Thoughts on DOD removing hundreds of religions from the recognized list?
The list dictates who gets services on base and deployed, what burial services are available, and what religions are protected from discrimination in the military, among other things.
I'm afraid very bad things are coming for everyone who falls on that removed list, much like immigrants are already experiencing
I mean, it ain't great?
I not too concerned about bad things happening to the groups no longer named, it doesn't appear to be targetting religions affiliated with any specific groups.
I'm more concerned that almost all the remaining religions are flavors of Christianity, and not actually different religions. It's another step towards the pathway of making Christianity the state religion of the country.
Luckily, its not one that the military itself seems thrilled about based on responses. Even military.com is saying that its a "not so hidden agenda" and a "push towards Christian theocracy". There was also a sub-heading calling it a "Middle finger to the constitution".
I mean, it's all going to come down to antisemitism and Islamophobia.
Current estimates put about the same amount of Wiccans in the Military (10k-20k last I checked) as some of the other religious groups that are still recognized. But because we're a decentralized religion, we often don't get the same recognition culturally as other groups. That makes eliminating us from the books easy.
And that's why it's the canary in the coal mine.
Get rid of groups like us and no one bats an eye -- but it sets the precedent to start going after other religious minorities. "We stopped protecting the rights of Wiccan service members, so why not take it way from Jewish people? Or the Muslims? There are about the same amount or fewer service members who are a part of those religions!" You always start with the people no one will raise a stink over.
But on a lesser note, it is frustrating on it's face too, because we had to fight to get recognition to begin with. It's going to be harder for Pagan service members to have their religious needs recognized. Just because the attack isn't really meant for us and that other people are going to feel the hurt more doesn't mean it doesn't also suck.
Maybe I phrased things poorly?
I meant that its another step in the administration's ongoing campaign to install Christianity as the State Religion rather than an individual operation against those specific religions such that you'd expect further persecution beyond lack of recognition (at this point). They've got to first establish their State Religion before they can persecute anyone for not being part of the State Religion.
And my other point, was that people are making a stink. This is not "no one batting an eye", this is a lot of people being outraged and offended and calling it a betrayal of why they serve. This is not something that it appears that the military is just going along with and that is good for the servicemembers on the ground. And its good to slow down further movement, because there is a lot of backlash coming from a lot of different sources- including Christian ones.
All I can think of is that in Australia, "Jedi" is recognized as a religion followed by about 4% of the country. People think it's funny, but like, as far as I know the Jedi do have an actual belief system, and if you find it helpful to you, sure, why not. Scientology got to be a religion and it's openly a pop-culture scam, I don't see why people can't find meaning and purpose in a religion that started in pop culture.
Meanwhile over here they're ditching Wicca? WICCA?? Like probably the best known of the so-called "new age" religions??
They stopped recognizing all religions except for Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Baha'i, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism.
I don't think it a coincidence that all but one are either theoretically monotheistic or considerd compatible with monotheism. After all, there are about four times as many Wiccans in the US than followers of Baha'i, making it pretty clear it was never a numbers game.
My guess is the only reason they kept Hinduism is that it was too entrenched and established for them to find an excuse to drop this round. Depending on the strength and length of the backlash, dropping Hinduism would likely be their next move.
....holy fuck.
That is.
Yeah.
No.
I'm calling my rep over this.
