NASA News: Christian Group Want Apology for Ban on 'Jesus'
A Christian group is demanding apology from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the agency's alleged ban on the word "Jesus" from its newsletter.
The Johnson Space Center (JSC) Praise and Worship Club's president Mike Fitzpatrick has reportedly told CBN News that they want NASA to apologize for banning the name of "Jesus" from its daily newsletter. The group also wants the space agency to restore their religious freedom.
NASA's JSC Today is an electronically distributed newsletter that includes announcements of various Space Center events and activities.
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In May last year, the JSC Praise and Worship Club's Today newsletter reportedly included the phrase "Jesus is our life." However, NASA's legal representatives had told the group that the name "Jesus" is sectarian and including it in their newsletter would be a form of endorsement of religion, the report details.
"It was shocking to all of us and very frustrating," NASA engineer Sophia Smith told Fox News. "NASA has a long history of respecting religious speech. Why wouldn't they allow us to put the name Jesus in the announcement about our club?"
The Liberty Institute has spoken up regarding the issue and said banning the name of "Jesus" from the JSC Praise and Worship Club is tantamount to stepping on the NASA employees' religious freedom, the report relays.
Liberty has also threatened to sue NASA unless they issue an apology and stop banning the name of "Jesus," the report adds.
On Monday, NASA released a statement saying it did not refute Liberty's charge, contrary to the group's complaint. The space agency said they do not prevent employees from using religious names in their newsletters and other internal communications.
NASA also said they are attempting to follow federal law by balancing their workers' religious freedom and their obligation to make sure that the government does not endorse any religion.
