The Pentagon has approved a new policy that will allow troops to seek waivers to wear religious clothing, seek prayer time or engage in religious practices.
Defense officials say the waivers will be decided on a case-by-case basis and will depend on where the service member is stationed and whether the change would affect military readiness or the mission.
Until now there has been no consistent policy across the military to allow accommodations for religion. Now, for example, Jewish troops can seek a waiver to wear a yarmulke, or Sikhs can seek waivers to wear a turban and grow a beard.
Others can request specific prayer times or ask that they be allowed to carry prayer beads or other items.
More
26 comments:
This is what you get for allowing all the Christian influences, now everyone has to get equal time. How about no religion at all in the military.
This is wrong!
Here comes your banana republic.
You are precisely right 9:58. That's the very reason that our forefathers chose separation of church and state.. They can't allow one without looking biased, if they don't allow the others. This carries over into schools and other public domains. I would rather see no religion throughout, rather than be forced to see and/or accept opposing religions. Separation overall, makes sense.
"Take that hill to the west!"
"No - it is time to face east and pray to Allah!
The first chemical attack where the gas mask doesn't seal because of the beard will kill them all - problem solved!
Maybe them Sikh boys will take out obama for not visiting Amritsar like they took out Indira Gandhi
Still another action by this administration that will make the USA look like a banana republic or a third-world country.
I'm picturing these soldiers wearing a traditional military head cover sitting atop a turban. Ridiculous.
In the Air Force in1967, I was fined two-week's pay (about $70.00) because my moustache went past the corners of my mouth. Times have changed!
(Wondering too, how long it'll take for some comedian to come out with a song, "Ballad of the Green Yarmulkes"!)
MacArthur and Patton must be spinning in their graves.
Blame the Christians who screamed and yelled about persecution for not being able to FORCE people to sit through their prayers and honor their iconography on government/public land. This is the VERY reason government MUST remain secular.
Only a SECULAR government can protect religious freedom.
Finally the Amish soldiers will be able to wear their suspenders and straw hats!!!!!!!!
Here's a thought: Muslim women wear that "Beekeeper" outfit due to the Koran. Just imagine what a WAVE or WAC parade would look like!
12:03: Good point.
Will our great Prez grow his muslim beard?
Anonymous said...
Blame the Christians who screamed and yelled about persecution for not being able to FORCE people to sit through their prayers and honor their iconography on government/public land. This is the VERY reason government MUST remain secular.
Only a SECULAR government can protect religious freedom.
January 24, 2014 at 12:03 PM
You atheist hate Christianity so much that you will do anything to put them down. In the meantime you are to stupid to realize the message is that Islam is quickly taking over this country.
12:58 PM you are an idiot as well.
We are at a point where I am beginning to not recognize America any longer; but then that is what the 'progressives' want.
If you let one religion call the shots then you have to let all of them do it.
@1:58
You don't get to get away with that. Christians argue that it's "freedom OF religion" not "FROM"... so you can have religion in government and on public land. YOU argued for this.
You are now NOT allowed to get all offended when it is not YOUR brand of religiosity being used.
We have been arguing for a secular government BECAUSE of these issues. When will you realize only a SECULAR UNBIASED government can protect religious freedom?
Afraid Islam is gonna take over the Government? Then why not stand with our forefathers and protect the establishment clause, protect the "wall of separtation between church and state"?
DIVIDE AND CONQUER..
Amen 2:57. They just don't get it...
Thanks 2:57. (I'm the other "idiot" at 2:58.) I'm also a member of the Knights of Columbus. I'm not quite an atheist. Separation of church and state - along with freedom of speech - are certainly the basis of our governmental system.
What about Rastafarians?
Or Pastafarians, for that matter.
I agree with the separation of church and state, but open your eyes and see what's happening here. As per usual, this happy talk about 'equality' actually translates to subjugation of politically-incorrect groups. Were you aware that service members at Fort Hood were told that evangelical Christians were a 'threat to the nation'? The military is taking an active anti-Christian stance, while recruiting Muslims. By the way, I'm NOT a practicing Christian - I just despise the hypocrisy on display here. And, given recent history, I'm not going to sleep well with our military turned into an Army of Allah.
I don't recall Jews demanding to wear yamikas or grow full beards and forelocks.
WAIT!!! STOP THE SHOOTING!!! IT'S TIME TO BOW TO MECCA. The war zones will never be the same again, nor will drills or training.
Yup ... once again we have to go by what a small but vocal MINORITY want. You stupid progressive idiots will eat your words one day and start crying but it will be too late.
@5:16 PM
Last time I checked, the Bill of Rights in the Constitution was not called: The Bill of Rights for only the Majority.
In fact, one of the reasons for the Bill of Rights was in fact to protect peoples inalienable rights FROM Majority rule.
Furthermore, this is EXACTLY why we have to have to uphold the establishment clause, and protect the "wall of separation between church and state".
Post a Comment