Atheist Revolution

"Support Our Troops" vs. Homeless Veterans

2009-11-17T05:29:00.003-06:00

I am not a pacifist any more, but I do find the U.S. to be unacceptably pro-war. Although I did not support the first Gulf War, I did understand the need to intervene in order to help an ally (i.e., Kuwait). My primary objection to that war was that I found myself doubting that we would have been so quick to help an ally without oil. But I could at least swallow the concept of helping an ally who had been invaded. Similarly, I understood the need to go into Afghanistan following 9/11. This seemed like defensible move, even if it is not clear to me why we are still there and now appear to be on the verge of committing even more troops.

The second invasion of Iraq was absolutely unjustified, and never should have been permitted. As much as I detest W, I place the majority of the blame for this war on the shoulders of Congressional Democrats. They had multiple opportunities to stop it, including those that came well after they knew there were no weapons of mass destruction, and yet they lacked the political will. They let our country down in a massive way and deserve to lose their offices as a result. This does not mean that I hold W blameless, only that I do not accept the Democratic claims that this was solely his war. Besides, we are still there.

When I was in college, I had great difficulty understanding why some of my friends had joined the military to go fight a war in which they did not believe. Again and again, I wondered if the real power to change U.S. foreign policy rest with those who were considering joining the military. If they just said "no," there would not be enough troops to fight unnecessary wars. Bring back the draft and see how long it would take the flag-waving morons who mindlessly chant "USA USA" at every sporting event to change their tunes.

Perhaps this was naive of me. I felt like the cost of war was being hidden and that the majority of the population was so disconnected from the true cost that supporting a war became little different from supporting a sports team. Win or lose, it doesn't really affect them. Meanwhile, the military families must bear the burden with precious little assistance. It doesn't seem fair at all.

I am well aware that criticizing those who make the decision to send our young men and women into combat inevitably brings accusations of failing to "support our troops." These same accusations should be flipped and applied to those who refuse to fund the Veterans Administration, those who deny the existence of atheists in the military, and who object to providing those who served their country with the best possible care.

There should be no homeless veterans in the U.S. One is too many. If even a tiny proportion of those who affix "support our troops" stickers to their vehicles and feel self-righteous about doing so would contribute some money, to provide shelter to those they claim to support so much, this problem would evaporate before our eyes.

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Technorati Tags: military, war, Gulf War, 9/11, Afghanistan, veterans

Yes, There are Atheists in the Military

2009-11-09T05:29:00.003-06:00

During a radio address in which President Obama spoke about the recent murders at Fort Hood, he made a point to acknowledge the existence of atheists in the military. This marks the second time Obama has mentioned nonbelievers. This certainly is a pleasant change from most previous occupants of the White House.

Referring to the diversity of U.S. military personnel, President Obama said something we all know but are still not used to hearing a president acknowledge. That's right, he mentioned nonbelievers again, saying,

They are Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus and nonbelievers.

So our President recognizes that atheists serve in the military. I feel sort of silly for thinking that this is a big deal, but dammit, it is a big deal!

Thank you, President Obama.

H/T to Friendly Atheist

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Technorati Tags:
Obama, Fort Hood, atheists, military

No Atheists During an Economic Collapse?

2009-01-12T06:45:00.000-06:00

Image via WikipediaThe "no atheists in foxholes" myth is not only alive and well, but it is being applied to all sorts of other stressful situations. Take, for example, this commentary from The Buffalo News. The author, Lisa Earle McLeod, begins with the foxhole claim and then takes it a step further, "I would also say there aren’t too many atheists during an economic collapse or when your kid gets really sick or when your car flips over in a traffic accident and you find yourself in a ditch." Simple ignorance about atheism and atheists or despicable anti-atheist bigotry?

Just as the more common claim regarding atheists in foxholes, Ms. McLeod's claim can be falsified quite easily. But I submit that it may be even more interesting to walk through the door she opens at the beginning of her comment and see where it might lead.

Why do we always wait until things get awful before we ask for help?

We wait until our marriage is in a ditch before we go to a counselor.

We wait until our kid is failing before we hire a tutor.

And we often wait until we’re desperate before we turn to God.

Why indeed? In the first three cases (i.e., asking for help, going to a counselor, and hiring a tutor), I expect the answer often centers on embarrassment, time, and money. We all like to believe that we can take care of ourselves without help, and many of us were even raised to view asking for help as a sign of weakness. Obtaining professional counseling and hiring a tutor not only require us to admit that we have a problem but also demand resources in the form of time and money.

