I would have no problem with that. It is all part of existing under a Constitution that guarantees freedom of speech and religion.
When I was in the Army, if someone bugged me about changing my faith to theirs, I would have been pissed. The regulation isn’t trying to silence anyones beliefs or stopping them from talking about their beliefs. It says troops can’t try to CONVERT others to their beliefs. You think it’s ok for a commanding officer to try to convert those in his command to his beliefs? I don’t. What if the troops in his command don’t want to and he gets pissed off. He could make things miserable for them.
It the regulation singles out religious conversion speedh as opposed to any other type of attempts to change people's views, then the regulation is clearly and unequivocally unconstitutional. It becomes a "content based" restriction on both the free exercise of religion and the exercise of free speech. This regulation would allow one to try to convert someone to a different political belief, but not a different religious belief. It would allow attempts at conversion in regard to philosophy but not religion.
When I was in the Army, if someone bugged me about changing my faith to theirs, I would have been pissed.
I guess you are one of those liberal types that think you should have the government make regulations so that you are not offended by the beliefs and practices of others? Your right not to be "pissed" overrides everyone else's right not to piss you off? Is that it?
Do you not realize the slippery slope you are sliding down? It is the "I have a right not to be offended" philosophy which permeates today's progressive liberal agendas.
You think it’s ok for a commanding officer to try to convert those in his command to his beliefs?
As long as it is not done under color of authority and as long as he does not give preferential treatment to those who convert or who believe as he does, then I don't see a problem with it.
What if the troops in his command don’t want to and he gets pissed off.
If he gets pissed off over that, then he is not fit for command. If it is reflected in his command decisions, then he should be removed from command.
He could make things miserable for them.
And if he is engaging in religious discrimination, then those he discriminates against could make things miserable for him.
The bottom line, WE DON'T NEED THIS STINKING REGULATION!
A Jewish soldier is required to by his faith to do many thingst. He is required to observe Sabbath, kosher, festivals, etc.
A Muslim soldier must pray to Mecca, observer dietary laws, observe Ramadan, and a host of other things.
Would you deny them the right to observe their religious practices?
If you don’t want to convert you don’t have to. Your commander has no right to make life miserable for you if you don’t convert, but he has every right to convert you if you choose to convert.