Editor's Note: CNN Pentagon Producer Jennifer Rizzo brings us this story.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - A watchdog group concerned with keeping apart religion and government is calling for the cancellation of an evangelical concert scheduled at Fort Bragg on Saturday.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State said the "Rock the Fort" event, put on by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, violates the Constitution and is targeting people for conversion.
"It's not the Army's job to convert Americans to Christianity," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. "This event is totally unacceptable and must be canceled."
The group sent a letter to Army officials on Thursday.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, established to support the ministries of Billy Graham and his son Franklin, would not comment on the event, which will feature Christian musicians and a separate children's program. A fact sheet published on the group's website says the event will be a "clear presentation of the Christian Gospel."
"Attendees will have an opportunity to respond to the Gospel Evangelistic message, be encouraged by Fort Bragg Chaplains and trained counselors from off post Churches and on post Chapels, and then be offered ongoing Biblical Spiritual Resiliency training at our military chapels and local churches," the information sheet said.
According to the association's web site, other "Rock the Fort" concerts were held at Fort Jackson, Kentucky, in June and Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, last October. Graham's organization is planning to hold another event at Fort Jackson later this year.
The event at Fort Bragg event will be different, however, because for the first time the event will be open to the entire community.
Fort Bragg's chaplain, Col. David Hillis, sent a letter to surrounding area churches to invite their congregations to the event and ask for help with its organization.
"Would you and your congregation join the Fort Bragg Unit Ministry Teams and me to be a crucial part of the success of this exciting outreach to the Fort Bragg community?" Hillis wrote.
Hillis defended the event in an interview, saying it was within the bounds of military rules and that attendance is totally voluntary. Hillis said soldiers are not obligated to go and that he would be willing to provide similar support if another faith wanted to hold a similar event on base.
In a message to earn support from the local churches, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association posted that their involvement in the event should increase the size of their "congregation."
"The Rock the Fort outreach is designed to channel new believers into your church, so you can encourage them to further spiritual growth. The future of the church lies in reaching and discipling the next generation," the post said.
Americans United claims this type of evangelizing is going too far. "The Army has no business entering into a partnership with evangelical churches to help them win new members," Lynn said.
– CNN Pentagon Correspondent Chris Lawrence contributed to this report
Posted by: The Editors - CNN Belief Blog Filed under: Church and state • Evangelical • Faith Now • Military We recommend var OutbrainPermaLink = '' + window.location; var OB_Template="cnn"; var OBITm = '1273410150772'; if ( typeof(OB_Script)!='undefined' ){ OutbrainStart(); } else { var OB_Script = true; document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='http://widgets.outbrain.com/OutbrainRater.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); } From around the web « Previous entryFourth lawsuit filed against Pastor Eddie Long soundoff (353 Responses) KateA fact sheet published on the group's website says the event will be a "clear presentation of the Christian Gospel."
"Attendees will have an opportunity to respond to the Gospel Evangelistic message, be encouraged by Fort Bragg Chaplains and trained counselors from off post Churches and on post Chapels, and then be offered ongoing Biblical Spiritual Resiliency training at our military chapels and local churches," the information sheet said.
NO NO NO
This event is intended as proselytizing, pure and simple, by their own words.
And Franklin Graham is not the sort of individual to inspire confidence.
Let him sponsor USO if he cares about the troops – not run a very specific and exclusionary religious program!
Just growlin'
September 24, 2010 at 7:55 pm | Report abuse | Reply David JohnsonI was going to post that about the fact sheet. You beat me to it.
This is not acceptable! Baby Jesus must go!
September 24, 2010 at 8:21 pm | Report abuse | dave perryafter over 21 years in the military, this absolutely amazes me...when i was in(iretired in1986), prosylzation was the furthest thing from a chaplains mind. we had non-denominational services and everyone regardless of religious belief was welcome. It seems to me, this is a blatant violation of the church/state doctrine, as well as putting undue pressure on the american serviceman/woman that they don't need. yet agaiin another person with no military experience makes decisions that affect the military...franklin graham and the rest need to butt out...i assure you, there are no athesits in foxholes
September 24, 2010 at 8:43 pm | Report abuse | Lee HaskellSo what? No one is forced to go or accept a religious belief. If the troops want to attend a spiritual event, they can. Faith helps. There is no law against that. If the Jews or Muslims want to host a similar event, they can. This does not overly entangle the government in affairs of religion at all. You could even host your version of a separation of church and state event. People in our country are free to worship on public land, and use the same just as a secular group could. You would take away that right. Why should a faith-based group have less rights than the USO?
