[idramamama]

http://www.pasadenasun.com/news/opinion/tn-pas-0219-in-theory-should-the-military-test-spirituality,...

I think not.  I like the letter calling for mental health testing, with perhaps one or two questions regarding spirituality, but for the gov't to probe one's privately held religious beliefs, and to make decisions about  one's military career base on that is just wrong in my opinion.

[idramamama]

http://www.pasadenasun.com/news/opinion/tn-pas-0219-in-theory-should-the-military-test-spirituality,...

I think not.  I like the letter calling for mental health testing, with perhaps one or two questions regarding spirituality, but for the gov't to probe one's privately held religious beliefs, and to make decisions about  one's military career base on that is just wrong in my opinion.

[gypsywolfwoman]

Absolutely. Actually, the military shouldn't require questions about personal spirituality or beliefs at all. None of their "beeswax." It's an arm of our SECULAR gov't, after all. Such questions could be used to discriminate against people not following the "majority" religion and encourage bullying, hazing and evangelizing attempts. Oh, wait, that already happens at the instigation of some officers... The only thing the military should be concerned with is providing access for spiritual gatherings/services for *all* beliefs.

[jamblessedthree]

I recognized it as something of a positive especially given the number of soldiers returning home that are suicidal or ptsd.  If the question is yes or no, A person can simply check yes or no and move on.  If there are specifics h/she wants to share then it should be made available....  I think it would be a healthy tool in helping a soldier who is returning home without having to come right out and ask him on the spot..  And unless you think an Atheist isn't spiritual whatsoever I think it could be a benefit for him too.  Are you a spiritual person doesn't have to automatically mean, Are you a religous person. 

[the_navigator84]

<<If the question is yes or no, A person can simply check yes or no and move on. >>

I guess you did not bother to read the link from the initial posting, especially the third paragraph:

"Army Sgt. Justin Griffith has been leading the charge to alter the test. He and other protesters — some atheist, others religious — point out that there is no way for an atheist to answer these questions, other than to put, “Not like me” or “Never;” and that in doing so, they effectively “fail” the survey. They also claim that an individual's beliefs, or lack of beliefs, have no impact on his or her abilities as a soldier, and that some are worried that failing the survey could count against them when it comes to being considered for promotion. They also claim that the description “spiritual” may as well be code for “Christian.”"

If an atheist answers honestly it is an automatic failure and they are required that he take a computerized training module to teach them about different forms of spirituality, including prayer, meditation and attending church, which to an atheist would be wasting their time (ed.est. harrassment) just because they are an atheist.  In addition, there is a chance that such a failure of this survey could affect the soldier's carreer, and that is discrimination.

FWIW, the link was started by a man of the cloth who thinks the Army is wrong with this spirituality nonsense.