"Troops told to refrain from eating, drinking in ..." Topic

…front of Muslims.

"Do not eat or drink in front of Muslims, and learn more about their religion.

That's the directive that has gone out to active duty military personnel at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, a Department of Defense medical and graduate school in Bethesda, Md.

The brigade commander sent an email to military personnel at the facility last month – just before the start of Ramadan – advising them to show respect to Muslim colleagues…"
Full article here
link

Amicalement
Armand

Why is this even a story?

Desert Shield and Storm and Somalia, we were told the same thing (and it was not Ramadan, it was just a proper thing to do to learn about their culture, understand your allies and the public you were going to have to deal with.)

Cultural observances are a good idea.

The troops made and are wearing these in theater to show how they feel about things

I believe Star Trek: Enterprise had an episode like this.

Actually the brigade commander may himself be afoul of US Army regulations. Any troops enforcing/obeying this order could get in trouble as well. "I was just obeying orders" is not a viable defense.

Recent, similar news article:

link

"…So Pastor Hogan reached out to his state representative – a Republican named Mike Kelley. Kelley then called the adjunct general of the Missouri National Guard.

"They told me that federal policy prohibits them from doing anything with any specific church," Kelley said. "The guys on the state level did everything they could. I have great respect for our local Missouri National Guard. But we are dealing with an over-burdensome federal regulation."

The Missouri National Guard did not return my calls for comment – but it doesn't matter. Kelley sent me a copy of the Army regulation.

It states: "Army participation must not selectively benefit (or appear to benefit) any person, group, or corporation (whether profit or nonprofit); religion, sect, religious or sectarian group, or quasi-religious or ideological movement."

Mmmmm, bacon……………………..

I believe Star Trek: Enterprise had an episode like this.

There was a Star Trek episode featuring pork eating Crusaders? ;^)

There was a Star Trek episode featuring pork eating Crusaders? ;^)

If there wasn't, there probably should have been. Love the patch.

If only the attitude were reciprocal. When Christians are in presence of Muslims, respect their culture, but when Muslims are in presence of Christians, they do not show respect for that culture.

When I was working in Las Vegas casinos, I ate pork in front of fundame talst Muslms without any trouble. There was an understanding we were all different and we had to tolerate each other's traditions.
On the other hand, one day I sat next to a rather beauteous woman from Ethiopia in the cafeteria and another gentleman, also from Ethiopia, built a " great wall of condiment bottles" between the woman and my myself.
The following week, the Ethiopian man was dismissed because he was ordering women around, including those not in our department.

I like that patch.

Good point Bobgnar … many times being PC is only one sided it appears … I also liked your post here – TMP link And I too like the patch …

Bobgnar, true that.

But it is also one of the differences that we (meaning Christians as you mentioned) need to maintain.

Being reasonably sensitive to others cultures does not mean catering to their every whim.

(WOW – just realized how POWERFUL that statement SHOULD BE to ideologues of all stripes!)

Agreed … but it does get a bit tiring after awhile … regardless …

I love that patch.

Where's my Christmas present Mo? 8+D

Agree with Bobgnar!.

Amicalement
Armand

Years ago a beefburger place in Manchester, UK, that I frequented, was taken over by a Muslim family, who removed bacon burgers from the menu. It lasted for about two weeks, before they were back on again. After all, business is business !