What do you think of this news story? (see details pls)?

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071219/ap_on_re_us/military_religion_lawsuit

This story tells how Army Sp. Jeremy Hall, an Atheist, is suing the Secy. of Defense and a Major Wellborn alleging "widespread violations of religious freedom".

I am a Christian, but agree with Hall if what he alleges took place then there was a violation indeed (who the heck would put Ann Coulter quotes anywhere? The woman is odd lol). But "widespread"? I know, everyone from the defense side of the story to the press will use the most damming powerful words they can to make the most of the case.

I also see the point of Hall that his "religion" is discriminated against; if he were truly threatened with military action for holding meetings of Atheists then that is wrong.

But ... is taking all religious symbols off military equipment (placed by the soldiers running the thing) going too far in the other direction? Why is it always either/or?

What do you think? Is there a happy middle for us?

Answer 1

I am a Muslim and that story sickens me. It's one thing if you are a soldier wanting comfort from having a cross or other symbol in you midst...there should be no problem with that.
But the post selling "A Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam" ?!!! And Ann coulter is not 'odd' She is demonically posessed and insane-
The only happy middle for us will come when we all unite and fight the true enemy: Our Greedy governments
Thanks for posting- I had no clue about that

Answer 2

I think it is another frivolous lawsuit that you have mistaken as a real concern for the rights of anyone. I spent 20 years in the military on 6 bases and 2 posts abroad, I was never forced to any religious activity and in basic training, the soldiers snuck to church so they could get an hour nap in away from the Drill Sergeants.

Answer 3

Think he's gone too far and is searching for things to sue over.
Our pastor has to send email copies of sermons to private email addresses when the guys in our congregation are deployed because they get blocked going through the gov't email.
There's satire in a lot of the books at the base BookMark. Heavens, they sell Mad magazine!! They also sell the Quaran, Wiccan material, Islamic material, and others in the religion section.
The religious quote outside the CC's door - that is inappropriate.
Most large denominations have materials for our troops to support them when away from home. But, they are only sent upon request.
There are chaplains on base, but no one is required to attend chapel or speak to a chaplain.
Prayers are offered at many functions, but they are very generic and cannot even mention Christ.
I've never seen religious symbols on any gov't equipment, unless it was the chapels. I have seen some in private offices, but generally they are not very noticeable and/or they blend in with everything else. (Hubby has a small paperweight with a Luther's rose on his desk, but if you didn't know, you wouldn't think anything of it.)

Answer 4

I think that we as Christians have gotten too wrapped up in symbols and traditions. We have lost focus of what we are called to do and how it is to be done. Ann Coulter is a good example of that. We are called to show love to all people because we are christians and of what JESUS has done for us. It is not our job to stop atheists or convince them that GOD exists. We are to be the light of the world and let them see that light nothing more or less.

Remember, GOD loves you even when you don't love Him!

Answer 5

The story here is in the attorney. Weinstein. He graduated the Air Force Academy in 1977. He also had a son go there who experienced discrimination from Christians.

I graduated from there in 1975, and also experienced the same sort of discrimination. I experienced it in the Air Force, too.

Yet, people get mad when I say I will only hire Jewish people for my business. ;)

Answer 6

Religious symbols.

Where in the Holy Scriptures is anyone ever told to hold on to, believe in or keepsake any symbols?

If these people truly believe in God the Almighty and His Son, then they don't have to worry about being allowed to carry some symbol that is actually a Pagan Sun symbol in the first place.

Keep God and His Son in our hearts and then we won't need to keep man-made junk around our necks!

God Bless All

Answer 7

Only another example of the atheist agenda. Remove all references to religion from anywhere.

Because atheists believe that the Bill of Rights is a one way street in their favor.

Btw, how does one deny an atheist his non-belief?

Answer 8

there IS a middle ground, unfortunately, the Theist vs. Atheist dispute is not something that'll be resolved anytime within the forseeable future, there's too many stubborn individuals on both sides that refuse to compromise to the other......

Answer 9

I thought being Atheist in today's world of science and technological advancement would be enough to prove that all types of religion are myths contained in spiritual space and not time.

Answer 10

i think that it should be another "don't ask don't tell kind" of thing. maybe not that extreme, but if christians or atheists or jews want to have their own meetings that's fine, but nobody should be subjected to it that doesn't want to be.