Air Force Cadet E-Mails Religious Quotes

The Washington Post ^ | 1 June 2005 | Robert Weller

[pickemuphere]

DENVER -- On the eve of his graduation, the top cadet at the Air Force Academy sent out a religious-themed e-mail to thousands of fellow cadets, even as the school is grappling with complaints that some evangelical Christians are harassing others at the school.

The Associated Press obtained a copy of the e-mail sent Tuesday by Wing Commander Nicholas Jurewicz to the freshmen, sophomore and junior classes, which is about 3,000 cadets. "Wing commander" is the title held by the top senior at the school in military ranking.

Jurewicz lists his favorite quotations in the message, including several about Jesus. One quotation, "Bear one another's burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ," is a biblical verse.

The academy has been under investigation because of complaints that evangelical Christians have harassed cadets who do not share their faith, in violation of the constitutional separation of church and state.

Cadets have been required to attend religious tolerance seminars, during which they have been reminded that Air Force policy bans the use of official e-mails for personal messages.

"We will look into it and if he violated any Air Force or academy policy we will take appropriate action after we've reviewed it," academy spokesman Johnny Whitaker said.

[Cogadh na Sith]

Yep.

[af_vet_1981]

I guess that is similar to Lincoln Chafee being a Republican.

[beezdotcom]

Yes, but that is where we are at: "Are you going to church this Easter?" "Isn't your performance rating coming up?"

Then the best way to fight this is to convict their hearts with their own message. Point them to Proverbs 3:27: "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act." THEY have the greater burden to behave in a compassionate manner.

A really good article on Christian management and morale can be found here. Sounds like some of these reviewers might need to read it.

[azcap]

I dunno--the oath I took says: "defend the Constitution against enemies foreign and domestic...."

I took that oath as well and it ended with "so help me God."

 

 

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

"What, exactly, from a college senior, constitutes "official email"?"

He's not a "college senior."

He is the senior cadet at the Academy, and thus has a great deal of authority over the day-to-day lives of those cadets under him (i.e., all of them).

After the fracas kicked off by some of the dumber cadets at the Academy, this shows extremely poor judgement. It's not necessarily illegal--but officers are paid, first and foremost, to make decisions, and decision-making is a continuous exercise in testing one's judgement. He may have flunked here.

[Stashiu]

Good grief! The military must have changed since I was in. Back then the biggest religious problem we had was explaining to the chaplain that the 'massage parlor' wasn't really a 'massage parlor'.

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

"If this was a personal e-mail"

Ain't no such thing when you're sending it from your USAFA account...

[Cogadh na Sith]

I took that oath as well and it ended with "so help me God."

Yep, not 'Jesus' or 'Allah' or 'Great Brahma Goat'....

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

"I've never been in the Air Force, so I have to ask if this is a current and ongoing phenomenon."

According to some of my relatives who are in the USAF, it is.

[Sam's Army]

"He may have flunked here."

The MSM always gives Christianity an "F". Nothing new, really.

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

"And what exactly do they mean by "harassed"?"

"You're either attending my preferred chapel service, or you're going to be on the mother of all s**t duties."

[E. Pluribus Unum]

It seems he would have been just fine sending out the e-mail minus the religious content. Yes?

No.

Using a company/organization's mass email lists to send out personal messages is rude.

It implies that you think you are so important that everybody is dying to know what you think.

[mugs99]

Why Is There Enough Religion To Incite War, But Not Enough Religion To Instill Tolerance?

Could it be that religion is an excuse to be intolerant?
...

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

"The MSM always gives Christianity an "F". Nothing new, really."

You're doing a fine job of missing the point. Take time to thank the soldiers and Marines--many of them some flavor of "heathen," by the way--who are defending your right to do that.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

This story has everything to do with religion.

It wouldn't even be a story if the guy wasn't so narcissistic that he thought that everybody in the whole organization was dying to hear his personal message.

[Cogadh na Sith]

From that article: "We put it that way to our Christian employees, but for the many non-Christians who report to us, we have repeatedly emphasized that their work matters, that they should do their work with excellence, and that there are myriad intrinsic rewards associated with producing world-class products."

'Cuz, you know, not being Christians they wouldn't realize that....

"Even though you are not Christians, your work still matters."

Pretty condescending. I wanna be a more humble Christian.

[Cogadh na Sith]

"You're either attending my preferred chapel service, or you're going to be on the mother of all s**t duties."

Yes. I have personally seen it happen. I don't wanna say anymore about particulars.

[Sam's Army]

Got it. I defend the very folks who have always ensured religious freedom on this thread and they apparently have no right to express it themselves.

Go figger.

[DocRock]

Religion in the military? Here is a little history lesson from our founders. I am from Muhlenberg County Kentucky, which is named after Gen. Peter Muhlenberg, seen here in this statue inside the U.S. Capitol!

Peter Muhlenberg Statue
U.S. Capitol

"In January of 1776, Muhlenberg sent word for his congregation to gather for his farewell sermon. Ascending his familiar pulpit, he preached from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. The sermon glowed throughout with devoted patriotism as the man of God told his people of his own resolve to fight and, if need be, to die for his country. He closed his message with these words: "In the language of holy writ, there is a time for all things, a time to preach and a time to pray, but the time for me to preach has passed away." Then in a voice that re-echoed through the church like a trumpet blast, he exclaimed, "And there is also a time to fight, and that time has now come." After pronouncing the benediction, Muhlenberg threw off his clerical gown and stood before his people in full military uniform. Stepping down the aisle, he ordered the drums at the door to beat for new recruits. The whole village gathered at the church to learn what strange event had turned a quiet church meeting into a scene of bustle and excitement."

[mugs99]

As a matter of fact, some French historian, rather highly regarded, pointed to our reliance on such as the reason for our success thusfar

That was in the post Leonids 1840's. Hellfire and brimstone was everywhere. Some American Indian tribes who had never had religion became religious and founded new sects such as Spirit Dancer. Some of the new Christian sects formed because of the Leonids are still with us today. An act of nature was converted into religious dogma by superstitious men.
...