Does the military have the right to control what you are allowed to believe... religiously speaking?

PO2 Morton Scisco — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 19:12:28 -0500

If you believe you can have multiple wives or husbands, can the military say no? Or the government as a whole, can they say, "if you believe that, you are not allowed in our military", even though it does not hinder your performance, military manner, or evals. Does religious beliefs complicate a military career?

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Jan 21 at 2016 7:25 PM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 19:25:33 -0500

I'll just take your questions in order...

1. No, the military does not have a right to control what you are allowed to believe. Believe whatever you want! It's your actions regarding that belief that are regulated - not just for religion, but for everything else too.

2. If you "believe" you can have multiple wives... religiously, that's on you. Legally, the law does not currently agree with you - and it is the law that the military must respect and follow. It's not the military that restricts your ability to legally marry more than one person - it's the law.

3. The military won't stop you from being IN the military. They just stop you from being married to multiple people. The military won't kick you out just for believing it's ok. You may get kicked out for acting on it and breaking the law.

4. Do religious beliefs complicate a military career? Absolutely. But its not usually because of the marriage aspect. Some religions have prohibitions on violence - that would make it difficult to stay in the military because of the conflict of interest. In that case, it's up to the servicemember to determine where their loyalties lie. Is it in their religion, or their military service that takes precedence? If religion takes priority, then the servicemember has the obligation to remove themselves from service - either through regular ETS or by requesting release under "conscientious objector" status.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jan 21 at 2016 7:26 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 19:26:22 -0500

Well, on polygamy, the military won't acknowledge any other spouse than the ONE you list. Attempting to enroll your 2nd (or 3rd) wife as a dependent is fine --as long as her predecessor is replaced with the most current... AND your divorce decree is finalized. Otherwise, polygamy is either a misdemeanor or felony in every state of the union. Truly not sure how the UCMJ addresses this... if it even does? Anyway, why would anyone want more than one wife? I can barely handle one.

Response by Craig Hatch made Jan 21 at 2016 8:22 PM

Craig Hatch — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 20:22:25 -0500

No, just as I don't think any theology should have control over the military. What I love about the military, from a civilian perspective is the unique religious unity. That you do not see outside of the military sector. I think if all religions could apply some form of military conduct in terms of unity, this world would be a better place. Just saying.

Response by PV2 Scott Goodpasture made Jan 21 at 2016 9:29 PM

PV2 Scott Goodpasture — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 21:29:11 -0500

No. But funny story. Second week of boot camp getting inoculated for every disease known, drill sergeant is asking religious preference so the Army could stamp it on a dog tag. I had this one guy in my platoon when asked his religion answered satanist. The drill sergeant repeated him with "no preference" It doesn't sound that funny but being there watching 40 other trainees point at him and laugh.... I still chuckle

Response by SSG Michael Scott made Jan 21 at 2016 10:17 PM

SSG Michael Scott — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 22:17:33 -0500

He'll no

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Jan 22 at 2016 2:13 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 02:13:39 -0500

The military cannot control what you believe but they do have some say as far as practices go if such practices go against morale or legal code. For example, if you are a part of a religion that believes in sacrificing a human being the military is not going to allow that (for obvious reasons). Same can be said about polygamy, the military doesn't allow you to so much as sleep with another woman or man if you are married. Even in divorce cases you aren't allowed to see someone else until it is fully finalized to my understanding. So that being said, no, you won't be able to have multiple wives or husbands, at least not anytime soon.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jan 22 at 2016 2:17 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 02:17:46 -0500

It was never a problem when I was in - but it seems to have become a problem under this administration, if these accounts are to be believed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-PDR9Gxvvc#t=151

A Clear and Present Danger

Real accounts of the encroachment on religious freedom in the military

Response by PO2 Skip Kirkwood made Jan 22 at 2016 6:40 PM

PO2 Skip Kirkwood — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 18:40:47 -0500

You can BELIEVE whatever you want, but you have to BEHAVE in accordance with standards. If your religious beliefs require you to not swear allegiance to a a country, then you can't serve. You can believe in polygamy, but if you are married to more than one spouse you'll get prosecuted......

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 2:52 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 14:52:27 -0500

I'm not aware of any religious belief that requires polygamy so I'm not sure how you can claim that a restriction on polygamy is hindering your religious belief. There is also nothing stopping you from living together with 1,000 women if that's what floats your boat... you can however only call one of them your wife. In the civilian world you could settle for having 999 concubines and 1 wife instead of 1,000 wives... however in our society you are limited to 1 wife at a time.

Response by PO1 Jack Howell made Jun 22 at 2016 12:35 PM

PO1 Jack Howell — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 12:35:51 -0400

This question is irrelevant. The military is not a democracy and it doesn't matter what you believe in. All military personnel are expected to be familiar with and abide by the Uniform Code of Military Justice as well as applicable service instructions, memorandums, and manuals.

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Feb 5 at 2018 1:50 PM

SFC Greg Bruorton — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 13:50:38 -0500

As long as one's religious beliefs do not run counter to the laws of the land, for example, polygamy, the Government has no right to interfere. The phrase, "Freedom of Religion" is tangible and must be accepted. Nevertheless, there are many unofficial Mormon sects, called Mormon Fundamentalists, that practice polygamy despite that Congress outlawed the practice in 1889/1890. Law enforcement continues to look the other way when faced with that problem.

To set the record straight, such Mormon Fundamentalists have no connection or affiliation with the main body headquartered in Salt Lake City. They are considered apostates and are excommunicated.

Response by SPC David Willis made Feb 5 at 2018 2:39 PM

SPC David Willis — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 14:39:21 -0500

They have no right so ever to control what you think. However they reserve all rights to control what you say and what you do.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 5 at 2018 6:19 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 18:19:51 -0500

Believe? No. Believe whatever you want. It's what you say and do that may get you in trouble.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Feb 5 at 2018 6:56 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 18:56:44 -0500

I wish I could say no, but I can't. The Amish Bus Driver Rule is the first hurdle. Do your beliefs interfere your ability to do the job. I remember Quaker Medics and a couple of other accomidations

Response by TSgt David Wittich made Feb 6 at 2018 1:24 AM

TSgt David Wittich — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 01:24:39 -0500

The military IS NOT a democracy. You join under THEIR rules. Can they control your beliefs - no. Can they control your actions - yes.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 6 at 2018 10:41 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 10:41:34 -0500

Think you are looking for needles in a haystack. 1. No One can control your beliefs. 2. The laws passed by our/your representative government states what is Legal and what is not. 3. The military as part of the Government must enforce the Laws of the government (UCMJ). 4. Because of the nature of the duty in the military, they can limit what you physically do, not mentally. 5. The military has standards for enlisting- none which are based on religious items with in reason. Beliefs can cause some trouble- Quakers for instance can not carry weapons so no combat MOS for them. I have not seen a 4 star Quaker in my lifetime, so there are limits on career progression.