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Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
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Article: 8857
[Religious]
Date Posted:
1/6/2004
1:19:21 pm EST
Wvox Stats
Views: 6,704
RSS: 0
Comments: 8
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Pentagon Official: No Muslim Clerics For Detainees
Author: Barbara Starr Source: CNN
Title: PENTAGON OFFICIAL: NO MUSLIM CLERICS FOR DETAINEES
The U.S. military no longer has a Muslim cleric at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, ministering to the religious needs of the more than 600 detainees there, and has no plans to provide a new cleric of any faith, a Pentagon official said Tuesday.
The official said there has been no cleric for the detainees in nearly four months, since the September 10 arrest of Muslim chaplain Army Capt. James Yee on a variety of charges stemming from his work with the detainees.
Prior to the Yee controversy the U.S. military had touted the presence of a Muslim cleric as a humanitarian gesture to help detainees follow traditions of their faith.
Additional Article Link: [Click HERE]
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Community Thoughts: There are 8 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| Same Bull@&*! Different Day | Jan 6th. at 8:19:44 pm EST |
by Heather (nc) - wc_xemail
Am I surprised, no. I am, however, very sickened by these turn of events. Let me quote a little,
'"There was never an intent to provide a designated spiritual leader to the detainees."'
This is what I think they're up to, over there in Cuba... (Cuba??? Why Cuba? Did I miss something??) ....anyway...
Dehumanizing! Demonizing! Today, my mother and I passed a sign in Charlotte with a demonic looking Muslim guerilla saying something or other...it was a bilboard. I mean, those jokers definitely have some issues, but they still are, in fact, humans.
I would think that having a Muslim cleric in with the detainees might prompt them to seek more of peaceful philosophies that certain Islamic traditions espouse. It might help them help others.
No...they gotta have Church o' God folks up in there, but they don't talk to the detainees. Right!
Do these "officials" really think the populace is that stupid?
Don't answer.
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| U.N.'s Sorry Butt... | Jan 6th. at 7:44:24 pm EST |
by Gary Penzler (Toronto) - wc_xemail
When will the U.N. stop being afraid of the U.S.A. and SAY SOMETHING when something is wrong? This, and so much more, is potentially a WAR CRIMES case. The US has been in violation of the Geneva Convention before, but nobody has the guts to call them on it!
~Gary
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| Look For Yourself | Jan 6th. at 7:26:44 pm EST |
by Rhymer (Ann Arbor, MI) - wc_xemail
Below is a link detailing the Geneva Convention on Religion. While the Army Chaplain corps probably wouldn't be the best place to get a Muslim celebrant, because of the shortages and the politics in wartime America, there are other sources, one being the Red Crescent (Islamic version of the International Red Cross) or perhaps the United Nations. These organizations are also far less likely to have spies in their midst, the organizations have too much at stake and will make sure of that.
Robbing them of religious succor is tantamount to torture, because it involves the deepest part of a person's sense of being. I believe this is what is being sought after, and I am ashamed of my government's doing this.
Of course, the Bush administration is maintaining that these people are not covered by the Geneva convention. The courts are beginning to think otherwise, however.
Of course, Franklin Graham probably would love to get a crack at saving the souls of these men (and children, apparently) However, he's on his way to Iraq to inflame the tensions there... Find More info -- HERE
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| Title X | Jan 6th. at 5:19:02 pm EST |
by Ryan (Fort Polk, LA) - wc_xemail
A Chaplain serving in the military is there for one reason and one reason only. "A Chaplain performs or provides religious support in order to ensure the Title X right to free exercise of religion for the authorized personel assighned to their command."
Authorized person means persons employed by the US Government (be they service members or DA/ DOD civilions) and their immidiate family. Retierys are also included. Title X, USC does not apply to POW's.
A military Chaplain has no mandate to minister to them and a commander has no mandate to provide a Chaplain. With the limited number of Islamic Chaplains on duty in the military (less than 15 TOTAL FORCE) they are a limited resource best used to support the solders that they were brought onto active duty for in the first place. I'm not just talking about Islamic solders either.
To give an example, the Army is short 600 chaplains total force (roughly 200 per componant) . A Chaplain Provides for soldiers of all faith groups, performing for members of their faith group. So while that Chaplain was in Cuba performing for the POW's there were 700+ soldiers somewhere in the Army who where not being Provided for at all.
If the people really wanted a cleric for the POW's then I would suggest the new government of Afgan. send one as a special envoy complete with diplomatic credentials to serve in that compacity. This would help the POW's and leave our greensuiter chaplains free to do their very important jobs.
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| Unfortunately | Jan 6th. at 4:32:27 pm EST |
by Cu Mhorrigan (brooklyn. NY) - wc_xemail
When you are dealing with Fundementalists Like the Ones in camp delta, You run the risk of Clergy who are sympathetic. How do we know if the Cleric in questions was not carrying information back and forth?
While Yes I know that Not all Muslims was to see us dead (By Us I mean americans) It's Kind of hard to really know what an individual person is doing. Hell for all we know, they sent messages to "Family Members" back home, and they Might be coded instructions.
I think Not having a cleric to pat them on the forehead is the least of their problems.
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| Information Gathering | Jan 6th. at 2:27:00 pm EST |
by Hand Raised in Peace (Dekalb) - wc_xemail
The purpose of detaining these individuals is to gather intelligence from them about now outdated terrorist activities. Naturally, one does not wish to assist their captors. Denying the detainee’s access to a religious leader is necessary in order to destabilize them mentally. In fact, the entire way these detainees are treated is a program to make it easier for our interrogators to get information. It is sad. It is inhumane. It is necessary.?
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| Interesting Dilema | Jan 6th. at 2:08:52 pm EST |
by rowan (usa) - wc_xemail
While I am concerned that these people are *still* being held at Camp Delta, and I am very concerned over the allegations of inhumane treatment, Providing the "prisnors" with clergy seems to not have worked well in the past. I am of the opinion, however, that to not provide clergy is not the same as not allowing one to practice his/her religion.
I am waiting to hear how the courts will rule on this situation in Camp Delta. The whole thing seems suspect, IMO.
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| This Is Just Plain Sadistic! | Jan 6th. at 1:57:53 pm EST |
by Athenea (Alabama) - wc_xemail
So, just because these people are being held because they are "suspected" of being terrorists, it is acceptable to deny them the right to practice their religion? It's not like it would be that big a deal...they already have a Muslim chaplain at the base...why not just expand his duties to include the detainees? To deny ANYONE their right to practice their religion is just plain wrong, in my not so humble opinion.
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