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October 19th, 2011
07:16 PM ET
Military backs off threat to pull atheist from ceremonyBy Jennifer Rizzo, CNN Washington (CNN) - Fort Jackson officials said Friday that an atheist soldier was asked to lower their head during a prayer portion of a graduation ceremony rehearsal, but then decided it was ok for the soldier to stand at Attention. The 20-year old private first class, a proclaimed atheist, graduated from Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina on Thursday. The soldier, who requested that CNN not give a name and gender for fear of repercussions, called the Military Religious Freedom Foundation on Wednesday after taking part in a rehearsal for the graduation. The soldier told the watchdog group that during the rehearsal, officials ordered the soldiers to bow their heads and clasp their hands during the chaplain's benediction. As an atheist, the soldier refused to do so. "I immediately pointed out that not only is a prayer at a public ceremony unconstitutional, but to force someone to give the illusion of religion when the individual does not believe in any religion is blatantly wrong and very illegal," the soldier said in an e-mail to the foundation. The rest of the platoon "groaned" at the soldier's stance, but the soldier wrote that "I stood my ground." "When you stand up like this, you make yourself a tarantula on a wedding cake," said Mikey Weinstein, founder of the foundation. Weinstein said the soldier was "brave" for taking a stand. Officials at Fort Jackson threatened to pull the soldier from the ceremony but then backed down, according to the soldier, after hearing that the soldier had contacted the religious freedom foundation. "This is an absolute perfect example of the separation of church and state, and it takes a 20-year-old to stand up and say no," Weinstein said. Fort Jackson officials told CNN a non-commissioned officer informed the soldier to bow their head for uniformity purposes but says there was never a requirement to pray during the prayer portion of the graduation. When the soldier refused, citing a Supreme Court ruling that states there was no requirement to pray in public ceremonies, the officer then took the matter to the platoon sergeant, who also told the soldier to bow their head for uniformity purposes, according to Patrick Jones, a Ft. Jackson Public Affairs Officer. Upon refusing again, the platoon sergeant contacted the company commander who then told the soldier that there was no requirement to pray or bow ones head, but was required to remain at “attention”, Jones stated. “It is not the command’s policy to force anyone to bow their heads and clasp their hands to pray,” said Jones. “The Army fully recognizes all faiths or lack there of”. The graduation ceremony was conducted without incident, Jones said
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You lose some rights when you join the military, but one you definitely retain is the right to worship or not. There are caveats to that, but the order to participate in prayer in any way is not a legal order, and the unit commander was right to recognize that. As an 11 year atheist veteran, my action is to stand and look around to see who the other non-believers are. There is almost always one. Anyone who tried to order me to do otherwise would quickly find out how well I've done my homework on this one. The military straddles both religious clauses, and must allow or even provide worship opportunities for members and also refrain from endorsing any particular sect. This is not always the easiest thing to do, but there are reasonable guidelines out there.
One caveat is that everyone must be available for duty 24/7/365. Believers must often put aside worship when the mission requires, though a non-urgent duty can be delayed for reasonable accommodation of faith. In this way, atheists are more free to serve, since there are no holy days or times.
As an atheist serving in the Army for 14 years now, I am very proud of this Soldier. I have often been both angry and frustrated by the prevalence of religious ceremony in what are demonstrably not religious activities in the Army. Every significant ceremony I have attended, from training graduations to changes of command have almost always had a benediction attached to them. These ceremonies are clearly not religious in nature, but yet the Army has a benediction as part of them. Soldiers are required to attend these ceremonies. There is a very heavy handed undue command influence supporting the proselytizing of religious beliefs.
The fellow Soldiers’ reactions are often typical of what I have experienced as well. The Military takes such strong measures to make everyone uniform, that to stand up for what you believe is often the hardest thing to do. This country was most definitely not founded as a religious Christian nation, despite what many believe. Many people who came to America did so for religious freedom, including the right to not practice the faith the government supported.
I am further disappointed anytime I see religion in part of our government functions, to the benedictions that Congress uses when starting a session, to the use of the bible in a courtroom. We are currently engaged in a ideological struggle against religious tyranny and fundamental beliefs within the current conflicts against extremist movements in Islam; why would we ever support extremism here at home?
