-Update: Chaplain’s Essay On Faith and Foxholes Republished
by Dr. D ~ August 15th, 2013
(Elmendorf Air Force Base: Wikipedia)
Several weeks ago a controversy arose when Lt. Col. Kenneth Reyes, a Christian chaplain stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, wrote an essay entitled, “No Atheists in Foxholes: Chaplains Gave All in World War II” which was posted on the base’s website in a section called “Chaplain’s Corner.” Members of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) complained about the writing and suggested that the chaplain be punished for sharing his faith. The essay was subsequently taken off of the website and the story went viral as an example of religious liberty and freedom under assault in the military. Here’s a link to my take on this issue at the time.
Now the essay has been restored and republished on the base website. Here’s the updated story from the Blaze:
But since the furor over its contents went viral, the opinion piece has now been put back online. According to the Christian Fighter Pilot blog, Duffy and the military had a change of heart and have found a way, in their view, to allow for free religious speech in the public sphere. ….
There is now a disclaimer that is also published before faith-themed articles, noting that opinions expressed are not endorsed by the federal government. Here’s a screen shot:
Response: The ‘disclaimer’ is a good common sense resolution of the controversy. However the MRFF has yet to weigh in on it and will probably continue to complain since their real purpose is to eliminate open expressions of faith and religion in the military as opposed to maintaining free speech and religious liberty. *Top
