Posted on Mar 22, 2014
When is it OK to display religious verses in military settings? What about your barracks?
17.8K
567
295
13
13
0
Touchy subject, but a battle wanted me to post this to get feedback. (seriously his question, but it was good enough for me ask, he thinks RP is like FB) An Air Force Cadet wrote a Biblical Verse on his white board on his room door. Not in his room, but on the outside facing the hallway. After a few months he was instructed to erase it or be released from Academy. He erased it after a short debate with his leadership. I'm assuming he reported this to the media as civilian advocates are trying to boycott the academy now. The verse was a quote that encouraged the Cadet every morning. That's the simplest version of the story.<div><br></div><div>So my question.<div><br><div>1. We swore an Oath of Enlistment that contains "So help me God"</div><div>2. CPT <span style="font-size: small; color: rgb(84, 84, 84); font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18 [login to see] 39453px;">Kamaljeet S. Kalsi authorized to wear turban and beard for religious reasons</span></div><div><span style="font-size: small; color: rgb(84, 84, 84); font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18 [login to see] 39453px;">3. Soldiers don't deploy or are sent home from deployments if they claim its against their religion.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: small; color: rgb(84, 84, 84); font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18 [login to see] 39453px;">4. When was religion considered indecent, sexist, racist or hatred. (I should retake my EO course on ALMS)</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: small; color: rgb(84, 84, 84); font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18 [login to see] 39453px;"><br></span></div><div><font color="#545454" face="arial, sans-serif" size="2"><span style="line-height: 18 [login to see] 39453px;">If a Soldier can't adhere to regulations or standards, they should not be able to enlist or be discharged. Why isn't it that black & white? I started this post thinking "Commandant's discretion" is that the best answer.</span></font></div></div>
Air Force
Religion
Doctrine
Policy
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 44
20
20
0
My take....<div><br></div><div>Atheist dont believe in God so if you go to an atheists room and his white board is blank would you file a complaint that he doesn't have a bible verse on his white board?</div><div><br></div><div>NO!</div><div><br></div><div>Because no one should give a crap what someone else displays as long as its not derogatory.</div>
(20)
(0)
(0)
(0)
SSG Kevin McCulley
There is a difference between belief in no God and no belief in God. Which one do you think an atheist is?
(0)
(0)
24
17
7
Your religion should be very much like your genitals. Don't wave it around in public, keep it away from those below the age of consent, and not to be discussed or displayed.
(24)
(7)
SFC Michael Hasbun
Actually, I like the way you phrased that... either way, each party can assume it refers to the other.. Have you ever considered running for office? You have my vote...
(0)
(0)
SSG Stephen Arnold
The argument to hide one's faith is a direct violation of the First Amendment in the pesky little inconsequential document that we swore to defend. There is a clause that is ignored when making such an argument: "...and the free expression thereof." Any infringement upon that expression, such as keep it at home or in church, is a direct violation of the aforementioned amendment.
(2)
(0)
16
16
0
I'm not "religious" but what is the difference, besides where they quote comes from, from a scripture in the Bible being publicly displayed versus a motivational quote from a professional speaker that someone looks up too? The only difference is where it came from. The person/people who made a big deal out of this need to look elsewhere to get their 5 minutes of national fame.
(16)
(0)
SPC Jessica Stewart
I understand your point SGT however I would simply walk by it and ignore it and not make issue of it. I have done many times in regards to many different things that I didn't agree with, including religion. Reason being, I know they have the right to believe whatever they want as well as I. I CHOOSE to leave it be. Just because a lot of people CHOOSE not to leave it be and let those rights play out as they should, doesn't make it ok.
(2)
(0)
SPC Jessica Stewart
I choose to not engage it. If I don't engage it then it doesn't affect me and I go on with my life as normal. If I choose to engage it then I am bringing whatever comes my way upon myself, whether its positive or negative. I am a strong believer in treat others the way I want to be treated. So, if I don't want someone to tell me what I should or shouldn't be able to put on my wall that others can see, then I sure am not going to do the same to someone else.
(4)
(0)
(2)
(0)
SSG Gerhard S.
@SPC Jessica Stewart well said. It is often ignored in such arguments that one must CHOOSE to be offended by the actions or words of others. Ones actions, whatever they be potentially be deemed offensive by any number of people, it is only those who choose to be offended who give voice to their offense.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google