Posted on 05/12/2005 12:41:32 PM PDT by wagglebee
Here’s a story that will throw you for a loop: a "chaplain” at the U.S. Air Force Academy is complaining that the school’s administration has a "systemic and pervasive” problem of promoting religious religious values with a Christian bent.
The chaplain, Capt. Melinda Morton, a "Lutheran minister” spoke out publicly on Tuesday as an Air Force task force arrived at the academy to investigate charges that officers and staff members pushed their religious beliefs on cadets.
And she claimed that a tolerance program developed at the academy, called Respecting the Spiritual Values of all People (R.S.V.P.), was watered down after it was shown to officers.
Maj. Gen. Charles C. Baldwin, chief of chaplains for the Air Force, screened the 90-minute R.S.V.P. film in October, according to Capt. Morton, and asked her: "Why is it that the Christians never win?” in reaction to some of the program’s depictions of cadet interactions.
"Chaplain” Morton’s complaints about too much religion at the military academy is creating waves, and earned her hero status in a report in the New York Times Thursday.
Gen. Baldwin acknowledged in an interview that he felt too many scenes in the film portrayed Christians at fault for excessive evangelical proselytizing.
He also said he asked that the Air Force cut segments on non-Christian religions such as Buddhism, Judaism and Native American spirituality.
The problem in dealing with proselytizing and church-state issues at the academy, he explained, "always is, when is a person crossing the line, or when are they being a positive person of faith, like our president.”
Last year, the Colorado Springs academy invited Yale Divinity School professor Kristen Leslie and six Yale graduate students to visit the school and observe how the chaplains minister to the cadets.
A memo from the Yale team cited the "stridently evangelical themes” at a worship service attended by 600 new cadets.
Leslie said a chaplain urged cadets to pray for those who didn’t attend and "remind them of the consequences ... those not ‘born again will burn in the fires of hell.’”
But academy spokesman Johnny Whitaker disputed that account, saying several other chaplains told him that no one mentioned burning "in the fires of hell.”
Morton, a 48-year-old "Lutheran minister," said she was removed from her post as executive officer to the chief chaplain, Col. Michael Whittington, last week. She claimed the dismissal came after he pressured her to deny details of what happened at the religious service.
But Whitaker said Whittington sent Morton an e-mail on May 4 saying he was removing her "to ensure a smooth and complete transition” for new leaders.
Morgan said she had stepped forward because "it’s the Constitution, not just a nice rule we can follow or not follow. That includes not using your power to advance your religious agenda.”
She acknowledged that after speaking out, "I don’t think I have much future in the Air Force.”
yeah.
count me as one of them.
Hearty Amen.
pretty much.
yes.
and this 'female' pretending to be a chaplain is but more evidence thereof.
there are exceptions.
few of them.
What's an American Baptist?
Southern Baptist Convention is the largest Protestant denomination in the country. I've never heard of "American Baptist".
ELCA apparently doesn't believe in the verbal pleniary inspiration of the scriptures in their original text do they?
(inerrant, inspired)
As a linguistically offensive believer, I want to know....
how the HELL can a person have too much CHRIST in their Christianity?
What Christan wants LESS Jesus Christ in their world?
GRANTED some Christians CAN be obnoxious... but who wants to join a group of folks who name the name, but don't want so much of you know... HIM, in their life, and daily walk?
she looks like a dyke.
American Baptists are part of the National Council of "Churches", if memory serves correctly. That might help define them.
Men are more than penises dear. You know that.
Mine is bigger than yours, Sarge.
<< How convienient to toss out around 205 years of American history and [Expect responsibility to the office of] the current occupier of the Whitehouse. >>
Of course not, Ducky.
Let's get, say Calvin Coolidge to step up to the plate, shall we?
Or the traitor, Roosefelt?
Or Abe Linclon?
Billybub Cli'toon?
Jimah Cahtah?
Dick Nixon?
Although I must admit I have no idea what your "205 years of history" have to do with the 2005 border protection of our 229 years-old Republic! And, presently around 10,000 miles from home, I already am at war!]
I'm married to a Lt. Colonel, thankyouverymuch.
What do you call an atheist in a coffin?
"All dressed up and no place to go!"
I'm a traditionalist. I can't help it. I don't even feel right when women lead prayer on Sundays. It's just not how I grew up.
No worries....old dogs like me will be "sayanora" in a generation and I bet all the Gen X and Y milkstools will be more pliable.
Yes...that defines them quite well....apostates.
I doubt you could find any Southern Baptist preacherman to publicly deny scripture.
Thanks.
When I got there I realized it was an American Baptist Church. They were nice folks and friendly but it was more of a social gathering than a church.
Not getting much action on this thread MM.
You get an A for effort though.
;>)
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