Exclusive: Is a senior Air Force general using his power to spread far-right Christian nationalism?

[DonViejo]

Brig. Gen. John Teichert faces charges he has used his rank and authority to spread extremist, anti-American views

PAUL ROSENBERG
AUGUST 19, 2018 4:10PM (UTC)

On July 18, Air Force Brig. Gen. John Teichert assumed command of the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base. Less than one month later, on Aug. 12, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation filed a 22-page complaint against him for violating military rules and regulations about religious proselytizing, based on the online record at Teichert's Christian ministry website, “PLUS” (“Prayer at Lunchtime for the United States”), which has been in operation for five years, well before his latest promotion. Within the week, the MRFF, a watchdog group founded in 2005, received word that the Department of Defense was beginning a formal investigation.

According to a press statement from MRFF founder and president Michael L. Weinstein, a former Air Force officer, on Teichert's website he has “denigrated LGBT individuals, slammed American society at large, and, of course, delivered election voting mandate directives" urging that only certain categories of Christians should be elected to public office.

Military officers enjoy the same freedom of religion as everyone else in America, so Teichert's religious faith is not an issue in itself. But military service entails special restrictions on how religion is expressed, particularly if that expression is deemed to undermine military effectiveness, a point that lies at the heart of the MRFF’s complaint.

For example, Air Force Instruction 1-1, Paragraph 2.15.4. states the following:

Airmen who provide commentary and opinions on internet blogs that they host or on others’ internet blogs, may not place comments on those blog sites, which reasonably can be anticipated, or are intended, to degrade morale, good order, and discipline of any members or units in the U.S. Armed Forces, are Service-discrediting, or would degrade the trust and confidence of the public in the United States Air Force.

The complaint was filed on behalf of 41 clients at Teichert’s new command (32 of whom identify as Christian), “many of whom are in mortal fear of retaliation should they be personally identified in this matter, something that MRFF suggests is an equally troublesome issue,” as its text explains. Elsewhere the MRFF complaint argues that Teichert's specific form of zealotry does not “promote diversity, unit cohesion, good order and discipline, religious tolerance and esprit de corps," all considered core values of the 21st-century military.

more
https://www.salon.com/2018/08/19/exclusive-is-a-senior-air-force-general-using-his-power-to-spread-far-right-christian-nationalism/

[SHRED]

1. Another day

Another violation of the Constitution by a repuke.

[Lee-Lee]

2. You know, the MRFF used to actually work on cases that I could see legitimately needed

But lately they seem to have jumped the shark into crying wolf over nothing.

I looked at this case, and I don’t see any violations or accusations of violations that are at all near the hype that MRFF is using of abuse of power, far right Christian nationalism or people being in “mortal fear”.

Essentially the General has a website that he does on his own time, paid for by his own money, where he talks about his religious beliefs. It doesn’t even mention him by name on the website, you have to follow a link to an interview with him on another website to even find out who runs the site.

The only mention of the Air Force at all is the bio section about the website author that mentions among all his other history that he is an Air Force General.

That’s it. No accusations he ever told any subordinates to visit the site, no accusations he was pushing his agenda while in uniform, no accusations he used government facilities or did it during duty hours.

The entire crux of the complaint is that he has a website he maintains on his personal time with his personal funds.

Hysteria like they are spinning over such a complaint that is, in reality, very trivial is what causes organizations like MRFF tonstart losing credibility.

[MineralMan]

3. Still, it looks like there's a government investigation, too.

It's easy for a commanding General to subtly coerce his subordinates in such a way. I don't see this as "hysteria," but as a legitimate investigation into possible religious coercion.

Such religious coercion has a long history in the USAF, dating back even to the late 60s when I was an enlisted non-com in the USAF. I thing there's no reason to poo-poo this investigation. It may well be a valid concern.

Unless you have some information you're not sharing here, I suggest that this investigation should continue.

[Lee-Lee]

4. Oh, any compliant should be an investigation

But the over the to sensationalism about “spreading right wing Christian nationalism” and subordinates in “mortal fear” are way, way, way over the top for what they are actually complaining about.

The General probably should add a disclaimer to the website saying the views are only his and don’t reflect those of the USAF. That’s the only real issue I see in the entire 22 page complaint.

And it’s idiocy to claim that people are in fear of death because the Generals personal website doesn’t have a disclaimer that it’s personal.

