Army denies soldier's request to grow beard in observance of Flying Spaghetti Monster religion

[jpak]

https://www.armytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2019/05/23/army-denies-soldiers-request-to-grow-beard-in-observance-of-flying-spaghetti-monster-religion/

Why are we here? What is our purpose? Why are U.S. service members not allowed to grow beards?

<snip>

Where, then, is the line in the sand drawn?

That question was at least partially answered this year when Spc. John Hoskins applied for a beard exemption as part of his strict devotion to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster — a faith also known as “Pastafarianism.”

“This request is based on my deeply and sincerely held belief in the Pastafarian faith,” Hoskins wrote in his request to the Army. “It is my personally held belief that growing a beard will bring me closer to my God and bring me into his favor.”

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[rampartc]

1. section 8 i presume

[Arazi]

2. And how is this different from believers in Islam and Sikhism?

Who also profess a religious requirement for a beard? Or mandatory clothing on their head (add in strict Jewish believers here too)?

[Odoreida]

4. You *do* know the answer to your own question. n/t

[HAB911]

10. Or Christianity

[obamanut2012]

5. Why is your first thought he is mentally ill?

Are followers of other faiths Section 8, too?

[rampartc]

7. the spagetti monster is as real as any god

many people in the military who are not mentally ill have reasons to appear so. my first thought was that this guy might be one of them

[hlthe2b]

3. It's the military... I had a female friend (commissioned officer) disciplined for wearing

small pearl stud earrings instead of the only acceptable small gold ball earrings. A former African American senior AIDS researcher at CDC, who was a Public Health Service Commissioned Officer, was disciplined for dreadlocks.

Sikhs were once allowed to wear turbans and beards--dating back to WWI... A legal settlement in 2017 allows for some exemptions but regulations are very stringent as to the length of beard and modifying the turban.

So, this is hardly surprising.

[eppur_se_muova]

6. Technically, it's true -- although beards are better at holding on to spaghetti sauce than pasta.

PS: Judging from context, I think he meant to say flavor, not favor.

[Brawndo]

8. Make exceptions for one fairy tale, you've got to make exceptions for all

Or, better yet, don't open that door at all.

[Sneederbunk]

9. Do we really want this guy in the Army?

[Mc Mike]

11. If he really wants the beard, he's gotta go with norse wodinism.

Otherwise he has to get in touch with Mike Weinstein's MRFF.