[2puO4Rhf]

(I don't think I've posted this here before)

Ok so on my Navy forum one of the guys posted about a Navy chaplain that was supposedly court-martialed for praying in Jesus name. Some of the guys didn't actually read the article they just flew off the handle about the atheist liberals killing America and God (they are synonymous you know). The debate was more about religion than following lawful orders. I thought I'd see if anyone here had any fun ideas.

Here are a couple links to what appear to be unbiased reports. Any thoughts?

http://content.hamptonroads.com/stor...870&ran=155083

and a follow up

http://www.stripesonline.com/article...7&archive=true

[22CreessGah]

As a retired Army spouse, and a former member of the Catholic Parish, I find the whole thing somewhat absurd, if understandable. As a nolonger catholic or beliver in any of the book religions, and a person who is somewhat annoyed/amused when forced to stand thru prayers at any formal military dinner. (And they do invoke the name of Jesus, they just include Allah and Jehova as well.) I wish they would simply do away with the whole thing unless they were at a service or a funeral and it was requested by the family.

Not that they will. When do we get to form a country based on REAL religious freedom, as in freedom FROM religion? I'd move there...and make sure that NO missionaries were ever allowed in!

[paratayoma]

So how do you balance the so called "lawful order" as opposed to the Navy Chaplains Constitutional Rights? Just because a person joins the U.S. Military doesn't mean they surrender their Constitutional Rights, hell when we take the oath of induction, we swear to uphold and defend the Constitution...


Pelykat, you are more than welcome to try North Korea, I think that would fit your criteria...


Roger "Doc".

[ViagraPriceBuying]

When I was in the Navy we always joked that when you join the military they take away your Bill of Rights but if you go to jail they give you extra rights!

They never said he couldn't pray in public. But they do have rules on when/where you can wear your uniform. And while wearing the uniform you are representing the Navy and follow their orders about non-denominational praying. He went to a political rally in uniform, thus making himself a Navy representative. Then he broke the Navy's rules on how to pray in a mixed group as a chaplain.

If he went out of uniform, as he was instructed to, then there would have been no problem.




Mostly, as ex-sailors, we all laughed about the fact that he was in for 16 years and was still a Lt!! Most officers get Lt in their first 4 or 5 years! I worked for a career Lt when I was in...what a waste of space on the ship he was.