
Religious intolerance at Air Force AcademyInterim guidelines re: freedom
of religion in the U.S. Air Force
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Overview:Over 50 allegations of religious
intolerance at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO became widely known
during 2004. One involved a Jewish cadet who was allegedly told that the
Holocaust was revenge for the death of Jesus. Another Jew was allegedly called a
Christ killer by a fellow cadet. Reacting to the allegations, a visiting Pentagon task force interviewed Academy personnel
in mid-2004. The Associated Press reported that the
Academy's
No. 2 chaplain, Captain Melinda Morton, said that she was fired for speaking
up about religious intolerance among cadets and staff. She had co-written a report
in 2004 which criticized "strident" evangelizing of cadets by Christian
officers. She alleged that
Evangelical Christians wield too much influence at the Academy. Major General Charles Baldwin, the Air Force's chief chaplain said that she wasn't
fired, only reassigned to Japan. 1 The Air Force team investigating religious intolerance in the Air Force
Academy issued this set of religious guidelines on 2005-AUG-30. The guidelines extend well beyond the Academy: they apply to
every
officers, enlisted personnel and civilian employees within the Air Force. Donald
H. Rumsfeld, Defense Secretary, told a group of religious leaders in late
2005-AUG that if the guidelines work well in the Air Force, they will be
implemented across the armed forces. 2 The guidelines follow the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution which
simultaneously guarantees:
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Freedom of religious expression. |
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Separation of church and the federal government. This was later extended
to include the states. |
These two requirements are in a continual state of tension. One set of
criteria that has been used to implement the First Amendment is that the
government -- including the military, public schools, etc. -- should avoid:
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Promoting one faith group over another. |
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Promoting religion as superior to a secular lifestyle. |
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Promoting a secularism in favor of a religious lifestyle. |
Although the guidelines currently have no influence beyond the Air Force,
they may well find widespread use throughout the U.S. The problems faced by
religious oppression in the Air Force Academy can appear anywhere that some
people are in a position of authority over others: government, schools,
industry, commerce, etc. 
Text of the interim guidelines:Interim guidelines concerning free exercise of religion in the Air Force.
SUBJECT: INTERIM GUIDELINES CONCERNING FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION IN THE
AIR FORCE TEXT: UNCLASSIFIED// REF: CHIEF S SIGHT PICTURE; AIRMEN, SPIRITUAL
STRENGTH AND CORE VALUES (28 JUNE 2005) CSAF MESSAGE; RESPECTING THE BELIEFS OF
ALL AIRMEN (MSG DTG 241334Z MAY 05)
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PURPOSE: RECENTLY, THE ACTING SECAF AND CSAF EXPRESSED THEIR
VIEWS ON FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION IN THE MILITARY CONTEXT (SEE REFERENCES).
SUBSEQUENTLY, THEY APPROVED AND HAVE DIRECTED THE FOLLOWING INTERIM
GUIDELINES BE FOLLOWED BY ALL AIR FORCE MEMBERS AND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES. THIS
MESSAGE CONTAINS THOSE GUIDELINES, TO BE PROMULGATED BY COMMANDERS AND
CIVILIAN LEADERS, AND TASKS THE AIR EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND TO SUBMIT
A PLAN FOR INCORPORATING GUIDELINES IN ALL VENUES OF FORMAL TRAINING AND
EDUCATION FOR OFFICERS, ENLISTED AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL WHERE OUR CORE
VALUES AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS ARE ADDRESSED. IT ALSO TASKS THE UNITED
STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY TO SUBMIT A LONG RANGE PLAN FOR INCORPORATING THIS
GUIDANCE IN THEIR TRAINING PROGRAM.
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GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
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A. WE ARE SWORN TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES. IN TAKING THIS OATH WE PLEDGE OUR PERSONAL COMPLIANCE WITH THE
CONSTITUTION S PROTECTIONS FOR FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION AND
PROHIBITIONS AGAINST GOVERNMENTAL ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION. |
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B. WE WILL ACCOMMODATE FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION AND OTHER PERSONAL
BELIEFS, AS WELL AS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, EXCEPT AS MUST BE LIMITED BY
MILITARY NECESSITY (NOTE: In considering when military necessity may
lead to some constraint on individual rights in this context, we
consider The Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Title 42, United States
Code, Section 2000bb-1, which provides, in part: Government may
substantially burden a person s exercise of religion only if it
demonstrates that application of the burden to the person (1) is in
furtherance of a compelling governmental interest; and (2) is the least
restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental
interest.)). WE WILL NOT OFFICIALLY ENDORSE OR ESTABLISH RELIGION EITHER
ONE SPECIFIC RELIGION, OR THE IDEA OF RELIGION OVER NON-RELIGION. |
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C. OUR CORE VALUES SUPPORT AND ARE CONSISTENT WITH OUR
CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATIONS. OUR INTEGRITY DEMANDS THAT WE RESPECT OTHERS
AND THAT WE LIVE UP TO OUR OATHS. SERVICE BEFORE SELF DEMANDS RESPECT
FOR THE CONSTITUTION, OUR AIR FORCE AND EACH OTHER, AND AN UNDERSTANDING
THAT IN THE MILITARY OUR SERVICE BEGINS WITH A COMMITMENT TO OUR
RESPONSIBILITIES, NOT ONLY OUR RIGHTS. COMMITMENT TO A CLIMATE IN WHICH
INDIVIDUALS OF DIVERSE BELIEFS FORM AN EFFECTIVE TEAM IS ESSENTIAL TO
ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE. |
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D. CHAPLAIN SERVICE PROGRAMS ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF COMMANDERS.
