THE BLAZE – ‘Revolt’ Over Bible Verse Removal Leads to Air Force Academy Explanation

Published On: March 13, 2014|Categories: Top News|0 Comments|

Accessibility Notice

This post was created on the previous version of the MRFF website, and may not be fully accessible to users of assistive technology. If you need help accessing this content, please reach out via email.

Selected Article Excerpt:

  • The U.S. Air Force Academy responded to recent furor over the removal of a Bible verse from a white board on a cadet’s bedroom door, explaining that the individual holds a leadership position and that officials feared the verse might be an improper promotion of his religious beliefs.Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson said in a statement provided to TheBlaze that she is “pleased” with the way cadets at the academy have “raised and discussed a recent concern” over the issue, going on to offer the school’s account of what unfolded.“A religious scripture was displayed outside a dormitory room belonging to a cadet who held a leadership position in the squadron,” Johnson said. “Another cadet prompted a discussion of appropriateness, according to policies that leaders will avoid actual or apparent use of their position to promote their personal religious beliefs to subordinates.”

    She described the Bible verse — which read, “I have been crucified with Christ therefore I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” — as being placed below the unnamed cadet’s name on a whiteboard.

  • The Air Force Academy’s response comes just one day after Mikey Weinstein, president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, told TheBlaze that there is a “revolt” underway at the academy over the removal of the Bible verse.
  • Cadets angry over the decision to remove the verse began posting scripture from the Bible and the Koran on their whiteboards in solidarity, according to Weinstein.Johnson did not address these claims in the statement provided to TheBlaze.The comments provided by the academy also don’t mention the Military Religious Freedom, which is taking credit for voicing complaints that led to the removal.Weinstein told TheBlaze Wednesday that 29 cadets and four faculty and staff members — 26 of whom he described as Catholic or Protestant — disagreed with the verse’s presence and reached out to his organization after the verse was posted on the whiteboard. Weinstein said he then contacted the Air Force Academy with concerns and the verse was subsequently removed.

Click to read more

Share This Story

Leave A Comment