Mikey Weinstein, who became famous for filing a lawsuit accusing the military of promoting Christianity, has leveled new charges.
Though a federal court in October dismissed his suit as having no basis, Weinstein is back in court, this time as the head of a new organization, but with the same old arguments. His Military Religious Freedom Foundation is asking the Pentagon to look into a fresh round of allegations.
One complaint centers on a video produced by a group called the Christian Embassy. Weinstein objects to the fact that Air Force Maj. Gen. Pete Sutton appears in uniform in the video saying: "What's important to me, in the context of our work here in the Pentagon, is to get together with other believers and to be encouraged. And it makes such a big difference."
Robert Varney, director of the Christian Embassy, said he doesn't think the group has violated anything.
"I feel like we've asked permission for the things we've done and the video clearly represents the personal opinions of the people in the video," Varney told Family News in Focus.
Among other allegations, Weinstein complains about a Bible verse posted above a classroom door and an e-mail from a staff sergeant that contains Scripture. Weinstein also alleges that Force Ministries and Officers' Christian Fellowship -- two groups that frequently minister to military members -- are "coercive" and violate military regulations.
Weinstein would not return calls, but attorney Gary McCaleb of the Alliance Defense Fund said the allegations have no merit.
"Having reviewed the offending tape and having reviewed the complaint, this looks like a classic case of throwing a bunch of mud at the wall in the hope that something’s going to stick," the attorney said.
Nevertheless, McCaleb is gearing up for action.
"My next step," he said, "is to get (the Alliance Defense Fund) looking into this, seeing who needs legal help and trying to get the record straight on what’s going on."
A Department of Defense spokesman would confirm only that the government had received the complaint.