Unless they have a ton more info than they put in the complaint- and I doubt it or they would have listed it- they are making a huge giant mountain of what amounts to a tiny ant hill.

[qazplm135]

8. sure investigate it

but there's nothing stopping, nor should there be, a General or any military member from engaging in non-discriminatory discussion in their private time and capacity.

The moment there is a shred of evidence that his religious beliefs result in someone not getting promoted or getting a lower evaluation or having even a tiny bit of derogatory effect, can his ass. If he even gives the perception that this is a possibility, same thing.

But he's uber-Christian in his private life and writings. That's not a problem. Yes, the AF is a bit nutty about its Christianity (not that the other services don't have issues). So, I'm fine with investigating it, but based just on what MRFF is highlighting so far, other than a superior saying, look, be careful that this doesn't slip into unintended coercion, I wouldn't discipline him.

[Hekate]

7. Michael Weinstein has my respect, and given his history in these matters, I would never ...

...use the word "hysteria" connected with his name. When the vast majority of those participating in his complaint are themselves Christian, and one of the aspects of the complaint is that all sects of Christianity except the General's own are being viciously denigrated, one has to wonder how you came up with your choice of words.

For those who don't remember, Michael Weinstein is a graduate of the Air Force Academy, loved his time there, loved his experience in the USAF. His son followed in his footsteps to the Academy, and discovered a much different culture had arisen. As the Weinsteins are Jewish, it concerned them personally. Weinstein began with the raw anti-Semitism growing at the Air Force Academy during his son's time there, and has broadened his scope to include all those being harmed by what can only be called a very narrow version of Christianity, one tied closely to race (white), gender (male, straight), and nation, bigoted, exclusionary, cruel, unConstitutional.

When any part of our military, especially the officer class, embraces and proselytizes this kind of religion, we as a nation are on very dangerous ground.

[Lee-Lee]

11. I'm very familiar with him. His past work and present actions are pretty different

He has, in my eyes, moved from a person doing good work for a good cause to being a shameless self-promoter. And yes, he has restored to sensationalizing and hysterics in some cases.

For example, in this case he’s claiming multiple people are in “mortal fear” over the Generals personal website not having a disclaimer on it. Literally saying they fear death because of it.

That’s hysteria.

Have you visited the MRFF website lately? It’s morohed into little more the a Micheal Weinstein self-promotion site. Almost every page has to make sure to mention him by name. Not the organization, but it’s all got his name front and center. It promotes his written works and media appearances and makes sure you know he’s available for paid speaking engagements. Every press release about their achievements makes sure to let you know Mikey personally did things, it doesn’t credit the organization.

I’ve been pretty disappointed lately in the shift I’ve seen.

[Hekate]

12. Hmmmm. I'll give it a look.

[Lee-Lee]

13. As a barometer

Take a look and ask yourself is it easier to find info on Mikey if you are media looking for that, or is it easier to find a good guide for what’s legal and what isn’t, beyond copy and pasted stuff available from the DoD, if you were a service member going to the site looking for information because you have concerns.

I know what my visits to the website show me.

That tells me a lot about the direction they have flown in.

What’s being highlighted now is how much media they get.

[HAB911]

5. Support the Military Religious Freedom Foundation

If you use Amazon use it through Amazon Smile which automatically donates to MRFF

[Hekate]

10. This

[marlakay]

6. My son n law is Lt Colonel in AF

Both him and my daughter are atheists and because of his career path they stay very quiet about it and try to live off base.

Many of the bases the leaders have strongly encouraged my daughter to go to church and bible study. She politely finds a way to say no. Has many Christian friends and is careful about their beliefs.

It shouldn’t have to be this way. They only have a few more years before he retires and works outside the military, they are looking forward to not feeling like they are being watched all the time.

[Hekate]

9. Thanks for the testimonial. This is just so wrong.

Being invited to Bible study out of friendliness is one thing, but an insistance that you are beyond the pale for politely turning down the invitation(s) is wrong on so many levels.

[lindysalsagal]

14. Aren't they all???

Control is always the point of religion. Control is a myth unhappy people weaponize for t heir own purposes (servicing their insecurity.)

[ck4829]

15. K&R

[Mc Mike]

16. Thanks, Mike Weinstein and MRFF.

Looks like another whackjob 'christian' bircher, running the 2nd biggest AF base in the country.

Another friend of curt lemay.