Cadet quits due to overt religion at WP

[hawk]

They feel a little unconfortable during prayers? Well, I feel a little unconfortable due to SO many things.

This gets very complicated in application.

Not defending this, but what happens when under "Equal Treatment/Protection" under represented faith group X indicates they should be allowed to say the prayer before dinner? Still comfortable? What happens when the Wiccans make the request? Or, that Satanist in the c/o 2016? Still comfortable? Do Rabbi's or Imman's lead prayer in the dining hall at USMA?

But wait, the non-believers need their time. So prior to dinner, they ask to spend 5 minutes on all the reasons "there is no Dog". (Wait, that's the Dyslexic Agnostics, wrong group)

This is how groups like the Boy Scouts end up with "moment of silent contemplation". And leads to discussions about "Tyranny of the Minority" and "Tyranny of the Majority".

My view: There is no "right to never be offended". We will all be offended at some point by something. It's part of living in a diverse society. But some do not see it that way.

 

[BigBear]

What really should enrage every taxpayer is the guy who got commissioned and the Army let him play NFL ball. What a miscarriage of justice THAT was.

Free recruiting tool that benefits the Army? I fail to see a problem there

 

[LineInTheSand]

Free recruiting tool that benefits the Army? I fail to see a problem there

The economy and lack of a job market is all the recruiting tool any branch of the military needs these days.... and applies to MANY more people than the NFL.

 

[BillSL]

So USMA making allowances for cadets to practice their religion results in a disparate impact to cadets whose religious beliefs do not require that allowance. Or a cadet which does not practice a religion at all.

I understand what you are saying. My opinion is just that I don't see how this is such a big deal if those "allowances" are small things like missing formations. As a matter of fact, I know of one religious service that allows you to miss formation every morning, and EVERYONE can attend if they wish.

This gets very complicated in application.

Not defending this, but what happens when under "Equal Treatment/Protection" under represented faith group X indicates they should be allowed to say the prayer before dinner? Still comfortable? What happens when the Wiccans make the request? Or, that Satanist in the c/o 2016? Still comfortable? Do Rabbi's or Imman's lead prayer in the dining hall at USMA?

But wait, the non-believers need their time. So prior to dinner, they ask to spend 5 minutes on all the reasons "there is no Dog". (Wait, that's the Dyslexic Agnostics, wrong group)

This is how groups like the Boy Scouts end up with "moment of silent contemplation". And leads to discussions about "Tyranny of the Minority" and "Tyranny of the Majority".

My view: There is no "right to never be offended". We will all be offended at some point by something. It's part of living in a diverse society. But some do not see it that way.

Haha, good point. But hey, we are not making religious-specific prayers during dinner. And may I add, it's only one dinner every month or so that there is a prayer before it. And, honestly, I am sure there wouldn't be a problem if a cadet would like to stay outside the messhall until the prayer is over, if he expresses the intent. There is no way of not "offending" someone if they are not verbal about that (and when I say "verbal about that," I mean explaining your concerns to your Chain of Command, who are people who will handle this for you, not just ranting on the Huffington Post).

 

[LineInTheSand]

There is no way of not "offending" someone if they are not verbal about that (and when I say "verbal about that," I mean explaining your concerns to your Chain of Command, who are people who will handle this for you, not just ranting on the Huffington Post).

"But I dooonn waaaaannnaaa hear it Ma Ma! I doooooon wannnnaaaaa!"

Look ladies and gents.... anyone who needs to be completely separated from something they don't want to hear is going to have a very VERY painful life.

 

[Packer]

BillSL, you seem to be a well adjusted individual with good common sense. You definitely have the right outlook.

 

[BillSL]

"But I dooonn waaaaannnaaa hear it Ma Ma! I doooooon wannnnaaaaa!"

Look ladies and gents.... anyone who needs to be completely separated from something they don't want to hear is going to have a very VERY painful life.

Hahaha yes, I agree. I'm just saying that, if he really wanted to, he most probably could be excused from that specific part of the event.