September 24, 2010 at 8:51 pm | Report abuse | Kate@Lee Haskell
Since when was a military reservation pubic land?
You're trying to dodge the whole issue by trying to make it sound like it's about "denying" rights – the simple fact is, USO ain't proselytizing for one particular religion (in context, one sect to boot), whereas everything the Graham organization says is that the event is designed to do exactly that.
Now think about it – why would they be evangelizing to evangelical Christians? How would they be "expanding" congregations with people who are already part of congregations?
They wouldn't – it's designed and intended to create converts. Which is all well and good except the Government is barred from supporting that.
Now maybe the padre who put this together isn't aware of just what the Graham organization intends, maybe he is. But that doesn't remove the fact that it's essentially evangelical Christians being invited onto a base to hold an event with the intention on their part to convert people. Which means they'll want the people who wouldn't want to be there (the ones they'll really want to convert) in attendance.
And we know how unit cohesion and standing with your oppos plays as pressure to conform in green.
No-one's saying the Franklin organization can't hold an event – the problem is they're going to hold their event with the goal of gaining converts, on base, with mandatory attendance (implied or enforced), paid for by the US Army, hosted by the US Army, monitored by the US Army.
Voluntary is a red herring.
Just sayin'
September 24, 2010 at 9:07 pm | Report abuse | KerriSo what? There are churches on bases, where the gospel is preached. The point is that no one is REQUIRED to go, so there is no problem with there being an event.
September 24, 2010 at 9:26 pm | Report abuse | patI wonder if the chaplain, who said they would be happy to welcome "other congregations" to the base, would welcome Wiccans or Muslims, Buddhists or Hindus. I'm sure he would come up with a thousand excuses. This event should not be taking place! Let Brother Graham go do his recruiting somewhere else.
September 24, 2010 at 9:28 pm | Report abuse | AmyersSeparation of church and state means that the government will not impose any religion on any citizen. It does not mean that there cannot be any Christian or Muslim or Buddhist or Hindu concerts any where near government personnel. It's funny to me that anit-Christians don't have a problem using our humanitarian volunteers when they are in trouble anywhere in the nation or world but feel so threatened by a concert. If someone is offended by Christianity, they can avoid the concert, just as I would avoid anything Anti-Christian. Put your efforts into something worthwhile for a change. Why don't you help someone instead of doing everything you can against people who try to help people, Christian or not.
September 24, 2010 at 9:43 pm | Report abuse | NoWayThis sort of activity by a 'chaplain' is not what I want to defend. Music is music – keep your trap shut and paper garbage off this post.
September 24, 2010 at 9:46 pm | Report abuse | BradVoluntary attendance and the "chance to respond to the Gospel Evangelistic message". Oh, the humanity!
September 24, 2010 at 9:48 pm | Report abuse | doug"If the Jews or Muslims want to host a similar event, they can." Ah...yeah....right.
September 24, 2010 at 9:55 pm | Report abuse | DebThis is a positive event for the soldiers, their families, and the community to go to. If Americans United are so concerned about it why don't they organize a positive event instead of stirring up controversy.
September 24, 2010 at 10:04 pm | Report abuse | Kate@Deb
Likewise, if this is as harmless as is claimed, what's wrong with moving it to outside the gate somewhere? Why does it have to be on-base? They opened it to the public, so it ain't just for the military. Someone trying to make a point maybe?
Just wonderin'
September 24, 2010 at 10:10 pm | Report abuse | Noble9Why does the military pay christian chaplains anyway? Clergy members should not be on a government payroll.
September 24, 2010 at 10:22 pm | Report abuse | Dave MeumannGive God a chance-you might be suprised.
