Monday, February 6, 2012

Walter Reed Hospital's Banning of the Bible in November, 2011

The banning of books, any books, has always been anathema to Marash Girl, akin to the burning of books.  Perhaps, you say, Marash Girl has spent too much of her life living with antiquarian books, saving them from the trash, from the recycle bins, from the bonfires, refurbishing them and selling them to folks who value books as the history of thought, as a source of inspiration, as beautiful objects, as old friends, as comforters.

At the end of November, 2011, Walter Reed Hospital (Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Washington, DC) issued a memorandum updating caretakers on changes in patient visitation rules: "No religious items (i.e. Bibles, reading material and/or artifacts) are allowed to be given away or used during a visit."  Huh?  Could this have been for real?  Well, thankfully it was only "for real" until December 9, 2011, when the hospital issued the following statement:   "The visitation policy as written was incorrect and should have been more thoroughly reviewed before its release. It has been rescinded."

One can only wonder who slipped that little "rule" into the book of rules at Walter Reed Hospital and why.

8 comments:

  1. i just called a watchdog organization for religious liberty, and they said the Walter Reed Bible ban policy was under review, and it had not yet been rescinded.

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    1. According to many newspapers and http://www.kktv.com/home/headline/Walter_Reed_Reverses_Stance_on_Bible_Ban_135278593.html, the ban has been rescinded. Has anyone called Walter Reed to find out the truth?

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    2. the link does not work, it gets one to a website promoting a local tv station.

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    3. Try this link
      http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=1493554
      and read my comment below on my conversation with Walter Reed Hospital.

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  2. Just talked to a higher up at the Walter Reed Hospital and according to the officer, the ban has been rescinded.

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  3. One should ask to see it in writing,after all, you know nothing of the man with whom you spoke.

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  4. Good idea; go ahead. Would love to hear what you find out.

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  5. http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/u-s-military-to-rescind-policy-banning-bibles-at-hospital.html

    this is an article well worth reading. it was sent to me by the organization that was circulating a petition for the rescission of the bible ban policy at Walter Reed hospital. please note, that there has been, as yet, no formal rescission.

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