As noted in an Army press release, US Army Alaska celebrated the Diwali festival with members of the Indian army during Yudh Abhyas 2010, a combined training exercise.
Diwali is significant holiday in Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism, for different theological reasons.
President Obama observed Diwali at the White House last year.
Michael Weinstein and his self-founded MRFF have occasionally cried foul at the participation by US Air Force Academy members in groups sponsored by off-base organizations. The most recent was a small Bible study going by the name Cadets for Christ. Officers’ Christian Fellowship, Campus Crusade, and the entire SPIRE system have also been criticized.
Weinstein appears to have his own inroads to the Academy, however. He routinely publicizes information privy only to those at USAFA, and he cites “hundreds” of staff and cadets as party to his complaints. In fact, just yesterday Weinstein cited an “anonymous” USAFA faculty member to support his latest charge against USAFA. (Weinstein complained the MRFF wasn’t invited to the USAFA “religious respect” conference — while simultaneously calling that same conference “propaganda.”)
Some of the people he cites are not without influence. A few who have made themselves known after leaving USAFA: Read more
Newly enlisted US Army SPC Simran Preet Singh Lamba has become the first non-medical officer observant Sikh to enter the US Army in decades (previously noted). Lamba is permitted to keep his beard and wear a turban. Outside of his hair and beard, the Army didn’t treat Lamba uniquely: Read more
Alliance Defense Fund fellow Garrett Gibson poses an interesting question on the American paradigm of defending freedom:
There is an oft-repeated American cliche that freedom is not free. Below the surface of this cliche lies three implications: first, that we value freedom; second, that we are willing to pay the price demanded for the protection of freedom; and third, and most pertinent to this discussion, that we protect, with the force of law, the things we value.
Gibson notes the potential cultural implications of society’s move away from recognizing, and valuing, the virtues of religion: Read more
The North Carolina city of King has been in the news over the past few months over its decision to remove a Christian flag from a veteran’s memorial — after a threat of financial ruin from the ACLU. Local citizens subsequently raised their own Christian flag, and then stood guard over it 24/7.
King officials, with pro bono assistance from the Alliance Defense Fund, recently voted to reinstate the memorial…sort of: Read more
MAAF president Jason Torpy’s out-of-left field remarks about a USAFA religious training scenario were previously offered for consideration. Based on what the regulations actually say, the following is most consistent with the environment of religious respect and religious freedom in the military, specifically tailored to the USAFA cadet culture: Read more
The ACLU has sued the US Navy on behalf of Ensign Michael Izbicki, a 2008 US Naval Academy graduate, who has been denied status as a conscientious objector.
Izbicki has reportedly been developing beliefs in line with the Quakers, a pacifist theology. The Navy has reportedly denied his claim because it questioned the sincerity of his beliefs.
According to the lawsuit, the Navy’s investigations of the legitimacy of Izbicki’s beliefs were deeply flawed and, in one case, “showed extreme religious bias” against his Christian beliefs, especially when it came to his increasing interest in Quakerism… Read more
Officers’ Christian Fellowship has an article entitled “A Christian Officer’s Toolbox,” which presents a variety of practical ways in which Christian military officers can integrate their faith and their profession.
The list of suggested tools, written by US Navy LtCmdr Brian Haggerty, includes Read more