This Soldier’s individual courage should be an example to the growing number of young Americans who are questioning the beliefs they grew up with. Such intellectual questioning should be encouraged, regardless of what answers they come to. I am not advocating a loss of religion in America, it has been the source of many good things in our society and history from charities to a sense of community. That being said, religious intolerance has also been the source of some of the worst evils mankind has committed, and only by coming to those beliefs with an open mind will we be able to learn with each others’ differences.
"For uniformity purposes", funny the mischief that goes on in the name of uniformity. For a supposed freedom loving people we sure do place a premium on uniformity.
It's the military. Uniformity can be ordered. However, an unlawful order should not be obeyed. Requiring the soldier to stand at attention, but not necessarily pray or appear to be praying, is the right call. Bad call by the NCOs, but good call by the commissioned officer.
I've been an atheist in the Army for 12 years. I don't bow my head and I won't stand at attention to pay "respect" to someone's imaginary magic sky-wizard. Never have and never will. What if it was "common" courtesy for me to plank while paying respect to the Flying Spaghetti Monster, would the whole formation have to do it with me? Or would I be allowed to do it myself while in formation?
Well said. Why is this so hard for people to understand?
The deeper issue here was completely missed by the article. Prayer has no place at a secular function meant to be all inclusive. It only serves to be divisive. The soldiers and attendees didn't go to this ceremony to worship God, and the soldiers were not given the option of attending or not.
I just wanted to point out that this soldier was not just supposed to bow his(her) head, She(he) was supposed to clasp hands in front also. I have bowed my head on occasion and other times not. I guess it depends on what the situation is. But I would never clasp my hand to mimic praying. Bowing one's head can indicate respect for the solemnity of a funeral et cetera. The groans of others which come across as lacking any empathy are almost ludicrous. The meme is, "Don't make such a big deal out of it." But I will say that some of these religious folks are the first to cry that being a christian these days is like being a criminal. Oh if these folks could walk in an atheist's shoes for a day. The scale of hubris is breathtaking. The assumption and expectation that everyone believes in god, of course. Here here for the null hypothesis!
I'm in the army and am by no means a christian, but I still lower my head during ceremonies with an invocation. Its just common courtesy.
Bowing your head could be considered a courtesy if you choose, but by no means should it be considered a common courtesy. Getting disciplined for not bowing your head would be like getting disciplined for not saying "bless you" when someone sneezes.
I'm not in the army, but have found myself in situations numerous times where I am expected to bow my head. Over the years I have learned that it is just easier to do so, since I'm not looking for opportunities to educate my fellow Americans about the joys of atheism; it's just my belief system. But kudos to this young soldier for being brave enough to question the status quo. It's good to make the powers-that-be remember that we are not all Christians, and we do not all worship in the same way. If we're not breaking any laws, people... please leave us alone.
I applaud anyone who refuses to give in to idolatry.
Blah Blah Blah, I'm so so sick of hearing these kinds of stories. 99% go with the flow and this guy has to 'stand up' for his right not to bow his head. So, don't pray, don't believe in God, don't dont don't, but why do these people have to make such a stink? It's so inconsiderate to the majority who do have respect for God and Country.
So in other words, this individual who signed up to defend our country during wartime doesn't deserve the same freedoms as the rest of us? You disgust me.
Amen Tallulah!
Lisa–religious freedom is critical. For everyone. Trust me, if in the future secular/atheism ever became the norm and Christianity became a minority, you would very much appreciate the right to pray even if most everyone else was not. You shouldn't have to not pray for "conformity reasons". That's the key here. Valuing religious freedom is important regardless of who is involved–because you very well might need to leverage it too at some point. It just might not seem that way when you're sitting comfy in the majority.
