American Atheists' Complaint Letter to the US Army

ATTN: 
The Honorable Leon Panetta

Secretary of Defense

1000 Defense Pentagon

Washington, DC 20301-1000 

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CC:
John M. McHugh, Secretary of the Army

101 Army Pentagon

Washington, DC 20310-0101

General Martin E. Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

9999 Joint Staff Pentagon

Washington, D.C. 20318-9999

General Raymond T. Odierno, Chief of Staff of the Army

1400 Defense Pentagon

Washington DC 20301-1400

To Whom It May Concern:

It has come to our attention that a chapel on Forward Operating Base Orgun-E in Afghanistan has been illegally modified to look like a church with a steeple and crosses etched on the doors. 

These modifications directly violate military regulations, including Army Regulation 165-1 (see enclosure). Chapels are a shared space, and no religion has more right to these buildings than any other. Soldiers with minority religious preferences and with no religious beliefs often feel like second-class citizens when Christianity is seemingly officially endorsed by their own base. We’re proud of all of our nation’s troops as they serve and defend the U.S. Constitution, and we rightfully insist that they all be treated equally, regardless of their religious affiliation. 

In 2011, the Pentagon faced a similar situation involving a cross at Camp Marmal.  They rectified the situation quickly (and commendably) by removing the cross to make the chapel comply with Army regulations.  We urge you to take similar measures as soon as possible.

I look forward to your response.

Very respectfully,

David Silverman

President, American Atheists, Inc.

Encl:

Excerpt from AR 165-1
Images of the chapel at FOB Orgun-E