Speak Out Against A Call To Court-Martial A Major General For Talking About His Faith At A Public Event

At the National Day Of Prayer event in Washington, DC on May 7, just prior to prayer being offered for our men and women in uniform, Major General Craig Olsen spoke, giving particular attention to the fact that he is “a redeemed believer in Jesus Christ.” Additionally, he gave the credit for being able to conduct complex operations and fly VERY complex aircraft to his Lord.  Said the General,  “I have no ability to do that. God enabled me to do that.”

Now, there is a major push back against the General’s comments, calling for him to be “aggressively and very visibly brought to justice for his unforgivable crimes and transgressions.”  The group that is calling for his punishment is the Military Religious Freedom Foundantion, Director Mikey Weinstein.  The basis for their outcry is the supposed rules within the Air Force that prohibits airmen from endorsing a particular faith.

In all honesty, I’ve had dealings with the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) and Mr. Weinstein.  His organization is neither “military,” nor does it promote or protect anything related to “religion” or “freedom!”  So, it is incorrectly named!

Mr. Weinstein’s crusade against religious expression began when his two sons attended the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado!  The two boys attended at a time when a revival swept through the military institution, prompted, in part, by the influence of the then Air Force Football coach, who was a committed believer, led his players in prayer, and posted a banner in the locker room that said, “I’m a member of Team Jesus.”

Because the Weinstein sons claimed that undue pressure was applied to convert them to Christianity (they are Jewish), Mikey began an extensive unearthing of ALL religious expression within military installations.  That’s where my life intersected with his.  HOPE Ministries International (the ministry I founded and have led for years) had been invited to minister in the Pentagon.  Somehow Mr. Weinstein’s hired hands discovered that ministry opportunity and began pursing it in an attempt to cause heads to roll.  A lawsuit was ultimately filed against the DOD (Department of Defense), with our ministry being referenced as an example of “Christianity run wild” in the military!  Thankfully, that case was later thrown out of court! Though not legally culpable, I would probably have had to testify had the case gone forward!

Now, this fine Major General, who was merely stating his faith in a public venue, is deemed by Weinstein and his cohorts as public enemy # 1!  This is nothing less than the latest attempt to persecute and eliminate the last vestiges of Christianity from America–especially the military!

My friends, how long are we going to stand by quietly and allow this to happen?  When are America’s Christians going to respectfully, kindly, but directly and boldly lift our collective voices and say “Enough is enough!”  Prayer, Bible preaching, and gospel evangelizing has been a part of our nation AND IT”S MILITARY since before we officially became a nation!!!

I encourage you to contact (via email) Air Force Chief of Staff Mark Welch (the one to whom Mikey Weinstein has appealed) to declare you support for Major General Craig Olsen!  General Welsh can be emailed via the link below.  Please be kind, but direct in all correspondence!

http://www.af.mil/ContactUs.aspx

Dave Kistler
President, HOPE Ministries International
President, North Carolina Pastors Network (NCPN)

One thought on “Speak Out Against A Call To Court-Martial A Major General For Talking About His Faith At A Public Event

  1. I am one person that is tired of having to check my constitutional rights at the door. If Christianity offends you move to Iran and stand on the street corner and defame their religion. Christians have rights also that need defending.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *