The following is my comment I posted on the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson website in response to the actions of the base commander in ordering his chaplain to remove his own essay about the adage; "There are no atheists in foxholes." "With no disrespect intended, I am truly disheartened and even embarrassed that the Air Force seems to still has senior commanders who still do not to understand the First Amendment (a part of the Constitution they swore to uphold and defend), or the lack of courage they seem to have to defend it exactly as they swore too. Commanders ought to know better than to do something like this, and Colonel Duffy should have stood behind his chaplain’s rightful expression of that right as a part of his call as a faithful Air Force chaplain. But sadly, he acquiesced. Of course atheists are going to be offended at anything a person of faith says. Are we supposed to reprimand a person for saying “God bless you” when an atheist sneezes? The atheist hates God and will always attempt to suppress any expression of that truth by deceit, manipulation and intimidation against the voices of those who profess the truth of God’s existence and His acts of grace in the lives of people, no matter where or how it may be spoken. What this episode should reveal to everyone most clearly is that the individuals at the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) really cannot tolerate diversity of opinion or belief, even when it is constitutionally protected. Their act of blatant intolerance here is absurd, irrational and undeniable. And their accusations of the same against rightful expressions of faith is nothing but hypocritical. Colonel Brian Duffy, I respectfully ask for you to reconsider your decision to have this article pulled from the JBER website for three reasons. First, the Constitution of the United States and Air Force regulations guarantees your chaplain, LTC Kenneth Reyes, the right to the freedom for expressing his faith in the course of his duties. You yourself sir have sworn to uphold that right. And now you have been graciously entrusted with a position of significant authority with the opportunity to bring integrity to bear upon your oath. Second, that by infringing upon Chaplain Reyes freedom of religion expression you are by default establishing a “religion of secularism”. The “religion of secularism” is a real worldview system of beliefs that the SCOTUS clearly acknowledges, and patently prohibits; “It is insisted that unless these religious exercises are permitted, a "religion of secularism" is established in the schools. We agree of course that the State may not establish a "religion of secularism" in the sense of affirmatively opposing or showing hostility to religion, thus "preferring those who believe in no religion over those who do believe.’" ABINGTON SCHOOL DIST. v. SCHEMPP, 374 U.S. 203 (1963) Colonel Duffy, the words of your own command: “The 673rd Air Base Wing does not advocate any particular religion or belief set over another” in your press release seems to be proof of your intention to do exactly what the SCOTUS forbids. Lastly, Colonel Duffy, Please read that article again. It was more about chaplain (Cummings) who didn’t believe in the atheism of all men. He believe this because he knew God, and the power of God that is often revealed in those life-and-death experiences that do indeed drive men to a reality check where “even the strongest of beliefs can change”. In other words, he believed that men could change for good more than they believed in themselves. And he was willing to stake his life on it, and in the end did just that. As a military chaplain myself, I have seen this with my own eyes as a result of my Soldiers experiences in combat. Colonel Duffy, the story of Chaplain Cummings as told through Chaplain Reyes article is a story of courage, sacrifice, devotion, camaraderie, love for fellow man, leadership and faith. And you now want to deny your Airmen a real life inspirational story like that merely because some pessimistic naysayers don’t like it? Please Sir. Do the right thing and reinstate the publication of Chaplain Reyes article." Sincerely, Chaplain (CPT-P) Chuck Williams
Posted on: Thu, 25 Jul 2013 12:18:12 +0000
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