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Pentagon asked to block broadcast on Christian network
By JOHN MILBURN
The Associated Press
TOPEKA | A foundation that has sued the military alleging widespread violations of religious freedom is asking the Pentagon to block a Christian cable TV broadcast featuring officers in uniform.
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation has raised objections to 20 minutes of the two-hour broadcast of "Carman's Red, White and Blue Spectacular," saying the program may violate a prohibition against uniformed officers endorsing a particular religion.
Mikey Weinstein, president of the foundation, said the military's involvement in the program "maliciously defiles and lays waste" to regulations. He wrote Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on Monday seeking a full investigation.
The program is scheduled to air July 4 and 5 on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. It previously produced in 2003 and re-aired in 2005.
A spokeswoman for Gates said Wednesday that the letter hadn't yet been received.
"When it is, we will forward it to the appropriate command for review," spokeswoman Eileen Lainez said.
Included in the program is a segment where Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp appears in uniform and is introduced as the then-president of the Officers Christian Fellowship. The interview was filmed at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., where he was commander of the U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center.
In his letter, Weinstein also claims that footage also was shot of soldiers training at Fort Leonard Wood with the knowledge and permission of Van Antwerp.
Weinstein said the video is a tacit endorsement the U.S. military of Christianity and the Christian singer and evangelist Carman. He also said it's fodder for those in Iraq and Afghanistan who perceive U.S. military action as part of crusade to spread Christianity and Western ideologies. Several terrorist groups already post video of statements made by U.S. officials and clergy as part of their recruitment efforts, he added.
"This represents a quintessential national security threat for those in harm's way," Weinstein said.
Trinity Broadcasting Network was founded by Paul and Jan Crouch. It bills itself as the world's largest religious broadcaster.
A woman answering the phones at Trinity's offices in Santa Ana, Calif., said she was unaware of any objections to Carman's programs since it first aired or of any requests that it be pulled. She declined to comment further.
Israel Berry, a spokesman for Carman, said he also was unaware of any concerns. He said the ministry's legal department would be willing to review those raised by the foundation.
The foundation previously has sued Gates in Kansas City, Kan., federal court. Government attorneys are expected to file a response to the lawsuit by July 8.
To date, Gates and others have refused to comment about the litigation, only to say that religious discrimination is not tolerated in the military. Lainez said members of the military can file complaints with their chain of command, inspector general or the Defense Department's Equal Employment Opportunity Office to file formal complaints.
She said that over a three-year period, the Equal Employment Opportunity Office received fewer than 50 complaints based on religious discrimination among all military service branches.
After a complaint from the foundation last year, a report from the Defense Department's Inspector General recommended that Brig. Gen. Robert L. Caslen and Brig. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks be disciplined for wearing their uniforms in a video for the evangelical group Christian Embassy, which holds prayer meetings regularly at the Pentagon. Both men received letters of concern, which were placed in their personnel files.
Caslen, president of the Officers Christian Fellowship, is commandant of cadets at West Point. He has been nominated for a second-star and to lead the 25th Infantry Division, in Hawaii. The fellowship's mission statement seeks "Christian officers exercising biblical leadership to raise up a godly military."
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