Posted on Dec 5, 2015
How do you feel about religious (yes, Christian) expression in the military?
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Take the time to read this short article and let the rest of our RallyPoint community know your thoughts on religious expression in our armed forces. The author opines that US Air Force Academy players praying in the end zone before a football game is taboo - and reflects a much larger problem of religious expression in the military. While cadets don't necessarily reflect the military establishment as a whole, this does stimulate an excellent conversation. Do you agree? If you're the supervisor of a unit, how would you respond? Ultimately, is this an authorized activity under UCMJ?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lawrence-b-wilkerson/religion-in-iraq-syria-af_b_8711724.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lawrence-b-wilkerson/religion-in-iraq-syria-af_b_8711724.html
Religion
UCMJ
Christianity
Islam
Judaism
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 46
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When All Hope Is Gone | Dr. Charles Stanley http://www.intouch.org/watch/when-all-hope-is-gone#.VmhJ7VzR0zc
When All Hope Is Gone | Dr. Charles Stanley
Hope is a word of optimism, and it defines what we are living for. In this sermon, Dr. Stanley explores a biblical story of hopelessness and how Jesus can change our hopeless perspective into joy we can only imagine. There is no such thing as “beyond repair” for God. He has a purpose for each of us, and there is a reason for the trials we face.
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PO2 Christopher Foss
TSgt John Temblador, PI, CIPA - Matthew 6:5-6
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
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Personally I see no issue with it. it only becomes a problem when anyone is favored due to the common no-nos like race, religion, sex etc etc. But I can still a problem if prayer needs special accommodations in means of time or other - but for the example, I have no issue.
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I have no problem with military members choosing to pray in any manner that they feel is consistent with their conscience and the UCMJ. What I do have a problem with is forced communal prayer during military ceremonies. If service members want to pray, let them pray. Do not have a chaplain bless ceremonies because that is a clear disruption of the establishment clause. I as a non-Abrahamic religious person was forced to participate in rituals that I did not agree with on a regular basis because they were performed by a Chaplain. Let me pray as I wish to pray, and I will continue to fight to protect the rights of every individual to pray in the way they wish.
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SMSgt (Join to see)
SPC Joshua Heath - Again, you weren't "forced" to bow your head. Heck I go to church regularly and many times don't bow my head just because the pastor asks me too. You had the ability to not bow your head, you weren't forced to "repeat after me" and just because you felt "pressure" to do so doesn't mean it violated your rights to object. I feel pressure to do a lot of things too but don't, because I am an adult and I don't play the victim card.
I don't expect you to worship my God...that is purely up to you but I do expect to be able to express my thanks to that God anytime and anywhere.
I don't expect you to worship my God...that is purely up to you but I do expect to be able to express my thanks to that God anytime and anywhere.
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SPC Joshua Heath
SMSgt (Join to see) - I would fight to the death to protect your right to worship your god in anyway you feel you need to.
I believe the smoke session for not bowing my head in formation during a prayer belies your statement that I had a choice without coercion. Yes, I chose to exercise my rights and received 'punishment' for doing so. I'm not sure how you are defining forced, but I would say this certainly would be defined as coerced at the very least.
I believe the smoke session for not bowing my head in formation during a prayer belies your statement that I had a choice without coercion. Yes, I chose to exercise my rights and received 'punishment' for doing so. I'm not sure how you are defining forced, but I would say this certainly would be defined as coerced at the very least.
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SMSgt (Join to see)
SPC Joshua Heath - If you were truly "smoked" for not bowing your head, then you weren't "smoked" by a Christian that shares the same biblical beliefs that I hold and I apologize for that.
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SPC Joshua Heath
SMSgt (Join to see) - No need to apologize for the actions of another individual's actions, but I appreciate the sentiment. This did occur, and it was dealt with by the command structure, but it is sadly not an isolated incident and part of why I'm passionate on the topic. I think simply us discussing our experiences is important to finding a way to make every soldier a successful one in and out of uniform.
From that, I think we need to consider the utility of prayer in formation. I have no problem with soldiers praying with each other, or alone. I do have issues with prayer as part of military ceremony and I wonder if its something we should continue to do?
From that, I think we need to consider the utility of prayer in formation. I have no problem with soldiers praying with each other, or alone. I do have issues with prayer as part of military ceremony and I wonder if its something we should continue to do?
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First off what does "congress shall make no law" mean to you. I see no problem with this there were some members of the team that did not participate in the prayer and I think that is fine a personal choice. I think that we need more public prayer. I would not have a problem if a Jew were to pray by there faith. I don't see the issue. They are not bothering anyone. Now if someone was pressured into praying and they did not want to pray then that is something but this. This is nothing. Pray on
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Those who want to pray should be allowed to pray, whether in public or in private. I just retired from an agency where the head of it declared that there would be no praying allowed at any state function so as to avoid offending those of other religions or the non-religious. The wardens passed this on down and the response of the staff, particularly the lower ranking staff, was to ignore it. Any issues were handled amongst themselves, and I never had one complaint either way brought to me.
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It is what it is; someone's Constitutionally protected "Freedom of Religion". I you don't like it, don't participate but don't be a dick and try to interrupt others who have faith or try to get it cancelled, end of story. You have Freedom of Religion, not Freedom from Religion. Not listening or participating if you don't like it works wonders.
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We are largely a Christian country whether the liberals or atheists want to agree and what I worry about when a group military Christians come together to pray in mass like a football team that the lone Muslim or Jew or Atheist feels left out. Our roles as leaders is to make everyone feel included and part of the team. We should not keep these players from praying but should teach these future leaders about inclusion and being part of a greater team. I personally try my hardest that no one, whether when I was active duty or as a nurse, knows my religious beliefs. Capt Gregory Prickett
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