TO Ryan- I'm Ryan. Hi. As a soldier myself, and quite frankly completely unbiased towards any of the dont ask dont tell, religious freedoms, etc, I find that this guy has every right to not pray, and to worship however, whenever, and as quiet or loud as he wants. He not only deserves that right because he's a citizen of the USA, but because he signed up to defend those freedoms. We agree on all points. Except... when you sign up for the military, you are expected to conform to the standard. If the PSG asks you to roll over and bark like a dog in basic training (which, being Fort Jackson, I'm assuming this was) then you roll over and bark your brains out. If they ask you to bow your head out of respect for the ceremony, youbow your head. Curse God and all he's ever done or not done for you, fine, don't do anything at all, fine. What I am saying is that bowing your head is not a religious movement, its a sign of respect for the ceremony. If they ask him to pray> Slap the DSG, got it. Understood even, defend your rights. If they ask you to be respectful, and then you act like this? I would be the first to swing. Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless-Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage. Show respect and selfless service, and even personal courage to bow your head, show respect, and know that bowing your head does not "turn you chirstian", it just shows you could be respectful to a military ceremony. The Army IS NOT THE SAME AS BEING A CIVILIAN. We are, quite frankly, not a democracy; we just defend one. So to summarize and blast home my final point again: You're in the military, so show some respect to it's customs and courtesies, bow your head, and move on.
Lisa, was "Blah Blah Blah" part of the sermon on the mount.? I forget. Your faith has surely done wonders for your ability to dismiss the feelings and beliefs of soldiers pledged to defend your rights.
Come to think of it. You should write the new forward for Foxe's Book of Martyrs. I mean really. 99% went along and those darn martyrs had to make a big ole stinkeroo.
Soldier Ryan, my problem with this is that there should not have been a moment of prayer in the midst of a secular graduation ceremony. Soldiers come from all walks of life in our country, and yes, common purpose is vital to cohesion. There are few things more divisive than religion. The organizers of this ceremony put their own desires over common sense.
Also, thank you for your service.
Yes Lisa, it's *so* inconsiderate of this lousy atheist soldier to not just go along to get along! Whereas you, my dear, seem extremely caring and considerate of others. We should all be more like you!
The idea that one needs a sky daddy who threatens eternal damnation in order to behave like a civilized and decent human being has caused more bloodshed and misery than any other idea on the planet. If a Soldier is willing to fight and die for your right to be a religious dogmatist, he is also willing to fight and die for my right to live up to principles of decency, empathy and kindness that come not from fear of God but joy in living in peace with others and the love of a shared humanity.
Either way, I love my country and anyone disrespecting our soldiers doesn't.
There is a quote that goes "the nail that sticks out gets hammered down" something like that. I stick out like a sore thumb as they say. I also do not believe in god. Maybe it is all the hammering down but I've learned sometimes it's just worth it not to be an a hole. There's something about finding so little in common with any other person (relegiously, morally, politically) that has allowed me (coerced me maybe) into posessing an inherent respect for people. It means that I don't have to believe in your god, be the same color as you, think like you or act like you to respect you. It's either that or I would hate everyone very deeply. I guess dumber people have the luxury of having gigantic groups of people that think just they way they do. I'm referring to political parties and relegions. At least that way they can just hate most people and have thier team behind them. Confucious say that's better than hating or respecting everyone and having no team at all. Anyone for the hating and or respecting everyone equally team? We'll decide which later, whichever you guys want.
At first I thought you were the ex-hockey player, but then I realized you had a different spelling.
This soldier is young and has not yet been beaten down by majority rule. No one ever got equality just by hoping for it. Maybe we need more people standing up for what is right instead of what the crowd wants, if we want things to change.
Waitttt a minute. So simply because the soldier did not want to do something as simple as reflect with his peers, he had to make a huge fuss about it? Praying is obviously associated with religion, but it can also be viewed as a sort of "group reflection" as well. I don't necessarily believe in a God-like figure, but that doesn't mean I become offended when people take a few moments out of their day to do something completely harmless. If what they did was defined as anything but "praying to God", I'm pretty sure atheists like this person would have no problem with the act.
Its interesting he decided to act out over something so trivial, when they were all brought together to celebrate their progress as individuals and as a community.
I can "reflect" just fine with my hands unclasped and my head unbowed. That soldier was given an unlawful order – it was his duty as a soldier to resist.
I agree with Sarah – prayer is trivial.
