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by SPC Jeremy Hall is suing the Army for blocking his promotion to sergeant on the grounds that his advancement was blocked based on his religion - or lack thereof. Hall had previously filed a suit after he was barred from holding a meeting to discuss atheism with other soldiers while deployed in Iraq. His suit in turn led to the 1st Infantry Division commander sending a post-wide email informing everyone of the atheism assembly suit. Chronologically, the promotion board followed this event whereupon Hall was told by his platoon sergeant that his promotion was denied because "[Hall would be] unable to put aside his personal convictions and pray with his troops" thus preventing his ability to bond with them as a leader. Apparently there is unfortunate truth to the platoon sergeant's warning as an interview with Hall by the FFRF (Freedom From Religion Foundation) details death threats and physical assault against the specialist following the widespread revelation of his atheism.
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3 Nerd-Its
USMA "highly encouraged" Religion
From the CNN article regarding SPC Hall's attorney: "Weinstein previously sued the Air Force for acts he said illegally imposed Christianity on its students at the academy. A federal judge threw out that lawsuit in 2006."
I can say that I experienced something akin to that at West Point's basic training. As some of you may recall, on Sundays of those summer days, we were organized on the apron whereupon the companies formed up based on faith groups. These "faith platoons" were then marched to their respective religious temples on the Academy grounds so they could worship.
What of the atheists? I still remember this one clearly. One of my squadmates "stuck out his paw" (indicating he wished to make a statement). When asked what he had to say, New Cadet X said, "Sir, New Cadet Vea is an atheist - where does he go?" I found this amusing that this kid wanted to make a thing of it - but whatever. The response, however, was sheer crap. "Unless New Cadet Vea wants to spend the next two hours scrubbing toilets, he better find some faith real quick."
Rule number one of USMA basic - don't stand out. I "coincidentally found Jesus" and went with the Catholics since I started life as one anyway. This very act (and the acceptance from those who knew I was an atheist) really solidified my distaste for organized religion. So - because I act like I believe, I'm not going to be hazed or ostracized and your religion, which should be condemning me by its dogma, is going to welcome me with open arms. That's shallow and lack of conviction on their part. And it shows me the weakness in the "leaders" that could only accept me if their church accepted me - a prime example of being unable to accept a person on merit as opposed to accepting a person based on tokens.
So the real question is - who's the weaker person? Me for putting on a fake mask to simplify the ripple effect? Or them for "needing" me not to be an atheist to avoid having to deal with it?
Either way, it was another example of how the righteous are only tolerant of things similar enough to them that toleration is just a word instead of an action.
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So it goes... by Anonymous :: NR0 :: Show
As we all know, atheists and homosexuals make horrible leaders.
The military is supposed to be a reflection of the society after all... and this society is deeply God-(the Christian one)-fearing... What would one expect? I don't have the numbers, but can anyone confirm that most recruits are deeply religious?
Why fight the majority? Just go with the flow, get your general star (or in this case sgt stripes?) and god bless you.
I argue there is nothing atheists can do about it right now. One cannot remove the religious equation from the picture. Not in this society. Not today. See all the presidential candidates. They certainly want you to believe they have ruined many a good pair of pants while kneeling in front of the altar on every Sunday since their birth. And the religious folks have long believed this society is self-destructing with the liberal, godless media creatures controlling the message... it's their turn now.