Veterans Affairs leaders launched a department-wide investigation into allegations of anti-Christian bias on Monday, asking workers to report fellow staffers for any “casual insurance policies, procedures, or unofficial understandings hostile to Christian views.”
The transfer, which follows a government-wide mandate for investigations into discriminatory practices in opposition to Christian beliefs, drew speedy condemnation from Democratic lawmakers for displaying favoritism in the direction of a single faith.
“Whereas spiritual discrimination have to be forbidden and fought, this inner VA memo lacks any factual foundation or rationale,” mentioned Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., rating member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “It raises the specter of dividing the veteran neighborhood and favoring some religions over others.”
In a department-wide memo distributed Monday, VA Secretary Doug Collins mentioned {that a} new division process power will “overview all situations of anti-Christian bias” all through VA operations. That features “opposed responses to requests for spiritual exemption” and “any observations of mistreatment for not taking part in occasions or actions inconsistent with Christian views.”
Up to now, some workers have claimed discrimination for being required to supply therapy of LGBTQ+ people or contraception treatment to sufferers, claiming spiritual objections. Advocates have countered that veterans mustn’t have their medical choices curtailed due to people’ private beliefs.
Collins memo additionally asks workers to report “any mistreatment or reprimand issued in response to shows of Christian imagery or symbols.”
In February, Collins ordered that shows of flags not in step with VA messaging — together with LGBTQ+ Satisfaction flags and different advocacy banners — be faraway from division workspaces and customary areas. It isn’t clear if flags with Christian imagery will now be exempted from that coverage.
Along with his VA management position, Collins serves as an Air Drive Reserve Chaplain and is a training Southern Baptist.
President Donald Trump in February ordered VA and 15 different companies to determine the anti-Christian-bias process forces to “finish the anti-Christian weaponization of presidency.” He claimed that previous administrations’ help for abortion rights and variety efforts amounted to an assault on Christian beliefs.
Democratic lawmakers have disputed that. Blumenthal mentioned that the brand new process power undermines efforts to make sure all veterans obtain care and respect.
“The First Modification ensures that every one religions and faiths are handled equally, with full freedom of worship,” he mentioned.
Officers from the advocacy group People United for the Separation of Church and State have referred to as Trump’s anti-Christian process power “a Christian nationalist campaign” and accused the administration of utilizing spiritual freedom misinformation “to justify bigotry and discrimination.”
Leo covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White Home for Navy Occasions. He has coated Washington, D.C. since 2004, specializing in army personnel and veterans insurance policies. His work has earned quite a few honors, together with a 2009 Polk award, a 2010 Nationwide Headliner Award, the IAVA Management in Journalism award and the VFW Information Media award.
