US Air Force Takes Steps To Silence Bible Believing Christians In It’s Ranks
RELATED STORY: US Military Now Identifies Bible Believers As Threat To Nat’l Security
Just days before retiring as Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. Norton Schwartz issued a document designed to dictate the conduct of U.S. airmen worldwide — all violations enforceable by military law. For the first time, amid regulations on tattoo size and flag handling etiquette, it laid down the law on religious proselytizing by leaders: Don’t do it.
“It certainly is important and binding … and it could lead to punishment…”
Section 2.11 of the 27-page Air Force Instruction AFI 1-1 Standards of Conduct is the latest salvo in a battle over religious bias and Christian proselytizing in the military branch. It calls on officers and supervisors to “avoid the actual or apparent use of their position to promote their personal religious beliefs to their subordinates or to extend preferential treatment for any religion.”
The document’s section on religion echoes a memo Schwartz sent out to all Air Force leadership on religion last September, but adds the threat of penalty for violations.
“COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY,” the memo says in bold, adding that “failure to adhere to the standards set out in this instruction can form the basis for adverse action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).”
“It carries a lot of weight inasmuch as it’s careful to point out that an individual who violates it can be subject to court martial,” said Gary Solis, who teaches military law at Georgetown University. “So the things that are covered in the document, which are very wide ranging, open up violations to court martial prosecution, that is federal conviction should there be a conviction. So it carries significant weight.”
What is harder to predict is how AFI 1-1 — called by an Air Force Press release ”the capstone act” of Schwartz’s 29-year career — will be interpreted, distributed and enforced where it applies to religion.
“It certainly is important and binding … and it could lead to punishment. But then it could lead to punishment if you wear your hat backwards,” said Elizabeth Hillman, professor of law at University of California Hastings College of Law and President of the National Institute of Military Justice. “It is still going to be up to individual commanding officers to decide what’s OK and what’s not. They have a great deal of discretion.”
As in U.S. public institutions more broadly, there has been a long string of battles between those in the military who want to root out religious content and others, mainly fundamentalist Christians, who argue that to do so impinges on religious freedom. source – NBC News
| Print article | This entry was posted by NTEB News Desk on August 22, 2012 at 11:20 pm, and is filed under Military, Politics, Washington. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
U.S. Air Force Developing Terrifying Swarms Of Tiny Unmanned Killer Drones
about 3 months ago - 79 comments
The U.S. Air Force is developing tiny unmanned drones that will fly in swarms, hover like bees, crawl like spiders and even sneak up on unsuspecting targets and execute them with lethal precision.
about 9 months ago
It never ceases to amaze me how some of these high ranking officers seem to have no concern for what could happen to the pilots if the Lord decides to let them be unprotected.
about 9 months ago
How can that be legal? What ‘s next, taking their Bibles from them. Not allowing them to pray? It’s a good thing we have a God who can hear our whispers and knows our thoughts, and concerns of our hearts. And it’s a good thing there are so many people who are NOT governed by such stupidity, and pray for the troops every day. The United States government might not have our military’s back, but the people do. God bless America and keep our troops, especially the Air Force, safe.
about 9 months ago
I think it’s getting our military ready to be absorbed into a “global force for good”. Nationalism is falling by the wayside for the Global Village and New World Order. All as per prophecy.
about 9 months ago
Look at this more broadly – it prevents Muslim officers from trying to press their beliefs on subordinates. This prevents any serving officer from imposing his or her beliefs on subordinates, and to me, that is a good thing. Christianity does not need force or imposition to reach people’s hearts, but it should also recognize that faith and grace are gifts from God, not actions imposed by secular authority.
about 9 months ago
I understand where you’re coming from Ned. But try putting two and two together. In the military history of our nation, there has never been a serious clash of religions. Bible Believing Christians went their way, and the others went theirs. Now however, with homosexuals being allowed to OPENLY serve, and madatory classes of toleration of this SIN being taught (as a military member I can confirm this is true), this new “regulation” is telling us Christians that we are no longer able to speak THUS SAYEST THE LORD on homosexuality, because that is now considered “promoting personal religious beliefs to their subordinates or to extend preferential treatment for any religion”. GET READY TO FLY!
about 9 months ago
Well said Ned.
about 9 months ago
I agree with Ned to a point. If this is enforced to include all faiths it could be a good thing. But as in many things these days it is usually Christians to feel the influence of Satan. Our society has become too afraid of Islam to stand up to it. And since there is a closet Muslim in the White House it makes it even more so. No matter what the end of the book says we win. So, they can do what they want it won’t change anything.
about 9 months ago
Interesting comment. I’d add, everybody feels the influence of Satan. They use drugs, power and pleasure to mitigate the pain. They swim in original sin, like fish in the ocean. Most don’t even know.
