Church-state groups seek equal play for atheist concert

WASHINGTON (RNS) Three church-state activist groups criticized the Army
for allowing an evangelical concert at North Carolina's Fort Bragg but
not making similar provisions for a "Rock Beyond Belief" concert for
nonbelievers.

The three groups -- Americans United for Separation of Church and
State, the American Civil Liberties Union and the American Civil
Liberties Union of North Carolina -- on Tuesday (July 5) complained to
the Secretary of the Army about events that appear to give "selective
benefits" to religious groups.

Fort Bragg hosted a Christian-themed "Rock the Fort" concert last
September that was sponsored by the Billy Graham Evangelistic
Association, and was touted as "evangelistic in nature," according to
the three groups.