September 24, 2010 at 10:24 pm | Report abuse | DebHonestly, does it really matter whether or not it is held on base? There are much more important things to worry about in this world. As a military spouse and mother of two small children, I appreciate all of the positive, family oriented events they hold on the many bases we have been stationed at- whether it's a circus, sesame street live, a secular concert, or Christian concert. People need to relax and stop being afraid of something harmless.
September 24, 2010 at 10:29 pm | Report abuse | Billim curious... in what way is this exclusionary ... and that said ... soldiers have the right to worship as they see fit and if they want to worship with a concert on their base then they have that riht....just as an islamic concert should be allowed and welcomed or jewish or hindo or buddhist concert ... this is their base and their home and they can whatever musive they choose ....to deny them that right is to deny them rights under the first amendement.
September 24, 2010 at 10:30 pm | Report abuse | TODDExclusionary? Who is being excluded? I didn't see where certain groups of people were told not to come.
September 24, 2010 at 10:59 pm | Report abuse | terina@ kate and deb
having lived at fort bragg and been around in fayetteville, there really isn't a venue large enough to host something like this. that could be the reason. and considering there aren't any other really large cities close to it that would have a venue big enough.....maybe it was just the only place there was room enough. lame reason, but it's a possibility.
September 24, 2010 at 11:05 pm | Report abuse | SNKETRI like it when people who are not in the Military think their opinion matters to people who are in the Military.
September 24, 2010 at 11:10 pm | Report abuse | Bob BalesKate: It is about denying rights. Those who want to cancel the concert want to deny the soldiers the right to attend a concert they want to attend. I read below about soldiers being punished for refusing to attend a concert. This is also wrong.
September 24, 2010 at 11:18 pm | Report abuse | RobThe US Army is all twisted when it comes to religion. First off I'm in the Army and have been for 8 years, the Chaplains are all officers and in order for this kind of brainwashing religious garbage to take place on Federal land; they have to get permission from the Post Commander. There is no such thing as optional in the military, if they want you go to they WILL force you. If you don't go then there are plenty of ways for them to punish soldiers. I'm all about freedom of religion but this is pushing religion in you face and trying to convert you. I'm sick and tired of people throwing all this religious fantaticsm around. If they want to community concert then go to a neighborhood park and put on the show. This is about a sanctioned, supported, and endorsed religious revival event, on-base, but according to Army Regualtions this is not allowed. Only authorzied concert events allowed on base are the one sponsored through MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) and USO. This concert is neither.
September 25, 2010 at 2:00 am | Report abuse | GlennThe even the United Nations recognizes men, women, and children have physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. Denying avenues for fulfillment of these needs would signify a loss of touch with reality.
September 25, 2010 at 2:36 am | Report abuse | Richard in txAnyone forced to attend? Then not a problem.
September 24, 2010 at 8:08 pm | Report abuse | Reply Yes_Dearhttp://www.google.com/search?q=Soldiers+punished+for+not+attending+christian+concert
September 24, 2010 at 8:45 pm | Report abuse | caveman73It is on Gov. property through the Army there for it is a no no. They wanna hold an event like this they can do it elsewhere same for any other religious BS.
September 24, 2010 at 9:03 pm | Report abuse | Brad@ Yes Dear THIS is not punishment. These so-called men are in the US Army. I assume they have cleaned a few toilets before this event.
Those of us that chose not to attend (about 80, or a little less that half) were marched back to the company area. At that point the NCO issued us a punishment. We were to be on lock-down in the company (not released from duty), could not go anywhere on post (no PX, no library, etc). We were to go to strictly to the barracks and contact maintenance. If we were caught sitting in our rooms, in our beds, or having/handling electronics (cell phones, laptops, games) and doing anything other than maintenance, we would further have our weekend passes revoked and continue barracks maintenance for the entirety of the weekend. At that point the implied message was clear in my mind "we gave you a choice to either satisfy us or disappoint us. Since you chose to disappoint us you will now have your freedoms suspended and contact chores while the rest of your buddies are enjoying a concert."
