Return to Article: IG criticizes Army, Air Force officers' participation in religious video
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32361
I am one of those in the CE video tape although I have since retired from the military (unrelated to the IG report) yet still serve the same God. None of us in the tape EVER knowingly used our faith to make our colleagues, supervisors, or subordinates uncomfortable and please don't tell me it's perception. Every human has a value set which guides our actions & thoughts--mine is based on my faith in Christ as Messiah & Lord. I know most of the CE staff and every person in uniform in that video -- all are tremendous leaders and incredibly professional. All have served honorably--most have been deployed from families a good portion of their adult lives.
Chaplain Benson was always humble and careful in guiding his actions to support Pentagon individuals--with God and country in mind. The IG report's findings are a knee jerk response and the conclusions were probably foreknown. The Christian Embassy isn't in the mission field to earn money; it facilitates those serving the Lord in professional, leadership capaciities. I never felt or currently feel deceived by the CE folks and would gladly do my part again to support their mission--serving God.
Who out there thinks Christians bring negative morality to the workforce, neighborhood, or academia? And that "wall of separation" is against establishment of a church by the state (federal or state level)--not involvement by individuals. All of us should reread the IG report and the Constitution--and hopefully the Bible. God bless America and I pray we never lose our Founding Fathers' dream of one nation under God.
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31861
TO: PJ
Of course no religious studies (not just Christian Bible studies) should take place as official duty in a Government office. I note you specifically referred to Christian Bible study, although all faiths have holy writings of some type. This is illustrative of the distinctly anti-Christian bias that permeates many of these comments. How is sharing one's faith an act lacking compassion, and in what way is this someting to fear in military leaders?
Merely expressing belief is not the same as "pushing it off on others." In this free nation, all types of images promoting values I do not share are constantly put in my face. I must ignore them. You should do the same with unwanted proseltylizing. But when folks just make it known what they stand for religious-wise, Christian or otherwise, you should get over it. Until you are made to join a Federal church, which has not been created to my knowledge, no one is violating any constitution provision.
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31541
If a work place supervisor or employer conducts Christian bible study during work and as part of work, it certainly is a real concern to employees who do not participate, no matter how benignly it may be meant. That military leaders who can ruin careers and send men and women to mortal combat use their work time, uniforms, and positions to promote their faith should be something for everyone to fear. It is even more shameful that people insist otherwise non-religious organizations promote their faith without compassion for those who do not share their faith. A truly free and spiritual nation is filled with people who have faith, not people who push their faith on others.
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30709
If I read one more comment, in this forum or elswhere, that equates the merest whiff of religiosity (read-Christianity) in the world of Government with violating the constitution, I will scream! How do any of the actions described herein establish a state religion??
It is simpleminded analysis at it's best to conclude that the constitutional prohibition against establishment of a state religion logically means that our nation's public life must become 100% spirituality-free. Huh?
Using the logic of some of the commenters, if a woman wears a hijab in the workplace or a Federal office, that can be construed as creating a hostile work environment for those who are not Muslim. Forget about her right to freedom of religious expression, I'm bothered by her hijab and my right not to be bothered precluded her freedom of religion.That's what some of you seem to be saying. Oh, but it is mostly when Christians express their belief that the criticism really flies.
Indeed, the disturbing trend in this era of political correctness is to actually reduce the relgious and spiritual freedom of those in Government, erroneously thinking that this is separating church and state. Requiring membership in a state-sponsored church is and will always be a completely different animal than somebody in the Government merely professing a belief or inclination, whether in uniform or not.
Sorry, I am not going to become Godless for 8 hours a day because I work for the Government.
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30536
Mitch, you are wrong! The insensitive people are those military who participated in the Christian Embassy Video. Their actions created a hostile work environment for employees and coworkers practicing different faiths. The Christian Embassy participants showed no respect for religious belief of others. Iran is a perfect example of a country that does not have a separation of Church and State.
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30534
How many of you posting comments to this article have even read the U.S. Constitution? Apparently, not too many.
The First Amendment states:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
This issue has nothing to do with Congress passing any law establishing a state religion. In fact, the principle of separation of church and state arose from a judicial interpretation, and is not even mentioned in the Constitution. This topic is very controversial, and many scholars still disagree over this interpretation.
This nation was founded on Judeo-Christian values, but we are tolerant of all religions. I see nothing wrong with anyone, including military officers, professing religious beliefs in a free and tolerant country. Our Founding Fathers did, as evidenced by the many references to God in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Congress has an official chaplain, who opens every session with prayer; the military has chaplains, who minister to servicemen and women; our currency states "In God We Trust"; and even our music refers to God ("God Bless America"; "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"; "God of our Fathers", which is called the National Hymn; etc.).
