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From the official Air Force Core Values handbook ("The Little Blue Book"),
Jan 1997, page 5
Section 2: Excellence in All We Do / Subsection: Discipline and Self-Control/Religious
Toleration (sic):
"Military professionals must remember that religious choice is a
matter of individual conscience. Professionals,
and especially commanders, must not take it upon themselves to change or coercively influence the
religious views of subordinates"
AFA (Air Force Academy) finds faith bias roots deep (11/20/04)
From: http://afa.gazette.com/fullstory.php?id=3996
"The day after the Air Force Academy's superintendent said publicly that the academy
was coping with a religious
intolerance problem, football coach Fisher DeBerry hung a banner in the locker room that said,
"I am a member of Team Jesus Christ."
"…the banner bore the "Competitor's Creed," which begins, "I am a Christian first and last…
I am a member of Team Jesus Christ…"
"When the head chaplain (at the Air Force Academy) advised against holding Bible studies
in dormitories, Commandant Brig. Gen. Johnny Weida, a born-again Christian, overruled
him in front of 300 commanders, senior supervisors and cadet leaders,
saying it is OK to have Bible studies in dorms.
His boss, Superintendent Lt. Gen. John Rosa Jr., sat silent, which some see as approval of
Weida's announcement."
An anonymous source went on to say: "Chaplain Whittington seems to understand this is a
constitutional issue. No one else does. Discrimination against non-Christian cadets continues."
The trouble at the academy started two years ago. In December 2003, several dozen
faculty and staff members
signed an annual Christmas greeting in the campus newspaper, paid for by Christian Leadership Ministries, that
said,
"We believe that Jesus Christ is the only real hope for the world." The following February, cadets found
fliers
promoting The Passion of the Christ, the controversial film, on their place settings in the dining hall.
That summer, at basic training for new cadets, a staff chaplain urged those at a worship service to
proselytize their bunkmates lest they "burn in the fires of hell," according to a report by observers
from the Yale Divinity School. Also at basic training, cadets regularly held a march, which they dubbed
the "heathen flight," for those who declined to attend an after-dinner service.
During that time, the academy's commandant, who is the highest-ranking cadet commander, frequently
described himself as a born-again Christian. At public events, he led cadets in a Christian
call-and-response, with a "J for Jesus" hand signal.
NATION IN BRIEF
Wednesday, June 22, 2005; Page A04
Academy Chaplain Resigns From Air Force
from: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/21/AR2005062101720.html
A chaplain who was removed from her duties at the U.S. Air Force Academy in May after
she criticized evangelical Christian efforts to convert cadets submitted her resignation from the Air Force.
Capt. MeLinda S. Morton resigned one day before the Air Force was scheduled to release a religious-climate
report dealing specifically with such issues at the academy. Morton has openly criticized the academy's
willingness to tolerate what she called "a pervasive evangelical climate that is threatening to members
of other faith groups and disregards the constitutional separation of church and state."
AN INFAMOUSLY HERETICAL SPEECH
(Note: I really gave this speech. The content is paraphrased from my memory, as well as from the speaking notes I made beforehand. If anyone has a tape/transcript of my exact words on that day, I'd love to have a copy.)
Date/Time: 1 November 2004 0630 Hours
Place: Andrews AFB movie theater auditorium
Occasion: A Mandatory 89th Medical Group
Commander's Call
Presiding Officer: Brigadier General
William J. Germann, Commander, Malcolm Grow "Medical Center", Andrews AFB, MD
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCRAPE OFF THE DARWIN FISH FOR JESUS YOU HEATHEN, OR I WILL, IN JESUS' NAME
When I joined the U.S. military in September, 1981, I was still a churchgoing,
fire and brimstone-believing, Southern Baptist preacher's kid. Any references
to God with regard to the USA ("In God We Trust") seemed self-evident to me. However,
I noted from the beginning with interest that the USAF, and the military in general,
seemed to go out of its way to foster inclusiveness and spiritual diversity in
order to focus on the mission at hand: defending the Constitution of the United
States against all enemies (and especially the Soviet Union). As my philosophical
and religious views evolved at Harvard in reaction to personal events and
interaction with intelligent classmates from around the world, I had no fear
that my new Zen Buddhist and Pagan beliefs would interfere with my planned
20 year career in Air Force medicine. I felt secure in the knowledge that the USAF provided
a "safe haven" for people of all spiritual beliefs.
That all began to change in the mid-1990s. In my opinion, as a result of the
military culture's extreme hatred of President Bill Clinton, both due to his
liberal policies and personal misconduct, it became increasingly more fashionable
to inject Christianity —-overt, proselytizing Christianity-- into everyday
military life. Hand in hand with this trend was the initially subtle, then, later,
blatant persecution and ostracization of those who would not toe the Evangelical
Christian party line.
Our first rude indication that the winds of religious climate and tolerance
for freedom of expression on military bases were changing for the worse
occurred around 1999. For several years, my wife and I had displayed "Darwin"
fish bumper decorations on our cars. One day, my wife came out to her car in the
parking lot of David Grant Medical Center, Travis AFB, where we both worked
as physicians to find a note taped to the windshield: "Darwin is Dead...Jesus is Alive..."
A few days later, somebody let the air out of her tires. We had them re-inflated
and checked at our local Toyota dealership: the tires were fine (no leaks).
A few days later, it happened again. After a long day slaving as a resident
family physician in the hospital,my wife couldn't drive home to see her
family, because SOMEBODY objected to a plastic fish SO much that they felt
free to assault our car and abuse our property on a military installation.
A few days later, someone used a key forcefully to SCRAPE the plastic Darwin
fish off of our trunk, causing several hundred dollars worth of damage
to the paint. At that point, my wife insisted that I remove the Darwin fish
from our Lexus, lest we have to pay several hundred more dollars in repair fees.
Final score: Destructive Christian fanatics 1, pro-evolution freedom of speech 0.
Interestingly, after the Darwin fish were removed (by force and by practical choice),
our tire problems vanished.
Nevertheless, we comforted ourselves with the knowledge that the Air Force secretary,
Sheila Widnall, had promulgated the "Air Force Core Values" handbook, which established
that religion is a personal matter; and with the knowledge that Bill Clinton would never
condone the misuse of military rank and power structures to enforce uniformity
of religion in the uniformed services.
CONTRIBUTE CANNED GOODS IN CELEBRATION OF JESUS' BIRTHDAY OR DIE
That all changed when George W. Bush took office in 2001. At first, the change in
attitudes toward religion in the military was subtle. Then, in June 2003, Col.
(soon to be Brigadier General) (Dr.) William J. Germann assumed command of my
hospital, Malcolm Grow "Medical Center", from the *nurse* who had previously commanded
us. Suddenly, religious icons started sprouting up all over the medical center.
