FoxNews reported on a gym in Massachusetts that hung a large flag inside. Some complained that it blocked the TVs. Others said it was offensive. The report quoted one person who said hanging the flag was like “putting a Jesus cross in my face.”
The owner of the gym Read more
As previously discussed, a civilian author recently criticized a military Chaplain for “expressing contempt” for the Constitution when he made “derogatory remarks about Islam:”
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.
The comment was made by Jeff Sharlet, posting under the moniker Ishmael, on the Daily Kos website. Sharlet is also the author of The Family, a book that purports to be an expose on a secretive and conspiratorial religious organization (the “Christian Mafia”) attempting to influence the US government.
The comment was in defense of Chris Rodda, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation researcher, when she criticized Camp David Chaplain (LtCdr) Carey Cash for his religious views. Sharlet’s use of the word “derogatory” notwithstanding, is he right? Can a religious leader of one faith in the military say nothing negative about another–even if such statements are consistent with the tenets of their faith?
The core question: Can a Chaplain (or any other military officer) espouse specific, even exclusive, religious ideology?
The shortest, most accurate answer: Read more
Recently, a Fellowship of Christian Athletes event was held at a local Florida high school under seemingly innocent and legal circumstances. The initial news report simply described the event, in which hundreds of students gathered in the school’s bleachers in the evening to “celebrate their faith.”
However, the event has now been criticized by some who have said they were “uncomfortable” with it, despite the fact that it appears to have met all necessary restrictions and followed all rules concerning legality and Constitutionality.
Rabbi James H. Perman of the local Naples, Florida, community was a former Air Force Chaplain in Vietnam Read more
Afghans recently protested an alleged incident in which ‘foreign soldiers’ burned a Quran during a raid. NATO and US force representatives denied that any such incident occurred, instead calling it a Taliban rumor.
Perhaps more interesting were the actions the protestors took. While a few Americans claim that US actions are convincing the Muslim world that Americans are on a Christian ‘crusade,’ the protestors repeated the more common accusation: Read more
Update: A letter to the editor of the Stars and Stripes calls this a “bad decision,” saying other officers will have to “pick up the slack” when the Sikh soldier cannot be deployed due to his religious gear being incompatible with the chemical defense ensemble.
Earlier this year two Sikh medical students who had joined the US Army appealed the Army regulation that prevents them from wearing their articles of faith, including their beard, turban, and kirpan. As discussed previously, a US appeals court had upheld the Army regulation.
The Sikh Coalition now reports that one of the physicians has been granted an exception to the uniform policy. Notably, this is not the change in policy Read more
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.
The sensitivities of religion, military uniforms, and weapons have frequently made for controversial accusations. A few months ago, al Jazeera used creative cuts in a video of a Chaplain to imply that he was wearing a sidearm. (Though he wasn’t, others in the congregation may very well have been.) When Christian basic trainees were photographed with their weapons during religious services, they were decried as morally equivalent to Islamic suicide bombers.
The apparent accusation is that American servicemembers should not be permitted to intermingle their uniforms, weapons, and religion. Notably, that accusation has been applied only to Christians. Other ideological adherents have been photographed in uniform with their weapons without complaint.
The military requirements, however, Read more
Tim Tebow has been a frequent subject of this site. He is an outspoken Christian in a public position who has utilized his platform to further the cause of Christ.
He has been used as an example for those who feel they need to get out of the military and become preachers or missionaries in order to serve Christ. Tebow, like R.G. LeTourneau, accurately points out that men and women should serve God where He has placed them, and they should use the talents that He has given them.
His life ministry–that is, his conscious desire to be known as someone who is genuine and cares–has been used as an example of the power of living evangelism, or Truth with Feet.
Now, Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, highlights a “new agenda” Read more