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.”
And hopefully no future as a Lutheran minister either.
Women shouldn't be pastors in the first place.
Agreed. I think her agenda is getting in the way of her Christianity.
Or rabbis
DITTO
Dollars to donuts she's a member of the N.C.C.
Well, I always thought he was more of the peaceful type and not a fighter anyway. I'm not sure he would want to be in the Air Force. :-)
"And finally, Jesus, I want to thank you for another beautiful day of life, and the opportunity to serve you in the United States Air Force, where I can continue my fight to remove all reference to you and the rest of the Trinity, and . . . "
ZOT
Or lesbians (hey, while we're on a role. *smile*)
Someone needs to have a nice long career in the Air Force. I believe that there's an opening for base chaplain up at Elmendorf AFB in Alaska. I'm sure that her services would be needed up there for the remainder of her career or until she resigns.
LOL!!! Wouldn't want to be flying next to that chaplain.
Me thinks this "chaplin" just likes wearing combat boots.
Chaplain Wants Christ Out of Air Force Academy.
What if He won't go?
I am glad that Jesus wasn't politically correct.....
Dear Madam pastor:
Jesus did not come to bring peace to the world.
He wanted to find out who was worthy.
When asked if they believed in the virgin birth of Jesus: 60 percent of Methodists said "No.' 44 percent of Episcopalians said No." 49 percent of Presbyterians said "No." 34 percent of Baptists said "No." 19 percent of American Lutherans said "No.” 5percent of Missouri Synod Lutherans said "No."
When asked if they believed that the Scriptures are the inspired and inerrant Word of God in faith, history, and secular matters: 87 percent of Methodists said 'No.' 95 percent of Episcopalians said 'No." 82 percent of Presbyterians said "No." 67 percent of American Baptists said "No." 77 percent of American Lutherans said "No." 24 percent of Missouri Synod Lutherans said "No."
Point: even many "theologians" are unsound re basic Christian principles.
A few years back I worked with a kid who was attending school to become a minister. I was suprised when he told me that he was a "pessimistic agnostic". Now I understand the goal of his kind.
LOL
It's a funny thing how when someone doesn't agree with you the Constitution is always trotted out............this Chaplin is a Progressive - always remember that the Lord is constant...she can't have it both ways.
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