Wednesday Afternoon, January 25, 2023 |
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MRFF VICTORY MEDIA COVERAGE |
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FOX NEWS & THE CHRISTIAN POST
COVER MRFF'S SWIFT VICTORY
GETTING GIANT JESUS PAINTING AT
MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY CONCEALED
“Given the utterly illicit and unconstitutional time, place and
manner of its prominent display in one of the main Administration buildings at USMMA, and during absolutely mandatory attendance gatherings there, it clearly projects the sectarian supremacy of
Jesus Christ in some sort of obvious ocean rescue scenario
for what appears to be distressed mariners in an open boat.”
“It's as though USMMA is screaming that ‘Jesus Christ is the only approved solution to all of life’s difficulties.’"
— MRFF Founder and President Mikey Weinstein
to Fox News & The Christian Post
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"After" photo sent to MRFF by Vice Admiral Nunan shows painting
covered by temporary curtains that will remain until USMMA
procures permanent curtains more befitting the elegant room.
Photo credit "Before" photo: U.S. Coast Guard (The appearance of U.S. Department of
Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.)
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FOX NEWS
COVERS MRFF
US Merchant Marine Academy hides Jesus painting behind curtain after complaint from advocacy group
By: Jon Brown
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
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Fox News reports on MRFF’s victory in getting the giant painting of Jesus at USMMA covered up, quoting Mikey Weinstein, with the article saying:
Given the mandatory gatherings that take place in Wiley Hall, Weinstein claimed the painting of Jesus "clearly projects the sectarian supremacy of Jesus Christ in some sort of obvious ocean rescue scenario for what appears to be distressed mariners in an open boat."
Weinstein likened the prominent placement of the Jesus painting to the USMMA "screaming that ‘Jesus Christ is the only approved solution to all of life’s difficulties!’"
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THE CHRISTIAN POST
COVERS MRFF
US Merchant Marine Academy covers up massive Jesus painting with white curtain after complaints
By: Ian M. Giatti
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
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The Christian Post reports on MRFF’s swift victory in getting the superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Vice Admiral Joanna Nunan, to cover the enormous painting of Jesus that hangs in the Academy’s administration building in a room in which mandatory activities take place.
The article quotes Mikey Weinstein saying of the painting: “It marginalizes non-Christian members of the Academy. In addition, the Elliot M. See room serves as the backdrop for Midshipmen Honor Boards, creating a hostile atmosphere for non-Christian midshipmen defending themselves against alleged honor violations. The painting does not ensure a diverse, equitable, or inclusive environment for non-Christian USMMA midshipmen, graduates, staff, or faculty.”
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Email from a current non-Christian midshipman at USMMA, worn down by "the school’s blatant favoritism of Christianity," expressing the hope that MRFF's Jesus painting victory has given them |
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"USMMA"
From: (USMMA midshipman's name withheld)
Subject: USMMA
Date: January 25, 2023 at 4:52:12 AM MST
From the bottom of my heart, I just wanted to thank you sir.
I’m a current senior at USMMA and have noticed the school’s blatant favoritism of Christianity since I arrived years ago. But the difference between me and the midshipmen that contacted you is that the school had worn me down, and I had accepted that nothing would change. As an atheist, the school’s religious culture was suffocating and I was made to feel unwelcome.
Then I heard about the painting in Wiley Hall being covered, and I grew hopeful. This is a fantastic first step to actually having religious freedom at USMMA. However, between the petition currently going around to remove the painting’s cover, and the forced prayers to an explicitly Christian God at events that are mandatory to attend, there’s still a long way to go. Even though I will be graduating in just a few months, I hope that other non-Christian midshipmen will be able to feel like this is their Academy in the future.
I will admit that I had not heard of you prior to this controversy, but I will be sure to read your books and support MRFF for years to come.
