Congratulations to Justin Griffith for reenlisting.  Dustin Chalker recently left the military and took the opportunity to call out a senior officer using his blog to disparage junior atheists.

Several church-state separation stories have come up in preparation for the “holiday” season.  An atheist Egyptian blogger represents the importance of free press, free speech, and the rights of atheists.  The Harvard Humanist Chaplaincy had several great events.  Books reviewed include Christopher Hitchens’s “Arguably” and Steven Pinker “The Better Angels of our Nature.”

MAAF In the News

• For Country, Not for God, The Atlantic
• America’s Nonreligious Warriors, Mother Jones
• West Point Invites Atheist Leader to Diversity Conference, CNS News
• Nonbelievers striving for humanist connections, Boston Globe
• Atheists Treated Unequally in US Military, The Alonya Show on RT (video)
• Chaplains for Atheists, God Discussion
• Atheists at Fort Meade seek official recognition, Baltimore Sun
• Baltimore Sun defends atheists in foxholes

Atheists in Foxholes News Recap

• Open Letter to Chaplains from MAAF
• Academy-Atheist Collaboration Continues to Bear Fruit
• West Point To Feature Atheist Leader at Diversity Conference

Military Atheists In the News

• SGT Griffith, Military Director of AA, Re-enlists
• Dustin Chalker calls out Christian Officer Bullying Atheists, Towleroad

Separation of Church and State

• Morning praying at Clay schools draws athiest group’s attention
• Freethought Society pushes for ‘Tree of Knowledge’ holiday display
• ‘In God We Trust’: Choosing Faith Over Freedom, Roy Speckhardt
• Holy Cross shaped views of black activist

Humanist Authors

• ‘Arguably’ by Christopher Hitchens well worth the time
• Steven Pinker on The Better Angels of Our Nature

International Humanism

• An Egyptian blogger’s ‘crimes’, Ha’aretz
• Egypt must protect the right to insult, The Guardian
• Judaism From Tribalism to Humanism, Intifada Palestine

Article source: http://blog.militaryatheists.org/2011/11/atheists-in-foxholes-news-10-nov-2011/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=atheists-in-foxholes-news-10-nov-2011

Christopher Hitchens has also been provided a feature section as several stories came out.  His life continues to outshine even the shadow of cancer.  Eulogies for Leonard Weinglass and Andy Rooney are included.  In the Atheist Art section, George Clooney’s new role as an atheist president in Ides of March is covered.

Chaplain and Military Reform includes several articles on MAAF successes in military funerals and chaplain publications as well as the recent repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.

Dustin Chalker has posted a White House Petition to end military discrimination.  The petition is half way to the 5000 needed to reach the President.  Sign up today.

Atheists In Foxholes News Recap

• Secular Organizations Find Bias in Combined Federal Campaign
• Meet the Challenge:  Government Funds for Humanism
• Chaplains and Atheists Meet at Harvard Divinity School
• Military Atheists Reform Chaplain Website
• DADT Ends – Celebrate Open Service for All
• Arlington Cemetery Confirms Secular Policy
• Air Force Chief Institutes Stronger Controls on Command Religion
• … find additional coverage of these stories in the sections below

Disparaging atheists in foxholes

• Simi  Valley city promotes religion using troops, Ventura County Star
• Vaden Chandler, Bleacher Report
• Barry Ritholza, EconoMonitor
• Jack Koslowsky, NYPD Chaplain
• Delynn Ketcherside, Opera Singer
• Carole Ledbetter, mywebimes
• Bruce Posten, Reading Eagle quoting Dennis Hartgen, Catholic Priest

Chaplain and Military Reform

• White House Petition to end military discrimination
• Unitarian Reverend challenges spiritual fitness, CounterPunch
• Harvard, humanists and military chaplains, Orlando Sentinel
• Atheist offers Army a redone website, Stars and Stripes
• Army’s nutty Virtual Spiritual Fitness Center gets remade by atheists
• Arlington Cemetery confirms secular policy, Secular News Daily
• Unwanted Religious Intrusions at Military Funeral, Ed Brayton
• Debate Crowd Booed Gay Soldier
• Medal of Honor recipient highlights valor and risks

Atheist Art

• The Sleeping Voice film, atheist heroine
• Ides of March
• Ides of March movie features atheist Presidentail candidate Clooney
• The Ides of March is Manufacturing Ascent, New York Observer
• Humor a part of atheist discourse
• OMG, You Wrote Your Own Bible?

