Atheists in Foxholes News - Latest Comments

Re: Former House Chaplain Shows Ignorance, Prejudice

patedk — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 09:41:56 -0000

So many l-TRU religions!

Re: In Memoriam – Gary Guillen

JeffGosto — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 19:51:57 -0000

Gary is my biological father - if anyone knows more about him, I'd like to be contacted please. jeffgosto@gmail.com

Re: Profile: Jared Anderson, A Chaplain Calling

Troublesh00ter — Thu, 23 May 2019 09:03:34 -0000

Very well said! BRAVA!

Re: Profile: Jared Anderson, A Chaplain Calling

Debbie Allen — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 15:49:02 -0000

We can argue forever about who is, and who is not, a "true" Christian. Please note the number of denominations that now exist within "Christianity". What you cannot argue with is this: the number of non-Christians within our military service is growing, and the total number of humanists/nontheists is larger than those self-identifying as members of a minority religion (Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, etc.). Still, there is not one Humanist Chaplain in the military. We suggest we stand for Religious Freedom in this country — meaning to me, the right to believe, or not to believe, in any particular religion. To make that concept real in our military service, then we need to provide equitable services to everyone. Not to just those of the majority faith. You may be interested in knowing exactly what a Humanist thinks (i.e. "believes"): https://americanhumanist.or...

Re: Profile: Jared Anderson, A Chaplain Calling

Watchman for Zion — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 15:37:26 -0000

If he was a Latter Day Saint, he was no Christian, Mormonism is a cult and they preach a false gospel. Humanist Chaplain is an oxymoron.

Re: US Military Academy SSA Greets ’18 Plebes

NEIL C. REINHARDT — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 02:41:09 -0000

DO YOU KNOW THAT "THE CLERGY PROJECT", WHICH IS MADE UP OF FORMER CHRISTIAN MINISTERS WHO ARE NOW ATHEISTS NOW HAS OVER 250 MEMBERS?

AND SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SOME MINISTERS, WHO ARE NOW ATHEISTS, ARE STILL PREACHING TO THEIR FLOCKS! WHY? BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO TO EARN A LIVING AND THEY ARE AFRAID OF ALL THE HATE THEY WILL FACE WHEN THEY ADMIT THE TRUTH.

Re: US Military Academy SSA Greets ’18 Plebes

NEIL C. REINHARDT — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 02:32:21 -0000

DO YOU KNOW THE :"ATHEIST TV CHANNEL" WAS LAUNCHED ON 29 JULY?

Re: Secularizing Religious Patriotism

Linda Hoover — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 17:50:06 -0000

As a Canadian atheist feminist, I have often been annoyed by our anthem's lyrics. "True patriot love in all OUR SONS command" should be "in all OF US command". While that girl changing "GOD keep our land / Glorious and free" to "PLEASE", that still assumes a plea (prayer?) to a deity. I would prefer the exortation "LET'S keep our land / Glorious and free". It is up to us all, isn't it?

Re: Secularizing Religious Patriotism

slowe — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 13:49:05 -0000

Good ideas.: In us we trust. ... One nation, under law, indivisible.... Instead of "God bless America" at the end of every political speech, one could say? ???? what? your suggestions:

Re: Secularizing Religious Patriotism

zeke — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 13:19:28 -0000

Mediums? You mean the people who believe dead people speak to them? Or perhaps you mean "media".

Re: Humanist Alternatives to Church at Air Force Basic Training

Jordan — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 05:33:43 -0000

I recently graduated BMT and attended this meeting several times. It has grown a lot, there were sometimes 30 to 40 people in attendance, and before I arrived they said the number was over 50. It provides a really great place for atheists and humanists to gather and feel welcome while discussing some interesting topics.

Re: Review: Coming Out Atheist

Mauve e lous — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 20:27:43 -0000

As a 19 yrs. old newbie airborne ranger I was asked my religious preference for my dog tags. Without hesitation I claimed "Pagan." My platoon Sgt. was irate, made me do 100 pushups before he gave in. Easiest 100 (not) pushups I ever done. Case closed. Who the fvck knows snot about the gods..

