There was a disussion recently about food in prisons (US)...
In this discussion it was stated that prisons provide Kosher and Halal meals for inmates. I have asked several vets about this in the military and was told the military has no such obligation. so why do prisons?
I guess without the provision it would be considered cruel and unusual punishment... As a guess
This post was edited by Benedict Arnold at March 27, 2017 10:44 PM MDT
the everchanging logistics for a moving army becomes even more impossible when trying to allow for such dietary differences. It is much easier for a prison that have lots of time to find as single stable supplier of fx "halal meat"
It is written policy that the military services will accommodate "religious" food requirements when ever possible and it is not detrimental to the service members or the mission. They have also received dispensations for all affected personnel, from all major organized religions to serve what is available when necessary during combat or other adverse conditions even if the meals are not according to their religious practices. On another subject, Chaplains in all military services are trained and authorized (by their own religious order) to perform religious rights and services of all the major religions represented in the military services. I have seen a Rabbi Chaplain give the Catholic last rights to a soldier who was about to die. As an example.
Your last sentence is intriguing and may lead to very interesting theological discussions. How could a rabbi sincerely and efficaciously offer extreme unction? Setting aside whether there is truth to any of it I wonder what other members think.
I am not a theologian by any means and the history of the Chaplain Corps is not only interesting but fascinating. As it was explained to me many years ago in a very steamy jungle after many, many years of meetings and negotiations the major "organized religions" came to some sort of agreement.
Harry 