Tag Archives: religious freedom

Christian Fighter Pilot, Astronaut Addresses Eglin Prayer Breakfast

US Air Force Col James Dutton, a NASA astronaut, addressed the Eglin National Prayer breakfast and reminded his listeners of the sense of awe — and the presence of God — that people often miss in their daily lives:

“The world around us is really amazing,” he said. “Our sense of wonder we had as a kid is often lost when we become adults…”

“Being in orbit was like being a two-year old and being a fighter pilot is like being a six-year-old again,” he joked.

MajGen Kenneth Merchant told Col Dutton he “gave us a feel for what it is like to touch the heavens.”  Dutton reiterated that it is “tremendously evident” there is a God Read more

General Allen: Why Wouldn’t We Apologize?

The Commander of US and coalition troops in Afghanistan, General John Allen, gave an interview to ABCNews in which he “dismissed criticism” over the profuse American apologies over the Koran burning in Afghanistan.

“Why wouldn’t we [apologize]?” the general asked. “This is the central word of God for them. Why wouldn’t we? We didn’t do it on purpose but we should apologize and we did.”

Interestingly, when the US military burned the central word of God for Christians, on purpose, it didn’t apologize.  In fact, it defended the need to put the Bibles in the trash.  Why wouldn’t we apologize?  Good question.

Meanwhile, other reports indicate all US troops have been given “mandatory refresher training” on handling Korans.  Few Read more

Chaplains, Soldiers, Politicians Gather for Sabbath Retreat

The Aleph Institute sponsored its 5th Annual Military Sabbath Retreat and Training Course in Miami, Florida in February.

Billed as an opportunity “to decompress and be strengthened,” in the words of Rabbi Sanford Dresin, the retreat has become a central event for the Aleph Institute, a Chabad-Lubavitch organization that provides for the physical and spiritual needs of Jewish soldiers and prisoners at home and abroad.

Guests included House Speaker John Boehner, recently retired US Army Chief of Chaplains (MajGen) Douglas Carver, and MajGen Jeffrey Jacobs, the PsyOps center Read more

US Sailors Support Korean Orphanage

US Sailors deployed to Korea helped support the Aikwangwon orphanage on Koje Island in the Republic of Korea earlier this month.  The orphanage has been ongoing for approximately 60 years, started by Kim Im-soon, a Christian convert from her family’s tradition of Confucianism.

“The Navy volunteers did in one day what would have taken over two months to accomplish,” said Kim.

The US servicemen then did what they famously do so well:  They played with the kids.

Sailors split up to interact with the residents and children Read more

Fort Bragg Chaplain Opens Congress with Prayer

US Army Chaplain (Capt) Rudy Stevens, currently assigned to Fort Bragg, was invited to deliver the invocation at the US House of Representatives in February.

“Lord, too often, we Americans back home forget to pray for our leaders here in D.C. Forgive us, Lord. For those assembled here in the people’s House, I pray that you give them courage, strength, and wisdom. Give them courage from our convictions, strength from your spirit, and wisdom for Read more

Army Atheist Concert Emphasizes Controversial Song in Lineup

Rock Beyond Belief, the atheist event billed as a counter to the previous Christian Rock the Fort, has clearly announced a previously controversial song will be featured in its lineup.

In January, FoxNews carried the story of Aiden’s Hysteria, whose music video showed burning churches while the lyrics said religion “distorts the truth” and called for its “death.”

At the time, the lead organizer of the event, Justin Griffith, was quoted in the FoxNews article saying this was a faux controversy — though the public reaction, and Fort Bragg’s, seemed to differ.  While the FoxNews piece focused on ‘images of burning churches,’ the issue has always been Aiden’s lyrics that criticized religion.  Now, Griffith makes a point of stating Aiden will perform Hysteria [emphasis original]:  Read more

Gazette Takes Michael Weinstein to Task. Again.

Barry Noreen of the Colorado Springs Gazette, local to the US Air Force Academy, wrote on “diversity awareness” at the US Air Force Academy — and managed to explain how Michael Weinstein has been a detriment to that cause.

Under a constant barrage by the likes of Mikey Weinstein…the academy has been under a microscope. Scrutiny isn’t bad, but Weinstein’s vitriol has been counterproductive.
 
“I find this institution shell-shocked at having any kind of discussion of religion,” [Chaplain (Col) Robert] Bruno said.

Rather than help USAFA generate a climate of religious freedom, Weinstein’s public attacks on Christian exercise at the US Air Force Academy have done the opposite.  Noreen Read more

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