It seems to me that the suit seeks far more than a ban on "involuntary" conversion. It seeks to ban attempts to convert or prostylize OR attempting "to involuntarily convert . . ." It looks like the plaintiff contents that any attempt to convert or prostylize (I think that is what chaplains do) is per se off limits. Short of a gun the head, attempting to "involuntarily convert" is an oxymoron. I doubt that the real objective of the plaintiff is to prevent attempts at involuntary conversion. If the only goal of the suit is to prevent service men and women from being forced to attend religious services against their will - I doubt if anyone on this list would disagree. However, it appears to be an attempt to compel silence from any person with whose religious views the plaintiff disagrees. Steve Prescott
From: Steven Jamar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: Law & Religion issues for Law Academics <religionlaw@lists.ucla.edu>
To: Law & Religion issues for Law Academics <religionlaw@lists.ucla.edu>
Subject: Re: Air Force sued over religious intolerance
Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2005 12:14:09 -0400
Brad,let me quote what you quoted:
On Oct 6, 2005, at 1:52 PM, Brad M Pardee wrote:
2) The lawsuit "asks the Air Force to prohibit its members including chaplains from evangelizing and proselytizing or in any related way attempting 'to involuntarily convert, pressure, exhort or persuade a fellow member of the USAF to accept their own religious beliefs while on duty.'"emphasis added by me.Isn't this exactly the standard you are asking for? Does it not allow voluntary discussions of the type you want?I also think you are overestimating the internal strength of most people, armed forces leaders included, if you think a senior cadet or any teacher is not in an inherently superior position to a new recruit, or even another student peer. I think you may also be underestimating the effect of years of propaganda on even the most internally focused person. People can be persuaded by constant refrain of many heinous things, let alone by more seemingly benign promises of salvation.Steve
--
Prof. Steven D. Jamar vox: 202-806-8017
Howard University School of Law fax: 202-806-8567
2900 Van Ness Street NW mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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