Group disputes military in religion case

Group disputes military in religion case
By John Hanna - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Aug 14, 2008 16:50:20 EDT

TOPEKA, Kan. — A Fort Riley soldier suing the military was rebuffed recently when he took complaints about violations of his religious freedoms to the post’s inspector general, an advocacy group involved in his lawsuit said Wednesday.

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation, based in Albuquerque, N.M., contends Army Spc. Jeremy Hall’s experiences undermine arguments made by the Justice Department in seeking to get the lawsuit dismissed.

Hall, who is an atheist, and the foundation allege the military permits religious discrimination by fundamentalist Christians who try to force their views on others, especially subordinates.

Their lawsuit, filed in March in federal court in Kansas City, Kan., names the Defense Department and Secretary Robert Gates among the defendants.

Lawyers for the Justice Department’s Civil Division filed a motion last month to have the lawsuit dismissed, arguing that Hall should have complained to his chain of command rather than go to the civilian courts. Hall has until Sept. 15 to file a response to the motion.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/08/ap_militaryreligion_081408/