As noted at the Baptist Press, a Congressional conference committee is currently attempting to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act. One issue is a change that might allow the military to use funds or facilities for abortions. Another is whether or not military personnel will be explicitly protected in their moral and religious expressions regarding homosexuality. The Chaplain Read more
Update: A letter to the editor of the Stars and Stripes questions Torpy’s “odd idea of religious freedom.”
Former Army Captain and current atheist Jason Torpy was working overtime doing damage control over the past week, as various outlets picked up the story of his complaint over the “live nativity” occurring during NSA Bahrain’s annual “Holiday Tree Lighting.” His comments appeared on a variety of sites covering the controversy; in each case, he basically said he didn’t demand NSA Bahrain cancel it — he just called it “unconstitutional” and a danger to US troops — that’s all. Of course, he did say that cancelling it was “preferable to” letting it happen:
If the scene had to be cancelled, that is unfortunate but it is also preferable to the government-sponsored proselytism [*See note, below] the Live Nativity would have added to an otherwise positive celebration.
FoxNews accurately reported that Torpy’s complaint to the Inspector General led to the cancellation of the event to occur during Read more
Air Force Chaplain (Maj) Jeff Granger wrote an interesting article entitled “Confession of a Chaplain: I shouldn’t be here.” In short, he left active duty to become a chaplain, but then found himself ineligible for the chaplaincy through a confluence of events. As often happens, the needs of the Air Force changed, and he was able to re-enter the Air Force as a chaplain.
It’s an interesting commentary on being where God wants you to be — even if you don’t feel that you are.
The conversation that took place in the comments on the article were interesting as well. Two samples: Read more
LifeSiteNews reports retired US Army 1SG Lynn Vanzandt, a JROTC instructor in Huntsville, AL, is being investigated by the Department of Education for allegations of harassment and discrimination, based on statements he made regarding the Bible and homosexuality:
The Department of Education sent a letter to Huntsville City Schools Superintendent Casey Wardynski this week, informing him that federal investigators will look into claims of alleged harassment Read more
FoxNews picked up the story of atheist Jason Torpy’s IG complaint about NSA Bahrain’s children’s “live Nativity.” In comments on many of the articles now featuring this topic, Torpy has been roundly criticized as a Grinch — and it seems he lost the support even of some fellow atheists.
At the Christian Post, OneNewsNow, and DC CBS.
It has been noted here many times before that chaplains in the US military travel the world with US troops, even to one-off places [the South Pole].
It should go without saying that chaplains follow their troops into combat, as well. Many are familiar with the opening scenes of Saving Private Ryan and Part 3 of Band of Brothers, which dramatize the real-life service of chaplains serving under fire. In the movies, they are unfazed (and unstruck) by the bullets landing around them:
From Saving Private Ryan, a chaplain gives last rites during the assault on Omaha Read more
A Utah paper highlighted the service of local Mormons with the Utah National Guard, which includes arrangements allowing teenagers to enlist, go to boot camp — and then take a two year break for their mission:
“A lot of people told me I couldn’t be both a Marine and a missionary,” [LCpl Brady] Knowles said before he left for the LDS Church’s Indianapolis Mission last year. “But when I talked to the Marine recruiters and told them I was going to serve a mission, they told me it could be worked out. And it was.”
Upon graduating from high school, Knowles enlisted Read more
Some people claim there’s a “war on Christmas” when retailers substitute “Happy Holidays” for “Merry Christmas.” While some customers or employees may take issue, the retailers’ choices of words probably have little impact on anything, including their bottom line.
By contrast, some atheists are actively working against “Christmas” in the US military — which has a direct and measurable impact on US troops, especially those stationed thousands of miles from the familiar celebrations of home.
As noted previously, the annual raising of “holiday” or “Christmas” trees and Menorahs has begun on US military installations around the world. The chapels of some bases also put up nativity scenes, as Travis AFB famously did last year.
The US military facility known as “Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain” has held an annual Christmas tree lighting for years. As part of that activity, carols have been sung, Santa has found his oversized chair, and excessive amounts of cookies and Christmas drinks have been consumed. In addition, the event has featured a “live nativity,” composed of base children and local animals. The event even included a photogenic camel.
Jason Torpy, a former Army captain and current atheist activist, considers “a Christmas tree, presents, some [non-Christian] songs, and even Santa Claus as trappings of secular Christmas.” The nativity, then, had to go. So an IG complaint was filed [emphasis Read more