We are often discussing stories of religious intolerance and sectarian prejudice on this blog, so it is refreshing to report an act of kindness and tolerance on occasion. Despite opposition from Christian groups, the United States Air Force Academy has established an area for pagans to pray in Colorado called the Falcon Circle. The academy’s senior chaplain, Col. Robert Bruno, insisted that freedom of religion means that cadets should be able to practice their religion — a novel concept to some who later desecrated the religious site.
Ironically, as soon as Christianity took root, some followers proceeded to shake off their own oppression by turning against others, particularly pagans. One of the most famous was Hypatia who a remarkable woman — Neoplatonist philosopher in Roman Egypt and mathematician. She was murdered by a Christian mob after being accused of causing religious turmoil.
The circle cost just $50,000 but some Christian groups are up in arms over the accommodation of another faith. Yet, Col. Bruno was defiant — and right:
“The First Amendment guarantee of freedom of religion does not just apply to the mainstream faith groups. It also applies to atheists, secularists, freethinkers and those whose belief systems are usually classified under the umbrella term ‘Earth-centered spirituality,’ . . . A denial of constitutional rights to one threatens the constitutional rights of all.”
My father’s firm, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, built the United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel designed by renowned architect Walter Netsch. I grew up with Netsch and his wife Dawn Clark (who later was on my law school faculty when I was a law student) as close family friends and I believe both my Dad and Walter would have been proud of the Air Force for the accommodation extended to all faiths.
Bravo, Col. Bruno, Bravo!
Source: Denver Post as first seen on Reddit.
Blouise,
The officers may be volunteers, but they should know better how to weed out the bad apples.
Now what was that Machiavelli said about using mercenaries?
Well, that’s going to be the push when they figure out a voluntary military for elective wars for corporate profits is ultimately a non-selling point for volunteers.
not if the recruiters use a dog whistle.
raff,
From a practical standpoint … piss-poor handling for an entity depending on volunteers to fill its ranks.
Blouise,
You are correct that the CYA method is always the first method of choice until the truth comes out!
Elaine and raff,
It is a sad and extremely serious situation that can be pinned directly on the military leadership. Bad enough to be dodging enemy bullets on patrol only to look forward to dodging rocks from one’s own fellows back in camp.
Interesting that a thorough investigation was not conducted till after the youtube vid was made and petitions signed. That is further evidence of a deeply flawed military leadership.
Rocks of a different sort will be raining down and a few of them should be lobbed into the Pentagon.
Elaine,
I saw that article. Very sad.
Off Topic:
Death of Private Danny Chen: Military Admits Chen was Target of Race-Based Hazing on Daily Basis
Democracy Now
1/9/12
http://www.democracynow.org/2012/1/9/death_of_private_danny_chen_military
Excerpt:
U.S. Army investigators have released explosive new details about the death of Private Danny Chen, who allegedly took his own life just weeks after he was deployed to Afghanistan last October. The family of the 19-year-old Chinese-American soldier says the Army told them Chen had been abused by comrades on an almost daily basis, including racist hazing, with soldiers throwing rocks at him, calling him ethnic slurs and forcing him to do push-ups or hang upside down with his mouth full of water. “This is not a situation where you can expect Danny to make complaints to his higher-ups, when they’re the ones that are causing this hazing,” says Liz OuYang of the civil rights group OCA-New York. “It was incumbent upon the officer, the highest leader in this platoon, to take action… Had he reported it to higher-ups, there is a great possibility that Danny may still be alive today.” Chen’s family and supporters have called for eight soldiers charged in his death to be tried in the United States instead of overseas.
Here’s the problem. In our nation fascism really started to solidify under Bush. Under Obama, it was the left wing who has finished the job. This tells me that something has gone horribly wrong within what used to be called the conservative and liberal movements.
If you would have asked most liberals 4 years ago if they’d be supporting a candidate who tortured, imprisoned the innocent and declared the right to kill anyone, anywhere that he so chose, people would have looked at you like you were insane. Yet this is exactly where things stand today. How does such a radical and bizarre change come about?
Lotta Katz mentioned the insanity of the Republican party and how it is being eaten from the inside. I agree with this. Again, how did this come about? Today’s Republicans are voting for candidates that would make many of their dead relatives turn over in their graves.
