Tyranny of the Few

via Pewsitter

The Baltimore Sun is covering action by the ACLU to end lunchtime prayer at the Naval Academy. Apparently, nine of the 4,200 midshipmen were so offended by the practice, that they sought legal advise on how to eradicate this most abominable practice of saying grace. They feel that the Naval Academy culture pushes religious views on those who don't agree with them. Apparently, a Washington lawyer says the Academy is "treading on thin ice" legally:

"Being in a service academy is a unique environment where obedience and group dynamics are at their apogee," Fidell [a Washington lawyer] said. "The danger that individual preferences or conscience will be overridden as a result of group pressure or institutional pressure is palpable."

So what seems more absurd to you...that a practice that 3,191 cadets tolerate be endured by nine who don't, or that the belief system of nine be imposed on the 3,191?

Comments

[Matt]

That kind of extreme low-numbered dissent is not well tolerated by the other Midshipmen. Even more so since this isn't a genuine grievance--you can't force someone to be sincere about the words they are saying, and I doubt that they are required to say them at all. The USNA is also steeped in history and tradition--any changes meet stiff resistance. The USNA, and the officer corps of the Navy and Marines, is also highly Catholic (I've been told over 50% Catholic). This will not go over well there.

[PeterTerp]

It does strike me as resonant with people who want to change the Church from the inside.

That is, why would you want to be part of an organization where belonging to it meant ruining things for most of its members? It's like a real life equivalent of online trolling.

Maybe these guys see themselves sacrificing themselves for future cadets...for the droves of atheists who are just dying to join the Navy, if it weren't for that annoying lunchtime prayer.

If I were them, I'd make sure to always wear my life preserver.