John Whitehead's Commentary
U.S. Post Office Censors Religious Care Packages Sent to American Soldiers
For years, the U.S. Post Office has subscribed to the philosophy that "neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." But if snow, rain and heat don't stop your mail from getting delivered, its supposed anti-Islamic (or overtly Christian or Jewish) content just might.
According to "Operation Iraqi Freedom" mailing tips announced by the USPS on March 25, 2003, the following items are prohibited from being mailed to troops stationed in the Middle East: obscene articles (prints, paintings, cards, films, videotapes, etc.); any matter containing religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith or depicting nude or seminude persons, pornographic or sexual items, or non-authorized political materials; and pork or pork by-products.
So when Jack Moody of Lenoir, N.C., recently attempted to mail a care package containing a Bible study and other Christian religious materials, including a book entitled "God's Promises for Your Every Need" and various Christian comic books to his son Daniel, imagine his dismay at being prevented from doing so because of postal bulletin PB22097.
In a recent letter home, Moody's son, a 21-year-old National Guardsman serving alongside thousands of U.S. troops in the Middle East as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, mentioned that he was experiencing a rekindling of his faith and requested additional Christian reading materials--a request his father was only too happy to fulfill.
But when Jack Moody telephoned his local post office to inquire about the procedure for mailing his care package to Daniel, he was told that there was a prohibition on "any matter containing religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith." And according to the postal clerk, Daniel's package, with its Christian contents, might just be considered offensive to some Muslims overseas.
To a father whose son is risking his life to fight for Iraqi freedom, the prohibition made no sense. Equally alarming, however, was the fact that the few U.S. government officials Moody approached for help--individuals who had sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution--did not seem to find it disturbing.
For example, when Moody contacted U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole's Raleigh office, he said a staffer gave him the brush-off, responding "So what?" after he voiced his concerns. Dan Gurley, U.S. Rep. Cass Ballenger's chief of staff, wasn't much help either. According to Moody, Ballenger refused to get involved, insisting that it was a matter for the courts.
That's when The Rutherford Institute became involved, filing suit in federal court against the U.S. Postmaster General in defense of Moody's rights to freedom of speech, free exercise of religion and equal protection under the law.
After all, the First Amendment of the Constitution is clear about the free exercise of religion--this includes safeguarding a father's right to send out religious materials and a son's right to receive them. It states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
This First Amendment provision also prohibits our government from establishing a religion by favoring one over another. By stating that no material can be mailed if it is contrary to the Islamic religion, the U.S. Post Office has clearly shown deference to Islam above all other religions--and this definitely violates our Constitution. Coupled with recent reports of troops stationed overseas being ordered not to wear religious jewelry or other outward symbols of their faith, this seems to indicate a willingness on the part of American government officials to subjugate American freedoms for the sake of possibly not offending someone in the Middle East. Surely our troops should not be denied a Bible, a Star of David or other religious materials for fear of offending some intolerant despot.
At a time when members of our armed forces are risking their lives as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, it is inconceivable that their own freedoms and those of their parents would be curtailed in an effort to impose political correctness on our armed forces.
Fortunately for the rest of us--and unfortunately for government officials and civil leaders--this inclination toward political correctness keeps running afoul of the First Amendment. But thankfully people like Jack Moody are unwilling to sacrifice the very freedoms America's sons and daughters have fought and died for through the years.
And for those who insist that the anti-Islamic postal code restrictions only serve to keep the peace while our troops are stationed abroad, I would remind them of what Benjamin Franklin, appointed the first Postmaster General by the Continental Congress in 1775, said: "Even peace may be purchased at too high a price."
Constitutional attorney and author John W. Whitehead is founder and president of The Rutherford Institute. He can be contacted at johnw@rutherford.org.
According to "Operation Iraqi Freedom" mailing tips announced by the USPS on March 25, 2003, the following items are prohibited from being mailed to troops stationed in the Middle East: obscene articles (prints, paintings, cards, films, videotapes, etc.); any matter containing religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith or depicting nude or seminude persons, pornographic or sexual items, or non-authorized political materials; and pork or pork by-products.
So when Jack Moody of Lenoir, N.C., recently attempted to mail a care package containing a Bible study and other Christian religious materials, including a book entitled "God's Promises for Your Every Need" and various Christian comic books to his son Daniel, imagine his dismay at being prevented from doing so because of postal bulletin PB22097.
In a recent letter home, Moody's son, a 21-year-old National Guardsman serving alongside thousands of U.S. troops in the Middle East as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, mentioned that he was experiencing a rekindling of his faith and requested additional Christian reading materials--a request his father was only too happy to fulfill.
But when Jack Moody telephoned his local post office to inquire about the procedure for mailing his care package to Daniel, he was told that there was a prohibition on "any matter containing religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith." And according to the postal clerk, Daniel's package, with its Christian contents, might just be considered offensive to some Muslims overseas.
To a father whose son is risking his life to fight for Iraqi freedom, the prohibition made no sense. Equally alarming, however, was the fact that the few U.S. government officials Moody approached for help--individuals who had sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution--did not seem to find it disturbing.
For example, when Moody contacted U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole's Raleigh office, he said a staffer gave him the brush-off, responding "So what?" after he voiced his concerns. Dan Gurley, U.S. Rep. Cass Ballenger's chief of staff, wasn't much help either. According to Moody, Ballenger refused to get involved, insisting that it was a matter for the courts.
That's when The Rutherford Institute became involved, filing suit in federal court against the U.S. Postmaster General in defense of Moody's rights to freedom of speech, free exercise of religion and equal protection under the law.
After all, the First Amendment of the Constitution is clear about the free exercise of religion--this includes safeguarding a father's right to send out religious materials and a son's right to receive them. It states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
This First Amendment provision also prohibits our government from establishing a religion by favoring one over another. By stating that no material can be mailed if it is contrary to the Islamic religion, the U.S. Post Office has clearly shown deference to Islam above all other religions--and this definitely violates our Constitution. Coupled with recent reports of troops stationed overseas being ordered not to wear religious jewelry or other outward symbols of their faith, this seems to indicate a willingness on the part of American government officials to subjugate American freedoms for the sake of possibly not offending someone in the Middle East. Surely our troops should not be denied a Bible, a Star of David or other religious materials for fear of offending some intolerant despot.
At a time when members of our armed forces are risking their lives as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, it is inconceivable that their own freedoms and those of their parents would be curtailed in an effort to impose political correctness on our armed forces.
Fortunately for the rest of us--and unfortunately for government officials and civil leaders--this inclination toward political correctness keeps running afoul of the First Amendment. But thankfully people like Jack Moody are unwilling to sacrifice the very freedoms America's sons and daughters have fought and died for through the years.
And for those who insist that the anti-Islamic postal code restrictions only serve to keep the peace while our troops are stationed abroad, I would remind them of what Benjamin Franklin, appointed the first Postmaster General by the Continental Congress in 1775, said: "Even peace may be purchased at too high a price."
Constitutional attorney and author John W. Whitehead is founder and president of The Rutherford Institute. He can be contacted at johnw@rutherford.org.
ABOUT JOHN W. WHITEHEAD
Constitutional attorney and author John W. Whitehead is founder and president of The Rutherford Institute. His most recent books are the best-selling Battlefield America: The War on the American People, the award-winning A Government of Wolves: The Emerging American Police State, and a debut dystopian fiction novel, The Erik Blair Diaries. Whitehead can be contacted at staff@rutherford.org. Nisha Whitehead is the Executive Director of The Rutherford Institute. Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at www.rutherford.org.
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