Interesting to compare this with the situation in Turkey under the present, religious party government. Traditionally, the military has been the defender of freedom and secularism in Turkey. But the new government is adjusting the education curricula so that new graduates will be thoroughly indoctrinated in Islamic fundamentalism. As some of these new Islamic-focused leaders enter the military and present leaders near retirement, the window will soon close for the military (also pressured by the EU not to interfere in politics) to restore a secular state in Turkey.
Could that sort of indoctrination of young military leaders happen here with the same end result: establishment of a religious state (perhaps like the fictional Republic of Gilead)? Only time will tell. Meanwhile the American Christian flavor of Talibanism is alive and well in the United States. David Bier [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.au.org/site/News2? abbr=pr&page=NewsArticle&id=7341&security=1002&news_iv_ctrl=1241 Americans United Report Details Instances Of Religious Favoritism At U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday, April 28, 2005 Watchdog Group Asks Rumsfeld, Air Force Officials, To Correct Problems Americans United for Separation of Church and State today asked Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and other military officials to move quickly to stop acts of religious bias at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Recent news accounts have chronicled allegations that Academy staff have promoted evangelical Christianity and that cadets of other faiths have been the victims of religious bias. Attorneys with Americans United have been investigating the complaints and today released a detailed report backing up the assertions (PDF). A copy of the report was sent to Rumsfeld and other military officials. "The right to worship or not worship as the individual sees fit is a cornerstone of American life," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. "All branches of our military must respect, not denigrate, this vital principle." In a cover letter to Rumsfeld, Lynn wrote, "A soldier's religious beliefs or lack thereof should be irrelevant to his or her ability and willingness to defend the country. The situation at the Air Force Academy sends exactly the opposite message. The close relationship between the Academy and evangelical Christianity sends a message of exclusion to those of other faiths. It may very well dissuade some from considering the military as a career." The Lynn letter urged Rumsfeld "to take the steps to correct these problems and ensure that the Academy is open to cadets of all religious faiths and those with none." Incidents detailed in the report include: Complaints that an Academy chaplain exhorted cadets to witness to non- Christians cadets and bring them to evangelical services. Allegations that Academy instructors proselytized in classrooms; in one instance, an instructor ordered cadets to pray before taking a test. Assertions that senior cadets harassed non-Christian junior cadets over their religious beliefs. Complaints that evangelical cadets are routinely given passes to attend religious meetings off campus but that cadets wishing to attend meetings of non-believers were denied the same right. Americans United asserts that these incidents and others, as detailed in the report, have created an atmosphere that is hostile toward cadets who do not share an evangelical Christian faith. The group has urged Rumsfeld and other military officials to act promptly to correct the problems. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> DonorsChoose. A simple way to provide underprivileged children resources often lacking in public schools. Fund a student project in NYC/NC today! http://us.click.yahoo.com/EHLuJD/.WnJAA/cUmLAA/TySplB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: osint@yahoogroups.com Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. OSINT, as a part of The Intelligence Network, is making it available without profit to OSINT YahooGroups members who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information in their efforts to advance the understanding of intelligence and law enforcement organizations, their activities, methods, techniques, human rights, civil liberties, social justice and other intelligence related issues, for non-profit research and educational purposes only. We believe that this constitutes a 'fair use' of the copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/osint/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
