Jeremy Hall, US Atheist soldier, harassed for beliefs
September 23rd 2007 17:37
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation, one of those free-thinking advocacy groups the fundamentalist community loves to hate, has filed suit alleging that Jeremy Hall, an army specialist currently serving in Iraq, was harassed and threatened because he is an Atheist.
No one who is an Atheist in America would dispute the fact that we are looked down upon by those who hold mythology above science, and dogma above knowledge. And yes, we are even subject to harassment. Although I never pursued recourse, (I should have) I know that I was denied promotion at a job and bothered until I left when the very conservative Christian owners found out I was a "non-believer."
What some might not be aware of is the extent that the United States military has become a Christian warrior cult. This suit shines light on the darker side of many of those sent to "keep us free." To a great many of them, they are involved in a holy war. They see themselves as "Crusaders for Christ" out to rid the Middle East of the Islamic scourge.
The lawsuit names the Pentagon, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and Army Major Paul Welbourne. The alleged case began last Thanksgiving, when Hall refused to take part in a Thanksgiving prayer ceremony. He declined to hold hands and pray with other soldiers, and was immediately set upon. A staff sergeant ordered Hall to eat somewhere else. Hall stayed in the room. Hall was also threatened by other soldiers with bodily harm.
The incident with Major Welbourne began after Hall organized a meeting for Atheists and other non-believers. Hall had already received permission from a chaplain to have the meetings. Welbourne broke up the meetings, even threatening those in attendance with punishment. Welbourne also allegedly told Jeremy Hall that the major would sabotage Hall's attempts to re-enlist. I'm not sure why an Atheist would want to re-up in God's Army, but that's his business.
Jeremy Hall's complaint is in no way unique, but indicative of a broad policy that re-enforces the "Onward Christian Soldier" mentality. This kind of thinking puts the American solider in a position of feeling morally superior to the heretics around. It makes killing them all the more palatable.
No one who is an Atheist in America would dispute the fact that we are looked down upon by those who hold mythology above science, and dogma above knowledge. And yes, we are even subject to harassment. Although I never pursued recourse, (I should have) I know that I was denied promotion at a job and bothered until I left when the very conservative Christian owners found out I was a "non-believer."
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What some might not be aware of is the extent that the United States military has become a Christian warrior cult. This suit shines light on the darker side of many of those sent to "keep us free." To a great many of them, they are involved in a holy war. They see themselves as "Crusaders for Christ" out to rid the Middle East of the Islamic scourge.
The lawsuit names the Pentagon, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and Army Major Paul Welbourne. The alleged case began last Thanksgiving, when Hall refused to take part in a Thanksgiving prayer ceremony. He declined to hold hands and pray with other soldiers, and was immediately set upon. A staff sergeant ordered Hall to eat somewhere else. Hall stayed in the room. Hall was also threatened by other soldiers with bodily harm.
The incident with Major Welbourne began after Hall organized a meeting for Atheists and other non-believers. Hall had already received permission from a chaplain to have the meetings. Welbourne broke up the meetings, even threatening those in attendance with punishment. Welbourne also allegedly told Jeremy Hall that the major would sabotage Hall's attempts to re-enlist. I'm not sure why an Atheist would want to re-up in God's Army, but that's his business.
Jeremy Hall's complaint is in no way unique, but indicative of a broad policy that re-enforces the "Onward Christian Soldier" mentality. This kind of thinking puts the American solider in a position of feeling morally superior to the heretics around. It makes killing them all the more palatable.
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