The Army is facing criticism for requiring at least 800,000 uniformed soldiers to answer a “spiritual fitness” questionnaire. The Global Assessment Test (GAT) is part of a $125-million soldier fitness program, intended to combat suicide and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The computerized survey asks soldiers to rank themselves on statements such as: “I am a spiritual person” and “In difficult times, I pray or meditate.” Military officials say the GAT questions pertain to the domain of the human spirit and aren’t religious. Critics disagree. One self-identified Army Lieutenant wrote on the DOD web site, “The GAT asks rather intrusive questions about soldiers’ spirituality – coming perilously close to violating the 1st Amendment. There was no option to avoid the questions, leaving our atheist soldiers to wonder if their beliefs are tolerated in today’s increasingly religious army.” Following the test, some soldiers are being told they need counseling. Suggested solutions include church, prayer and a higher power. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation, has demanded that the Army cease and desist forcing soldiers to take the survey. Is the test a smokescreen for religion? Is it discriminatory against atheists, agnostics and non-believers? Or might it be a useful tool to help struggling soldiers?
Army under fire over “spiritual fitness” test
Lance Corporal Nathan Jones leads prayer for fellow Marines in Ramadi, Iraq. Prayer meetings and Bible study are weekly events for devout Christians on the base.
(
Chris Hondros/Getty Images
)
US Army Sgt. Towolawi Sikiru displays his Bible with a camouflage cover after a Sunday evening Christian church in Baghdad.
(
Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images
)
Listen
17:55
Army under fire over “spiritual fitness” test
The Army is facing criticism for requiring at least 800,000 uniformed soldiers to answer a “spiritual fitness” questionnaire. The Global Assessment Test (GAT) is part of a $125-million soldier fitness program, intended to combat suicide and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The computerized survey asks soldiers to rank themselves on statements such as: “I am a spiritual person” and “In difficult times, I pray or meditate.” Military officials say the GAT questions pertain to the domain of the human spirit and aren’t religious. Critics disagree. One self-identified Army Lieutenant wrote on the DOD web site, “The GAT asks rather intrusive questions about soldiers’ spirituality – coming perilously close to violating the 1st Amendment. There was no option to avoid the questions, leaving our atheist soldiers to wonder if their beliefs are tolerated in today’s increasingly religious army.” Following the test, some soldiers are being told they need counseling. Suggested solutions include church, prayer and a higher power. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation, has demanded that the Army cease and desist forcing soldiers to take the survey. Is the test a smokescreen for religion? Is it discriminatory against atheists, agnostics and non-believers? Or might it be a useful tool to help struggling soldiers?