God willing, we will TEAR DOWN the anti-Christian policy first enacted under the Obama administration that declared Christians in the U.S. military to be “extremists” who need to be eradicated from the military. Now this Obama-era policy is being used to remove an Idaho Army National Guard commander from his post.

Help Liberty Counsel END the military’s anti-Christian rule AND HAVE YOUR IMPACT doubled by a special year-end Challenge Grant.

Our brave military members are still under attack. For over two years during the COVID panic, the U.S. military tried to rob service members of their right to religious freedom. Liberty Counsel interceded on behalf of thousands of service members, forcing Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Lloyd Austin to rescind his unlawful shot mandates and illegal attempts to punish those who refused to give up their religious freedom rights. We are now standing up for an Idaho Army National Guard officer who was relieved of his command because of his Christian beliefs. On his private social media account, Officer John Doe* shared his Christian viewpoints with friends and family.

John’s posts include statements that “No child is born in the wrong body,” pornographic books do not belong in school libraries, and drag queens should not be allowed to perform their highly sexualized routines in elementary schools. All posts were made in John’s private capacity.

Now the Idaho Army National Guard has removed Officer Doe from his command, and is trying to force this honorable service member out of the military because he is a Christian.

Citing the U.S. Department of Defense Issuance (DoDI) 1325.06p, titled “Handling Protest, Extremist, and Criminal Gang Activities Among Members of the Armed Forces,” John’s chain of command declared his personal social media posts to be “extremist,” despite zero evidence of John ever using his professional capacity to promote his Christian viewpoint.

But it gets more chilling — the Idaho Army National Guard Investigating Officer in the case formally recommended that ALL full-time National Guard member’s social media accounts be thoroughly “scrutinized” for similar Christian viewpoints. If found, those members should be reported to the DOD Counterintelligence and Insider Threat Hub for adjudication as extremists.

John is not an extremist; he just loves God and his country. As a Christian, John believes all people are made in God’s image and have inherent dignity and are worthy of respect. He is committed to serving those under his command, regardless of political or religious disagreements, and would give his life in defense of his state and nation.

The DOD policy, and the Idaho Army National Guard’s decision to remove John from duty over his private Christian viewpoint is patently illegal. We won’t let that happen.

The Idaho Army National Guard has violated the First Amendment, the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the Idaho Constitution. In addition, it has become evident that this military branch seeks to implement a policy of discrimination against the Christian beliefs of enlisted personnel.

This unlawful removal of John from his command is the same song, different verse from Joe Biden and Secretary Austin’s attempts to rob Christian service members of their religious freedom rights during COVID.

We beat them then, and we intend to beat them again. But we need your help. Liberty Counsel NEVER charges our clients, as few could afford to take on the government on their own. Instead, our clients rely on you, the faithful Liberty Counsel supporter.

From 2021 to 2023, YOUR SUPPORT enabled Liberty Counsel to save the careers and religious freedom rights of tens of thousands of U.S. military members. Now our military members need your help once again. Liberty Counsel is in an elite class when it comes to use of donor funds. Our non-donor income covers all administrative and fundraising expenses. Most of the non-donor income derives from attorney’s fees and costs that are recoverable from a government defendant. This means 100% of every dollar goes directly to Liberty Counsel programs. And Liberty Counsel operates on a debt-free basis.

That’s why a generous supporter has established a special Year End Challenge Grant to support our work. Every donation made by midnight, December 31, will be DOUBLED in impact. Please, help us fight for America’s future with your 100% deductible gift today.

Finally, I ask you to please pray for our country. The discrimination in the Idaho National Guard demonstrates, once again, just how far our nation has fallen from its founding.

As we did during the COVID years, let’s all commit to daily prayer, in the spirit of 2 Chronicles 7:14:

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Mat Staver
Founder and Chairman
Liberty Counsel

Source:

“Idaho Army National Guard Intolerant of Religious Speech.” Liberty Counsel, August 21, 2024. LC.org/newsroom/details/082124-idaho-army-national-guard-intolerant-of-religious-speech.