fayfreethinkers.com

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.

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.)

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.