Does the Military have any stance on religious rights?

Question

Hello everyone. I am back, I am a code pink protester, g*y man, and a student at UC Berkeley. I have posted before, some of you might remember. I enjoy chatting with some of you, though I have not experienced much joy in this forum, but I continue because I believe it is the best way of getting information sometimes right from the people, without the mumbo jumbo BS.

I would like to know this time, if the Military has any stance on Religious rights, such as is a troop allowed to sit out an exercise if it violates his/her religion?

I heard of a case where a boy was allowed to miss school because of a religious ceremony he had to attend with his family, and wondered if the military was the same. I would hope so, because then true religious freedom could be expressed.

Thank you all for your responses in advanced. You are oh so cute and appreciated. And remember, support peace efforts, its whats good for the world.

Peace be to you all.

Answer 1

If you're in the military and deployed, you don't get to pick and choose what exercises you go on, but you CAN choose to be a conscientious objector and request a discharge for religious reasons.

Answer 2

You cannot sit out on training and exercises and I don't see any grounds that an exercise or training be a violation of religion!  I was able to practice Ash Wednesday, but had to show up for duty afterwards.  If training or our exercises overlapped Sundays that we trained (which many times it did [8-month long exercises]), I took upon my own self to carry the Holy Bible and my 613 Mitzvot with me-plus we have Chaplains that dedicated themselves to cater us.  I don't eat pork, I am not force to either.  I can pray anywhere I please.  I never murdered, raped, cheated, stole, or blasphemed.  I don't lie, except those 'white' lies!  As a Judeo-Christian, I was able to exercise my freedom of religion without persecution from my superiors.  If my religion required me to miss a few days, it was my own discretion that I request Leave to practice my belief.  If my job required me to miss my religious session, I took it up with my creator and made up for it later, when I had the chance.  My God understands my committment that I make for others!

If anyone is a believer of the Abrahamic religion (Christians, Jewish, Islamic, Bahai'st) they understand the Old Testament about why war, or training is necessary and that God will understand the reasons as long it is justified.  Read Deutronomy and Leviticus, Moses explained the rules that God bestowed upon mankind (not just the The Commandments, there are 613 other laws).  It's all in the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament).

Just like above said, there are dozens of religious practices that are catered to each and every servicemember, Wicca, Buddhist, Hindu, Mormons, you name it!  What a wonderful country we have.  Us servicemembers swore our oath to preserve our freedoms that are in the Constitution!  That is why I choose to fight for everyone's freedom (worldwide), including mine!

Answer 3

If a person enlists or is commissioned, the military will do it's best to try and accomodate thier religous beliefs and practices. However, this must be done within the needs of the mission and the practices of the military.  For example, if the soldier is Muslim, he may pray five times a day as long as he can do as long as it is done privately (he closes the door to his office, finds a privat spot, etc.) and it does not interrupt or interfere with the duties he is performing (if he is in the middle of a meeting, he may not leave it to pray).  If that person wished to have holidays affiliated with his religon off, he may request them and as long as there are no mission issues, the command will generally approve it.  Of course, they may then be asked to work on other holidays so other's have the same options.  They may not be able to get them off...there are plenty of Christian soldiers who have to work Christmas and Easter..if they are in a field where the schedule demands 24/7/365 coverage, but again, the command does it's best.  

As for being able to sit out an exercise, to my knowledge that would not be allowed.  If you join, it is with the understanding that you will follow orders, train and support your fellow soldiers.  If any soldier finds themselves to be involved in something that goes against thier religous beliefs, they can ask to be dishcarged as conscientous objectors.  However, if they wish to stay in the service they need to complete the same training and participate in the same exercises as the rest of thier unit, otherwise they may become a liability to both themselves and to other's around them.

Answer 4

Well, during bootcamp on sundays you are allowed to go to the church services they offer. you sign up for them in the beginning. they offer many of the diff. kinds of religions.

Answer 5

Quakers come to mind. In this case as to involve themselves in wars and such is contrary to their beliefs . This means a person  can avoid military service.

Answer 6

nope.  your right to Religious Freedom does NOT extend to the military.  7th Day Adventists still have to work on Saturday doing menial c**p.  Jews  still have to stand watch on the Sabbath.   Christians are not guaranteed the right to attend church services in the field.  Muslims may not drop everything 5 times a day and face Mecca.  

Military duties and responsibilities ALWAYS take precedence over personal desires, needs and rights.  

do they allow it when possible? absolutely.  you just cannot demand sepcial consideration to do so.

Answer 7

Like he said, quakers, amish etc.  But those people are not in the military.  If you join you will have some rights, but remember priorities change when you're in the service.  It's not about your conscience, you become part of a war machine.  What I mean is I don't think the military is anti g*y for religious reasons, it's just that in everything they do they are (ideally speaking) aiming for efficiency at war.  They have to keep gender separation in many scenarios so that human affection does not get in the way of duty, and that gets hard to do if homosexuals are involved.  I hope you get what I'm saying, this is not an anti g*y speech on my part, I'm trying to get you to see how things operate in the service.  Priorities are different.

Answer 8

I remember you. Thank you for returning.

The military does have policies on religious expression. Extremely Hassidic Jews aren't required to shave their jew locks. You are also allowed to attend church on Sunday (not sure about Saturday for Jews, etc).

I cannot say much about them allowing you to celebrate things like Ramaddan as I have no experience with religion in the military (my USMC husband is "no preference" aka atheist)