Christopher Hitchens continues to Inspire

• Hitchens: “I’m not going to quit until I absolutely have to”, New Statesman
• Christopher Hitchens says his ‘time’ is coming at atheist, Daily Mail (UK)
• Christopher Hitchens makes first public appearance in months, Houston Chronicle
• Book Review: Christopher Hitchens’ ‘Arguably: Essays’, Salt Lake Tribune
• There’s just one Hitch, The Australian

Humanist Legacy

• The Legacy of Leonard Weinglass, Ethical Culture
• 10 Reasons You Should Miss Atheist Andy Rooney

9/11 Memorials

• Where Was the Pat Tillman Story on NFL Sunday?, The Nation
• American Football: 9/11 made him quit NFL and go to war.
• Atheists to speak at 9/11 remembrance event
• Pennsylvania Nonbelievers Pictures
• President of MAAF commemorates 9/11
• Humanist included in 9-11 ceremony quotations
• The sacralized myth of 9/11, Susan Jacoby, Washington Post
• Mourning without end, Indiana Daily Student

Secular Studies

• Secularism has reached a tipping point, Greg Epstein, Washington Post
• General Dallaire, 2005 Harvard Humanist at TEDxVancouver
• Humanists atheists drive for wider global impact
• Atheists deserve the same privileges as all citizens
• First of three-part series on “God wars”, Guardian (UK)
• Why the New Atheism is a boys’ club, Guardian (UK)
• Atheist way through Alcoholics Anonymous
• Between Race and Reason: Anti-Intellectualism in American Life
• Making friends not foes of rights and religion
• 10 Myths Many Religious People Hold About Atheists, Debunked, AlterNet

Humanism and Religious Studies in the News

• Religion Only Helps People Whose Lives Are Hard, Big Think
• Study Finds Correlation Between Belief in God and Cognitive Style, Harvard Crimson
• Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan advocates for secular government, Daily Beast
• Atheist Egyptian prosecuted for criticizing Egyptian military, CS Monitor
• FBI training materials say ordinary Muslims are violent
• Celebrating the world’s ‘first interreligious university’
• Replacement Theology for Secular Judaism, Eurasia Review
• Australia implements secular alternative to chaplains, Sydney Morning Herald
• Parliament calls humanists to give evidence on the “Big Society”, Politics (UK)

Article source: http://blog.militaryatheists.org/2011/10/atheists-in-foxholes-news-11-oct-2011/

Amy Monsky is this month’s featured speaker for the Fort Bragg MASH group on Sunday, June 26th

(Free event – RSVP)

Amy Monsky

Camp Quest South Carolina Director
Camp Quest Chesapeake Staff
Camp Quest, Inc. Board of Directors

Spearheading this region’s Camp Quest expansion, Amy has relentlessly worked to start a new location (CQSC). Not to mention, she has racked up quite an impressive resume volunteering for the secular summer camp. It’s hard to think of a more rewarding way place to volunteer than with children.

Here is a peek into what these young freethinkers are in for when they attend Camp Quest.

From the Camp Quest mission statement:

Camp Quest is the first residential summer camp in the history of the United States aimed at the children of Atheists, Freethinkers, Humanists, Brights, or whatever other terms might be applied to those who hold to a naturalistic, not supernatural world view.

The purpose of Camp Quest is to provide children of freethinking parents a residential summer camp dedicated to improving the human condition through rational inquiry, critical and creative thinking, scientific method, self-respect, ethics, competency, democracy, free speech, and the separation of religion and government.

Through our programs we seek to:

• Build a community for freethinking families
• Foster curiosity, questioning, and critical thinking
• Encourage reason and compassion as foundations of an ethical, productive and fulfilling life
• Raise awareness of positive contributions made by atheists, agnostics, humanists, freethinkers, and other nontheistic people to our society
• Promote an open dialogue about metaphysical questions that is marked by challenging each other’s ideas while at the same time treating each other with respect
• Demonstrate atheism and humanism as positive, family-friendly worldviews

Amy Monsky is now working to bring Fort Bragg kids to Camp Quest for a 2012 event.

The non-theists of Fort Bragg, NC’s military community have been buzzing over the controversial Garrison Chaplain’s annual Vacation Bible School. I first noticed the VBS when I received a mass email message in my official government inbox discussing the event. I held onto that message, but attempted to rationalize it away. I did a lot more research.

The Vacation Bible School is set up to teach children how to convert other children to Christianity. It also takes place on public school grounds, on a government installation (Fort Bragg). I kept trying to find reasons to put this one off and shelve it for a while, hoping to gain some new perspective. When one of our youngest non-theist members brought home a permission slip to attend this function, I immediately sent out a call for help.

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

We can easily foresee the same legal justifications used to defend the controversial evangelical Christian Rock the Fort concert also being used to defend VBS. Basically, in response to demands for cancellation they might say: “we would provide the same level of support to any other group.”

Amy answered the call, and has been absolutely brilliant behind the scenes. Her responses were quick and correct. Fort Bragg’s Directorate of Religious Education, Tim McHale has now offered to get the word out for Camp Quest South Carolina events. Amy has provided Fort Bragg with some great information, quickly taking them up on that offer. No word yet on Chaplain Tim pushing out the information in a mass email as promised, but we are optimistic! Expect updates on this developing situation.

Now on top of all that, Amy is working out a way to bring interested Fort Bragg families into the Camp Quest  experience.  That’s a much more difficult task, but I know she can make it happen. There is plenty of time, and I can’t wait to see how it all turns out. You can read along as the story develops over the next year here, or on the new CQSC Facebook page. (You should ‘Like’ us too, while you’re at it!)

