Excerpt from the critical analysis position paper that I wrote:
- In this paper, I plan to introduce key events which have shaped the current climate surrounding religion and religious expression in the US military. I will also analyze the tools and guidance currently available to Air Force commanders and leaders in dealing with religious needs and grievances of Airmen. The primary concern I will address is that mandatory military ceremonies and events are usually accompanied by an invocation or a benediction serving the Christian majority but trampling the rights of followers of minority religions, atheists and those of non-tradition sexual orientations. I will illustrate how the recent congressional decision, to repeal the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy has exacerbated a very specific but unacceptable incompatibility with current guidelines concerning public prayer at official functions. Finally, I will propose how an alteration to the above mentioned guidelines might mitigate the issue and suggest implementation at the appropriate decision level.
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