The Department of the Air Force released a report today investigating charges that evangelical Christian officials and students at the Air Force Academy inappropriately used their positions to proselytize. Several students, independent observers from Yale Divinity School, and at least one Air Force chaplain serving at the Academy brought the issues of religious intolerance to light. The Air Force report downplayed the charges:
The HQ USAF team found a religious climate that does not involve overt religious discrimination, but a failure to fully accommodate all members’ needs and a lack of awareness over where the line is drawn between permissible and impermissible expression of beliefs.
Click here for the PDF file containing the report.
Seven specific incidents of possible intolerance will be investigated further, reports The New York Times.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which had called for an investigation of the charges, released a statement expressing cautious optimism.
"This report is not perfect, but it is an important first step," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. "It acknowledges the extent of the problem and promises changes. It is now incumbent upon the Air Force to make certain that promise is fulfilled."
On April 28, Americans United sent a letter and a 14-page report to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Air Force officials detailing allegations that Academy staff and cadets have used coercive tactics to promote evangelical Christianity at the institution.
Since the report's release, Americans United has received more complaints from former and current Air Force cadets regarding the mixing of church and state at the Academy. The allegations have also drawn national press attention. Capt. MeLinda Morton, a former Lutheran chaplain at the Academy, told USA Today of pervasive proselytizing on behalf Academy staff, describing the situation as "malfeasance in the chaplaincy here."
Lynn emphasized that AU will continue to closely monitor the situation and work with members of Congress to make certain that all religious and philosophical points of view are welcome at the institution.
"I wish the Air Force Academy had been more forthcoming in admitting that religious intolerance does exist at the Academy," said Lynn. "Members of our military are charged with defending our way of life, which includes religious liberty. It would be ironic indeed if the Air Force failed to protect that basic right for Academy cadets.
"We intend to remain involved to ensure that the basic constitutional rights of all cadets are respected," Lynn concluded.
This evening I read the Air Force’s report and believe – based on the Yale report and other accounts – that the issues are, as Lynn states, being downplayed by the military. That’s unfortunate. The systemic problems at the Air Force Academy will not dissipate without additional review. It would be appropriate for the Congress to monitor implementation of the report’s recommendations with public hearings.
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Related Post: Proselytizing At Air Force Academy Must End