I also asked the Directorate of Religious Education at Fort Bragg, Tim McHale, about the potential for establishing Camp Quest type activities on post. Regarding the idea, Tim has promised to provide an on post location similar to the VBS.  He even stated that Fort Bragg resources would provide the necessary background checks and funding for the caretakers during any potential on post CQSC event. He even said he would do the same for any group and cited his willingness to support the Wiccan group, Spiral Scouts. That group has not asked for the opportunity yet though, he said.

If you want to hear more about this situation, and all of the great things at Camp Quest, come out to hear Amy Monsky speak on June 26th at 5:00 PM. (Free of charge, Please RSVP!)

Fort Bragg’s MASH chapter will be hosting a speech by Cecil Bothwell on May 6th at 6:00 PM.

In November 2009 he was elected to Asheville, North Carolina’s City Council. Despite last-minute low-blows and political muck-raking, he rightfully earned his seat. The controversy just got deeper from that point, however.

via Wikipedia:

Bothwell was elected on November 3, 2009, to the city council after he won the third highest number of votes in the city election. Following the election, opponents of Bothwell, including H. K. Edgerton, a former president of the Asheville NAACP, challenged his election because the North Carolina Constitution does not allow for atheists to hold public office in the state. Law experts argued the provision was invalid because the United States Constitution prevents religious tests for public office.The Supreme Court of the United States held in Torcaso v. Watkins (1961) that such provisions violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

That description completely glosses over the fact that H.K. Edgerton is completely insane. When I last saw Cecil speak, he expounded on this interesting twist in the storyline. Despite his previous leadership in the NAACP, Edgerton spends his free time dressed as a Confederate Soldier, waving the Confederate Flag. He is known for freaking out the tourists that frequent Asheville, and pretty much everyone considers him to be a ‘troll’.

That’s who led the fight against the legitimacy of Cecil Bothwell’s election, in an unwinnable (by every account) court case. This is a man who has fought for civil rights for minorities all of his career, but still couldn’t see over the religious bigotry ingrained in him. Also, he is clearly on some crazy pills.

Cecil Bothwell recently announced that he will be running for US Representative for NC’s 11th district. He expects to have a tough fight, but is confident in his ability to ouster fellow Democrat, Heath Shuler. Many constituents are unhappy with Shuler’s apparent status as a Blue Dog Democrat.

Bothwell is the author of ‘The Prince of War: Billy Graham’s Crusade for a Wholly Christian Empire‘ - Instantly making him a welcome ally in North Carolina’s secular community that’s for sure.

This speaking engagement at the Fort Bragg MASH chapter signals our growth. We have rapidly achieved a new level of legitimacy all in a few months. The awkward birthing pains are all but over, as we emerge into the secular community with several organizations helping us stand up. Many of the local groups surrounding our MASH chapter have reached out to us, such as the Triangle Freethought Society. There is an effort to coordinate a regular rotation of speakers, and several how-to’s and guides are being written for all of the other MASH chapters as they sprout in our wake.

If you live anywhere near a military base, you should join or start a MASH group, too. The national MASH organization will help you establish monthly speaking events, book clubs, and of course on-post support from the Chaplaincy.

This weekend was huge for us. We received an overwhelming level of publicity, and interest is snow-balling. Several major news organizations have been in contact with me over the last few weeks. The Associated Press ran an article on Friday that seems to be plastered everywhere!

Associated Press excerpt

“The cliche notwithstanding, there are atheists in foxholes.

In fact, atheists, agnostics, humanists and other assorted skeptics from the Army’s Fort Bragg have formed an organization in a pioneering effort to win recognition and ensure fair treatment for nonbelievers in the overwhelmingly Christian U.S. military.

“We exist, we’re here, we’re normal,” said Sgt. Justin Griffith, chief organizer of Military Atheists and Secular Humanists, or MASH. “We’re also in foxholes. That’s a big one, right there.”

For now, the group meets regularly in homes and bars outside of Fort Bragg, one of the biggest military bases in the country. But it is going through the long bureaucratic process to win official recognition from the Army as a distinct “faith” group…” -Tom Breen, AP | Photo by Jim Bounds, AP

Please read the rest of the article! MSNBC and Fox News picked it up.

We appreciate the mostly supportive comments on the hundreds of places that the article was picked up. I know you aren’t supposed to feed the trolls, but I saw this comment on the Fox News version:

“Of course there are atheists in foxholes, well at least they are atheists right up until that last second or so.” – evesdrop

Let’s set aside the obviously offensive myth about atheists in foxholes for one second. That comment doesn’t make any sense. Evesdrop’s example suggests that atheists do exist in foxholes. However, they get shot and killed right after they convert to religion (presumably Christianity). What a reward for piety!

I made myself stop looking at the comments. Oh well, I knew what type of audience to expect at that website. I was actually pleasantly surprised with the amount of supporters we had there anyway. Damn trolls. They are so hungry.