Our nation was founded by religious people, on religious principals. They were tolerant of others, which is why the Constitution prohibits the establishment of a state religion. That's not the case here, and this whole issue has been misconstrued and overblown, in the opinion of many Americans.
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30511
Having skimmed through the IG report, I can only imagine how many of the officers must themselves feel violated by those who solicited their involvement. They placed trust & faith in others in the chain of command and some people are now visciously calling them evil. Yes, as any person duped trying to fulfill good intentions, they must accept full responsibility; however, put yourself in their shoes and imagine how you'd want to be treated. Oh, never mind, invoking the Golden Rule is probably insensitive to those of you demanding strict separation of faith from government service!
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30446
Fortunately for us, MG Sutton was stationed in Ankara, Turkey. If you are not aware Turkey is an Islamic country that by government constitution believes in strict separation of religion and state. I'm glad there were some Turkish Flag Officers who attempted to set him straight on what this concept means. However, the good general could have informed himself on this issue by reading the US Constitution. To make such a fundamental judgment error, sometimes makes me wonder how these people ever were able to reach the rank that they have attained.
As an additional thought I can't help but wonder how many more high ranking officers throughout the Pentagon and DoD share MG Sutton's ideas. Exploration of this concept may give way to a new reason for the Iraq War. Perhaps the reasons is because we are doing God's good Christian work.
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30445
For those of you who are unsure of the facts of this case, I urge you to click on the link to the IG report and read it. This is not a case about religious freedom, but is a case about high ranking Flag Officers endorsing Christian Embassy as a source of religious inspiration and career success. Their efforts supported a video, in which they personally appeared, in uniform, and within their Pentagon work area to promote Christian Embassy in order to raise funds and attract new members. For DoD civilian personnel who happen to be under NSPS, if you should work under any of these officer's command, I would strongly recommend becoming a member of Christian Embassy if you wish to move financially forward in your career. Does NSPS allow performance results to be skewed based upon mission support? Yes it does. Clearly these officers believe that DoD's military mission is directly intertwined with Christian Embassy's mission. You think this idea is too outlandish? That it is prohibited by regulation? Think again, these Flag officer's did not think their actions were wrong. They failed to follow DoD regulations, several of them believed that Christian Embassy has Federal Agency status, or they argued that because other Flags were committed to the project it must have been alright. So if NSPS performance results are skewed for non-adherence to Christian Embassy, you can appeal, right! Your appeal will be reviewed and determined by the same board members who issued the original NSPS rating under direction of one of these very same Flag officers. Perhaps this is what is meant by the Administration's Faith Based Initiative.
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30442
I believe in the complete separation of Church and State. The officers who participated in the video showed a total lack of respect towards the beliefs of individuals of other faiths. Furthermore, by proselytizing these officers created a hostile work environment for people choosing to practice another religion. My worst childhood memory is "Prayer in School". I was forced daily to recite a pray of the "Majority Religion". The daily prayers made me feel isolated from the other students. It was a horrible experience I had as a second grader when I had to explain to another student why I did not want to recite "Christian Prays" because I did not believe in "Jesus Christ". I was happy as a 5 the grader when the Supreme Court outlawed "Prayer in School".
All Military involved in this incident should be stripped of their pensions and put in jail.
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30431
YES, all groups receiving passes to government facilities should be vigorously reviewed. Obviously THIS group was given preferential treatment because of its political correctness - to the current Administration. I seriously doubt that any non-christian religious group or any other group of ANY affiliation would be given such carte blance access to a government facility. Christianity has its "radical fundamentalists" just as the muslims do. It's time we took back government from the religious right.
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30424
Did anybody else pick up on the fact that each of those 34 contractor badges was authorized to escort 10 people? Each badge provided complete, unrestrained access to ALL AREAS of the Pentagon at ALL TIMES! Worst-case scenario is that 340 unknown persons had full access to the Pentagon 24/7. I'd do a full security sweep of the entire building ASAP!
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30419
Shall we review all the groups that have received passes at the pentagon? The selective attention to this Christian group speaks volumes about the political correctness that is suffocating our freedom. A camera crew wandering around the Pentagon seems unwise but can you really imagine such loose security really occurred....you can't believe everything you read.
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30394
As a freethinker/atheist and an American who is proud of my country's founders for creating a separation between church and state, I am positively outraged that any religious group could film inside the Pentagon at all. Contractor's passes? Shame on them. I think it is only fair to invite a group of American Muslims to come in and film what they wish, as well as Jews, Pagans, and anyone else wishing to film. Personally, I don't want ANY religious group creating evangelical or other material on government property. We have a separation for a reason -- to keep America free.
