Air Force Turns Down Church Fly-By
Tuesday July 7, 2009
We've spoken a lot here about the overt evangelizing that some of our military members face, in the form of both vocal preaching and more subtle mainstream-religion maneuvering. Groups like the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) have done a lot to educate both active duty military folks and their civilian counterparts about the things that go on in the Armed Forces, but the fact remains that if you're not Christian, you're a minority in the military. That's why this report is kind of refreshing.
The military has, for many years, provided flyovers at events which, while billed as "patriotic," are often evangelical in nature. In particular, there have been incidents in which B-2s have done flyovers during Christian testimonies and religious services. Chris Rodda over at The Daily Kos says, "The military was regularly providing flyovers at countless evangelical Christian events all over the country, not only violating the regulations prohibiting military participation in religious events, but spending millions of dollars of taxpayer money in the process."
Now, however, it looks like the times they might be a-changin'. For the first time in about four decades, a request for a military flyover by a Christian evangelist group has been rejected. Organizers of the God and Country Festival in Idaho asked for support from a local Air Force squadron, but they received a letter that read, in part, "Air Force and DoD policy prohibit support for events which appear to endorse, selectively benefit, or favor any special interest group, religious or ideological movement."
Naturally, the folks from God and Country are sure that this is all Barack Obama's fault, claiming that it's a "slap in the face" to members of the various branches of the service. On the flip side, MRFF is applauding the decision, and president Mikey Weinstein says 'It may have taken 42 years to get this right decision from the Air Force, but better late than never."
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The military has, for many years, provided flyovers at events which, while billed as "patriotic," are often evangelical in nature. In particular, there have been incidents in which B-2s have done flyovers during Christian testimonies and religious services. Chris Rodda over at The Daily Kos says, "The military was regularly providing flyovers at countless evangelical Christian events all over the country, not only violating the regulations prohibiting military participation in religious events, but spending millions of dollars of taxpayer money in the process."
Now, however, it looks like the times they might be a-changin'. For the first time in about four decades, a request for a military flyover by a Christian evangelist group has been rejected. Organizers of the God and Country Festival in Idaho asked for support from a local Air Force squadron, but they received a letter that read, in part, "Air Force and DoD policy prohibit support for events which appear to endorse, selectively benefit, or favor any special interest group, religious or ideological movement."
Naturally, the folks from God and Country are sure that this is all Barack Obama's fault, claiming that it's a "slap in the face" to members of the various branches of the service. On the flip side, MRFF is applauding the decision, and president Mikey Weinstein says 'It may have taken 42 years to get this right decision from the Air Force, but better late than never."
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Comments
Yay!
An airshow, maybe a World Series type of event, or a State Fair would be acceptable. These things celebrate America. those would be appropriate.
Can you imagine the uproar if the Pagans got a fly over for a May Day celebration?
Oh, never mind.
The world would implode.
LOLOL….Lori
And that would be the most appropriate time too.
I read the Air Force reply on their article. They have absolutely nothing to complain about. The Air Force is only doing what their policy requires. I used to live in Las Vegas near Nellis Air Force Base where they do their practice and training for those who are deploying. Just by what I have seen and mostly HEARD (lol) They are straining just to keep up with what is required of them with all the military efforts going on at this time. That is the legacy of Mr. Bush not President Obama. Why do people always blame those of us who are different for anything thing they don’t want to hear?
“Naturally, the folks from God and Country are sure that this is all Barack Obama’s fault, claiming that it’s a “slap in the face” to members of the various branches of the service.”
Um, as a military wife I don’t see how it’s a slap in the face to anyone in the service. The AF was following policy. The military is spread thin enough and doesn’t need to waste any more money and resources doing PR than is absolutely necessary.
There’s plenty of other ways for this group to show that they support the military. Why don’t they band together and adopt a platoon of deployed soldiers or donate to the Wounded Warrior program. They should do something of merit rather than pouting that they didn’t get their way.
Well said, Morri!
I agree with MOrri! Soldiers Angels is a wonderful program for adopting a soldier and in some cases more than one.
DARN! I was going to ask the Blue Angels to fly over our next Sabbat!
It’s about time that the Military starts adhering to their policies on such things. Our tax dolars are better put to supporting our troops rather than doing every little fly-by for religious events. Now doing one for a State Fair, or a memorial service for our troops is one thing. This economy can’t support frivolus spending… & it’s not cheap to put those planes in the air. There is no slap in the face to any military personel for this. As the daughter (& wife) to those who have served our country, I am proud of the decision.
For years, flyovers have been allowed by the Pentagon at the ‘God and Country Rally’ in Nampa Idaho. Those flyovers were not to endorse or promote any ONE religious faith tradition. Rather, they were held to honor and pay tribute to our heroic men and women who have served or are currently serving in our armed forces. For the Obama Administration to deny a flyover for the first time, is a slap in the face to all those who proudly serve our country especially when we are at war. Those flyovers have been a special part of the ‘God and Country Rally’ for MANY years. AND WHY NOW ??? This issue is about freedom of religion and if we aren’t careful NONE of us will have that in the future.
Grits:
Personally, if the “God” part of “God and Country Rally” were taken out, it would not be seen as trying to proclaim to the world “my god is better then yours”.
It sounds like advertising, prothyiltizing(sp?), and “one-up-man-ship”.
Similar in nature to the “Christian Children’s Charity”.
Please understand I am not trying to covertly bait you, or anyone; or overtly attack. That is not my intent.
Please also understand that, true to my word, if I ever saw a “Pagan Childrens Charity” I would have nothing to do with it. Except write a letter similar to this one.
Diplomacy still has a chance over-seas. But we become hypocrites if we outlaw similar practices over there, yet still do them here. That’s called fail.
And Military anything at home, is less over-seas. Not what anyone deployed needs right now, or their family and friends back home!
Please, consider this writing as another viewpoint worth your time, not as an attack, or bait attempt.
Hope it was fun, fly over or not. Maybe when the war is over, they might consider you again?
-Rafe
My husband served 22 years in the AF and is now Pagan (as am I). I agree with him when he says this is *not* a slap in the face of anyone; the AF is simply applying its policies to the situation. If we were of any other religion, we would still feel that the AF gave the correct response.
They ned ti just really leaveObamaout of this,and let him focus! Nobody is trying to slap nobody!
Gee, where have I been. I was in the AF for almost twelve years (some 20-odd years ago) and never once did I ever hear of any fly-by of Air Force planes (regular or guard)being dispatched to any religious function. I was stationed at Offutt and Tinker AFBs and the only “religious” service I ever know of a military fly-by was at funeral services for a deceased pilot or a commanding officer. It was too expensive for anything else. They wouldn’t even do 4th of July parades!
I’m glad they’ve put a halt to the practice you’ve mentioned! What a waste of money!!
I’m praying for all of you. There, that ought to ‘make your day’ in various ways. God bless you all.
Kathy, I’m not sure what your point is. Are you just saying you’re praying for us to be snarky because you think that all the Pagans will stomp their feet and cry that we don’t need you to pray for us?
I’m pretty sure that the Bible says that prayer isn’t supposed to be done to get public attention or recognition, so I’m confused as to what your actual goal is.
Personally, if someone wants to pray for me, it doesn’t bother me one way or the other. Although honestly, I’m sure there are people out there who need your prayers far more than I do. Perhaps you could help those folks out while you’re at it?