Air Force Changes Policy On Religious Action And Speech

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the United States Air Force changed its policy regarding religious accommodation in the Air Force. The Air Force's press release announcing the new policy can be read here: http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/554096/air-force-updates-af-instruction-1-1.aspx

Liberty Institute releases the following statements in response to the Air Force's revised policy governing accommodation of religion in the Air Force:

"This is an important step in the right direction for people of faith serving in the Air Force.  In January, the Department of Defense stated that all military service branches must accommodate the religious expression of service members unless the DOD can prove why it cannot accommodate the religious speech or practice," said Mike Berry, Senior Counsel and Director of Military Affairs for Liberty Institute.  Berry refers to DOD Instruction 1300.17, which was amended in January of 2014 to implement the same legal guidelines all other federal agencies must follow regarding religious expression in the workplace.  "We waited nearly a year for the Air Force to change its very restrictive policy to be consistent with the DOD policy.  We are pleased that the Air Force has at last taken this positive step to protecting religious freedom for its Airmen."

Liberty Institute is on the forefront of legal battles involving religious liberty in the armed forces, including representing active duty service members, testifying before Congress, and urging military leaders to protect the constitutional rights they've sworn an oath to uphold and defend.

"Our brave Airmen took an oath to defend the Constitution. In so doing, they voluntarily gave up many of their freedoms.  But they did not give up their religious freedom," said Berry.  "Before these changes, the Air Force had the most problematic policy regarding religious accommodation for its members.  Now they have a policy that, in writing, protects religious freedom to a greater degree than previously.  But only time will tell if this written policy is put into practice."

Liberty Institute is a national nonprofit legal group dedicated to defending and restoring religious liberty across America — in our schools, for our churches, in our military and throughout the public arena. Liberty's vision is to reestablish religious liberty in accordance with the principles of our Founding Fathers. For information, visit www.LibertyInstitute.org.

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SOURCE Liberty Institute

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