This post is dedicated to the millions and millions of atheists who have served, or currently serve, our country in the armed forces. Thank you.www.maaf.info Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkershttp://www.militaryreligiousfreedom.org/ Military Religious Freedom Foundation
In all humbleness, you are welcome. I’m an honorably discharged Navy veteran.
Thanks, TXatheist, Charlie, and any other veteran for their service.
I mean no disrespect, but I’m not sure how anyone can know that “millions and millions” of atheists have served in the military. How did you arrive at this number, Dave?
21% of military personnel identify as atheist or having no religion and another 11% report belonging to minor religions or refuse to answer/dont know what religion they are, at least as of 2004. This might not add up to millions but it certainly is an amazingly large number given the reputation for Christian evangelism and extreme religiosity in the American military.
Apparently there are atheists in foxholes.
See pg 25 of this report:
http://www.maaf.info/resources/PopRefBureau2004.pdf
It only takes one known atheist to have served in the military to honor the unknown millions who have.
I’m sure there have been many atheists who have served and are serving in the armed forces, I’m simply objecting to the phrase “millions and millions.”
I’m also not comfortable with atheists and those of no religion lumped together in that 21% since one can still believe in gods or dieties or lephrechauns and not be religious in the conventional sense. It would be less ambiguous to have atheists in a category by themselves.
Yeah, I know you guys did it for a good reason, and that you probably were the most rational and down to Earth thinking soldiers out there when being shot at. Maybe you have some funny theist stories to tell, like some idiot thinking God was making him invincible and then walking directly into cross-fire or something dumb like that.
Say Quantum,
I believe this should be a day to praise ALL who served our nation…
Try to behave and give it at least one day before you mock those who sacrifice to allow you to spout your nonsense…
At least there is one day a year that those on this board who loath the military are forced to pay homage…
Shhh, phreedm, this is grown-up talk.
No one is forced to pay homage to anyone or anything against their will, thats one of the great things about America. As someone who is very comfortable obeying authority without question I doubt that you can fathom this concept.
Support the troops, bring them home now.
Well said, phreedm. “I believe this should be a day to praise ALL who served our nation”
Thanks for the post, Dave. Heros all.
How does America honor its’ Veterans?
By having a Veterans’ day sale, of course! Buy now… Christmas is almost here! You don’t hate Santa do you? Support our troops by saving Santa the Wall street fat cat…
Sorry, as a Veteran I’m a little pissed off about the commercialization of Veterans day, and how Santa has invaded Veterans day. How can our Vets possibly compete for attention against a fantasy chimney diver and his flying red-nosed cows. DRINK…
Cascadia…
I agree. Sadly we use to have Veterans day parades all across our great nation. One by one they were cancelled. Why?
Maybe because we had a president elected who dodged the draft. Other presidential candidates called our troops invaders and rapists. And one president elect actually accused the troops of bombing innocent civilians.
Couple that with the main stream media NEVER reporting the good news or progress, and the simple minds of America have turned on the military.
Simply posting a “thanks” can never come close to giving our Veterans enough support for what they have done for all of us.
CascadiaEventHorizon and Ren, and to any other Vets…my gratitude for what you’ve done for me runs very deep…
Thank you…for my “phreedm”
On veterans day I like to think about kicking some supernatural tyrant ass…..
I remind my religious veterans that it was the belief in a supernatural being that flew our planes into our buildings…..and certainly not the idea that they hate us because of our freedom and democracy….
Off Topic:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,450445,00.html
Oh, for phuck’s sake…
Now, why on earth would they do that? Oh… yeah… right…
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_detaineedeaths_trial111208/
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_afghanstrike_casualties_110508/
Shall I continue? I have dozens of examples just from the current conflicts in the Middle-East.
As sad as it makes me to report this; some soldiers DO do horrible things during war. There are psychopaths in the military, just like there are in the civilian population. War gives them cover to act in ways that would otherwise be illegal.
To point these things out is not being unpatriotic. It is trying to make sure people are accountable for their actions, and yes, people are accountable for their actions, even during time of war. To try and say that every service member is a hero, just for wearing the uniform, is to be an apologist and I refuse to go down that road.
You must realize that, coming from you, that rings very hollow. Actions speak louder than words, and you never served. So I ask you: Who really has disdain for the military?
When a fellow vet tells me happy veteran’s day, I walk just a bit taller for a little while. When someone that has never served tells me the same thing, it is though they are thanking me for picking up their dry-cleaning. It’s nice of them to say, it just doesn’t mean as much.
Ren…
I refuse to debate your issues on a thread posted to honor our Veterans…
How you take those honors are up to you…
Last time I checked I served under the Commander in Chief who was to uphold the Constitution which includes free speech and freedom of religion. Criticize me and religion or ask questions or belittle the military adn religion because we have that right.
If you didn’t want to argue on a thread designated to honor our veterans, why did you throw the first stone by saying:
?????
Sounds like an argument is exactly what you were looking for. Don’t try and take the high road, now.
Lets all take a moment to reflect on the hard work of the gay and 1esbian service members who fight for freedom yet they do not share in full freedom as promised by the US Constitution. They sacrifice alongside their straight counterparts but in the end are let down by the American dream. Lets think about their freedom, or lack thereof, today. Eric Alva and Grethe Cammermeyer are two great cases in point:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-alva/dont-ask-dont-tell-fr_b_42310.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/27/AR2007022701589.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Alva
http://www.cammermeyer.com/
Am I wrong or didnt our last prez avoid serving by getting daddy to put him in the reserves ??? thats about as much of a draft dodge as you can do in these days huh ? the other funny thing is now he has the reserves fight over seas while he used his time there to avoid fighting !!! Irony
Ren,
I have not served, but I do thank you and all veterans from the bottom of my heart. Maybe not the same as hearing it from a fellow veteran, but my gratitude is nonetheless sincere. Maybe being the spouse of a former Marine helps.
McCain said he was taking the high road, so this is what they think the high road is now. In other news, black is white and on is off.
Tarma,
Thank you. Please believe me when I say it means a whole bunch, no matter whom it comes from, with the exception of armchair generals that have never served, yet are huge advocates for the military option. IMO, when you have to resort to war, you have already lost.
Oh, and I am willing to bet your spouse still thinks of themselves as a Marine, and not a former Marine. I could be wrong, but if I were a betting man…
Ren,
Yeah, I debated about typing former Marine, but just meant that he isn’t currently serving
Even though he was discharged in ‘74, I know he still considers himself a Marine and is very proud of having enlisted and fought for our freedoms. And now, to have those very freedoms curtailed and endangered by all the ‘patriot act’ crap since 9/11 is extremely aggravating to him (and to me).
Please do not forget about those that are currently serving in Iraq & Afghanistan!
Operation Foxhole Atheists
http://thenafa.org/ofa
Speaking of freedom…
CT legalises marriage equality:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081112/ap_on_re_us/gay_marriage;_ylt=AveK7spt29NK1vTD8ODRHWOs0NUE
One (temporary) step backwards in CA, one step forward in CT.