At the Air Force Academy, it's all about respect

[USAFAcommunity]

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 definition of religion as defined in the United States Air Force Instruction 36-2706:

"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 in response to the request of both cadets and active duty personnel who asked that their religion be accommodated 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 accommodated 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 27th of January I personally talked to my senior staff to reiterate the Academy's stance on respect and dignity. Since then, our dean of the 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 inquiry. 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 Academy the issue of religion is far greater than accommodation, 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 alongside 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 awarded 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 spirit and intent of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This is our common duty as members of the United States Air Force.

by Lt. Gen. Mike C. Gould
U.S. Air Force Academy superintendent

[AuzmansMOM]

Here are some comments that have been posted to the article on the .mil site so far. Feel free to leave you comments in this thread for our discussion.

2/5/2010 7:49:46 AM ET
Kudos to General Gould and the USAFA for taking this progressive step in the right direction and for upholding our constitutional right to freedom of religion.
Julie, Texas

2/4/2010 10:00:24 AM ET
Tom -- I've taken the oath of enlistment a couple of times and I can tell you that the So help me God part is optional.Ivan -- Paganism is a legitimate religion regardless of whether you approve of it.
Donald Branum, Colorado Springs

2/3/2010 10:51:39 PM ET
IIf your area had been designated as a mediation area or something for peaceful reflection it would have been easier to accept. To encourage and promotion pagan and wiccan ideals in our military culture is simply over the top and acting as a puppet to political correctness. A future military officer must take the following oath I_______ do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God. So help me God is the cornerstone of the oath and shows you really mean to fully support what you have just sworn. At Fort Hood Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan certainly did show us the very worst of what can happen when he did not honor his oath He prob
Tom Mitchell, California

2/3/2010 7:27:27 PM ET
I am shocked by this decision. I understand legitimate religions being given equal treatment but do not consider devil worship and witches to fall in that category. The AF reg you reference could apply to communism for that matter. Shame on you
IVAN DUNN USN RET, Coronado CA

[raimius]

Wiccan, etc. have been officially recognized as religions by the military for quite a while.

Every military member swears to protect and defend the Constitution. Protecting people's religious liberty is part of the Constitution
Trying to intimidate or otherwise hinder the practice of people's religion directly violates our oath. It doesn't matter what you think of the religion in question, our DUTY is to uphold and protect the Constitution.

[housailor]

It was brought to my attention that earth-centered religions have been meeting already at the Academy, now they just have a nicer site.