<p>I’ve NEVER heard of anything approaching a “hate crime” at USAFA. USAFA has started a sincere, open, and serious training program on religious tolerance. I’d be surprised if many other schools in the country have such a program. It’s a serious issue. I take it seriously and am involved peripherally in the subject–strongly in favor of promoting tolerance.</p>
<p>I’ve heard some horror stories, too, but they don’t involve violence of any sort and I do honestly believe they’re being addressed. Unfortunately, there is a small subset of the cadet wing and the military that consider christianity as a necessary and sufficient condition for patriotism and service. That is not the official or prevailing view at USAFA, and it’s being confronted by well-meaning people doing the right thing.</p>
<p>I ask you to keep an open mind here, too. (I won’t let this thread degenerate into a religious discussion, folks). If you want to serve and go to USAFA, then you can go there and be part of the solution if you choose to. Or, you can avoid any possibility of controversy and discomfort (generally impossible to do anywhere) and go somewhere else.</p>