Jewish Chapel at Naval Academy

[Bluehawk]

I'm gonna post this, because I strongly disagree with what it is stating. I'm no huge fan of the ADL, ACLU or AU... but here the reasoning is faulty, and dangerously close to anti-semitic:

September 15, 2005

JEWISH CHAPEL BUILT WITH FEDERAL FUNDS:
NO OUTCRY FROM ADL, ACLU or AU

"Catholic League president William Donohue commented today about the absence of outcry from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) over the building of a Jewish chapel at the U.S. Naval Academy. From September 16-18, several events will take place at the Naval Academy celebrating the opening of the Commodore Uriah P. Levy Center and Jewish Chapel; formal dedication will take place Sunday. Here is what Donohue had to say:



The Catholic League understands the central role that religion plays in the lives of most Americans, and it is particularly sensitive to the need for religious _expression among our men in women in uniform. That is why we congratulate the Naval Academy for opening the Jewish Center and heartily approve of federal funds being used to build the Jewish chapel. Our problem is with the hypocrites at the ADL, ACLU and AU.



To the applause of the ADL, ACLU and AU, Catholic schools are denied government money for the purchase of maps in the classroom, but the federal government can spend nearly 2 million dollars to build a Jewish chapel at the Naval Academy without a word of protest from any of them. Catholic kids in New York City public schools cannot have a crhche in their classroom but Jewish kids can have a menorah (all to the approval of the ADL), and now a U.S. military building on the grounds of the Naval Academy can display a huge Star of David on its exterior without a peep from any of the church-and-state watchdog groups. Moreover, since 1845 the Naval Academy has had a non-sectarian prayer said before lunch, but the ADL and the ACLU now want it censored; the ADL has even written to the Armed Services Committees of the House and Senate calling the practice deeply troubling.



In other words, prayer rugs can be purchased with federal funds to accommodate suspected Muslim terrorists in Guantanamo Bay, and Jewish chapels can be built with federal monies, but Christian kids cant sing Silent Night in the classroom. Got it everyone? "

Kiera M. McCaffrey
Director of Communications
The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights
450 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10123
212-371-3191
212-371-3394 (fax)

[Snowden]

I didn't read this as being anti-Semitic, although since you mention that, Sir Blue, I can see that some would come to that conclusion.

To me this is Catholic League president William Donohue merely pointing out that Christianity is the No. 1 target of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU). Indeed, I absolutely agree with that, while rejoicing that they are at least this one time refraining from fighting our ancestor religion of Judaism.

This is a fact that is acknowledged freely in the Catholic denomination - our roots are Judaism; without that, there can be no Christianity. And "no Christianity" is what these organizations seem to want stressed.

Not "no religion(s)," but "no Christianity." Oddly, they see the Ten Commandments as being Christian, when in fact, they were given to Moses a right long time before Christ was born.

That should indicate something, I believe.


In any event, I am glad the Naval Academy has finally built a synagogue on their grounds, and deeply regret it was so long coming! As a Marylander, I am embarrassed.