I think that the fourth example provided by Ms. McLeod is different. Turning to some sort of god can be a personal and private matter, so the risk of embarrassment (at least the type of embarrassment noted above) is unlikely to be relevant. Similarly, if we are talking about something like prayer, monetary expense is probably not involved (until churches figure out how to charge for that too). Time may be a factor, as even something like prayer can require some free time. However, I have a hard time believing that this is a serious obstacle.

Still, I'm not ready to dismiss Ms. McLeod's claim that people only turn to their preferred god in dire circumstances. How then are we to explain it?

There’s nothing like a big problem to bring us to our knees, both literally and figuratively.

Perhaps religious people know, at least on some level, that their god(s) is merely a theoretical fiction, conjured to bring comfort. In their day-to-day lives, they have little use for such an abstraction and have no trouble living as atheists. However, during times of crisis, many may not be strong enough to face reality and overcome the embarrassment of seeking worldly assistance. Instead, they may resort to superstition to provide a fleeting sense of order and control in an often chaotic world.

A quick trip to any hospital chapel and you’ll find people who aren’t even sure they believe in God, praying with all their hearts promising to do anything if only the Almighty will intervene and help their loved one get better.

Forget for a moment that this simply is not the case and that many of us endure awful situations without resorting to superstition. Pretend for a moment that this is true. Just like the religious person, the atheist who engaged in such behavior would simply go right back to business as usual the moment the crisis resolved. When no gods intervene and prayers go unanswered, temporary relief may be obtained, but nothing changes.

I have to wonder what would happen if we prayed for answers when things were going well.

The same thing that happens in response to prayer in dire circumstances...nothing. I think most of us realize this, atheist and theist alike, and this is why the religious behave as Ms. McLeod describes.

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Military Continues to Violate Soldiers' Religious Freedom

2008-10-04T07:15:00.000-05:00

Image via WikipediaLong-time readers will undoubtedly remember the plight of Spc. Jeremy Hall, the atheist soldier who filed suit against the Department of Defense and various military personnel for systematic violations of his religious freedom. Now another brave atheist soldier from the same base in Fort Riley, KS, is suing Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and making eerily similar allegations.

According to the Associated Press, Spc. Dustin Chalker has filed suit alleging violations of religious freedom, including forced participation in public prayer sessions.

The Army and Fort Riley claim that they do not condone religious discrimination, and yet, this seems to be precisely what is happening in these cases. Hall was allegedly threatened by his fellow soldiers and denied a promotion. Chalker has provided 18 examples, including military-sponsored programs, of the military forcing Christian extremist views on personnel.

Chalker’s lawsuit also cites a “spiritual handbook” for soldiers carrying the endorsement of Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East. The lawsuit alleges the book promotes Christianity and denigrates nonbelievers.

The AP report outlines the following allegations from Chalker's suit:

A “spiritual fitness” program for hundreds of personnel at an Air Force base in England, in which suicide prevention efforts were based on Christian teachings and, the lawsuit alleged, creationism was promoted.
A weekly “Free Day Away” for soldiers in basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., since 1971. Weinstein’s group and Americans United for Separation of Church and State have questioned the program, but it has been described as voluntary and has since been modified to make clear it’s sponsored by a Baptist Church.
A once-suspended practice of dipping the American flag before the altar at the chapel at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.
Participation by a major general in uniform in a Fourth of July television special for the Christian singer Carmen.

It is hard to see how this does not constitute a pattern of violating soldiers' religious freedom by pushing fundamentalist Christianity.

Just as they helped Spc. Hall, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation has joined Chalker as a plaintiff. Once again, I call your attention to this important group and commend them for their tireless efforts to protect our young men and women in uniform.

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Support the Military Religious Freedom Foundation

2008-04-30T05:38:00.000-05:00

With Spc. Jeremy Hall, the atheist soldier who filed a lawsuit to protect his religious freedom, finally getting some media attention, I have been repeatedly asked what we can do to support him. I recommend supporting the Military Religious Freedom Foundation by making a donation and/or helping to publicize their advocacy on behalf of soldiers like Hall. They have been instrumental in making sure Hall's story is told and in bringing this important lawsuit.

