Marine court-martialed for refusing to remove Bible verse

Foxnews.com/opinion ^ | 5-26-2015 | Todd Starnes

[servo1969]

A United States Marine was convicted at a court-martial for refusing to remove a Bible verse on her computer – a verse of Scripture the military determined “could easily be seen as contrary to good order and discipline.”

The plight of Lance Corporal Monifa Sterling seems unbelievable – a member of the Armed Forces criminally prosecuted for displaying a slightly altered passage of Scripture from the Old Testament: “No weapon formed against me shall prosper.”

Sterling, who represented herself at trial, was convicted February 1, 2014 in a court-martial at Camp Lejune, North Carolina after she refused to obey orders from a staff sergeant to remove the Bible verses from her desk.

She was found guilty of failing to go to her appointed place of duty, disrespect toward a superior commissioned officer, and four specifications of disobeying the lawful order of a noncommissioned officer.

The Christian Marine was given a bad conduct discharge and a reduction in rank from lance corporal to private.

Both lower court and the appellate court ruled that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act did not apply to her case because displaying a Bible verse does not constitute religious exercise.

[servo1969]

Here's the thing- I absolutely agree that Christians are being persecuted by this administration, especially in the military. I think it's wrong the way she was treated. I have one problem with her situation: It's not her computer or desk. It's the US Government's desk. If they tell you to remove personal stuff off your desk or their computer you do it. Even if you're being singled out. Its not your property. I don't think this particular hill was a good one to die on. Not this specific case, anyway.

[EQAndyBuzz]

Change the message to gay marriage and see if the same result occurs.

I bet no.

[ClearCase_guy]

What you say is true.

[Jan_Sobieski]

Place an Koranic verse regarding the slaughter of Christians and Jews and I will be it still gets no attention ;-(

[ErnBatavia]

We learned around week 2 of USMC Boot Camp that the military is not a democracy.

[notdownwidems]

I learned that day 1 of navy boot camp

[Secret Agent Man]

Further democracies suck compared to constitutional republics.

Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what’s for dinner. We are facing this problem in our country much more now.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Well put.

[GeronL]

So, cross-dressing and sharing bunks and tranny shows and parades are fine... wow

[Secret Agent Man]

Tthanks, not sure if it was Franklin who said this or another founder. Lots of people have said this or other similar analogies. :)

[Talisker]

Both lower court and the appellate court ruled that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act did not apply to her case because displaying a Bible verse does not constitute religious exercise.

[Disambiguator]

displaying a Bible verse does not constitute religious exercise.

If that doesn't, what does?

[Semper Mark]

Sterling, who represented herself at trial,...

Well, IMO that was a mistake.

[DiogenesLamp]

This document needs to go at the top of every one of these such threads. It demonstrates the LIE! that has been passed off on us.

[faithhopecharity]

Obama scores a two-fer. Attacks Christians and further lowers military morale - at the same time.

[OftheOhio]

As an old Marine this wants me to go down there and slap some sense into some people. My time in the Marines we were encouraged to have some religion.

[Amendment10]

"If they tell you to remove personal stuff off your desk or their computer you do it."

I agree. Romans 13:1 teaches that God has established all authority, God’s command not to sin taking precedence over everything.

As you indicated, it was not a good hill to die on.

[GingisK]

If that doesn't, what does?

Lopping off heads.

[SECURE AMERICA]

I sure do miss when we had leaders like Reagan. We would be having major changes in our top ranking officers in the military if this shit would have happened on his watch

[manc]

OK to have rainbows and homosexual crap though I bet.