m0tbaillie
Former SWO
Remember a book called The Crucible? We've come a long way from witch hunts...
Fixed.
Remember a book called The Crucible? We've come a long way from witch hunts...
Read this. It's the Marine Corps order on hazing, then ask your question. It will make more sense after that I think.My main point wasn’t that being hazed or not being hazed made for better soldiers and sailors, which of course doesn’t. Or that over the top stuff should be encouraged. But, that the little things bring fun little memories to your time in service.
A lot of things can be considered hazing, and my point was not to get to strict on every little thing. For example I know some units, whenever you say it is your first time doing something, you have to buy beer for the group (which by most definitions can be considered hazing). Should that sort of thing be banned? What about challenge coins? Should squadron pranks be abolished because it could cause ridicule upon individuals?
To back it off a notch to the issue being litigated, I just don't understand the harm in a non-denominational prayer. If you don't feel like participating, then just close your eyes and just accept the fact that you got a couple extra seconds to close your eyes, take a breather and reflect for a second. You don't have to actually listen to the prayer. If the name "God" causes you physical pain, perhaps you should chill the hell out, Damien, put some foamies in your earholes, and get back to trying to take over the world.
On the flip side, mandatory prayer could be looked at as the first step towards "TEAM JESUS CHRIST" in the locker rooms.Some of the more extreme in the ACLU, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, etc crowds actually want to go so far as to abolish the chaplain system. I think suits such as this one at USNA are the first step.
We're well on our way towards that already.Should squadron pranks be abolished because it could cause ridicule upon individuals?
On the flip side, mandatory prayer could be looked at as the first step towards "TEAM JESUS CHRIST" in the locker rooms.
"Everybody else is participating with their heads bowed and their arms crossed,"
The entire point of "perceived pressure" is that if you feel it, you're wrong, not everyone else. You need to correct yourself, not summon the ACLU to correct a problem with everyone else that is, in fact, nonexistant.I believe in the perceived pressure by these individuals. Not that it makes sense to me, but that they may have felt it. I will point out, however, that if everyone that was participating has his or her head bowed...guess what they aren't watching you not participate. Just my $ 0.02
Words...
To I just don't understand the harm in a non-denominational prayer. If you don't feel like participating, then just close your eyes and just accept the fact that you got a couple extra seconds to close your eyes, take a breather and reflect for a second. You don't have to actually listen to the prayer. .