MASH Growing Pains

Grace Quiroz, Army Spouse and organizer of the Fort Campbell, KY MASH chapter

40 People joined in the first two weeks, and several people contacted us asking how they could start their own chapters. Our local Fort Bragg, NC chapter is now nearing 70 members, bigger than many congregations in the chapels at Bragg. Satellite groups like the one Grace Quiroz started at Fort Campbell, KY are growing stronger. There are dozens of MASH chapters starting to form around the globe. Existing national organizations like the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers have helped a great deal. We expect to take on even more partners as we emerge from the awkward birthing process, and several amazing possibilities are on the horizon!

We have already made a lot of progress towards legitimacy at Fort Bragg. Our packet has been submitted for approval, and we are well on our way to achieving this lofty goal:

1) To serve the vastly under-represented non-theist population of Soldiers on posts across the world. To this end, we hope to ultimately establish an official tie-in with the every base’s Chaplaincy. We’d like each chapter to have some meetups on post, possibly even in the Chapels. Additionally we want to be officially recognized and listed on the Chaplain’s schedule of services that currently caters to Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and even Pagans.

It’s out of our hands now, and we are awaiting approval. I must say that the Chaplaincy at Fort Bragg has been very supportive with the process so far. This is obviously in stark contrast to the Rock Beyond Belief festival (a separate entity altogether anyway.) But we’ll take the helping hand whenever we can get it. It is my understanding that MASH’s packet is now ‘above’ Fort Bragg in the approval process, one step closer to paving the way for satellite MASH chapters to ‘rinse and repeat’. When the first group is formally approved, the rest of the groups will basically just need to fill out a few forms to achieve full legitimacy.

MASH meetings are incredible

Our local meetups have been extremely moving. Recently, we’ve had a number of guest speakers. A particularly memorable speaker was our own Adam Jennings, a Special Forces medic and foxhole atheist. His story was tragic, involving his attempt to save his friend’s life after receiving fire from enemy forces in Afghanistan. All of the medical opinions backed up the assessment that there really was nothing he could have done to save his friend – unless they were already on the doorsteps of the operating room.

All of the medical opinions except one. One person had the gall to suggest that it was all Adam’s fault, and that this person could have saved his life instead. This person flatly stated that “there are no atheists in foxholes” and that this colored his opinion on Adam’s abilities.

This story was picked up in The Humanist for a cover story in 2009. Excerpt:

Rocket-propelled grenades lit up the black sky and the shattering shots of AK-47s tore through the night air as Jennings raced towards the damaged vehicle with his medical bag in hand. Finding Pat unconscious with a wounded right shoulder, Jennings immediately inserted a plastic tube down his friend’s throat while another medic patched the wound. They were guided only by the lamps mounted on their helmets. After the assault passed and Jennings had done all he could, Pat was transported away for more intensive care. “We sent him off to the hospital, and that was the last I saw of him,” Jennings recalls. Pat died not long after.

Shortly after the soldier’s death the physician’s assistant in Jennings’ battalion found it necessary to remind everyone of both their mortality and morality with the old saw: “There are no atheists in foxholes.” Jennings stared coldly at the man, a set of dog tags hanging around his neck with “ATHEIST” stamped on them. “I never once thought of trying to invoke the power of a god or the need to pray” he remembers. “I didn’t need him telling me that I needed faith when my life is constantly at risk. It was that moment when I decided to start telling the world I was an atheist.”

A few hours after the meeting wrapped up, a few of us gathered around the large monitor to watch something that Adam Jennings left out. He had footage of his friend taken on the day he died. We watched in silent respect, and then Adam loaded the next segment. We heard the gunfire and the panic of the actual assault as it happened. You could hear the intense situation unfold.

It was incredibly moving, and we all sat there absorbing the experience. It was breathtaking, and I am extremely proud of Adam Jennings for sharing his story with us. I would highly recommend his presentation to any secular group.

Last weekend, we had a discussion group led by one of our strongest members, Rachel Medley. Though she does not speak on behalf of the Army, She is an active duty Soldier and fellow Foxhole Atheist.

Rachel asked and answered the question that is on the mind of many religious people who are puzzled by our intentions to organize MASH. Why would atheists and humanists want to meet together?

“Identity is important. From the time we are born, we struggle to identify ourselves…what makes us unique, what defines us, and what makes us like others. Humans find identity in many things: they identify with their race, their creed, their birthplace, their ancestry, and very often, their religion. In the military, it goes a step further. We are identified by our rank, our accomplishments, our career field, and especially our unit. In a place where uniformity is a major theme, individuality and identity is important. Just like in the civilian world, Soldiers tend to identify themselves often by their religious preference and background, and suddenly if you do not identify with one of the socially accepted “religious groups,” your identity feels suddenly less valid.”

- Rachel Medley, a Soldier and strong member of Military Atheists Secular Humanists (MASH).

Her background as a devout Mormon had a great deal of impact on her opinion of the importance of MASH. Cultural identity and the built in religious support group are incredibly important to most Mormons (mirrored in varying degrees in other religious segments as well). When she shed her Mormonism, she said there was a huge need to fill the community and support aspects that she is now severed from. A fellow ex-Mormon in attendance clearly agreed and helped contribute to many of the salient points Rachel was making.

