a tempest in a teapot
This is a tempest in a teapot.
The media loves to start fights (between others) then they have tumult to report. Those who are “afraid” of, or intolerant of others, are insecure or ignorant and groups like Weinsteins’ and others need to stir up the issue and prolong any sort of conflict for as long as possible because it is a rare chance to fundraise for their organization.
So you have those who incite otehrs, the ignorant (willful or otherwise) and of course, those who live off the ignorance of others, keeping people scared and asking for funds to fight off the demons.
Generals Goulds’ comments are right on the money.
At the Air Force Academy, It’s All About Respect
By Lieutenant General Michael C. Gould
IN THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS, YOU’VE READ OR HEARD OR SEEN THAT THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY HAS ESTABLISHED AN AREA FOR EARTH CENTERED WORSHIP. SOME OF WHAT YOU READ OR HEAR IS SENSATIONALIZED. I WANT TO SEPARATE FACT FROM FICTION.
WE MADE THE DECISION TO ADD A WORSHIP AREA FOR FOLLOWERS OF EARTH-CENTERED RELIGIONS BASED ON RELIGIOUS RIGHTS OUTLINED IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION. THE STONE CIRCLE IS LOCATED ATOP A HILL OVERLOOKING THE VISITOR CENTER AND IS THE LATEST ADDITION TO A COLLECTION OF WORSHIP AREAS THAT ALREADY INCLUDE PROTESTANT, CATHOLIC, JEWISH, MUSLIM AND BUDDHIST SACRED SPACES.
THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE REMAINS NEUTRAL REGARDING RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND WILL NOT OFFICIALLY ENDORSE NOR DISAPPROVE ANY FAITH BELIEF OR ABSENCE OF BELIEF. THE EARTH-CENTERED SPIRITUALITY GROUP THAT MEETS AT THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY FALLS WITHIN THE DEFINTION OF RELIGION AS DEFINED IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 36-2706 WHICH STATES:
“A PERSONAL SET OR INSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM OF ATTITUDES, MORAL OR ETHICAL BELIEFS AND PRACTICES HELD WITH THE STRENGTH OF TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS VIEWS, CHARACTERIZED BY ARDOR AND FAITH AND GENERALLY EVIDENCED THROUGH SPECIFIC RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES.”
EARTH CENTERED WORSHIP FALLS IN THIS DEFINITION. ADDING THE EARTH-CENTERED WORSHIP CIRCLE WAS DONE SO IN RESPONSE TO THE REQUEST OF BOTH CADETS AND ACTIVE DUTY PERSONNEL WHO ASKED THAT THEIR RELIGION BE ACCOMODATED BY THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY CHAPLAINCY. THEREFORE, IT IS OUR OBLIGATION, MY OBLIGATION, TO ACCOMMODATE THE GROUP’S RELIGIOUS REQUIREMENTS IN A MANNER THAT IS FAIR AND CONSISTENT WITH OTHER RELIGIOUS GROUPS WHO ARE ACCOMODATED AT THE ACADEMY.
YOU MAY HAVE ALSO HEARD THAT A CROSS WAS FOUND AT THE SITE. THE CROSS WAS MADE OF RAILROAD TIES BEING LEFT AT THE EARTH WORSHIP SITE. THIS TOPIC HAS ALSO BEEN EXTENSIVELY COVERED AND NOT ALWAYS ACCURATELY. THOUGH WE DON’T KNOW THE CIRCUMSTANCES BEHIND THIS INCIDENT, WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS A MALICIOUS ACT OR NOT, OR EVEN IF ACADEMY PERSONNEL WERE INVOLVED, WE DIRECTED AN INQUIRY THAT IS ONGOING. IF WE FIND THAT THIS IS AN INTENTIONAL INCIDENT AND IDENTIFY THOSE RESPONSIBLE, WE’LL TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION. BUT WE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY AND ON THE 2TH OF JANUARY I PERSONALLY TALKED TO MY SENIOR STAFF TO REITERATE THE ACADEMY’S STANCE ON RESPECT AND DIGNITY. SINCE THEN, OUR DEAN OF FACULTY HAS ADDRESSED THIS WITH HER FACULTY AND STAFF, OUR COMMANDANT OF CADETS HAS TALKED TO THE ENTIRE CADET WING, OUR ATHLETIC DIRECTOR HAS TALKED WITH OUR COACHES AND PHYSICAL FITNESS AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFFS, OUR PREP SCHOOL COMMANDER HAS TALKED WITH HIS STAFF AND THE 220 CADET CANDIDATES AND THE COMMANDER OF OUR AIR BASE WING HAS DONE THE SAME WITH HIS STAFF.
OUR MESSAGE IS SIMPLE: WE ARE TAKING THIS INCIDENT VERY SERIOUSLY AND CONDUCTING AN IQUIRY. WE ABSOLUTELY DO NOT STAND FOR ANY TYPE OF DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR OR DISRESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY.
THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY IS NOT THE FIRST AIR FORCE INSTITUTION TO ACCOMMODATE EARTH CENTERED RELIGIONS AND WE WON’T BE THE LAST. HOWEVER, AT THE AIR FORCE ACADMEY THE ISSUE OF RELIGION IS FAR GREATER THAN ACCOMODATION, IT’S ABOUT RELIGIOUS RESPECT.
THE MISSION OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY IS TO EDUCATE, TRAIN AND INSPIRE MEN AND WOMEN TO BECOME OFFICERS OF CHARACTER TO LEAD THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION. WE ARE DEDICATED TO CREATING A LEARNING AND TRAINING ENVIRONMENT WHERE CADETS CAN REALIZE THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL REGARDLESS OF THEIR RELIGIOUS OR OTHER BELIEFS.
CADETS LEARN THAT TO SUCCEED AS AN AIR FORCE OFFICER WE MUST BE ABLE TO SUPPORT AND RESPECT THE PEOPLE WHO WE LEAD, SERVE WITH AND FIGHT ALONG SIDE EVEN IF THEY DO NOT SHARE OUR PERSONAL BELIEFS.
CADETS LEARN THAT EVERY SERVICEMEMBER IS CHARGED WITH DEFENDING FREEDOM FOR ALL AMERICANS AND THAT INCLUDES THE FREEDOM TO PRACTICE A RELIGION OF THEIR CHOICE OR TO NOT PRACTICE ANY RELIGION AT ALL.
CADETS LEARN THAT IT IS A GREAT HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO WEAR THE UNIFORM OF OUR ARMED SERVICES AND SERVE TO PROTECT FREEDOM, TO INCLUDE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.
ON GRADUATION DAY, THE SAME DAY AS THEY ARE AWARED A COMMISSION AS SECOND LIEUTENANTS IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, THEY WILL TAKE AN OATH TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
AT THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY WE FOCUS AND WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY TO ENSURE ALL PERSONNEL RESPECT THE SPIRT AND INTENT OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUION. THIS OUR COMMON DUTY AS MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE.