Posted on Aug 15, 2015
The First Amendment precludes Congress from establishing a religion, but where does it preclude any individual from proclaiming theirs?
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It seems that a vocal movement against any religious expression has found its voice in the military. Should individual service members be precluded from proclaiming their religious beliefs? Is a service member's religious preference still listed on their Dog Tags? Should it be removed? Do enlisted personnel feel intimidated by officers who proclaim their religious beliefs or affiliation? Should they? Should God be excluded from the foxhole or the cockpit? So many questions...
http://www.ijreview.com/2015/08/392644-first-african-american-female-fighter-pilot-gets-shot-saying-god-reason-serves/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=owned&utm_campaign=morning-newsletter
http://www.ijreview.com/2015/08/392644-first-african-american-female-fighter-pilot-gets-shot-saying-god-reason-serves/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=owned&utm_campaign=morning-newsletter
Religion
Constitution
Rights
Bill of Rights
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 13
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OK. Here goes...
I, for one, can no longer sit by and allow those whose purport to be advocating tolerance to force intolerance upon others.
Individuals (and groups) are allowed by our Constitution to hold and PUBLICLY STATE whatever beliefs and ideas they deem right. NO ONE - not the government, not the majority, not ANYONE - can prevent an American from these basic rights. Some ideas and beliefs may seem ignorant, wrong and even evil by others, but our Constitution allows those people to hold those beliefs! For example, if there are people who believe that all people of Norwegian descent are evil - as asinine as the rest of the world may see that idea - they are ALLOWED TO BELIEVE THAT, and they are ALLOWED TO SAY SO in PUBLIC! Only if those persons advocate violence or harm can those people be held to account for what they say. Just because I think that the idea of Evil Norwegians is offensive and hurtful DOES NOT GIVE ME THE RIGHT TO SUPPRESS those who think otherwise.
I do not ask (nor demand) that the Atheists or Secular Humanists keep quiet, just because their beliefs "offend me." I do not ask (nor demand) that Atheists or Secular Humanists be stopped from putting up posters and billboards down I-55, just because "it offends me." I do not ask (nor demand) that Atheists or Secular Humanists apologize for what they say or think, just because "it offends me." I do not ask (nor demand) that Atheists or Secular Humanists apologize - as a group - for the actions of one individual just because what that person said or did "offends me."
I have no right - nor Constitutional protection - from being offended. I have no right - nor Constitutional protection - from hearing something that someone chooses to say while in my presence.
Regarding the never-ending battle regarding "Church and State"... the policy of separation of church and state is a good thing. I don't want the state telling me what I can or cannot believe. But separation of church and state is NOT the elimination of the EXPRESSION OF FAITH from the public arena! Whether that faith is Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Polytheism - even "Atheism" (although they all will profess that it's NOT a statement of faith), every American has the RIGHT to profess what they believe. It is what America was created for: So that people could believe and live without control except by their own conscience.
Last time I was enlisted, I didn't swear an oath to give up my basic rights as an American. There are things that I couldn't do while in uniform or in my official role as a member of the US Navy. BUT when I was out of uniform, I could go to church, attend political functions, attend rallies and even participate in those activities. I know... shocking.
This officer - this American - has the right to state what she believes. How dare ANYONE try to stop an American from stating their beliefs!
Tolerance DOES NOT mean ACCEPTANCE. I will tolerate just about anything that anyone has to say - regardless of how offensive I think it is - but DO NOT tell me that I must acknowledge that what those Norwegian Haters believe is as valid and true as what the Norwegian Lovers believe.
I, for one, will NEVER ACCEPT that certain activities and lifestyles and beliefs are true and good. But I will ALWAYS support the right of any American to believe what they want to believe and support their right to say so. (And, as a Christian, I will continue to show love and respect to each and every one of them, EVEN as I judge their BEHAVIORS to be wrong. I believe THAT is what God commands me to do.)
All I ask is that YOU afford me the same...
I, for one, can no longer sit by and allow those whose purport to be advocating tolerance to force intolerance upon others.
Individuals (and groups) are allowed by our Constitution to hold and PUBLICLY STATE whatever beliefs and ideas they deem right. NO ONE - not the government, not the majority, not ANYONE - can prevent an American from these basic rights. Some ideas and beliefs may seem ignorant, wrong and even evil by others, but our Constitution allows those people to hold those beliefs! For example, if there are people who believe that all people of Norwegian descent are evil - as asinine as the rest of the world may see that idea - they are ALLOWED TO BELIEVE THAT, and they are ALLOWED TO SAY SO in PUBLIC! Only if those persons advocate violence or harm can those people be held to account for what they say. Just because I think that the idea of Evil Norwegians is offensive and hurtful DOES NOT GIVE ME THE RIGHT TO SUPPRESS those who think otherwise.
