In an interesting comparison on perspective, the Washington Times noted near the end of May that some were making an effort to “push [the] military for more religious liberty,” including members of Congress:

Rep. John Fleming, Louisiana Republican, criticized the military for appearing “zealous to shut down expressions of faith.”

“This is our military telling service members to raise their hands and ask permission before they dare to utter an expression of faith,” Mr. Fleming said during a speech at the Family Research Council.

Daniel Blomberg of the Becket Fund noted that Congress had twice passed laws requiring the US military to “be more accommodating to religious beliefs and practices,” laws that had apparently not been fully addressed.

The Air Force now appears to be set to modify its current policy on religious expression, which has been described by critics as overly restrictive.

In a contrasting perspective, the Air Force Times recently claimed the Air Force was “draft[ing] instruction to weaken limits on religious expression.” Of course, the government removing state restrictions on religious expression is a good thing — and it also complies with the supreme law of the land, the US Constitution.

Aside from a quote from a letter, the Air Force Times article cited only a single person: Michael “Mikey” Weinstein. Weinstein apparently received a copy of the proposed changes to AFI 1-1 — the long-debated AFI that has apparently been “misapplied” where the “rubber meets the road” — through an MRFF contact connected to the US Air Force Academy.

It may seem odd to see a self-described “religious liberty” advocate fighting against regulations that would expand protections for religious liberty. But that’s because through his MRFF “charity,” Weinstein has been fighting against religious liberty for years. This is only the latest example.

Fortunately, efforts by actual advocates of religious liberty and members of the US Congress have often thwarted Weinstein’s attacks.  With the upcoming Air Force policy revision, religious freedom may yet prevail.

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