As published in the Washington Post (and repeated on the AU website), the Air Force clarified its position on the Task Force Patriot event at Stone Mountain. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation has threatened to sue, again, over this “unparalleled rape of the US Constitution.”
A Memorial Day tribute to veterans is under fire from the Americans United for the Separation of Church and State because one of its sponsors is a religiously oriented organization. In their article, the AU says the “U.S. military participation in a three-day evangelical Christian gathering in Georgia violates the U.S. Constitution.” The Air Force also officially made an announcement (which, notably, makes no reference to religion) of the event. The Stone Mountain announcement also mentions religious organizations only as sponsors of the event along with a local TV station, General Motors, and an auto parts store. The Task Force Patriot site, which is the organizer of the event, goes out of its way to say that:
Task Force Patriot does not attempt to draw members from their present church or fellowship. Task Force Patriot is not a political advocacy group, or combat club. All military veterans, who served this country in a time of peace or conflict, are welcome.
General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in an interview that he believes homosexual acts, like adultery, are immoral. He has since indicated that he should not have focused on his personal views rather than emphasizing military policy. Gay advocacy groups demanded he apologize for “insensitivity.”
A local news site reported that a Navy Lt Commander was relieved of his duties while he is investigated for potential involvement in anti-Semitic organizations. The officer ran a website called the “Legions of St. Louis,” which says it supports the establishment of the Catholic social order.
As repeated by a variety of sources, the Associated Press has reported that the Wiccan lawsuit against the Veterans Administration will proceed without a delay requested by the government.
The Colorado Springs Gazette has reported [link broken] that cadets feel the Academy is ‘more tolerant.’ According to the Academy surveys, 95% of Christians and 85% of non-Christians said the Academy supports religious freedom.
As ChristianFighterPilot.com has noted before, the fight for Christian religious freedom will sometimes have consequences that not all Christians have fully considered. In the previous article on Wiccans, we noted that if Christians (and Buddhists, and Eckankarians, and others) can have symbols on their VA-funded plaques, then Wiccans probably should, too. This may create an uncomfortable position for some Christians, particularly those who sincerely believe that the US should ultimately be a Christian nation. Feelings notwithstanding, when Constitutional protections are won for a Christian, they are also won for those with whom Christians may disagree.
In a recent article on this subject, the Americans United for the Separation of Church and State gleefully pointed out some apparent Christian hypocrisy. Read more
[The text below was forwarded through the enlisted chain of command; portions were quoted on FoxNews.]
SUBJECT: Respecting the Beliefs of All Airmen
Importance: Low
UNCLASSIFIED//
1. Every Airman needs to respect every other Airman and be a good wingman. Air Force leaders and commanders have continued to emphasize the importance of mutual respect. This includes our respect for the beliefs of others. Climate surveys at our Air Force Academy have pointed out instances where respect may be lacking or where declaring one s own religious beliefs may be perceived as imposing on others.
Commanders must be alert to the issue of religious respect throughout our Air Force. The Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Lt Gen Roger Brady, is leading a Task Force that will gather the facts at USAFA, assess policy and practice, and compile a report of findings and recommendations that will be completed over the next few weeks. In the meantime, the acting Secretary has asked that Commanders across our Air Force bring the following principles into their crosscheck: Read more