ATHEISTS CITE "PATTERN OF PROSELYTIZING" IN MILITARY
Newswire Services
May 25, 2009
An Atheist public policy group has called upon the U.S. Congress to be more pro-active in monitoring what it described as a "pattern of proselytizing" within the military.
Dave Silverman, Communications Director for American Atheists, said that recent events "raise critical concerns that the Pentagon brass is not doing enough to prevent unconstitutional and inappropriate religious proselytizing both at home and abroad."
He cited a recent incident where the Al Jazeera television network aired a segment showing troops in Afghanistan discussing the distribution of bibles printed in the native languages, and exhortations for a military chaplain telling soldiers that they should "hunt men for Jesus."
"In this case, the military did the right and destroyed the bibles; but what about other religious materials that U.S. - based churches are printing up for distribution by our military troops in Afghanistan and elsewhere? Congress needs to identify the scope of this problem."
Mr. Silverman added that any investigation should look into whether or not any troops have been killed or injured while handing out bibles or engaging in other proselytizing acts. "Are individual soldiers and even units of military personnel endangering their own safety, or that of civilians, by engaging in this unconstitutional activity? We need to know."
Kathleen Johnson, Military Director for American Atheists added that some officers are "pushing religion" on to rank-and-file personnel. It has become common practice for the most senior members of our government to use their rank and positions as a bully-pulpit to spread their faith on the grounds that any attempt to rein-in these activities violates their right to free exercise of religion, which includes the right to proselytize," said Johnson.
Johnson warned that proselytizing by U.S. troops could fuel perceptions that America is engaged in an "anti-Muslim holy war" and play into the hands of al Qaeda and other faith-based extremists. "We can't defeat terrorism by becoming modern-day Christian Crusaders," Johnson added.
AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for Atheists; works for the total separation of church and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.
Dave Silverman, Communications Director for American Atheists, said that recent events "raise critical concerns that the Pentagon brass is not doing enough to prevent unconstitutional and inappropriate religious proselytizing both at home and abroad."
He cited a recent incident where the Al Jazeera television network aired a segment showing troops in Afghanistan discussing the distribution of bibles printed in the native languages, and exhortations for a military chaplain telling soldiers that they should "hunt men for Jesus."
"In this case, the military did the right and destroyed the bibles; but what about other religious materials that U.S. - based churches are printing up for distribution by our military troops in Afghanistan and elsewhere? Congress needs to identify the scope of this problem."
Mr. Silverman added that any investigation should look into whether or not any troops have been killed or injured while handing out bibles or engaging in other proselytizing acts. "Are individual soldiers and even units of military personnel endangering their own safety, or that of civilians, by engaging in this unconstitutional activity? We need to know."
Kathleen Johnson, Military Director for American Atheists added that some officers are "pushing religion" on to rank-and-file personnel. It has become common practice for the most senior members of our government to use their rank and positions as a bully-pulpit to spread their faith on the grounds that any attempt to rein-in these activities violates their right to free exercise of religion, which includes the right to proselytize," said Johnson.
Johnson warned that proselytizing by U.S. troops could fuel perceptions that America is engaged in an "anti-Muslim holy war" and play into the hands of al Qaeda and other faith-based extremists. "We can't defeat terrorism by becoming modern-day Christian Crusaders," Johnson added.
AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for Atheists; works for the total separation of church and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.
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