As reported earlier by OneNewsNow, the decision was brought about following complaints from a group called the "Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers," which claims the placement of Bibles in on-base rooms is a "special privilege for Christianity." An Air Force agency then said that a legal review showed "no requirement to have Bibles in the lodging checklist."
Col. Ron Crews (USA-Ret.) served as a chaplain for 28 years and is now a spokesman for the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty. He finds it unfortunate that some officials appear ready to take the Air Force decision too far.
"The people on the ground, like at Warner Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, were interpreting this new policy as Take the Bibles out of the rooms. If they're not on the checklist, that means they're not supposed to be there," Crews reports. "So, we're still trying to get clarity from the Air Force as to what exactly they mean by this action."
He laments that officials are bowing to political pressure to create a "religion-free" zone in the Air Force.
"We are concerned that it appears this is just one more incident where the Department of Defense is caving in to remove any semblance of spiritual support for our soldiers, airmen, [and] sailors in the military," the Chaplain Alliance spokesman notes.
But as Crews points out, the Bibles cost the Air Force nothing, and no airman is required to pick one up or read it. He says they are merely there to be used by those who want to use them.
The Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty envisions "a nation where all chaplains and those whom they serve freely exercise their God-given and constitutionally protected religious liberties without fear of reprisal."
Col. Ron Crews (USA-Ret.) served as a chaplain for 28 years and is now a spokesman for the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty. He finds it unfortunate that some officials appear ready to take the Air Force decision too far.
"The people on the ground, like at Warner Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, were interpreting this new policy as Take the Bibles out of the rooms. If they're not on the checklist, that means they're not supposed to be there," Crews reports. "So, we're still trying to get clarity from the Air Force as to what exactly they mean by this action."
He laments that officials are bowing to political pressure to create a "religion-free" zone in the Air Force.
"We are concerned that it appears this is just one more incident where the Department of Defense is caving in to remove any semblance of spiritual support for our soldiers, airmen, [and] sailors in the military," the Chaplain Alliance spokesman notes.
But as Crews points out, the Bibles cost the Air Force nothing, and no airman is required to pick one up or read it. He says they are merely there to be used by those who want to use them.
The Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty envisions "a nation where all chaplains and those whom they serve freely exercise their God-given and constitutionally protected religious liberties without fear of reprisal."
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