Should prayer during non-religious ceremonies be banned when it comes to mandatory events?

Why have it at all? Or, as I have stated before, why not have it before the ceremony?

I think they typically do have it right before the ceremony when the chaplain provides the invocation.

Either way why not? Is it dishonest info to your own creed, religion or morals to allow people who use that time as a moment of respect and silence. Is it just impatience or individualism that wants to end it?

Retreat its up way more time and it happens daily. If anything where a bigger waste of time it's the entire post stopping for retreat. Or seargent majors defending some dried weeds and dirt screaming stay off the grass. Or having every swinging dick write out their intentions on what they're doing and where they'll be every weekend when it never goes down like that and they still get piss drunk starting a fight in a bar ending up in a cell waiting on a first sergeant to come sign for them.

Why waste so much effort?

SSG Trevor S. - Sure you will. The chaplin can come along. But, you just opened up another can of worms. Why can we not have a Wiccan chaplain.

I am not trying to create a problem, just correct a wrong that has gone on long enough. The problem is that some religions get things while others do not. It is funny that anyone would see a problem with that.

And what happens when the "rec center" that is being used as a chapel has 2 different services that have to be performed at the same time? I recall a Chapel at the now closed Hamilton AFB CA that had a sliding wall to cover up the Cross and that Chapel was bulit prior to WWII ! But then again you have time constraints.

Sgt Jim Weeder - With every function there is at least a minimum training colander coordination. Its not hard to deconflict schedules.

So as a quick single example of conflicts.....Easter morning sunrise service, this would conflict with Muslims morning prayer. Their are also Solstice ceremonies that occur at set times. Yes in some cases the coordinator could handle the scheduling but in some cases it would end up being a "my religion should go first" A way to avoid this (but some times impracticable) would be separate areas. If you look at the Air Force Chapel they have done a great job having areas for most religions, they even have a prayer circle for Pagans now.

Um. They do.

I expected higher standards in verbal etiquette from a SrA borderline SSgt, but maybe you're just a dirtbag airman.

I believe in Clause, Santa Clause (Claus).

Hahaha

MSgt Lowell Skelton you do not have the right to refuse others to exercise their religious beliefs just because believe in nothing and by allowing nothing would be your preference, it denies the majority their rights to express their religious beliefs. If you don’t want to participate, don’t. Just as will wast no more of my time listening to nor responding to your fool hearted blather.

Maj Roger Catron - Baloney. YOU do not have the right to refuse me to exercise my lack of religious beliefs just because you believe in fairytales. Atheism is NOT a religion, period. People can exercise their religious beliefs at the proper time and place, without imposing them on anyone else. mandatory formations and functions are NOT the proper place or time. You obviously have no objections to violating anyone's RIGHT to not participate. Screw the majority. They're not going to dictate my participation in their superstitions. But feel free to not "wast" your time respecting the Constitution or writing a literate response.

Your dilusion continues. Come back when you have an intelligent reply. There is NOWHERE in our constitution that grants atheist the right to not hear religious messages. May God have mercy on your soul.

Maj Roger Catron - BS. I have the Constitutional RIGHT to refuse to be ordered to be in any formation which involves any religious service, prayer, or ritual. Screw your damned superstitions. They do not override MY rights.