After apparently attending the USAFA National Prayer Luncheon, the local Colorado Springs Gazette wonders aloud if Michael Weinstein’s lawsuit was “much ado about nothing.”

Buddha and Allah were mentioned almost as often as Jesus at an Air Force Academy prayer luncheon Thursday that drew a lawsuit over fears of Christian evangelism.

The speaker at the center of the controversy, retired Marine Lt. Clebe McClary, didn’t shy from embracing faith, but talked more about the power of a well-chosen spouse and overcoming adversity with teamwork than Christianity.

The speech was preceeded with Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist prayers. A rabbi gave a closing prayer.

McClary reportedly talked about value and perseverance, how his faith and family got him through “more than two years of hospitals and operations” that followed his severe combat wounds.

He said others should see his wounds and realize how good they’ve got it.

“You never stop to think what you’re worth,” he said.

To its credit, despite being threatened by Weinstein the Gazette also had supportive words for the Academy leadership and Chaplains:

The Gazette applauds Academy commanders and chaplains for standing their ground and defending free speech — as we would expect our military to do.

Despite having his lawsuit tossed out after a few hours in court, Weinstein “took credit” for the way the event occurred. 

“Had we not fought this bloody battle in court, it would have been the typical free-range evangelical Christian gathering,” said Weinstein.

Notwithstanding Weinstein’s backhanded insult of both the military and evangelical Christianity, it is interesting to note that unlike other public figures, Weinstein has apparently decided not to shy away from violent imagery and rhetoric.

For his part, Weinstein is predicting a future lawsuit, which, of course, he’s done continuously for the past 6 years.

The academy graduate remains a staunch critic of the institution, calling it a haven for evangelical proselytizers.

“It will be a short period of time before we meet back in federal court again,” Weinstein predicted.

If its anything like the last four, it, too, will be dismissed in short order.