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Hey all you soldiers out there! Mandatory Christianity isn’t ok. And if you don’t think it’s happening in the military, take a second look:
Last month, Specialist Hall and the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, an advocacy group, filed suit in federal court in Kansas, alleging that Specialist Hall’s right to be free from state endorsement of religion under the First Amendment had been violated and that he had faced retaliation for his views. In November, he was sent home early from Iraq because of threats from fellow soldiers.
It seems strange, right? I mean… we’re a country of equality. Especially religious equality. But it’s amazing how little discrimination can be felt if you’re Christian too. Try spending a few days in the military as an Atheist, Muslim, Buddhist, or Jew.
Complaints include prayers “in Jesus’ name” at mandatory functions, which violates military regulations, and officers proselytizing subordinates to be “born again.”
hmmm…. sounds familiar in most units. Mandatory prayer on the unit level and in major functions. To be chastised for non-participation in prayers and religious events isn’t a shock.
Kudos for Spc. Hall for having the guts to take action against Commanders who push their personal beliefs on enlisted soldiers.
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April 26th, 2008 at 12:23 am
This doesn't surprise me in the least, and Miss Missive and I can both attest to the fact that in our unit deployed overseas there was great pressure put on soldiers by no less than the commander and at least one plt. sgt. to join in on their church going, not to mention the special concessions which were often made for members of the commander's personal in unit spiritual meeting group.
And yes, the mandatory functions attended- such as combat patch ceremonies, TOAs, and the like were all met with at least one Christian orientated prayer before the official business was under way. This usually took place after the anthem and the soldier's creed.
I myself being a non-Christian was often bothered by this, but with enough battles taking place between myself and the leadership, figured this was one slight I could ignore.
Our unit was comprised of followers of many faiths including Hinduism, Buddhism, Christian, Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Wiccan, and that's just that I know of- not to mention Atheists and Agnostics.
It can be often disheartening, and in fact quite difficult to thrive in any sort of spiritual way given the severe lack of depth in understanding and acceptance of various religions within the military, something I have discussed openly and often with many Chaplins.
I unfortunately don't expect this case to make much difference, as it was only last year a soldier's family had to sue to have a pentacle (symbol of Wiccan faith) carved onto his tombstone, as the military was not recognizing that as an authorized religious image.
But I've been wrong before.
April 26th, 2008 at 2:23 am
This doesn’t surprise me in the least, and Miss Missive and I can both attest to the fact that in our unit deployed overseas there was great pressure put on soldiers by no less than the commander and at least one plt. sgt. to join in on their church going, not to mention the special concessions which were often made for members of the commander’s personal in unit spiritual meeting group.
And yes, the mandatory functions attended- such as combat patch ceremonies, TOAs, and the like were all met with at least one Christian orientated prayer before the official business was under way. This usually took place after the anthem and the soldier’s creed.
I myself being a non-Christian was often bothered by this, but with enough battles taking place between myself and the leadership, figured this was one slight I could ignore.
Our unit was comprised of followers of many faiths including Hinduism, Buddhism, Christian, Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Wiccan, and that’s just that I know of- not to mention Atheists and Agnostics.
It can be often disheartening, and in fact quite difficult to thrive in any sort of spiritual way given the severe lack of depth in understanding and acceptance of various religions within the military, something I have discussed openly and often with many Chaplins.
I unfortunately don’t expect this case to make much difference, as it was only last year a soldier’s family had to sue to have a pentacle (symbol of Wiccan faith) carved onto his tombstone, as the military was not recognizing that as an authorized religious image.
But I’ve been wrong before.