Never pushed on anyone!

Published On: May 7, 2010|Categories: MRFF's Inbox|1 Comment|

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TO MRFF:

You and your group make me sick.  Religion in the military is never pushed on anyone!!!!!  It is there if you need it and seek it out.  Out of the 12 years I have served in the United States Marine Corps I have never ever once had it pushed on me.  There have been many times that I have looked for SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE and the the Chaplin was there for me.  There have been many times that I have just needed someone to talk to during stressful situations and the Chaplin was there!!!!!  What you and your organization stands for makes me sick!!!  How about you find something better to do with your time and all your donations, like taking care of all of our Wounded Warriors who put there lives on the line for ignorant people like  you!!!!

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One Comment

  1. Peter Cohen August 14, 2010 at 3:40 am

    Sir,

    You are a naive and ignorant hypocrite. Though you may not have experienced undue religious proselytizing, that doesn’t at all mean that it didn’t or doesn’t happen. In fact, I know first hand that it not only happens, but happens fairly regularly.

    You see, I am a former Marine and an OIF veteran. I’ve been proselytized to by more than one individual and with one, quite relentlessly. There were many occasions where religiosity was practiced on-duty and was certainly inappropriate and unconstitutional. When I was in, every time I was proselytized to, I asked others if the same had happened to them by the culprit, only to be answered with a predictable “yes”. With me it was more intense in that I grew up in a very secular Jewish household. I was quite open about my Jewish heritage, though my last name makes my Jewish ancestry virtually impossible to conceal. As an agnostic Jew, I was the irresistible target for conversion. It made me wonder if they got bonus points for getting a Jew to their side. The most motivated of proselytizers was a Corporal I had in charge of me at my MOS school. It was damn near non-stop until I complained to our Sergeant. What hurt about the whole thing was that despite this, he is a good man and I considered him a friend when he wasn’t being an Evangelical first.

    This type of thing happens all too often. The fact that you never noticed it or willfully ignored it does not mean it isn’t so. Your denigration of this organization is deplorable. Your inability to properly spell “Chaplain” is pathetic. Your egocentrism is more than worrisome.

    Ultimately, what this organization does is help restore the honor of the many honorable servicemen and women whose personal code of ethics compelled them to always respect, protect, and defend the rights of their fellow servicemen. I had a MstSgt go out of his way to make sure I found services appropriate to my practices at the time. I’ve had so many wonderful experiences with great and honorable men and women that genuinely cared about the rights of others in the military, and in general, that my negative experiences hit me with great disdain. The immature, unenlightened, totalitarian practices of a dreadful and dangerous minority stain the honor of a good many. These actions make me sick. Your comments make me sick. Your ignorance makes me sick. Your vitriol makes me sick.

    But do know this, Sir. If that’s how you feel, so be it. If that’s what you believe… Okay. If your faith is dear to you… that is your right and it should never be taken away. Your opinion is your right and your decision to express it is also your right. You can only imagine the extent I am willing to go to defend your rights. But do know this… these rights can only exist when there exists a formidable wall separating church and state. My rights, your rights, the Wall of Separation, and the MRFF’s willingness to post your e-mail and not censor it are all things for which I am extremely grateful. I hope I have given you a new perspective.

    In the mean time, Semper Fidelis,
    Peter Cohen

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