Interestingly, the need for community was equally important to those who had been raised in a mostly secular environment. They felt unprepared for, and often attacked by their religious peers. I know first hand – I used to proselytize to my friends in school. I carried around a bible instead of a science book (literally), and I was extremely concerned that my friends were going to hell to be tortured forever. Only now do I realize the situation that I created for my less religious peers back then. The situation in the military is arguably more intense.

The need for an officially recognized and fully supported network of communities for Military Atheists Secular Humanists is now beginning to be fulfilled. I am proud of Rachel Medley and Adam Jennings, and the rest of the brave secular community representing MASH.

The number one thing you can do to support MASH is to stay interested, stay proud, stay supportive. We are fighting an uphill battle, and the public support is our greatest ally.

Article source: http://rockbeyondbelief.com/2011/04/03/mash-gets-monster-press-coverage-foxhole-atheists-organize/

Atheists in foxholes in the media
Justin Griffith makes news with local MASH Ft Bragg chapter
Army NG Chaplain Steven Veinotte in Kuwait denies atheists in foxholes
Hospital chaplain converts sick atheists
Christopher Hitchens shows there are atheists in foxholes
Gainseville writer denies our service
Student writer confused about science

Rock Beyond Belief coverage
PZ Myers of pharyngula comments
Christian post comments

Humanism in culture and politics
Ethics and purpose from Rutgers humanist chaplain
Cecil Bothwell, atheist Congressional candidate
Australia beats back sectarian coup
Newt Gingrich targets atheists
Islamic resurgence and secular humanism

Humanist entertainment
Movie “127 hours” cites atheist determination
Movie “Paul” treats audiences to atheist humor
Secular humanism influences Musician Anthony David’s new album

Atheists in foxholes in the media

Justin Griffith makes news with local MASH Ft Bragg chapter, AP, MSNBC, Yahoo news, USA Today
“The cliche notwithstanding, there are atheists in foxholes. In fact, atheists, agnostics, humanists and other assorted skeptics from the Army’s Fort Bragg have formed an organization in a pioneering effort to win recognition and ensure fair treatment for nonbelievers in the overwhelmingly Christian U.S. military.” Find a chapter or start one where you are.

Keeping the world safer for all of us, The Union Leader
Active NH National Guard chaplain disparages atheism, “Major Steven Veinotte of Campton has seen the truth of that old adage that there are no atheists in foxholes. “I think that’s natural,” he said.” MAAF is following up with New Hampshire NG and other leaders.

Reaching out, Evansville Courier Press
Staff chaplain who went in surreptitiously to convert an atheist: “John Charles has been a staff chaplain at St. Mary’s for eight years and will never forget an experience he once had with a patient who was atheist.”

COLUMN: And if there is no God?, The Utah Statesman
A Utah editor realizes there are atheists in foxholes, “A favorite euphemism of many deists is the widely used, “No such thing as an atheist in a foxhole;” but in Hitchens’ case this does not seems to be so.”

Senate approves guns in church bill, Gainesville Times
Melissa Weimann disparages atheists in foxholes: There are no atheists in foxholes. But, hypocrites go to church with guns.
? I would never take my children to a church where guns are allowed.

I seek God, but I seek bread first, Student Press
Student writer mulls need for faith, trotting out apologetics such as faith answering why and science answering how, and chooses to set . “There are no atheists in foxholes, so they say.”

Rock Beyond Belief coverage

Only Christian soldiers allowed, ScienceBlogs (blog)
Coverage from PZ Myers: “The US military has been sponsoring evangelical Christian events for the troops, basically subjecting our soldiers to religious propaganda.”

Atheists Cancel Concert after Military Refuses to Sponsor, Christian Post
Christian post offers coverage of the Rock Beyond belief event; also see interesting related stories.

Humanism in culture and politics

Ashvegas: How do you define Democrat, Republican in Western North Carolina?, Asheville Citizen-Times
Atheist Congressional candidate Cecil Bothwell: “Bothwell is clear about his progressive ideals, from championing mass transit planning to defending his personal beliefs as an atheist.”

Seismic shift shapes nation, The Daily Telegraph
Coverage of how Australia is saving itself from sectarian influences in politics

Humanism gives ethics, purpose to people, RU Daily Targum
Comments on ethics and purpose from the chaplain at Rutgers University

Gingrich Fears America Will Be Filled with Secular Atheists, God Discussion
Newt Gingrich chooses atheism as his Great Satan to radicalize his followers, “I am convinced that if we do not decisively win the struggle over the
nature of America, by the time they’re my age they will be in a secular
atheist country, potentially one dominated by radical Islamists and with no
understanding of what it once.”

Islam Will Not Be the Loser, Spero News
Georgetown professor studies Crusades for insight on modern Islamic “resurgence”: “If terrorism is to be defeated, the world of Islam must take on board the secularist-humanist principles on which the modern is based, and without which Muslim countries’ freedom will remain a distant dream.”

Humanist entertainment

Why “127 Hours” is a cut above your average film, Christian Post
Christian post and 127 hours sends shout-out to atheist, “And as a bonus for the atheists out there, Touching the Void proves that there can be an atheist
in a foxhole.”

