A couple of new articles highlight the already-noted trend of members of the US military using yoga in their physical training.
A new twist is that yoga is actually part of the official training now, as opposed to simply being an available class at the gym: Read more
Despite the often unified front of Michael Weinstein and his allies, it seems even his supporters are sometimes put off by his methods.
From Jason Torpy, at the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, referring to the USAFA invitation of USMC Lt (Ret) Clebe McClary to the National Prayer Luncheon:
[Recently] a sign promoting leadership based on religion was removed based on MAAF intervention and the understanding of [Air Force] Academy officials. Resolution was simple because of open dialogue.
The invitation to Clebe McClary, Read more
The truth of the US Army’s equitable treatment of “Rock Beyond Belief” has already been addressed. Oddly, though, many people don’t know that RBB may not be able to meet the restrictions imposed upon it by the Army even if it does find the funding it needs to proceed.
What restrictions are those? Well, the same ones put on the Christian “Rock the Fort,” of course: Content.
Unnoticed by many has been the fact Fort Bragg restricted the content at “Rock the Fort.” As noted in the After Action Report:
The bands and speakers stayed within the parameters that we gave them as directed by LTG Helmick, Read more
The question of equitable treatment of “Rock Beyond Belief” has already been addressed in general terms. What follows below is a more in-depth discussion on some of the specifics of the “Rock Beyond Belief” controversy, including Affiliation, Attendance, Funding, and Content. It will certainly be referenced for the MRFF case file (Chris Rodda has undoubtedly been waiting for this), and Fort Bragg may even take a peek at it; it’s here for all to see.
If you only have a few minutes, recommended reading is the section on Funding, though Content is also enlightening.
There’s one interesting qualifier: At least two of the issues below, about which supporters of RBB are only now complaining, were known last year. Guess who brought them up? “Rock Beyond Belief”…
Affiliation: “Rock Beyond Belief” organizers Read more
According to various reports, a US Army Staff Sergeant marched a group of Soldiers to a voluntary Christian concert put on by BarlowGirl at Fort Eustis. When some said they didn’t want to attend, they were marched back to their barracks and told to stay there, without access to their personal electronics and nothing to do but clean the barracks.
This was a result of a “miscommunication,” according to the Army; there was no “malicious” or even “intentional” act.
The company commander found out Read more
Michael Weinstein’s “religious freedom” foundation has raised a hullabaloo over the decision by organizers to cancel the atheist “counter-event” to last year’s Christian “Rock the Fort.” Quoth the ever-eloquent Weinstein:
There is a DoD Directive which says that the Department of Defense may never provide a selective benefit for one entity and not provide the same benefit for another, and the Billy Graham Evangelical Society received a benefit that was not afforded to Rock Beyond Belief. They have treated us horribly.
Weinstein and supporters of the “Rock Beyond Belief” event claim the “horrible” treatment is a result of being treated differently than “Rock the Fort,” or that the military “reneged” on its promise of the “same support” for RBB as RtF. This “disparate” treatment, then, is proof the military is actually trying to promote Christianity.
Then again, Weinstein thinks everything is proof of some sort of Christian conspiracy.
The long and short of it is that there is a process by which Fort Bragg Read more
Apparently, Michael Weinstein of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation thinks atheists need special government support to be considered “equal” with Christians.
The media has had a chance to digest the accusations the US Army post at Fort Bragg discriminated against atheists in their treatment of “Rock Beyond Belief,” and apparently interviewed those involved.
Doesn’t look good for Weinstein and his MRFF crowd.
“I think it all boils down to money,” [Col Stephen] Sicinski said Read more
As previously predicted, the case of US Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan has been recommended for a general court martial authorized to impose the death penalty.
The convening authority will make the final determination.
Hasan is charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder in the Nov. 5, 2009 attack on troops readying to deploy to Afghanistan.