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Secular nation, secular military
Q: What is the proper role of religion -- and personal religious belief -- in the U.S. armed forces? Should a particular religious affiliation disqualify someone from active military service? How far should the military go to accommodate personal religious beliefs and practices?
The United States is a secular nation with a secular military. Its personnel take an oath of allegiance to the United States Constitution, which prohibits religious tests for any public office. The military cannot favor any particular religion over another, or religion in general over non-religion. Individuals are free to practice the religion of their choice, if they have one, as long as such practice doesn't interfere with their missions.
On the other hand, military officers are representatives of the U.S. government, and should not tell subordinates that the only way to salvation is through Jesus Christ. Nor should I, as a math professor at a state institution, tell my students that all gods are make believe. I've not done the make-believe thing, but there have been numerous instances of military proselytizing. A book by Mikey Weinstein, President of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, documents such incidents in, With God on Our Side: One Man's War Against an Evangelical Coup in America's Military.
Just as we should be color blind in treating military personnel, so should we be religion blind. I hope we will also soon have a blind sexual orientation policy. But don't ask, don't tell should not apply to religious beliefs or to orientation. So when in the military does the religious freedom rubber meet the religious restriction road? There generally are no problems with faith traditions that don't proselytize. The difficulty arises with those who believe their faith to be the one and only path to eternal salvation, and that it is their duty to "save" others. Such military personnel who deem their comrades to be religiously inferior should probably seek employment elsewhere--preferably in an occupation where the cohesion of a diverse community is not essential.
Stressful situations can bring out the best in people, as well as the worst. We've seen an abundance of both in the military. A notable example of the latter is the recent Fort Hood incident. We can't and shouldn't exclude people from military service because of their personal religious beliefs. However, we should give special attention to those whose stress levels seem particularly high for any reason, and disqualify anyone from active duty who believes our country is engaged in a holy war.
By
Herb Silverman
|
November 9, 2009; 5:59 PM ET
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Posted by: pelicanwatchcb | November 17, 2009 3:16 AM
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edbyronadams,
"Military personnel need reasons to expose themselves to situations in which they may be erased from this earth. What words of encouragement does secularism have to offer to motivate this altruistic endeavor?"
Semper Fidelis comes to mind for one.
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Seems to be another good one. Some of the greatest words ever written and the MOST sacred document to the USA.
Posted by: compchiro | November 12, 2009 4:41 PM
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I wish for the day when we will no longer have a military or the need for one. The more secular our society becomes the better chance we have of achieving that goal.
Posted by: jonesm2 | November 12, 2009 1:21 PM
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Donations to religious organizations in America are gargantuan. According to charitynavigator.org, "Gifts to religious causes totaled $93.2 billion in 2005, almost 36 percent of all contributions."
Clearly it's the churches which are most heavily invested in having chaplains readily available to our troops at the most emotionally stressful times in their lives. Why, then, aren't they paying for them?
"Chaplain" is one of the very few federal job categories for which there is a religious test or qualification, contrary to Article 6 of the Constitution. Ever hear of an atheist chaplain? No, you haven't, and as long as it remains an impossibility, it's clear evidence that the whole military chaplaincy program is rigged in favor of the furtherance of religion. It's not something a secular government should be supporting with tax money.
Posted by: RichardSRussell | November 11, 2009 3:25 PM
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I wonder how many volunteers for military service we would have if nobody believed in a god who has promised a life after death. Maybe a move away from such religious dogma is the answer to ending all war: no soldiers, no war.
Posted by: fhay26 | November 11, 2009 2:14 PM
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Hello Edbyronadams,
"What words of encouragement does secularism have to offer to motivate this altruistic endeavor?"
Any number of sources can be cause for one to risk his or her life for country. Military duty is in service to one's country, and that is a powerful force. Country is people, tribe, family, children, a way of life, commonality of philosophy, etc. Though there was a time that military duty was forced, in Americas volunteer force there are ample reasons to enlist other than some alignment with God. (Indeed for me my belief in God is a huge reason that I would NOT enlist, believing that the two concepts for me are at odds.) Just one of the good reasons that someone volunteers is promise of a college education, or comparable technical education. Job security. Future job security.
Hey, the list of reasons to join can be lengthy and have nothing to do with faith in God.
Posted by: justillthennow | November 11, 2009 1:44 PM
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People handle stress differently, and differently at different times in their lives, according to their special set of circumstances. No single religious group or culture is immune, and fundamentalism occurs in each group,including Christianity, which has dominated the western world.
I am concerned that members of our military have been enduring tremendous stress for too long and that there seems to be no end in sight. I hope that the unfortunate event at Fort Hood will serve as a catalyst to re-examine our military resources, and to remember that our brave men and women serving our country are cared for and valued for their humanity, as well as their ability to protect us.
Posted by: LorettaHaskell | November 11, 2009 1:25 PM
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If major religions were really doing their job, the world would be a lot less militaristic than it is. I find it hard to discuss religion and the military without also discussing the utter hypocrisy of so-called religious societies engaging in formal, institutional violence. If religions were sincere, they would refuse to have anything to do with the military, and they'd tell their followers to do the same.
Posted by: DAN46 | November 11, 2009 11:41 AM
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Military personnel need reasons to expose themselves to situations in which they may be erased from this earth. What words of encouragement does secularism have to offer to motivate this altruistic endeavor?
Posted by: edbyronadams | November 11, 2009 11:09 AM
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The rules are remarkably simple and effective: Civil authority over military authority and separation of church and state -- including the military. So why are some people always trying to screw with a sane and sound form of government that has worked for over two centuries?