‘Paul’ can’t match comedy duo’s earlier efforts, Hamilton Spectator
Tough review of new atheist film Paul, featuring Seth Rogan as Paul, and writers Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (of Sean of the Dead)

The new truth about Anthony David’s old soul, Creative Loafing Atlanta
Atheist artist puts out new album: “The biggest change is I became what I call a secular humanist, or an atheist. All I know is that I’m interested in being nice to people but I’ve never believed in any religion.”

Article source: http://blog.militaryatheists.org/2011/03/maaf-news-30-mar-2011/

Inside USAFA religious culture

Inside USAFA religious culture

Retired General Patrick Gamble, working through the Council of Logistics Research on behalf of the Secretary of the Air Force, is conducting a review of the religious climate at the US Air Force Academy.  Recently, the Academy completed and published a religious climate survey that showed lingering issues with the climate.  Wing Chaplain Lt. Col. Dan Brantingham sees this review as an extension of ongoing efforts to sustain a climate much improved since the events of 2004-2005.  The Academy has already begun preparing training for the cadets to improve religious respect, including the Military Association of Atheists Freethinkers in the training effort.  MAAF has been invited to comment on the current religious climate review as well.

Looked at with a skeptical eye, one can find questions with the approach.  First and foremost, the study seems rushed, with invitations for commentary from MAAF coming on Thursday, 24 March, and interviews at the Academy scheduled to start on the 28^th.  It would be hoped that an investigation would provide more time for external organization comments to help understand where internally to focus their investigation.  However, the Air Force has said that this is not an investigation or inspection.  If that’s so, one wonders what the intended outcome is.  The last thing the Academy or its cadets need is an administrative walkabout with no results.

Putting aside a skeptical eye, MAAF does recognize that this is an external investigation with a retired General, who, at least on the surface, does not seem to have an obvious bias.  In addition, the review team is making efforts to collect anonymous input separate from the chain of command at the Academy.  This will hopefully allow for more candid feedback.  In addition, it is reassuring that they at least invited external feedback from MAAF and other organizations.  Reports indicate that Gamble is studying not only free exercise restrictions, but the real problem of 1^st Amendment establishment clause violations and improper proselytism.  Also, the team has gotten directly into the work of the interviews without much ceremony or delay.  MAAF hopes that this newest review will provide additional impetus for reform.

MAAF has provided the following suggestions:

- Freshman (4-degree training) has been completed and with the inclusion of MAAF and other agencies, the training program is inclusive and should help to improve the religious climate once it is implemented this summer.  While the Academy’s freshmen need training as much as anyone, they will still first and foremost follow the example set by their leadership.  While already started, the review team should reinforce the need to continue the inclusive approach to religious respect training as well as the programmatic themes in the freshmen training to create and implement upperclass cadet, staff and faculty training.

- The Academy’s Special Programs in Religious Education (SPIRE) allows for external religious organizations to support cadets in a formal environment.  This program currently includes an injunction against ‘denigration’ that can sometimes be carried out too stringently.  The term is currently undefined and can be exclusive to many nontheistic ideas and practices.  Without room for fair and candid questions, asked with respect for the individual, even if the answers disagree with one’s faith convictions, there arises an oppressive censorship of free inquiry.

- SPIRE currently includes no injunction against proselytism.  Adding some reference to the establishment clause and prohibitions against government promotion of religious ideas or theism over nontheism would add important balance to SPIRE.  This would echo the free exercise / anti-establishment balance that makes the 1^st Amendment work.  It is also fair to say that proselytism needs to be better defined.  “Sharing of faith” may be a simple discussion that touches on religion, which may not be problematic.  However, MAAF has suggested that components of coercion (command or peer influence), harassment (when known to be unwanted), or conspiracy (planning in advance) would cross the line from free exercise to an establishment clause violation in the Academy context.

- The SPIRE proselytism/denigration definitions and procedures can be utilized within the cadet corps and religious respect training to improve interaction among cadets.  A better understanding of the freedoms and responsibilities of religious activities will greatly improve the religious climate.

- MAAF also sees a need for additional oversight over SPIRE operations of multi-million-dollar evangelistic organizations such as Navigators, OCF, FCA, and Crusade.  The stated purpose of each of these organizations is to spread Christianity.  Such an organizational mission at least threatens the boundaries of unfair proselytizing.  The Academy should recognize this conflict with Academy policy along with frequent spot-checks on materials and leadership understanding.  Cadets also anonymously report of the power and influence these organizations currently hold within the Academy.  MAAF encourages the review team to consider when the boundary between free exercise of individuals gives way to an oppressive and powerful religious culture.

- The review team should seek to empower chaplains to guard against establishment clause responsibilities just as they foster free exercise rights — one without the other undermines liberty.  Chaplains are at the line level and offer the first opportunity to ensure things are being done right, before legal, equal opportunity, or command elements must be involved.  By that time, there is already a problem.  Chaplains should not be forced to wait for legal intervention when an establishment clause violation seems clear.

