Christian bookstore on military base faces legal threat.
A Christian Bookstore at a Military Base Sparks Controversy
A Christian bookstore located at a military base in North Carolina is causing quite a stir. An activist has called for its removal, claiming that its presence violates the Constitution’s Establishment Clause, which mandates a separation between church and state. The activist has even threatened legal action if the base’s commanding general doesn’t take immediate steps to shut down the store.
In September 2022, Josh Creson, a former captain in the U.S. Army, along with his family, opened Fairth2Soar, a Christian book and gift store, at a mini-mall on Fort Bragg, now known as Fort Liberty. Mr. Creson served nearly nine years in the Army and deployed to Iraq in 2003 with the 82nd Airborne Division.
For almost a year, the bookstore operated without any issues or concerns. However, everything changed with a phone call on August 31, 2023, at around 2:55 p.m.
“The caller threatened me, criticized me, and even cursed at me, demanding that I leave our soldiers alone,” Mr. Creson revealed.
It seems that the caller may have been alerted by a Facebook post on the store’s social media page earlier that day. Someone had inquired about whether the store sold products related to other religions, such as Islam or Judaism.
Mr. Creson’s wife responded briefly, explaining that the store doesn’t offer religious products associated with those faiths but does provide a Messianic Jewish Literal Translation of the New Covenant Scriptures.
Shortly after, Michael L. “Mikey” Weinstein, the founder and president of the Military and Religious Freedom Foundation nonprofit, posted a demand on the store’s page, calling for the removal of the “Christian nationalist ‘Faith2Soar’ store” from the Fort Liberty PX mini-mall.
Mr. Weinstein clarified that he doesn’t have an issue with a Christian bookstore itself but rather its location. He argues that since the government, specifically the Department of Defense, sponsors the store, it violates the Establishment Clause.
According to Mr. Weinstein, “We don’t care what other faiths believe in. We only care about when, where, and how they choose to express their faith.” And in his view, Fort Liberty is not an appropriate place for the Christian bookstore.
Concerns about the store’s location have prompted 211 soldiers, including 165 Christians, to reach out to Mr. Weinstein’s foundation. These soldiers fear potential retaliation if they were to voice their concerns through official channels.
Mr. Creson expressed his surprise at the sudden turn of events. The Army and Air Force Exchange Service, responsible for providing goods and services at military installations worldwide, contacted him. While there hasn’t been an official response yet, it appears that the military exchange service doesn’t have an issue with his store.
Mr. Weinstein has contacted Lt. General Christopher T. Donahue, the commanding general of XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Liberty, demanding the removal of the store. However, Lt. Gen. Donahue has yet to make a public statement on the matter.
Mr. Weinstein explained, “Before we take this to federal court, we’re giving the Army the opportunity to address the problem through the Inspector General (IG) and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) process.” He added, “If necessary, we’ll go to court after exhausting all administrative remedies.”
Despite the legal threats, Mr. Creson remains determined to keep his store open. He has received overwhelming support from military personnel, their families, and veterans who appreciate his presence on the base. He encourages customers and anyone who hears their story to stand firm in their Christian beliefs.
Mr. Creson’s attorney, Mike Berry, senior counsel at First Liberty Institute, stated, “Faith has always been a source of strength for our troops.” He firmly believes that Mr. Weinstein’s legal threats would not hold up in court. Mr. Berry proudly stands with Mr. Creson, providing inspiration and hope to the men and women in uniform.
The Epoch Times reached out to the Fort Liberty Public Affairs office for comment but received no response.
Should the Department of Defense consider alternative locations for the Christian bookstore to uphold the principle of separation between church and state?
Presence of a Christian bookstore on a military base.
The controversy surrounding the Christian bookstore at Fort Liberty raises important questions about the relationship between religion and the military. The activist, Michael Weinstein, argues that the presence of a Christian bookstore on a military base violates the Constitution’s Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from endorsing or promoting any particular religion. He contends that the Department of Defense’s sponsorship of the store constitutes government endorsement of Christianity.
However, it is essential to examine the context and purpose of the bookstore. The bookstore, named Fairth2Soar, was opened by Josh Creson, a former captain in the U.S. Army and his family. Mr. Creson served in the military for nearly nine years and deployed to Iraq in 2003. Their intention in opening the bookstore was to provide a space for military personnel and their families to access Christian literature and gifts. For almost a year, the bookstore operated without any issues or concerns, serving as another retail option within the mini-mall on the military base.
The controversy began when a Facebook post on the store’s page attracted attention from a caller who expressed displeasure and demanded that the store be shut down. This caller’s anger may have been triggered by a response from Mr. Creson’s wife, clarifying that the store did not carry products associated with other religions but did offer a Messianic Jewish Literal Translation of the New Covenant Scriptures. This response may have been misinterpreted as exclusionary or dismissive of other faiths, leading to the subsequent demands for the store’s removal.
The founder and president of the Military and Religious Freedom Foundation, Michael Weinstein, criticized the store’s location rather than the existence of a Christian bookstore in and of itself. Mr. Weinstein contends that as the government, specifically the Department of Defense, sponsors the store, it violates the Establishment Clause. His primary concern is ensuring that religious expression within the military is conducted in an appropriate manner and location.
While it is important to respect the rights and freedoms of all individuals, including their religious beliefs, it is equally important to maintain a separation between church and state within military institutions. Military bases should be inclusive spaces that accommodate the diverse religious beliefs of service members and their families. The presence of a Christian bookstore sponsored by the government could be seen as preferential treatment of Christianity, potentially alienating those of different faiths.
The resolution to this controversy lies in finding a balanced approach that respects religious freedom while upholding the Constitution. The Department of Defense should consider alternative locations for the Christian bookstore that are not directly sponsored by the government. This would allow for the continued provision of Christian literature and gifts while also ensuring that the military base remains inclusive and welcoming to individuals of all religious backgrounds.
Ultimately, it is vital for military bases to be spaces that honor the constitutional rights and freedoms of individuals while promoting a sense of unity and inclusivity among service members. Respecting religious beliefs and encouraging dialogue and understanding between different faiths is essential for a harmonious and diverse military community.
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