Written by Don Byrd
Following a Freedom From Religious Foundation letter sent earlier this year, the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) has agreed to remove religious materials including Bibles from guest rooms in Navy-run lodges. A June 19, 2014 directive takes discretion regarding such materials out of the hands of local management.
To ensure a consistent policy, the Navy Lodge General Manager will refer all inquiries about placing religious materials, including Bibles, to the Chaplain’s Office for the military installation where the Navy Lodge is located.
The directive goes on to explain that the Navy Lodge program will work with the Chaplain’s Office to develop a policy for future requests, and a method for removing religious materials currently in the guest rooms.
An FFRF press release applauds the decision here.
While private hotels may choose to succumb to the lobbying of The Gideon Society, the U.S. government has an obligation to ensure secular accommodations that do not give the appearance of governmental endorsement of religion, [FFRF Co-President Dan] Barker added.
