UFC Freedom 250 is facing a chaotic weather setup on the White House South Lawn, with a 60% chance of thunderstorms, heavy downpours, and wind gusts up to 34 mph threatening to delay the outdoor fights. On top of the storm risk, brutal D.C. humidity is driving a triple-digit heat index alongside massive swarms of mosquitos and gnats that fighters will have to battle inside the cage. While the venueโs massive 92-foot overhang will keep the octagon dry, a single lightning strike within eight miles will trigger an automatic 30-minute freeze on the entire event.
I've waited a few days to say anything about the recent Department of War (DoW) decision to not list The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a Christian religion. I wanted to make sure my opinion wasn't being driven by an emotional response.
I think it's a good thing. Initially, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was listed as a Protestant Christian religion when it was recognized by the US Military. The way that religions are listed have a few second and third order of effects, specifically manning requirements for Chaplains and Chaplain assistants across the force.
When The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was listed as a Protestant Christian religion then, from the DoW standpoint, any Protestant Chaplain can meet the religious needs of LDS Service members. When it comes to manning requirements, an LDS Chaplain and a Protestant Chaplain become interchangeable, meaning that if an LDS service member is in an area that has the required number of Protestant Chaplains then there is no need and potentially no positions for LDS Chaplains at that location. Even if the majority of Christian-affiliated service members are LDS, as far as the DoW is concerned, their religious needs are being met by the Chaplains already assigned to that location.
Listing the LDS Church as a non-Christian religion means that the DoW now needs to ensure that they have a minimum number of LDS Chaplains among their ranks to meet specific religious needs. This opens up opportunities for promotion and advancement for LDS Chaplains currently serving, as well as a potential increased need for LDS Chaplains across the force.
Plus, and this is my opinion, Church leadership probably also had a say in how the LDS Church was listed by the DoW. The Government would have consulted Salt Lake, just like they would have consulted the Vatican and major Protestant associations, in ensuring their religion was accurately listed with the DoW. Otherwise it opens the government and DoW to lawsuits related to religious freedoms.
โAs He died to make men holy, let us live to make men freeโ
Chills every time.
Here is the Tabernacle Choir and the West Point Band performing Battle Hymn of the Republic ๐บ๐ธ๐บ
A must-listen this Memorial Day:
SHOCKED THE WORLD ๐คฏ
@SStricklandMMA defeats Khamzat Chimaev by Split-Decision to become the NEW middleweight champion of the world!
[ B2YB @HSpecialSurgery ]
Congrats to the Utah Mammoth on their first ever playoff win. What a win. Cooley after getting the death threat last game gets the winner haha #tusksup@utahmammoth