Military Atheist Group Offers 'Alternative to Church' at Academies

[Luigi59]

July 16, 2012

The Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers is offering "alternatives to church" programs and meetings during summer training at U.S. military academies in an attempt to gain official recognition for similar secular programs during the school year.

"Having summer programs available at each Academy for the second year in a row is a big step forward in creating a more welcoming command religious climate in the military," stated MAAF president Jason Torpy on Monday.

Although cadets and midshipmen have the opportunity to meet in humanist and secular alternative programs during summer training as do faith groups, Torpy questions whether the academies will give "equal support to atheists, humanists, and other nontheists" during the academic year.

"The lack of official recognition during the academic year continues to be problematic, and we hope that in the upcoming year, the Academies will do the right thing and extend support to the USAFA Freethinkers, Naval Academy Freethinkers and Atheists, the West Point Secular Student Alliance, and the Coast Guard Academy Secular Student Alliance," he states. "The national Secular Student Alliance and MAAF have filled in to give support." A series of reports on the cadet and midshipmen activities and the need for official recognition has also been offered, he said.

Torpy adds, "Each of these groups of cadets deserves to have the opportunity to meet, have access to cadet funding and fundraising, and to have approved trip sections just as Christians, Jews, and even sports teams do."

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/mi...IRpprCBj4cx.99

[sprog]

Sounds fine to me.

Is this really a controversial issue?

[EDelahanty]

Originally Posted by sprog

Sounds fine to me.

Is this really a controversial issue?

We'll see if you're still nonchalant after Zeus knocks you down with a thunderbolt and his bro Poseidon gigs you with his trident.

[LineInTheSand]

Am I the only one who sees a contradition between an "association" and "freethinkers"?


Maybe it should be an "Association of Somewhat Freethinkers".

[sprog]

Originally Posted by EDelahanty

We'll see if you're still nonchalant after Zeus knocks you down with a thunderbolt and his bro Poseidon gigs you with his trident.

I look forward to it.

Assuming they buy me dinner first.

[patentesq]

Originally Posted by LineInTheSand

Am I the only one who sees a contradition between an "association" and "freethinkers"?


Maybe it should be an "Association of Somewhat Freethinkers".

Ha! That was funny, LITS.