Atheists are 'discriminated against'?

[stubbornone]

Well, here is the story:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/blake-pag ... 32279.html

"While there are certainly numerous problems with the developmental program at West Point and all service academies, the tipping point of my decision to resign was the realization that countless officers here and throughout the military are guilty of blatantly violating the oaths they swore to defend the Constitution. These men and women are criminals, complicit in light of day defiance of the Uniform Code of Military Justice through unconstitutional proselytism, discrimination against the non-religious and establishing formal policies to reward, encourage and even at times require sectarian religious participation."

Yep, in this 'long gray line' of hypocrisy and discrimination, our hero above lists ... not a single instance of this supposedly pervasive trend in the military. So, here are some things that our oppressed atheists have to ... painfully tolerate.

#1 - Prayers, those who are religious, and there are many different denominations BTW, will pray. Those who wish to pray collectively are allowed to do - freedom of religious expression is a protected right. Being unconscionably offended by someone else's expression of religion is ... aside from making you a total wanker ... also not about the US Constitution.

#2 - No doubt, just like our hero here, religious groups are afforded space and time to pray and organize, as does the author of this article. Somehow though, allowing others to practice their faith is intolerable to him? But his .. er, religious? views must be afforded sole consideration?

Beyond that, the military really doesn't give a hoop about your faith. It encourages you to have one, in anything, but only because it helps, scientifically proven, to deal with the rigors of combat. You want to be Pagan? More power too ya. You want to be atheist? Great, but we'd encourage you to explore secular humanism, if only to have a non-affiliative source that will help you deal with the emotional aspect of combat.

Somehow, this approach is ... intolerable to young atheists? Science and the effects of combat on human beings are to be rejected in favor of hyperbole?

Well, I for one hope the Army recoups its entire investment in this gravely discriminated dork - who is SO discriminated against that they allowed him into the school, trained him, educated him, allowed him to freely practice and organize his faith - indeed even be a student leader ... and this was intolerable disrespect because the Army didn't shut down everyone else's faith? Prevent the criticism of his precious choices?

Not only will this be an expensive life lesson, but when young atheist super hero joins the actual work force, he'll quickly discover that no employer anywhere appreciates a young crusader who pisses off all their religious clients. What then atheist hero?

The Army is there to win wars. Businesses are there to make money. This guy? Has a lot to learn about how the world works and the costs of excessive pride and rationalization.

I for one advocate that we let him learn that lesson. The last thing our boys need in combat is some wanker talking about how much worse he has it than everyone else around him.

[Goat]

Well, I have to say that your first post does prove the fact Atheists are discriminated against, 100%.

And definitely by Mormons.

[Furrowed Brow]

This guy? Has a lot to learn about how the world works and the costs of excessive pride and rationalization.

Is it even possible to rationalise excessively?

Where will a little humility and being excessively rational get him?

If I was this fellah I would put in for a discharge before he gets the lesson they handed out to Pat Tillman.

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[Moses Yoder]

If there is in fact mandatory prayer, as the article suggests (with no evidence, just a list of people voicing their opinions) then atheists are being discriminated against, which would not be right.

[JoeyKnothead]

From the OP:

...this gravely discriminated dork...
...
...Has a lot to learn about ... excessive pride and rationalization.

That'd be funny right there, if it weren't so indicative of a complete lack of self-awareness.

I propose this OP should be all the evidence we need to conclude that "dork" is a transmittable disease.

[alive]

I was openly a Atheist in the military and it was never addressed in any fashion...

[stubbornone]

Well, I have to say that your first post does prove the fact Atheists are discriminated against, 100%.

And definitely by Mormons.

So, finding fault with a wanker complaining about ... having to listen to other people pray in a secular institution that protects the Constitution and, er, freedom of religion not only proves that any criticism of atheism is OBVIOUSLY bigotry ... but an opportunity to take a vaccuous, bogoted pot shot at Mormonism?

BTW - how do you know I am Mormon? Did you see the Abrahamic Harmony piece? Yep, I defend them all, including Islam.

But I am glad to see that an atheist immediately went to using someone's perceived religion as an opportunity to take a personal pot shot rather than discuss ... resigning from West Point ... because other religions being expressed is intolerable to atheists?

Well, more of the same. All criticism of think skinned atheism violates the constitution and is bigotry? And atheists seriously wonder why people take issue with their faith? Try McCarthyism, wherein all criticism of his Red Scare (as opposed to religious) scare tactics meant you were a died in the wool ... Mormon ... er, communist.

[stubbornone]

If there is in fact mandatory prayer, as the article suggests (with no evidence, just a list of people voicing their opinions) then atheists are being discriminated against, which would not be right.

