Congressman Steve Israel, who has been helping lead the way within the House of Representatives on behalf of ensuring that the Air Force is a tolerant environment for Americans of all faiths, released this statement on Friday, which you can find on the jump.
Congressman Israel shares NJDC's strong concerns with the tenor of the new guidelines.
Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY), Member of the House Armed Services Committee and Chairman of the Democratic Caucus Task Force on Defense and the Military, responded today to new guidelines released by the Air Force concerning the free expression of religion. Original guidelines were created in August after allegations that evangelical Christians at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs were imposing their views on others. The revised guidelines will allow sectarian prayer in mandatory meetings, and provide excessive permission to senior officers to promote sectarian beliefs.
“I welcome and embrace the right of anyone to pray as they wish, but the guidelines give officers the right to promote specific religious views and that’s plain wrong,”
Rep. Israel said. “It essentially allows military officers to partake in backdoor proselytizing as long as they show sensitivity but there is no way of defining sensitivity.” Rep. Israel offered an amendment to the Defense Department Authorization bill last May that roused vocal objections from several of his Republican colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee. In June, Israel introduced legislation to create a commission to look into religious freedom in the military services. Such a commission would be appointed by the President, Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate and House. It would also include persons from both inside and outside of government and the military, and those who are experts in pastoral care.
Comments