military
Airman denied re-entry to Air Force for refusing to say ‘so help me God’
By Kimberly Winston — September 5, 2014
(RNS) He's willing to sign a secular version of the Air Force oath but there's no such legal option.
Army approves ‘humanist’ as religious preference
By Adelle M. Banks — April 22, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) The change comes against a backdrop of persistent claims from atheists and other nonbelievers that the military is dominated by a Christian culture that is often hostile to unbelief.
Does the Air Force ‘encourage atheism’ and ‘prosecute Christianity’?
By Chris Stedman — March 24, 2014
Is the Air Force Academy creating an atmosphere that "encourage[s] atheism [and] prosecute[s] Christianity," as a commentator is claiming? No. Here's why.
Top brass say they’re not aware of bias against military chaplains
By Adelle M. Banks — January 29, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) Pentagon officials told members of Congress at a Capitol Hill hearing Wednesday that they are unaware of any pattern of religious discrimination in the chaplain corps.
Sikhs say Pentagon rules on religious attire don’t go far enough
By Adelle M. Banks — January 23, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) “They’ve learned to live with the repeal of DADT (Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell) and so I think they can get along very well with yarmulkes and beards,” said Rabbi Sanford Dresin, director of military programs for the Florida-based Aleph Institute.
2013: Atheism’s 10 defining moments
By Chris Stedman — December 31, 2013
Atheism was in the headlines perhaps more than ever before in 2013. To highlight some of atheism’s defining moments and trends from the last year, I worked with a panel of ten writers, scholars, and activists to come up with ten major moments or currents in American atheism from 2013. Their contributions are below. Godless […]
Catholic chaplains given marching orders barring service to gay couples
By David Gibson — September 24, 2013
(RNS) Catholic military chaplains cannot be forced to witness or bless a same-sex marriage, nor are they allowed to take part in any marriage counseling retreats that are open to gay couples under new rules issued by the Archdiocese for the Military Services. Participation in funerals of gay service members is also off-limits. But Catholic commanders may be able to facilitate same-sex benefits if they publicly register their objections.
Southern Baptists say no to gay weddings for military chaplains
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — September 5, 2013
NEW YORK (RNS) Southern Baptists have nearly 1,500 endorsed chaplains serving in the U.S. military, more than any other denomination or faith group.
COMMENTARY: The truth about religious freedom in the military
By C. Welton Gaddy — July 15, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Let's be clear: Christians in the military are not under threat of constant, widespread persecution.
Conservatives say religious freedom is ‘under attack’ in military
By Corrie Mitchell — July 9, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Previous Pentagon spending bills protected the "beliefs" of service members and chaplains, but the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act would expand protections to include religious "actions and speech."
Religion & Ethics Newsweekly Video: The mission continues
By Sally Morrow — June 6, 2013
Veterans find a way to serve the community after their time in the military - trading military uniforms for a blue shirt.
Pentagon refutes reports of anti-Christian policies
By David Gibson — May 2, 2013
(RNS) Christian conservatives have grown increasingly alarmed over reports that the Pentagon has adopted new policies aimed at disciplining or even court-martialing those who share their faith. But the Department of Defense on Thursday said evangelization is still permitted.
With Petraeus, echoes of that other warrior David
By Daniel Burke — November 14, 2012
(RNS) It’s tempting to view the sex scandal surrounding former Gen. David Petraeus through a religious lens. Even before his fall from grace, some Pentagon colleagues compared Petraeus to the biblical King David - another proud and powerful warrior. By Daniel Burke.
Church leaders say returning vets need time, attention
By Adelle M. Banks — November 8, 2012
(RNS) Denominational leaders and chaplains with years of military service are calling on more churches to find ways to minister to the men and women who have recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. By Adelle M. Banks.
Family Research Council hires controversial former Army officer, Jerry Boykin
By David Gibson — July 17, 2012
(RNS) The conservative Family Research Council has named a former top Delta Force commando and outspoken culture warrior, retired Army Lt. Gen. William G. "Jerry" Boykin, to run its day-to-day operations. By David Gibson.