There is no mandatory prayer, there are prayers. So yes, atheists have to sit and listen to OTHER PEOPLE PRAY.

Why? Because the Constitution protects free expression from religion.

The real question is why so many atheists these days, apparently bereft of international conditions ignore say ... human sex trafficking? Terrorism? Racism? Economic inequality? And instead find their glorious Crusade in making ... having to listen to someone else's religious choice a matter of life and death?

History has long dealt with the issue of religious pluralism, and it is exactly that history that drives the inclusive policies of places like ... West Point.

Not too mention, I am still waiting for an atheist to explain what is this apparent discrimination? The Free Education part? The equal participation in all events? Being able to organize and practice as a student leader? What exactly was he denied?

And therein lies the crux, he was not denied anything. It's another example of the Harris, Hitchen, Dawkins mentality of atheism that has turned intolerant and made mutual respect into a weakness. And why?

The position is absolutely indefensible, indeed utterly laughable, to the point of dismissing it as immature wankerism (and that is being polite), but the sole atheist rebuttal is that dismissing these antics as childish is ... too mean.

Well atheists, you live in the modern world. You have to interact with other people, and the last thing people need when demanding the silence of others and their expression is the pretense that their actions are in any way honorable. They are not.

As a Soldier, does knot head from the OP realize he would deploy to places like ... Afghanistan? That we do security cooperation exercises with cultures all over the world? And how, exactly, would our young atheist hero's exclusionary antics and demand that NO ONE ELSE be able to practice their religion fit into our alliance based security missions?

Right, they would not. Just like his antics will not fit into business or international charity work. And it'll cost him several 100K to boot.

Now, the next time an atheist lectures us about how irrational religion is, about how it drives people to do dumb things, well, just remember our atheist hero throwing away a military career ... because listening to a prayer and remaining silent, protecting free expression and practice of religion (which he demands mind you), was unbearable?

I think it is the perfect demonstration of the hypocrisy that has infected modern atheism thanks to the preaching antics of the modern leaders of atheism. Unfortunately for legitimate atheists, its going to be a painful return to reality when zealots of atheists realize that there are consequences to intolerance.

[stubbornone]

This guy? Has a lot to learn about how the world works and the costs of excessive pride and rationalization.

Is it even possible to rationalise excessively?

Where will a little humility and being excessively rational get him?

If I was this fellah I would put in for a discharge before he gets the lesson they handed out to Pat Tillman.

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Yes, I am sure Pat Tilman was killed because he was atheist

What his rationalism will get him is a career, a free education, and save him 300K.

And what, pray tell, is excessively rational about taking having to listen to SOMEONE else prayers from time to time (you know pluralism, which our country is based upon - how irrational?) and making THAT into a form of torture?

I'd have more respect for the wanker if he made a case about the military inculcating a culture that tolerate ACTUAL torture and that his conscience was troubled that the culture would allow repeats of things like water boarding.

Instead? "I had to listen to a prayer!!!!!"

Well, I had to listen to Beethoven in school as well. Never really liked it, but I certainly appreciate its effect on history and culture. Somehow ... I am not a victim though?

Welcome to the world atheists, where you have to fit in ... not the world change to meet your self aggrandizing emotionalism that you call rationalism - which is clearly what dragging Pat Tilman, killed by friendly fire, is all about. THAT was clearly not emotional hyperbole.

[Goat]

Well, I have to say that your first post does prove the fact Atheists are discriminated against, 100%.

And definitely by Mormons.

So, finding fault with a wanker complaining about ... having to listen to other people pray in a secular institution that protects the Constitution and, er, freedom of religion not only proves that any criticism of atheism is OBVIOUSLY bigotry ... but an opportunity to take a vaccuous, bogoted pot shot at Mormonism?

BTW - how do you know I am Mormon? Did you see the Abrahamic Harmony piece? Yep, I defend them all, including Islam.

But I am glad to see that an atheist immediately went to using someone's perceived religion as an opportunity to take a personal pot shot rather than discuss ... resigning from West Point ... because other religions being expressed is intolerable to atheists?

Well, more of the same. All criticism of think skinned atheism violates the constitution and is bigotry? And atheists seriously wonder why people take issue with their faith? Try McCarthyism, wherein all criticism of his Red Scare (as opposed to religious) scare tactics meant you were a died in the wool ... Mormon ... er, communist.

Actually, I see the attack, and the comments. The attitude being shown is highly bigoted, and calling people 'wankers' is not civil, and shows bigotry.

The entire OP has one big chip on shoulder, and poisoned the well.