http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_3196220
Article Last Updated: 11/09/2005 03:35 AM
AF tries to walk fine line on faith
Guidelines seek middle ground Striking the right balance on religion's
place in the military proves difficult as both sides cry intolerance.
By Eric Gorski
Denver Post Staff Writer
DenverPost.com
The new secretary of the Air Force was in Colorado Springs last week for a
swearing-in ceremony at Mitchell Hall, the Air Force Academy's mess hall.
In taking his oath, Michael Wynne spoke of integrity, trust and character.
He led a "Beat Army!" chant in anticipation of the weekend's big football
game.
One thing absent from all the pomp and circumstance: a formal prayer.
Under interim guidelines on religious expression issued for the entire Air
Force in late August, "brief nonsectarian prayer" is permissible during
significant events such as graduations, deployments and change- of-command
ceremonies.
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Interim guidelines
# The Air Force is not to endorse one religion over another or “the idea of
religion over non-religion.”
# Public prayer is discouraged in routine meetings, classes, sports events
and practices.
# In keeping with military tradition, “brief nonsectarian” prayer is
allowed to bring solemnity to significant events such as change-of-command
ceremonies, graduations, and welcome-home and deployment ceremonies.
# Such prayers also are OK in extraordinary circumstances, including mass
casualties, preparations for combat and following natural disasters.
# Supervisors, commanders and leaders bear a special responsibility to
ensure that their words and actions are not construed as official
endorsement or disapproval of religious beliefs or lack of belief.
# Chaplains are called to serve not only those of their own faith, but to
all service members. They should respect the beliefs of all, including
those with no faith.
# No limits on voluntary peer-to-peer discussions.
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Posting and reading from alt.politics.usa.constitution OR alt.education
You are invited to check out the following:
The Rise of the Theocratic States of America
http://members.tripod.com/~candst/theocracy.htm
American Theocrats - Past and Present
http://members.tripod.com/~candst/theocrats.htm
The Constitutional Principle: Separation of Church and State
http://members.tripod.com/~candst/index.html
[and to join the discussion group for the above site and/or Separation of
Church and State in general, listed below]
HRSepCnS · Hampton Roads [Virginia] SepChurch&State
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HRSepCnS/
[Its not just Hampton Roads folks who are members, there are members from
all over the U.S. and a couple from overseas as well]
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.. . . You can't understand a phrase such as "Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion" by syllogistic reasoning. Words
take their meaning from social as well as textual contexts, which is why "a
page of history is worth a volume of logic." New York Trust Co. v. Eisner,
256 U.S. 345, 349, 41 S.Ct. 506, 507, 65 L.Ed. 963 (1921) (Holmes, J.).
Sherman v. Community Consol. Dist. 21, 980 F.2d 437, 445 (7th Cir. 1992)
.. . .
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THE CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLE:
SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE
http://members.tripod.com/~candst/index.html
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