West Point Survey Blasted for Religion Questions

[cbayer]

The assumption of faith/religion make these questions quite objectionable, imo.

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/West-Point-Cadet-Religious-Survey-Complaints-Unconstiutional-167385775.html

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation objected to an anonymous survey it says was sent to all the members of the Class of 2013 and asked 89 questions related to leadership and character
Friday, Aug 24, 2012 | Updated 8:38 PM EDT

A watchdog group on Friday demanded that the U.S. Military Academy withdraw an online survey of cadets that asks about religion, claiming it violates their constitutional protections.

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation objected to an anonymous survey it says was sent to all the members of the Class of 2013 and asked 89 questions related to leadership and character.

The survey consists of statements such as "I am ambitious" and "I am an original thinker." Respondents are asked to click on one of five circles describing how the statements apply to them, ranging from "very much like me" to "very much unlike me."

The foundation criticized a half-dozen of those questions related to faith and spirituality, such as "My faith makes me who I am" and "I practice my religion." The group claims the questions represent an unconstitutional test of religious preference.

more at link

[Jim__]

1. What was the point of the survey?

Given that the survey was anonymous and voluntary, if the questions were pertinent to what the survey was trying to learn, then I don't see the questions as objectionable. If there is no reason for the questions to be included, then including them is bad methodology.

[cbayer]

2. Who knows. Could be just statistical or part of a study.

Perhaps they do a similar thing for entering cadets, then re-survey at graduation.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. I think I'd agree - if it's anonymous, they could also not answer those questions

if they object to them, but think the rest of it is worthwhile.

[dimbear]

4. Sounds like a paper version of a push poll.

That's a no no.