CHAPLAINS FUNCTION AS STAFF OFFICERS WHEN ADVISING COMMANDERS IN REGARD
TO THE FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION, AND THEY IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS OF
RELIGIOUS SUPPORT AND PASTORAL CARE TO HELP COMMANDERS CARE FOR THE
WELFARE OF ALL THEIR PEOPLE. |
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E. SUPERVISORS, COMMANDERS, AND LEADERS AT EVERY LEVEL, BEAR A
SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THEIR WORDS AND ACTIONS CANNOT
REASONABLY BE CONSTRUED AS EITHER OFFICIAL ENDORSEMENT OR DISAPPROVAL OF
THE DECISIONS OF INDIVIDUALS TO HOLD PARTICULAR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OR TO
HOLD NO RELIGIOUS BELIEFS. |
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F. ABUSE OR DISRESPECT OF OUR WINGMEN OUR FELLOW AIR FORCE PEOPLE
INCLUDING DISRESPECT BASED ON RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OR THE ABSENCE OF
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, IS UNACCEPTABLE. |
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G. WE WILL RECOGNIZE AND VALUE THE MANY HERITAGES, CULTURES, AND
BELIEFS REPRESENTED AMONG US, AND BUILD A TEAM BY STRESSING OUR COMMON
AIR FORCE HERITAGE: THE OATHS WE TOOK; THE CORE VALUES THAT WE EMBRACE;
AND, THE MISSION THAT WE UNDERTAKE TO PROTECT OUR NATION. |
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H. AT A TIME WHEN MANY NATIONS ARE TORN APART BY RELIGIOUS STRIFE,
WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT OUR ABILITY TO STAND TOGETHER AS AMERICANS AND
AS AIRMEN THOSE WHO REPRESENT MANY RELIGIONS, SHOULDER-TO-SHOULDER WITH
THOSE WHO CLAIM NO RELIGION IS PART OF OUR HERITAGE, AND OUR STRENGTH.
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GUIDELINES. THESE GUIDELINES ADDRESS SOME KEY AREAS: RELIGIOUS
ACCOMMODATION; PUBLIC PRAYER OUTSIDE OF VOLUNTARY WORSHIP SETTINGS;
INDIVIDUAL SHARING OF RELIGIOUS FAITH IN THE MILITARY CONTEXT; THE CHAPLAIN
SERVICE; EMAIL AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS; AND, GOOD ORDER AND DISCIPLINE.
THEY DO NOT PROVIDE ALL THE ANSWERS. RESOLUTION OF PARTICULAR ISSUES WILL BE
FACT-SPECIFIC, REQUIRE COMMON SENSE, AND WILL OFTEN BENEFIT FROM THE ADVICE
OF LEGAL COUNSEL, THE CHAPLAINCY, AND THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OFFICE.
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A. RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION.
- IT IS AIR FORCE POLICY THAT REQUESTS FOR ACCOMMODATION SHOULD BE
APPROVED EXCEPT WHEN PRECLUDED BY MILITARY NECESSITY. THEY SHOULD
NORMALLY BE APPROVED UNLESS APPROVAL WOULD HAVE AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON
MILITARY READINESS, UNIT COHESION, STANDARDS, OR DISCIPLINE. WHEN
REQUESTS ARE PRECLUDED BY MILITARY NECESSITY, COMMANDERS AND
SUPERVISORS SHOULD SEEK REASONABLE ALTERNATIVES. COMMANDERS AND
SUPERVISORS AT ALL LEVELS SHOULD ENSURE THAT REQUESTS FOR RELIGIOUS
ACCOMODATION [sic] ARE DEALT WITH AS FAIRLY AS PRACTICABLE THROUGHOUT
THEIR ORGANIZATIONS.
