Four Air Force officers have joined a lawsuit claiming senior officers and cadets at the Air Force Academy illegally imposed Christianity on others at the school.
Four second lieutenants, all graduates with the class of 2004, joined the suit filed by a Jewish graduate of the academy and former Air Force officer, Mikey Weinstein, said Sam Bregman, Weinstein’s lawyer. He identified them as Casey Weinstein, one of Mikey Weinstein’s sons, Jason Spindler, Patrick Kucera and Ariel Kayne.
“Any argument that Mr. Weinstein didn’t have standing – that argument is over,” Bregman said.
Weinstein’s federal suit said he had failed to win an assurance from the Air Force that Christian chaplains would stop proselytizing. The suit prompted a proposed new set of guidelines on religious conduct in the Air Force.
Meanwhile, Congressional opponents have sent a letter to President Bush asking him to issue an executive order protecting the right of Christian military chaplains to mention Jesus in prayers.
A letter signed by more than 70 members of the House says “Christian military chaplains are under direct attack and that their right to pray according to their faith is in jeopardy.” The letter, written by U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., said, “We believe that the Air Force’s suppression of religious freedom is a pervasive problem throughout our nation’s armed forces” and “it is becoming increasingly difficult for Christian chaplains to use the name of Jesus when praying.” Weinstein said that if Bush issues an executive order that permits chaplains to proselytize he will add the president to the list of defendants.
Besides the letter to Bush, evangelical groups were pushing their side in meetings with top Air Force officials. Jim Backlin, vice president for legislative affairs of the Christian Coalition, said he had met with acting Air Force Secretary Pete Geren.
“I told the secretary we are concerned that the guidelines as written would have a chilling effect and are already having a chilling effect,” Backlin said.
Backlin said the guidelines are unnecessary.
An investigation of the academy found no overt religious discrimination but observed a lack of sensitivity among some and confusion over what is permissible in sharing one’s faith.
