Bruno facilitated the Religion, Respect and Global Security Panel Feb. 25 at Arnold Hall. More than 200 cadets were on hand, as well as other military personnel and a few local residents. The four-person panel included Dr. Chris Seiple, president for the institute for Global Engagement; Dr. Pauletta Otis, professor of security studies, Command and Staff College, U.S. Marine Corps University; Ms. Asra Nomani, author, women’s rights activist and Muslim; and Dr. Carlos Bertha, associate professor of philosophy at the academy and self-described atheist.
The panel discussed their views on the implications of the religious-political dichotomy in relation to global security, the difference between tolerance and respect, the damage done by the perception of active disrespect, and how to navigate these challenging times.
“It’s time to prepare our future officer corps to handle the issue of religion,” Bruno said. “We are here today to have a discussion that is robust and healthy, and with respect and civility.”
The panel members spoke for about 30 minutes and then took questions from the audience. Most of what was said centered on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as issues involving radical Muslims and changes to the Koran, the respect of culture and laws in other countries, and the role Christians play.
“We’re not a melting pot; we’re a salad bowl,” Seiple said. “I reject the idea of the clash of civilizations. That goes down the road of (political correctness). We have irreconcilable differences and we will just not tolerate each other, but we can respect each other.”
Nomani spoke from a more personal standpoint and shared details about her upbringing in a “conservative Muslim Family” in West Virginia. She talked about the Koran and how its message spoke to her as a young girl and into her adulthood. However, she got a “personal wake-up call” with the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
“I found a different Koran,” she said. “It was an interpretation of Islam that is being used to encourage and fuel the violence. And that saddens me. If we want to engage, we have to include the issues of religion and culture. Not in a Pollyanna way, but a pragmatic way.”
The symposium finished on Friday and was themed “Strength Within … Leadership Throughout.” There were 33 speakers speaking on topics ranging from earning the Medal of Honor to the experience of wounded warriors to sports.
“NCLS and our academic program — in fact, our entire Air Force Academy 4-year program — is really about learning and development,” said Brig. Gen. Dana Born, dean of faculty at the Air Force Academy in a statement. “There is a real strong link between NCLS and the academic program. We’re growing, we’re learning, we’re developing as future officers and citizens for our nation.” Read more at www.coloradocommunitynewspapers.com |
No comments:
Post a Comment