Tuesday Afternoon, November 24, 2020
MRFF DEMANDS PROSELYTIZING
CHRISTIAN JEWELRY DISPLAY
BE SWIFTLY REMOVED FROM
AIR FORCE BASE EXCHANGE

Last year MRFF exposed a Christian jewelry company wrongfully using official military emblems on its religious jewelry, specifically
its imitation dog tags. Now there's another issue with Shields
of Strength’s Christian jewelry – proselytizing via displays
of its Bible verse dog tags in Air Force base exchanges.
MRFF OP-ED
ON DAILY KOS

Air Force Green Lights Christian Jewelry Company’s Proselytizing in Military Base Exchanges

By: MRFF Senior Research Director Chris Rodda

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

(Excerpts from Daily Kos/Emphasis Added by MRFF)
Last year, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) exposed a Christian jewelry company that was wrongfully using official military emblems on its religious jewelry, specifically its imitation dog tags. In violation of the military’s trademark and licensing regulations, which prohibit the use of official trademarked military emblems on items that promote religion, the dog tags sported a Bible verse along with the trademarked military emblems and logos. The Departments of the Navy and the Army agreed with MRFF and informed the jewelry company, called Shields of Strength, that it could not use their official emblems on its religious products. The Air Force was silent on the matter. Needless to say, the right-wing and Christian media were outraged by the Navy’s and Army’s decision, and of course outraged at MRFF, and the story went viral. 

[…]

Now there is another issue with Shields of Strength’s religious jewelry, recently reported to MRFF by a retired Air Force NCO – the displays of the company’s religious dog tags in Air Force base exchanges. Not only do these displays contain the dog tags with the official trademarked Air Force emblem on them, the side of the large display sports a blown up picture of the Bible verse on the back of these dog tags and a religious quote, also including the Bible verse. 

The display, at least in the Buckley AFB base exchange (near Denver, Colorado) where the retired NCO took the photos sent to MRFF, is positioned in a high traffic area, right in the middle of displays of merchandise that actually is legally are licensed by the military and allowed to incorporate the official military emblems and logos – items like USB chargers, license plate holders, key fobs, etc. This illicit display not only implies that the Air Force officially endorses both the sectarian Christian religious products and the accompanying religious message of Shields of Strength, but the display and its religious message are unavoidable to shoppers wanting to buy popular items like an Air Force USB charger or license plate holder.

[…]

A military base exchange is also free to sell religious jewelry, but it should be in a jewelry section, not displayed as it is at Buckley AFB among officially licensed military merchandise, giving the unmistakable and unconstitutional impression that the military endorses the display’s overt sectarian religious message, and with that religious message being unavoidable to shoppers looking for other items.
Demand Email from MRFF Founder and President Mikey Weinstein to Thomas Shull, Director/CEO of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES)
From: Michael L Weinstein
Subject: Cease and Desist Demand re: USAF Buckley Air Force Base Exchange Promotional Proselytizing of "Shields of Strength" Christian Dog Tags
Date: November 24, 2020 at 9:43:47 AM MST

Mr. Thomas Shull
Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) CEO

Dear Mr. Shull,

My name is Mikey Weinstein and I am the Founder and President of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), which is a civil rights advocacy charitable organization currently representing over 71,000 current and former members of the United States military.

I will be brief and to the point, sir.

Your AAFES Base Exchange at Buckley AFB in Aurora, Colorado is currently in direct violation of the No Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, all construing Federal caselaw and a whole host of DoD and USAF Directives, Instructions and Regulations. 

Why, you may ask?

For the specific answer, please see the breaking news article below which MRFF’s Senior Research Director, Ms. Chris Rodda, just released minutes ago:

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/11/24/1997979/-Air-Force-Green-Lights-Christian-Jewelry-Company-s-Proselytizing-in-Military-Base-Exchanges

On behalf of over 100 MRFF Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, Veteran and DoD civilian client complainants in this SPECIFIC matter in the Buckley AFB, Colorado area, most of whom are practicing Christians, MRFF hereby demands that AAFES IMMEDIATELY CEASE AND DESIST FROM ITS BLATANTLY ILLEGAL PROMOTIONAL PROSELYTIZING OF THE SECTARIAN “SHIELDS OF STRENGTH” CHRISTIAN DOG TAGS ON UNCONSTITUTIONAL DISPLAY AND SALE AT THE BUCKLEY AFB BASE EXCHANGE!

