[xzins]

As a long-time chaplain, I am certain that army regs take the position that a soldier is not deprived of any religious rights SUBJECT TO military necessity.

If you believe you should worship on Sunday and do nothing else, and your unit’s in the middle of battle, then you will NOT have worship, unless there’s a lull in the battle. “He who fights and lives today will live to worship another day” is their attitude. I never had a problem with it.

If the local population is going to rise up and start a revolution because some troop is handing out bibles, the US military is correct in preventing it, imho. The are right both from the standpoint of Christian doctrine and from the standpoint of sound strategy. “If the town won’t receive you, then shake the dust from your feet.” or something like that is what came out of Jesus’ own mouth. I’d think it applies here. Others are free to think what they want.

[Cogadh na Sith]

As a long-time chaplain, I am certain that army regs take the position that a soldier is not deprived of any religious rights SUBJECT TO military necessity.

There you go. Thanks, padre. That's all I'm sayin....

[George W. Bush]

Interesting take. How about if the soldiers are merely supplying local Christians with Arabic materials? Or Muslims who are curious? And would you agree that our soldiers are entitled to receive copies of the Koran or other religious writings in either Arabic or English when off-duty?

Naturally, I do agree that our soldiers are not entitled to be missionaries any more than they are entitled to promote racism or other ideas contrary to military policy.