U.S. Soldiers Punished For Not Attending Christian Concert

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by Azure

I take beef with the ridiculous notion that this has something to do with religious reasons, and isn't just some General abusing his power in a way that involves a Christian rock concert.

Seems like anything 'religious' is criticized, and yet the same General could force 80 of his troops to do cleanup because of any other reason, and nobody would even say anything, let alone start a thread about it.

Because folks rarely take issue with non-discrimination?

If troops were being segregated and punished based on gender or racial lines then yes.

Maybe the General should put Republicans on latrine detail.

[CaptainCrunch]

I'd be interested in seeing the results of the final investigation.

Its funny, because back in the day, we had events like this, not christian rock concerts, but ball tournaments against other units, or other events like it, and attendance was voluntary, however there was an understanding that if you didn't attend it wasn't going to be free time for you, they'd give you taskings like cleaning or weapons detail or whatever.

The worst was, this is considered voluntary, you can either go play ball and have fun, or you can square away your assigned detachment.

To me the Captains statement could be sincere, he saw this as a social event and he wanted to push the support of events like this whether Christian rock concert or not. He did take it over the edge a bit, but this could also be common soldiers who were bitching that they were made to do a work detail instead of going to a concert.

I'll wait and see what happens with the officer.

I do have some resentment when I read threads about localized incidences and we suddenly apply the situation to the whole body. So a Captain goes and does something stupid, we see the word Christian rock band applied, and we suddenly leap to the conclusion that the American Military is some body of Christ spreading the word through a efficient use of artillary, air power, fast moving armor and the natural aggressive nature of the united States Marines.

now if you'll excuse me, at 13:00 hours Chaplain Charlie will tell you about how the free world will conquer Communism with the aid of God and a few Marines! God has a hard-on for Marines because we kill everything we see! He plays His games, we play ours! To show our appreciation for so much power, we keep heaven packed with fresh souls! God was here before the Marine Corps! So you can give your heart to Jesus, but your as$ belongs to the Corps! Do you ladies understand?

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

This is going to be a short post.

USA! USA! USA!

/end of of shameless drive by.

Ignorant dbag.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by Azure

I take beef with the ridiculous notion that this has something to do with religious reasons, and isn't just some General abusing his power in a way that involves a Christian rock concert.

Well, there may be religious reasons behind it but I agree that right now it needs to be looked at as an officer abusing power over his troops; however to deny that the American military does have a track record for favoring and proselytizing Christianity is silly, whether or not that was the case here remains to be seen.

Originally Posted by Azure

Seems like anything 'religious' is criticized, and yet the same General could force 80 of his troops to do cleanup because of any other reason, and nobody would even say anything, let alone start a thread about it.

The army is government. Seperation of Church and State. Him making them clean up for another reason probably would be frowned upon but it wouldn't directly run counter to government policy as well known as that.

[Flashpoint]

Not just an American problem. This used to happen to me every year at army cadet camp in the summers. On Sundays they would march us off to the church, and then divide everyone into "Catholic" and "Other". Other meant you got the Protestant minister. There was no option to do anything else.

This was Canada circa 1992. Eventually I started faking heat stroke. Lying under a wet blanket for 2 hours was preferable to being preached at. Frankly, given the choice to clean the barracks, I would have happily done that.

Not sure what the policy is these days.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

Not just an American problem. This used to happen to me every year at army cadet camp in the summers. On Sundays they would march us off to the church, and then divide everyone into "Catholic" and "Other". Other meant you got the Protestant minister. There was no option to do anything else.

This was Canada circa 1992. Eventually I started faking heat stroke. Lying under a wet blanket for 2 hours was preferable to being preached at. Frankly, given the choice to clean the barracks, I would have happily done that.

Not sure what the policy is these days.

Yeah, I remember the same thing at Air Cadet camp at CFB Greenwood in the early-mid 90s. Every Sunday morning was "church parade" in which you could choose to go to either the Catholic or non-specific Protestant church for religious services. If you were a non-Christian, you were not forced to attend, but you were assigned extra duties instead at the barracks (mopping floors, scrubbing toilets, etc.). My Jewish best friend was not impressed by this at all.

[Byrns]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Yeah, I remember the same thing at Air Cadet camp at CFB Greenwood in the early-mid 90s. Every Sunday morning was "church parade" in which you could choose to go to either the Catholic or non-specific Protestant church for religious services. If you were a non-Christian, you were not forced to attend, but you were assigned extra duties instead at the barracks (mopping floors, scrubbing toilets, etc.). My Jewish best friend was not impressed by this at all.

It was the same for me during my basic training in 1997.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by peter12

I find Hoz's skepticism, regarding most things that slander America or Israel or Christianity, quite refreshing in contrast to many posters on this board.

Some would say HOZ is over-refreshed

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Byrns

It was the same for me during my basic training in 1997.

Scrubbed your share of floors and toilets did ya?

[HOZ]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Some would say HOZ is over-refreshed

Some would say taking potshots at people they disagree with without showing an ounce of integrity is simply intellectual cowardice. Other than potshots do you have a thought of your own? Can you actually engage in a conversation? Or after 10 plus years on this board are you still a child?

Gee...I await your asinine retort with hilarious Photoshopped picture because I know you can't help being a Dick.

[speede5]

Wah frickin Wah!

In the military I have seen the same thing happen to people who didn't want to take part in parades, attend beer calls, play along with family fun days, sports days, etc. These guys had an option and weren't forced to attend. Just cause the option sucked doesn't make it a punishment.

The only reason this is getting any play is because it has to do with Christianity, which so many on the interznet loves to flog.

Are we going to have the same pity party for boys who don't want to take part in Remembrance day services?

[Byrns]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Scrubbed your share of floors and toilets did ya?

On the 2nd Sunday, 99% of us went on church parade.

[speede5]

I forgot about Church parade, but the was only in basic. Most of us went just for the break!

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Byrns

On the 2nd Sunday, 99% of us went on church parade.

I know what you mean.

Of course training officers got smart about that two.

DS - "All right ladies, at 09:00 am you can attend church parade, and clean the toilets"

Me - "Don't you mean or sarge"

DS - "Apparently not"

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by HOZ

Some would say taking potshots at people they disagree with without showing an ounce of integrity is simply intellectual cowardice. Other than potshots do you have a thought of your own? Can you actually engage in a conversation? Or after 10 plus years on this board are you still a child?

Gee...I await your asinine retort with hilarious Photoshopped picture because I know you can't help being a Dick.

yeah... after you so courageously put your foot in your mouth.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by HOZ

Some would say taking potshots at people they disagree with without showing an ounce of integrity is simply intellectual cowardice.

Are you new?

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by Orange

It's unfair alright. 80 soldiers were punished and had to do some clean up. The others were punished much worse and had to go to a Christian rock concert!

In the immortal words of Bill Hicks: Please, give me the Satan-worshipping family down the block ... the ones that have the good albums.