Evangelical Christian groups and the US Military

[GRUNHERZ]

I have bees seeing some reports on tv and in print  that such groups are very agressive towards other faiths, even other christian faiths in the military and the various service academies - essentially trying to become the de-facto religius standard withing the military.  Do any guys here have first or second hand knowlege of this?

[AdmRose]

Originally posted by GRUNHERZ
I have bees seeing some reports on tv and in print  that such groups are very agressive towards other faiths, even other christian faiths in the military and the various service academies - essentially trying to become the de-facto religius standard withing the military.  Do any guys here have first or second hand knowlege of this?

When I was in basic you had two choices for divine worship - Catholic or Protestant. Not one of those two? TS to you then.

[Guppy35]

Saw this the other day. Also saw an article about it in Time I believe.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/05/03/airforce.religion/

Dan/CorkyJr

[Karnak]

I've been following this a bit.  Seems that the Air Force Academy is being used as a soap box to try to convert a captive audience, using some pretty heavy handed crap.

[Gunslinger]

I have  almost 10 years time in service with uncle sam.  I have to say over the years I have NEVER been told to repent, convert, and/or pray to Jesus.

I have numerous times been told to "go to church to get away" that was in boot camp.  The DIs said ALL recruits would go to some kind (trust me they just about every major faith to offer) of sunday service.  The reason for this wasn't to get a good dose of god or to earn your "jesus points" but merely to get away from the DIs and the squad bay and rejuvinate yourself with some postiveness.

In my current shop we act like a family, every year we have thanksgiving dinner at the shop and say a shop prayer before we do.  It mentions god/jesus and is led by one guy.  No one is required to participate and no one is forced to pray.  If you feel uncomfortable you are welcome to leave.  

I've heard of the recent stories at the AF Acadamy and I have to say I think it the exception and not the rule.

EDIT:  From what I've heard alot of what's going on at the Acadamy happens to be a bunch small events put together and blown out of porportion into a big deal

[Sandman]

I can't recall religion being a big deal in the Navy either.

On the Leahy, there was an RP2... can't remember his name, but I do remember that I was impressed with him. He was one of those happy few that are truly content with their faith.

[Chairboy]

It's usually not a big deal to the folks that are already christian.

[Sandman]

Originally posted by Chairboy
It's usually not a big deal to the folks that are already christian.

I'm an atheist.

[Gunslinger]

Originally posted by Sandman
I'm an atheist.

are you saying as an atheist religion offends you?

[Sandman]

Originally posted by Gunslinger
are you saying as an atheist religion offends you?

I'm saying that even as an atheist I didn't find religion in the Navy to be that big of a deal.

[rpm]

I'm an agnostic. When I was in the service there was no pressure to attend religious services. In boot, we could go to Sunday services or stay in the barracks and have free time.

At sea, we had watches that took priority over religious services. When your watch was over there were small groups that got together, but they were self organised. No official organized services and no Chaplin onboard my ship.

When at sea, maintaining duty watches was priority one, lest we all be praying that we didn't sink and die.

[Gunslinger]

Originally posted by Sandman
I'm saying that even as an atheist I didn't find religion in the Navy to be that big of a deal.

At squadron functions we do start with prayers sometimes.  The chief leads it and it tends to be more or less non denominational.  I don't think the chief would be insensative enough to continue this practice if somone voiced thier opinion that the prayer was offensive or if a person of another faith wanted to have theirs heard as well.

If somone did say they were offended I'm pretty sure the chief would in fact make the person spell out what really offends them.

I can see how it would be annoying (but not really offensive) to be told over an over again about somone elses faith.  Much like a telemarketer wanting you to switch your long distance plan.  It should be ok to be able to ask somone to go to church with you but there should be a mutual respect there of knowing when the line is crossed and when it isn't.

[Guppy35]

The TIME article on the AF Academy

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1074105,00.html?cnn=yes

Dan/CorkyJr