For the last ten years our country's political and military leadership expects our soldiers to risk life and limb to protect their country from Islamic extremists who believe it is their duty to kill American "infidels", and yet those who bravely and selflessly volunteer to do so fall victim to the same intolerance, but from a Judeo-Christian standpoint. I'm starting to wonder if the only difference between the U.S. Government and Al Qaeda is that Al Qaeda at least had the fiscal responsibility to use inexpensive boxcutters instead of printing billions of dollars and borrowing trillions more to buy guided missiles and Predator drones. Disgraceful.
"expects" = "has expected" Sorry.
"This is an absolute perfect example of the separation of church and state, and it takes a 20-year-old to stand up and say no,"
This is supposed to be a secular nation.
"When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours."
Chris, so defending your life, fighting for your freedom of religion, speech and guns, that was wrong because he didn't believe in your flavor of god???? So, he should just let you get taken by the Taliban because he doesn't know right from wrong, being that he is non christian....good to know.
Sorry Chris morality does not come from a mythical being God or otherwise, and I'm a Christian. You should know better for pushing that garbage.
Typical xtian bullies...
Good for this young man standing up for what is right!
If you're an atheist, there is no "right" or "wrong". Morality comes from God. Without God, there is no good or bad, right or wrong. Atheist only have the laws of man, therefore legal and illegal. Legal and illegal do not always line up with right and wrong. Your values are your own and each determines his own right or wrong. Therefore, without God and common shared values, there can be no national values or unity thorugh shared values. That only leaves conflict, which I guess is what you guys want.
Nuts to you! Chris, you have lost your ever lovin' mind. It is indeed possible to have common shared values and common national values such as.. making sure everyone has healthcare. I mean, everyone should have the right to good health, correct? I am a pagan and believe in a religion that is the very BASIS of yours, and alas our existence has not caused the sky to fall. Kudos to this brave soldier. I too was stationed at Fort Jackson and ran into similar situations. About damned time someone had the seeds to say differently. Soldier, you make me proud to say I am an Army veteran.
Chris,
Sit down. Hold tight. You're gonna lose your mind.... There is no God. Yet we know "right" from "wrong".
Whoa. Are you ok?
so, what is "right" and what is "wrong"? and more importantly, will we all adhere to those notions regardless of belief systems or absence thereof?
Normal humans can empathize with others and realize that hurting people, whether through lies, theft or violence, is a bad thing. If someone needs a religion to know right from wrong, they are dangerous, because it gives that religion the power to decide who should be hated. I would like to see a world where humans depended on empathy, and not mythology, to understand how to treat others.
At least they didn't shoot him in the back.
I would expect nothing less from an organization that markets itself to teenagers as an alternative to higher education.
Hmmm... can you think of a BETTER alternative to higher edu., when all you have is a HS diploma and no practical skills that industry can use? One that offers 100% medical for the soldier and the family? Dental? A myriad of other perks? No, I didn't think so, because one doesn't exist for most people. So the bottom line is that the military IS the best "alternative" to higher education for most people.
I believe higher education is the best option- but for those who are slackers, have a horrible H.S. GPA, and no skills- The military is the best bet.
@plaguedoc and ann... wow, think a little highly of ourselves do we?
While I don't mind fellow Solider expressing their own Religious Beliefs in the Army, I do mind when Soliders' try to push their God Belief on others. One thing that has always stuck with me is that during my first re-enlistment, my career counsolier at the time told me that during the Oath of Re-enlistment, that I can Instead of saying "I Solemy swear," during the Oath that I could Affirm, And instead of So help me God, I could just say, "So Help Me" Looking back on that it Got me thinking, this must be a fellow Atheist sience I haven't been informed about it during my last 3. But I have stuck with that Mantra ever since. Bringing it up to my Retention NCO every time I Re-enlisted.
They shouldn't even have soldiers say an oath. Ridiculous. They should have the soldier, sailor, airman, etc., sign on the silly dotted line like any other person filling out a CONTRACT. Forget the Oath, have the soldier re-new his/her contract, and get back to business. Too simple.
Robert, I think you're 100% on target with your logic, and I'm glad the soldier in the article spoke up! Unfortunately it took a Military Officer to bring common freaking sense into the situation. What was his idiot Platoon Sgt. thinking?