Air Force Shoots Down Christmas Charity

The Air Force Academy has apologized for sending an email to cadets that read, “As the holidays approach, we have the opportunity to provide the joy of Christmas to impoverished Children around the world. . . . PLEASE, PLEASE CONSIDER SPENDING SOME OF YOUR VALUABLE TIME AND MONEY TO LOVE ON A KID AROUND THE WORLD!!”  Why? Because Mikey Weinstein of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation complained that promoting charity for impoverished children through Operation Christmas Child, run by Franklin Graham of Samaritan's Purse, is a constitutional violation.

As Fox News reports, Jordan Sekulow, Executive Director of the ACLJ, immediately responded:

“It’s so outrageous,” said Jordan Sekulow an attorney with the American Center for Law and Justice. He said the controversy is an example of the cultural shift happening in the United States.

“This is a perfect example of how heartless these groups are when it comes to defending their anti-religion position,” Sekulow said. “It’s not about the First Amendment. It’s about a real hatred of religious people and people of faith that they would go so far as to stop an assistance program like Operation Christmas Child.”

You can read the entire article here. We will continue to follow this situation and keep you updated.

11.8.2011 Update: Family News in Focus radio talked to the ACLJ's Jordan Sekulow and the anti-Christian President of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation Mikey Weinstein about the Air Force Academy apologizing for making cadets aware of the Operation Christmas Child volunteer opportunity. Listen here.

Please join the ACLJ's letter to the Air Force Academy urging it to allow the promotion of this important children's charity and explaining how doing so in no way violates the Constitution.  Sign here.