Air Force Academy general cleared of religious expression charges

The top commander at the Air Force Academy was completely cleared of religious proselytizing charges Sept. 7.

Brig. Gen. Johnny Weida had already been cleared of six of seven charges in June but one remained for “using religious communicative code to facilitate the proselytizing of non-Christian cadets.”

Lt. Gen. John Rosa, the academy’s superintendent, praised Weida.

“We are pleased that the Air Force inspector general did not substantiate any of the allegations made against Brig. Gen. Johnny Weida,” Rosa said in a statement. “General Weida is an outstanding officer who has successfully helped lead our academy through some very tough times these past two years.”

The task force created by the Air Force in May concluded there were no acts of religious discrimination in connection with allegations. Though the Air Force says Weida has acknowledged his actions were “inappropriate,” and some corrective actions were taken, including removing Weida’s name from a list for promotion that was recently approved by Congress.

This decision was the latest development in a series of controversies that came to a head earlier this year when a chaplain who was critical of the religious climate at the Air Force Academy has taken her concerns to Congress.

Capt. MeLinda Morton resigned after 13 years in the Air Force, saying she was fired from her post as chaplain at the Academy for speaking out about the influence of evangelical Christians there. The Air Force denies she was fired, and even offered to appoint her to a special commission to study religious conflicts in the Air Force, but she turned down the offer.

In a written statement to a House panel on June 28, Morton said there is a “pervasive and systemic problem of religious intolerance” at the academy “and the inability of the current leadership at the Air Force Academy to provide guidance.”

The Pentagon on June 22 released a report of its investigation into allegations of religious intolerance at the Air Force Academy, finding “insensitivity” but no overt religious discrimination.

The investigation began after People United For The Separation For Church and State complained that evangelical Christians were harassing cadets who do not share their faith. No evidence of those allegations was found, though the report said that many in a position of leadership at the Academy were indeed evangelical Christians and that they did share their beliefs with others.

The increased scrutiny on the Academy may, in fact, have resulted in a backlash against Christians there, including what some consider the unwarranted investigation of the Academy’s top 2005 cadet. On June 7, Nicholas Jurewicz, was cleared of wrongdoing after he sent a farewell e-mail to his classmates. The e-mail included a 22-page attachment that contained about 300 leadership and character-related quotations he had accumulated. Biblical verses, such as “Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ,” sparked the investigation.

It was ultimately determined that he acted within his authority and violated no military or academy policies. The attachment also included quotes from Buddha, Confucius, poets, authors, presidents and military leaders.

— E.P. News