I am pleased to see the outpouring of support Hall has received in the secular community. I am also encouraged by a spike in the number of searches I am seeing on Hall. These data suggest that his story is leading many who have not yet explored atheism to investigate more. As people learn more about Hall, they may begin to understand the plight of atheists in the United States.

In addition, Hall's case should remind those who need reminding that atheists do serve in the military. Much like civilian atheists, they often experience discrimination and bigotry at the hands of the Christian majority. But their position is far more precarious than that of most civilian atheists. Just imagine being surrounded by heavily armed Christians determined to convert you! That the U.S. military would promote such evangelism is despicable as well as unlawful.

Simply put, the goal of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) is:

...to ensure that our government does indeed adhere to the spirit as well as the letter of the Constitution; that it leads by example (source: About the Foundation by Mikey Weinstein)

Sadly, the notion of the United States leading by example has become difficult to imagine, particularly given our current administration. Still, this is the noble goal to which we should aspire, and it is fortunate that we have groups like the MRFF to serve the watchdog function. They deserve our gratitude and support.

Tags: Military Religious Freedom Foundation, MRFF, Mikey Weinstein, Jeremy Hall, military, evangelism, atheism, atheist, atheists in foxholes, religious freedom, media, secular, Christian, discrimination, bigotry

Foxhole Atheist Jeremy Hall Finally Gets Media Attention

2008-04-26T15:21:00.003-05:00

I imagine you are already familiar with the story of the brave atheist soldier, Spc. Jeremy Hall, and his lawsuit against the Department of Defense for violating his religious freedom by promoting a culture of fundamentalist Christianity. After all, it has been making the rounds on the atheist blogosphere for some time now. I am happy to announce that Spc. Hall is finally going to receive the big media attention he deserves. First, his story was presented in The New York Times, then CNN, and now he will appear during tomorrow's "Sunday Morning" on CBS News.

You may recall that Hall started receiving serious threats from his fellow soldiers soon after his lawsuit was announced and that recent reports suggest that this continues. Perhaps shining the media spotlight on this case will finally bring Hall a reprieve. He deserves better than this, as do his non-Christian colleagues in the United States military.

For more on this and related topics, see:

Tags: atheist, atheist soldier, Jeremy Hall, Department of Defense, lawsuit, religious freedom, Christianity, media, Sunday Morning, CBS News, military

Foxhole Atheist Jeremy Hall Threatened Over Lawsuit

2008-04-15T06:23:00.000-05:00

I have posted previously about Spc. Jeremy Hall, the brave atheist soldier who is suing Maj. Freddy Welborn and Secretary of Defense Gates for violating his religious freedom (see Army Violates Religious Freedom and Foxhole Atheists Stand Up For Religious Freedom). Hall started receiving serious threats, including those involving "fragging," shortly after the lawsuit was announced. Reports are now emerging that Hall's situation has not improved.

Hall, currently stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, continues to receive threats over the lawsuit he brought to stop the religious discrimination he was facing in the Army.

Hall says he faces the animosity because he is an atheist and is suing the Department of Defense. He alleges it permits a culture that pushes fundamentalist Christianity.

He says he does not feel safe his unit.

It seems like the men and women serving in America's armed forces should be able to focus on the many dangers they face in combat without having to worry about being harmed by their fellow soldiers simply because they do not share a popular religious delusion. I applaud Hall's bravery in speaking out against the infusion of evangelical Christianity in the military. I sincerely hope that he does not have to pay for this stand with his life.

H/Ts to Deep Thoughts and Friendly Atheist

Tags: Jeremy Hall, military, Army, atheist, foxhole atheist, atheism, lawsuit, law, religious freedom, religious discrimination, Kansas, Department of Defense, Christianity, evangelical Christianity, Fort Riley, fundamentalist Christianity

Foxhole Atheists Stand Up For Religious Freedom

2007-12-22T05:45:00.000-06:00

There is some evidence that religious believers are somewhat underrepresented in America's armed forces relative to their numbers in the general population, but it appears that Christian extremist groups are seeking to infiltrate the military to spread their mind virus. Now the Military Religious Freedom Foundation and Spc. Jeremy Hall and are suing Maj. Freddy Welborn and SECDEF Gates for violating religious freedom.

According to the Associated Press, the atheists are "alleging widespread violations of religious freedom" and indicating that they plan to offer "evidence showing soldiers are under pressure to adopt fundamentalist Christian beliefs."