In September, 2003, theGeneral arranged a "Health Fair" centered around
"Spiritual Wellness". The display in the front lobby of the hospital was very
offensive to me; it included a ceramic model of praying hands with a book that
stated something like "God is the Great Physician". More and more evangelical
Christian verbiage seeped into official e-mails. Senior NCOs began adding
Christian Bible verses as taglines on their official e-mail. Then, amazingly,
official senior NCOs began demanding MANDATORY food donations for Thanksgiving (a secular holiday for
most, but not for evangelical Christians), and, of all things...CHRISTMAS:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jones, Robert LtCol 89 MSGS/SGCJ
To: (Squadron Superintendent/base JAG office)
Sent: Tues, 11/18/2003 5:21 PM
Subject: Mandatory Donations Illegal/Separation of Church and State (was: RE: HOT - T-Day Baskets)
SMSgt R.
First, I have referred this "mandatory" donation situation to the base JAG
office (LtCol S./Capt D.), who agree that the wording and spirit ("needs to
donate";"Christmas") violate Air Force and DoD rules regarding solicitation
of active duty personnel as well as separation of church and state.
We have Jewish personnel (LtCol W.), Muslim personnel (SMSgt W.),
and Pagan personnel (LtCol Jones) in this squadron who may OBJECT
to donating to a *Christmas*/Thanksgiving basket.
Moreover, I find your inclusion of a Christian Bible verse (Isaiah 41:10) offensive,
especially given that it is appended to an official communication from
our Squadron Superintendent. The text thereof:
"41:10 Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the
right hand of my righteousness. "
...has no relationship to Holiday baskets, and may be construed as sanctioning
an official religion for our Squadron (e.g., Christianity). I would ask that you,
as our superintendent, consider the feelings of your non-Christian squadron
personnel, and reconsider your inclusion of religious verses in your e-mail
taglines.
Sincerely,
Robert C. Jones, M.D.
LtCol, USAF, MC
Staff Anesthesiologist
89 MSGS/SGCJ
P.S. My grandfather was command SMSgt in charge of Supply on this AFB before
there was a chief rank, so I both understand and respect that you are a symbol
of authority, not only to our enlisted members/non-commissioned officers, but to
all of us. It is therefore all the more important that your official communications
to us reflect inclusiveness rather than exclusiveness with regard to religion.
-----Original Message-----
From: R. SMSgt 89MDG/SGC
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 8:23 AM
To: 89 MDG SGC
Subject: RE: HOT - T-Day Baskets
Not much time...Please support this asap
SMSgt R.
AMC 4J0X2 Functional
89 MSGS Superintendent
(phone #s redacted)
Is 41:10
-----Original Message-----
From: H. SMSgt 89MDG/SGCS (O.R. Chief NCO)
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2003 12:25 PM
To: 89 MDG SGC
Subject: FW: HOT - T-Day Baskets
Importance: High
Our Squadron needs to donate $50 for vegetables or supply them with 100 cans of vegetables (Corn and/or Green Beans)
for the holiday Baskets. If each flight can bring in 25 cans we should be set for both the Thanksgiving and
Christmas baskets. Turn all donations in to me by COB on 19 Nov 03. Any questions please give me a call 7-(redacted).
Your support with this will be greatly appreciated.
SMSgt H.
-----Original Message-----
From: L. CMSgt 89MDG/CCF
Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2003 2:38 PM
To: (various people)
Subject: HOT - T-Day Baskets
Importance: High
Gents,
I've been napping at the switch here...I see we as a group are down for 420 cans of vegetables. Estimated
cost is $300...If I throw in $75, Dental $25 and the remaining squadrons $50 does that work for everyone?
We need a shopper...any of you energetic young MSgts have a truck?
Chief L
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boy, people got mad at me for that e-mail! Many of the guilty parties concerned claimed that I was "overreacting".
I asked one of them how he would feel if he were required mandatorily to donate food for a Pagan holiday
(Beltane, for example), because that was exactly how I felt being forced to contribute in the name of a
Christian holiday. I could hear the steam whistling from his ears through the phone lines.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note that I didn't just object to over Christian verbiage from NCOs; here's my e-mail to
an anesthesiologist colleague and good friend:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: (my colleague anesthesiologist) Capt 89MDG/SGCJ
Sent: Monday, December 01, 2003 1:25 PM
To: (my colleague)
Subject: anesthesia flight christmas party
(Colleague's Name),
First off, thanks for inviting us to your home for the holiday party.
Looking forward to it!
Second, you probably don't know this, but I am in the middle of
a flame war with some of the senior people in this squadron
regarding the "Christmas" verbiage. I really would appreciate it
if this could be a "Holiday" party, as the Christ business is not
very inclusive to us pagans. Also, there are folks who are Jewish,
Muslim, etc., in our squadron...
Thanks for your understanding, and <parody> may the Goddess Bless you
and may the Goddess bless the United States of America </parody>
--Rob
-----Original Message-----
From: (my colleague anesthesiologist) Capt 89MDG/SGCJ
Sent: Monday, December 01, 2003 1:19 PM
To: (everyone in the Flight)
Subject: anesthesia flight christmas party
(My wife) and I would like to invite you to our home for the anesthesia flight's Christmas party.
Directions and information are posted in the attached slides.
Thanks,
(my colleague)
PS: parking in my neighborhood is at a premium -- please don't block any driveways!
