Posted on Jan 15, 2014

Tough question. Can an atheist file an EO complaint for discrimination?

SSG Robert Burns

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Keep in mind the categories that fall under EO (race, color, religion, gender, and national origin) and explain/justify your answer. Please keep comments relevant to the question and not turn this into a debate on atheism vs Christianity.

Also no bashing on either of the two.

(Added later)

So let me qualify the question. The premise is that atheist claim that atheism is not a religion. (Some atheist claim that it is, but it is a very small minority) EO complaints are based on discrimination against your "X" (X being race, color, religion, gender, or national origin) So when the EOA asks which of those 5 things you complaint falls under and you say "religion" the next question is what is your religion? So if atheism is not a religion, how do you have an EO complaint based off of the guidelines established by EO?

If the person that the atheist is saying is being discriminatory against them is not religious themselves, then what is the complaint under? It couldn't be religion because that person doesn't have a religion either but also is not atheist.

I think either atheism is a religion and falls under the EO program or it is not a religion and does not fall under the EO program. But it can't be both.

Either way it is wrong, so don't think I am advocating for discriminating against atheist, I just don't think it falls under the EO program the way it is currently defined under those 5 categories and the fact that atheist proclaim they are not a religion.

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1SG (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

I would say yes but the deciding commander would have the discretion on this one. I say yes because I see it as discrimination against religious beliefs. If I believe there is no god and you attempt to make me believe your belief you just violated my EO. Example: I am agnostic. I respect your beliefs but I don't follow them. When I was a SPC at a BN change of command the tried to make the bowing of the head in cadence. I do not bow my head during prayer as I am not praying. The CSM came over yelling at me about it. I still respectfully refused. I was soon surrounded by senior NCOs all yelling at me. The chaplain ended up coming over and telling them they could not force me to partake in their religious act.

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SSG V. Michelle Woods

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I would love to know what religion allows for people to gang up on a SPC who won't bow his head. That's ridiculous! Good for you for not buckling SSG Schmidt.

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2LT (Join to see)

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I've had similar experiences. Touching that stuff out is difficult, and there's sometimes soft repercussions. People think you're "not being a good soldier" when you're "different".

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MAJ (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

SSG Burns, it doesnt matter how many times you repeat the question to clarify if they arent responding to what you asked in the first place. 90% of these responses have nothing to do with what you asked. They are simply reacting to the word discrimination and EO. They know it's bad so it shouldnt be allowed. They are not thinking about what you are asking specifically.

I completely get that you are not advocating any type of discrimination of ANYONE, Atheist or Cowboys fans as you pointed out.

Stop expecting everyone to think about things at the depth you apparently do. You will drive yourself crazy.

Even that Chief spoke of circular logic at an attempt to sound academic but apparently doesnt understand that you are not using the premise to prove your conclusion, you are using facts based of the court cases you provided and the definitions he provided. That's just good ole' logical reasoning.

Don't feel like you need to respond to every response and repeatedly defend your position.

It is good that you ask such questions to spark discussion and debate because EVERYONE learns from it. I am sure everyone who has read this discussion has learned something they didnt know and has also thought about something they never considered before. Keep up the good work with your though provoking questions.

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SSG Robert Burns

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Roger that.

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SSG V. Michelle Woods

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SSG Burns

Unlike President Wilson, you clearly have peers who are on your level. Thank God for silver linings :)

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Suspended Profile

Posted >1 y ago

Of course, anyone can file a complaint, but they need to get a review panel to believe it.

SSG Robert Burns

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Under what EO category would they file their complaint?

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SSG Robert B,

Obviously, I was trying for a bit of humor, failed miserably, and revealed myself to be perhaps not as tolerant as I would prefer.

I certainly have no knowledge or expertise re these issues. But, it would seem the good people at the website below may have a few answers. Failure to protect or promote athiest service members?

Personally, I am Jewish. But, I have a fine appreciation for many other religious and cultural traditions. This was awkward for some service members in the 1970's. But they tried to forgive, accommodate, and make allowances for me because I was also a pretty decent nurse and one of the very few women in theatre.

I must say I deeply admired Christian Chaplain who could not only speak Hebrew fluently but understood our traditions and services and recited appropriate prayers at appropriate times.

Warm Regards, Sandy

http://militaryatheists.org/advocacy/

http://militaryatheists.org/about/faqs/what-can-i-do-if-i-am-being-harassed/

http://militaryatheists.org/regulations/

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Tough question. Can an atheist file an EO complaint for discrimination?

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