http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071219/ap_on_re_us/military_religion_lawsuit
2007-12-18 22:22:54 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Just like everywhere else, the military has its fundamentalists and some of them just don't know when to stop. Unlike other professions, however, if these folks become officers, they can abuse that privilege by trying to force their beliefs down the throats of the soldiers under their command. The military needs to be as careful about this as they are becoming (but not there yet) about sexual discrimination. And most assuredly, teaching soldiers to despise Islam or any other religion is no way to promote world peace (which is supposed to be the goal of Christians, right?).
I have a good friend who is a chaplain in the Air Force. I know he would deplore this kind of thing and I doubt that this is a wide spread practice, but those involved need to be disciplined and sent to diversity training. If we don't teach our soldiers the values of freedom as set out in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution and Bill of Rights then what do they really have to fight for anyway?
2007-12-18 23:03:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Been in the Navy for 11 years, never once have I been pressured into any form of religious doctrine. Some of the things this guy is basing his suit off of are patently silly. The book was for sale at a Armed Forces Exchange retail store. It is not on some mandatory reading list or something. With regards to the sign at the police department, that was patently in bad taste IMO. The incident with the supposed threat of non re-enlistment, that is something that is an individual grievance against that officer not against the army.
It is a part of the christian faith to spread the faith. This should be done privately in your own time with those that are semi appreciative of te concept. If you bring it to work I will tell you to stuff it.
2007-12-19 00:03:01 · answer #2 · answered by cutiessailor 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I have been in for 12 years and never had it happen.
The only thing that came close one time was when a Chaplin was asking all the "no preference" Soldiers to specify a religion for burial purposes. It came off the wrong way, expecially when a curt 1st Sergeant told a formation that the Chaplin, "needed to see the following people to talk you into a religion." The First Sergeant was repremanded for the statement and the Chaplin explained that the purpose was for burial and framed the question as, "If you were killed, how would you or your parents want you to be honored weather you follow it or not yourself."
After reading the article, I am not convinced of this and think this is some lawyer trying to make a name for himself. One of his pieces of evidence is a book being sold in the book department of the PX. I bet that same book department sells the Koran as well as books on athesism, or if they don't have them will order them for a soldier if they asked.
The sign on base was just in poor taste, hardly indoctrination and probably one guy's idea, not the Army as a whole.
The only credible argument was the guy being threatened with diciplinary action for holding a meeting. He is wrong though where he implies only Christian groups have bible studies while deployed, I saw Islamic and Jewish study groups as well.
This seems like the same thing happened in the 1970's when some hot shot lawyer though he could get the Chalins Corps disbanded because of seperation of church and state.
2007-12-18 22:53:17 · answer #3 · answered by mnbvcxz52773 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
(Reaces into back pocket and grabs the bright yellow "BULLSH*T flag and throws it) "20 yards for unmitigated horse-hockey!!!" The letters after my name are U.S.N (Ret) and at NO time during my service did I see ANY attempts at coercion of a religious nature. As I told an earlier ninny, the ONLY reason the military has ANY dealings with religion is because the people IN the military ARE reliegious, and they are merely attending to that need. If any particular individual did something improper, they will get properly stomped-on by higher authority.
2007-12-19 05:58:42 · answer #4 · answered by Stephen H 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Nope, I disagree with that. I never felt pressured, neither has my husband. In fact to me it seems like it the most accepting community for all backgrounds. Not saying it's perfect, there are always execptions and a person here and there who are going to think their way is the best, but overall the community is more excepting than what I've seen in the civilian world.
And by the way, yes everyone went to services (any of your choice) each week in basic. We weren't forced to, and I even went to a different service each week. It's time to get away and feel normal for a bit. They offered several religious services, not just Christian ones.
2007-12-19 00:49:37 · answer #5 · answered by Just me 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I served for 26 years and never had a problem with somebody pushing their religious beliefs on me.
From reading the article it appears that the lawsuit is based on an atheist's attempt to censor what books are sold in the PX and what posters other soldiers can put on their walls.
2007-12-19 01:23:29 · answer #6 · answered by MikeGolf 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Bull puckey! There are more services available, etc in the military.
This is just one person's vendetta against what he perceives as such - I guarantee you there's nobody in the PX saying you must buy this book, no orders from a higher command to attend specific services, read specific material, etc. He just disagrees with someone else who posted a comment and has his drawers in a knot -- so the rest of us should suffer?! What about those of us who are Christian - our freedoms?!
Be an adult and make your own decisions for crying out loud!
2007-12-19 01:00:57 · answer #7 · answered by ArmyWifey 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
This story just proves that liberals love free speech as long as it agrees with their opinion. The incidents sited in the story were examples of individuals expressions of their opinion.
Regarding books in the PX, I can not recall seeing any faith based publications. The PX actually did carry all of the "I hate the US and the administration" garbage books.
Freedom of Religion means the right to observe, or not observe religious practices. Soldiers are going to be persecuted now because they openly display their faith?
2007-12-19 00:43:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
In 27 Years service(& Counting) I never felt Pressured to attend Services, or adopt any Religious Beliefs. Never was Prostletized by any evangelical groups, nor belittled for My beliefs, or percieved lack thereof. I have never felt threatened by these groups, you must remember, for every 1 Soldier like them, 10 never see the inside of a Chapel except for Memorials to the Fallen.
The attempt to image the Army as a bunch of Backwoods Bible thumpers wont work. These People havent done anything wrong, isnt freedom of religion what we as a nation espouse?
2007-12-18 22:41:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 2⤋
this is nothing More than one persons problem with another person. it's sad that he has to involve the whole military in his problem.
2007-12-18 23:07:08 · answer #10 · answered by darrell m 5 · 7⤊ 1⤋