According to their website, Christian Freedom International has taken on the cause of the US Marine who was removed from duty after distributing coins with a Christian message (previously noted). CFI believes that punishing the Marine for his actions would be counter to American freedoms.
As noted at the Christian Post, Operation Worship has teamed with a variety of groups to deliver “100,000 Bibles in 100 days” to military members and their families. The Bibles are purchased by individuals who write a personal note in it and then return it to be delivered to the military.
While there may be some hesitation about such distribution given the recent sensitivity over such matters, the organization says that the Bibles will be delivered to Chaplains who will distribute them as troops are being deployed. In addition, the organization says it launched the effort to ensure that they reached every soldier that wants a Bible.
According to CNN, a US Marine has been removed from his post for distributing coins with a Christian message of evangelism to local Iraqis.
According to FoxNews, the Army has decided to remove three crosses and a memorial plaque that honored a Chaplain who died while serving on Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo. This was reportedly to comply with Army regulations that require chapels to have neutral appearances and not be named. From 13-3:
The chapel environment will be religiously neutral when the facility is not being used for scheduled worship. Chapels must be available to people of all faith groups for meditation and prayer when formal religious services are not scheduled.
[Religious] symbols are to be moved or covered when not in use. Distinctive religious symbols, such as crosses, crucifixes, the Star of David, menorah, and other religious symbols, will not be affixed or displayed permanently on the chapel exterior or grounds. Permanent or fixed chapel furnishings, such as the altar, pulpit, lectern, communion rail, prie-dieu, or reredos, will be devoid of distinctive religious symbols.
While some blogs have criticized the Army for the move, neutral symbology is fairly standard Read more
The Colorado Springs Gazette covers the President’s commencement address at the US Air Force Academy on Wednesday.
Our nation is once again contending with an ideology that seeks to sow anger and hatred and despair – the ideology of Islamic extremism. In today’s struggle, we are once again facing evil men who despise freedom, and despise America, and aim to subject millions to their violent rule. And once again, our nation is called to defeat these adversaries – and secure the peace for millions across the world. And once again, our enemies will be no match for the men and women of the United States Air Force….
Be officers of character and integrity. Keep your wings level and true. Never falter; do not fail. And always know that America stands behind you.
Thank you. May God bless, and congratulations to the Class of 2008.
See the full text.
In a video at the Baptist Press, Chaplain (Capt) Jeff Struecker speaks about the spiritual support he gives the trainees at the US Army Ranger School.
The more difficult the circumstances, the more receptive they are to issues of faith…
There is an urgency for me to share the gospel of Jesus Christ…
My heroes are Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airman, and I can’t think of a greater privilege than to be a pastor to a group of my heroes.
The Chaplain is the former Staff Sergeant Struecker of Blackhawk Down fame. One of his stories is recounted in Stories from a Soldier’s Heart, and he has written his story in The Road to Unafraid. (See the last three paragraphs of this article.)
According to CNN (with more commentary here), a US Army Major General formally apologized to an Iraqi village after a soldier used a Koran for target practice. The General called the soldier’s actions “criminal behavior,” and a military official “kissed a Koran” and provided it as a gift to the village.
An Iraqi party claimed that the apology and reassignment were insufficient and demanded “the severest punishment.”
UPDATE: According to CNN, President Bush has personally apologized to the Iraqi Prime Minister. CNN has updated the article in response to the White House assertion that there was no “apology.”
The World Net Daily, which can sometimes be justifiably accused of sensationalizing its stories, carries a report about a fundamental Baptist Chaplain who claims that his services in Iraq were “suppressed” because “it was offensive to the brigade chaplain.”
Without the true facts of the case, it is impossible to draw a conclusion. It is true that it would be improper for a chapel service to be cancelled for its theology; it is also true that the military is under no obligation to have a chapel service for every “flavor” of religion in its ranks.
It is possible that this is the case to which the ACLJ previously referred.