Dear  John,

Once upon a time, the LAST place you would expect to find attacks on our constitutionally-protected freedoms would be our own military.

Sadly—and startlingly—those days are long gone.

Instead, our armed forces are going “woke”—embracing the new culture of political correctness over our nation’s tried-and-true founding principles.

And not surprisingly, people of faith are bearing the brunt of this disturbing shift towards harassment and discrimination—to the point of being labeled “extremists” just for peacefully acting in accordance with their religious beliefs.

This is a recipe for disaster. Our armed forces are no place for progressive political games.

But if we don’t act now, all people of faith in the U.S. Military could soon face a day where they have to choose between their faith and serving their country.

I have one response to this threat: NOT ON OUR WATCH.

We are determined to defeat this destructive discrimination. We’re drawing up our battle plan as we speak. But to ensure we are able to deliver victory, we need YOU.

Religious freedom in the U.S. military is under attack like never before.
Give by June 30—while your gift is multiplied—to help us save it »

Here’s one example of just how toxic it has become.

A well-respected Army Chaplain of 16 years named Andrew Calvert recently used his personal social media account to express support for then-existing DOD policy banning those diagnosed with gender dysphoria from serving in the military (in keeping with his religious beliefs). The Army promptly relieved him of duty and accused him of “illegal discrimination.”

That’s right: In today’s U.S. military, simply expressing your religious beliefs—even within the existing rules—gets you cancelled for “illegal discrimination” and labeled an “extremist.”

This is deeply disturbing on multiple levels.

First: it is NOT the government’s job to monitor the social media activity of service members to ensure they don’t post, share, or like something that might be considered “extreme.” This is something China has done for years…I never thought I’d see the day it happened in America.

Second: Labeling the traditional religious beliefs held by millions of Americans—and millions of service members—for centuries as “extremist” is flat-out wrong. It is a direct attack on our constitutional right to religious liberty, and those responsible MUST be held accountable.

Third: A woke military is a weak military. America’s enemies want nothing more than to see us distracted by playing politically correct games rather than focusing on defending our nation against the very real threats to our freedom around the globe.

So, what can you do about these outrageous attacks?

1. Pray. Please keep Chaplain Calvert and all the other chaplains and service members who are under fire for their faith right now in your daily prayers.

2. Donate now to help us deliver victory. First Liberty’s military division—headed by General Counsel Mike Berry, a former active duty U.S. Marine Corps officer—has a stellar track record defending people of faith in the armed forces. But to stay on the frontlines and win against hostility like we’ve never seen before, we need your financial support like never before.

We MUST reach our fiscal year-end goal of $1.6 million in order to have the resources necessary to fuel our legal efforts on behalf of religious military members.

And there’s no better time than right now to go all in with us. When you give now through June 30th, your gift will be DOUBLED thanks to our $500,000 Challenge Grant.

Please join the fight with your secure, tax-deductible donation today.

Together, with your faithful support, we will save America’s armed forces from the “woke” brigade and preserve the timeless bedrock of religious liberty for future generations.

Kelly

Kelly Shackelford
President, CEO & Chief Counsel
First Liberty Institute