NASA threatened with lawsuit for ‘censoring’ Jesus in internal e-mails

A legal group says NASA engaged in "blatant religious discrimination" when it allegedly censored a Christian employees' group e-mail that included the name "Jesus."

According to the Texas-based Liberty Institute, NASA's Johnson Space Center employees created the JSC Praise and Worship Club in 2001. In May 2015, the group submitted an announcement to the NASA daily newsletter that goes to all Johnson Space Center employees that said the theme for a 45-minute "praise and worship" gathering on June 4 would be "Jesus is our life!"

Days later, NASA lawyers told the club president that the announcement was inappropriate because it could be construed as NASA endorsing a religious belief.

While the club followed orders, they eventually turned to Liberty Institute for protection of their First Amendment rights.

“The purpose of our club is simply to encourage one another, pray together, and worship God,” club spokeswoman Sophia Smith said in a press statement. “Our meetings are open to anyone who would like prayer or is interested in what we do.”

“It is illegal for the government to censor the name of Jesus from emails authored by employees,” said Jeremy Dys, Senior Counsel for Liberty Institute. “Preventing a religious club’s announcement just because it contains the name ‘Jesus’ is blatant religious discrimination. We call on NASA to end their censorship and apologize.”

NASA spokesperson Karen Northon reported that "NASA does not prohibit the use of any specific religious names in employee newsletters or other internal communications. The agency allows a host of employee-led civic, professional, religious and other organizations to meet on NASA property on employees’ own time. Consistent with federal law, NASA attempts to balance employees’ rights to freely exercise religious beliefs with its obligation to ensure there is no government endorsement of religion. We believe in and encourage open and diverse dialogue among our employees and across the agency." 

"Again – NASA, like every other federal agency, follows federal law on such issues," said Northon, whose statement has been sent to other news outlets.

NASA did not immediately respond to a follow-up question about confirmation of the e-mail that was allegedly sent to the club.

The announcement in question is republished below, from Liberty Institute:

Join with the praise and worship band "Allied with the Lord" for a refreshing set of spring praise and worship songs on Thursday, June 4, from 11:15 a.m. to noon in Building 57, Room 106. (The theme for this session will be "Jesus is our life!") Prayer partners will be available for anyone who has need. All JSC civil servants and contractors are welcome.