Wo do I complain to in the military as an Atheist?

  • Thread starter Thread starter lconnor65
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lconnor65

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I doubt that is how it really is. I never encounter such problems. Religious functions are not mandatory.

My platoon wanted to do a group prayer before we crossed the border to Iraq and I simple stepped out and no one had a problem with it.
 
I was told to stand in attention for prayer after mission briefings in Iraq and made to attend a mandatory religious marriage counselling program on the "5 languages of love" by famed biblical marriage counsellor Dr. Gary Chapman.

I complained to the chaplain offline and he said there was "freedom of religion not freedom from religion."

The chaplains assistant told me to "pray anyway"

the SGT major denied that the Chaplain didn't excuse people. (The chaplain never excused nonbelievers. The simply said "chaplain you're up" and the chaplain began the prayer after calling people to attention. I waited to be excused every time)

I complained to the EO and the IG who were all friends with the chaplain and the SGT major and was told that there "wasn't a valid complaint."

This went on for a year in Iraq. a year!!!!!!!! I was an Atheist for a year attending mandatory prayers!

What can I do?
 
Well you went to IG and EO, perhaps you can join the other atheist in a suit against the US government. I am not sure how far that would get you though.
** I understand what you are going through though. I am a Catholic and our BN Chaplin was a protestant. Ones beliefs are not completely fulfilled while in the service. One just has to deal with it. I know that sounds like a cop out, but you know that the Army is all about dealing with an unpleasant situation repeatedly.
 
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