Posted on 08/30/2005 7:55:00 AM PDT by WestTexasWend
DENVER (AP) - The Air Force released new guidelines for religious tolerance Monday that discourage public prayer at official functions and urge commanders to be sensitive about personal expressions of religious faith.
The document directs chaplains to "respect the rights of others to their own religious beliefs, including the right to hold no beliefs." But some who have criticized the Air Force Academy questioned whether needed changes will really be implemented.
The guidelines, which apply to the entire Air Force, were drawn up after allegations that evangelical Christians wield so much influence at the academy in Colorado Springs that anti-Semitism and other forms of religious harassment have become pervasive.
An Air Force task force concluded that some students and staff at the school have the perception that the academy favors evangelical Christians and is intolerant of those who do not share their faith.
Rob Boston, spokesman for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and Abraham Foxman, head of the New York-based Anti-Defamation League, both said the big question now is how the rules will be implemented.
The guidelines "say all the right things," Foxman said. "They address all the issues that were raised as problems at the Air Force Academy. The major question is, how will be they become a reality? A lot of the people implementing this are the people who violated it."
Mikey Weinstein, an academy graduate who says his sons have been the target of anti-Semitic slurs at the school, said the new guidelines fail to control evangelical zealots.
"The Air Force's official policy remains that the Air Force reserves the right to evangelize anyone in the Air Force that it determines to be unchurched," Weinstein said in an interview from his home in Albuquerque, N.M.
The guidelines do not ban public prayer outright and say short, nonsectarian prayers may be included in special ceremonies or events, but only to lend a sense of solemnity and not to promote specific beliefs.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
I guess that evangelical Christians must be running everything at the UN, then, if that's what causes anti-Semitism. Who woulda thunk it?
They all ought to switch to Alcoholism and engage in Bacchus worship.
In other words, the Air Force now takes the position that Christianity is offensive.
I've got a new name: United States Athiest Force. This will work well for them.
It was just a matter of time. I suppose they'll be passing out prayer rugs.
All part of the globalist plan to destroy our military. You can bet soldiers will public pray on the battlefield.
America fought the Cold War against the Soviet Communists
from 1946-1986 .Mere politicians,and the Press loudly declared America the winner. And set about dismantling our military under the guise of reaping the"peace dividend" .
After the No-win War in S.E.Asia Our military chaplains
began a leveling of all religions and state policy of holding allreligions in utter indifference.Completely contrary to the founders vision. The new Air Force policy
not only is a violation of the Free Exercise clause --but
contrary to tradition that predates our Constitution.On Sept.7,1774 The Rev. Duche read Psalm 35 and prayed at open
of the Congressional session -closing wiht " . . . in the Name and by the merits of Jesus Christ<Thy Son ,and Our Savior" A prayer consistant with the General Orders that
General George Washington issued the day Congress
authorized Military chaplains (July 9,1776).Clearly when the
USAir Force allows the transmission belt to Soviet COmmunist dictatorship (the ACLU and their Jewish counterpart (The ADL ) dictate Marxian policy we must have
been Lied to and it must have been the godless pinko fags
won the Cold War. Agovernment policy that purports to promote religious tolerance yet disallows a religious function is a violation of the first amendment,and bad policy.And when we were fit to be called Americans such would Never be tolerated.
He even came back from the dead.
I think he'll be able to survive this, too.
And that right is being infringed by the presence of a prayer?
What is the problem here? Are these people not capable of praying on their own? Why is it so important to them to pray publicly?
No doubt he will-I do not worry about Jesus-- But I do grieve that my Country has been taken over by men who do not rule in fear of God.And that their secularization of
America will harm those who do not believe.
What people do you speak of? And why do you oppose public prayer? It has been part of our American history since the
git go.
Well, you know, allowing public prayer is against the Constitution.
It's in there.
Somewhere.
Probably right next to the emanating penumbras.
Maybe we need to get back to the realization it's more important to be a nation of Christians than a "Christian nation".
Christians know they are to publically confess Jesus Christ as Lord. No exceptions.
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:5-6 ).
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