Failure to comply with MRFF’s demands will be referred to our MRFF litigation staff (copied above) in order to seek expeditious and aggressive redress in Federal Court.

Please reply not later than COB/EST next Tuesday, December 1, 2020.

Sincerely,

Michael L. “Mikey” Weinstein
505-250-7727
Bonnie Weinstein's book inspires heartfelt
praise from a newfound MRFF supporter

“I’m So Sorry To Know What They Say To You”

Dear Mr. Weinstein;

Last year, I picked up a copy of your wife’s book, “When Christians Break Bad”. I had randomly come upon it on Amazon and it sounded like a good read. I have been backed up on my reading for some time. I am retired now and very interested in Politics, Religion and Social Justice. I lived in NYC for 52 years and did all my reading on the subway, while commuting back and forth to work. In that manner, I used to consume two or three books every week. But since retiring in 2012, I have moved upstate, acquired my first driver’s license (!) and now live a relatively quiet life. Unfortunately, since I no longer ride the subway, I don’t seem to have any time for reading anymore. Consequently, I am very backed up on books I’d like to read. Partly my fault – I’m a Movie buff and own over 2,000 films on DVD and Blu-Ray, so who has time for reading? 

Recently, I started a part-time job as a Security Guard at an apartment complex. So, for 24 hours a week, I am now sitting at a desk with nothing to do but watch tenants come and go, check in visitors and read. It’s so nice to have time to read again.  

In my first week on the new job, I managed to read four books that I’ve been wanting to get to for some time. Your wife’s book was #5 on my list and I am now on page 190 of “When Christians Break Bad”.  I am shocked, I mean, really, at the horrible anti-Semitism, the absolutely criminal threats and bad wishes. Not to mention the atrocious spelling and grammar exhibited by these self-described Christians. Like all bigots, their low class and poorly developed social skills are evident in everything they write to you. That’s bad enough, but what is most distressing is the horrible bigotry and anti-Semitism. I honestly had no idea that people were still capable of talking that way. I am horrified and outraged that human beings, especially those who think of themselves as believers, could communicate in such crass, bigoted and shocking language.

And the stupidity! I confess that I was hitherto unaware of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation and its wonderful work in maintaining the Constitutional Separation of Church and State. But as soon as I read the description of what you do in your wife’s introduction, I got it right away. I do not understand how “those people” could get the idea that you are working to destroy Religious Freedom, when in fact it’s clear to me that your work is vital, thankless and very necessary. And above all, supportive of Religious Freedom, especially in relation to our Military Laws and Constitution.  

I am personally an Atheist, having rejected the bigotry of my father’s family and religion from a very young age. My father was in the Navy in WWII, but he comes from a Southern (Alabama) Baptist background and I am ashamed to say that there were Klansmen, Slaveowners and bigots of all descriptions within his family and heritage. My mother on the other hand was a Northern Catholic Irish NYC liberal. I’m still puzzled as to how they ever got married, but I have seen the bigotry up close and personal for my whole life. I am now 66; both my parents have been dead for 50 years, but I decided I didn’t believe in a supernatural higher power when I was thirteen. Nevertheless, I thoroughly support everyone’s right to believe what they want, and I always have. Some of this comes from the fact that I am a Gay man who’s known discrimination myself at various points in my life. My parents died (six months apart) when I was 16. I dropped out of high school and have been on my own ever since. I never finished my education, but I the last 50 years I’ve read more than enough books to equal a College Degree.   

Anyway, I was so moved by your dedication and determination to make this a better world – and make ours a better Military – that I felt compelled to write and tell you THANK YOU for all you do. From what I’ve read, you thankfully do get some support, but I felt the need to add my voice to those who have expressed an appreciation for your work.  

There are those of us who get it. I get it. And I hope you are able to continue your work for a long time to come. I hope also that, when you’re gone, somebody will be there to take up the slack and continue your wonderful calling. Please keep communicating. 

Thanks for reading this. And again, thanks. Just thanks. Sincerely.

To see response from
MRFF Board Member John Compere:
MRFF Information/Contact:
(505) 250-7727
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