Constitutional Law, Religion

Looking For a Few Good Sheep

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

The U.S. Army is using the mandatory Soldier Fitness Tracker to measure the “spiritual” fitness of soldiers as part of the $125 million Comprehensive Soldier Fitness (CSF) program. Soldiers are required to answer if they pray, if they attend religious services, and if they find comfort in religious beliefs. Non-believers are guaranteed to score poorly.

While homosexuals can serve openly since the repeal of DADT, atheists are spiritually unfit.

For those that don’t measure up, there is a “recommendation” for remedial spirituality training.

Here are the pertinent questions:

The Army enlisted “Psychology of Religion” expert Dr. Kenneth Pargament of Bowling Green State University along with Army Chaplains to develop the spiritual portion of the test. Pargament’s area of research involves drawing on religious beliefs and practices to understand and deal with the stresses of life.

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) and the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) have sent cease and desist letters to Secretary of the Army, John McHugh and General Casey, the Army’s chief of staff.

If the Army is truly interest in the psychological well being of the troops, how about teaching them reasoning and critical thinking skills? Those skills will help them recognize nonsense.

H/T: Rock Beyond Belief, truthout, FFRF, MRFF.

106 thoughts on “Looking For a Few Good Sheep”

  1. Thanks for the well wishes and I’m already planning on picking up right where we left off. She now has peace of mind that she’s a tough old bird and neither one of her wings were broken.

    That hateful group will do anything for publicity.

    For you Swathmore Mom

  2. Marti,

    Oops … put it on wrong thread:

    Re: WestboroMan … that was a drive by … cute but of little value

  5. So what are you all bitchin’ bout? The bitch ain’t got no clout. She’s deader than an English doornail. Ain’t my fault she done been taught. The sinners will inherit this earth. I will be in heaven as I am understood. God hates a sinful person and puts them out of our misery as seen here.

  6. SwM,

    Re Westboro … to quote Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, ” … free speech … has consequences.”

  7. Swarthmore mom:

    There are no words to describe the mentality of a group such as that.

  9. Bdaman:

    I take it things have worked out,I think I am reading your response correctly.

    ” I find it quite amazing how things can take a drastic turn in less than a second”

    So true.

  10. Nal,

    I just found this interesting video about religion in the military. One of the people interviewed is Jeff Sharlet, author of “The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power.”

    Fault Lines – Religion in the military – 25 June 09- Pt1
    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TME6X9LQ4y8&fs=1&hl=en_US]

  12. To ALL and especially to you Ms.Blouise

    My mother fell over backwards doing physical therapy by my hands. Split second. My hands reached her shoulders as the back of the head struck the dresser. Had to pick her up off the floor back to a seated position and examine the source of blood coming from the back of the head. Thank God it was a nick. CT good ex rays negative, just real sore and me freaked out!!!!!!!!!!! Still trying to figure out how that happened. I’ve already reenacted it twice including rubbing my finger an the small metal handle on the dresser which the back of her head struck. Had it been another lb. of force it would have cracked her 80 year old skull. It could have been worse and I’m still counting my blessings. Like the shooting yesterday I find it quite amazing how things can take a drastic turn in less than a second.
    Everything is good and God is GREAT!!!!!!!!!

  13. eniobob,

    I’ll email you and others on Tues when I know what’s up

    Bda’s mom’s situation is painful … he needs the support.

  14. Nal,

    Thank you for this very important topic. I was an atheist when I served in the Army during the Viet Nam Era. I will write more about this later.

  15. Bdaman & Blouise:

    Your pain and trials are felt,Bdaman I really know your pain.

    Blouise,my prayers are continual.

  18. Bdaman
    1, January 9, 2011 at 9:02 am
    I’m just catching up on the story. I spent most of the day yesterday in the ER with my mother.

    ==========================================================

    I’m sorry to hear that … how is she doing?

    My hubby is back in … tomorrow they shock his heart.

  19. Nal,

    I don’t believe in redundancy. Besides, I had a lot more work to do on my post–and I have a killer cold…so my energy is at a low level. I’m glad you posted the story this morning. In addition, I think it best to keep the discussion going on one thread.

  20. Bdaman,

    from the Sky Valley Chronicle:
    GIFFORDS WAS THE
    TARGET OF GUNMAN
    First time in more than 30 years
    a U.S. lawmaker was victim of assassination attempt
    January 09, 2011

    http://www.skyvalleychronicle.com/FEATURE-NEWS/GIFFORDS-WAS-THE-TARGET-OF-GUNMAN-br-First-time-in-more-than-30-years-a-U-S-lawmaker-was-victim-of-assassination-attempt-564104

    Excerpt:
    (TUCSON, ARIZONA) — The aftermath of the lone gunman attack in Tucson Saturday that left U.S. representative Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona critically wounded is six dead, 13 injured and millions of Americans asking why.

    Why did such a tragedy happen?

    Arizona authorities now say Giffords was targeted by the killer, that it wasn’t just a random shooting into a crowd and that law enforcement officers in the region were searching for a second suspect.

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