<< File: Directions to (redacted) Home.ppt >>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAVING CHRISTMAS FOR JESUS IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE OF JESUS
A few days later, in early December, 2003. I ride the elevators down from the second floor to the chow hall in the basement of Malcolm Grow "Medical Center", Andrews AFB, to be struck in the face (figuratively) by the following flyer taped to the wall: "Announcing the 89th Medical Group Christmas Party". On the flyer, little baby Jesus, star of Bethlehem, and a fricking shepherd with a staff. No discussion of "Holiday Party", no Menorah, no secular symbols of the Winter Holiday (snowmen, etc.). Purely religious proselytization on a Federal military installation. This was unacceptable. I took a copy up to the O.R., where I met our very nice Jewish podiatrist. I asked him whether he found the flyer offensive. He told me he did, but that he had given up trying to fight against the increasing Christianization of the USAF; besides, he was close to retirement, so he no longer wanted to rock the boat. I, on the other hand, had no such limitations: after the two unjust LORs I had received for trying to save patients' lives, I had decided to resign my commission and leave the USAF when my commitment was up in 2005. Thus, I called up the command section and requested to speak to the person responsible for these flyers. A very nice Chief Master Sergeant whom I knew, Chief A., picked up the phone. I shared with him my appall and outrage at the overtly sectarian nature of what had always been, in my twenty two years in the military (since ROTC), the "Winter Holiday Party". Long sigh over the phone. "I told them at the command staff meeting that people were going to complain about this, but nobody listened to me. The booster club is usually responsible for putting up these flyers, but this year, the General personally insisted that his wife was going to design the flyers for the Christmas, er, Holiday party. If you have any questions about this, you're going to have to speak with the General. However, he is currently unavailable, so, with your permission, Sir, I'll just take down your info and have him get in touch with you later." I gave the Chief my office phone and pager number. Later that evening, around 5 PM, I was helping our Chief Nurse Anesthetist manage a severely demented gentleman who was undergoing hip fracture repair under spinal anesthesia, when I got a page. Chief A. told me that the General wanted to see me immediately in his office. I told the Chief that it wasn't a good time, given that I was tied up with patient care; the Chief insisted that I had no choice but to abandon my clinical care for a patient in the Operating Room and report to the General's office IMMEDIATELY. I made sure that the spinal was working, and that the patient's sedation had kicked in well enough that the CRNA felt comfortable managing the patient alone. I threw a white coat over my scrubs (so that I could return to help the CRNA in an emergency), and took the elevator downstairs to the Command Section, commonly known as "tiptoe alley." The General invited me to sit after I saluted him formally upon reporting; he was not cruel in his attitude or demeanor, but he forcefully outlined his position that the "Majority" of people in the Medical Group celebrated Christmas, rather than a "Winter Holiday", so thus, as Commander of the Medical Group, it was within his purview to gear the party toward the "Majority", rather than the minority. I was shocked. I told him that, in my years in the military, I had NEVER seen such overt intrusion of organized religion and frank proselytization into a Federal organization as I had seen since he had arrived in June 2003. I told him of the British General's letter which one of our NCOICs had seen fit to post at the front of the O.R. shortly after the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom; it stated that we would win because God was on our side as Christians fighting against non-believers (Muslims, by extrapolation). I reminded him of the "Spirituality in Medicine Fair" display he had allowed in the front entrance of the hospital in September, 2003, which included praying hands which stated that God was the Great Physician. I told him of my extensive discussion with Public Affairs and the Hospital Chaplain regarding his (General Germann's) order to place a Christian Prayer at the top of every single Hospital Daily Bulletin sent out by e-mail; and how it was due to my actions that the formerly Official Daily Bulletin obtained the fig leaf of calling itself "Unofficial", so that the Christian prayers could continue at the top of the bulletins. I told him of the flame wars I had been involved with since Nov 2003 regarding mandatory donations for Christmas. I then told him that, in my opinion, his responsibility as General Commanding Officer of the Medical Group was to be a Commander for EVERYONE, not just the majority. In fact, given U.S. and world history, it should be recognized that minority religions need MORE, rather than LESS, protection from the tyranny of the majority. I told him that I, as both a practicing Zen Buddhist and Pagan, felt disrespected, denigrated, and ostracized by the overtly Christian intrusions into what used to be a non-denominational institution which respected the Consitutional requirement of separation of Church and state. I told him that, as far as I was concerned, this type of frank proselytization and Christianization would not stand; if I had to go to the base and then the Air Force IG, so be it. He then told me that he was planning a new, official hospital Committee to address these and other "spiritual"/religious issues within the medical group. He was planning on calling it the Spiritual Life Committee; he then essentially ordered me to take part in it. In the end, I saluted him and left. The name of the "Holiday Party" remained "Christmas Party"; no e-mail retraction or change in the posters ever occurred.
BUILDING UP YOUR MILITARY SUBORDINATES' SPIRITUAL BICEPS FOR JESUS
A few days later, shortly after the holidays, I received the following:
-------------------------------
From: Jones, Robert LtCol 89 MSGS/SGCJ
Sent: Mon, 1/12/2004 12:52 PM
To: (hospital chaplain)
CC: (Dr. Hurtus, my flight commander)
Subject: RE: 89th Med Group Spiritual Life Committee
Chaplain D.,
Yes, General Germann has personally indicated that he wishes me to partake in your Committee.
As one of the few pagans who is "out of the closet", as it were, I am happy to participate.
Certainly, "celebration of diversity" cannot occur without the input of people from diverse
backgrounds...and mine is about as diverse as you can get (born and raised Southern
Baptist, now Zen Buddhist and Neopagan).
My schedule in the OR is fluid and unpredictable; would request only that the meetings
not occur after 1600 on Fridays (so as not to conflict with the Wing Commander's Call/
Hail and Farewell events). I am cc'ing my Flight Commander and Chief Anesthesiologist,
Col (Dr.) "Hurtus", for her knowledge/approval, as well.
--Rob Jones, M.D.
LtCol, USAF, MC
P.S. I assume we won't be starting the committee meetings with prayer, unlike our
Daily Bulletins 8-) BTW, appreciate your bringing *that* matter to command's attention;
the designation of "unofficial" status did at least let me know that someone cares about
the *appearance* of imposition of an unconstitutional theocracy at MGMC.
-----Original Message-----
From: D. Capt 89MDG/HC
Sent: Friday, January 09, 2004 12:33 PM
To: (people)
Cc: (person) 89MDG/SGE
Subject: 89th Med Group Spiritual Life Committee
Dear Sirs,
General Germann has asked me to lead the formation of an 89th Medical Group Spiritual
Life Committee. This committee's purpose will be to provide support for and
education of the variety of spiritual backgrounds/traditions represented
in the Medical Group. Its purpose is also to celebrate our diversity and
facilitate spiritual wellness amongst the entire Group.
If you are willing or are not willing to serve in this capacity, please
let me know. If you know of someone you'd like to nominate, please let me know.
While appreciating the great cause this committee will serve, and this
unique opportunity to form a Spiritual Life Committee, I also respect busy
schedules. I envision the committee meeting quarterly - please also let me know
what time and what day of the week might be best for your schedule. I will
try and coordinate and come up with a schedule.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.
Respectfully,
Chaplain D.
D., Chaplain, Capt, USAF
Hospital Chaplain
89 MDG/HC
(phone numbers redacted, but...)
FAX DSN 858-AMEN (!!!!)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes from initial Spiritual Life Committee
by LtCol (Dr.) Rob Jones
based on notes taken 19 Feb 04
Brigadier General (Dr.) Germann:
• Opening welcome to members
• Spirituality is important element of wellness
• Health has physical/emotional/social...and spiritual dimensions
• "We have not valued the spiritual element in this Medical Group until now"
• "If we are healthy spiritually, there is nothing we can’t rebound from"
• The belief in something greater than ourselves is key to spiritual strength,
and may help prevent suicides
• "Those most spiritually immature are at greatest risk”
• Goals of Spiritual Life committee:
1) "Facilitate development of a culture in this organization to help people feel
comfortable with spirituality and the need to use assessments of spirituality”
• Examples given of objections to government recognition of religion (Alabama courthouse
Ten Commandments, Pledge of Allegiance [“under God”], "In God we Trust" on money)
• Goal: develop culture where supervisor will ask me about spirituality and be
interested/care in my spiritual health and development
• Help subordinates understand spiritual wellness is important in the organization
2) "Provide a platform for education regarding the multitude of spiritualities in the organization"
• The culture/environment should not focus on promoting a certain religion
• Culture should promote respect of whatever form of spirituality each person chooses
• Education of 1400 members of Med Group about diversity of spiritual belief? not just religion
• Example: Holidays: people should be allowed to practice and celebrate as their respective religion states
• Eliminating ignorance = eliminating bias
• No sanction of specific religion or spirituality, but accept all
• Don’t use Med Group funds for religious celebrations
• "Search out those who need ‘muscle building’ in spirituality” to ensure maximum
wellness of the Med Group community
LtCol (Dr.) Jones points out to General Germann and Committee:
1) As a practicing Pagan, I am concerned that minority religions are not going to be valued.
