Mike Berry, deputy general counsel and director of military affairs for First Liberty Institute, writes at the Daily Caller in defense of the ability of members of the Air Force to volunteer with the Salvation Army. Michael “Mikey” Weinstein had previously tried to lodge a complaint about the practice at Grand Forks AFB, ND.

Berry makes the point often made here: To single out a group, organization, or opportunity because of religion is to discriminate on the basis of religion, something the military cannot do [emphasis added]:

The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause requires government neutrality towards religion. Neutrality not only means the government cannot favor a particular religion, but the government likewise may not demonstrate hostility against religion either.

Yet that is precisely what the MRFF demands. The MRFF is so blinded by its own anti-religious hostility that it is willing to punish those who would volunteer their time to help provide services for those in need.

That last sentence may be too gracious.  Rather, it is entirely possible (in fact, likely) Mikey Weinstein isn’t blind to the needy when he fights to restrict the ability of Airmen to serve them.  Rather, Weinstein likely knows full well he’s harming the needy — but he considers them collateral damage in his “war” against Christians.  Weinstein is more than willing to sacrifice other people if that means he can score a victory against religious freedom — and gain more acolytes who will fund the lavish paycheck he gives himself from his “charity.”

To date, it appears Mikey Weinstein’s threats have fallen flat again.  Beyond a perfunctory reply about the volunteerism of US Airmen, it appears the Air Force has chosen to ignore him.

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