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PFAW Statement on Rumsfeld and the Misuse of Religion

According to recent media reports, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld regularly delivered to the President top-secret intelligence briefings which featured Bible verses and photos of military personnel and equipment. People For the American Way President Michael Keegan released this statement.

"Too many public officials give in to the temptation to misuse religion for political purposes, like claiming a divine mandate for controversial policies or denigrating the faith of those who disagree with them politically. Turning a conflict fought by the men and women of the U.S. armed services into a religious war is not only dangerous, it is disrespectful to the servicemembers who have sworn to protect the Constitution and make enormous sacrifices on its behalf. America is a nation enriched by its pluralism. Public officials who portray U.S. policy as a conflict between faiths undermine an essential American principle of government of, by, and for all the people."