Kentucky Council of Churches chief not upset over removal of Bible from VA POW/MIA display

WEKU | By John McGary

The executive director of the Kentucky Council of Churches said she’s not upset over the removal of a Bible from a display at Lexington’s VA designed to honor prisoners of war and those missing in action. The Bible was replaced by a blank journal last week after the Military Religious Freedom Foundation objected, saying it violated Department of Defense policy. Melissa Holland offered a compromise.

“I believe if you wanted to be fair, there are displays that show the various symbols of all religions. And if they put something like that on display to honor all veterans, no matter what their religion is, it would be more appropriate.”

Holland said it’s not appropriate for a government facility to appear to endorse a particular religion, but acknowledged her compromise might be problematic, too.

“The one thing that you might get kicked back on, is those who claim to be atheists. Is it fair to leave out the soldiers that are atheist? And are their families going to kick back?”

Holland said five of her siblings served in the military, including a Baptist, a Catholic and an agnostic.

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Photo: A Bible at Lexington’s Veterans Affairs Bowling Campus was removed last week from a “missing man table” after complaints by veterans to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. The head of the Kentucky Council of Churches said a compromise was worth considering, but she wasn’t upset over the removal.

Republished with permission.