The suit alleges that the invitation itself puts undue pressure on Academy members to attend. It notes, for example, that the “e-invitation” bore the imprimatur of the Air Force Academy and was sent “on behalf of the 10th ABW Vice Commander,” thus giving the impression that the event was recommended by the Academy’s command forces:
“This has led to a perception by Plaintiffs and numerous others at the Academy that in order to insure that their Air Force careers proceed in a favorable trajectory, they are expected to attend the Prayer Luncheon and that their careers may suffer if they fail to attend even though attendance is ‘voluntary.”
And this:
A study made public last fall, the “Climate Assessment Survey,” found several disturbing trends with regard to religious freedom on campus. Among non-Christians, more than 40 percent said that there has been pressure to be involved with religious activities. Even Christians feel a sense of coercion, with nearly 25 percent stating that they had been pressured to be involved. Nearly half of those in the religious minority felt unwanted pressure to engage in religious discussion during their time at the Academy, with about 12 percent stating that it had occurred often or very often. About the same number experienced unwanted proselytizing. In all, the report concludes, the “religious minority (feel) unwanted ‘proselytization’” and those in the “religious majority (feel) ‘freedom of speech is infringed upon."
http://www.examiner.com/religion-po...rst-amendment-group-sues-us-air-force-academy