Washington – Heated debate is expected Monday in the House over a provision included in a spending bill to condemn “abusive religious proselytizing” in the military.
House Armed Services chairman Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., wants to put off any such condemnation until after the Pentagon has reviewed the allegations of religious intolerance at the Air Force Academy. The report is expected to be released this week.
If he’s not successful in doing that, Rep. John Hostettler, R-Ind., wants to eliminate the provision entirely.
The proposed condemnation was added in committee earlier this month by Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee.
The Air Force ordered the investigation at the academy after the Washington-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State delivered a report saying evangelical Christians were harassing cadets who do not share their faith.
