Brandon Williams: “Thank you, Congresswoman. I appreciate your leadership. Mr. Speaker, in our Nation's 237 years, over 25 million men and…”

“Thank you, Congresswoman. I appreciate your leadership. Mr. Speaker, in our Nation's 237 years, over 25 million men and women have served in the Armed Forces. They wear the uniform, fight our enemies, defend their homeland, protect their fellow man in battle, honor their fallen comrades, and, perhaps most importantly, they honor their oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic. Mr. Speaker, the First Amendment of the Constitution states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Freedom of religion is how we live our faith, not just where we attend worship services. Soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines stationed domestically are able to attend their religious services; and for troops overseas who aren't able to walk off base in enemy territory to attend a service, there are military chaplains who facilitate services for them. But religious freedom doesn't just cover worship services; it covers the exercise of religion. Regrettably, in the last few years, many instances of religious intolerance in the military have come to light, specifically targeting Christianity. Soldiers are being told by superiors that they cannot associate themselves with Christian groups and that evangelical Christians are a threat to the United States. These soldiers are told not to associate with, contribute to, or be a part of these Christian groups.…”