A MRFF supporter writes: “Civil rights organizations like MRFF are essential in a voluntary military within a democracy, and your unwavering presence has rectified numerous injustices by religious extremists”
From: (Name withheld)
Subject: RE: In Memoriam
Date: August 27, 2024 at 1:24:56 PM MDT
To: [email protected]
Mikey,
First, it’s inspiring to see the incredible individuals highlighted in your latest article, “In Memoriam,” who dared to stand up despite the significant pressures, especially considering how sensitive the topic of religion is in our society.
Second, thank you for the critical work you do at MRFF. Throughout my military career, I’ve faced several issues where you responded within hours, sometimes even minutes. The overwhelming Christian majority often struggles to comprehend the inappropriate, and sometimes illegal, imposition of their beliefs on other service members. For many service members, particularly those in subordinate roles, this can seem like an impossible situation, with the potential to ruin careers or lead to even more tragic consequences. MRFF serves as a beacon of hope for those unable to effect change on their own. Civil rights organizations like MRFF are essential in a voluntary military within a democracy, and your unwavering presence has rectified numerous injustices by religious extremists who often fail to recognize the harm in their actions.
I was reminded of the insidious religious pressures that exist on LinkedIn recently. A USAFA graduate congratulated the Philosophy Department for a course on C.S. Lewis and Philosophy, which he hailed as a return to Christian values, saying, ‘Delighted to see my alma mater continuing to teach the timeless truths grounded in the fertile soil of Christianity.’ This post received 35 likes, and numerous people defended the sentiment vehemently. Imagine, however, the uproar that would ensue if a course on Al-Farabi were introduced with the express purpose of pushing Islamic values. The same individuals who praised the promotion of Christian values would likely denounce such a course as an affront to American ideals. This double standard starkly illustrates the privilege and entitlement that often go unchecked in a predominantly Christian environment, and it underscores the critical need for organizations like MRFF to advocate for true religious neutrality and protect the rights of all service members, regardless of their faith—or lack thereof.
I fully support the work MRFF does and give permission to use my name in any context that could help further the cause. At the same time, I deeply appreciate and commend the organization’s dedication to keeping the anonymity of others sacrosanct, as this protection is vital for those who might otherwise face severe repercussions for speaking out.
Thank you!
(Name withheld) (all opinions given are my own and do not reflect the opinions/stances of the USAF)
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From 1964 to 1969 I was an active duty Naval Officer for less than five years. I did two Vietnam tours, one with my squadron on the Ticonderoga, and the final one for one year on an Army Advisory Team in the Northern Delta.
In all those years I think I may have spent less than five minutes talking to a chaplain. In my one year with the Army Advisory Team, I never saw any chaplain of any denomination visit us. In no mess or anywhere else did I hear religion discussed.
In other words, I don’t know what the heck has happened since 1969 that gave so much power to Christian religious fanatics. I like my chaplains to be powerless and pestering only those who want to be bothered—like in 1969!
Well said Rich!
Although, in today’s military, with the rise of the “Nones” in society and in our military, I think it’s high time we have a secular humanist in the chaplain corps!
Christian Nationalism is eating its young, people leaving the church in droves. Church membership has dipped below 50% for the first time in 80 years! Progress of a kind!
People are tired of the hate, division, and being preached to about how they should live their lives to remain in the good graces of, not God, but their church!
The curtain has been pulled back for all to see, no wizard behind this curtain! The young folks have copped it. They know bullshit when they see it.
They want better lives, not someone to tell them how to live it!
I’ve been deployed six times, never once thought about the magic man in the clouds.
If God does exist, and is all powerful, then he’s also quite evil!
Galileo convicted of Hersey and confined to house arrest for the last nine years of his life for suggesting the earth revolved around the son. Bruno burned at the stake for his cosmological views.
Christian Nationalists will metaphorically burn this country down for not showing fealty to their delusional thinking.
As Galileo said, “The Bible tells you how to go to heaven but not how the heavens go!
Time for secular humanist chaplains!
Doesn’t matter if the military is made up of volunteers or conscripts. There always needs to be a separation of church and state in both the military and in a democracy.
We can have secular humanists as chaplains; however, funnymentalist Christians have a strong lobby in the Chaplain Corps of all the services. Consequently, you won’t see many Unitarian Universalist ministers being recruited as chaplains.
When chaplains are doing the jobs we have them for — serving the needs of people who may have been traumatized during their service and helping people find the strength to meet the situations they and their comrades in arms face — the chaplains I’ve known have generally done good jobs. The best of them minister to the needs of the service members (and their families) according to the service members’ needs. They don’t let their own desire to convert others get in the way.
But I retired in 1997, and it seems things have gotten a bit more . . . conservative (?) . . . since then. Which makes me glad there are organizations like MRFF to remind chaplains and commands of the DoD and service instructions when folks get out of the “neutral” lane!