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30388
This clearly violated military (and Government) policy and regulations. Can you imagine the uproar that would ensue if the video had been for an Islamic organization? The damage is done: the officers involved knew better, and should be strongly disciplined. The principle of separation of church and state, and the policy against endorsement of any religion is (no pun intended) a sacred one, and must be strongly supported and rigidly enforced.
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30387
No religious sect, including the Chritian majority of this country, should be allowed to proselytize using government resources. Religious tolerance is one of the key virtues and and a bedrock of our country. I cheer the IG's efforts in this case and hope it sends a signal throughout the military and the rest of the government.
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30385
Didn't know that "FREEDOM OF RELIGION" only applies to civilians, and not the men and women that have to fight for it...how ridiculous.
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30369
Matthew 5 11:"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me." Wonder if the Continental Congress had to worry about an IG at Independence Hall or Washington at Valley Forge? May the Living God bless you indeed gentlemen!!!
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30365
It is encouraging to see the IG activily engaged in promoting professional integrity. It has been rather sleepy in situations such as Tillman.
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30353
The hypocrisy of this matter is that as soldier we are FORCED to bend to the whims and "rules" of other countries' religious practices; never do we demand they concede our to Christian values. Sad thing; we are saving their lands, their cultures, yet we are losing ours of which all American soldiers are fighting for.
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30352
Yes, there may be no atheists in foxholes and terrorists may want an Islamist world, but the United States constitution's first amendment calls for no establishment of a state religion. That means no state institutions should endorse a specific religion, i.e. no proselytizing.
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30328
Seems kind of mild, compared to what the adherents of the "religion of peace" are doing in Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout the world, according to THEIR religious beliefs!
As far as the comment about sending soneone to prison, read my previous paragraph! Some of you people really need to wake up. We are faced with a ruthless and fanatical enemy who wants to either convert or kill us according to the Koran, and you are worried about this? Time for a reality check, people!
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30327
What's the big deal? Haven't you heard that there are no atheists in foxholes?
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30308
This is a sensitive topic, but I'm a firm believer in separation of church & state. I am at best an agnostic myself, but even if this were not the case, my position would still hold. We do NOT need a theocracy running the Pentagon! No matter how noble the intentions, when the wall between church & state begins to crumble you are never more than 2 steps away from wars founded on religions and nasty stuff like the Spanish Inquisition.
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30306
The Secretary of the Army requires all military personnel to receive one hour of ethics training every year. At Ft Bliss, MG Lennox ensures all civilian personnel also take the same training. I had just completed this annual requirement before reading the article about the officers participation in the religious video. It is clear to me that had these officers reviewed the same material that I reviewed they would not have engaged in this activity or at the very least sought an opinion from an ethics counselor before doing so. This is a good reminder, that regardless of rank, all of us in the military, uniformed or civilian, have a special obligation to follow the special ethics rules.
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30303
Although it is hard to be politically correct with everyone.It is refreshing to hear our leaders are willing to stand up and be a part of something they believe in! Our great Country was founded on Christian morales and as the song goes,"You gotta stand for sonmething!"
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30287
So Chaplain Benson, the guy who was deceptive and arranged for this video, is retired, and the others say they thought he had gotten approval. My guess is that no one will be punished. Another black mark for DoD and for America abroad. When will we learn that our religious fanatics are doing damage to our institutions and our reputation?
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30281
Sutton should be mustered out of the service, stripped of all retirement benefits, then sent to prison. His actions, knowingly wrong when willfully committed, have set back US relations in the region a couple hundred years. Wasted American blood is on his hands.
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30279
I'm glad to see some of the top military leaders promoting God, I believe we all need to involve God in our lives, and it sure beats the alternative. Doesn't our constitution, pledge of allegiance, the US money all have God mentioned?
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30273
If all of the reported information is true. I think the officers should be reduced in rank. It is improper for an individual in the military to perform this type of activity in uniform representing a group of senior personnel. There is no excuse because all should have checked prior to participation with legal. The actions can disrupt international relations as well as cause their service to the military to become limited because of these actions. I believe when you put on the uniform you are made fully aware of this and there is no excuse for this type of behavior. The IG is correct to criticise and the military must follow through with strict disciplinary measures.
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30266
So the Christian Embassy video created an international incident?
Sounds to me like someone in the DOD Public Affairs, in conjunction with the 'Office of Public Diplomacy' at the Dept of State needs to develop a MANDATORY 'Public Diplomacy' briefing overview for DOD personnel.
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