Here we go again! Stuart Dyson of KOB TV is reporting that we here in New Mexico have had another visit from The Freedom From Religion folks out of Wisconsin. I understand that some of these folks live here in the Duke City.
The group says that the Albuquerque Police Chaplain Unit is Unconstitutional and should be disbanded.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation says the issues are separation of church and state, and discrimination against those with no religion.
The Freedom From Religion group says the chaplains aren’t any help to people with no religion. Outlandish I say!
KOB TV reported this: “They will tell you it’s all part of God’s Plan, these things happen, there are no accidents, everything happens for a reason,” said Andrew Seidel, staff attorney for the Foundation. “ Claims like that are not helpful to the non-religious and the non-believing. We find them extremely callous.”
The Freedom From Religion group sent Mayor Berry a letter asking for the chaplain’s unit to cease operations.
Like many you, I know first hand what comfort the Albuquerque Police Chaplain Unit brings to people. I know the heart of the leader Brian Dennison who is pictured in this post, I know their heart’s for people, know matter what people’s beliefs are. I am very tired of these groups like this one out of Wisconsin telling us what to do! Groups like this are ripping this country apart! Let us pray for the Albuquerque Police Chaplain Unit! I pray that common sense prevail! Mayor Richard Berry responded by saying he will not disband the unit.
The City of Albuquerque and its departments that utilize a chaplain should stand fast on this and similar issues. I am positive that the Albuquerque Police Department and its chaplain forces no one to utilize the chaplain’s services.
Part of what happens when groups such as the one filing this complaint move in, we see organizations and government units cave without a fight. Big in numbers Bernalillo County gave up without a fight and changed their logo. On the other side small in numbers Tijeras dug in and won the battle. Las Cruces was sued at least three times and the courts ruled in their favor.