- It is simple truth that some will reject an inclusive, pluralistic religious climate.  Some flaunt their mission to proselytize and seek freedoms only to allow for spreading their personal beliefs.  Allowing violations to continue without impediment or punishment is as good as approval.

Gen. Gamble’s review team has already begun their survey.  MAAF has heard from cadets that discussions are starting well, with what seem to be credible assertions of objectivity and confidentiality from the review team.  The Academy chaplains have maintained close contact with MAAF since the November Religious Respect Conference.  In reviewing training and several issues of religious respect over that time (regarding actions of atheists as well as others), we have maintained good relations and made positive steps to better understand each other.  It is uncertain how the review team will conduct their investigation and report on their findings, and it is unclear how the Air Force will react.  But MAAF appreciates the invitation to comment and hopes that this initial response and future interactions will pave the way for tangible changes, including continued positive training development and implementation and reforms to the SPIRE program.

Article source: http://blog.militaryatheists.org/2011/03/air-force-reviews-academy-religious-climate/

(by MAAF President Jason Torpy)

From March 16^th to 22^nd, I traveled to Virginia and North and South Carolina to put out the MAAF message and improve the support of atheists, humanists, and other nontheists in the military.  The intention was to visit local civilian organizations, meet MAAF members, and speak with chaplains.  Six local humanist groups came out to hear the message, and those audiences included several MAAF members.  I was also able to meet with Justin Griffith and members of MASH Ft Bragg.  Chaplains at Ft Bragg, Naval Station Norfolk, and the Air Force Chaplains College at Ft Jackson reviewed MAAF resources and listened to some of the issues facing us.

The chaplains hold power and influence within the military and have control over resources.  This is precisely because of the important missions chaplains carry out in caring for service members, advising the chain of command, and either providing or providing for religious support (as explained in chaplaincy regulations such as AF Instruction 52-101, Navy TRP 1-05.1, Army Reg 165-1, and Joint Pub 1-05).    However, chaplains have few resources to help nontheists, and nontheists often expect hostility from chaplains.  Some chaplains have been receptive to improving their support and negative perceptions.

During the trip, Chaplain Major Jeffrey Quinn hosted me at Naval Station Norfolk.  He is currently drafting updates to Navy programs including the command religious program, religious accommodation, and lay leader certification.  He has explicitly recognized humanists and atheists as a way to improve the diversity of the services of the Navy chaplaincy.  There is also a balance of establishment protections as well as opportunities for free exercise.  By including MAAF, he took a positive step toward accurately representing the nontheist perspective.  There are many steps in the vetting process for new regulations, but I’m excited about the progress and inclusiveness so far.

On March 16^th, I visited the Air Force Chaplain Corps College and was hosted by the Deputy Commandant, Chaplain Colonel Jimmy Browning.  We met at the Air Force Academy Religious Respect Conference last November.  The Air Force maintains a dedicated schoolhouse on the same campus with the Army and Navy/Marine schoolhouses at Fort Jackson, SC.  Chaplain Browning brought in staff, including the senior enlisted advisor and the heads of the two departments within the college – education and resources.  The staff provided a briefing and tour of the facility to show what they currently do and how they might help nontheist service members.

Spiritual and religious terms and imagery were ever-present.  A quote from George Washington promoted the importance of religion to the military.  A large banner included three core values:  Glorifying God, Serving Airman, and Pursuing Excellence.  There is a primary mission to “care for the airman’s soul.”  All of the chaplains continually returned to their spiritual mission – spiritual in the sense of divine worship and matters of the (supernatural) soul.  It cannot be denied that the chaplains are established for, focused on, and most comfortable with their traditional mission to support divine religious views and practices, but that is not the end of the story.

The invitation, the senior personnel present during the meeting, and positive tone of the event were all indications of the openness of chaplains to supporting nontheists.  As part of the MAAF Chaplain Outreach program, I presented a briefing showing the perspectives of humanists in the military and some of the culture and activities that make us feel like outsiders.  I also presented the humanist philosophy and ethical stance to show how we answer the “big questions.”  I asked for some additional detail on the chaplain training program and their resources.  The initial meeting was informational to learn about each other as an important foundation for future collaboration on training, programming, and chaplain materials.

I was also able to visit Ft Bragg Chaplain Office about supporting Justin Griffith and MASH Ft Bragg..  In attendance were Fort Bragg Chaplains Hillis, Rozmiarek, and McElroy, as well as several legal and installation personnel.  These were some of the same personnel involved evangelical Rock The Fort concert, so it was good to have them speak with us.  At least one member of the group seemed reflectively cautious about the prospect of approving an atheist lay leader.  But he did participate, and it was helpful to be able to respond to candid questions.  I talked with chaplains about the humanist perspective and how they can support us.  The chaplains had a lot of questions about what we are looking for in terms of support.  We explained that we only seek the same services that religious groups receive, including official acceptance, rooms to meet in, and advertisement of our meetings through chaplain channels.