Also, those whose spirtuality does not recognize power greater than themselves (atheists,
agnostics, secular humanists) should not be relegated to second class citizen status. These
people should also have equal representation with regard to education of the Med Group.
2) Science and rationality: Many people with scientific backgrounds (especially physicians
and other providers) have been trained to be skeptical of religion and spirituality. It will
be a challenge to impress upon them that the Spiritual Life Committee is not promoting
non-rational thinking, but rather encouraging positive grounding in whatever spiritual
tradition/ethos brings support to each individual in time of crisis (e.g., war, personal tragedy, etc.).
3) 1st Amendment issues: Very easy to get this wrong, and very hard to get this right.
If supervisors question subordinates about religion, and feel free to expound upon their
own personal religious strengths as part of mentoring, there is a risk of a perception
that the superior officer/NCO is proselytizing the subordinate. Moreover, the inherent
hierarchical nature of the military makes “undue command influence” difficult to avoid…
especially with sensitive topics such as personal faith/belief/lack of belief.
The primary worry I have is that there will be a perceived bias toward Theism
(specifically, Judeo-Christian monotheism) within the Medical Group if the work of
the committee is misunderstood. Absolutely must disavow (as per General Germann’s
introduction) any hint of establishment of a state religion on Constitutional grounds.
4) The multireligous calendar handed out by the Chaplain does a reasonable job of
inclusivity...but notably omits several major belief systems (Wicca, Paganism, Magick,
Voudoun, Santeria, Shintoism, Taoism, Confucianism…). I provided the Chaplain with a
list of Pagan/Wiccan Sabbat holidays with explication to attempt to begin to redress
this lacuna. I remain concerned that minority religions will get short shrift; the
General replied that the Committee’s programs and initiatives will address our Med
Group’s spiritual diversity, but that those of minority spiritual traditions (such
as myself) will have to understand that this is being done for the greater good of
the majority of Med Group personnel (e.g., fact that we have many Protestant chaplains
on base, 1 Catholic priest, and no Wiccan priestesses or Islamic Imams reflects
spiritual background of majority of population served)
(Insert others’ comments here)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The General emphasized that he was committed to the Vision of promulgating his concept
(first promoted by him at HQ Scott AFB, as I recall) of the "Four Tiedowns of Wellness"
(see image of the official flyer he had printed up with this verbiage here:
http://www.medicalcorpse.com/4tiedowns1.jpg).
He especially emphasized that he expected all supervisors to sit down with their
underlings in order to quiz them about their spirituality, and how the
supervisor could get them closer to their God. I raised my hand.
"Sir, how is my supervisor going to know enough about my religious/spiritual beliefs
to bring me closer to the Buddha, the Tao, or my Goddess?"
He harrumphed a bit and responded with generalized General Officer nonsequiturs,
then moved on. However, he was adamant in stating that "everyone" believed
in a "Higher Power", whether that be God, Allah, Jehovah, or whatever. I raised my
hand yet again. I pointed out that this was not the case for atheists, agnostics, secular
humanists, Objectivists, Zen Buddhists, and many others. His jaw almost hit the table
at my audacity: Imagine, a LtCol contradicting a General officer?
Quel horreur! The General should have remembered from our conversation in December, 2003,
that I had studied comparative religion at Harvard, was the son of a Baptist Minister,
and was not the sort to compromise when I felt that fundamental Constitutional
prinicples were at stake...just as I cannot compromise my medical judgment
in order to endanger patient safety, no matter how "politically incorrect" doing the right
thing medically for my patient might be (see my book, Military Medical Corpse:
The Premeditated Murder of U.S. Military Medicine for details on this disturbing subject).
Finally, at the end of the first meeting, I told the assembled members and the
General that we needed to change the name of the Committee immediately. I had done a
Google search for "Spiritual Life Committee", and found that thousands
of Catholic and Protestant Christian organizations used this terminology
to spread their own sectarian dogmas, rather than encouraging inclusiveness
and diversity. I suggested the name "Spiritual Wellness Committee", which
was agreed to by a majority of the members present, and which subsequently
became our official title.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE "SERVANT LEADER" PUTS HIS FAITH FIRST...AHEAD OF THE CONSTITUTION?
More than a year now after I left the military, I was doing research for this book, looking for a reason why Brigadier General William J. Germann felt so strongly that he had to share his militantly religious views with his military subordinates (in violation, in my opinion, of both military injunctions against undue command influence over subordinates' religious beliefs, the dictates of the "Little Blue Book" of Air Force Core Values [see above], and the spirit of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America). Here's an interesting biographical article I found in AMS News, the journal of the "Archdiocese for the Military Services", from June 2005 (the month I left the USAF, in no small part because of the virulent religiosity forcefully imposed by General Germann upon his captive subordinates): http://www.milarch.org/news/newsletters/NL050600.pdf From which I quote the following (page 11): "General Germann changed the view of his work about five years ago when he first read The Servant by James C. Hunter. Hunter tells the story about John Daily, a burned out executive who took a weeklong retreat in a Benedictine monastery, as his life was spinning out of control...the monk leading the retreat helps John to realize that true leadership is not based upon exercising power but developing authority, built upon love, relationships, sacrifice and service. ...Excited by the book's message, General Germann has purchased four dozen copies and given them to his employees during his last two assignments. ...He did not always put the faith first. His life changed more than 10 years ago... He will likely serve two to four more years in the Air Force and after he retires, would like ot work in a faith-based career field, such as running a Catholic hospital." Of note, according to Amazon.com, here is the first sentence of James C. Hunter's book, _The Servant: A Simple Story about the True Essence of Leadership_: GOOD MORNING," MY ROOMMATE cheerfully called out to me from his bed before I had even turned my alarm off, "I'm Pastor Lee from Wisconsin." Pastor Lee indeed. The thick plottens. General Germann was evidently so fired up about recasting himself in the mold (toxic, that is) of a "Servant Leader", that he included this phrase in the official trifold handout he had printed up to promulgate his "Vision" for the Medical Center; his message to the troops under his command included not one, but two "God bless yous": Click here for a scanned image So, to recapitulate, Col. (later BG) Germann felt free to proselytize his military underlings using a book based upon his conservative Catholic values; he also decided to "put the faith first" 10 years earlier, when he adopted his kids. I suppose that meant putting "Defending the Constitution" somewhere other than first in his life. Fascinating. I am sure that, if I had stayed in the USAF to make full Colonel and attain a Command position, I could have abused my authority by handing out books to my peons which reflected *my* personal religious and spiritual views, such as the following, all of which are sitting on my home bookshelf right now... The Pagan Book of Living and Dying A Year of Ritual: Sabbats and Esbats for Solitaries and Covens Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner The Book of Thoth (Egyptian Tarot) The Practical Pagan Magick in Theory and Practice The Inquisition of the Middle Ages ...without fearing a firestorm of complaints from my minions, or official reprimands and relief of command by the military hierarchy. Yeah, right. Proselytization without representation in today's U.S. military only applies to the Christian religion. Silly rabbit... Of course, I would never do such a thing, because real Pagans don't proselytize...but many of us have vowed the fight the return of the Inquistion, which we see as right around the corner, if current societal trends in the USA continue. Never Again the Burning Times! We Will Resist! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FLAG FOLDING FOR JESUS