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USMMA alumna urges a "Stand-Down Half-Day" at USMMA with discussion on "the First Amendment;
the civil service’s and military’s strict regulations prohibiting favoritism towards any religion"
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"Alumna Urging a 'Stand-Down Half-Day' at USMMA"
From: (USMMA alumna)
Date: January 25, 2023 at 12:57:55 PM MST
Subject: Alumna Urging a "Stand-Down Half-Day" at USMMA
Dear Military Religious Freedom Foundation,
I understand that USMMA Midshipmen are circulating a petition asking for the curtain on the enormous Jesus mural to be removed. I understand that Christian practices are routinely and unlawfully forced on Merchant Marine Academy Midshipmen.
I urge MRFF to ask the Merchant Marine Academy to consider conducting stand-down training. I suggest this occur over a half-day in the very near future. Led by either military officers, retired or active duty, or highly qualified mariners, of different religious cultures and faiths, Midshipmen would review their Naval Reserve oath from plebe year and the oath they must take before being commissioned as reserve and active duty officers. In these oaths Midshipmen swear to “support and defend the Constitution.” I hope discussion would occur of the (No) Establishment Clause of the First Amendment; the civil service’s and military’s strict regulations prohibiting favoritism towards any religion; examples of unlawful religious displays that commanding officers ordered be taken down; and how supporting these laws and regulations makes one a more effective leader at home and abroad. Given the cost to the taxpayer of educating the midshipmen for service in the armed forces and merchant marine, I think nothing less will do.
I prefer the mural come down, and we can stop this controversy once and for all.
(Name withheld)
USMMA, Class of 198X
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Background on MRFF's victory in getting
giant Jesus painting at USMMA covered
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MRFF Matters – 1/13/23 – MRFF Salutes
Vice Admiral Joanna Nunan for
Swiftly Concealing Jesus Painting
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A few examples of MRFF's many successes
in getting religious artwork removed
from command areas
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“You have a serious issue”
From: (name withheld)
Subject: You have a serious issue
Date: January 25, 2023 at 9:28:13 AM MST
I wanted to take out of my day to let you know, in my educated opinion, you are scum.
Vile, hate filled scum…
Your God is your ego….
Prayers will not help you.
Your days will be judged and God will be sure to burn you.Literal scum… Oh I see you denied Christ before….
And you do it again…
Nothing New Under the Sun.
You disguise yourself but many see right through you.
So I wanted to call you out as the vile scum you truly are.
Enjoy your time here being vile scum…
Judgement awaits and God sees all.
(name withheld)
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Response from a former Air Force pilot
and MRFF supporter to the above hate email
From: (Former Air Force pilot and MRFF supporter)
Subject: Re: You have a serious issue
Date: January 25, 2023 at 10:08:44 AM MST
I wanted to take out of my day to let you know, in my educated opinion, you are one great guy.
Strong, courageous guy…
Your belief is your strength….
Prayers I will always give you.
Your days will be judged and I believe God will see into your heart.
Swell guy… Oh I see you know Christ was Jewish….
And your family is too…
Nothing New Under the Sun.
You don’t disguise yourself as many do. You are straightforward and honest.
So I wanted to call you out as the patriotic American citizen you truly are.
Enjoy your time here doing what is truly right…
Judgement awaits and God sees all (including the idiots like this).
Peace my Brother
To see more responses:
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“After Complaint, US Merchant Academy Covers Painting of Jesus Protecting Sailors Lost at Sea”
From: (name withheld)
Subject: After Complaint, US Merchant Marine Academy Covers Painting of Jesus Protecting Sailors Lost at Sea
Date: January 21, 2023 at 10:54:26 AM MST
FUCK OFF AND DIE SCUMBAG!
I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU TO KISS MY ASS AND THEN TO FUCK OFF AND DIE!
MAY THE CREATOR HAVE NO MERCY FOR YOU.
(name withheld)
To see responses from
MRFF Founder and President Mikey Weinstein,
MRFF Advisory Board Member Mike Farrell,
MRFF Board Member John Compere, and MRFF supporters Rabbi Joel Schwartzman and Fr Steve Dundas:
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