Military Atheists Ask for New Rules
Friday November 14, 2008
It's no secret that some members of the armed forces have felt that they've been treated unfairly by the chain of command when it comes to religious viewpoints. Spec. Jeremy Hall filed a lawsuit because of this very issue, and countless other number of soldiers have complained about preferential treatment being given to members of the military who profess a Christian faith. Now, the Secular Coalition for America, a group of atheists and agnostics, is asking the military to create "new rules against proselytizing and more training for chaplains on how to handle nonreligious troops."
They're also asking President-elect Obama to help ensure that any mandatory military events do not include public prayers and to make sure the Department of Defense, as a government branch, does not "endorse any single religion, or even the idea of religion over nonreligion."
This could have a big impact on Pagan and Wiccan soldiers as well. Since nearly of the military's chaplains are from a Judeo-Christian background, it would be nice if a soldier of ANY religious background could approach a member of the clergy for help when needed, without the fear that they're going focus on conversion.
They're also asking President-elect Obama to help ensure that any mandatory military events do not include public prayers and to make sure the Department of Defense, as a government branch, does not "endorse any single religion, or even the idea of religion over nonreligion."
This could have a big impact on Pagan and Wiccan soldiers as well. Since nearly of the military's chaplains are from a Judeo-Christian background, it would be nice if a soldier of ANY religious background could approach a member of the clergy for help when needed, without the fear that they're going focus on conversion.
Comments
Personally, from my USAF experience, I didn’t see a lot of problems with chaplains. *MOST* chaplains are extremely understanding and open-minded with regard to your choice of religion and do not proselytize (I say most because some do). However, my biggest problem was always with co-workers or officers who held positions over me… those were the ones who had sway over your career and would leave religious literature on your desk - a bit of intimidation by someone who writes your performance reports!
Ok, I personally don’t take prayers as proselytizing. I think that since I am pagan and I pray, that it is no biggie. I am also of the mind that I am cool with saying God and know that I am honoring my God. I don’t know why everyone gets so worked up over it. I think that no matter what the prayer says it counts to YOUR choosen deity. I agree with the pp, I am an Army brat and have seen Chaplains minister to all soldiers regardless of faith. It is the fellow soldier who is less tolerant. BB
I spent 18 yrs in the Army. I came out of the broom closet about halfway through my time in the military. Many people were shocked that I wasn’t Christian. Some were even convinced that I worshipped the devil. It took me a lot of time to educate them and dispel the prejudices that are perpetuated by main stream media against Pagans. But once I showed them that my convictions were every bit as strong, if not stronger, than their’s, they wouldn’t try to convert me anymore.. I think some of them didn’t like it that I had actual historical precedent to back up my belief’s while they simply relied on mythology. The military is definitely a closed minded society as a whole and it is very difficult to function within it as an out pagan.