In May, 2004, the entire anesthesia department was invited to the retirement ceremony for our NCOIC at Ft. McHenry, Baltimore. I was offended and shocked at the rampant, overt Christian references in this official military ceremony (Christian symbolism in flag folding; resurrection of the body, Jesus, God the Father, bone thrown to Judaism with reference to Hebrew Americans [sounds suspiciously close to an abusive,anti-Semitic epithet to my ears]). Here is the ceremony as I heard it that day: From: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/more/folds.htm#milreg "What follows is an unofficial, but popular script for folding the flag. It does not appear in the Flag Code and would appear to be in violation of military guidelines, in violation of the Establishment Clause. The Establishment Clause requires that expression not create the reasonable impression that the government is sponsoring, endorsing, or inhibiting religion generally, or favoring or disfavoring a particular religion. See discussion and references at the end of this page for more information. There are numerous variations to be found circulating online and in newsgroups and e-mails. We have not been successful in discovering its origin or authorship. In fold 6, the Pledge is quoted with the words "under God," which were added to the Pledge in 1954." Flag Folding Ceremony "The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded. The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing the states our veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted when draped as a pall on a casket of a veteran who has served our country in uniform. In the Armed Forces of the United States, at the ceremony of retreat the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation's honored dead. The next morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony of reveille, r un aloft as a symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body. (Wait for the Honor Guard or Flag Detail to unravel and fold the flag into a quarter fold--resume reading when Honor Guard is standing ready.) The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world. The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance. The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong." The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic. The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day. The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded. The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born. The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost. When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God we Trust." (Wait for the Honor Guard or Flag Detail to inspect the flag-- after the inspection, resume reading.) After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today." The part that bothered me the most was the part at the very beginning: "The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded". To quote Garth: Exsqueeze me? Baking powder? Our Founders explicitly rejected the option of creating a state religion; instead, they enshrined the concepts of religious tolerance and lack of official religion in the Bill of Rights. So, later on, at lunch following the ceremony at a seafood restaurant, I ask the LtCol who had read the flag ceremony verbiage: "So, LtCol Name, tell me again about the Christian priniciples upon which this country was founded, as opposed to the First Amendment to the Constitution, which mandates separation of Church and state?" He just kind of laughed me off, but one of our senior nurse anesthetists, whose husband was a big muckety-muck at the Pentagon (and former commander at Travis) shot daggers into me with her eyes. She went on viciously about how the verbiage of the flag ceremony was "Air Force approved" and "official", so I had no right to complain about it. I essentially responded that, as a Pagan, the official enshrinement of Christianity into an official military retirement ceremony scared me more than had it been an unofficial, impromptu addition at the request of our (very religious Christian) NCOIC. Ever since that day, she went out of her way to be mean to me at every opportunity. There's a funny anecdote in my Uncensored Book of Military Medical Quotes on that matter, so I won't digress here. Suffice it to say that she should recognize by now that I know how to use the "Reply To All" function deliberately. This LtCol CRNA's rabidly Southern Baptist religiosity severely degraded the morale of our little anesthesia flight. Here's but one example: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: (Redacted) To: (Me) Date: Thursday,9/2/2004 2:36 P.M. Dr. Jones, You may have already heard that I have decided not to have a retirement ceremony. There are many reasons, none of which really matters anymore. Thank you so much for offering to do the invocation …you would have been great! I just want you to know that I have truly enjoyed working with you these last four years. You have a tremendous mentor, teacher, clinician, philosopher, and friend. It has been an honor to work with you and I know you have an exciting future ahead after the military (if you need a CRNA/nurse reference, please let me know). Hope you don’t mind if I stay in touch from time to time…just to see how things go here. It takes time to transition from a system you know so when even when it is so flawed. Thanks again for everything! (redacted, CRNA) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In order to understand the above e-mail, you have to understand the following: 1) I helped train this senior CRNA at Travis AFB, CA, when she was a student/resident CRNA; 2) She remains one of my best friends in the world; 3) She asked me to perform the formal invocation at her retirement ceremony; 4) Although she is a devout Catholic, she felt that an inclusive, Earth-religion based invocation would reflect her faith more than a narrowly sectarian invocation would; 5) One of HER best friends, the staunchly evangelical CRNA LtCOl referenced above, refused adamantly to have anything to do with arranging her retirement ceremony if I were involved with giving the invocation, which the other LtCOl CRNA felt should be Christian, not Pagan or other; 6) As a result, my friend decided not to have any official retirement ceremony, in protest of the intolerance exhibited by her so-called colleague.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROMULGATING CREATIONISM VIA FEDERAL E-MAIL FOR JESUS
A few weeks later, the new hospital chaplain put the following at the top of
the 89th Medical Group Daily Bulletin, which is e-mailed to everyone in the hospital:
---------------------------------------------------------------
Original message section from Daily Bulletin 27 Sep 04
----------------------------------------------------------------
From: (redacted) Civ 89 MDG/SG
Sent: Monday, September 27, 2004 9:59 AM
To: C. Col 89 MDG/CC (hospital vice commander); All 89 MDG (Auth Use Only); Germann William BrigGen 89 MDG/CC
Cc: (redacted) Civ 89 AW/PA; (redacted) Civ 89 AW/CCP
Subject: Daily Bulletin Sep 27, 2004
Reflection for Today 09/2706/04
PRAYER: Almighty God, we give You thanks for formulating (first of all – in Your mind),
the idea of the creation of this vast universe and all humankind.
For without the very idea, the reality of life – as we know it – would never exist.
In Your Most Holy Name We Pray – AMEN!
Blessings!
Chaplain T.(redacted)
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To which I wrote the following reply:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
General Germann, Col. C. (Vice Commander of Hospital), Col. H. (Surgical Operations Commander),
Ms. P. (public affairs), SSgt M., Chaplain T., and the Members of the 89th
MDG Spiritual Wellness Committee:
The time has come for our Medical Group community to have a dialog about the continued
use of the Daily Bulletin as a conduit for frankly offensive and inappropriate promulgation
of the viewpoint of one particular religious tradition over all others. Several months ago,
I complained to Ms. P. (the hospital civilian public relations officer) regarding the
previous chaplain's Christian prayers at the top of every issue of what was then an
acknowledged official publication of the 89th Medical Group, which, as a federal entity,
is governed by the First Amendment principle of separation of church and state.
I was told at that time that the prayer was included at the express request of
General Germann, and that the prayers would continue. However, in deference
to my objection, the Daily Bulletin was made a nominally unofficial publication.
However...
