Military atheists seeking the rights and benefits offered to religious groups

[cleanhippie]

WASHINGTON — In early August, a small group of soldiers, airmen and their spouses gathered at a Panera Bread restaurant near Fort Meade, Md., to talk about the meaning of faith and how to share their convictions about life’s deepest questions.

As they sipped coffee and nibbled pastries, the scene might have passed for a low-key Wednesday night Bible study except for one thing — the members of the newly formed ATOM, or Atheists of Meade group, didn’t have any Bibles. Their belief system, they say, stops at the boundaries of the natural world.

It’s this rejection of supernatural belief that pushes the group off base instead of having the dedicated meeting space that religious groups get, said Army Capt. Ryan Jean, one of group’s organizers. That’s not fair, he said, because ATOM mostly does what religions do — provide fellowship and a chance for ethical and moral development.

“If there’s a reason to support religion in the military, it’s the ethics and values that come out of it, not the supernatural claims,” he said. “We also have constructive ethics and values, but we rally around humanism rather than the supernatural.”

http://www.stripes.com/military-atheists-seeking-the-rights-and-benefits-offered-to-religious-groups-1.153105

[atreides1]

1. The religious fanatics have infiltrated DU

Not surprised.

[cleanhippie]

2. There do seem to be many new posters, all spewing the same nonsense.

Makes one consider that its really just sockpuppets...

[cleanhippie]

3. kick

[texshelters]

4. There shouldn't be seperate spaces for religious groups

at the base in the first place. All groups should be able to have a space from support groups, to religious, atheist, chess club, photography club, book club, etc.

Then it wouldn't be an issue. But the religious in our society want segregation.

Peace,
Tex Shelters