Re: Interfaith leaders support humanist chaplaincy

Samuel Maynes — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 16:22:13 -0000

If you are interested in some new ideas on religious pluralism and the
Trinity, please check out my website at www.religiouspluralism.ca. It previews my
book, which has not been published yet and is still a “work-in-progress.” Your
constructive criticism would be very much appreciated.

My thesis is that an abstract version of the Trinity could be Christianity’s answer to the world need for a framework of pluralistic theology.

In a constructive worldview: east, west, and far-east religions present a
threefold understanding of One God manifest primarily in Muslim and Hebrew
intuition of the Deity Absolute, Christian and Krishnan Hindu conception
of the Universe Absolute Supreme Being; and Shaivite Hindu, Buddhist,
Taoist apprehension of the Destroyer (meaning also Consummator), Unconditioned
Absolute, or Spirit of All That Is and is not. Together with their
variations and combinations in other major religions, these religious ideas
reflect and express our collective understanding of God, in an expanded concept
of the Holy Trinity.

The Trinity Absolute is portrayed in the logic of world religions, as follows:

1. Muslims and Jews may be said to worship only the first person of the
Trinity, i.e. the existential Deity Absolute Creator, known as Allah or
Yhwh, Abba or Father (as Jesus called him), Brahma, and other names; represented
by Gabriel (Executive Archangel), Muhammad and Moses (mighty messenger
prophets), and others.

2. Christians and Krishnan Hindus may be said to worship the first person
through a second person, i.e. the experiential Universe or "Universal”
Absolute Supreme Being (Allsoul or Supersoul), called Son/Christ or
Vishnu/Krishna; represented by Michael (Supreme Archangel), Jesus (teacher and
savior of souls), and others. The Allsoul is that gestalt of personal human
consciousness, which we expect will be the "body of Christ" (Mahdi,
Messiah, Kalki or Maitreya) in the second coming – personified in history by
Muhammad, Jesus Christ, Buddha (9th incarnation of Vishnu), and others.

3. Shaivite Hindus, Buddhists, and Confucian-Taoists seem to venerate the synthesis
of the first and second persons in a third person or appearance, ie. the
Destiny Consummator of ultimate reality – unqualified Nirvana consciousness –
associative Tao of All That Is – the absonite* Unconditioned Absolute Spirit
“Synthesis of Source and Synthesis,”** who/which is logically expected to be
Allah/Abba/Brahma glorified in and by union with the Supreme Being –
represented in religions by Gabriel, Michael, and other Archangels, Mahadevas,
Spiritpersons, etc., who may be included within the mysterious Holy Ghost.

Other strains of religion seem to be psychological variations on the third
person, or possibly combinations and permutations of the members of the Trinity
– all just different personality perspectives on the Same God. Taken
together, the world’s major religions give us at least two insights into the
first person of this thrice-personal One God, two perceptions of the second
person, and at least three glimpses of the third.

* The ever-mysterious Holy Ghost or Unconditioned Spirit is neither absolutely
infinite, nor absolutely finite, but absonite; meaning neither
existential nor experiential, but their ultimate consummation; neither fully
ideal nor totally real, but a middle path and grand synthesis of the
superconscious and the conscious, in consciousness of the unconscious.

** This conception is so strong because somewhat as the Absonite Spirit is a
synthesis of the spirit of the Absolute and the spirit of the Supreme, so
it would seem that the evolving Supreme Being may himself also be a
synthesis or “gestalt” of humanity with itself, in an Almighty Universe
Allperson or Supersoul. Thus ultimately, the Absonite is their Unconditioned
Absolute Coordinate Identity – the Spirit Synthesis of Source and Synthesis
– the metaphysical Destiny Consummator of All That Is.

After the Hindu and Buddhist conceptions, perhaps the most subtle expression
and comprehensive symbol of the 3rd person of the Trinity is the Tao;
involving the harmonization of “yin and yang” (great opposing ideas identified
in positive and negative, or otherwise contrasting terms). In the Taoist icon
of yin and yang, the s-shaped line separating the black and white spaces may be
interpreted as the Unconditioned “Middle Path” between condition and
conditioned opposites, while the circle that encompasses them both suggests
their synthesis in the Spirit of the “Great Way” or Tao of All That Is.

