PRESS RELEASE -- 02 May 03 -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - USAFA SUPERINTENDENT MESSAGE SHOWS IRRESPONSIBLE RELIGIOUS PROSELYTISM

The Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy, BG John Weida recently distributed an email through the Air Force Academy promoting a day of prayer on 1 May. At the academy, atheists and believers alike expressed concerns about the wording, which was extremely religious in nature. The Superintendent called on his god's blessings for the academy and other government organizations, as is common. However, BG Weida also called on readers to remember the academy in their prayers and to ask the lord for favors. Because this message was addressed to the entire academy, the Superintendent implied that the entire academy is religious and that it is acceptable for him to promote his own personal beliefs in his official duties. Objections made to the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers and other atheist organizations prove otherwise.

Because BG Weida ordered his comments distributed officially to all members of the academy, he violated the trust and confidence placed in him in his position as leader of the Academy. He used the power of his position to push his beliefs on those airmen placed in his care. A USAFA faculty member felt BG Weida was using his position as a "Bully Pulpit" to espouse his personal views and "all of us should be concerned, regardless of the theology we do or do not profess as individuals." At the least, The Superintendent falsely assumed that all of his cadets and faculty hold religious beliefs equal to his own.

Had BG Weida delegated advertisement of the event to the Chaplain's office, he would have avoided entanglement of the Academy, a government institution, with religion. Had BG Weida contained his comments to a "God Bless," he would have at least kept himself in line with the example set by his superiors and popular opinion. However, his failure to advertise the event appropriately, combined by his inflammatory religious comments, show that he is irresponsible about separating his personal opinions in his official duties, he fails to respect the beliefs of his soldiers, even nonreligious soldiers, that he intends to spread his beliefs using his rank and office, or a combination of the two.

BG Weida's announcement was unacceptable and he should present a public retraction immediately.

The Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers was founded to provide support for non-religious service members and their families, and is open to any past or present service member or their family members who describe themselves as non-religious. MAAF is affiliated with American Atheists and other national Atheist and Freethought organizations. MAAF is not affiliated with the U.S. military or government and any views expressed by members are their own.

For more information please contact:
Mr. J. Torpy, MAAF President, community@militaryatheists.org
Ms. K.A. Johnson, MAAF Founder, founder@militaryatheists.org
Official Website: http://www.militaryatheists.org

Original Email

From: Salgado Lori Lt Col USAFA/CCE
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2003 11:43 AM
To: Dist P; C03_All; C04_All; C05_All; C06_All; Shaw Jim Civ AOG; Emerson Mike Col USAFA/CCL
Subject: National Day of Prayer -- Message from the Acting Superintendent

Warriors,

Men and Women of faith will gather all over our great nation on 1 May to go to the Lord in prayer. We humbly ask that you remember the men and women of the Air Force Academy in your prayers on 1 May. Ask the Lord to give us the wisdom to discover the right, the courage to choose it, and the strength to make it endure. The Lord is in control. He has a plan for each and every one of us. If we seek His will in our lives, we will find the "peace that passes all understanding." May God bless the Air Force Academy, our great Air Force, this great nation, and you.

BG John Weida
Acting Superintendent
USAFA