Army Removes Cross from Chapel in Afghanistan; Officials Say Permanent Cross Violates Army Regs

The Christian Post website reports today (November 26, 2011) that the U.S. Army has removed a cross that was prominently placed on the front of a chapel located at the remote base of Camp Marmal in Northern Afghanistan.

Although soldiers at the Central Asian base considered the cross to be an inspiring symbol, officials said that having a permanent sectarian image on the chapel violated army regulations.

One U.S. soldier referred to the decision -- and the regulation behind it -- as "a direct attack against Christianity and Judaism."

Joe Conn -- a spokesman for Americans United for Separation of Church and State -- told The Christian Post that the Army made the right decision. "The American military includes personnel from many different faith traditions and some who follow no spiritual path at all. That diversity should be respected," said Conn.