Koran Burning: Copy Cats, Hypocrisy, and Replacement Texts

According to Military.com, the small, controversial Westboro Baptist Church has joined the criticism of the planned Koran burnings in Florida, but not for the reason everyone else is.  Their reason?

They did it first.  And no one noticed.

It’s that in 2008 she and her father’s Topeka flock set fire to a Quran in plain view on a Washington, D.C., street and nobody seemed to care…

Westboro has even said if Jones doesn’t burn the Koran, they will.  Elsewhere, there is an increasing chorus of “hypocrisy” accusations against US officials.  The US government previously said it burned Bibles in Afghanistan; even at that time, there was a sense that

“if it had been the Quran, this never would have happened.”

Other news agencies picked up on the “unusual” Read more

General: “Do You Have Moral Courage?”

General Darryl W. Burke, commander of the 82nd Training Wing, pens an interesting commentary on the official Air Force site.  He asks a simple question:  “Do you have moral courage?”

While academically interesting, it’s noteworthy that the General never really defines moral courage.  He simply seems to assume there are two kinds of courage: physical and non-physical (moral).

Moral courage is more than just “mental courage,” however.  It is not merely the courage to stand up for the correct answer; it is the courage to stand up for what is right. 

Moral courage has been mentioned by military leadership before.

Air Force Looking to Replace T-38s

Update: European-based BAE has proposed its Hawk to replace the T-38.

The US Air Force has already replaced its primary training aircraft:  The T-37 has now been replaced by the T-6.  The T-38 is the second tier of basic pilot training, the aircraft in which all fighter pilots (and sometimes bomber pilots, depending on what year students attended) complete pilot training.  A report out at the Air Force Times indicates the Air Force is “looking to replace” the jet trainer.  Given the age of the planes and the horizon of the acquisition process, it might be a statement of the obvious.

The 50 year old T-38s have already been updated with advanced avionics and even completely new ejection systems.  Updates don’t make the aircraft any newer, however, and the aging fleet of T-38s will ultimately need to be replaced.

Psalm 91 and Operation Bandanas

Mary Gray is the wife of a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel.  She was “looking for something special” to send to her deployed son when she found a bandana with Psalm 91 on it.  The bandanas, made with the same camouflage pattern as military uniforms, have been in high demand since and have become the product of Operation Bandanas.  While some use them for their “function” (a rag between their helmet and their head), others have used them for their spiritual value, and just had them in their pocket over their heart.

Gray’s OpBan is registered as a non-profit and is seeking donations to cover the thousands of requests they have received.  The bandanas are currently available in the Army ACU, Desert Camo, and USMC digi patterns.

For those who may be curious:  Read more

Military Chaplains Aid in Suicide Prevention

As previously noted, Chaplains are an integral part of the Army’s efforts to combat the trend of Soldier suicides.  A recent Army press release details how Chaplains contribute to that cause:

Chaplains provide confidential counseling services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Wagner said. They refer those they counsel to other post resources when necessary. Chaplains also advise commanders during unit suicide prevention training, conducted quarterly.  Read more

“Demons” in US Military Cause Protest, Sort of

If you can get past the title, Dr. James White’s article “Strippers Going to War” has an interesting perspective on religion in the military.  Dr. White is Professor of Theology and Culture at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

White’s topic is the Christian reaction — or over-reaction — to perceptions of sin or evil in the culture.  In one example, he cites the case of Pastor Donald Crosby of the Kingdom Builders Church of Jesus Christ in Warner Robins, Georgia.  (The story was originally covered by USA Today via WMAZ in Macon, Ga.)  The pastor enrolled his son in the local high school, only to discover their mascot was…a demon:

He’s been collecting signatures of protest ever since, saying that a pitchfork-wielding mascot sends the wrong message to teens.  “Hundreds of children gather into one place at one time chanting ‘Go Demons.’  It’s the equivalent of us gathering into a church on Sunday morning and shouting ‘Go, Jesus’ or ‘Hallelujah Jesus,’ the pastor maintains.

Interesting thing is, that’s not at all the history behind the mascot:

School principal Steve Monday says that the origin of the mascot isn’t religious at all.  In fact, it started in World War II from the 7th fighter squadron at Robbins [sic] Air Force Base, Read more

Sikh Granted Exemption to Army Standards

The Sikh Coalition announced that the US Army had granted an exception to dress and appearance policies allowing Simran Preet Singh Lamba, an observant Sikh, to enter the Army and maintain his religious standards of appearance.

Lamba was reportedly recruited for his language skills.  He is the third Sikh behind Captains Tejdeep Singh Rattan and Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi to be granted such exceptions over the past year.

The Sikh Coalition notes that it is continuing to work to eliminate the policy altogether, so that Sikhs may serve without the necessity of seeking a special waiver.

Also noted at the Religion Clause.

General Petraeus Condemns Proposed Koran Burning

According to press reports, General David Petraeus, commander of US forces in Afghanistan, has said the proposed burning of Korans in Florida would endanger US troops:

“Images of the burning of a Koran would undoubtedly be used by extremists in Afghanistan — and around the world — to inflame public opinion and incite violence,” Petraeus said. “Were the actual burning to take place, the safety of our soldiers and civilians would be put in jeopardy and accomplishment of the mission would be made more difficult.”

While the General is speaking within his purview — the mission and the troops — it is fairly unusual for a military officer to so pointedly address the lawful exercise of an American citizen’s protected rights.  The White House also reportedly “condemned” the plans:  Read more

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