If the small black and white circles or “eyes” are taken to represent a nucleus
of truth in both yin and yang, then the metaphysics of this symbolism fits
nicely with the paradoxical mystery of the Christian Holy Ghost; who is neither
the spirit of the one nor the spirit of the other, but the Glorified Spirit
proceeding from both, taken altogether – as one entity – personally distinct
from his co-equal, co-eternal and fully coordinate co-sponsors, who
differentiate from him, as well as mingle and meld in him.

For more details, please see: www.religiouspluralism.ca

Samuel Stuart Maynes

Re: Profile: Staff Sergeant Grace Greer

Brian Clay — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 16:11:47 -0000

Um... and she's super hot. A double whammy of awesomeness! Good on her.

Re: War College thesis masks real issues with Victimhood campaign

Lilly Munster — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 15:53:41 -0000

Is ALL of Christianity based on False Witness, Paranoia and Spiritual Violence? Seems so.

Re: Military chaplaincy faces choice of mission or anti-gay toleration

JasonTorpy — Thu, 29 May 2014 12:04:12 -0000

The simplest solution is for the military to operate without anti-gay discrimination and if there is a need, even a great need for certain denominations to offer special faith-based same-sex only retreats, then that's a special accommodation they can organize. But the default is for everyone to be included and anti-gay chaplains and couples should be the ones opting out. Protecting people from gays, atheists, women in leadership, muslims in niqab, Wiccans, open relationships or any of the many and varied religious objections that may arise is not the easiest solution. If someone wishes to opt out, then they can, but it shouldn't be the victims who have to opt out.

Re: Military chaplaincy faces choice of mission or anti-gay toleration

CH John — Thu, 29 May 2014 11:32:25 -0000

I know it has been some time since this article was posted, but thought I'd throw out a few thoughts on the issue. The most basic disagreement over this issue has to do with the nature of discrimination. If homosexuality is treated in the same way as ethnicity, race, etc. (as many argue), then it could be the end of chaplaincy or at least a chaplaincy that actually serves the religious needs, desires, and beliefs of the majority of service members who make use of it. The difficulty here has to do with the competing "rights" of persons involved. The very reason a government-funded and run chaplaincy can exist without violating the First Amendment (contra claims by Mike Weinstein) is that Free Exercise is deemed so critical that it even can trump Establishment in certain circumstances. The question that will need to be asked is whether Free Exercise is really at stake here, and if there is a way to protect Free Exercise while also respecting the "rights" of homosexual service members (presumably these rights are tied to the pursuit of happiness, perhaps privacy, association, etc.; there are many ways one could argue for the right to marry and to be treated just as all others). The article, I think, is relatively balanced, given that it comes from a website with a particular viewpoint. The easiest solution is to continue as proposed: offer separate marriage retreats for gay and lesbian couples and use chaplains that have no problem with that lifestyle. This would allow the chaplains who disagree for religious reasons (and are prohibited by their endorsers) to still carry the lion's share of the marriage retreats, and would allow couples who also have an ethical and/or religious objection to homosexuality to attend retreats with like-minded couples [like it or not, some will not want to attend a marriage enrichment retreat with homosexual couples; we can either tell them, "too bad, get over it!" or we can provide for their needs...tough call]. It would also provide an environment where the gay/lesbian couples will be free to express themselves without fear of being judged. Still, "separate but equal" has nasty connotations, and I suspect the gay and lesbian community (or at least the vocal members) will not accept it. The end result, I fear, will be that the Army G1 will end up taking the programs over and running them with sociologists or the like. There is nothing particularly wrong with mental health professionals, but they tend to be less dynamic in front of a crowd that the typical chaplain (I am speaking in generalities, I know). The point is that I think this would be a shame, but it is probably the best way to preserve both the rights of religious conservatives (who make up a significant portion of the military service members) and of gay/lesbian service members. Chaplains will continue to help all personnel, by either "performing or providing" the necessary religious support. Some will do it well, and others will not. That is the nature of humanity and of service. Just for full disclosure, I am a military chaplain from a conservative religious denomination/endorser.