September 24, 2010 at 9:44 pm | Report abuse | William @ Ft. Bragg (Fayetteville, NC)@ Yes_Dear: Sometimes in the military, you are forced to do something you don't want to do, in order to keep you from doing something you REALLY don't want to do.–William
September 24, 2010 at 11:04 pm | Report abuse | Wyn"Hillis said soldiers are not obligated to go and that he would be willing to provide similar support if another faith wanted to hold a similar event on base." Pure bull. Lets see him support a Muslim event there. Then suddenly we'd here the same people quoting the other side, stating that they shouldn't be doing anything religious on grounds. I fully agree with the first commenter, it's pure proselytizing and it should not be allowed.
September 24, 2010 at 8:14 pm | Report abuse | Reply HotAirAceSo, Johnny Be Good, are you saying muslims should not be allowed to serve in the US military? In anticipation of a "yes", any other groups you think should be barred? May as well get all the bigotry out all at once...
September 24, 2010 at 8:50 pm | Report abuse | robertJohnny be good, is just the sort of religious fascist the world should be afraid of. It isn't Islam or Judaism or even Christianity on their own, it those people of faith who are unwilling to share the world with people who believe differently. This is no different than what happened in Germany in the 1930's. Contrary to what the religious extremist will tell you, it was the German Christians looking to purify Germany that put Hitler in power. Johnny be good stands waiting for his own Hitler to appear so he can put him into power and purge the US of non-whites and non-Christians. Hopefully we will have learned from the past and marginalize lunatics like him rather than support him.
September 24, 2010 at 9:14 pm | Report abuse | RazorMuslims definitley should not serve in the US army...grab a brain...the wars going on in the world are becasue of Islam...
September 24, 2010 at 10:42 pm | Report abuse | HotAirAceYou are almost correct, but not quite. Most of the wars, past and present, were/are because of *religion* – christianity and islam just happen to have the modern day distinction of being involved in most, against each other or more perplexingly, within their own sects.
September 24, 2010 at 10:59 pm | Report abuse | CJYou guys need to stay off of any military installation, you have no knowledge what military life is about or do you need to. Military members have the right to view and part take in any type of activity just as long it is not de-meaning the president or invoking revolt. CNN and all of the other media has impacted our government, military and our free society with your rambling. You need to get out of the picture.
September 24, 2010 at 8:16 pm | Report abuse | Reply Kate@CJ
Cute, but you're quoting the uniform regs for off-base activities. This is about a sanctioned, supported, and endorsed religious revival event, on-base.
When you've got a little more experience in green than playing Call of Duty 2, then come back and pull the long bow. You're just looking for a cause to hang yer hat about the media on right now.
A Marine just notin'
September 24, 2010 at 8:22 pm | Report abuse | avenger206These soldiers have the same right to a Muslim concert where they hand out Kurans and convert them to Islam. Something tells me you would take issue with that. Along with all the other radical Christian GOPers.
September 24, 2010 at 8:34 pm | Report abuse | MarkI agree with Katie, I don't hear any real life experience in this one, just a kid jumping on the band wagon – call us back when you hit 40
September 24, 2010 at 8:36 pm | Report abuse | lurkerPartially copied from the Flame Warriors site:
Centurion tries to gain tactical advantage in battle by asserting that he is, or was at one time, in the military. He affects the brusque demeanor and clipped style of a drill sergeant, and intimidates opponents by sprinkling his messages with military verbiage and obscure acronyms. He reinforces weak arguments by constantly reminding other Warriors that he has "done his duty", or "served his country".
September 24, 2010 at 8:37 pm | Report abuse | swansboroThank you, CJ, I have lived right beside Ft. Bragg all my 51 years of life. If you have no knowledge of life on a military base and communities that live side by side, you should not comment on something you don't know. Ft. Bragg families and single military personnel come to Fayetteville and worship at their chosen faith, their children go to school with our children. In essence we are neighbors, friends in "our" community, the community is Fayetteville/Ft. Bragg we are one. We attend fireworks on 4th of July on base, Octoberfest and other activities that Ft. Bragg put on for their families and ours. I am sure all personnel on Ft, Bragg know that they choose what events they want to attend, and nothing is forces on anyone. At the present time of all the awful things that are happening in the world, Ft. Bragg families always have our love and support of Fayetteville and the rest of North Carolina. I don't think anyone has to worry about the intelligent and brave people in our military, and any event that proves to be something military will enjoy, should not be judge by people who are not in their shoes. God Bless Our Military!
