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THE QUESTION
Religion and the Military
The ACLU has asked the U.S. Naval Academy to end prayers at mandatory meals, and yet all branches of the service employ chaplains. What is the proper role of religion in the military?
Posted by
Sally Quinn and Jon Meacham on July 23, 2008 4:48 AM
FROM THE PANEL
The Army Fights "With God on Our Side"
Soldiers know that they may die in battle, and the armed forces must create an ethos that protects their psyches from the impending danger of the conflict. One aspect of feeling safe is the idea that God approves of your cause and implicitly will take you to Heaven if the worst befalls.
Posted by Deepak Chopra, on July 29, 2008 10:51 AM
Changing The Debate From What Is Right, To What Works
Imagine no longer fighting about which side is right, but inviting all those affected to consider the needs of those around them before eating the meal they need to meet their own.
Posted by Brad Hirschfield, on July 29, 2008 9:44 AM
Yes, There Are Atheists (And Religious Minorities) In Foxholes
The real issue is that right-wing Christian evangelicals, encouraged by the Bush administration and religious conservatives at the top level of the officer corps, have attempted to push their views on non-Christians (and liberal Christians) within the service academies as well and on military bases.
Posted by Susan Jacoby, on July 29, 2008 9:36 AM
ACLU's Request Out of Line
Members of the uniformed services, who are called to put their lives on the line for their country, have the right to seek divine comfort and guidance through prayer
Posted by Michael Otterson, on July 29, 2008 7:47 AM
Military Chaplains, Yes! Prayers at Meals, NO!
In today’s armed services, many of the troops are there because they have no other options for employment. That means to me that we as a society have no other option than to see that they receive spiritual care if they need and want it.
Posted by Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, on July 28, 2008 11:01 AM
Chaplains Serve Soldiers
Saying prayers at meals that are mandatory is an imposition. This would be especially true if the prayers assume a particular view of God, which all prayers seem to do. The ACLU is absolutely correct to make this request.
Posted by John Shelby Spong, on July 28, 2008 8:15 AM
Just, Even Holy Reasons for Using an Army
Armies, even when motivated by the best and most justified reasons, are basically still killing machines. Despite all the niceties, armies have the option and, in a deeper way, the purpose to harm and kill.
Posted by Adin Steinsaltz, on July 28, 2008 12:29 AM
The U.S. Military Never has been Non-Religious.
The Bible is the scriptural foundation of the American mind, including the mind of the American military. The American way establishes no religion and privileges biblical religion.
Posted by Willis E. Elliott, on July 25, 2008 5:38 AM
Military Needs Chaplains for Humanists, Atheists
Today at least 1 in 5 American young people are non-religious. If the military is going to serve its soldiers fairly, the time has come to do more to reach out to this population. Why not take a bold step and recruit Humanist chaplains for all branches of the armed forces?
Posted by Greg M. Epstein, on July 25, 2008 4:22 AM
Living in a Multifaith Military
The ACLU's request to end prayers during mandatory meals at the U.S. Naval Academy represents an acknowledgment of the increasingly diverse spiritual and religious needs of our service men and women.
Posted by Pamela K. Taylor, on July 25, 2008 2:37 AM
Military Must Never Suppress Free Exercise
Nobody wants the dead hand of government propping up a religion; but more important, nobody wants it suppressing religious expression.
Posted by Charles "Chuck" Colson, on July 25, 2008 1:55 AM
ACLU: Theocrats in Reverse
Too much “official religion” is dangerous, but the ACLU are ideological extremists in seeing danger in old and workable public accommodations to the overwhelmingly religious desires of Americans. They are theocrats in reverse.
Posted by John Mark Reynolds, on July 24, 2008 11:48 AM
Protecting the Freedom to Pray, or Not to Pray
The free expression of faith does not end where the military begins, but free expression is different from coercion. When a prayer becomes mandatory, it not only violates the rights of others who might pray differently, or not at all, it also violates the essence of prayer.
Posted by Cal Thomas, on July 23, 2008 9:07 AM
God Cannot Be Forced
Nobody - not even a commanding officer - can make someone believe in something he or she does not believe in. One's spirituality is a personal matter, too personal, oftentimes, to even talk about.
Posted by Susan K. Smith, on July 23, 2008 7:43 AM
The Chaplain's Role
Chaplains in the military should be well-trained in ecumenism, tolerance, and versed in the beliefs and practices of the multiplicity of religions they are likely to encounter, including Pagans, Muslims, Native Americans, Hindus, Buddhists and others beyond Christianity and Judaism.
Posted by Starhawk, on July 23, 2008 5:55 AM
FEATURED COMMENTS
hammerhead: Having served in the Navy I can attest that if the ACLU is looking for some balance to the name of God being evoked with reverence at ...
Hewitt: If the meal is mandatory and the meal-time prayer is mandatory, then the prayer is mandatory. Government should not mandate prayer. That i...
Janet: The proper role of religion in the military is to provide chaplains who can conduct services, when possible, etc., in other words, to enable...
