Secularization continues: Wheaton's "Christian prof. only" ROTC under fire

Though I think Wheaton can make the policy that only a Christian military officer serve as lead ROTC professor, the military is clearly able to simply withdraw the program.

Likewise, I dont think the military adhering to Wheaton's demand is unconstitutional. The ROTC program does serve a secular purpose and the military can make adminsitrative staffing decisions based on a variety of local considerations.

Christian school

I hope the militiary reaches a compromise and continues to accomodate Wheaton, and any other pre-existing schools with similar requirements. Future schools can be declined. As a side note, ROTC has been at Wheaton for 60 years.

All that aside, should ROTC soldier on at Wheaton, or be re-deployed somewhere else?

Cryptic said:

Though I think Wheaton can make the policy that only a Christian military officer serve as lead ROTC professor, the military is clearly able to simply withdraw the program.

Likewise, I dont think the military adhering to Wheaton's demand is unconstitutional. The ROTC program does serve a secular purpose and the military can make adminsitrative staffing decisions based on a variety of local considerations.

Christian school

I hope the militiary reaches a compromise and continues to accomodate Wheaton, and any other pre-existing schools with similar requirements. Future schools can be declined. As a side note, ROTC has been at Wheaton for 60 years.

All that aside, should ROTC soldier on at Wheaton, or be re-deployed somewhere else?

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I can understand the schools position, however, the US Military is not a religious organization, and ROTC is a training program for future military officers which need to be taught how to lead in a military made up of every religion as well as agnostics and atheists. To demand a Christian ROTC officer be the only one to teach ROTC cadets, is to fail to give these young people a proper education within the parameters of what ROTC is. Therefore, IMHO, if Wheaton doesn't back down, the DoD should remove the program from Wheaton.

Cryptic said:

Though I think Wheaton can make the policy that only a Christian military officer serve as lead ROTC professor, the military is clearly able to simply withdraw the program.

Likewise, I dont think the military adhering to Wheaton's demand is unconstitutional. The ROTC program does serve a secular purpose and the military can make adminsitrative staffing decisions baswwed on a variety of local considerations.

Christian school

I hope the militiary reaches a compromise and continues to accomodate Wheaton, and any other pre-existing schools with similar requirements. Future schools can be declined. As a side note, ROTC has been at Wheaton for 60 years.

All that aside, should ROTC soldier on at Wheaton, or be re-deployed somewhere else?

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The easiest way to go for Wheaton is to interview nominees and choose the one they want without saying why. You think that would be better?

Beaudreaux said:

I can understand the schools position, however, the US Military is not a religious organization, and ROTC is a training program for future military officers which need to be taught how to lead in a military made up of every religion as well as agnostics and atheists. To demand a Christian ROTC officer be the only one to teach ROTC cadets, is to fail to give these young people a proper education within the parameters of what ROTC is. Therefore, IMHO, if Wheaton doesn't back down, the DoD should remove the program from Wheaton.

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That sounds like the way to go if the military can do without.

Problem is that its an Active Duty position provided by the Army. You can't put that kind of litmus test on an active duty position.

Perhaps the solution is to covert the ROTC Leadership Instructor position to a position funded by the college where you can seek out applicants that fit their standard and not subject to that aspect of Army regulations. Would be the most accommodating route for all parties.

Cryptic said:

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All that aside, should ROTC soldier on at Wheaton, or be re-deployed somewhere else?

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They absolutely should be re-deployed elsewhere. What would Jesus think of a militarism being promoted on a Christian campus?

On a side note, my church is right across the street from this campus.

Beaudreaux said:

I can understand the schools position, however, the US Military is not a religious organization, and ROTC is a training program for future military officers which need to be taught how to lead in a military made up of every religion as well as agnostics and atheists. To demand a Christian ROTC officer be the only one to teach ROTC cadets, is to fail to give these young people a proper education within the parameters of what ROTC is. Therefore, IMHO, if Wheaton doesn't back down, the DoD should remove the program from Wheaton.

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I do see your point. At the same time, there do not appear to be any specific complaints or examples that Wheaton ROTC graduates have not been properly educated (incapable of leading or following people of diffferent back grounds).

Given that the program has been there for fifty years with out any identifiable problems, I would say keep the "Christian instructor only" accomodation, but just for existing schools.

Geoist said:

They absolutely should be re-deployed elsewhere. What would Jesus think of a militarism being promoted on a Christian campus?

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Jesus had no fundamental problems with Roman centurions, nor did he have a problem with Peter carrying a sword for self defense. Likewise, the apostle Paul was also not a dogmatic pacifist.

Geoist said:

On a side note, my church is right across the street from this campus.

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Just out of curiosity, what is their academic reputation?

Most schools with these policies seem small and dont exactly have the best academic reputations. Then again, BYU had a Mormons only policy for professors that was strengthned to be "active Mormons only". I dont know if it has since been relaxed or not.

joG said:

The easiest way to go for Wheaton is to interview nominees and choose the one they want without saying why. You think that would be better?

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That maybe a good compromise. But, normally the military just assigns officers independent of any school review. So, Wheaton would still be receiving an accomodation (the ability to screen nominees).

Fishstyx said:

Perhaps the solution is to covert the ROTC Leadership Instructor position to a position funded by the college where you can seek out applicants that fit their standard and not subject to that aspect of Army regulations. Would be the most accommodating route for all parties.

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That sounds like the best solution. Wheaton only expects the lead instructor to be an evangelical Christian. He could be a retired officer whose salary is paid by Wheaton. The Army then rotates in support instructors of whatever back ground they have available.

It's a reasonable request that the Army's had no problem granting for the past fifty years. As long as there's a suitable officer available, I see no reason that the Army shouldn't continue granting that request.

Korimyr the Rat said:

It's a reasonable request that the Army's had no problem granting for the past fifty years. As long as there's a suitable officer available, I see no reason that the Army shouldn't continue granting that request.

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The policy is a blatant violation of the UCMJ and the constitution, that is a pretty good reason to stop it. I don't see why 50 years of illegal action somehow makes it okay, that only makes it worse. The commanders responsible for carrying out the illegal religious test during the selection process need to face serious punishment.

The military chooses the staff. If Wheaton doesn't like their choice, they are free to have the program moved by the military to a university where they are wanted. The Army eliminated a number of ROTC programs at several schools recently. Put it where it will do the most good. The school will miss that tuition from the scholarships.

Religious privilege should be resisted. Especially when abused in secular undertakings.

If the military has a suitable candidate for the task that is a Christian, there's no reason to send him to some secular university instead of Wheaton just to appease atheists who want to poke a stick in the eye of Christianity. And if they don't and Wheaton sticks to it's demands, then pull the program from that school.