- BASIC GUIDANCE FOR RELIGIOUS ACCOMODATION [sic] IN MANY AREAS,
INCLUDING WORSHIP SERVICES, HOLY DAYS, SABBATH OBSERVANCES, DIETARY
REQUIREMENTS, MEDICAL ISSUES, AND APPAREL, IS INCLUDED IN DOD
DIRECTIVE 1300.17. THIS GUIDANCE IS IMPLEMENTED THROUGH AF
INSTRUCTIONS, INCLUDING AFI 36-2706, CHAPTER 8; AFI 36-2903, TABLES
2.6 AND 2.9; AND AFJI 48-110, PARA 13.
COMMANDERS AND SUPERVISORS SHOULD BECOME THOROUGHLY FAMILIAR WITH
THESE POLICIES, AND INCLUDE THEM IN STAFF AND PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT TRAINING.
- COMMANDERS CANNOT ANTICIPATE EVERY REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATION,
BUT, WHERE PRACTICABLE, AVOIDING SHEDULING CONFLICTS WITH MAJOR
RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE DAYS CAN BUILD UNIT CONFIDENCE IN LEADERSHIP
AND ENHANCE UNIT EFFECTIVENESS.
- ABOVE ALL, COMMANDERS MUST ENSURE THAT THEY CREATE A CLIMATE
WHERE INDIVIDUALS BELIEVE THAT REQUESTS FOR ACCOMMODATION ARE
WELCOMED AND WILL BE FAIRLY CONSIDERED.
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B. PUBLIC PRAYER OUTSIDE OF VOLUNTARY WORSHIP SETTINGS.
- PUBLIC PRAYER SHOULD NOT USUALLY BE INCLUDED IN OFFICIAL
SETTINGS SUCH AS STAFF MEETINGS, OFFICE MEETINGS, CLASSES, OR
OFFICIALLY SANCTIONED ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SPORTS EVENTS OR PRACTICE
SESSIONS.
- COMMON SENSE--AND MUTUAL RESPECT--SHOULD ALWAYS BE APPLIED AND
EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES MAY DRIVE EXCEPTIONS. (NOTE: For
example, there may be extraordinary circumstances where the
potential benefits for the welfare of the command outweigh the
potential of causing discomfort. These circumstances might include
mass casualties, preparation for imminent combat, and natural
disasters.)
- CONSISTENT WITH LONG-STANDING MILITARY TRADITION, A BRIEF
NON-SECTARIAN PRAYER MAY BE INCLUDED IN NON-ROUTINE MILITARY
CEREMONIES OR EVENTS OF SPECIAL IMPORTANCE, SUCH AS A
CHANGE-OF-COMMAND, PROMOTION CEREMONIES OR SIGNIFICANT CELEBRATIONS,
WHERE THE PURPOSE OF THE PRAYER IS TO ADD A HEIGHTENED SENSE OF
SERIOUSNESS OR SOLEMNITY, NOT TO ADVANCE SPECIFIC RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.
MILITARY CHAPLAINS ARE TRAINED TO DEAL WITH SUCH EVENTS.
- IN ADDITION, A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION DOES
NOT REQUIRE THE SAME CONSIDERATIONS AS PUBLIC PRAYER AND MAY BE
APPROPRIATE IN OFFICIAL SETTINGS.
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C. INDIVIDUAL SHARING OF RELIGIOUS FAITH.
- IN OFFICIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, PARTICULARLY SITUATIONS WHERE
SUPERIOR/SUBORDINATE RELATIONSHIPS ARE INVOLVED, INDIVIDUALS NEED TO
BE SENSITIVE TO THE POTENTIAL THAT PERSONAL EXPRESSIONS MAY APPEAR
TO BE OFFICIAL EXPRESSIONS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE WHEN
SUBORDINATES ARE PRESENT AS PART OF THEIR OFFICIAL DUTIES AND
OBLIGATIONS.
- THE MORE SENIOR THE INDIVIDUAL, THE MORE LIKELY THAT PERSONAL
EXPRESSIONS MAY BE PERCEIVED TO BE OFFICIAL STATEMENTS. THE MORE
SENIOR THE LEADER, THE MORE RESPONSIBILITY HE OR SHE HAS TO SEND THE
MESSAGE THAT WE ARE A TEAM BASED ON TRUST, RESPECT, AND A COMMON
MISSION TO DEFEND OUR NATION AND THAT WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ALL OUR
PERSONNEL IS TO LIVE UP TO OUR OATHS, EMBRACE OUR SHARED AIR FORCE
CORE VALUES, AND DO OUR DUTY.
- NOTHING IN THIS GUIDANCE SHOULD BE UNDERSTOOD TO LIMIT
VOLUNTARY, PEER TO PEER DISCUSSIONS.
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D. THE CHAPLAIN SERVICE.