September 24, 2010 at 9:08 pm | Report abuse | Penny GraysonThanks, CJ, and Lee. You make sense. Since when can't a chaplain do his job? What are chaplains for? Rabbis, imams, priests, pastors, they should be free to do what they get paid to do. God bless our military. Let the troops take a vote! And everyone else butt out.
September 24, 2010 at 9:13 pm | Report abuse | Kate@Penny Grayson
Any OC who lets his troops take a vote deserves to be relieved of duty on the spot.
Just sayin'
September 24, 2010 at 9:18 pm | Report abuse | CritterJust let me introduce your C-in-C, he is not only your Commander-in-Chief, but he is also the Executive Officer of the United States Constltution and our President.
Did that "Constltution" part catch yer eye? HE will tell you, as will the Joint Chiefs, SecDef, Legal Counsel to the White House, and everybody from God on down to that feller over there by the fencepost, THAT YOU CANNOT DO THAT ON A MILITARY BASE IN THESE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
I don't know if yelling helps, but it cleared my throat a bit. Any Christian pukes wanna scrap over this, I've got the ammo and you don't. A strategic retreat is in order on your part. Just a practice drill, is what I'm bettin', but, eh, we'll see....
September 24, 2010 at 9:23 pm | Report abuse | ScottHey Kate, I'm green – I'm a jarhead like you, so I figure I've got just as many dogs in this fight. This event is entirely legal. It is not required that soldiers attend. I'm assuming that you've never set foot in a chapel outside of boot camp, so let me clue you in on a little secret. Every chapel service I've been to involves proselytizing THOSE WHO ATTEND. I know, because I played in a chapel worship band, and helped the Chaplain coordinate many such events. In the fleet, no one is forced to attend chapel. Therefore, no one is forcefully proselytized. If you have such a righteous beef with expressions of religion on post, I suggest you start your own group – religion haters or Buddhists or whatever. Your command is obligated to allow you to practice your beliefs (or lack thereof) as long as they don't interfere with the mission. If you don't like it, don't go. It's that simple.
September 25, 2010 at 1:52 am | Report abuse | smtwnguyAs long as taxpayers are paying the bills for the military,I believe they have a huge say !
September 25, 2010 at 2:08 am | Report abuse | Just my thoughtsWouldn't it be neat if CNN got this worked up over Black Panthers intimidating voters on Election Day?
September 24, 2010 at 8:28 pm | Report abuse | Reply chrisCould you people whine and cry about a single event that occurred one day in an isolated situation any more?
Let's compare that singular, isolated situation of so-called intimidation to the years and years and years of christians trying to shove their beliefs down the rest of the world's throats.
Sorry, not having it. And clinging to one isolated incident of racism doesn't justify the decades of christian indoctrination that has gone on in a nation where our forefathers specifically called for separation of church and state.
September 24, 2010 at 8:43 pm | Report abuse | William @ Ft. Bragg (Fayetteville, NC)Grow up. If you don't like it...don't come. All persons are invited...NONE of my Soldiers are being pushed, pulled, or dragged to this event. Stay as long as you want...leave when you're ready. I don't hear of the "Americans United for Separation of Church and State" complain when other concerts come to installations representing the religion of 'non-religion', atheism, wiccan, agnostic, or any other belief/faith by the artists actions, music, or suggestive lyrics. Those of us in the military are big boys & girls...we can take care of ourselves and make our own decisions....we can operate multi-million dollar pieces of equipment and make multiple split-second, life or death decisions at the age of 18...or fly a fighter jet or helicopter at 25....i'm sure we can decide by ourselves if we want to attend a concert or hear a message. Go fight a real battle...try Afghanistan.
September 24, 2010 at 8:28 pm | Report abuse |Read Full Article »