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2008-03-06 Home Front: Culture Wars
Atheist Soldier Says Army Punished Him
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Posted by Penguin 2008-03-06 09:55|| || Front Page|| [3 views ]  Top

#1 "Get out of that foxhole, Soldier, you don't belong there!"
Posted by Mike 2008-03-06 10:58||   2008-03-06 10:58|| Front Page Top

#2 I am not sure how the Army works but in the Air Force you need a LOT of documnetation (bad kind) to deny some a promotion or to re-up. I cant fathom that in yhese times of personnel shortages that this troop is being discriminated because of his religion. I do rememebt a similar article aout a Zoomy grad that had his vagina in a twist because some of his fellow clasmates prayed at lunch and that they were given time off for services. That one and this guy will most likely run for congress in Vermont after they have a non-denominational "union" ceremony.
Posted by Cyber Sarge 2008-03-06 11:49||   2008-03-06 11:49|| Front Page Top

#3 According to the lawsuit, Hall was counseled by his platoon sergeant after being informed that his promotion was blocked. He says the sergeant explained that Hall would be "unable to put aside his personal convictions and pray with his troops" and would have trouble bonding with them if promoted to a leadership position.

If that is true, than the good sergeant needs a bit of counseling. Certainly there are idiots like that in civilian life. I grew up in a community that was 10% Jewish, and mostly academic or professional, and yet Liz, a classmate in my 9th grade advanced biology class reared up on her hind legs -- during the class, one day -- to argue that Jews are not capable of love like Christians, which she said she'd been taught in her Sunday School class. Of the entire class I was the only one to speak up against her, although a girl from her church whispered to me that she'd no idea what Liz was talking about.

Cyber Sarge, how would the leadership of a unit respond to a member who'd sued the Air Force? Organizations tend to close ranks against that kind of thing.
Posted by trailing wife ">trailing wife  2008-03-06 12:40||   2008-03-06 12:40|| Front Page Top

#4 Well, in my opinion this shows that the Islamo-Fascists are dragging us down to their level.

And CS, while it is easy to conjure that this guy and the USAF grad were just whiners looking for excuses, it is just as easy to believe that his unit leaders are just proselytizing dickheads.
Posted by Penguin 2008-03-06 12:41||   2008-03-06 12:41|| Front Page Top

#5 "...the Military Religious Freedom Foundation refiled the federal lawsuit Wednesday...

Military Religious Freedom Foundation

Any organization that has Ed Asner as one of their spokesmen should make one question if preserving the integrity of the military is their first order of business.
Posted by DepotGuy 2008-03-06 12:42||   2008-03-06 12:42|| Front Page Top

#6 I doubt this is true. Most likely the guy is a career E4 and a jackoff. He is just fishing for scapegoats since the Army really doesn't give 3 flying shits what your religion is.
Posted by DarthVader">DarthVader  2008-03-06 13:01||   2008-03-06 13:01|| Front Page Top

#7 the Army really doesn't give 3 flying shits what your religion is.

That's true in general, but I have to admit I've met a couple O-5s who have stepped over the line from time to time when lower-ranked officers who were or could reasonably expect to become subordinates were present.

In general, the soldiers I've known don't care about your flavor of religion. Legalities aside, tho, I can imagine that a militant atheist in a deployed unit could well have a negative impact on morale. Key word being 'militant'.

Posted by lotp 2008-03-06 13:10||   2008-03-06 13:10|| Front Page Top

#8 Darth is correct. Most don't give a flying f*** what your religion or lack thereof UNLESS you make a big deal about it. If he was so inconsiderate as to berate others for their faith he is lucky he was not given the modern equivalent of a blanket party. I suspect he would not tolerate others showing faith in his presence (atheist version of a religious bigot). OR he could have been a lousy leader.

Note: I'm not particularly religious myself but I won't make a big deal of it unless you start to preach at me. And I very much WON'T interfere with what comforts you as an individual or as a group (unless you are an islamo-nazi or equivalent).
Posted by tipover 2008-03-06 13:56||   2008-03-06 13:56|| Front Page Top

#9 Ed Asner is still alive?
Posted by john frum 2008-03-06 14:33||   2008-03-06 14:33|| Front Page Top

#10 Ed Asner is still alive?

Well, judging from the hairy appearance, its either him or a bald-headed silverback gorilla.
Posted by OldSpook 2008-03-06 16:25||   2008-03-06 16:25|| Front Page Top

#11 Of course the media being absolutely ignorant of military matters, didn't ask the accuser when he filed his redress of grievance papers while in service -

Art. 138. Complaints of wrongs

Any member of the armed forces who believes himself wronged by his commanding officer, and who, upon due application to that commanding officer, is refused redress, may complain to any superior commissioned officer, who shall forward the complaint to the officer exercising general court-martial jurisdiction over the officer against whom it is made. The officer exercising general court-martial jurisdiction shall examine into the complaint and take proper measures for redressing the wrong complained of; and he shall, as soon as possible, send to the Secretary concerned a true statement of that complaint, with the proceedings had thereon.


Obstruction of an Art. 138 complaint makes those responsible subject to punishment under the UCMJ.
Posted by Procopius2k 2008-03-06 17:14||   2008-03-06 17:14|| Front Page Top

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