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A task force will investigate the religious climate at the Air Force Academy after reports of intolerance, including incidents of anti-Semitism, officials said Tuesday.
It will assess Air Force policy and guidance when it comes to religious respect and tolerance, acting Secretary of the Air Force Michael L. Dominguez said in a statement.
The task force also will look into practices by commanders "that either enhance or detract from a climate that respects both the free exercise of religion and the establishment clauses of the First Amendment."
A preliminary assessment is due by May 23, officials said.
The creation of the task force comes after complaints that evangelical Christians wield so much influence at the school that anti-Semitism and other forms of religious harassment have become pervasive.
Air Force probes religious bias charges at academy
Quote:
Among the allegations are that cadets are frequently pressured to attend chapel and take religious instruction, particularly in the evangelical Christian faith; that prayer is a part of mandatory events at the academy; and that in at least one case a teacher ordered students to pray before beginning their final examination.
The report said it found that non-Christian cadets are subjected to "proselytization or religious harassment" by more senior cadets; and that cadets of other religions are subject to discrimination, such as being denied passes off-campus to attend religious services.
The report said that in at least two cases "highly qualified individuals were dissuaded from attending the academy ... after learning of the official culture of religious intolerance and hostility toward those who do not subscribe to and practice evangelical Christianity.
The USAFA sure had had its fair share of bad publicty of late.
Yeah I was just thinking that as well... werent' they under investigation for basically turning their noses to female cadets that tried to report rape and other improprieties?
It kind of makes sense - the E-van-gelicals seem to be all for the war in Iraq & Afghanistan. Armageddon time...
I am certain that many would label me an Evangelical...
I think our nations actions towards the Taliban and Al-Queda in Afghanistan are/were appropriate and warranted. I was never in support of going to war with Iraq!
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Last edited by CardLogic; May 4th, 2005 at 01:07 PM.
I am certain that many would label me an Evangelical...
I think our nations actions towards the Taliban and Al-Queda in Afghanistan are/were appropriate and warranted. I was never in support of going to war with Iraq!
A chaplain who spoke out against religious intolerance at the Air Force Academy has resigned her commission just as a report was to be released addressing the issue.
An academy critic said the report concluded the problem was serious.
Capt. Melinda Morton resigned Tuesday after 13 years serving the Air Force, one day before a task force created in early May was to release its report.
Morton had said in May that she was fired from her chaplaincy at the school and a transfer to Japan was hastened because she spoke out about the academy's religious climate. School officials said her move was routine.
Last week, Superintendent Lt. Gen. John Rosa offered Morton an assistant position on his staff to work on religious issues and help develop two new phases of religious training, academy spokesman Johnny Whitaker said.
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