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Born again atheist sues US army for descrimination
Jeremy Hall, like so many from the American midwest, was raised as a Baptist Christian. However now at 23, and after serving two terms in Iraq, he "no longer believes in God, fate, luck or anything supernatural". He was 'converted' to atheism when some friends challenged him to read the Bible properly, and after doing so he encountered "so many unanswered quesions that he decided to become an atheist".
No problem right? Well Hall has claimed that due to his revelation, he has been discriminated: missing out on promotions (because he refused to pray!), and being ostracised and threatened by other troops. All he is fighting for in his case is the "guarantee of religious freedom in the military": a right specifically given by the US First Amendment, and by military policy. Jeremy Hall, like so many from the American midwest, was raised as a Baptist Christian. However now at 23, and after serving two terms... more -
Atheist Life vs Religious Life
Which is better, an Atheist Life or a Religious Life? This video has some neat comparisons.
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Atheist soldier claims harassment
Like hundreds of young men joining the Army in recent years, Jeremy Hall professes a desire to serve his country while it fights terrorism.
But the short and soft-spoken specialist is at the center of a legal controversy. He has filed a lawsuit alleging he's been harassed and his constitutional rights have been violated because he doesn't believe in God. The suit names Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
"I'm not in it for cash," Hall said. "I want no one else to go what I went through."
Known as "the atheist guy," Hall has been called immoral, a devil worshipper and -- just as severe to some soldiers -- gay, none of which, he says, is true. Hall even drove fellow soldiers to church in Iraq and paused while they prayed before meals.
"I see a name and rank and United States flag on their shoulder. That's what I believe everyone else should see," he said.
Hall, 23, was raised in a Protestant family in North Carolina and dropped out of school. It wasn't until he joined the Army that he began questioning religion, eventually deciding he couldn't follow any faith.
But he feared how that would look to other soldiers.
"I was ashamed to say that I was an atheist," Hall said.
It eventually came out in Iraq in 2007, when he was in a firefight. Hall was a gunner on a Humvee, which took several bullets in its protective shield. Afterward, his commander asked whether he believed in God, Hall said.
"I said, 'No, but I believe in Plexiglas,"' Hall said. "I've never believed I was going to a happy place. You get one life. When I die, I'm worm food."
The issue came to a head when, according to Hall, a superior officer, Maj. Freddy J. Welborn, threatened to bring charges against him for trying to hold a meeting of atheists in Iraq. Welborn has denied Hall's allegations.
Hall said he had had enough but feared he wouldn't get support from Welborn's superiors. He turned to Mikey Weinstein and the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. Like hundreds of young men joining the Army in recent years, Jeremy Hall professes a desire to serve his country while it fights terro... more -
Is Atheism the opposite of spirituality?
Atheists reject 'God' and the concept of 'God.' Religious folk say that means they reject spirituality. What say you? Atheists reject 'God' and the concept of 'God.' Religious folk say that means they reject spirituality. What say... more
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Why Atheists Care About Religion
This video talks about why Atheists hate religon. It gives examples of how Atheists are discriminated against because of their beliefs or lack of beliefs. Atheists are one of the smallest minority groups in the United States. Even today there are laws preventing them from doing things god believers can do. Atheists discrimination is the least talked about form of discrimination. We have to stop discriminating against people! This video talks about why Atheists hate religon. It gives examples of how Atheists are discriminated against because of their beliefs... more
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