What Role Does Religion Play Within Our Military?

I never understood why one Christian religion called by a different name was/is called wrong by a group with a different name for it.

Religion is a big issue, I don't believe that it should be forced on anyone who doesn't want it but I do believe that it should be protected and remain as an option to be available to all who seek it.

I chose "Religion should play no role in the military". I have pasted this response several times in the last few days. What I mean by that is explained below. Very "popular" topic.


I am rather indifferent about people's personal religion choice, but I feel that attitudes, policies, leadership philosophies, laws, regulations, mission statements, etc. that cannot stand on their own without reference to god(s) have no place outside of the individual's home.

Basically, if it affects anyone outside of your immediate family, religion and/or your religious beliefs should not be part of it and shouldn't be mentioned.

I have no issues if your religious beliefs helped you get to your point of view, but if you cannot translate that into leadership philosophy, policy, mission statement, regulation, etc. without reference to that religion, it's not a valid standard to expect anyone besides yourself to follow.

The ONLY exception to this is if your job is literally religion related (Chaplain, church grounds-keeper, Rabbi, etc.).

I'm not voting because I don't agree with any of the choices.

The whole reason for chaplains is accommodation of religion; allowing those with religious beliefs to not have their ability to follow those beliefs to be impeded by their service. Another accommodation is for local churches to partner with bases to provide opportunities for service members whose faith is not covered by their local Chaplin i. e. Mormons, Hindus and others. Accommodating service members with religious affiliation is not the same thing as establishing a religion. Creating a religion free military would be infringing on the rights of service members constitutional right to freedom of religious belief and affiliation.

Religious freedom also includes your right to have no religious belief. The people of faith around you likely consider you missing out on something that gives them great guidance and comfort. Don't mistake intolerance for concern unless it truly is an intolerant attitude. In that case, you have a right to complain and get it dealt with.

As long as there are people in the serivces and we have a constitution, there should be freedom of religion in the services.

i think that no matter your religion it should be allowed as well as accepted. i also feel it should be encouraged more to see the chaplin.

I agree with to to some degree. First let me say, I am a devout Christian. When I served, I served with many different religions, one of my best friends, whom I work security with, is an athiest, and we would have discussions about this topic quite a bit. You are correct, the constitution does specify that the government cannot control religion or have a state religion, but with that being said, the government cannot completely discard religion either. Believe it or not, atheism is a religion itself. By definition, religion is "a set of beliefs concerning the cause,nature, and purpose of the universe,especially when considered as the creationof a superhuman agency or agencies,usually involving devotional and ritualobservances, and often containing a moralcode governing the conduct of humanaffairs." Atheism is just a group of people who believe that religion, or God, does not exist, if I remember correctly. So if the military got rid of religion, they would in fact be making a state religion.
Now, as for people looking down on you for being an athiest, I have yet to find or learn about a religion that teaches their member to look down on those who are not part of their religion. If they are looking down their noses at you for what you believe, and not embracing you, they are in the wrong and their God will judge them for it, as I understand my faith and others that I have learned about.

My only gripe about religion in the military is how unfair the treatment is to believers. This is what I mean. At the schoolhouse, we must accommodate our Muslim ally students (Iraqi, Saudi Arabia, etc) the right to pray and ensure they have the time and place to do so. I'm ok with that; however, we as Christians are not allowed to discuss God or our beliefs unless we walk on the line very tightly. I've been in many situations like that but I talked about my beliefs but what we all need to understand is how we represent ourselves and talk about it.

In the past, a friend from college approached me but in away that I didn't appreciate. That turned me against Christians and God. I thought they (Christians and other believers) that they always made themselves better than me. Well, I can say after 20 years I forgave that person and now understand what he was trying to say.

I don't if this makes sense but more and more religion and God is being taken out of places that shouldn't be; however, we are fully accommodating other religions like it is ok. It doesn't seem fair. Wow...our money has In God We Trust on it. So please, need to go back to our roots and stop being so anti-Christian/anti-God.

Uh.... I'm going to write this and waste my breath because it seems you have your mind made up all ready as a practicing "Atheist." Which in itself is not an organized religion and which you probably do not hear much complaining about. (as for people talking about you in the hallway, half the time, that's just paranoia.)

1. SHOW me where "Separation between Church and State" is (Because it doesn't EXIST) in the Constitution, please.

2. I would like to understand how you think "Faith" would prohibit someone from doing their job...

3. Do you not believe in Faith???

They always say there is not a atheist in a foxhole, but you'd disagree. As long as you don't complain, whine, try to prevent me from my practice, and I'm SURE they don't MAKE you go to church, then there should be no reason for complaint. You all (us vets included) fight to practice whatever you want. Don't take it away from them because you disagree.

Religion is a personal thing, but I think it's important for the military to provide religious support for those that desire it. I am a distinct faith group leader at Fort Gordon, providing religious services and education for pagan/heathen service members and their families. I love that the military has a means to provide for religions without established chaplains. We also have a Jewish and a Muslim DFGL here.