A major step toward official chaplain support for humanists is to certify a lay leader.  Sgt. Griffith has volunteered, with MAAF serving as the endorser. This requires several administrative documents and recommendations to be processed.  The chaplains are helping us through our application, and they offered to ask for an interim approval until official approval can be finalized.  We are looking forward to approval of the paperwork, advertisement of the first meeting, and the first on-post meeting after the paperwork is processed.  Justin is continuing to work towards a Rock Beyond Belief secular event, but Fort Bragg leaders blocked the planned April date.  Rock Beyond Belief and other issues notwithstanding, support for MASH Fort Bragg weekly meetings would be a success to celebrate, and the chaplains are helping us to move in that direction.

The initial outcome of a week of visits was a positive reception from three separate chaplain’s offices, several civilian organizations, and a local chapter.  The Air Force chaplain school visit, Navy religious accommodation regulations, and Army lay leader support are all hallmarks of a new military inclusive of the humanist perspective.  Humanists in Columbia, Raleigh, and northern Virginia heard me explain the vision of MAAF, and heard that we have a long way to go.  There is still a long way to go, but at least this week has been positive on all fronts.

Article source: http://blog.militaryatheists.org/2011/03/military-atheists-visit-chaplains/

MAAF President Jason Torpy is visiting several locations in the Atlantic coast from March 13th through March 22nd.  With invitations from representatives and Ft Jackson, Ft Bragg, and Naval Station Norfolk, Mr Torpy is helping military leaders and chaplains understand why and how to help atheists, humanists, and other nontheist service members.

Mr Torpy will give three presentations to civilian organizations on the status of the military and MAAF strategies to build community within the military on March 13th and 20th (2).  He will present updates on Air Force Academy training, humanist chaplaincy, local group development, and spiritual fitness and the ongoing Rock the Fort / Rock Beyond Belief saga.

Jason is also planning visits to a joint event for local groups in Columbia (3/16), the Ft Bragg MASH chapter (3/17), and Triangle Freethought in Raleigh (3/21).  These informal visits will offer opportunities to meet and discuss MAAF issues in person for those interested.

• March 13th, WASH Northern Virginia presentation on humanist chaplains
• March 16th, Ft Jackson visit and evening social with local SC groups – Grecian Gardens, 2312 Sunset Blvd West, Columbia, SC, 7PM
• March 17th, Ft Bragg, NC installation chaplaincy visit and MASH Ft Bragg visit in the evening
• March 19th, West Point Society of DC Founder’s Day visit (attending as a graduate)
• March 20th 11AM, NoVA Ethical Society presentation on collaboration with military leaders
• March 20th 7PM, UNC Chapel Hill presentation and leadership abuses for religious privilege (college and military)
• March 21st, Triangle Freethought Society visit (Raleigh, NC)
• March 22nd, Naval Station Norfolk visit

See the MAAF calendar for additional presentations, visits, and related events, including the American Humanist Association and American Atheist conventions in April.

Article source: http://blog.militaryatheists.org/2011/03/122/

Following ongoing issues with Rock the Fort / Rock Beyond Belief and related spirituality training programs by the military.

In September 2010, Ft Bragg provided fervent endorsement, nearly $100,000 of government-controlled funds, and the main parade field to support “Rock the Fort.”  Rock the Fort was overtly evangelical in intent and nature, intending to convert not only service members but civilians in the surrounding community and their children.  Courts allowed the event to go on with the assurance by the Ft Bragg commander that any event, even a nontheist event, would receive similar support.

Justin Griffith, an Army Sergeant at Ft Bragg, planned Rock Beyond Belief, a similar event deserving of similar support.  Justin gathered an array of performers and speakers, including Richard Dawkins.   Atheists across the country were excited about the event and making plans, and the event formed the core of a strong local group – MASH Ft Bragg.  After months of close planning with Ft Bragg chaplains, leaders, and lawyers, Colonel Sicinski, Garrison Commander and final approver said no.

To be clear, Colonel Sicinski, said the event could go on.  However, he provided the following restrictions:

• smaller, indoor, seated venue
• no financial support
• explicit denial of Ft Bragg endorsement

The Rock Beyond Belief event asked for similar support, which would have included over $50,000 in explicit support from government-controlled funds, an outdoor venue, and support with messages such as “Fort Bragg Garrison Religious Support

Office has partnered with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to offer a free concert and the Christian message to all of Fort Bragg and the surrounding community!”  This response could not be accepted especially when it was provided with only 30 days within the event with no time to react to restricted resources.

The Military Association of Atheists Freethinkers seeks support for nontheists throughout the military.  A major effort is with local MASH Chapters, such as those at Ft Bragg, Ft Jackson, military academies, USS Abraham Lincoln, and more.  These chapters and their local events provide the way forward for government recognition that nontheists serve honorably and deserve support.  There is still an opportunity for Ft Bragg to recognize and support the local group while resolution is sought for the Rock Beyond Belief event.  Soldiers and civilians can got to the Rock Beyond Belief page for ways to contact Congressional leaders, Army leaders, and Ft Bragg leaders to call for fair treatment of all soldiers, even atheists.

Article source: http://blog.militaryatheists.org/2011/03/105/