We are not talking about a general pressure to believe in any sort of higher power or a general "god and country" sort of philosophy, but fundamentalist Christianity and all it entails. The military police battalion where Hall is stationed bears the following Ann Coulter quote: "We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity." Materials from Military Ministry teach soldiers that the U.S. military is an instrument to spread the word of the Christian god.

You'll recall that Spc. Hall is the soldier who was threatened after attempting to hold a meeting for atheists in Iraq.

The lawsuit also alleges Gates permits a military culture in which officers are encouraged to put pressure on soldiers to adopt and espouse fundamentalist Christian beliefs and allows a culture that sanctions activities by Christian organizations.

It also says the military permits proselytizing by soldiers, tolerates anti-Semitism and the placing of religious symbols on military equipment and allows the use of military e-mail accounts to send religious rhetoric.

Tags: military, army, America, Jeremy Hall, Iraq, Christian extremism, Military Religious Freedom Foundation, Christian, fundamentalist, proselytizing, atheist, foxhole atheists, atheists in foxholes

Freethought Radio Interviews Foxhole Atheist SPC Jeremy Hall

2007-12-12T05:11:00.000-06:00

You may recall the disturbing story of SPC Jeremy Hall, an atheist soldier serving in Iraq who is now suing the Pentagon due to the anti-atheist discrimination he faced there. He was actually threatened with "fragging" (a "friendly fire" murder) after word of his suit became public. If you have not heard Hall's story in his own words, you should do so. Freethought Radio interviewed Hall in November, and the interview can be heard here.

H/T to Atheist Media Blog

Tags: Jeremy Hall, Iraq, military, atheists in foxholes, atheist, atheism, soldier, discrimination, law, interview, Pentagon, Freethought Radio

Atheists in the Military

2007-12-04T05:35:00.000-06:00

Atheists living in America are well aware of the hostile attitudes with which our neighbors regard us. Those of us living in the more conservative regions may be reminded of this on a near daily basis. But our plight pales in comparison to the brave men and women serving in America's armed forces. They face a system which has long been attractive to civilian Christian extremists looking to expand their influence. Moreover, according to what the American public regularly hears from the mainstream media, they belong to a group which does not actually exist: foxhole atheists.

The intent of this post is not to rail against anti-atheist discrimination, the success with which Christian extremists have infiltrated the American military, or even to point out that the regular denial of foxhole atheists is a slap in the face to the brave soldiers and marines who are trying to do their part for America. Rather, I simply want to remind everyone about Operation Foxhole Atheists, an effort to support military atheists.

Regardless of your personal feelings about America's various wars, I think you'll agree that foxhole atheists are in an unenviable position. Operation Foxhole Atheists provides us with an opportunity to tell these brave atheists that we are aware of them and to offer our support. To learn more about Operation Foxhole Atheists and what you can do to help, visit them on the web.

Finally, I'd like to extend my thanks to Blair Scott, the Alabama State Director of American Atheists for his tireless efforts to promote this important cause.

Tags: atheist, atheism, military, America, armed forces, atheists in foxholes, foxhole atheists, Operation Foxhole Atheists, military atheists, Christian extremism, discrimination

DOD Supported Military Proselytizing

2007-10-15T06:12:00.000-05:00

Just when I thought the ongoing saga of Christian extremist proselytizing in the U.S. military couldn't possibly get any worse, it now appears that this idiocy may have been explicitly approved by the Department of Defense (DOD) in clear violation of the Constitution. I suppose this should not come as a surprise given that we are witnessing a neo-conservative administration which has routinely the rule of law and appears to consider itself above the laws of our nation.

According to Truthout,

The Defense Department (DOD) allegedly provided two fundamentalist Christian organizations exclusive access to several military bases around the country. This access became official sanction for these groups to proselytize amid the ranks, despite the fact that such activities were in violation of federal law.

Lest we think this is a simple error of oversight and not part of a much larger and far more deliberate strategy:

According to a week-long investigation by the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, a government watchdog organization, the evidence it has uncovered proves the Pentagon has been engaged in a pattern of widespread evangelizing in violation of Clause 3, Article VI of the Constitution, which forbids a religion test for any position in the federal government, and the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights, which says Congress shall make no law regarding an establishment of religion. Furthermore, individuals representing a specific denomination may only offer spiritual guidance to soldiers and are prohibited from using the "machinery of the state" to proselytize or try to convert members of the military.