Re: Healthy Resolution of Conflict at RAF Lakenheath

TSgt. Jerkface — Thu, 29 May 2014 11:13:36 -0000

Well done, mate. We had our little pow wow last week and a lot of the same type of comments were made. Way to keep your head and take time to cool off.before speaking.

Re: Introducing Our New Outreach & Operations Coordinator

Timberwoofie — Tue, 13 May 2014 11:11:53 -0000

Since there is no God, why should I waste some of my limited existence fighting for rights that refute religion. Just feel sorry for religious zealots who are wasting time in their few years of existence. If I should suddenly believe that there is a god, I will end up in the same non-existent state when I die. So in the words of Mrs. Clinton, " What difference does it make?"

Re: Review: Coming Out Atheist

John McCready — Fri, 02 May 2014 19:31:21 -0000

If anything, those DEMANDING that atheists remain quiet, ought to be the CATALYST FOR "coming out"! I still think a "cautious" approach is best-until someone tells me that I CANNOT be open about this part of my identity, while others can. This has been the basis of what the LGBTers have been screaming about for DECADES NOW!

Re: Review: Coming Out Atheist

JasonTorpy — Fri, 02 May 2014 19:27:12 -0000

All those cautions are very clear in the book. It's really important that those who think atheists have to "STFU", especially non-atheists, make efforts to 'come out' in support of equality for atheists. Because in the end, the oppressed group is not the problem, and only when members of the non-oppressed group start 'coming out' for equality will culture change such that coming out as different is no longer the dangerous struggle that it is now.

Re: Review: Coming Out Atheist

ColonelsWife — Fri, 02 May 2014 19:22:13 -0000

Thanks John. Like you stated earlier, being vocal is very personal. I don't care enough about my husband's peers to discuss the topic. I'm not there to make a statement. Both my husband and I are vocal about being socially liberal. Which is scandalous enough. At our table during the Commandant's Ball in 2012, there were a couple of One-Stars, Colonels and the like, when my husband proposed a toast to the Commander in Chief, the only glasses raised were ours. Appalling.

Re: Review: Coming Out Atheist

John McCready — Fri, 02 May 2014 19:10:03 -0000

It is probably becoming "easier" in the military to be an atheist (after all, if "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was repealed for gays, why not for atheists as well?). However, since an officer's spouse gets "evaluated" as much as the officer does, I certainly understand (and SUPPORT!) the need to "watch the P's and Q's"!

Re: Review: Coming Out Atheist

ColonelsWife — Fri, 02 May 2014 19:01:27 -0000

I agree with John. I'm very selective to whom I speak freely about my atheism. If my Momma knew, it would break that 77 year old woman's heart. Let her go to her death thinking I will join her in heaven. As a LtCol's wife, I understand the political game at the top, I do not want to hurt my husband's career by something I am or might say. When he's out of the Corps, that 's a different story. When my mother has passed from this life, all bets are off. I will never go back in the proverbial closet. The gods willing, Inshallah or Thor bless it.

Re: Review: Coming Out Atheist

John McCready — Fri, 02 May 2014 17:26:14 -0000

The FIRST RULE of "coming out" (be it atheist, gay, etc.) is to figure out if the people you "come out" to CAN HANDLE IT! The second rule is to realize that you do NOT HAVE TO if you DO NOT WANT TO! Assuming that you are in an intolerant enviornment (family, job, community, etc.), it might be a good position to "STFU" about your "alternative" identity label (again, be it atheist, gay, etc.). There should be ZERO PRESSURE on the person with the "alternative" identity TO "come out", OR to remain "closeted". The decision to "come out" or not is intensely personal, and can have a LOT of unforseen ramifications (ask any teen that has been excommunicated by their parents/family for being gay, atheist, etc.). I would recommend what I call a "yellow light" approach-a YELLOW traffic light means, "proceed with caution". GOOD LUCK-whether you "stay in" or "come out"