DRB #fundie

DRB #fundie blogs.ajc.com

(on Bob Barr not wanting Pagans in the military)

I first heard of this a few weeks ago from someone actually IN the military. His concern was exactly as you say, and it seems that the grest majority of those he has contact with in the military agree. Based on that, I am inclined to think that this effort may be undermining our best military efforts and I don’t think that the military is a good place for division, not for the military itself, and not for the individuals within it. These young men and women signed up as a part of a military entity of “One Nation Under God” and I believe it reasonable that they should expect that special interests NOT under God, would be discouraged, or at the least not encouraged.

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old comment by Arctic Knight

As an active duty meber of the U.S. military for the past 18 years, who happens to be an atheist, I only have one thing to say to that comment, "BULLSHIT!"

I signed up to serve my country, not anyone's god(s). I have known Wiccans, Christians, Jews, Muslims, gay, straight, bi, black, white, Asian, men, women, etc. all serving beside me. While we did sign away our life to go into combat when directed and to follow orders, we NEVER signed away our opinion, religious beliefs (or lack thereof), cultural or ethnic identity, or anything that makes us unique individuals (although, sadly, gays and bis still sign away their right to be open about their orientation). Everyone serving in the military has the right to worship whichever god they beleive in and worship in any way that does not break the law.

old comment by dionysus

And this is exactly why I completely support those that want to remove "under god" from the pledge of allegiance and "in god we trust" from our money. The pledge and money themselves don't bother me so much but it's the smug attitude of Christians because of it that does. Just because they got their way a couple times (despite the nation's Constitution) now they think they own the place. Fundies: give 'em an inch and they'll take a nation.

old comment by GigaGuess

Based on that, I am inclined to think that this effort may be undermining our best military efforts and I don’t think that the military is a good place for division, not for the military itself, and not for the individuals within it.
Except this IS encouraging a division s it stands. You can be completely, totally open about your family, your relationships...everything. We have to lie, or maintain a complete personal blackout on our entire personal lives. We would have to refrain from personal activities, or keep our partners at home, lest awkward questions arise. We have to be cloak and dagger about our outside activities to the point of being flat out antisocial sometimes. How is that, in any way, a cohesive military?

These young men and women signed up as a part of a military entity of “One Nation Under God” and I believe it reasonable that they should expect that special interests NOT under God, would be discouraged, or at the least not encouraged.
No, they signed up to defend their country and the constitution that it is founded on. And by the country, it means everyone...gay and straight. If you want to defend your religion, do it on your own time. The military is there for the people of the country, and if you want to defend your country, you should be able to do it, openly and proudly.

"These young men and women signed up as a part of a military entity of “One Nation Under God” and I believe it reasonable that they should expect that special interests NOT under God, would be discouraged, or at the least not encouraged.”

Fuck you in every orifice with a rusty chainsaw. The Pledge isn’t from the founding fathers, but Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Assembly are.
THOSE are the ideals i joined under, and being an atheist, a Wiccan, Muslim, Mormon, Satanis, Jewish, or Jedi is not a ‘Special Fucking Interest.’ It’s simply being A MOTHERFUCKING AMERICAN you illiterate collie-molesting godbotherer.
I served with atheists, pagans, wizards, witches, Baptists, Catholics, Mormons, and i don’t know what all else. Because mostly, it wasn’t that big of an issue.
They pointed out early in boot camp that ‘let us pray’ is a drill command, like ‘attention’ and ‘at ease.’ You’re in formation, you bow your head. At ‘Amen,’ you raise your head.
At no point are your actual beliefs relevant to the drill command. This pretty much set the tone for my entire career.
You want to go to the chaplain , or the chapel, or temple, or grove, or whatever, that’s up to you, as long as your watch is covered. Other than that, mind your own fucking business.

DRB #fundie blogs.ajc.com

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