In a May letter to Vice Admiral Jeffrey L. Fowler, the academy's superintendent, ACLU officials asked the institution to end the prayers on behalf of nine unnamed midshipmen who said the prayer made them uncomfortable and violated the Constitution.
The prayer occurs before the midshipmen eat lunch, when one of the academy's eight chaplains leads the brigade in prayer. The anonymous midshipmen and the ACLU said those who don't clasp their hands, bow their heads, and recite the prayer inevitably stand...
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Russell - 2008-06-30 13:22:22
You obviously did not understand my comment. I was not comparing entrance to the Academy to slavery. I was comparing religion to slavery; no--just kidding. What I said was that traditions change with time. At one time slavery was defended as a tradition; now mandatory prayer is being defended as a tradition. Both are wrong.
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Chris K. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Chris K - 2008-06-30 12:48:45
Comparing volunteer entrance into the academy to slavery is irresponsible.
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Russell M. - Davidsonville, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Michael Calo - 2008-06-30 11:30:02
You said:
"There IS NO "separation clause", and it won't magically appear in the Constitution no matter how many times the ACLU and its goose-stepping supporters wish it would."
Ever heard of The First Amendment?
(Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.)
In this case I think the ACLU is probably going over board but they are correct in the fact that the government presenting a situation that introduces religion is in fact not constitutional.
"So you're an agnostic or an aetheist; whoopee. That's your problem...don't try to force it on the rest of the country."
Funny you say that, that?s exactly the argument of the Atheists and Agnostics. There having religion forced at them. They are perfectly happy to not force there belief on you but perhaps you can provide them with the same courtesy.
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K. Overman - arnold, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Don't force religion. - 2008-06-27 08:45:03
Slavery was also a tradition here in Annapolis. As people become better educated and informed they realize that certain thing that were once accepted as tradition are wrong. Forcing intelligent and educated young men and women to endure religious rituals is one of them. Certainly there are many in the US who cling to various religions, superstitions, and other deep personal beliefs. And they have every right to do so. But the rest of us simply ask that they not share them with us or force us to listen to them. It is simply rude to pray out loud at a lunch when it is obvious that many do not share your beliefs. That shows a profound lack of respect in a country that is (fortunately) growing ever more diverse.
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Chris K. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Volunteer Armed Force - 2008-06-27 06:54:48
If entering the academy is a volunteer choice and you know of the traditions inherent to the academy, I have no sympathy for the midshipmen; you knew what you were entering. For the midshipmen who feel uncomfortable and feel the prayer is unconstitutional, you still have time to enroll for the fall semester at UCLA Berkley.
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Russell M. - Davidsonville, MD - Karma: Neutral
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USNA prayer, ACLU - 2008-06-26 22:29:15
The ACLU may go overboard, but its a necessary voice. Its never bad when a group exists to challenge the government peacefully. It does as much as the military ever will to preserve our Constitution. In this case its a little dumb. I was a non participant in these prayers for four years (by the way Michael, I take offense to you calling it "my problem") but never felt pressured to bow my head or clasp my hands. I was forced to stand through it, and I think a solution to this would be to hold the prayer after announcements are over so those who wish can sit down and start eating. I think you'd see alot more people sitting than you'd expect, because it is more than 9 people who felt uncomforatable with this, of that I'm sure. Those were just the ones to step up and talk about it, since I doubt they canvased the whole yard for support. As for Michael's assertion that those in the minority should shut up and let the majority do what it wants, well, thats never been the American way of doing things.
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Thomas H. - Pensacola, FL - Karma: Neutral
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UNSA prayer, ACLU - 2008-06-26 21:40:38
This is insane. We are taking God out of everything as to not offend anyone. Correct me if I am wrong, but don't we live in the USA??? Don't we have the freedom of religion in this country? No one is forced to recite a prayer. This just enrages me, but I will keep all of you in my prayers. May God bless.
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Nicole See - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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UNSA prayer, ACLU - 2008-06-26 16:50:23
I fear for this nation if t he people who are sworn to uphold the contitution don't even understand it. There IS NO "separation clause", and it won't magically appear in the Constitution no matter how many times the ACLU and its goose-stepping supporters wish it would.
As for a 163-year-old tradition, how dare nine Midshipmen amd former Midshipmen - and, of course, the ever-whining ACLU - attempt to change the Academy's environment to suit them. This is just another example of the tail wagging the dog - meaning that the ACLU and a disgrunted ultra-minority (nine people) are trying to tell everyone else how to live. So you're an agnostic or an aetheist; whoopee. That's your problem...don't try to force it on the rest of the country.
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