After reading our new chaplain's frankly offensive and partisan prayer from yesterday, I
have come to the conclusion that the "unofficial" label of this (actually official)
daily message is merely a fig leaf to cover what I believe to be an egregious example
of 1) lack of inclusiveness 2) lack of religious/spiritual tolerance 3) use of
military/government resources for proselytization and promulgation of Christianity
above all other spiritual traditions and 4) lack of understanding of science,
especially given the scientific background of most members of the Medical and Nursing Corps.
As one of the ranking members of the Spiritual Wellness Committee instituted by
General Germann earlier this year, I have continually advocated that the Daily
Prayer/Reflection be rotated among people of different spiritual traditions.
Since January, I have yet to see one Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Native
American, Pagan/Wiccan, or other prayer, let alone an atheist, agnostic, Objectivist,
or other non-spiritual, philosophical Reflection. My viewpoint has been heartily
seconded by all members present at our meetings; however, to this date, no action
has been taken to implement this reasonable suggestion, which is intended to 1)
promote spiritual inclusiveness 2) enhance religious/spiritual awareness and
tolerance 3) support and defend the First Amendment to the Constitution of the
United States and 4) promote a clear delineation of where religion ends
and science begins.
Some personal background, for those who do not know me: I have a degree in
Evolutionary and Organismic Biology from Harvard with honors; I also studied
comparative religion at Harvard, with special emphasis on the traditions of
East Asia and South Asia; my father was and is an ordained Baptist minister,
thus I am very familiar with the concept of Christian proselytization and
the language thereof; and I am both a Zen Buddhist and Pagan (I have dogtags
for both; anyone with understanding of the samurai tradition of Japan
[Zen/Shinto Paganism] will understand the lack of contradiction implicit
therein). I have taught the physiology of oxygen and carbon dioxide
physiology at the Uniformed Services University for the past 4 years,
with special emphasis on the evolutionary development of our unique
adaptations to the terrestrial environment (free radical scavenging;
mitochondrial cooptation from prokaryotic ancestors, etc.). I have
been a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force for 19 years.
Since 1985, I have never experienced such a virulent and unremitting
promotion of Christianity above all other religions in the military
service of our country as I have experienced here at MGMC since June 2003.
As a relatively senior officer, I submit that many people in our Medical
Group feel the same as I do. However, the strict hierarchy of the
military rank system; the general suppression of dissent and freedom
of speech among military members (especially since 9/11); and the
valid fear of command retribution and career destruction aimed at
those who speak out to voice minority opinions; have chilled to
the bone anyone who would dare bring such topics to the attention
of the Commander. I have spoken to several senior officers here
in my Squadron alone who confirm this opinion. Luckily, as I am
due to leave the USAF in June 05 after 19 years of service and
resign my commission, I have a unique opportunity to speak out
for those who feel truly spiritually disenfranchised.
I would respectfully request that the Command and the Chaplain take
the opinion of the 89th Medical Group's own Spiritual Wellness
Committee into consideration and call upon Lay Leaders, chaplains,
and others from many different spiritual and non-spiritual
traditions to share the stage at the top of our "unofficially
official" Daily Bulletin, in the interest of promoting tolerance,
respect, diversity; and of preserving the goals of our Founding
Fathers, whose intention to separate Church and State and
prevent government promulgation of a state religion is enshrined
in our Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Very Respectfully,
Robert C. Jones, M.D.
LtCol, USAF, MC
Staff Anesthesiologist
89 MSGS/SGCJ
Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology
Uniformed Services University School of Medicine
(phone number)
Pager: (redacted)
cc: Col. Hurtus, LtCol (chief CRNA)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Because I was afraid of getting in severe trouble if I clicked
"send" to everyone at the top of the message, I instead sent it
only to LtCol (Dr.) B., Chairman, 89 MDG Spiritual Wellness
Committee, who took my complaints to the chaplain personally.
Through Dr. B.'s diplomatic intervention and my constant nagging,
the Daily Bulletin was finally opened up to many different spiritual
paths in November, 2004. As such, I contributed quotations/prayers
based on Buddhism, Paganism, Vedanta, Atheism/
Freethought, and Objectivism (Ayn Rand). Here's one of the many
humorous responses I received once folks started to realize that
Christianity no longer held a monopoly on the the prayers in the Daily Bulletin:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I am going too died being thankful for eternal life by-way of
Christ Jesus; I Love God."<-- Methinks he doth protest too much!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jones, Robert C. LtCol, 89MDG/SGCJ
To: B. Contr 89MDG/SGSID
Sent: Fri 12/17/2004 10:27 AM
CC: LtCOl B. (Chairperson, 89 MDG Spiritual Wellness Committee)
Subject: RE: Daily Bulletin Dec 14, 2004
Dear Mr. B.
I am glad that you are happy with your
spiritual path. You may want to remember
that greater than 3 billion people on Earth
follow other paths. As a member of the
89 MDG Spiritual Wellness Committee, we
are dedicated to promoting understanding
and tolerance among all Medical Group members
from whatever spiritual background.
No one is trying to stop anyone from worshipping
his/her Deity; we are trying to educated people
about different spiritual traditions. No
evangelism is intended. You are free to delete
the Daily Bulletin, as was anyone who was offended
by the Christian prayers which were exclusively
offered by the Daily Bulletin from ca. June 03 until
November 04.
To use the terminology with which you are
familiar:
Merry Christmas!
//Signed//
LtCol (Dr.) Rob Jones
cc: LtCol B.
-----Original Message-----
From: B. Contr 89 MDG/SGSID
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2004 10:02 AM
To: Jones Robert C Lt Col 89 MDG/SGCJ
Subject: RE: Daily Bulletin Dec 14, 2004
Dear Sir; No I do not have a question for you. I made a comment on
what I read in the daily. I am a Saved child of God Almighty by-way
of Christ Jesus; he is my Lord and Savior; I indeed have God favor.
If I am not to comment on what I read; then that’s fine; but it is
not going to stop me from loving God through Jesus Christ; I've
surrendered my life to God through Jesus Christ.
-----Original Message-----
From: Jones Robert C Lt Col 89 MDG/SGCJ
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2004 9:49 AM
To: B. Contr 89 MDG/SGSID
Cc: B. Lt Col 89 AMDS/SGPR
Subject: FW: Daily Bulletin Dec 14, 2004
Dear Mr. B.,
Did you have a question for me?
Wishing you the happiest of holidays,
//Signed//
Robert C. Jones, M.D.
LtCol, USAF, MC
Staff Anesthesiologist
89 MSGS/SGCJ
Member, 89 MDG Spiritual Wellness Committee http://malcolmgrow/dscgi/ds.py/View/Collection-883
cc: LtCol B., Chairman, 89 MDG SWC
-----Original Message-----
From: (redacted) SSgt 89 MDG/SGQC
Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2004 12:57 PM
To: B. Contr 89 MDG/SGSID
Cc: Jones Robert Lt Col 89 MDG/SGCJ
Subject: RE: Daily Bulletin Dec 14, 2004
(Mr. B.),
If you have a question, you must refer it to Dr Jones. His email address
is posted with the reflection and I cc’d your question to him as well.
