Heathen/Asatru not recognized by the Army?

2015-07-07T14:10:59-04:00

Army Chaplains, Any background on this?

http://www.religionnews.com/2015/07/07/will-thor-join-army-believers-still-limbo/

Will Thor join the Army? Believers still in limbo - Religion News Service

(RNS) In January, a U.S. Army official told Heathen representatives that the old Norse religion of Asatru had been granted official recognition -- only to backtrack a few days later.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 2:28 PM

2015-07-07T14:28:56-04:00

Let him have his Hammer

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 3:14 PM

2015-07-07T15:14:56-04:00

I thought that was allowed already. It should be. Is it Norse that is already allowed?

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 6:53 PM

2015-07-15T18:53:42-04:00

TSgt Joshua Copeland, I've seen a lot of strange things on dog tags over the years. Jedi ... Pastafarian ... Klingon ... Church of the Sub-Genius (praise Bob!) Heck, my own tags say I'm a Reformed Druid. (Texas is not known for trees, so Reformed Druids are allowed to pray to bushes.)

I personally don't think there needs to be Heathen Chaplains, any more than there needs to be Humanist Chaplains, Pastafarian Chaplains, or Reformed Druid Chaplains. Chaplains are trained to give neutral services, and that should be enough. (And no, I am not trivializing people who really do believe in Thor. Just because I'm having fun doesn't mean they are too. Besides, I'm partial to Uller, the god of skiing, archery, hunting, and known to be quite promiscuous.)

Seriously, as long as someone's choice doesn't mean special privileges, or someone else paying so they can have their choice, I see no problem with it. My problem is always with those who claim a choice, but expect me (or perhaps the US taxpayer) to fund their choice.

Response by MSgt Jim Wolverton made Jul 16 at 2015 8:18 PM

2015-07-16T20:18:04-04:00

LOL this thread, I needed a laugh :)

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 11:17 AM

2015-07-27T11:17:13-04:00

You know, these types of discussions are never easy...you really can't say much without saying too much, but I'll try. First off, let's make a clear distinction between someone's sincere religious beliefs and what amounts to someone looking to prove a point. I'm not suggesting that the solider in question is affiliating himself with Asatru simply because it's "cool" to claim you believe in a warrior based religion with a plethora of cross connections to everything from pop-culture to "death metal"...but I'm sure it sounds pretty tough around the barracks. "No really First Sergeant, I can't pull duty this weekend...I have to ritually pass around the mead and honor the gods (sumbel) with my bros!" On the other hand, is that really any different from a Catholic service member wearing ashes during a uniform inspection? At the end of the day, and as a sincere believer and follower of the Christian faith, I fear we've made freedom of religion little more than a political tool. Frankly, things just work better in a military setting the less "unique" each member makes themselves from the whole...religion was rarely an issue in the past because most everyone was some flavor of Abrahamic faith (who can basically agree to disagree as long as they don't try to kill each other), or not faith affiliated. I think I can count the number of Buddhists, Taoists, etc. that I knew on one hand or less. Just one of many "hot potatoes" that threatens to make us less of a cohesive body as time goes on...and may eventually lead to exactly what the framers of the Constitution didn't want-suppression or sponsorship of one faith over another.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 28 at 2015 7:59 AM

2015-07-28T07:59:36-04:00

I've never understood a military that openly accepts and encourages "the faith of the lamb" but doesn't recognize "the faith of the warrior"... It would make more sense if the positions were reversed...

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Jul 28 at 2015 11:40 AM

2015-07-28T11:40:40-04:00

Damn, I just bought a new hammer sling carry device .

Response by SPC Nathan Freeman made Jul 28 at 2015 1:08 PM

2015-07-28T13:08:15-04:00

Would this include the rest of the avengers? Do they worship Loki as well?

Response by SPC Joshua Heath made Aug 4 at 2015 10:30 AM

2015-08-04T10:30:25-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member-

You and I seem to have a very different view of what Heathenry allows, and doesn't allow.