Can Military Officers Espouse Religious Ideology?
Understandably, it is sometimes difficult to accurately convey the complicated relationships that military members have with the government and religion. Sometimes, people with the best intentions misstate the proper role of military members; sometimes, people do so authoritatively–and ignorantly.
Recently, a well-publicized civilian author said this:
When a uniformed officer of the US military makes derogatory remarks about Islam, he’s violating [his] oath and expressing contempt of the First Amendment.
(For context, the “uniformed officer” (who wasn’t actually in uniform at the time) was a Chaplain.)
Do you agree?
More to follow.
Update: See the discussion on this question here.
When the officer is out of uniform and off-duty, i.e. speaking as an individual (not an military officer)…
and the comments AND the circumstances are not counter to good order and discipline…
then the RESTRICTION is expressing comtempt of the First Amendment.
While the military can restrict some speech, my understanding is that political or religious remarks as an individual (as expressed above) are still protected under free speech.
I don’t have a chapter and verse for that regulation, but if anyone asks, I’ll go digging.
Well thought out, but let’s think about what you said.
Let’s say there’s an approved Freethinker’s (atheist/agnostic/humanist) group meeting during the duty day under the auspices of the Chapel program; thus, they are in uniform. Can a member of that group, in uniform, during the duty day, espouse the ideological belief that Christianity is a myth?
JD – you’re comments don’t show up on the ‘recent comments’ list!
The short version: yes. The Freethinker would, like any other religious military member, ensure that the comments are respectful (as to not be counter to good order and discipline), but the key point here is that the comments are spoken in a peer-peer environment. Likewise, said Freethinkers can discuss their beliefs in peer-peer situations in the squadron, provided that everyone in the discussion is a willing party. (technique only, but I choose to talk about my actions at work – i.e. church events as my plan for the weekend – but refrain from talking beliefs unless asked by the other person).