Air Force commander orders airman to "removed his sacred undergarments"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

Airman says commander told him to remove Mormon undergarments

http://www.kron4.com/Global/story.asp?S=4057868&nav=5D7l

SALT LAKE CITY A Mormon airman claims his Air Force commander threatened to kick him out of his entertainment unit unless he removed his sacred undergarments.

Airman First Class Andrew Howells of Salt Lake City says the commander complained that the garments, worn by observant Mormons, showed through his uniform.

Howells told the church-owned Deseret Morning News that he finds the situation ironic because he's in the military "to defend religion and freedom."

Mormons are instructed to wear the white garments, which are symbolic of purity, at all times and remove them only for very specific activities. Utah Congressman Matheson has filed an inquiry on Howell's behalf with the Air Force Congressional Liaison Office.

[derby378]

1. Maybe our troops should be given better uniforms?

That's my take on it. Whoever heard of see-through uniforms?

[TerdlowSmedley]

6. Airman Smith, I always thought you were a little crazy, but

now I see your nuts.

[barbaraann]

2. Very interesting article on the garments:

http://www.lds-mormon.com/veilworker/endowment1.shtml

[Divernan]

3. He's in an entertainment unit - maybe had to dress in drag?

nt

[MnFats]

4. and did this happen in Colorado Springs, home to Dobson AND

the Air Force Academy AND a tooth-and-nail battle to evangelize the entire population, AND a really creepy pastor of a megachurch whose name i can't remember but has designs on taking the lead in the radical money-laden preacher contest?

[Renegade Six]

7. I spent 3 years and The Springa

and I loved the "FOCUS ON YOUR OWN FAMILY!!!" stickers on the cars there.

[rockymountaindem]

10. I don't know if this happened in Colorado Springs, but

CS, has a large Mormon population. Interestingly, it seems to be centered in the same part of town as the military folks and Focus. If this happened in CS, the Airman would have a lot of supporters. People wouldn't automatically come out in favor of the military on this one, beacuse there are a great deal of Mormons there, including some who are also in uniform.

[distantearlywarning]

5. Sorry, but he's not in the military to defend anyone's religion.

So there's nothing ironic about it from that standpoint.

Now with regard to freedom, he might have a point.

[TlalocW]

8. I've always wanted a pair of those...

So that I could answer the door in them when the Mormons come a-knockin'...

TlalocW

[arwalden]

9. You'd Be Lovely... Very Attractive... Just Like These Two

[Coastie for Truth]

11. The Commanding Officer should be charged with

a knowing and deliberate violation of DOD Regulations, conduct unbecoming an officer and gentlemen, conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline, and should be sentenced to confinement to hard labor on bread and water for six months, loss of 2/3's pay per month for six months,reduced to the lowest enlisted pay grade, and granted a Bad Concut Discharge.

The United States Air Force is committed to Freedom of Religion of any religion as long as it is evangelical, fundamentalist Protestant,

[frankly_fedup2]

12. Joined the military to "Defend religion as well as freedom?" It appears

the brainwashing has been complete. If we are fighting for religion then we are fighting a "crusade," which after 1100 years would be the fourth crusade if you are talking about Christianity. How unfortunate that religion has to be brought into this. We know how obsessive, violent, and just plain crazy if there are other religions that differ from their own.