-Demands For General to be Court-Martialed Because of ‘National Day of Prayer’ Speech?
by Dr. D ~ May 18th, 2015
( Major Gen. Craig Olson: US Air Force photo)
An activist military group is demanding that a general, who spoke about God at a National Day of Prayer event on May 7, be court-martialed claiming that his testimony was against the law and unconstitutional. Here’s the story from the Air Force Times:
…Maj. Gen. Craig Olson speaking at a National Day of Prayer Task Force event May 7. In the speech, Olson refers to himself as a "redeemed believer in Christ," who credits God for his accomplishments in the Air Force.
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation has called for Olson to be "aggressively and very visibly brought to justice for his unforgivable crimes and transgressions" by a court-martial, adding that any other service members who helped him should be investigated and punished "to the full extent of military law."
Response: Seriously this was a ‘National Day of Prayer’ event. The claim of “unforgivable crimes and transgressions" is way over the top considering the actual circumstances. President Obama and many other government officials and politicians participated in a number of different prayer events on that day.
Is it really illegal and unconstitutional for a service member to bare his testimony about God? Is this where the US military is heading. If so then it will be very difficult for serious Christians to serve in the military in the future. There have been reports in the last year that show a disturbing trend towards censoring believers in the military who share their faith personally with others. Religious liberty in the US military seems to already be under fire even before this case and now free speech also? This situation must be clearly dealt with and resolved as quickly as possible.
Actually President Obama (Commander–in-Chief) has made a number of comments about his commitment to Christ during Prayer Breakfast events like this in the past without anyone calling for his resignation. If these kind of restrictions were applied to historical figures in the past, nearly every general and admiral during WWII would have faced a court-martial not to mention George Washington who conducted prayer services often with his troops during the Revolutionary War.
How can this be unconstitutional in any way? The fact that this is being perpetrated by an organization that includes the words- ‘Religious Freedom’ is a joke that can not be laughed at. One agreement we do have is that every service member should have the right to follow whatever religion they wish or none at all without any interference from those in command. Gen. Olsen was merely telling his own story and not compelling others to become Christians. In fact it is totally against Christian theology and teaching to compel or even reward someone to commit themselves to Christ. A conversion like that would be meaningless anyway.
If one can no longer share one’s faith while serving in the military than the Constitution has been over turned and stood on its ear when it comes to real ‘religious freedom.’ *Top
