Air Force removes ‘repugnant’ inspirational painting over religious complaint

An inspirational painting making reference to, but without quoting, a Bible verse, has been removed from an Idaho Air Force dining hall after a complaint was lodged by an anti-religious group.

paint
Offensive? photo credit Fox News
The painting, titled “Integrity,” depicts an Air Force officer in the foreground, the faded image of a crusader in the background and the words “Matthew 5:9.” According to the King James version of the Bible, that verse reads, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” 

After the Military Religious Freedom Foundation complained, calling it “repugnant,” and an “overt display of Christian nationalism,” the painting was removed from the Mountain View Air Force Base’s mess, according to Fox News.

The foundation received word of the painting from an email sent by an airman stationed at the base.

“I have been extremely disturbed and shocked by a clearly Christian picture of religious supremacy very prominently hanging in the dining facility of our Air Force Base,” the apparently oversensitive airman wrote.  “I and countless other Airmen were forced to look at this ‘Crusader/USAF’ painting while we ate.”

Mickey Weinstein, who founded the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, was recently appointed as a Pentagon consultant to develop new policies on religious tolerance.

Fox News Radio’s Todd Starnes reported that upon receipt of the email, Weinstein:

called the Pentagon Friday morning to complain about the painting and gave them one hour to comply with his demands to remove the painting. Less than an hour later the picture was removed.

Col. Christopher Short, the commander of the 366th Fighter Wing told Fox News the art work was removed as soon as he was made aware.

“We make reasonable accommodations for all religions and celebrate the religious diversity of our Airmen,” Short said.

Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin (Ret.), said that the Air Force’s knee-jerk reaction raises serious questions about the relationship between Weinstein and the military. 

“This is clearly more evidence of anti-Christian activity in the military,” Boykin told Fox News. Boykin is currently vice president of the Family Research Council.

A month ago and upon Weinstein’s recommendation, military personnel who share their religious beliefs with others are now subject to punishment, including court martial.

Weinstein’s activities since his appointment as Pentagon consultant would lead one to believe that he knows little about religion, freedom or tolerance. 

H/T Todd Starnes and Fox News.

DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW

Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!

Success! Thank you for donating. Please share BPR content to help combat the lies.

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

BPR INSIDER COMMENTS

Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!

Comments are closed.

Latest Articles