From the Family Research Council...
The Department of Defense (DOD) is entering a new conflict over the religious rights of military personnel. Once again, retired Air Force lawyer Michael Weinstein has come to the forefront in his campaign to curb the speech of evangelicals in the military. The latest is a call to investigate seven military officers for their appearance in a video for an organization called The Christian Embassy.
The Embassy, whose mission is to spread faith and offer encouragement to government officials in Washington, D.C., taped interviews with four generals and three colonels at the Pentagon in full dress uniform along with Congressmen and other government officials. Weinstein's group charges that the officers violated the regulations that prohibit personnel from appearing in uniform during "speeches... rallies, or any public demonstration... which may imply Service sanction of the cause."
In 2003, another Army Lieutenant General was criticized for appearing in uniform at churches, but the Inspector General ruled that he was acting within his rights. Whether or not the department takes action against these men, the true effect, and I believe intent, is to silence any soldier with religious convictions--a result that should have us all up in arms.