I am not in the position to answer this question because I am not
knowledgeable of the belief. Thanks, SSgt (redacted)
-----Original Message-----
From: B. Contr 89 MDG/SGSID
Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2004 10:43 AM
To: M. SSgt 89 MDG/SGEP
Subject: RE: Daily Bulletin Dec 14, 2004
Yes I’ve a question? If we could save our own self; as you proclaim? Then
why did my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ die? God gave his only holy
begotten Son for the world; and everyone that’s in it; and I am
indeed thankful that he did. I can’t save myself. I am going too
died being thankful for eternal life by-way of Christ Jesus; I Love God.
-----Original Message-----
From: (redacted) SSgt 89 MDG/SGQC
Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2004 10:30 AM
To: (vice commander of Hospital)/All-List; Germann William BrigGen 89 MDG/CC
Cc: (various people)
Subject: Daily Bulletin Dec 14, 2004
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
This is an unofficial publication of the Malcolm Grow Public Affairs Office.
Reflection for Today 12/14/04
Realizing the Solution
To study the way of the Buddha is to study your own self. To study your
own self is to forget yourself. To forget yourself is to have the objective
world prevail in you. To have the objective world prevail in you, is to
let go of your “own” body and mind as well as the body and mind of “others”.
The enlightenment thus attained may seem to come to an end, but though it
appears to have stopped this momentary enlightenment should be
prolonged and prolonged.
Dogen, Shobo genzo shakui, I, 142-69.
If you have any questions, please email (my official e-mail)
Dr. Jones
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From November, 2004, through June, 2005, I was allowed (finally) to present
educational material regarding Pagan holidays (Sabbats) at the 89th Medical
Group Commander's Calls. The Powerpoint® slides I created are archived
on my domain here.
However, after my infamous presentation at the 1 Nov 2004 89th Medical Group Commander's Call (see above),
I was never allowed near a microphone again. My beautiful, mulit-colored slides,
rich with the ancient symbols of my religion (trees, eggs, stars), were sliced,
diced, and Julienne fried into bland bullet points "for uniformity" and
"to save time" (Yeah, 'cause everyone knows it takes more time to look
at an artistic slide than it does to look at an ugly one).
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After I left the Air Force, someone finally stood up and sued the USAF to reverse
its unconstitutional and slavish devotion to radical, evangelical Christian proselytization:
Air Force Withdraws Paper for Chaplains
Document Permitted Proselytizing
By Alan Cooperman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 11, 2005; Page A03
from: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/10/AR2005101001582.html
Last week, Weinstein filed suit in federal court in New Mexico, alleging "severe,
systemic and pervasive" religious discrimination in the Air Force. Among other
evidence, the suit cited a July 12 New York Times article that quoted Brig. Gen.
Cecil R. Richardson, the Air Force's deputy chief of chaplains, as saying:
"We will not proselytize, but we reserve the right to evangelize the unchurched."
Weinstein said yesterday that before filing the lawsuit, he asked senior Air
Force officials to explain whether Richardson was speaking for the service.
"They say the bad guys we're fighting, the jihadists, represent a theocratic,
fascistic movement," Weinstein said. "If the United States Air Force, probably
the most technologically lethal organization ever assembled by man, has a
policy of evangelizing 'the unchurched,' you tell me how that makes us look."
Mikey (as he insists on being called) was also profiled in the Style section of the Washington Post
on 17 July 2006: Marching as to War:
Former Air Force Officer Mikey Weinstein Zeroes In on Proselytizing in the Military
Visit Mikey Weinstein's http://www.militaryreligiousfreedom.org/ website now! Then come back...
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THE BEAT (OF RELIGIOUS WAR DRUMS) GOES ON
Sadly, as of Jan 2006, Brigadier General William J. Germann continues to misuse his rank to spread his "Vision" of "Spiritual Wellness" and the "Four Tiedowns" in his current position as AFMC Command Surgeon: http://www.arnold.af.mil/aedc/highmach/2006/jan27/Germann.htm His command emphasis on spiritualizing his subordinates is metastasizing throughout his command (Air Force Materiel Command), as well as the rest of the U.S. Air Force of Jestus, as these web pages attest: "Tie down your four dimensions of wellness", By Chaplain (Maj.) Michael Heuer Kirtland AFB (AFMC) Hanscom AFB(AFMC) Robins AFB (AFMC), from which I quote: "A target of the spiritual dimension is to increase spiritual wellness of seeking individuals by 10 percent" (RCJ: judged by whom, one wonders; are "non-seeking individuals" now second class citizens? After all, as Buckaroo Banzai said: "Wherever you go, there you are"...so what are they seeking?) At this rate, one wonders when cilices will become mandatory uniform items. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EPILOGUE: THE MILITARY CODE OF CHRISTIAN CONDUCT
REVISED ARTICLE VI OF THE USAF CODE OF CONDUCT: "I will never forget that I am a Christian American, fighting for freedom to preach my religion to everyone, including especially heathens, atheists, and ragheads; I am responsible for my actions, unless the other guy is an enemy combatant, in which case depriving him of human rights (and his life, if need be), is AOK; and dedicated to overturning the principles which made my country full of the sin of excessive freedoms, such as Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, and Freedom of the Liberal, Communist, Terrorist-loving Press. I will trust in Jesus Christ, God the Father, God the Spirit, My Empress, Jenna, and in the United Imperial Theocratic States of America. AMEN." Finally, a few words on the military "Code of Conduct". This official U.S. Army REGULATION, which is still on the books as of this writing, was established on 17 August 1955 by the Eisenhower administration. Its purpose was to provide a "mental defense" for American Prisoners of War (POWs) to resist interrogation. The impetus for its creation was the widely publicized fear that the Chinese Communist Forces in North Korea were "brainwashing" our captured servicemen to denounce capitalism and the American way of life. The "Code of Conduct" was intended to act as a bulwark for the willpower of our troops, in order to prevent them from being "broken" under the supposedly advanced brainwashing techniques of the Chinese Communist, which mainly involved the novel use of high-tech beatings, starvation, solitary confinement, sleep deprivation, and other primitive brutalities common to human conflicts over the past 50,000 years or so (see http://www.aiipowmia.com/koreacw/zweiback21.html for how the "brainwashing" myth was exploited for political purposes during the second of two U.S. "Red Scares" during the 20th century; for more on the "Red Scares", see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Scare ). Moreover, this "Code" was intended to embody common American "values" with which every single military member could agree (i.e., it was meant to be self-evident and irrefutable). There are two glaring problems with the official "Code of Conduct". First, it is completely irrelevant to medical officers. Medical officers can never be official prisoners of war under the Geneva Conventions (Article 33; see below). Second, its explicit reference to God makes it both inherently unconstitutional, and extremely insulting to those loyal and brave American fighting forces who do NOT believe in ANY god (atheists, agnostics, Zen Buddhists, Objectivists, etc.), or who believe in multiple gods/goddesses (Hindus, Pagans, Shintoists, adherents of Native American spirituality, etc.). Now, 50 years later, as the 21st century begins, it is long past time to engage in critical analysis of this propagandistic historical document: CODE OF CONDUCT (AR [Army Regulation] 350-30) ARTICLE I - I am an American, fighting for the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense. [Medical personnel are technically non-combatants. According to the Law of Armed Conflict, we are only able to give our lives in defense of our patients. Moreover, the Geneva Convention states that detained medical personnel are not prisoners of war at all:] http://elsinore.cis.