MRFF Charges New Religious Freedom Problems At Air Force Academy

From Religion Clause and Alliance Defense Fund:

Wednesday, September 29, 2010


MRFF Charges New Religious Freedom Problems At Air Force Academy

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation announced yesterday that it has sent a letter (full text), co-signed by the heads of nine other groups, to the Secretary of Defense making three demands for changes to deal with the allegedly worsening situation involving Christian proselytizing at the Air Force Academy. The letter asks that the Air Force release its most recent Climate Survey of cadets and staff at the Air Force academy. The voluntary survey asks about the religious environment at the Academy. Second, the letter asks that the Defense Department begin an investigation of "Cadets for Christ" and other proselytizing organizations. Third, the letter demands that the Defense Department investigate the Air Force Academy's "incontrovertible and unconstitutional establishment of a fundamentalist Christian culture/ meme amongst its cadet and staff populations." The letter claims that there is an "underground" group of over 100 cadets at the Academy who are pretending to be fundamentalist Christians merely in order to remain in good standing with their peers and superiors. (See prior related posting.)

Thursday, December 17, 2009


Religious Tolerance Is Dramatically Improved At Air Force Academy

An AP report yesterday says that religious tolerance has dramatically improved at the U.S. Air Force Academy. After extensive complaints, and even a lawsuit, charging Christian proselytizing of cadets, Academy superintendent, Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael Gould, says there has been a top down campaign to insure respect for beliefs of all cadets and a proactive attempt to accommodate all religions, as well as nonbelievers. A Cadet Interfaith Council meets regularly with chaplains to discuss issues. Even long-time critic Mikey Weinstein has praise for the new atmosphere at the Academy, saying that Gen Gould so far "has fixed everything." (See prior related posting.)

Wednesday, May 04, 2005


Official Task Force to Investigate AF Academy Discrimination Problems

On the heels of widespread complaints (prior posts 1, 2) of religious harassment of non-Christians at the U.S. Air Force Academy, officials have appointed a Task Force to investigate the matter. Yahoo News reports this morning that a preliminary assessment is to be issued by May 23. The Air Force's official announcement lists six specific aspects of the problem that the Task Force is to address. Last week, American United for Separation of Church and State sent military officials a lengthy report on its investigation of the situation