Or does that come under the heading of "good business practice"?

I don't care about his religious beliefs. I care very much that the opinions he has expressed have made cooperation from Muslims, either American-born or not, very much less likely. These opinions have not been a secret, either. Americans United protested General Boykin's mixing of his personal religious mission with his professional prerogatives way back in April of this year. When interviewed, a spokesminister for the evangelism group in question called the accusations "outright ignorant". Read the whole article here.

General Boykin has evidently recognized the possible effect on his job himself and redefined some of his remarks. He has, for example, put his remarks about God which he made to a captured Somali warlord in a different perspective:

"I am not anti-Islam or any other religion," Boykin said. "I support the free exercise of all religions. For those who have been offended by my statements, I offer a sincere apology." . . .
[concerning the remark about the size of respective gods]"My comments to Osman Otto in Mogadishu were not referencing his worship of money and power; idolatry," Boykin said. "He was a corrupt man, not a follower of Islam."

Associated Press, Washington desk. "General apologizes for remarks." Intelligencer Journal [Lancaster, PA], 18 Oct 2003. p. A3.

I'm sorry; I couldn't find an active link for this particular report.

I could find a link to this one, though, from earlier:

In a speech at a church in Daytona, Fla., in January, Boykin told the following story:

"There was a man in Mogadishu named Osman Atto," whom Boykin described as a top lieutenant of Mohammed Farah Aidid.

When Boykin's Delta Force commandos went after Atto, they missed him by seconds, he said. "He went on CNN and he laughed at us, and he said, 'They'll never get me because Allah will protect me. Allah will protect me.'

"Well, you know what?" Boykin continued. "I knew that my God was bigger than his. I knew that my God was a real God and his was an idol." Atto later was captured.

Arkin, William M. "The Pentagon Unleashes a Holy Warrior." Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct 2003. Accessed 19 Oct 2003.

It sounds more like backpedalling than setting the record straight, but I don't care much about that either, as long as the change in approach is lasting from here on out.

Let's see if he stays behind the line he has drawn for himself, and if average, mainstream Muslims are inclined to believe him.

Regards--
Mary Anne