Cadets For Christ Solicits Letters to the Air Force Academy to Use as Ammo
Chris Rodda printable version print page     Bookmark and Share
Thu Dec 23, 2010 at 09:42:58 AM EST
This is the most recent development in an outrageous story that has been developing over the better part of this year, so, for those who need to be brought up to speed, here's what's going on in as small of a nutshell as I can put it:

There's a fundamentalist ministry operating at the Air Force Academy called Cadets For Christ. This ministry is part of the "shepherding" movement, using cult-like tactics by which the cadets recruited by ministry leaders Don and Anna Warrick are separated from their families and anything else that might interfere with their brainwashing. In the shepherding movement, the female is the "sheep" and the male is the "shepherd," and a woman's sole purpose in life is to be a good wife and mother, subordinating herself to her male shepherd.

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) has been contacted by a number of parents of Academy cadets who have fallen prey to the Warricks' ministry, and one of these families has been brave enough to go public with their story.

Peter and Jean Baas, the parents of 2010 Academy graduate Lauren Baas, are now completely estranged from their daughter. Why? Because the Baas family is Catholic, and therefore, according to the Warricks, unsaved. While at the Academy, Lauren Baas, who entered the Academy with dreams of becoming an Air Force pilot, was prepared for what can only be described as an arranged marriage by the Warricks, and is now engaged to her shepherd. A woman, of course, is destined by God to be a good wife and mother and serve her shepherd, not be an Air Force pilot and serve her country.

Lest anyone think that the "sheep and shepherd" terminology might be an exaggeration, just take a look at Lauren Baas's "Baa Baa Sisterhood" cookbook.

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Part of the Baas family's going public with their story was to write a "holiday letter" to the Warricks, with an introduction to Air Force Academy superintendent Lt. Gen. Mike Gould, to whom the letter was also sent. I urge everyone to read this letter, which can be found here. Reading the words of one of the families ripped apart by this Air Force Academy sanctioned ministry is the only way to even begin to fathom what the Warricks are doing to the cadets who fall under their influence.

Now, on to the latest development.

Last week, Jean Baas was contacted by the Air Force Academy's head chaplain, Col. Robert Bruno, who informed her that the Academy had received thirty-five letters in support of Cadets for Christ, but only nine opposing the ministry. The nine letters opposing the ministry were not solicited, but presumably just sent by people who had read about what Cadets for Christ had done to the Baas family. Most of the thirty-five in support of the ministry, on the other hand, were solicited by Don Warrick in an October 31 email, which began: "The Wing Chaplain at the Air Force Academy and our Board thought it would be helpful if we had on file at the Chaplain's office letters from present and past cadets, parents, board members, and other friends of Cadets for Christ."

In a September 28 letter to the Secretary of Defense, which was posted here on Huffington Post and elsewhere, MRFF had included quotes from some of Jean Baas's emails to MRFF founder and president Mikey Weinstein, and demanded an investigation of Cadets for Christ. MRFF did not name the Baas family by name in that letter, but began publicly using their name shortly thereafter.

This led Anna Warrick to send the following email to the Cadets for Christ flock sometime in mid-October:

"A quick update on the Mikey Weinstein situation. We have been interrogated by the Chaplain's office and are at least at this time in the clear from the superintendent's office. Even though the underground newspaper wrote a questioning article in regard to Lauren's mother and her accusations. Lauren came out for the Fall Retreat and she and Andy seem to be doing well although a bit "ruffled" by all the accusations even towards Andy and his lovely family. It appears that Mikey is not sure this is a situation that is worth his efforts so for now a relatively quiet time. We have some great upperclassmen who were curious about what was being said and liked the group well enough that they stayed...guess ther (sic) is some humor in that. We decided to move the small group Wednesday studies at USAFA back to our house so we will not use any USAFA facilities which is what Mr. Weinstein seems to target...this too is working well for all of us."


Apparently, by the end of October, the Warricks had realized that the "Mikey Weinstein situation" was not going to go away, and that they were going to need to start stockpiling some ammo, prompting Don Warrick to send out his October 31 solicitation for letters of support, entitled "Want To Do A Favor For Cadets For Christ?," which went to over a hundred people, about a quarter of them current Academy cadets. The flock was instructed to address their letters to Air Force Academy chaplain Lt. Col. J. Daniel Brantingham. A follow-up email was sent out by Warrick on November 9, thanking those who had already sent their letters to Lt. Col. Brantingham, and asking those who hadn't already sent theirs to do so.

So, since the Air Force Academy has apparently decided to base its decision on whether or not to take proper action regarding Cadets for Christ on a "vote," tallied by how many letters of support and how many letters of opposition it receives, I think it only proper for MRFF to solicit letters in the same way that Cadets for Christ is doing.

Therefore, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation and the Baas family thought it would be helpful if we had on file at the Chaplain's office letters from friends of the United States Constitution, religious freedom, and everyone who feels that the United States Air Force Academy should be encouraging women to aspire to something more than being subservient "sheep" to their male "shepherds," in opposition of Cadets for Christ.

