Wednesday, October 18, 2017
MRFF's THIRTEEN YEAR WAR SURGES FORWARD
MIKEY SPEAKS ON MRFF, USAF ACADEMY's SILVERIA, & DEEPLY DIVISIVE TRUMP PRESIDENCY
COLORADO SPRINGS INDEPENDENT COVERS MRFF
ARTICLE AND BLOG POST
Mikey Weinstein talks "fighting words" and the military's religious oppression in the Trump era
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
- CS INDY ARTICLE -
By: Pam Zubeck, Colorado Springs Independent
Date: Wednesday, October 18, 2017
A mud sport
"After Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria told cadets if they can't embrace racial and gender diversity to "get out," the video of the Sept. 27 speech went viral and won high praise from many quarters.
But one person wasn't impressed. Mikey Weinstein, a 1977 Academy grad who founded the Military Religious Freedom Foundation in 2004, wanted more. He said Silveria's speech defending women and racial minorities fell short by eight words: "or sexual orientation, or religion, or no religion."
[...]
Of course, Weinstein notes, such a bold defense of people of color as Silveria voiced isn’t particularly normal in the age of Trump, who Weinstein describes as: "the most despicable collection of human cells that I've ever come across in my life."
In classic Weinstein style, he continues, "He's nothing but a Trojan Horse for the most vile, vicious, fundamentalist Christian predators that I have ever seen, and I hope he stays president through his term, because the thought of Mike Pence as president is a trillion times worse, because Pence is politically astute and adroit and knowledgeable, but he's one of the worst fundamentalist Christians."
[...]
Mikey Weinstein and three
MRFF accomplishments
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
- CS INDY BLOG POST -
By: Pam Zubeck, Colorado Springs Independent
Date: Wednesday, October 18
Mikey Weinstein has been a busy guy over the past 13 years. Read our interview with the founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation to learn why.
Here are just a few of the accomplishments of MRFF over the years:
November 2010 - Getting the religious climate survey released. After MRFF’s pressure on the Air Force Academy, Superintendent Lt. Gen. Gould released the data behind the bi-annual Academy Climate Survey. The survey revealed that 41% of non-Christian cadets and 19% of all cadets were subjected to unwanted proselytizing.
December 2014 - USAFA withdrew its Christian-biased holiday policy. On December 1, 2014, the Academy published a document titled, "Religious Accommodations NOTAM" (NOTAM is a common military acronym that stands for Notice to Airmen) on their public website.
January 2017 - Freedom Of Information Act lawsuit win. The case dated to Weinstein's 2011 FOIA request to the Academy for records pertaining to himself, MRFF and his family. After four years of delays, MRFF sued to compel disclosure. The Academy settle the case by promising to provide the records sought and paying MRFF's $25,000 in attorney fees.
MRFF IGNITES MORE FORT GORDON MEDIA COVERAGE
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
CBS RADIO's
"CONNECTING VETS"
COVERS MRFF
Volunteer or 'Voluntold': Soldiers allegedly forced to attend Christian BBQ
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
By: Matt Saintsing
Date: October 17, 2017
Soldiers attending advanced individual training (AIT) at Fort Gordon, Ga. say they were required to attend a Christian proselytizing event on Oct. 14, Army Times reports.
In addition to the mandatory barbecue, the trainees say they had to listen to a Christian chaplain, and Christian rock band.
[...]
"TASK & PURPOSE"
COVERS MRFF
Army Trainees: We Were Told To Attend 'Spiritual Fitness'
BBQ For Christ
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
By: James Clark, Task & Purpose
Date: October 17, 2017
A Saturday barbecue encouraging Christian "spiritual fitness" has put leaders at Fort Gordon, Georgia, in the sights of an activist group.
[...]
PATHEOS' "FRIENDLY ATHEIST" COVERS MRFF
Fort Gordon Soldiers Allegedly Forced To Attend Christian Proselytizing Event
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
By: Hemant Mehta, "The Friendly Atheist"
Date: October 17, 2017
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation's President Mikey Weinstein was incensed this weekend because of what he claimed was a profound breach of church/state separation in the U.S. military.
[...]
We receive an enormous amount of emails at the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, both from our supporters and detractors.
Through "MRFF's Inbox", we share some of these emails with you.
"typical of a jew"
From: Email Address Withheld
Subject: typical of a jew
Date: October 17, 2017 at 2:49:03 PM MDT
To: Mikey Weinstein
As soon as my husband who is an U.S. Army senior NCO leader showed me who was behind this supposed "scandal" at Fort Gordon we both just said "of Course".
Only a conniving jew of the likes of the infamous mikey weinstein would try to attack a friendly barbecue by the chaplains for all the soldiers to enjoy.
Hey mikey why do you hate Jesus so much and his followers?
[...]
We hate you. The Lord hates you.
Response from MRFF Advisory Board Member John Compere:
From: John Compere
Subject: JEWS & CHRISTIANS - OUR ANCIENT FAMILY
Date: October 17, 2017 at 3:47:58 PM MDT
To: Email Address Withheld
[...]
As one who was born, raised and educated as an American Christian (and certified to teach and taught adult biblical history for over a decade), I know and appreciate that Christianity is just a branch off of the ancient tree of Judaism.
[...]
Response from MRFF Advisory Board Member Mike Farrell:
Dear (name withheld),
Are you an adult? Where did you learn to spell? Did you learn grammar in the same place? I found myself, in reading this tract, wondering if you were home-schooled, possibly by someone who was filled with fear and chose to hide in the arms of a Bible-totin' fundamentalist who pretended to be a Christian while knowing nothing about Christianity.
[...]
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