The First Amendment precludes Congress from establishing a religion, but where does it preclude any individual from proclaiming theirs?

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 12:21:18 -0400

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

Female Fighter Pilot Gets Shot Down for Saying 'God' Is Reason Why She Serves

"The reason and purpose behind everything I do is to glorify God..."

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Aug 15 at 2015 12:23 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 12:23:18 -0400

There is a strong anti-religion movement in the country, and it has gone way off the Constitutional tracks.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;..." - First Amendment

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2015 12:23 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 12:23:59 -0400

I does not. Only the false interpretation than all are free from being offended in any way especially by religion ir prevailing.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 15 at 2015 12:51 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 12:51:21 -0400

I don't know how we came from tolerance to intolerance. I know the media and politicians have a large role in this.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Aug 15 at 2015 1:19 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 13:19:43 -0400

CPT Jack Durish Here is my opinion on the subject. I think she is right in her beliefs and by virture of the fact that she served this nation she is supporting the consititution of the United States. I would never call down anyone for their religious beliefs in the military as a leader or Officer. I think this Weinsten character is wrong and if the Air Force regulations are interupted as such then they need to be changed. If I'm getting ready to go on a mission and I ask for guidance and guiding hand from God before I embark is that against regulation. Weinstein is wasting space and air with his comments! Just my opinion!

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Aug 15 at 2015 2:06 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 14:06:17 -0400

Doing the interview in uniform (implied AF endorsement) might not have been a good idea, but if it was cleared with base PA, she did her due diligence.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Aug 15 at 2015 2:49 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 14:49:40 -0400

Sounds to me like the !st Amendment was writen just for her.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Aug 15 at 2015 7:08 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 19:08:04 -0400

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/

Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers - providing community for atheists and humanists...

providing community for atheists and humanists in the military

Response by SGT Christopher Churilla made Aug 15 at 2015 10:18 PM

SGT Christopher Churilla — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 22:18:42 -0400

Whether or not a Servicemember can proclaim their religious beliefs depends largely on the context. On post or around other Servicemembers it should be avoided, especially if the one doing the proclaiming is in a leadership position, because their proclaiming could be perceived as an attempt to convert others, and religion is the only activity in the military is which participation is completely voluntary.

God absolutely should not be excluded from the Armed Forces because while many do not exercise their religious beliefs, others do. For them, it is what enables them to bounce back from curve balls life inevitably throws at us. They must be allowed to practice it while they serve this country, or they will leave.

Response by PO2 Skip Kirkwood made Aug 16 at 2015 9:14 AM

PO2 Skip Kirkwood — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 09:14:48 -0400

It doesn't.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 16 at 2015 10:44 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 10:44:14 -0400

We have become a bunch of sensitive pricks.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Aug 16 at 2015 11:56 AM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 11:56:22 -0400

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...

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Aug 17 at 2015 11:46 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:46:38 -0400

This is clearly someone (Weinstein) looking for attention. She did nothing wrong, and wasn't pushing her religion on anyone or forcing anyone to accept her faith. She attributes her success to God, which could be paralleled to someone thanking their 1SG for mentoring them to success. I wish her the best, and if she believes God is telling her to do the mission and come home, more success to her.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Oct 16 at 2017 1:00 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 01:00:26 -0400

I don't have a problem with a person that expresses their belief and how it was important to them. If someone has no belief, well that fine also, its their choice, no one else has the right to decide that for them. I do have a problem with someone though that even when I've told them to back off when they try to force their beliefs on Me. I will and have already made My own choice. When still on active duty I did have one Military member, the same rank as I was then try that more than once, I politely told Him I was not interested and didn't want to hear any more on that subject. Even after that He tried again, I told Him " You ever bring up that subject with Me again I'll punch You in the eye" I have My own religion and I don't need You trying to force Yours down My throat. ! He never did preach or try to convert me again, I just needed Him to leave Me alone. It never went beyond the two of us but i guess a few other guys gave Him a simmular reaction.