Religion

Why does it disturb you when someone else wants to discuss their religion with others? in the military or otherwise?

(name withheld)

I’m glad you responded.

It doesn’t bother me at all if someone wants to discuss religion with someone else. I’m not sure what the issue was that you are referring to. I spoke with some Mormon missionaries for hours the other day. Though we don’t agree on a lot of things it was a polite discussion that I think we all enjoyed and learned from.

In the military though, too often, a line is crossed where a subordinate is made to feel that he has to believe what his superior believes if he wants to get anywhere in his career. I was approached by a subordinate once who was offended that a chaplain asked an audience at a mandatory meeting to bow our heads in prayer specifically to Jesus. I don’t know what this guy’s religion was but he was a very well respected enlisted man approaching retirement after service dating back to Viet Nam. To assume that we were all Christians was rude I think. I disagree with that Chaplain’s commander who allowed those kinds of specific prayers at meetings that audiences were required to attend. That prayer may have been appropriate in the Chaplain’s office but I don’t think they should be done at mandatory meetings like they often are.

I was approached in a Costco parking lot by a man in Air Force uniform who was handing out Bibles and speaking to people about his religion. Out of uniform that’s fine. In uniform however, he is representing the entire Air Force with his every action. His actions reinforce the false belief around the world that the United States military exists to conquer other religions instead of to protect ourselves and our rights (to believe whatever religion we want to for one).

There are groups in the military that actively discriminate against non-Christian servicemen. It happens in the Academies and at the unit level. I have witnessed it. These people blackball good American servicemen and women, weakening our military in an effort that goes directly against American principles regarding religious freedom. That happened to Mikey’s kids when they went through the Air Force Academy and I completely understand and respect that it started a life-long effort to change the situation. He is a real American patriot in my eyes – the kind that does the right thing even when it is un-popular.

Just discussing your religion with a friend is one thing – usually fine. When it can be seen as a religious test by a subordinate is where it becomes a problem.

America’s strength comes from its diversity. I flew with Muslims, Atheists, Buddhists, Christians, Jews and Mormons against those who attacked us on 9/11. We sometimes spoke about religion in the Chow Hall but we were careful to be accepting of all perspectives. We spoke most of all about religious freedom when it came up, not any specific belief. Politics and religion – touchy subjects. The bottom line is that we need to remember what America is all about. We can believe what we want and shouldn’t discriminate against anyone who believes something else.

(name withheld)