Religion in Military Gets Media Exposure

[Doug]

Last Sunday, I saw a report on the CBS Sunday morning news about a soldier (two duties in Iraq) being discriminated against in the U.S. military because of his 'atheist' belief. This story is another reflection of what seems to be a growing elevation of religion into so many aspects of government, including the current presidential election. For a country founded on 'freedom' of religion and the separation of church and state, religion seems to play a too prominent role in media, politics, and our public lives.

I am particularly concerned that there are such strong negative opinions about people who believe differently than others.

...When religious ideology becomes a guiding principal behind harmful behavior, as all religions have done (and secular institutions as well) at various times throughout history, it is likely a stagnation of the people practicing at that time - a fixation of sorts, when the fluid individual discovery was stopped by forcing adherence to a fixed 'answer.'

See here.

[Barbara Fitzpatrick]

Just one more sign that we need to break up the corporate-owned media monopoly and get education back in the classrooms or we're going down the tube insofar as being a "free" nation is concerned. (And quite possibly as far as being ANY nation is concerned. Hogeye would be so pleased.)

[RobertMadewell]

My brother is retiring from the Navy and in the process of moving to Springfield, MO. I bet he would have some insight into this. However, I will need to "walk my tightrope" when asking about this since he is very, very religious. He does seem to be a bit annoyed that I am an atheist. When I see him next, I may try to bring this up.