An unwillingness to grapple with how people are almost all voting for candidates who support truly odious policies which destroy our Constitution should be a wake up call. Something has gone horribly wrong in this society and not just on the right.
I keep hoping the left will wake up and grapple with their own choices and what those choices mean to us as a nation because so far, those choices have meant the solidification of totalitarianism. Of course, liberals could never do this alone, they have needed the support of right wing totalitarians. But it has been the work of the authoritarians, left and right who have brought this nation to where we stand today.
How often do we see news items that basically read, “Holy Crap! There are Muslim militants in the Pakistani Army and ISI – what if they get their hands on one of that nation’s nuclear weapons!?!?!”
Now hold up a mirror to the US military. Which is a more terrifying problem?
It will be interesting to see how long this chaplain lasts at the Academy.
Blouise,
I like the idea of deifying myself!!
“Blouise,
The tolerance these organized religions speak of is rarely practiced when self interest is afoot.” (Mike S)
Ah, that is because tolerance is for the other guy for once one has accepted Jesus, Mohammed, or the I AM that is plain ol’ Yahweh, one is automatically endowed with The Word, The Law, The Love and infinite tolerance flows from one’s soul like the sparkling waters of the Jordan. (Keep in mind I earned a M.DIV years ago so I know what in the hell I’m talking about … never used it but it’s in the attic somewhere.) thus … one never has to work at getting tolerance again … just chastise the other guy who obviously doesn’t have it.
Another nice feature of Paganism … no guilt if one sleeps in on Sunday, or is N-S-E-W directional challenged, or works after sunset on Friday … also, one is perfectly able to deify oneself and demand tribute … tax free.
Raff,
Sarcasm? Me? I was just reading a couple of the above comments and a strange feeling came over me.
“one doesn’t have to pretend to the tolerance they preach but have always failed to practice.”
Blouise,
The tolerance these organized religions speak of is rarely practiced when self interest is afoot.
AMS,
I prefer to call gray the new silver.
Mike:
Now you see the insideous way they penetrate the mind and implant beliefs and behaviors normally abhorant to human beings.
Find yourself Goosestepping to the Fridge in the morning?
Suddenly finding Gray; an exciting wardrobe theme?
Be afraid. FLEE! The 1% have invaded your mind.
Dreaming of writing a new play called “American Neitche; a Romantic Comedy?
Now you know the end is near. But then……it always has been. it’s just a balancing act we act out for the amusement of the masses who will likely remain unaware of the show’s existence due to the predominant American philosophy of:
Ignorance—-I don’t know
Apathy——–I don’t care
Stupidity—–I don’t wish to learn.
Mike S.,
🙂
It is what it is. There are certain advantages to not subscribing to Christianity, Islam, or Judaism … one doesn’t have to pretend to the tolerance they preach but have always failed to practice.
Deism on the other hand … wholly transcendent and never immanent
Paganism … is so non-Abrahamic and non-proselytism as to be completely free from the presence of a living mythology thus fairly perfect in the freedom it grants man to be, well … man.
5thGradeChief,
“Now someone has to dust and keep the place up.”
Good point. Guess they should do a bombing strafe on the place.
“On a related subject of religion and the air force, I would like to ask those pilots if they ever see any angels up there on those clouds which they fly by.”
That’s not how angels work. But the highest highs I have had were when I was flying….. a glider or an aerobatic plane. I sometimes thought an angel was riding with me.
Mike S.,
I detect a hint of sarcasm!!??
My God! Are you people blind? Obama is behind this just as he is behind every evil that exists in the world today! I will never stop proclaiming this no matter what topic is broached here. I’ll be back I have to comment on that topic where they are banning the religious freedoms of Indians, I see Obama’s hand-prints on that too. Don’t agree with me? Then you are a hypocritical fascist who hates human rights!…………………………………………………………………………………..
Oooh! What happened there? I had the strange feeling I was channeling someone else
To BettyKath:
It is not too late to stop subsidizing a chapel. I have not been in there but my dad says that he was there on a visit and that they have a statue of a dead guy on a cross in various places. Now someone has to dust and keep the place up. On a related subject of religion and the air force, I would like to ask those pilots if they ever see any angels up there on those clouds which they fly by.
Not too many Obama supporters at the academy or in the town, Jill.