- AIR FORCE COMMANDERS HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO ENSURE THAT THE
PEOPLE UNDER THEIR AUTHORITY HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN SPIRITUAL
CARE. CHAPLAINS ASSIST COMMANDERS IN MEETING THIS RESPONSIBILITY.
- CHAPLAINS ARE COMMISSIONED TO PROVIDE MINISTRY TO THOSE OF THEIR
OWN FAITHS, TO FACILITATE MINISTRY TO THOSE OF OTHER FAITHS, AND TO
PROVIDE CARE FOR ALL SERVICE MEMBERS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO CLAIM NO
RELIGIOUS FAITH. IN THESE VARIOUS ROLES, THEY SHOULD RESPECT THE
RIGHTS OF OTHERS TO THEIR OWN RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT
TO HOLD NO BELIEFS. THEY MUST BE AS SENSITIVE TO THOSE WHO DO NOT
WELCOME OFFERINGS OF FAITH, AS THEY ARE GENEROUS IN SHARING THEIR
FAITH WITH THOSE WHO DO. IN ADDITION, THEY MUST REMAIN SENSITIVE TO
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF SUPERIOR RANK, AND THEY SHOULD RESPECT
PROFESSIONAL SETTINGS WHERE MANDATORY PARTICIPATION MAY MAKE
EXPRESSIONS OF RELIGIOUS FAITH INAPPROPRIATE.
- CHAPLAIN SERVICE GUIDANCE INCLUDES AFPD 52-1 AND AFI 52-101.
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E. EMAIL AND SIMILAR COMMUNICATIONS.
- GENERAL RULES FOR USE OF GOVERNMENT COMPUTERS APPLY TO RELIGIOUS
MATTERS AS THEY DO FOR OTHER MATTERS IAW AFI 33-119, AFI 33-129, AND
33-112.
- INDIVIDUALS WILL TAKE THESE GUIDELINES INTO ACCOUNT IN THEIR
OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS. AS IN OTHER AREAS OF EXPRESSION, IT IS
IMPORTANT TO AVOID THE REASONABLE PERCEPTION THAT ANY OFFICIAL
E-MAIL OR COMPUTER POSTING IMPLIES THAT THE AIR FORCE SUPPORTS ANY
ONE RELIGION OVER OTHER RELIGIONS, OR THE IDEA OF RELIGION OVER THE
CHOICE OF NO RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION.
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F. GOOD ORDER AND DISCIPLINE. NOTHING IN THESE GUIDELINES
RELIEVES COMMANDERS OF THE RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN GOOD ORDER AND DISCIPLINE IN THEIR COMMANDS.
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FOR AIR EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND: REQUEST AETC DEVELOP
TRAINING MODULES FOR ALL ACCESSION AND TRAINING VENUES--OFFICER, ENLISTED
AND CIVILIAN--WHERE AIR FORCE CULTURE AND CORE VALUES ARE ADDRESSED. AETC
SHOULD INCLUDE THIS REQUIREMENT IN THEIR FY08 POM. PROVIDE A PLAN, WITH
TIMELINE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION, TO AF/DP NOT LATER THAN 1
NOVEMBER 2005. IN DEVELOPING THIS TRAINING, CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO
FEEDBACK RECEIVED REGARDING THESE INTERIM GUIDELINES. UPON APPROVAL, THIS
TRAINING WILL REPLACE THESE INTERIM GUIDELINES.
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FOR THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY: USAFA WILL INCORPORATE
THIS GUIDANCE IN THE TRAINING MODULES ON RELIGIOUS RESPECT--RESPECTING
SPIRITUAL VALUES OF ALL PEOPLE (RSVP)--CURRENTLY IN DEVELOPMENT. PROVIDE AN
UPDATE ON DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF RSVP, WITH TIMELINES, TO AF/DP
NOT LATER THAN 1 NOVEMBER.
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APPLICATION OF THESE GUIDELINES WILL REQUIRE MUCH THOUGHT AND
JUDGMENT BY COMMANDERS AND SUPERVISORS. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE
ANSWERS TO EVERY SITUATION. WE WELCOME MAJCOM FEEDBACK AS YOUR COMMANDERS
GAIN EXPERIENCE IN IMPLEMENTING THIS GUIDANCE.

References used:
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"Chaplain says she was fired. Claim comes amid inquiry into alleged intolerance at AFA,"
Associated Press, 2005-MAY-13, at:
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/
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Alan Cooperman, "Air Force Sets Rules Limiting Religious Expression,"
Washington Post, 2005-AUG-30, Page A04. Online at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com
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"Interim guidelines concerning free exercise of religion in the Air Force,"
The Telegraph, Macon, GA, 2005-AUG-31, at:
http://www.macon.com/
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Originally posted: 2005-SEP-05
Latest update: 2007-FEB-22
Author: B.A. Robinson 

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