Pastor Scott Rainey was asked to deliver the invocation during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Houston National Cemetery. Part of that invocation would require Pastor Rainey to mention Jesus in a prayer. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Director of the cemetery (Director), however, informed Pastor Rainey he would not be able to mention Jesus in his prayer.
The Liberty Institute immediately filed a federal lawsuit based on constitutional violations. Their goal is to prevent the VA and the Director from being able to prohibit what they deem to be religious freedom.
Jeff Mateer, legal counsel for the Liberty Institute, classified the prohibition as unconstitutional and discriminatory. Mateer went on to state given this country's history of fighting and dying for religious freedom, the ordered censorship is insulting to every soldier.
The lawsuit accuses the VA and the Director of violating the First Amendment as well as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Pastor Rainey has given the invocation the last two years and was never required to submit his prayer for prior approval from the government.
Pastor Rainey made it very clear he had no intention of "forsaking [his] religious beliefs." The Liberty Institute filed for an immediate hearing in order to petition the Court for a temporary restraining order.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.
Category: Veterans' Disability
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Soldiers can return home with a number of conditions, injuries, and aggravated preexisting conditions. If you believe you have a service-connected physical or psychological injury you may be entitled to Veterans’ Disability Compensation.