Diversity in the US Military
Fort Hood announced their “LGBT Pride Month” as well, though four of the five comments on the local news article seemed to question the motivation of the “celebration.” Read more
Tag Archives: Public Expression
Lunar Bible Goes for $75K at Auction
One of 512 “lunar Bibles” — tiny, but complete, microform King James Bibles — was recently auctioned for $75,000: Read more
2015 NDAA Passes House with Religious Liberty Clause
For the third year in a row, the US House of Representatives included a religious liberty clause when it passed the annual National Defense Authorization Act. The last two years have required the US military to protect religious expression. This year, after several examples of “confusion” regarding religion in the US military, the amendment to the NDAA requires the military to “issue clearer regulations regarding religious expression.”
Congressman Doug Lamborn proposed Read more
Marines Save Camp Pendleton Crosses
With fires raging in southern California, US Marines based at Camp Pendleton took the time to rescue crosses memorializing their fallen comrades:
First Sergeant’s Hill in Camp San Mateo, California, is home to nearly two dozen wooden crosses memorializing fallen Marines from Pendleton, a sacred site created by and for Marines to remember lost comrades. When new Marines arrive at Camp Pendleton units, more senior troops will often take them to the site and explain its significance.
The fires ultimately overcame the hills, but Read more
Franklin Graham on Abortion, Homosexuality, and Cowardice
The Rev Franklin Graham had a firm message for pastors at the 2014 Watchmen on the Wall National Briefing: “God hates cowards.”
“God hates cowards. And the cowards that the Lord is referring to are the men and women who know the truth but refuse to speak it…”
“We have a responsibility to speak on the moral issues. Abortion, homosexuality, these are moral issues. This is a free country, you can do what you want to do but I want you to know it’s a sin against God. This is a sin,” said Graham.
In an interesting comparison, the Christian Post noted Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty was recently harangued for…quoting the Bible during a sermon. Quoting a portion of his remarks [emphasis added]: Read more
AFA: Religious Freedom in Military Appreciation Month
May is traditionally considered “Military Appreciation Month.” Sandy Rios of the American Family Association recently said while the military should be appreciated for protecting freedoms around the world, more needs to be done to protect freedoms within the US military: Read more
Special Forces Chaplain on Unconventional Ministry
Christianity Today’s Leadership Journal has an interesting article from US Army Chaplain (Capt) Tim Crawley, probably one of the few chaplains to attend and complete a few Special Forces courses:
After my chaplaincy training, I was given the opportunity to attend the Army’s Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS). Upon successfully completing selection, I was invited to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course, the arduous “Q Course,” approximately 18 months of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion.
Chaplain Crawley writes how the education on Unconventional Warfare had an “uncanny application to ministry leadership.”
His 7-phase application is an interesting Read more
Archdiocese Offers Mass at Recruit Training Center
As noted in an official Navy article, Catholic Bishop Robert Coyle, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, recently visited the US Naval Recruit Training Center at Great Lakes, Illinois. He was able to meet with the Command’s leadership and celebrate communion with trainees at the Recruit Memorial Chapel. As every trainee of every branch knows, the ability to celebrate one’s faith during the intensity of basic training can provide the support and strength to persevere:
During Catholic services at RTC, recruits volunteer to sing in the choir or serve at the altars. Recruits can also offer prayers, read scripture and take Holy Communion. According to Seaman Recruit Katrina Biggs, taking Read more