A group of 66 Republican lawmakers is accusing the Air Force of creating “a culture that is hostile toward religion.”

[Twana Blevins]

DEFCON HILL

GOP lawmakers allege Air Force is ‘hostile toward religion’

By Jeremy Herb - 06/22/12 02:33 PM ET

 

A group of 66 Republican lawmakers is accusing the Air Force of creating “a culture that is hostile toward religion.”

The House members wrote a letter to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta asking him to investigate whether recent indicents at the Air Force are having a "chilling effect" on people of faith. 

The lawmakers outlined several instances where they had problems with Air Force policy, particularly a memo last year from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, which said that “chaplains, not commanders” should notify airmen about chaplains’ religious programs. The lawmakers wrote the memo was “suggesting that the mere mention of these programs is impermissible.”

They also took issue with the suspension of a briefing that discussed Bible references, the changing of a Latin office motto that included God and removing Bibles from Air Force Inn checklists.

They wrote the policy of “complete separation” between church and state is having a “chilling effect” down the chain of command. 

“The changes lend credence to the notion that the Air Force will remove any reference to God or faith that an outside organization brings to its attention," the lawmakers wrote.

The Air Force said it has received the letter, and a spokeswoman said in a statement that the airmen are “free to exercise their Constitutional right to practice their religion — in a manner that is respectful of other individuals' rights to follow their own belief systems; and in ways that are conducive to good order and discipline; and that do not detract from accomplishing the military mission.”

“We are dedicated to creating an environment in which people can realize their highest potential without any consideration of one's personal religious or other beliefs,” the spokeswoman said.

Three lawmakers spearheaded the letter to Panetta: Reps. Diane Black (R-Tenn.), Randy Forbes (R-Va.) and Todd Akin (R-Mo.).

[Robert James Burkholder]

I agree  with your reply .The portion you underscored  is not only  contrary to the free exercise of religion---but allows any religion --i.e. secular humanism ; atheism ; Islam etc. hostile toward all religious  expression save their own an open door to attack the Christian. I recall the anti-religious Jew  Weinstein  using his distorted understanding of the First Amendment  and bully tactics now copied by atheists  to subvert tradition at the   USAF Academy  in Colorado Springs. Caught off guard  the  leadership at the Academy  broke ranks and  fled before the enemy. Cursed is the man who puts his trust in man , who makes flesh his arm,and is turned from God.Jeremiah 17 :5  And as several of our Founders and/or their  spouses noted in private correspondence That nation only is blessed whose God is the Lord.(Psalm 33:12) We were established a Christian nation( Church of the Holy Trinity  vs. the United States unanimous opinion 1892 upheld by judicial review 1931 cited as controlling legal precedent 1991-Chapman v. the United States) Yet we have been turned from God or as President Lincoln put it  in March 1863 proclamation of a day of Fasting ,humiliation and prayer --"we have forgotten God."

[william e grant]

HAD ENOUGH YET .