H/T to Dispatches From The Culture Wars

Tags: military, America, Pentagon, proselytizing, Military Religious Freedom Foundation, Constitution, law, church and state, Christian

Army Violates Religious Freedom

2007-09-24T06:18:00.000-05:00

Even though they may know little else about history, science, or law, most Americans can tell you that religious freedom had something to do with the founding of America. The critical truth that they often fail to realize is that freedom of religion requires freedom from religion. How sad it is then to see the American military violating the religious freedom of our young men and women in uniform.

According to John Milburn (AP), Spec. Jeremy Hall, an American soldier stationed in Iraq, has filed suit against the Defense Department alleging that his commanding officer infringed on his religious freedom by preventing him from meeting with other non-Christian soldiers. The suit "alleges a pattern of practices that discriminate against non-Christians in the military."

After receiving permission to distribute fliers promoting a meeting of atheist and non-Christian soldiers, Spec. Hall was prevented from actually convening any such meeting. His superior threatened him with military charges and the possibility of blocking his planned reenlistment.

As reported by Truthout, this isn't the half of it. Hall's complaint also alleges that his First Amendment rights were violated repeatedly, beginning last Thanksgiving after he refused to join a Christian prayer ceremony.

"Immediately after plaintiff made it known he would decline to join hands and pray, he was confronted, in the presence of other military personnel, by the senior ranking ... staff sergeant who asked plaintiff why he did not want to pray, whereupon plaintiff explained because he is an atheist," says the lawsuit, a copy of which was provided to Truthout. "The staff sergeant asked plaintiff what an atheist is and plaintiff responded it meant that he (plaintiff) did not believe in God. This response caused the staff sergeant to tell plaintiff that he would have to sit elsewhere for the Thanksgiving dinner. Nonetheless, plaintiff sat at the table in silence and finished his meal."

According to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, Hall's lawsuit will be "the first of many." This is not at all surprising given numerous reports of Christian extremists infiltrating the American military. Can we really expect our soldiers to willingly die to defend freedoms they do not have themselves?

Tags: military, Iraq, army, religious freedom, religion, atheist, atheism, Military Religious Freedom Foundation

Operation Foxhole Atheists

2007-08-17T12:58:00.000-05:00

The North Alabama Freethought Association and Blair Scott, the Alabama State Director for American Atheists, want you to know about Operation Foxhole Atheists.

Atheist soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines need our support in Iraq! Regardless of your views of the war, we all recognize that politicians put us in Iraq, not the soldiers. As long as politicians are keeping our men and women in uniform there, they need our moral support.

For more information please go to:
http://www.alabamaatheist.org/operationfoxholeatheists.htm

Tags: North Alabama Freethought Association, Alabama, American Atheists, Operation Foxhole Atheists, atheist, atheism, military

Congress Prods Army to Address Anti-Atheist Bigotry in Tillman Case

2007-05-19T06:42:00.000-05:00

According to the Associated Press via AZCentral.com, some in Congress are finally starting to inquire about the Army's investigation of the officer, Lt. Col. Ralph Kauzlarich, who made offensive comments made about Pat Tillman's family. As a relatively high-profile case of anti-atheist bigotry, the Pat Tillman story has generated considerable interest across the atheist blogosphere.

I suspect you remember what Kauzlarich said, but here is a refresher from the report:

During an interview last year with ESPN.com, Kauzlarich argued that the Tillman family, which pressured the Pentagon for a thorough investigation after initially being misled about how he was killed, would not accept previous Army findings "because of the absence of Christian faith in their lives."

"When you die, I mean, there is supposedly a better life, right? Well, if you are an atheist and you don't believe in anything, if you die, what is there to go to? Nothing. You are worm dirt," Kauzlarich said in the interview.

It sounds like there may be an ongoing Army investigation of Kauzlarich's comments, but details are extremely sketchy and it appears that there has been no disciplinary action. I applaud Congress for finally getting involved, but I need to be clear about one thing. Kauzlarich should be disciplined only because he was speaking as a representative of the Army (which is supposed to be secular like the rest of America). If he had made these statements outside his official role, no punishment is warranted.

Tags: religion, Pat Tillman, Army, Congress, atheism, atheist, bigotry, intolerance