Open Letter of Revulsion to the Christian Nationalist United States Air Force Academy

Lieutenant General Tony D. Bauernfiend
Superintendent
United States Air Force Academy (USAFA)

RE: Egregious First Amendment Violations Under Your “Leadership” at USAFA

Hey, Lt. Gen. Bauernfiend, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING at USAFA vis-à-vis your disgusting and relentless efforts to promote fundamentalist Christianity?!

We at the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) had just contacted you a mere 13 days ago (https://conta.cc/4dHNeQq) about yet another shameful promotion of the ”favorite religious faith of USAFA, i.e. Fundamentalist Christianity,” and now you are at it yet again even MORE egregiously??!!

The MRFF is currently representing 154 USAFA faculty, cadets, and staff under your command on this REPULSIVE matter at hand, 117 of them practicing Christian’s themselves. Many of the others are of the Jewish faith, I might add, as well as a number of other minority faith and no faith traditions.

The specific request for help from MRFF below and the accompanying photograph (photo credit belongs to MRFF) details the wretchedness of what is happening under your command at USAFA.

From: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Subject: Concerns Regarding Religious Endorsements at USAFA
Date: September 9, 2024 at 7:01:18 PM MDT
To: <MRFF Staff email address withheld>
Cc: [email protected], [email protected]

Good evening,

I am a Firstie at the United States Air Force Academy, and I have encountered several concerning situations this past week that I would like to bring to your attention.

This Sunday, during breakfast and lunch at Mitchell Hall, a live sermon from New Life Church was broadcast on the large projector screen in the center of the room. Additionally, at the football game against San Jose State on Saturday, Christian rock and rap music were played over the loudspeakers. These instances occurred while Jewish cadets are facing uncertainty regarding their participation in Jewish Warrior Weekend at West Point, a bi-annual event for Jewish cadets from all service academies. The new Superintendent has instituted a policy requiring his personal approval for organizations to use their gifted funds, placing their attendance at this important event in jeopardy.

It is troubling to witness Christianity being promoted at mandatory events, such as meals and football games, while other faiths face administrative hurdles for participation in their own religious observances.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Respectfully,

Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
First Class Cadet
United States Air Force Academy

Attached is a photo of new life church’s live stream at Mitchell hall. Also further context for the football game, both the commandant and the superintendent were present and the music was rather audible.

HOW DARE YOU PIPE THE SUNDAY RELIGIOUS SERMONS ET AL FROM THE FUNDAMENTALIST CHRISTIAN MEGA ENTITY, THE “NEW LIFE CHURCH,” LOCATED JUST ACROSS THE I-25 HIGHWAY FROM USAFA, ONTO THE GIANT VIEWING SCREENS OF THE ACADEMY’S CAVERNOUS DINING FACILITY, MITCHELL HALL, WHERE CADETS MUST BE CAPTIVE AUDIENCES THEREIN IF THEY WISH TO EAT??!!

Oh, and nice job on blasting sectarian Christian rap and rock songs over the loudspeaker systems at Falcon Stadium directly prior to USAFA’s football loss to visiting San Jose State 4 days ago. How wonderfully convenient for all those who subscribe to such Christian sectarian precepts! 

By the by, Lt. Gen. Bauernfiend, tell us all about your unwavering support of USAFA’s Jewish cadets to participate in “Jewish Warriors Weekend” at West Point this coming weekend?! I guess if you don’t allow it, these Jewish USAFA cadets can always enjoy a rousing, nonsecular, fundamentalist Christian sermon in Mitchell Hall on Sunday, eh, bro?!

BESIDES SAVAGELY VIOLATING THE U.S. CONSTITUTION’S FIRST AMENDMENT PROHIBITION OF ESTABLISHING RELIGION, AMONG A NUMBER OF OTHER DoD AND USAF DIRECTIVES, INSTRUCTIONS AND REGULATIONS, YOU AND YOUR FUNDAMENTALIST CHRISTIAN-ADORING USAFA STAFF ARE IN DIRECT VIOLATION OF AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 1-1, SECTION 2.16.

2.16. Balance of Free Exercise of Religion and Establishment Clause. Leaders at all levels must balance constitutional protections for free exercise of religion and the constitutional prohibition against governmental establishment of religion. They must ensure their words and actions do not discriminate against any individual or group because of their faith, belief, or absence of belief, or extend preferential treatment for the same. Leaders must ensure that their personal expression is not reasonably associated with their government role, but may engage in such expression per DAFI 52-201, Religious Freedom in the Department of the Air Force. (Emphasis added)

MRFF demands that an immediate, transparent and aggressive Air Force investigation be launched from the Air Staff at the Pentagon in D.C. as we surely would never trust YOU to conduct such an inquiry into your own USAFA-directed, malodorous malfeasance, and misfeasance. 

MRFF further demands punishment! Indeed these public and visible consequences MUST be levied against any and all USAFA personnel, including especially YOU, sir, who are found per this official USAF investigation to have either directly or indirectly supported these rancid, First Amendment No Establishment Clause and DoD/USAF regulatory violations!

You should be miserably ashamed of yourself, sir, and your only 39 days of “senior leadership” at USAFA to date. You have managed to only infinitely buttress the already sorry-as-hell, well earned & decades long, despicable record of USAFA as a willing generator of poisonous, fundamentalist Christian Nationalism.

With great sincerity and no respect whatsoever,

Michael L. “Mikey” Weinstein, Esq.
Founder and President
Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF)
USAFA Graduate, Class of 1977