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This atheist finds he needs a foxhole - St. Petersburg Times

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:58:31 -0700

I'm an atheist. I am a former serviceman. While I don't doubt Spc. Hall's account, I have to say that his is the exception, not the rule.

Servicemen (gender neutral term) attend EO briefings, which cover Race, Religion, Color, Creed, Sex, Age, and National Origin, Sexual Harassment, and the policies regarding homosexuality (which is quite far from "Don't ask, don't tell"). They attend these briefings before being accepted as recruits. They attend these briefings, repeatedly, during Basic Training. They attend these briefings upon transfer to tech school (AIT, to the army). They attend these briefings as part of intake at every Permanent Change of Station and most Temporary Duty assignments.

Depending on the organization, servicemen may also have to attend the briefings of their host organization (I worked in a predominantly civilian agency and had to attend both Military and Civil Service EO training)

In practice, religious expression is all but forbidden during any mandatory activity. Certain exceptions can be made - with approval from the Chaplain service and the commander, individuals may wear certain religious apparel (yarmulkes, beards). Crucifixes may be worn only if they are concealed by the uniform.

I won't say that my rights haven't been violated - technically speaking, I've been "compelled" to attend religious indoctrination. I was compelled to attend briefings by the Chaplain service during Basic, who described the services that chaplains could provide. There is no "Atheist Chaplain".

A few times, some of my peers have crossed the line, but upon being reminded that other people may not share their views, they apologized and we went about our business.

If my immediate supervisor had ordered me to eat separate and apart from my peers, he could have received anything from a stern warning to fines, demotion, and even confinement.

Separation of Religion and Duty is considered essential to the good order and discipline of a military unit. I have NEVER experienced anything like Spc. Hall has described. He is right to expose these discriminatory practices, but the public needs to know that these cases are exceedingly rare.

5 Desktop Wallpapers that will increase your productivity - Simple Help

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:04:11 -0700

This is relevant to my interests.

Writer-Mommy: To the Super Nice Granny in the Smoking Hot Mustang

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 02:06:03 -0700

This is why the Flying Spaghetti Monster gave us the "Spank" - vigorously but patiently and consistently apply the Spank to misbehaving 2-year-olds, and you'll never be embarrassed by a temper tantrum again.

I NEVER threw a temper tantrum in a store. My siblings NEVER threw a temper tantrum in a store. My kids have NEVER thrown a temper tantrum in a store. All of us knew better than to fuck up like that.

Do they misbehave? Oh yeah. They get into their fair share of trouble, and they will occasionally cry when I tell them "No, I will not buy that ridiculously over-priced cereal just so you can get a "free" toy." But they do it quietly, and they certainly don't yell and scream and kick and bite.

Temper Tantrums are a sign of piss-poor "What will the neighbors think?" parenting. Do us all a favor: Either spank the living fuck out of that little bastard, or keep him the fuck away from us.

Selle An-Atomica Titanico Clydesdale Leather Bike Saddle

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:39:18 -0700

That has got to be the most uncomfortable looking saddle I have EVER seen. It's got to feel like your sitting on two pencils.

Atheist Revolution: Public Prayer

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:04:34 -0700

Yeah, but that's just parable, you have to interpret it.

Blech. Religion makes me sick.

eBay and Politics Just Donâ€™t Mix

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:22:44 -0700

Here we go again - the Streisand effect is going to ensure that hundreds of people are going to attempt to sell their votes online.

The internet views censorship as damage and routes around it. Looks like this applies to bullshit laws too.

I hope a LOT of people start doing this. When people begin to realize that their vote is valuable, they might actually use it.

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/5859/dearsusa2.jpg

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:45:14 -0700

Dear Moron,

Remove "Religion", "Atheism", and similar interests. If you don't like what you see, that's your problem, not ours.

Go fuck yourself!

http://bestpicsaround.com/pic-1411-Animals-Teaching-Humans-How-to-be-People

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:22:16 -0700

Evidence of morality in "lesser" species. WHERE'S YOUR GOD NOW?!?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LILusLJh8d0

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:34:44 -0700

Yet another theistic bastardization of logic, this one rests on a few assumptions.

1. Time is NOT linear - this has been proven. The variations in time as it is experienced on earth are miniscule, but measurable. By saying "15-billion years ago was the big bang", we are using a linear tool to measure a geometric curve. Time is not linear. Anyone who truly understands the concept of Asymptotes should be able to understand the fallacy in this argument.

2. To claim that the universe came into existence, one would first have to demonstrate that at some point in time, the universe did not exist. Implying that an "original" cause was essential ignores the nature of infinite.

How Creationists Explain Evolution - SCARY

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:58:40 -0700

It's not too bad, until you remember that 75% of the US population believe these arguments are perfectly valid.