THE SUPREMELY EVIL COURT RULES AGAINST RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Decision deals huge blow
to religious freedom in the military

Washington D.C. – The United States Supreme Court has denied First Liberty Institute’s appeal in the case of Lance Corporal Monifa Sterling, a U.S. Marine convicted at court-martial for refusing an order to remove an inspirational Bible verse from her workstation. 

Many observers considered it to be one of the most important cases in decades for religious freedom in the military. 

“Since the Court did not decide to review the case, the travesty committed below by the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces will now stand,” said Kelly Shackelford, President, CEO & Chief Counsel for First Liberty. “The military court’s outrageous decision means federal judges and military officials can strip our service members of their constitutional rights just because they don’t think someone’s religious beliefs are important enough to be protected. Our service members deserve better.”

BIBLE VERSE ORDERED REMOVED

United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal (LCpl) Monifa Sterling was convicted at a court martial after she refused to take down a paraphrase of an inspirational Bible verse (“No weapon formed against me shall prosper” from Isaiah 54:17). She had posted the verse in her workspace and reposted it after her supervisor removed it and threw it in the trash. 

After a trial court ruled against Sterling, she appealed to the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals, but the appeals court also ruled against her. First Liberty Institute stepped in and appealed Sterling’s case to the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF)— the highest military court. On August 10, 2016, the CAAF ruled against Sterling, denying her constitutional right to religious freedom. 

FIGHT FOR MILITARY RELIGIOUS FREEDOM GOES ON

The Supreme Court’s decision effectively ends this case. But it does not end First Liberty Institute’s efforts to defend religious freedom in the military and in every sector of American society.

In the past five years, First Liberty’s Military Affairs Division has successfully resolved five major matters vindicating the religious rights of service members and their families against violations of those rights. First Liberty is currently representing other service members.

One case involves retired Air Force veteran Oscar Rodriguez, physically assaulted and ejected from a colleague’s retirement ceremony because the speech he was invited to give included the word, “God.” Another involves Colonel Michael Madrid, an Air Force flight surgeon given a Letter of Admonishment apparently based on a misrepresentation of his Christian faith. 

TURNING THE SHIP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TAKES EFFORT

“When First Liberty jumped into the battle for religious freedom in the military four years ago, virtually nobody thought any of the five victories we have achieved were possible,” said Shackelford. “Many people thought religious freedom in the military was dead.”

“But today, because of the generosity of our supporters, the momentum is still on our side,” he asserted. “We had hoped the Court would review this case, but we will now work even harder to ensure our nation’s brave service members do not lose their religious freedom.”

Friends of religious freedom who desire to help First Liberty win for religious freedom in the U.S. military and elsewhere can make a tax-deductible donation now.

Thank you!

My comments: Here the Supremely Evil Court denies the Religious Liberty of a Military woman. The same Supremely Evil Court that Sanctioned Abortion and Same-Sex Marriage--That took Prayer out of America's Classrooms-- All of which are Against God and His Word. This is Supremely Evil!