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Readers react to complaints from atheists
Stars and Stripes ^ | November 15, 2008 | Leo Shane III

Posted on 11/14/2008 5:44:39 PM PST by Jet Jaguar

WASHINGTON — The Secular Coalition for America’s plea on Monday for more acceptance of atheists and agnostics in the military elicited both support and disdain from Stars and Stripes readers this week.

The group, which represents a host of humanist, nonreligious members, has asked President-elect Barack Obama to develop new military directives that eliminate prayers from public military events and ensure the Defense Department will not endorse any single religion, or even the idea of religion over non-religion.

Below is a sampling of reactions to those efforts:

The real issue is not discrimination against atheists and agnostics, it is the hostility of atheists toward anyone with religious convictions.

In 38 years of living on AF bases growing up, serving 20 years on active duty, and now civil service, I will state categorically that I have never seen or heard of any form of discrimination toward, or unwanted proselytizing of, an atheist.

Anti-theists are barking up the wrong tree by trying to suppress freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

— Robert Sexton, retired Air Force Captain

I am an atheist and former Army sergeant and have seen first-hand how the Army puts nonreligious soldiers in some uncomfortable situations.

Being an atheist in America seems to be more of a taboo than being a homosexual. I hope in the future that more nonbelievers will come out of the so-called "closet."

— Jesse Bond, Defense Department civilian

The fact that these people are even getting noticed is a disgrace to God, country and service.

The men and women who sign on to be part of our country’s military know that we were founded on principles of God and Bible. If they do not like it, then they shouldn’t sign on to begin with.

— Amee May

As a devout Christian with a church that requires an educated ministry (Presbyterian), I also resented being harangued by Pentecostal goobers during my 20 plus years of military service.

— John King, retired Navy commander

As usual, the minority is trying to force their views on the majority. Prayer has been a major part of the military since its inception. If an atheist doesn’t want to be part of a public prayer, fine. They should not be harassed for this action. But at the same time, they should respect that the vast majority of their fellow soldiers believe in a higher power. A mandated rules change would only lower morale and cater to very small minority.

I would rather have God in my foxhole than an atheist.

— Mike Mansell

I retired as an E-9 and was never asked to get enveloped in any religious group or ceremony. I don’t remember ever talking to a chaplain or anyone of their ilk.

We were offered the time to pray before battle with our fellow Marines, not all choose to attend. Not attending did not make them less ready for battle.

I think that the complainers were never ready to be good servicemembers and are looking for an excuse for their own shortcomings. Some people are always looking for excuses for their failures.

— Russell Atchison


TOPICS: Current Events; Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS: atheism; military; moralabsolutes

1 posted on 11/14/2008 5:44:39 PM PST by Jet Jaguar
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To: Jet Jaguar
"...I think that the complainers were never ready to be good servicemembers and are looking for an excuse for their own shortcomings. Some people are always looking for excuses for their failures..."

There's no one like an old Sergeant Major to tell it like it is.

2 posted on 11/14/2008 5:53:50 PM PST by conservativeharleyguy (If dissent is "patriotic", I just became America's loudest Patriot!)
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To: Jet Jaguar
I am an atheist and former Army sergeant and have seen first-hand how the Army puts nonreligious soldiers in some uncomfortable situations.

I'd like some examples (or one) I can verify.

3 posted on 11/14/2008 6:31:06 PM PST by stevem
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To: stevem
how the Army puts nonreligious soldiers in some uncomfortable situations.

Seems to me that being put in 'uncomfortable situations' is part of the soldiers job description. I guess now it's ok to be shot at but not ok to be prayed over.

4 posted on 11/14/2008 6:41:49 PM PST by tbpiper (Now irate and tireless, but mostly irate.)
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To: Jet Jaguar

They joined to serve God and Country; take one away then why risk your life?

The Rats won’t be happy until the services are peopled entirely by Godless homosexuals.


5 posted on 11/14/2008 7:00:28 PM PST by Mike Darancette (I have nothing to say - Oliver Hardy)
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To: Mike Darancette

***The Rats won’t be happy until the services are peopled entirely by Godless homosexuals.***

That will be quite a difference from 1966 when we were ordered to KP duty at the outprocessing Homo barracks when we were in basic training. We were warned of things we might see in the chow line. We were warned not to point, giggle, laugh or anything else, just do our KP duty.

Boy, did we see some things!

Meanwhile, no one really wants to work with such people. The thoughts of having my arms stuck up inside a B-52 wing changing out an air duct while on a B-4 stand with a homo does not set well.


6 posted on 11/14/2008 7:47:36 PM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar
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To: Jet Jaguar

A real atheist shouldn’t give a damn. I’m an atheist. And I don’t really care that people are lead in prayer or believe in a god.

What does bother me is when a Religion advocates that I be killed for being atheist. That’s war. If Christians want peace, and Muslims war, then I side with the Christians. If those Christians want to pray, if they think it will help bring victory, then they should go for it.


7 posted on 11/14/2008 8:03:31 PM PST by mc6809e
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To: mc6809e

Most self proclaimed atheists are not atheists.

They’re anti-religionists. And more specifically, anti-christians.


8 posted on 11/14/2008 8:05:12 PM PST by Truthsearcher
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To: Jet Jaguar

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2132319/posts

Military atheists want new rules on prayer

Cross linking.


9 posted on 11/14/2008 9:11:26 PM PST by Jet Jaguar
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Aggressive atheists should go in the closet pingout tomorrow. Maybe they could share one with aggressive homosexuals, or they could have their own closet. Just so long as they shut up. If they don’t want to hear about God or witness any prayer, they should go hang out with other atheists.


10 posted on 11/14/2008 9:25:38 PM PST by little jeremiah (Leave illusion, come to the truth. Leave the darkness, come to the light.)
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To: Mike Darancette
They joined to serve God and Country

I think you are thinking of Al Qaeda there.

11 posted on 11/15/2008 5:20:50 AM PST by Oztrich Boy (rules of governance in a free society: mind your own business, keep your hands to yourself - PJ O'R)
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To: Jet Jaguar
As usual, the minority is trying to force their views on the majority.

********************

The "tyranny of the minority".

12 posted on 11/15/2008 5:35:13 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: mc6809e
What does bother me is when a Religion advocates that I be killed for being atheist.

*****************

No Christian should wish for the death of an atheist. Even Mother Theresa had moments of doubt and despair. We are all human.

13 posted on 11/15/2008 5:41:29 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Oztrich Boy
I think you are thinking of Al Qaeda there.

What country does Al Qaeda serve?

14 posted on 11/15/2008 8:06:04 AM PST by Mike Darancette (I have nothing to say - Oliver Hardy)
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To: Mike Darancette

Dar al-Islam


15 posted on 11/15/2008 2:02:31 PM PST by Oztrich Boy (rules of governance in a free society: mind your own business, keep your hands to yourself - PJ O'R)
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