The Patriot Files Forums  

Go Back   The Patriot Files Forums > Branch Posts > Airforce

Post New Thread  Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-22-2005, 12:36 PM
David's Avatar
David David is offline
Administrator
 

Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 46,798
Distinctions
Special Projects VOM Staff Contributor 
Default AF Academy Flameout On Religion

AP


The U.S. Air Force Academy failed to accommodate the diverse religious needs of cadets and staff, although there has been no overt discrimination, a military investigative panel concluded Wednesday.

The Air Force investigation, released by the Pentagon, required academy leaders to clarify their policies on appropriate and inappropriate religious expression. But it also credited them with moving to confront these issues.

The investigation also cited a perception of intolerance among some cadets and staff.

"The (Air Force) team found a religious climate that does not involve overt religious discrimination, but a failure to fully accommodate all members' needs and a lack of awareness where the line is drawn between permissible and impermissible expression of beliefs," the report says.

The Air Force team was appointed to investigate the religious climate at the 4,300-student school in Colorado Springs, Colo., after hearing complaints that evangelical Christians wield so much influence at the school that anti-Semitism and other forms of religious harassment have become pervasive.

It assessed Air Force policy on religious respect and tolerance and looked into whether commanders' actions encouraged or discouraged free expression and free exercise of religion.

Earlier, Capt. Melinda Morton, a chaplain who spoke out against religious intolerance there, resigned her commission. Morton resigned Tuesday after 13 years serving the Air Force.

Critics, including Morton, have said evangelical Protestants were harassing cadets of other faiths at the school in violation of constitutional principles of separation of church and state in the military. An academy critic said the report being released Wednesday concluded the problem was serious.

The investigation was initiated after critics of the academy's handling of religion told Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld that students, faculty, staff and members of the chaplains' office frequently pressured cadets to attend chapel and receive religious instruction.

Others said prayers were frequently conducted before official events.

Brady said he found seven specific incidents that he referred to the military's chain of command for possible investigation. He did not provide details.

The Air Force report cites some incidents but does not go into details: religious slurs and disparaging remarks between cadets and statements from faculty and staff with strong religious beliefs that some cadets found offensive.

"There is a lack of awareness on the part of some faculty and staff, and perhaps some senior cadets, as to what constitutes appropriate expressions of faith," said Lt. Gen. Roger Brady, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for personnel, in a press conference at the Pentagon.
sendpm.gif Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
  #2  
Old 06-22-2005, 12:49 PM
Keith_Hixson's Avatar
Keith_Hixson Keith_Hixson is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Washington, the state
Posts: 5,022
Distinctions
VOM Contributor 
Post Very Interesting

RELIGIOUS HARRASSMENT depends on ones point of view. My guess is that Melinda Morton is a liberal in theology. The Evangelicals are more aggressive at recruiting, etc. But, the complaints should come from the cadets and not another chaplain. Sounds like a case of bad apples to me. However, some Conservative Christians don?t know when to stop asking. However what is harassment depends upon the individual and their definition.

Keith
sendpm.gif Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-23-2005, 03:38 AM
revwardoc's Avatar
revwardoc revwardoc is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Gardner, MA
Posts: 4,252
Distinctions
Contributor VOM 
Default

Why doesn't anyone remember the 11th Commandment...Keep thy religion to thyself!
__________________
I'd rather be historically accurate than politically correct.
sendpm.gif Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Religion And Politics 39mto39g General Posts 17 02-08-2007 06:31 PM
Air Force Sued Over Religion David Airforce 2 10-06-2005 08:17 PM
Belief-O-Matic? will tell you what religion (if any) you practice...or ought to consi Jerry D General Posts 17 08-03-2005 06:06 AM
Religion, Generals and Leadership thedrifter Marines 0 11-29-2003 05:21 AM
Freedom of Religion Red China..not a chance !.. check this out !! MORTARDUDE General Posts 2 01-17-2003 12:43 PM

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:31 AM.


Powered by vBulletin, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.