ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, November 15, 1996 TAG: 9611150063
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: NORFOLK
SOURCE: Associated Press
The Navy has withdrawn its sponsorship of a Christian men's rally after the Anti-Defamation League complained that the military's involvement violated the separation of church and state.
``To prevent even the perception of impropriety, the Navy directed the cancellation of any sponsorship in the Wake-Up Call event,'' Cmdr. Mike Andrews, a Norfolk Naval Base spokesman, said Thursday.
``Our sailors are not being prohibited from attending the event,'' Andrews added. ``We're not encouraging and we're not discouraging attendance.''
In a letter this week to Navy Secretary John Dalton, the ADL asked that the Navy sever itself from Saturday's Wake-Up Call rally endorsed by the Christian men's group Promise Keepers. Navy chaplains helped organize the event.
Dalton's office issued an order late Wednesday withdrawing the Navy as a sponsor, Andrews said.
``ADL in no way challenges the right of Promise Keepers to speak freely about their beliefs,'' said Abraham Foxman, national director of the New York-based ADL. ``However, church-state conflicts arise when it appears there is official endorsement of a particular religion by the government.''
Americans United for Separation of Church and State also had objected to the Navy's involvement.
``Even if this was the most inclusive religious group in the country, it's still inappropriate for a government agency to endorse their activities,'' said Barry Lynn, executive director of the Washington-based group.
Promise Keepers spokesman Roger Chapman said the Navy's decision was ``probably better for everyone involved.''
``We are trying to be as apolitical as possible, and some might perceive the Navy as political because it is part of the government,'' Chapman said. ``We want to focus on our message to men, that they have not shared the responsibility of raising their families.''
Promise Keepers' mission is based on seven promises, from obeying Jesus' teachings to supporting other men. Former University of Colorado football coach Bill McCartney founded the group in Denver in 1990.
Promise Keepers usually holds events in stadiums and other large venues. The organization is holding 22 rallies nationwide this year.
The group does not bar women from its rallies, but suggests that they not attend because the events are focused on men's issues, Chapman said. Few women have attended the rallies, he said.
Women have protested at some rallies, charging that the group encourages men to dominate women.
Saturday's rally is not strictly a Promise Keepers event, although it will feature one speaker from the group. About 4,000 people are expected to attend, Andrews said. Tickets are $2.
The event was coordinated by local Protestant chaplains, and the Navy got involved to help service members give each other emotional support and reinforce the service's core values of honor, courage and commitment.
``It had been considered a worthwhile event as a means for the Navy to fill the needs of a segment of its population,'' Andrews said.
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