Poll on Religious Suicide Prevention Program in the Military

[micatala]

A recent thread brought up the case of a suicide prevention program in the military that was mandatory for some personnel.

Religious Freedom in the Military

It included a link to the following article in the Daily Kos

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/ ... 379/667800

It describes a faith-based suicide prevention program which employs the book "THe Purpose Driven Life". Program attendance is mandatory, and the article describes some examples of the more explicitly religious statements.

McCulloch asked:

Why is it that we don't see the supporters of religion strongly opposed to this kind of thing?

I thought it would be worth polling my fellow believers concerning their thoughts on this particular issue. Thus, the poll.

[otseng]

I voted "I am OK with the program as long as it is optional". I would disagree that it should be mandatory to attend a religiously based program in the military.

[micatala]

I voted "I am OK with the program as long as it is optional". I would disagree that it should be mandatory to attend a religiously based program in the military.

I voted similarly. However, in retrospect I should perhaps have included a clarification. Having the program as an option is fine, as long as there are other suicide prevention options available. Some who criticize the program do so not only on freedom of religion grounds, but also on the grounds that a program should have at least some possibility of having a positive effect. Whether this program is effective is open to debate, but my guess is it would be effective with some individuals and populations. However, if the military considers it part of its mission to provide effective anti-suicide programs, then they need to provide programs other than this one for which there is some reason to believe the program would be effective.

[joer]

I have to look in to it in more depth. But what I'd be looking for is, are there any other options. It is talking about suicide. So I think mandatory intervention should be considered in cases of suicidal tendencies. Because a depressed person may not want help and may not select a healthy option. So I think in the case of suicide any help would be better than NONE.