about 9 months ago
WOW! Unbelievable! So; one isn’t allowed to discriminate against Islam even if it means national security..They had to purge all training documents listing muslim; jihad; Islam etc. And yet, a Christian cannot so much as observe their faith or heaven forbid; pass on the Good news of God’s love to others.. WOW! Well all I have to say is the Islamic beast has indeed taken over the world & with the news from the middle east exposing US tax dollars funding jihad against the infadels, ethnic cleansing of Christians, Sharia law & the caliaphate against Israel, “mystery Babylon” is fully exposed to the world! I cannot see anyone disputing that the US is the mother of abominations spoken of in Rev & she will soon burn as the word states. Time to pray for wisdom & a miracle as God says to Ncome out of her” 9 times & I hope to be obediant if that’s his will for me. I’d say it’s an exciting time to be alive & witnessing the mysreries be revealed folks! God Bless!!
about 9 months ago
well God says respect those in power, but when they go against Gods word that changes everything period.so if you are in the military stand to Gods word, Lord give them wisdom, strength, boldness, faith, bless you.
about 9 months ago
I would hate to be in their position. Making a choice isn’t easy but in the long run, the end game, who are we told to fear? I know that I would loose my job because this bowl of lentil soup is not worth keeping my silence. If we have a right to religion in this United States, then why is the governing power supressing that right, among it’s ranks who are there to guard our very right to freedom in that religion? Mt 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
about 9 months ago
I give whole-hearted support to Gen. Schwartz. These officers are not in the military to proselytize, and if they are they’re in the wrong place and in the wrong career. None of this limits religious freedom, rather, it protects lower ranked armed forces from being intimidated into a religiosity they may not want, as was the case at the AF Academy where it was rampant.
about 9 months ago
I find this a violation of our rights. Hello? The Lord will be returning. I know this. It saddens me that our world has come to this. Where it is okay to change our constitution amendments/rights because you ‘feel’ like it.
about 9 months ago
On the surface it’s a mess: freedom of speech vs. freedom of religion. In the service, one has to follow orders. Have peace about it, knowing that no one can come to Jesus Christ unless the Father draws that person. “He who has ears let him hear.” Some have ears, some don’t. They will come to Him irregardless of orders.
about 9 months ago
Who would have thought it would go this far in our own lifetime. How quickly good has become evil and evil good. Does this mean that the muslims will be stopped from pushing their agenda? I doubt it, they can’t even contain them locally. But Christians? well they are a peaceful lot and easy to contain. Wow! Maranatha Come Lord Jesus.
about 9 months ago
I think this may be a case of sensationalism by Christians. I personally see nothing wrong with leaders avoiding “the actual or apparent use of their position to promote their personal religious beliefs to their subordinates or to extend preferential treatment f…or any religion.” Even as a little ol’ SSgt, I have always been open about my Christians convictions, but will always take precautions against using my position to make others feel awkward or uncomfortable. Furthermore, it would certainly be unethical to give ANY sort of preferential treatment to an airman because he happens to be a Christian or any other faith group. I have found this to be a far better witness than trying to push my rank when talking about religious issues. Maybe we should keep in mind that this reg. also protects Christians from being discriminated against by superiors of other belief systems (Atheism, Islam, etc). Like Jesus said, we should be wise as serpents and harmless as doves…
about 9 months ago
AFI 1-1 dated 7 Aug 12
2.11. Government Neutrality Regarding Religion. Leaders at all levels must balance constitutional protections for an individual’s free exercise of religion or other personal beliefs and the constitutional prohibition against governmental establishment of religion. For example, they must avoid the actual or apparent use of their position to promote their personal religious beliefs to their subordinates or to extend preferential treatment for any religion. Commanders or supervisors who engage in such behavior may cause members to doubt their impartiality and objectivity. The potential result is a degradation of the unit’s morale, good order, and discipline.
This is vague. The key words are “must avoid”. The interpretation of this is subjective. As a military member who supervises I do not call subordinates in and make them hear the Gospel. I do have Christian tracks and items of the like on my desk, which will not be removed. If asked I will share the message of Christ, I will obey those appointed over me as Jesus commanded as long as it is not contrary to the Bible. Still this is the begining of the end for our military. Maranatha!
about 9 months ago
So many reactionary comments! The post doesn’t say the military forbids personal faith! Forcing your faith on others is forbidden. A Christian enlisted man doesn’t have to put up with a Catholic’s constant invitations to mass, confession, etc. It does not prevent sharing one’s faith one-on-one. If you’re asked privately, you can share. That’s how I was saved: I saw a friend was able to handle stress so much better than I; I asked her how she did it, and she shared her faith. It is how I have been blessed to share my faith many times. Nobody can stop us from praying!
about 8 months ago
We will stand firm in the Lord we as C/f’s ( Christ followers) know we are nearing the end and Christ will come to take us home to be in heaven worshiping God for eternity so we will not stop now or ever! All praise and glory be to Jesus who is our one true God the Father,Son,and Holy Spirit.
about 8 months ago
The story of Daniel comes to mind, he continued to pray 3 time a day even after he knew the king’s edict was in force. I say if you are a true Christian in the Armed Forces, you continue to follow what God has commanded you to do and let Him worry about the consequences like Daniel did. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living god.” ~ Hebrew 10:31
about 8 months ago
Just leave if youre a Christian. And state why you are leaving, btw that guy in the photo looks shady.