Chabad.org updates the case of Rabbi Menachem M. Stern, previously mentioned, who is suing the US Army over its policy prohibiting his service due to his beard. The Army gave him a commission and then rescinded it the next day, citing an administrative error.
Stern’s case cites the fact the military has allowed three Sikhs and one Muslim to have grooming waivers even as his application Read more
The organizers of Rock Beyond Belief at Fort Bragg have abandoned their plans for a lawsuit and are looking forward to having their event this fall. (Michael Weinstein’s “tell it to the judge” was apparently just for effect, as his threats so often are.) Coincidentally, it seems their very-public decision to cancel their event — and point fingers at the US Army as the cause — has actually benefited their plans (emphasis added): Read more
The US Department of Defense issued a release in which General David Petraeus and his NATO civilian counterpart, Mark Sedwill, condemned the burning of a Koran (alternately, Quran) by Florida Pastor Wayne Sapp (with Pastor Terry Jones, who previously planned to do so, and whose proposal General Petraeus previously condemned):
“We condemn the action of the individual in the United States who burned a copy of the holy Quran. That action was hateful; it was intolerant, and it was extremely disrespectful,” said Petraeus.
As others will likely point out, no one found it “hateful, intolerant, or disrespectful” when the US military tossed Bibles in the trash and burned them not more Read more
Being a Christian in the military sometimes creates challenges in situations civilians take for granted. For example, how do you find a church? The concept of a “home church” and steady lifelong attendance takes on a whole new meaning when you move every two to four years.
This is the third article in a series of suggestions and guidance on finding a church as you move about in your military career. The first, Part 1: The Military Chapel, discussed the various perspectives and thoughts on attending services at the base/post military chapel. The second, Part 2: Worshipping at Local Churches, addressed the topic of local/community churches a military Christian might choose to visit. This final article discusses the sometimes controversial topic of “leaving” a church.
There used to be an old military Academy gripe that cadets were judged unfairly: Read more
A local paper notes the training of SPC Simram Lamba, the first observant Sikh to serve as an enlisted line Soldier in decades. For his part, Lamba seems to find it a non-event:
Lamba…said the most frequently asked question by his fellow soldiers is about his unshorn hair and beard.
Lamba said both are considered Sikh articles of faith. He called them a “natural gift from God, and we’re not going to destroy it.”
Lamba added the soldiers at his side treat him like any Read more
The Buddhist Military Sangha recently published an interview with a Buddhist Navy spouse on being “married to the military.” While much of the interview is, understandably, on the topic of roles and relationships, there were some interesting statements on faith and the military.
The interviewee is Mrs. Barbara Zaragoza, a practicing convert to Zen Buddhism and a “Navy wife.”
On being stationed overseas, away from her usual religious support: Read more
Syndicated columnist Sarah Smiley tries to explain the military tradition of ‘constant change,’ noting the prevalence of “farewells” (sometimes called “Hails and Farewells,” since newcomers are often welcomed as others leave). She also recounts the story of her husband, a Navy helicopter pilot, finding Jesus:
One Cinco de Mayo, we hosted a party, complete with a Mariachi band from Guadalajara, in our backyard. The band’s leader’s name was Jésus. That’s “HEY-soos,” with an accent mark over the e. Every-one loved Jésus and hoped he could return for our second annual party the next year. By the time spring came around, however, there had been a rash of deportations in Pensacola, and Jésus was not answering my many phone calls. We feared Read more
US Army SPC Stephen Hirt helped “bridge[] the gap between US and Afghanistan Muslims” during his recent combat tour.
After his deployment to Afghanistan in 2008 and 2009, Hirt decided to unite his mosque, the Islamic Institute of Orange County – al Farouk, in Anaheim, Calif., with the Muslim people of Afghanistan during his deployment…
Hirt’s unit was not only supportive, they joined in the effort with funding Read more