Emails should be addressed to:
USAFA head chaplain Col. Robert Bruno at robert.bruno@usafa.edu, Chaplain Lt. Col. Dan Brantingham at james.brantingham@usafa.edu, and, just for good measure, USAFA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Mike Gould at mike.gould@usafa.edu




Display:
Gentlemen: /// When parents send their children off to the United States Air Force Academy, they send them with pride and with expectations that their children will learn, grow, and serve their country with honor. It's a new world for these young men and women, and they find themselves facing new situations and stresses. This is inevitable, and it's how things must be if they are to mature. But during this time of transition -- particularly in the first year -- these cadets are vulnerable to outside influences, as are all people at that age. /// I believe it is appropriate for USAFA to support its young charges in making this transition into adulthood. And as a federally-funded (to a large degree) facility, it is reasonable for USAFA to provide facilities and clergy so that students can engage in their normal religious activities, but not to encourage, endorse, or be seen to be endorsing any particular faith or set of religious customs, nor any faith at all. It is therefore NOT appropriate for USAFA to provide ready access to students by Cadets for Christ or any other proselytizing religious organization. These students' religious beliefs are a private matter. Their parents have a stake and a say in those beliefs; USAFA does not, whether directly, or by facilitating or condoning the activities of Cadets for Christ and other like organizations. /// Please protect these kids in your care. At the very least, do not be -- nor permit yourselves to be seen as -- a conduit for the recruitment of cadets into organizations that most parents would consider to be cults. /// Respectfully --

by Foolacious on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 02:04:35 PM EST

has anyone noticed that this is very strangely reminiscennt of 'The Prophet' Warren Jeffs' FLDS, without the polygamy?

by okami on Mon Dec 27, 2010 at 02:39:15 AM EST

but the men also are formed in small groups and each group supervised by a higher level "shepherd."  In turn groups of these supervisors are supervised--on up the ladder.

Supervisors have a say as to where a man works or lives, any major purchases, etc.  

That's a big crowd of sheep, folks.

Google "shepherding movement" for interesting takes by skeptical Pentecostals.

by mayfly on Thu Dec 30, 2010 at 06:54:08 PM EST


I was very pleasantly surprised to receive a personal phone call thanking me for my input and for understanding the very difficult position the chaplains find themselves in regarding Cadets for Christ. This is what I sent to them:

=====

Colonel Robert Bruno, USAF
Lt. Colonel James Brantingham, USAF

Dear Sirs,

I have followed with increasing dismay the heartbreaking disruption of the Bass Family as their daughter, 2010 Academy graduate Lauren, has pulled away from her family and her dreams at the urging of the group known as "Cadets for Christ." I recognize that cadets have freedom on conscience to pursue the religious faith of their choosing while on campus (or, hopefully, to NOT pursue a religious faith without repercussion, as well), however, I am appalled that any organization which teaches that women are second class citizens has any place on campus. "Sheep" Lauren is fine as long as her male colleagues are also "Sheep" of God's pastures, but when men are "Shepherds" over female "Sheep", my antennae go up as both a religious leader and a tax paying citizen of the United States.

I urge you to undertake a serious investigation of the "Cadets for Christ", including the group's teachings and proselytizing methods. No cadet should ever feel bullied or coerced into attending meetings of this group, whether on- or off- campus; if coercion does appear to be a recruiting tactic, however unintended it may be, I expect sanctions up to and including decertification as a campus ministry. If this group indeed turns young women who clearly have gifts and skills for leadership in the civilian world-else they certainly would not be cadets at the United States Air Force Academy-into meek followers whose time in the service after graduation will be limited due to pressure from an unchallenged "Shepherd" at home, then I likewise expect the group to lose its certification as a campus ministry. These are marks of a cult rather than a life-giving faith community; in my opinion no college campus should fund or host cults or cult-like groups, though I recognize that off-campus meetings cannot be governed in the same way.

My prayer is that the religious atmosphere at the United States Air Force Academy will very soon no longer be an issue that make the national news except as a model of freedom for all cadets to worship-or not-as they are led to do so. Addressing the "Cadets for Christ" situation is another step toward making this possible.

Thank you for your time. Blessings in this Christmas season and through the New Year.
=====

Several things were clarified in the call, first and most importantly that Cadets for Christ has NEVER been an official religious organization on the campus of the USAFA. Its use of Academy space was based on the same criteria as any local church or civic organization on the open campus would have, which is sponsorship by a cadet or a group of cadets. This is a First Amendment allowance that mirrors policies at many universities in the country, which as we all know is fraught with potential problems except that the alternative is worse.

Secondly, the chaplains are attentive to all the concerns raised by parents but are working with young people who are of age to make their own faith decisions, however poorly made. The staff keeps many groups on their "radar" as potential problems, but unless and until there are "ex" Cadets for Christ who come forward to expose coercion, or until cadets who resist come forward, there's little the chaplaincy staff can do. This is true of all of us who recognize cult-like proclivities and can do nothing but warn and watch until a law is broken or until someone comes forward to say that laws are being broken. One other thing on their radar that most of us wouldn't be thinking of is the effects of Cadets for Christ in the active service. It has happened on occasion that a command will raise a red flag about behaviors or groups that began at one of the service academies which prompt action - and I was assured that should such a flag ever be raised about those active duty officers who are/were members of Cadets for Christ, it would allow action to be taken.

It behooves us to be as supportive as we can of the chaplains in the military who are working to keep religions of all varieties alive for our service men and women. I don't envy any of them their jobs, but particularly on the academy campuses where the pressures of college are magnified, we should be aware of the very difficult juggling they must do to uphold the integrity of their individual faiths, the program's integrity, and the sanctity of the First Amendment (which let us not forget is why we can send them e-mail in the first place.)

Keep up the good work, MRFF. But let's also be sure to give credit where credit is due when things are done well and properly...even if it isn't always what we want done.

by RevRuthUCC on Sun Jan 02, 2011 at 11:20:10 PM EST


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