Why does a very small minority control the rest of the military?

SSgt George Brown — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 17:20:13 -0400

Why are those in that minority so pushy of their belief, that they deny others their rights?  http://townhall.com/columnists/toddstarnes/2014/03/17/bible-controversy-hits-air-force-base-n1810221?utm_source=thdailypm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nl_pm<div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://media.townhall.com/townhall/reu/ha/2014/72/2014-03-13T071744Z_1_CBREA2C0K9Q00_RTROPTP_3_MALI-USA.JPG"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="http://townhall.com/columnists/toddstarnes/2014/03/17/bible-controversy-hits-air-force-base-n1810221?utm_source=thdailypm">Todd Starnes - Bible Controversy Hits Air Force Base</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">For more than a decade new military recruits at Maxwell Air Force Base – Gunter Annex in Alabama have received a Bible from Gideons International volunteers. But that tradition has come to an end afte...</div></div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2014 12:44 AM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 00:44:39 -0400

Whose rights were denied? According to the article posted the Gideons could still hand out bibles, the recruits could still get bibles, BUT the Gideons couldn't stand there inside and hand them out. Why such a misleading headline for a non-story?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2014 3:53 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 15:53:58 -0400

What I just read said that the Gideons' Bibles and literature IS ALLOWED onpost They just are not allowed to stand there and hand them out. I see no issue with this due to the fact this is a Basic Training Center. Recruits need to focus on one thing and one thing only and thats "ADAPTING TO MILITARY LIFESTYLE." Yes they are allowed to still practice their religion but again your main focus is to get your training and learn your craft.

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Apr 26 at 2014 4:05 PM

SFC Stephen P. — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 16:05:04 -0400

A right is an authority to act, not imposition on others to fulfill your desires.

I won't allow you to hold LGBT poetry night, KKK rallies, or prayer meetings in my kitchen. This policy does not violate your rights.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 26 at 2014 8:35 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 20:35:53 -0400

Interesting Debate. I do remember getting Gideons Bibles but I think they were included in some Morale and Welfare package of some sorts. As far as proseltyzing, that wouldn't have gone over very well in the Navy when I was in. you could end up like Oscar the man overboard dummy we use for drills. I have heard a lot about proseltyzing in the Air Force lately and I'm really not thrilled about that.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 13 at 2014 6:55 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 13 May 2014 18:55:29 -0400

My perspective may be a bit dated I retired in 97 but I remember getting Gideon Bibles and I think they were included in Care Packages from someone or organization and as long as it came with Gedunk, I didn't see a problem with it. Now I am against proselytizing and I have seen a lot of articles about that occuring in the Air Force which I think is disappointing. Don't see that happening in the Navy, We tend to be "Free Spirits" and if you got on a Religious High Horse you could easily find yourself filling in for OSCAR the Man Overbaord Dummy.

Response by PV2 Jim Jacobs made Aug 5 at 2014 3:35 PM

PV2 Jim Jacobs — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 15:35:29 -0400

I can't believe the ignorant drivel in the comments section, and I only made it about 10-13 comments into it. "Satanic", "devil", "No Christian today worthy of the name "Christian" ought to be serving in the military."
It's not that all atheists or non-believers are pushy about their beliefs, we simply want the gubment to enforce the laws and regulations laid out for the rest of the country to adhere to. If you look into it, xtians have a very colorful history of violence and extermination when "spreading the word of gawd", not allowing proselytizing on a military install is hardly near comparison. Also, it shouldn't matter what percentage of the population is demanding a law be enforced, all people should be able to expect the same rights, no matter how many there are. Nobody is imposing on anyone's rights, simply demanding that theirs be respected as well. As pointed out by one of the very few in the comment section with an ounce of intelligence, better to stop this now, before others of every religion demand the same access. Just imagine the rant the good ol' boys would have if there were muslims handing out korans, Jews handing out the Torah or non-religious people handing out books by Richard Dawkins, Neil deGrasse-Tyson or Carl Sagan?

Response by SSG Kevin McCulley made Feb 13 at 2015 3:00 PM

SSG Kevin McCulley — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 15:00:06 -0500

I think it takes a real arrogant in-human animal to seek to deny and stamp out the comfort that religion might bring a young dying infantryman. That said, I'm not religious. As a former medic I do know, however, the comfort that religion can bring.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2015 6:02 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 18:02:47 -0400

SSgt, why does the Jew in my unit have to take leave for Passover, when the BDE gets the Friday prior and Monday following Easter as "training down days" (time off for non-essential personnel)? Why is a majority so quick to cry foul when forced to acknowledge their privilege?

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 12 at 2015 6:41 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 18:41:47 -0400

Really? " why can't those minorities just keep their mouth shut" huh? Sounds like 1950's Alabama in these threads somedays... Whether it's race, religion, or other, numerical superiority does not make anyone else irrelevant..

Response by PV2 Abbott Shaull made Apr 20 at 2015 6:54 PM

PV2 Abbott Shaull — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 18:54:49 -0400

The only Right trampled was one that should of never been allowed in the first place. It was the correct call for where these bibles were being distributed. They belong to that Commands Chaplain (s) to spread the word of God and even they can't force (give) bibles out anymore like they used to be able to.

Response by CPT Jason Torpy made Apr 21 at 2015 12:07 AM

CPT Jason Torpy — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 00:07:55 -0400

You're talking about fundamentalist, Christian Nation evangelicals, right? The ones that control the chaplaincy, pray at nearly every event and over the loudspeaker on naval vessels, have multiple churches on every installation, and ensure Bibles are in everyone's faces all the time? Why does that evangelical minority have such exclusive control of our military?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2015 12:28 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 00:28:46 -0400

The bottom line is that everyone has a right to a speak and a right to have their civil right respected. Some groups are in political favor and others aren't but that doesn't denote the moral high ground. These issues will not end until ALL religious preferences, racism, sexism, etc. End. None deserve sanction or protection. Until every law, rule, statute preference, has 100% equal application the struggles and strive will continue towards a more perfect union that the constitution strove for where all are equal to fail and succeed under the law equally.