Prayers at West Point under attack

This transcript is automatically generated

They're trained to protect our country -- -- now West Point cadets may not be allowed to its way.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State is asking US military academy to stop including prayer at all official events.

So joining us now is Fox News religion contributor Father Jonathan -- good morning to father John -- thank -- good to have you with -- Happy Sunday to you what about this and that is when an issue look let me get this federal -- -- of what they say with dates which are actually saying.

They are saying -- and pull that up real quickly West Point cadets should be able to train for service in our nation's military without having religion forced upon them.

Academy officials must respect the religious liberty rights of all cadets.

Who should be free to make their own decisions about prayer without.

Government coercion this has been and practice at West Point since George Washington.

And -- absolutely in favor of connects not having to go under government coercion to pray.

You don't have to pray in fact in nineteen -- to.

There is a court ruling six saying that cadets were not -- should not be required to attend religious services that's a very good court decision.

I'm very different thing however is to say no one's allowed to pray publicly.

At an event there West Point I used to lead a Bible study at West Point I know how religious -- so many of those cadets are -- for them not to be able to express that.

We even leadership to be able to express that in advance for example Thanksgiving or Christmas before meals what we're doing -- work.

Taking out all religious expression from the public square that's what the goal of these activists atheist groups that's what they're trying to get -- You know Kelly in -- I was happily shocked and -- the other day when we were watching.

Deep prayer service.

After the Newtown Connecticut's.

Tragedy in which President Obama was there present and we have all these different religious.

Leaders in a public school.

Expressing their faith in a time of tragedy.

Are we going to really in our country.

Say that prayer is only allowed in public.

After a tragedy.

That's what these what I would -- -- the atheist not upset.

In and putting up billboards about why we could while we were praying after Newtown Connecticut tragedy why one day.

Because they knew at that the American spirit would fight back against that I'm glad we're doing the story of John -- -- so great.

-- -- I think having -- perspective and seeing the other side to the other side to this is that the cadets who are not religious and who may call themselves atheists say that at Thanksgiving dinner.

And Christmas dinner they feel alienated they feel left well they feel isolated when everyone is praying and they feel you know it is self self conscious experience if you decide to sit.

At a are tough military soldiers cadets feel like they're being left out.

Come on this is one or two people getting involved witness these radical.

Activist organizations trying to make a fuss.

Agnostic.

Atheist in our academies.

Do not feel like they're having their feelings hurt because somebody actually praise to god.

I think they're I think they can handle it just as I could hand just as I could handle an atheist telling me.

I don't believe in god I have no problem with that connected on a moment of silent and -- silence and talked yourself.

Because god does not exist and I sit there and watch you do that I'm okay with -- You is there is another thing -- I often I could not handle going through the military academy at Michigan that I could handle somebody and turning his subtle guy that I don't believe exist -- -- just -- -- citadel and.

No feelings the hurt that's also been -- military ranks and I used to be -- sent out there are no atheists in foxholes.

And in the gunfire is coming here to his -- -- in those who might be in need this in the foxhole.

Would be fine with somebody praying just in case we -- where they just didn't anticipate I don't believe -- them but just in case that had to get out here -- correct and I'm John Christmas dinner Christmas -- --

Watch Live

Prayers at West Point under attack

Details

Clips

Fox & Friends Weekend

Rule the barbecue

Religious groups claim they were IRS targets

Should the White House accept responsibility for scandals?

'Cronut' craze: Frenzy over croissant-donut hybrid

How to prep for traveling with your pet

Best gadgets to make your yard work fun and effective

Families of SEAL Team 6 demand answers

Army wife gives soldier big surprise

Bloomberg: Skip college, become a plumber

NASCAR salutes National Armed Forces Day

F&F: In The Greenroom – The Wiggles

Actress Alison Sweeney pens Tinseltown novel

Transcript

Recommended