I do not ask (nor demand) that the Atheists or Secular Humanists keep quiet, just because their beliefs "offend me." I do not ask (nor demand) that Atheists or Secular Humanists be stopped from putting up posters and billboards down I-55, just because "it offends me." I do not ask (nor demand) that Atheists or Secular Humanists apologize for what they say or think, just because "it offends me." I do not ask (nor demand) that Atheists or Secular Humanists apologize - as a group - for the actions of one individual just because what that person said or did "offends me."
I have no right - nor Constitutional protection - from being offended. I have no right - nor Constitutional protection - from hearing something that someone chooses to say while in my presence.
Regarding the never-ending battle regarding "Church and State"... the policy of separation of church and state is a good thing. I don't want the state telling me what I can or cannot believe. But separation of church and state is NOT the elimination of the EXPRESSION OF FAITH from the public arena! Whether that faith is Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Polytheism - even "Atheism" (although they all will profess that it's NOT a statement of faith), every American has the RIGHT to profess what they believe. It is what America was created for: So that people could believe and live without control except by their own conscience.
Last time I was enlisted, I didn't swear an oath to give up my basic rights as an American. There are things that I couldn't do while in uniform or in my official role as a member of the US Navy. BUT when I was out of uniform, I could go to church, attend political functions, attend rallies and even participate in those activities. I know... shocking.
This officer - this American - has the right to state what she believes. How dare ANYONE try to stop an American from stating their beliefs!
Tolerance DOES NOT mean ACCEPTANCE. I will tolerate just about anything that anyone has to say - regardless of how offensive I think it is - but DO NOT tell me that I must acknowledge that what those Norwegian Haters believe is as valid and true as what the Norwegian Lovers believe.
I, for one, will NEVER ACCEPT that certain activities and lifestyles and beliefs are true and good. But I will ALWAYS support the right of any American to believe what they want to believe and support their right to say so. (And, as a Christian, I will continue to show love and respect to each and every one of them, EVEN as I judge their BEHAVIORS to be wrong. I believe THAT is what God commands me to do.)
All I ask is that YOU afford me the same...
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SFC Jim Ruether
Well you can't say it in public on Facebook or the content POLICE will bar you from participating for 3-4 days until you learn your lesson. Talk about subtle indoctrination the commies!
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I guess killing non-believers DOES help glorify God.
Comments from a secular humanist retiree.
Should individual service members be precluded from proclaiming their religious beliefs? DAMN STRAIGHT (don’t want to hear it).
Is a service member's religious preference still listed on their Dog Tags? Yes
Should it be removed? No, my religious preference is: JDAM GBU-31
Do enlisted personnel feel intimidated by officers who proclaim their religious beliefs or affiliation?
Should they? I think they are. It creates (IMHO) a hostile environment.
Should God be excluded from the foxhole or the cockpit? So many questions...
http://militaryatheists.org/
Comments from a secular humanist retiree.
Should individual service members be precluded from proclaiming their religious beliefs? DAMN STRAIGHT (don’t want to hear it).
Is a service member's religious preference still listed on their Dog Tags? Yes
Should it be removed? No, my religious preference is: JDAM GBU-31
Do enlisted personnel feel intimidated by officers who proclaim their religious beliefs or affiliation?
Should they? I think they are. It creates (IMHO) a hostile environment.
Should God be excluded from the foxhole or the cockpit? So many questions...
http://militaryatheists.org/
Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers - providing community for atheists and humanists...
providing community for atheists and humanists in the military
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CPT Jack Durish
It seems to me that MAAF is just as much a religious group as are the Methodists, Baptist, Catholics, et al. And I bet you proclaim its tenets with just as much fervor as any member of those. Is anyone denying you that right? Have you created a hostile work environment by proclaiming your atheist views? Have you intimidated those who serve under you who may not share your "beliefs"? So many questions...
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MAJ Keira Brennan
CPT Jack Durish - you couldnt be farther from the truth. As a secular humanist i have no "creed." I dont use the word "faith" either since i dont "believe" in much either -- nit in supernatural stuff anyhow. I dont proselytize -- but i did tell a junior chaplain from the 173rd ABCT that he was creating a toxic environment. You asked the question and i gave my feedback.
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MAJ Keira Brennan
MSgt Mike Mikulski - so any comment on that MADISON essay since i was talking about HIM SPECIFICALLY not Jefferson.
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MCPO Roger Collins
On a less serious note. I was getting my hair cut on base at PHTH (1959 era) and the barber was a Filipino with strong religious convictions and he was trying to say whether I believed or not. At the time straight razors were used to shave you around your neck, it was flying around my face while he was talking. All of a sudden I believed.
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