Atheist Soldier Sues Army For 'unconstitutional' Discrimination

[Zealous Donkey 0]

I guess it was different when there was a draft, because that certainly wasnt true when I was in the Army.

Agreed, I never in 7 years knew the religious beliefs of any of my commanding officers. I have several close friends in the military, some Christian, some not. None are being pressured to give money to Christian Organizations, nor are they asked at all about their religious beliefs. It was a nonissue when I was in the military. I will say that I have never been in a war zone, so things may be quite different in that setting.

[Sal Paradise 57]

I wonder if Spademan will have the balls to stand up to them?

I'm pretty sure he's already killed them all so this should be a non-issue now.

[davezz5 0]

Basically there are 2 very large Christian organizations that are sweeping the army. If you don't join and donate part of your pay you are discriminated against and they harass, threaten and do other things to you. If that isn't uncontitutional I don't know what is? All you have to do is replace the name Christian with Al-Queda and it's the same format.Kudos to him for standing up, it took balls.

"He always wants money".

[strategy 4]

to quote Mike Birbiglia: "what I should have said was nothing".

that line gets me every time. the delivery.. it's simply amazing.

I bet if we ever vote in an athiest ( which won't happen in our lifetime) the military coup will be almost immediate.

you don't think it's possible that we've elected a spiritually fraudulent president now or in the past? some argue that bush was, but I'm not in a position to verify or debunk that claim. also, you messed up the spelling. it's "librul meeja."

[vbnautilus 48]

http://www.militaryreligiousfreedom.org/pr...l_harassed.html"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 filed by the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), an organization with an undisputed moral compass that is always focused on assuring that our Military’s might is matched with America’s Constitutional guarantees. "The staff sergeant asked plaintiff what an atheist is and plaintiff responded it meant that he (plaintiff) did not believe in God. This response so infuriated the staff sergeant he told plaintiff that he would have to sit elsewhere for the Thanksgiving dinner. Nonetheless, plaintiff sat at the table in silence and finished his meal." Specialist Hall was then told he would have to face consequences because he, in so many words, refused to be evangelized.OK now I know we may not just take this one person's word at face value. But are we all in agreement that if this did in fact happen that it is unacceptable?

[Zealous Donkey 0]

http://www.militaryreligiousfreedom.org/pr...l_harassed.html"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 filed by the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), an organization with an undisputed moral compass that is always focused on assuring that our Military’s might is matched with America’s Constitutional guarantees. "The staff sergeant asked plaintiff what an atheist is and plaintiff responded it meant that he (plaintiff) did not believe in God. This response so infuriated the staff sergeant he told plaintiff that he would have to sit elsewhere for the Thanksgiving dinner. Nonetheless, plaintiff sat at the table in silence and finished his meal." Specialist Hall was then told he would have to face consequences because he, in so many words, refused to be evangelized.OK now I know we may not just take this one person's word at face value. But are we all in agreement that if this did in fact happen that it is unacceptable?

absolutely, if this is in fact what happened then I agree it is unacceptable.

[brvheart 1,751]

but it's piqued my interest.

fyp

[KramitDaToad 0]

1st, I know Christians, I know Christian organizations, I know Christian witnessing techniques and missionaries and pastors. I do not know any group that ever uses pressure to get converts that includes death threats. Only hell for eternity.

Knowing you this was probably tongue-in-cheek, but ironically it actually highlights why Christianity is such a moral backwater

[Randy Reed 0]

Agreed, I never in 7 years knew the religious beliefs of any of my commanding officers. I have several close friends in the military, some Christian, some not. None are being pressured to give money to Christian Organizations, nor are they asked at all about their religious beliefs. It was a nonissue when I was in the military. I will say that I have never been in a war zone, so things may be quite different in that setting.

This is comforting

http://www.militaryreligiousfreedom.org/pr...l_harassed.html"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 filed by the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), an organization with an undisputed moral compass that is always focused on assuring that our Military’s might is matched with America’s Constitutional guarantees. "The staff sergeant asked plaintiff what an atheist is and plaintiff responded it meant that he (plaintiff) did not believe in God. This response so infuriated the staff sergeant he told plaintiff that he would have to sit elsewhere for the Thanksgiving dinner. Nonetheless, plaintiff sat at the table in silence and finished his meal." Specialist Hall was then told he would have to face consequences because he, in so many words, refused to be evangelized.OK now I know we may not just take this one person's word at face value. But are we all in agreement that if this did in fact happen that it is unacceptable?

This website was started by a retired army guy. His whole family was in the military but he couldn't stand to see the abuses going on. Interesting.

[speedz99 145]

But they have no problem making wild assumptions about the practises of Christians in the military, and their secret plans to take over.

What wild assumptions did they make? I'm not being sarcastic, I'm really asking. What in any cnn article (aside from quotes attributed to people the story is about) do you consider to be a wild assumptions about christians trying to take over the military?

[Balloon guy 158]

What wild assumptions did they make? I'm not being sarcastic, I'm really asking. What in any cnn article (aside from quotes attributed to people the story is about) do you consider to be a wild assumptions about christians trying to take over the military?

Okay, taking a single incedent, and let's say this all happened just as the guy says, with no baiting from him, pure total he is getting death threats and no promotions because he is an athiest.So the promotions board is applying his religion in thier determination? A group of officers that randomly get this duty all are in on it?Or the commanding officer in his unit, he's let the word get passd down to screw the athiest?What about rotations? All the officers in the entire military are in on this? And the sargeants?The underwriting tone is that Christian groups are controlling the military's leaders, because you don't get to stop promotions unless you control all the officers.Then the death threats? This sound like a group of Christians to you? ( Other than the God hates fag guys I mean, this totally sounds like them, but there are only like 20 of them nationwide, and I doubt they are getting many converts)The guy is making a claim, probably a financial one, and CNN found a way to belittle two organizations it hates with a passion, Christianity and the military. all in one story.Making this a bigger story is nothing more than wishful thinking of people with the same mindset as CNN.

[Randy Reed 0]

Okay, taking a single incedent, and let's say this all happened just as the guy says, with no baiting from him, pure total he is getting death threats and no promotions because he is an athiest.So the promotions board is applying his religion in thier determination? A group of officers that randomly get this duty all are in on it?Or the commanding officer in his unit, he's let the word get passd down to screw the athiest?What about rotations? All the officers in the entire military are in on this? And the sargeants?The underwriting tone is that Christian groups are controlling the military's leaders, because you don't get to stop promotions unless you control all the officers.Then the death threats? This sound like a group of Christians to you? ( Other than the God hates fag guys I mean, this totally sounds like them, but there are only like 20 of them nationwide, and I doubt they are getting many converts)The guy is making a claim, probably a financial one, and CNN found a way to belittle two organizations it hates with a passion, Christianity and the military. all in one story.Making this a bigger story is nothing more than wishful thinking of people with the same mindset as CNN.

This is a stated goal of their organization. And yes, it does sound like a group of Christians to me. Read their websites and see for yourself.

[Balloon guy 158]

This is a stated goal of their organization. And yes, it does sound like a group of Christians to me. Read their websites and see for yourself.

And you think Spademan and his buddies are in danger from it?

[Randy Reed 0]

And you think Spademan and his buddies are in danger from it?

I think we all are unless this guys lawsuit is successful.