Posted on May 26, 2015
Air Force General who spoke of God should be court-martialed, group says. What are your thoughts?
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From Fox News.
An Air Force general who recently spoke about how God has guided his career should be court-martialed, a civil liberties group is saying.
In a speech at a National Day of Prayer Task Force event on May 7, Maj. Gen. Craig Olson credits God for his accomplishments in the military, and refers to himself as a “redeemed believer in Christ.”
The Air Force Times reports that the Military Religious Freedom Foundation has taken issue with Olson’s remarks, is calling for the two-star general to be court-martialed and "aggressively and very visibly brought to justice for his unforgivable crimes and transgressions."
Air Force Maj. Gen. Craig Olson (US Air Force photo)
The group authored a letter to Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Walsh, arguing that Olson’s speech violates rules within the Air Force, which prohibits airmen from endorsing a particular faith or belief.
The letter, posted on the group’s website, begins, “This demand letter is sent to you on behalf of countless members of the United States Air Force who are utterly disgusted and shocked by the brazenly illicit and wholly unconstitutional, fundamentalist Christian proselytizing recently perpetrated, on international television (“GOD TV”), and streaming all over the Internet and in full military uniform, by USAF Major General Craig S. Olson on Thursday, May 7, 2015 during a VERY public speech for a private Christian organization (The “National Day of Prayer Task Force”: NDPTF) headed up by Focus on the Family founder, Dr. James Dobson’s, wife Shirley Dobson. “
". . . disgusted and shocked by the brazenly illicit and wholly unconstitutional, fundamentalist Christian proselytizing . . ."
- letter from Military Religious Freedom Foundation
The group, which believes that the American flag and the U.S. Constitution are the only religious symbol and scripture, respectively, for those who serve in the military, also wants other service members who helped Olson to be investigated and punished "to the full extent of military law."
During Olson’s 23-minute talk, the Air Force Times reports, Olson spoke of "flying complex aircraft; doing complex nuclear missions — I have no ability to do that. God enabled me to do that."
"He put me in charge of failing programs worth billions of dollars,” Olson said. “I have no ability to do that, no training to do that. God did that. He sent me to Iraq to negotiate foreign military sales deals through an Arabic interpreter. I have no ability to do that. I was not trained to do that. God did all of that."
At the end of his speech, Olson asked those in attendance to pray for Defense Department leaders and troops preparing to be deployed.
Olson is the program executive officer at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts, where he is responsible for more than 2,200 personnel, according to the U.S. Air Force website. He was commissioned in 1982 following graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy and has extensive operational, flight test and acquisition experience.
An Air Force general who recently spoke about how God has guided his career should be court-martialed, a civil liberties group is saying.
In a speech at a National Day of Prayer Task Force event on May 7, Maj. Gen. Craig Olson credits God for his accomplishments in the military, and refers to himself as a “redeemed believer in Christ.”
The Air Force Times reports that the Military Religious Freedom Foundation has taken issue with Olson’s remarks, is calling for the two-star general to be court-martialed and "aggressively and very visibly brought to justice for his unforgivable crimes and transgressions."
Air Force Maj. Gen. Craig Olson (US Air Force photo)
The group authored a letter to Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Walsh, arguing that Olson’s speech violates rules within the Air Force, which prohibits airmen from endorsing a particular faith or belief.
The letter, posted on the group’s website, begins, “This demand letter is sent to you on behalf of countless members of the United States Air Force who are utterly disgusted and shocked by the brazenly illicit and wholly unconstitutional, fundamentalist Christian proselytizing recently perpetrated, on international television (“GOD TV”), and streaming all over the Internet and in full military uniform, by USAF Major General Craig S. Olson on Thursday, May 7, 2015 during a VERY public speech for a private Christian organization (The “National Day of Prayer Task Force”: NDPTF) headed up by Focus on the Family founder, Dr. James Dobson’s, wife Shirley Dobson. “
". . . disgusted and shocked by the brazenly illicit and wholly unconstitutional, fundamentalist Christian proselytizing . . ."
