Christianity is being pushed in the military dining facilities in Iraq.

[lebkuchen]

DFACs not for religion

There are many chapels on Camp Anaconda, Iraq, for religious services. When one wants to participate or hear religious jaw-jacking, that is where one goes.

There are also many dining facilities. When one is hungry and wants to get something to eat, this is where one goes. When religious services, Bible quoting and gospel singing are held during meal times in the DFACs, this amounts to disrespect for those of other religions and those of no religion.

In the wake of the recent Air Force Academy scandal concerning religious intolerance, one would think those who run the religious departments on Anaconda would reconsider pushing their religion on a captive audience, not only on those who are there just to get something to eat but also on those who work in the DFACS who are of a different faith or no faith at all.

Is it really too much to ask that the preaching and pushing of Christianity be held within the chapels, where those who wish it can seek it there and those who do not wish to hear it will not be held captive and forcibly subjected to Christian ritualism?

I don’t go into the chapels to eat my breakfast, so the religiously inclined should show the same respect and not come into a dining facility to preach their religion.

Frederick Geraci
Camp Anaconda, Iraq

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=125&article=29488

[formerrepuke]

1. Ok, then military recruiters should be allowed to attend, recruit,

leave pamplets at fundie churches here in the US.

[immoderate]

3. Don't they?

:shrug:

--IMM

[elehhhhna]

5. Allowed? Hell! Commanded to do so!

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

2. He should go take a dump in the chapel...

and then say, "I'm sorry. I thought this was the latrine. It gets so confusing when you people DON'T STAY PUT"

[skooooo]

4. This is only one symptom....

...of religion being shoved down soldiers' throats. For a while I was a penpal with a soldier in Baghdad who told me that his higher-ups had ordered blocked any access to pornography and other controversial sites from their computers because of religious reasons. I guess I can understand that they may not want government computers used for that purpose, but on the other hand, these guys are forbidden to even have sex, so what would be so horrible with letting them look at some nasty pictures while they're not "fighting for our freedoms?"


Maybe that isn't as aggriegious as the preaching in the dining halls, but I bet there are other things going on that we don't know about.

[DulceDecorum]

10. The --ahem-- naughty industry offered free videos

to all the soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Other -ahem- naughty people, prefered a more personal touch.

Free Sex For Operation: Iraqi Freedom Fighters
By: Scott Ross
6-4-2003
A military ID and proof of service in the Gulf is required to obtain the T&A kit. However, all members of the military are entitled to a 50 percent discount for sex at the BunnyRanch for the next month.
<snip>
Not that the BunnyRanch is pro-war. In fact Thomas thinks she could have prevented the war. "If I would have had a threesome with George Bush and Saddaam Hussein, the war would have never happened," she said.

[RiDuvessa]

18. Interesting

I don't know why you penpal said that the porn sites are blocked for religious reasons. It's DOD policy that use of government computers to view porn will not be allowed. Mostly because many of those sites have viruses and invasive programs. Also, its because of the DOD sexual harassment policy that states those type of sites cannot be allowed in the workplace.

Also, government computers cannot be used for peer to peer file sharing and such.

As for the religous thing, I can't say that I would approve of organized religous services during mealtime.

[Skittles]

20. um..................skooooo

why should anyone ANYWHERE be allowed access to porn AT WORK, let alone subsidized at taxpayer expense??? As far as needing release, they can use their imaginations just fine.

[elehhhhna]

6. New Recruiting Poster Ideas: "Wanna meet Jesus THIS YEAR?!!"

[ArkDem]

7. Oh, the HUMANITY!!!

[tx_dem41]

8. Who exactly is doing the preaching or arranging the groups?

Its important to know this detail when dealing in the area of Constitutional law.

[DulceDecorum]

15. You might be interested to know

that the official bible version of the US military is, according to my sources, the NIV.

The New International Version was created by the International Bible Society as an alternative to the King James Version which was seen as out-of date(!!!)
NIV is the property of the IBS and can only be published by Zondervan Publishing House. No-one else can legally print an NIV bible. Therefore all the money that the US military spends on bibles
goes straight into the pocket of those who own and operate Zondervan.
Recently Zondervan attempted to come out with a gender-neutral bible.
Here read the story for yourself and see just how many influential names you recognize. Now you heathens can have fun discovering the men behind the bible.