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/lawofwar/geneva03.htm Geneva Convention, 1949 CHAPTER IV MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND CHAPLAINS RETAINED TO ASSIST PRISONERS OF WAR ARTICLE 33 Members of the medical personnel and chaplains while retained by the Detaining Power with a view to assisting prisoners of war, shall not be considered as prisoners of war. They shall, however, receive as a minimum the benefits and protection of the present Convention, and shall also be granted all facilities necessary to provide for the medical care of, and religious ministration to prisoners of war. They shall continue to exercise their medical and spiritual functions for the benefit of prisoners of war, preferably those belonging to the armed forces upon which they depend, within the scope of the military laws and regulations of the Detaining Power and under the control of its competent services, in accordance with their professional etiquette. They shall also benefit by the following facilities in the exercise of their medical or spiritual functions: (a) They shall be authorized to visit periodically prisoners of war situated in working detachments or in hospitals outside the camp. For this purpose, the Detaining Power shall place at their disposal the necessary means of transport. (b) The senior medical officer in each camp shall be responsible to the camp military authorities for everything connected with the activities of retained medical personnel. For this purpose, Parties to the conflict shall agree at the outbreak of hostilities on the subject of the corresponding ranks of the medical personnel, including that of societies mentioned in Article 26 of the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field of August 12, 1949. This senior medical officer, as well as chaplains, shall have the right to deal with the competent authorities of the camp on all questions relating to their duties. Such authorities shall afford them all necessary facilities for correspondence relating to these questions. (c) Although they shall be subject to the internal discipline of the camp in which they are retained, such personnel may not be compelled to carry out any work other than that concerned with their medical or religious duties. During hostilities, the Parties to the conflict shall agree concerning the possible relief of retained personnel and shall settle the procedure to be followed. None of the preceding provisions shall relieve the Detaining Power of its obligations with regard to prisoners of war from the medical or spiritual point of view. [Suggested Picture: Airman holding American flag, apple pie] ARTICLE II - I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender my men while they still have the means to resist. (Medical personnel are not line commanders. What about women?) [Suggested picture: Airman ripping white flag] ARTICLE III - If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy. [Suggested picture: hospital personnel fleeing the hospital as quickly as possible] ARTICLE IV - If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way. [Senior medical officers are subordinate to the most senior line officer; medical officers can NEVER take overall command—only command of medical facilities] [Suggested picture: Bunch of airmen seated on floor, holding hands, singing traditional folk songs] ARTICLE V - When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause. [Suggested picture: Anesthesiologist restrained prone with pants down around his ankles, while surgeon stands over him with menacing ass bougie] ARTICLE VI - I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America. [Note: What if one is atheist, pagan, or Buddhist? Doesn’t this violate separation of church and state: 1st Amendment to the Constitution of the United States: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...] [Suggested picture: Airman standing in front of Christian flag, saluting] As of October, 2005, the U.S. Army claims that the Code of Conduct provides "guidelines for behavior", and does not conflict with the UCMJ: from http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/xml_pubs/r350_30/main.xml 2-8. Relationship of the Code of Conduct to the UCMJ a. The Code and the UCMJ mutually support one another. The Code is a positive mission statement providing guidelines for behavior. The UCMJ is a statement of punitive law, a part of which can be used for serious violations of the Code. Nothing in the Code conflicts with the UCMJ. Sadly, the Code of Conduct violates the U.S. Constitution, which prevents establishment of a religion. Unfortunately, official military installations provide the following "study guide" for the Code of Conduct: http://www.gordon.army.mil/cmdgrp/docs/study%20guide.pdf Which includes the following: 20. Article VI of the Code of Conduct states that you will trust in two things, what are they? God and Country This constitutes prima facie evidence that U.S. taxpayer dollars are being used unconstitutionally to promote a particular, monotheistic, religious viewpoint. To paraphrase Ronald Reagan, I must angrily cry: "Mr. President, tear down this document". As long as this 50 year old piece of propaganda remains in its current form, the United States military continues to promote religion in flagrant defiance of the First Amendement to the Constitution of the United States of America. My positive suggestions for rewriting of this Code would be to include EXPLICIT reference to medical officers and chaplains as NONCOMBATANTS in time of war; removal of sexist references to men only; and extirpation of all references to God, as in the following suggested revisions: ARTICLE II - I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the people in my unit while they still have the means to resist. ARTICLE III - If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy. Medical officers, health care providers, and chaplains will insist on noncombatant status, and will strive to care for their colleagues and others to the best of their abilities. ARTICLE VI - I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my country, the Constitution of the United States, and the universal priciples for which they stand. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conclusion: Defenestrate Religion from the U.S. Military
Adapted from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defenestrations_of_Prague:
The Defenestrations of Prague
"At Prague Castle on May 23, 1618, an assembly of Protestants...tried two Imperial governors,
Wilhelm Grav Slavata (1572 - 1652) and Jaroslav Borzita Graf Von Martinicz (1582 - 1649),
for violating the Letter of Majesty (Right of Freedom of Religion), found them guilty,
and threw them, together with their scribe Philip Fabricius, out of the high castle windows(.)
They fell some 15 m (50 ft)...and...landed on a large pile of manure. They all survived.
Roman Catholic Imperial officials claimed that they survived due to the mercy of benevolent
angels assisting the righteousness of the Catholic cause. Protestant pamphleteers asserted
that their survival had more to do with the horse excrement in which they landed."
"Ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant."
("They made a desert, and called it peace.")
--Publius (Gauis) Cornelius Tacitus, ca. 56-117 CE; this quote is often applied to the
devastation of the last major international religious conflict in Western Europe, the
Thirty Years' War (1618-1648 CE), which was triggered, in part, by the second
Defenestration of Prague described above.
In the end, the citizens of the United States need to come to a decision:
are we going to allow partisan, sectarian, religious propaganda and
proselytization to continue to infect the taxpayer-funded Federal U.S.
military system, or are we going to insist on extirpating extremist
religious views of all flavors from official military policies, and
re-emphasize that 1) religious/spiritual views are purely PERSONAL matters,
which military commanders much respect, and not attempt to influence;
and 2) the military must err on the side of inclusivity by
"avoiding all appearance of evil" when it comes to promoting one
religion over another (thus, Winter Holiday Parties, not
Christmas Parties, and no quizzing of subordinates regarding
their spiritual/religious beliefs, etc.). If we decide to make our
U.S. Armed Forces the militant wing of our own domestic evangelical
Christian Fundamentalist movement, in order to fight unbelievers
across the globe, so as to bring them all before the throne of Jesus:
alive and saved if possible, or dead if need be...
then Goddess help us all when we reap the bloody whirlwinds
of the coming religious wars *we* will have started.