- letter from Military Religious Freedom Foundation
The group, which believes that the American flag and the U.S. Constitution are the only religious symbol and scripture, respectively, for those who serve in the military, also wants other service members who helped Olson to be investigated and punished "to the full extent of military law."
During Olson’s 23-minute talk, the Air Force Times reports, Olson spoke of "flying complex aircraft; doing complex nuclear missions — I have no ability to do that. God enabled me to do that."
"He put me in charge of failing programs worth billions of dollars,” Olson said. “I have no ability to do that, no training to do that. God did that. He sent me to Iraq to negotiate foreign military sales deals through an Arabic interpreter. I have no ability to do that. I was not trained to do that. God did all of that."
At the end of his speech, Olson asked those in attendance to pray for Defense Department leaders and troops preparing to be deployed.
Olson is the program executive officer at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts, where he is responsible for more than 2,200 personnel, according to the U.S. Air Force website. He was commissioned in 1982 following graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy and has extensive operational, flight test and acquisition experience.
Leadership
Air Force
Religion
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 68
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So a keynote speaker at a PRAYER BREAKFEST type of event spoke of GOD. WTF!?! It sure doesn't pass the smell test in my book. You don't have to be a believer to admit that that is probably THE place that it is still OK to do so. Over zealous BS if you ask me...
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MSgt Steve Sweeney
PO1 Dustin Adams - Pray behind closed doors, exactly how the Bible teaches you to pray:
Matthew 6:5-6 - And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites
are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:5-6 - And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites
are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
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SGT (Join to see)
CPT (Verify To See) - Uh no. Regardless of faith, he should keep it to himself. Not everyone in uniform is religious. Keep it to yourself, don't want to listen to bible thumpers, but he should definitely not be court martialed. That's a bit extreme.
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If a Marine said he survived the horrible battle by the grace of God, should we Court Martial him?
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SSG (Join to see)
This country was not found on religion, but religious beliefs, freedoms were the permis of this nation. To flee tyranny and start anew that include your religious beliefs. So, this group that want to prosecute the MG for thanking the Lord and Jesus should go suck an egg! This another way to take your freedom that God bless you and I with. That is why we have to stay vigilante and keep fighting for good. And that is all of us! Even the jellyfish folks.
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SGT (Join to see)
Nope, you can keep all that bible thumping to yourselves. As I stated before, there are many good folks who aren't practicing Christians or any other faith and they serve this country with honor. Faith has and had nothing to do with it. If you believe in the Lord, good for you, but some of us don't want to hear it.
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It was an event for National Day of Prayer, he was speaking of his OWN personal faith, and he was not trying to tell any non-Christians what they should believe.
I think they're just sniping him because he's got stars on his collar.
I think they're just sniping him because he's got stars on his collar.
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SGT Darryl Allen
Maybe the problem here is the fact that the military is participating in a National Day of Prayer? I'm not advocating that people in the military should be restricted in their ability to practice their religious freedoms. What I do think is that by participating in a day of prayer endorses the idea that religion plays a part in the military establishment, which it should not. Until the time comes when all religions are treated equally by all members of the military and not ostracized for not being Christian, I see the inclusion of any religion in an official capacity is simply a recipe for PC disaster.
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TSgt (Join to see)
I'd hazard to say it's as easy as take off the uniform while attending these events. You can be a colonel, a general, or w/e rank; when you wear the uniform and attend an event such as this you give the impression that is is specifically sanctioned by the military and that specifically prohibited. It's no different than if an officer campaigned for a politician in uniform.
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MAJ Byron Oyler
LTC Bink Romanick - I used to be 100% with you and to this day none of my soldiers know my religion and my only patients that do are of the same faith however this more and more seems like an attack on Christianity. We are all military and volunteered to stand up for our country, it is a bit much not to expect the same people to eventually stand up for what they believe in when attacked
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Maj John Bell
SGT Darryl Allen - The military was not participating in a National Day of prayer, a General was. If he was asked to speak to people attending a voluntary event, and the context of his speech was how faith impacted on his service, what he said and wore was entirely appropriate.
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