Timeline of Events:
1997
May 27, 1997 - In the early-morning hours prior to a meeting at the headquarters of Focus on the Family called by Dr. James Dobson, Zondervan and International Bible Society (IBS) call a press conference at which they issue a press release, indicating that "IBS has abandoned all plans for gender-related changes in future editions of the New International Version (NIV)."
http://www.cbmw.org/resources/tniv/timeline-1.php

[MadHound]

9. From what I've read, seen and heard, both in the media

And from returning soldiers, there is lots of Christianity being shoved down soldiers' throats. Not just in the Air Force academy, not just in the dining halls, but throughout all of the armed services, in the bunkrooms, in the field, etc. etc. I think that there is an organized movement, of which we are only seeing the tip, to Christianize all of the armed services.

It makes claims that this war in Iraq is in part at least, a religious crusade. It will also make it easier for the soldiers to round up, detain or kill, their fellow citizens, you know, those godless liberals.

Another symptom of how this country is being made over into a fundie, fascist state.

[elehhhhna]

11. Hutu Tutsi Whatever.

[DulceDecorum]

12. Git yerself on of these here MILITARY BIBLES

http://sohelpmegod.spreadtheword.com/store/RMProductBrowse/asp/RMCat1/Military+Bibles+%28HCSB%29

See, here is one for them Marines fellas
fighting them infidels
out there in Eye-rack:

Description
A pocket-sized, bonded leather (Marine Corps burgundy red) Military Bible (Holman CSB). Cover is beautifully embossed with the Marine Corps emblem and comes in a handsome gift box. INCLUDES FREE "SO HELP ME GOD" FLAG-TAG/NECK CHAIN ($5.00 VALUE)! The perfect gift that any veteran or servicemember will treasure for a lifetime! SPECIAL FEAUTURES: Presention, Dedication, and Records Section for Military Personnel; Words of Christ in red; Plan of Salvation; Pledge of Allegiance; Star Spangled Banner; Oath of Allegiance for Military Personnel; U.S. Armed Forces Code of Conduct; Marine Corps Core Values; History of the Marine Corps Emblem; The Marine''s Prayer; Prayer of a Midshipman; Marine Corps Hymn; Battle Hymn of the Republic; America the Beautiful; Onward Christian Soldiers; Where to Turn (Scripture Readings for all Occasions); So Great a Faith (Story of Jesus and the Centurion); Apostle''s Creed; Nicene Creed; Testimonials and Encouragement from Officer''s Christian Fellowship; Quotations, Prayers, and Inspiration from: D.L. Moody, George Washington, George W. Bush; General George S. Patton, Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, Jimmy Stewart and others. (NOTE: Free flag-tag/neck chain offer is NOT associated with or available from Broadman & Holman or AFC. This is an exclusive offer from the So Help Me God Project).

Or mebbe one our fine
FIREFIGHTER BIBLES or a
POLICE BIBLE

Come and git 'em.
You know God wants you to have one.
What's stopping yer?

[Karenina]

14. Rush Limbaugh

is also standard fare on AFN.

[Horse with no Name]

16. My brother is a staff sargeant

He said that the guys in his shop were spending all of their time at work (stateside) reading the bible.
He told them they needed to read the bible on their own time...when they were at work, they were at work.
He said it was strange. They closed their bibles, stood up and surrounded him. The "leader" said they were "casting him out" then they all turned their backs on him.
Is that some weird shit or what?
We discussed this over Christmas. I told him I figured they were just readying their defense of conscientious objector status, but now I think it is alot deeper than that.

[shrike]

13. That would tick me off

And I'm a Christian. Who the hell wants to listen to Bible readings while you're eating?

[GOPisEvil]

17. Anyone up for a rousing rendition of "Onward Christian Soldiers"?

[dogday]

19. Soldier Fighting For Freedom Of Religion Should Not Have To

be exposed to this, especially while you are eating. Give these boys a break, haven't they been through enough?

[wallwriter]

21. Disgraceful

Jews have fought in every war since the Revolution; I would be happy to hear about the contributions of Buddhists, Muslims, Native Americans and others, which are undoubtedly significant as well. This is an affront.