Group Fears Air Force Is Discriminating Against Christians
The investigation into whether some cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy went too far in preaching Christianity has generated a separate controversy. Pro-family conservatives now say evangelical Christians might be suffering...
Published Jul 05, 2005
(CNSNews.com) - The investigation into whether some cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy went too far in preaching Christianity has generated a separate controversy. Pro-family conservatives now say evangelical Christians might be suffering discrimination at the hands of the Air Force.
"I am concerned that efforts to address a few unfortunate incidents may become an excuse for discrimination against evangelical Christians," Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, wrote in a letter to Gerald A. Reynolds, chairman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Chairman (USCCR).
Perkins was referring to the investigative council established by the Air Force in May to study allegations of "religious intolerance" at the academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The "intolerance" allegedly included senior cadets harassing non-Christians by denying them off-campus passes to attend other religious services; cadets uttering anti-Semitic slurs and academy professors "proselytizing" in class.
Between May 10 and 13, the 16-member investigative council, headed by Lt. Gen. Roger Brady, personally met with more than 300 cadets, instructors, and academy personnel.
As a result, the Air Force on June 22 promised in a press release that it would "work on developing wider cultural awareness," among the students and staff at the academy and that it would remind commanders to make sure individual religious beliefs were accommodated.
By the time the Air Force pledged its remedial action, members of Congress had already gotten involved. U.S. Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.) proposed an amendment to a $409 billion Defense Appropriations bill that would have given Congress the power to criticize the academy before the Air Force's investigation had concluded and the official report had been released.
Obey's amendment was defeated, but a proposal by U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), placing Congress on the record expressing that "personal religious faith is welcome in the United States military," passed 210-198 on June 20.
Hunter's amendment also recommended that the Air Force continue its investigation of religious intolerance and provide Congress with its suggestions.
Now, the Family Research Council states that it is trying to prevent the pendulum from swinging too far in the other direction. Perkins indicated in a press release the hope that the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights would "monitor compliance with our nation's laws guaranteeing civil rights.
"Our nation's Constitution recognizes that everyone has liberty of religious expression - including the service members who fight to defend it," Perkins stated.
Perkins believes Air Force Academy chaplains are being specifically targeted because they are "preaching in accordance with the dictates of their religion." Faculty members, he added, who "express religious commitments are being subjected to harsh criticism designed to silence them."
Kenneth Marcus, staff director for the USCCR, told Cybercast News Service that the commission would give Perkins' letter "serious consideration," but he was not certain whether the commission would investigate.
The Commission on Civil Rights does plan to address the issue of discrimination during an educational briefing at the end of 2005. "I know that there were allegations of anti-Semitism at the Air Force Academy. It's possible that the request from Family Research Council could play into that briefing," Marcus said.
One of the FRC's frequent opponents in the debate over religion -- Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) - is also weighing in on the Air Force Academy controversy.
"More work needs to be done" to address the problem of religious intolerance, said Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of AU. "I wish the Air Force Academy had been more forthcoming in admitting that religious intolerance does exist at the academy. Members of our military are charged with defending our way of life, which includes religious liberty."
Lynn said it would be ironic "if the Air Force failed to protect that basic right for academy cadets. He also denied that his group was targeting Christians. Lynn claimed that many of the cadets who complained to AU of "heavy-handed proselytizing at the academy are Christians."
E-mail a news tip to Carolyn Bolls.
Send a Letter to the Editor about this article.
"I am concerned that efforts to address a few unfortunate incidents may become an excuse for discrimination against evangelical Christians," Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, wrote in a letter to Gerald A. Reynolds, chairman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Chairman (USCCR).
Perkins was referring to the investigative council established by the Air Force in May to study allegations of "religious intolerance" at the academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The "intolerance" allegedly included senior cadets harassing non-Christians by denying them off-campus passes to attend other religious services; cadets uttering anti-Semitic slurs and academy professors "proselytizing" in class.
Between May 10 and 13, the 16-member investigative council, headed by Lt. Gen. Roger Brady, personally met with more than 300 cadets, instructors, and academy personnel.
As a result, the Air Force on June 22 promised in a press release that it would "work on developing wider cultural awareness," among the students and staff at the academy and that it would remind commanders to make sure individual religious beliefs were accommodated.
By the time the Air Force pledged its remedial action, members of Congress had already gotten involved. U.S. Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.) proposed an amendment to a $409 billion Defense Appropriations bill that would have given Congress the power to criticize the academy before the Air Force's investigation had concluded and the official report had been released.
Obey's amendment was defeated, but a proposal by U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), placing Congress on the record expressing that "personal religious faith is welcome in the United States military," passed 210-198 on June 20.
Hunter's amendment also recommended that the Air Force continue its investigation of religious intolerance and provide Congress with its suggestions.
Now, the Family Research Council states that it is trying to prevent the pendulum from swinging too far in the other direction. Perkins indicated in a press release the hope that the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights would "monitor compliance with our nation's laws guaranteeing civil rights.
"Our nation's Constitution recognizes that everyone has liberty of religious expression - including the service members who fight to defend it," Perkins stated.
Perkins believes Air Force Academy chaplains are being specifically targeted because they are "preaching in accordance with the dictates of their religion." Faculty members, he added, who "express religious commitments are being subjected to harsh criticism designed to silence them."
Kenneth Marcus, staff director for the USCCR, told Cybercast News Service that the commission would give Perkins' letter "serious consideration," but he was not certain whether the commission would investigate.
The Commission on Civil Rights does plan to address the issue of discrimination during an educational briefing at the end of 2005. "I know that there were allegations of anti-Semitism at the Air Force Academy. It's possible that the request from Family Research Council could play into that briefing," Marcus said.
One of the FRC's frequent opponents in the debate over religion -- Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) - is also weighing in on the Air Force Academy controversy.
"More work needs to be done" to address the problem of religious intolerance, said Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of AU. "I wish the Air Force Academy had been more forthcoming in admitting that religious intolerance does exist at the academy. Members of our military are charged with defending our way of life, which includes religious liberty."
Lynn said it would be ironic "if the Air Force failed to protect that basic right for academy cadets. He also denied that his group was targeting Christians. Lynn claimed that many of the cadets who complained to AU of "heavy-handed proselytizing at the academy are Christians."
E-mail a news tip to Carolyn Bolls.
Send a Letter to the Editor about this article.
Originally published July 06, 2005.
