Spirituality

vullnnoid

vullnnoid

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5-Year Member
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Mar 17, 2009
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How many cadets take advantage of the "spiritual opportunities" offered at the Academy? Is it usually a choice between that and studying?
 
Off topic, but our friend went back about 2 yrs ago for his 25th reunion and they came back laughing about the spirituality program, to them it was reinforcement of the term...SNAP/SNAW (Sensitive New Age Pilot/WSO)
 
Maybe that's not off-topic... What are the protestant sermans like at the Chapel?
 
During BCT, many cadets will attend one of MANY religious services. Mainly to get the chance of relaxing, standing down, and "Getting Away" from the normal BCT environment. After BCT, usually the only ones that continue on with "Church" services, are those who normally did so prior to the academy when they were living at home. Obviously, there are some that are new to it and like it, so they too continue on. And the academy has a lot of cadets who are into church services. It's a neutral topic (As it should be); that if you want it, it's there. If you prefer to worship/believe on your own, you're free to do that also. If you prefer to just sleep in on Sunday's, you're also free to do that. BCT of course is more time structured, so more people attend services just to "Get away". later.... mike.....
 
Curiosity question here.

Whatever happened to the AFA lawsuit regarding the cadet that felt the religious were pressuring other cadets?
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/10/06/national/main919947.shtml

here is just a snippet from that link
There have been complaints at the academy that a Jewish cadet was told the Holocaust was revenge for the death of Jesus and that another Jew was called a Christ killer by a fellow cadet. A banner in the football team's locker room read: "I am a Christian first and last ... I am a member of Team Jesus Christ."

Also, there have been complaints that cadets were pressured to attend chapel, that academy staffers put New Testament verses in government e-mail, and that cadets used the e-mail system to encourage others to see the Mel Gibson movie "The Passion of the Christ."

Weinstein, who is Jewish and lives in Albuquerque, said the Air Force has violated cadets' right to worship as they choose.
Click to expand...

Weinstein is an Air Force Academy graduate, former military attorney and onetime member of President Ronald Reagan’s legal counsel.

Please realize I am Catholic, but since Bullet's Mom is Jewish I am very conscious of how religious beliefs can cause uneasiness among many and we should never place anybody in that awkward position. Just imagine if that claim of the banner was true how a cadet who does not believe Jesus was the messiah felt everytime he saw it. My MIL always states she believes Jesus existed, but she does not believe he did the acts that Christians believes he did.

I know for many Jews that are orthodox, the military is not a good fit, since from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday they must not work (Sabbath). It also creates problems for Kosher issues.
 
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We attended the contemporary Protestant worship service this summer at the Cadet Chapel on a Sunday morning on our way to a meeting in Keystone. We are Methodists and attend a contemporary service at our church and the sermon and music seemed very similar to what we are used to. They had a cadet Praise Band for music and many cadets participated in portions of the service. A staff member delivered the sermon.
 
yep, tons of opportunities here for anyone of faith. in basic, it makes no difference whether or not you go to a service. people who dont go to church get the same time to relax that those who are in a service get. during the school year, most SPIRE groups are on monday nights. nothing else mandatory can be scheduled in that time..

pima, i dont know of anyone nor have i ever experienced any sort of the things that Weinstein had a lawsuit about. i think most of that has passed on
 
My sons go to the Catholic mass every week and one is in the Catholic choir (when he has time!). They very much enjoy the priest there and feel very comfortable.

I don't really know much about the SPIRE program.
 
SPIRE stands for something.. but i dunno what :)

it's basically a block of time monday evenings (like 5 to 8 or somethin) that most religious groups use to meet. there are literally dozend upon dozens of groups to choose from. there'll be a big cookout after basic for SPIRE, so you can go see all the groups. heck you can go to a different group every week if you want.. anything. but i'm in FCA and enjoy it very much
 
I saw a video on Youtube about Campus Crusade for Christ on AFA that looked interesting. Now I remember they mentioned something about Monday nights.
 
FCA? Cool! We just started FCA at my HS this year. It'd be cool to stay in it at the Academy.
 
I visited the Academy a couple years ago and saw the chapel. It was amazing.
I can't wait to worship there.

What are the small groups similar to FCA like? Anything comparable to Young Life?
 
In response to the question about the religious intollerance scandal--I heard a rumor :)rolleyes:) that at least one allegation was a politically incorrect joke that was taken the wrong way and blown way out of proportion...and after hearing MANY politically incorrect jokes (mostly amongst friends), I find that VERY believable.
 
I think a lot of things get blown out of proportion, especially with high-profile institutions/organizations.
 
the Catholic Community is extremely strong. there are MANY opportunities in it, and we are beginning a "program" to help bring us even closer together, starting with the class of 2012 in the fall (then growing to 2013 and future classes.

as for comparisons to Young Life, there is nothing quite the same as the YL i attended in high school. I'd say the Baptist Student Union (BSU) is close in that they often have get togethers and parties and such. i'd reccomend trying a couple until you find one that really fits you.

i attend FLIGHTLINE, which took over after FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) left. its a great program.


and as for SPIRE vs studying, it really depends on time management. its usually only 1.5 hours a week or so (Monday nights).

Bibile studies are run separetly through SPIRE programs
 
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