[Scubes]

Hmmmm....what if... this took place in a foreign army.........

" During the trial, the NON-JEWISH battalion commander insisted that the order was legal, but the soldier responded, "Not according to Halakhah [Jewish law]." The NON-JEWISH commander said, "If you violate your faith, you'll be able to live with that, but if you violate the army rules, you'll have to pay dearly." The soldier said, "I'm willing to pay the price. "

What opinion would one have of the battalion commander and the army in question then?

[Alouette]

What is the difference? The soldier was not ordered to carry out a MILITARY COMMAND, something that was a matter of LIFE AND DEATH. He was not even commanded to tear down a "settlement." He was ordered to participate in a social entertainment that involved a violation of the tenets of his faith. Would you feel any differently if a BAPTIST soldier was ordered to dance, or if a MORMON was ordered to drink a beer.

We will not mention the uproar that would ensue if a MUSLIM soldier was ordered to do either of these things.

[BabsC]

What opinion would one have of the battalion commander and the army in question then?

If it concerned "military activity" I'm with the commander and army, OTOH if it's about an after hours dance I'd have to go with the recruit and his religion.