As an Atheist and retired military, the implications of religion before country and the pervasive association of military service with religion along with government support and endorsement of religious organizations on base are offensive to me. Far too often people talk freedom, but what they really mean is the freedom to do as they do. For so many exercising your freedoms in a way they don't like is un-American. It is not American to be like everyone else. The freedom of religion is not just the freedom to worship as you like, it's also includes not believing in any deities in any form.

When it comes to the Constitution's Bill of Rights, the ban from government supporting or restriction religion is in the first line of the first amendment. Think about it it's the very first line that's how important is was and still is. It’s even before the freedom of speech, of the press or right of assembly and redress of grievances. This first and most important protection is intended to prevent any abridging of those rights describe as "separation of church and state".

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The most important right being ignored in the 1950's modification of pledge of allegiance, the addition of religious statements on our money and the fact that in the military certain religious sects get an official priest as an actual uniformed officers and government build churches on bases, Why is that? I say because people’s religious beliefs bring them to the ideal of religion before county. Then use that as a justification to enforce only their rights in regards to religious beliefs. This is a blatant gross injustice and black eye to the ideals of freedom and protection of rights that are suppose to be the core foundation of this country and its claim to being “the land of the free”.

If you’re an American and really believe in and support freedom for all, not just you or your group, you wouldn’t let any personal religious belief be more important for this country than the Bill of Rights that allows you to worship as you like in the first place.