is carried. Under those circumstances it is not what the religions are making available, but what the store is choosing to carry driven by what sells.

[panader0]

4. I removed old furniture and installed new stuff

in several barracks here at Ft. Huachuca. I saw many of these bibles. I asked myself, why only bibles? Where's the other religious books. Apparently, the army is Christian only.

[Brother Buzz]

10. Were they Gideon Bibles?

Back in my days, the Gideons gave them to new recruits. Those things were cast off everywhere. I heard they were often used for rolling joints; desperate times called for desperate measures.