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June, 2005
Union
of Orthodox Jewish Congregations
Welcomes Air Force Recommendations to
Redress Religious Issues at
the Air Force Academy; Urges Rapid
Implementation
Today, the Union of
Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America welcomed the efforts
outlined today by the U.S. Air Force to address allegations of
religious intolerance at the Air Force Academy. The Report of the
Headquarters Review Group Concerning the Religious Climate at the
U.S. Air Force Academy, issued today, recognizes that, while
neither institutional nor widespread religious discrimination are
present at the Academy, there has been a “failure to fully
accommodate” all members’ religious needs and “inappropriate
expression” of religious beliefs have occurred.
The UOJCA expressed its
concerns over the allegations of religious intolerance at the
Academy last month in a letter to Acting Secretary of the Air
Force Michael Dominguez.
Nathan J. Diament,
director of public policy for the UOJCA, issued the following
statement:
The Review Group’s report
is encouraging because it clearly recognizes that a “perception of
religious intolerance” exists at the academy, and that the
religious beliefs and practices of members of various faiths have
not been appropriately accommodated.
Critically, the report
offers substantive recommendations for reform, including the
establishment of clear policy guidelines for commanders and
supervisors regarding inappropriate religious expression, a plan
to promote increased awareness of and respect for religious
differences, and internal controls and corrective actions to
ensure that the Air Force provides a climate of religious
tolerance for all staff and cadets.
We hope and expect that
the Air Force will implement these measures immediately. Matters
of religious liberty and accommodation are too important to
receive anything less than the full attention and energy America’s
distinguished military devotes to other aspects of its mission.
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