Tag Archives: religious freedom

Teller: Jewish Practice in the US Military

Over at the Jewish Press, Rabbi Hanoch Teller has a fascinating series tracing in storytelling form several major stories in the history of Judaism in the US military. The first two articles describe the story of Mitchell Geller, who after many years of military service starting in the 1950s was ultimately forced out over a beard he refused to shave — resulting in him losing his retirement. The interesting end to the story can be read in Part II.

The third and fourth articles in the series begin the story of S. Simcha Goldman, the Navy chaplain turned Read more

Report: Retired SNCO Not Tossed from Ceremony over Religion

oscarThe Air Force Inspector General released its report (PDF here) on the incident involving retired USAF SMSgt Oscar Rodriguez in April. Rodriguez was invited to the retirement of fellow SNCO Chuck Roberson to give a narration during the flag-folding. When he rose to do so, several uniformed SNCOs physically through Rodriguez out of the building.

The IG was apparently tasked by none other than the Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James (she responding to a demand by Senator John McCain) to conduct the investigation — though they were apparently only tasked to investigate the “facts and circumstances”, not any specific allegation:

The 23 Jun 16 SAF/IG tasking order specifically directs the Investigation Office to, “…conduct an inquiry into the facts and circumstances surrounding the event; the governing laws, regulations, and policies and how they were applied.”

The IG ultimately concluded the decision to eject Rodriguez from the ceremony was  Read more

US Military Chaplains Remember 9/11

“Today we are reminded by the sacrifice of others that duty, loyalty, respect, and selfless service are not just words that we live by. They are words by which we offer on the Altar our living and breathing.

We are thankful, Almighty God that you have called these values out of men and women who have joined the American Military to protect and defend Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

We believe, heavenly Father, that these are your self-evident truths. So, today we hold in prayer all those members of the Armed Forces who co-labor with you to defeat the enemies Read more

LtGen Caslen: West Point Prayer ‘Crossed the Line’

The video below is a Washington Post interview in which LtGen Robert Caslen, US Military Academy Superintendent, addressed his response to Michael “Mikey” Weinstein’s complaint about the team prayer requested by West Point football Coach Jeff Monken. The 4 minute response is worth watching, as he speaks with nuance that is often lost when he is subsequently quoted.

That said, nuance isn’t everything:

LtGen Caslen said they removed the original video that included the prayer because it was “offensive” — a seemingly illogical explanation. PETA finds the use of live mules as Army mascots offensive, but the Army continues to do it. The practice of liberty ensures that someone will be offended, and since Read more

FRC: Protect Your Military Chaplains from a Bully

Chris Gacek of the Family Research Council recently urged readers to voice their support for military chaplains in a blog entitled “Protect Your Military Chaplains from a Bully.” The context of his call was the most recent “histrionics” of a bully — Michael “Mikey” Weinstein — as he attacked Chaplain (MajGen) Dondi Costin and others for attending the CALL awards event:

What is of particular note is Weinstein’s complete and utter lack of perspective. Does he honestly believe that a retirement-type event honoring a member of Congress who has supported the needs of chaplains would not be attended by appreciative members of the military chaplaincy? Is he really so misguided as to think that the DOD IG is going to state that military chaplains attending a retirement event for a member of the House in the company of other House members and a U.S. Senator is a punishable offense? Sadly, he appears to be.

That’s true, with nuance. Weinstein wouldn’t have Read more

Mikey Weinstein: A Bitter, Harsh, Left-Wing Version of Donald Trump

Believe it or not, Michael “Mikey” Weinstein has been immortalized in theatre. In 2008, Steve Cosson wrote “This Beautiful City,” a play about Colorado Springs and the Evangelical community. Mikey Weinstein is portrayed in that play, and he’s touted it whenever its been in production.

The American Theater Company’s Youth Ensemble put it on this summer in Chicago. As part of their experience, they visited Colorado Springs and saw New Life Church, which also plays a prominent role in the play, and they met Mikey Weinstein.

While Weinstein was probably holding out for Bruce Willis, he was played instead by ATC actor Max Dizon:

dizon1In an August interview with the cast, Dizon explained what it was like to meet the man he was portraying [emphasis added]:  Read more

Fort Lee General Williams Notes Decline in Spiritual Fitness

williams2US Army MajGen Darrell Williams, Fort Lee commanding general and also commander for Combined Arms Support Command, recently signed a suicide prevention/awareness pledge and noted the dramatic decline in Soldier spiritual fitness over his career:

“We need to look at the physical, social and spiritual well-being of ourselves and one another,” Williams continued. “I noticed in my 33 years of service the decline on emphasis of spiritual fitness. I remember as a second lieutenant having a prayer breakfast, the place would be overflowing. Today, when you hold a prayer breakfast, it is much more difficult to fill the seats.

Most of you who have been to combat know Read more

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