I think you are correct as it is now. And I do agree, as it is right now it is not practical to be completely secular for people holding these offices.
However, ideally, these groups would not need the recognition in this way as they ought to already have it otherwise and understanding that at some places some things are limited, should not discourage them to believe in what they want.
The distinction you make is fair. What I meant by active is as you describe "operating a vehicle", pedestrians are active participants as well, but you arguably are more likely to cause harm when misusing vehicles than on foot.
I was generally speaking about cities where most of these fines/sentences happend. In rural areas it is harder in many countries, although bare extreme mountainous parts, Japan is generally OK here as well.
Though I believe in these parts you are not only less likely to cause harm when drunk driving + police is less likely to stop you as well.
Generally speaking, it is always possible to either plan well enough to be able not to operate a vehicle drunk, or to simply don't drink if the former isn't possible. Don't you agree?
I gave Germany as an example, but this is the case for many countries. Japan, Germany, UK, some regions of Australia, etc.
Danke, zurück!
Yes I see that problem and in the best case it would not be renouncing their beliefs not to wear something where it is not appropriate, but there are many other beliefs or reasons where one is excluded from official office/army, etc.
I would say ideally not as they represent the state and thus should not wear iconography of any sort for secular states.
I also know that this might not be exactly practial in reality
Not really, same in Germany if you are generally drunk in traffic (except by foot or public transport, i.e. an active participant) the same sober laws apply. So the incentive is not to do that when drunk. Also believe me when you lose your driving license completely you will care if you need it, and even if you don't, fines hurt, too.
Japan is even harsher as you can go to prison directly, and if you are in their court system once (that is after only a fine or simple suspension) due to customs and cultural norms you will be found guilty with a chance of about 99 % (the Japanese court system is notoriously bad).
Alternatives to escalating by using a car can bet walking or taking the metro, the latter is easily possible in Japan, for instance. When the trains don't run there are plenty cheap manga cafes or capsule hotels.
I agree, though I am of the opinion that in secular states (at least at home and in peace time) government officials (including the army) should not wear any religious iconography
I think it is very weird to have that tattooed or on any military gear. Secularism and such, but that is the heraldry of the former Kingdom of Jerusalem. Albeit being the result of crusades, I don't think it is supremacist by itself?
Edit: Also the flag of the country of Georgia. Going by this, the US military either serves in the Georgian army as of recent or they confused theirs with the country again?
Edit#2: Quick wikipedia, also apparently still the symbol of the Latin patriarchate of Jerusalem nowadays
Same bei mir, aber Verteidigung der Doktorarbeit Anfang Januar
But neither can you discredit anything without evidence. The basis of science is falsifiability. That is, we have to be able to prove it wrong.
Similar to the original meaning of this post. Many countries forbid people to enter the military and similar office, if they are known to hold extreme believes (e.g. extreme right wing rhetoric has been used by them or such). Not always foolproof though