Gate guards at Robins Air Force Base ordered to stop telling visitors to 'have a blessed day'

foxnews.com ^ | March 12, 2015

[ilovesarah2012]

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. – Gate guards at an Air Force base in central Georgia have been ordered to stop telling visitors to "have a blessed day." In an email to The Associated Press, Robins Air Force Base spokesman Roland Leach confirmed Thursday that the order has been given. A man who identified himself as an active duty military member posted on the Military Religious Freedom Foundation website that Robins personnel have told him to have a blessed day more than a dozen times in the past two weeks. The organization's president, Mikey Weinstein, said on the group's website that he spoke with base officials and was told that staff would no longer use the greeting. Weinstein said base officials told him that gate guards will now say "have a nice day" instead.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

The US Constitution is intended as a secular document, not inconsistent with the subsequent First Amendment. But apparently some things that have to be said, just come out in non-secular terms:

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

and

Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven

(now who might “our Lord” refer to in that context?)

and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth

are noticeable examples.

[crusadersoldier]

I know the PR person at Robbins they just published this:
Robins Air Force Base
Air Force Statement on “Have a Blessed Day” greeting

We are a professional organization defended by a professional force. Our defenders portray a professional image that represents a base all of Middle Georgia can be proud of.

78th Security Forces members have been asked to use the standard phrase “Welcome to Team Robins” in their greeting and can add various follow-on greetings as long as they remain courteous and professional.

The Air Force takes any expressed concern over religious freedom very seriously. Upon further review and consultation, the Air Force determined use of the phrase “have a blessed day” as a greeting is consistent with Air Force standards and is not in violation of Air Force Instructions.

[Maudeen]

Someone has some common sense at this base.

[exit82]

I am constantly amazed how much power Mikey Weinstein has over the Air Force.

[Mr. Blond]

Can they say “Blessed be?” One is too close to the other for my taste.

[jlindseyx42]

I’m curious. What exactly is a ‘blessed day’ ? Should you be one of the many who are not raped, tortured or worse, does that constitute a ‘blessed day’ ? How does God determine those few who will be raped, tortured or worse ? When a 7 year old child is the only survivor of a plane crash that kills 500, how do those of you who say ‘Thank God, it’s a miracle !’, square this circle ? The other 500 deserved to die agonizing deaths ? I’m just curious.

[Kirkwood]

Are you done ranting?

[X Fretensis]

I disagree. This is a sentry post on a military installation. That sentry is not a Wal-Mart Greeter. All that needs to done is examine the ID, if valid, wave the individual through, if an officer, come to attention, salute and wave them through. No need for cutsie saying like have a nice day, Thank you for your service or have a good one etc. Simple direct execution of the military duty required is all should be done.

[ilovesarah2012]

It’s a step above “have a nice day”.

Maybe they should just say “eff you” to everyone who comes through the gate.

As for your other questions, you will probably have to wait until to get to Heaven and ask God yourself.

[ilovesarah2012]

Apparently not everyone agrees with you.

I remember when America was a free country and people were not perpetually offended. I liked that America a lot more.

[X Fretensis]

As did I