THIS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, IS VETERANS DAY!
Gordon Hinckley, 95 - if he's still living - as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), is considered by faithful members to be a "prophet, seer, and revelator of God's will on behalf of humanity". I read about a patriotic extravaganza held one Independance Day at the Mormon Tabernacle in which President Hinckley evoked images of the Mayflower pilgrims and of George Washington at Valley Forge, stating that the United States was founded on
"...an unequivocal trust in the power of the Almighty to guide and defend us... As you once knew so well, there are no atheists in foxholes. In times of extremity, we plead for and put our trust in a power mightier than ourselves.''
No Atheists in Foxholes?! It's a kneejerk - one of those lies that has become so ubiquitous, very few Americans question the basis for it. In particular, the phrase "There are no atheists in foxholes" springs forth largely unchallenged from the mouths of chattering faces on TV and leaps unedited from the pages of papers, books and magazines. As noted here, one of the weekend anchors on NBC's Today was showered with complaints for an offhand remark concerning "no atheists in a hurricane". He grudgingly acknowledged the gaffe on-air and apologized, sort of, a couple weeks later.
Hundreds of thousands, even millions of atheists and other nonbelievers have served in our country’s military to protect our freedom and defend the principles of our Constitution. Isn’t it time that our leaders, media and policy-makers recognized the contributions of these Atheists in Foxholes?
"There oughta be a march on Washington," you say?
WHAT: Atheists in Foxholes Parade and Rally
WHEN: Friday, November 11, 2005, beginning at 11:00 "AM
WHERE: The Mall, Washington, DC
The historic Atheists in Foxholes Parade & Rally will take place on Friday, November 11, 2005 - this coming Veterans Day. The parade is open to all retired and active-duty members of the Armed Forces (for more information visit Atheists in Foxholes).
Atheists In Foxholes Veterans Day Event to Salute
WWII POW Hans Kasten
Captured at the Ardennes Offensive (Battle of the Bulge), Kasten and other American troops endured mistreatment and terror as they were forced into slave labor at an “annihilation through work” camp in Berga, Germany. The story of Kasten and his fellow soldiers is only now being told in film and print… Hans Kasten was an Atheist then – he remains one of many “Atheists in Foxholes” today!
The ATHEISTS IN FOXHOLES Parade and Rally (Friday, November 11, 2005) in Washington, DC will include a salute to and personal appearance by Hans Kasten, a survivor of the infamous “annihilation through work” death camp in Nazi-era Germany.
(Photo) Atheist WWII Vet Journalist Andy Rooney
Belief in life after death was a dangerous indulgence in Vietnam. - [Philip K. Paulson]
This happened to me near a hamlet northwest of Saigon. I, along with five other men, was assigned to night duty at an outpost about a half-mile from company perimeters. We carried only our M-16 rifles, grenades, Claymore mines, and a two-way radio to protect us. That night we were surprised by an assault group of Viet Cong guerrilla fighters. Three dead young American soldiers were silhouetted by the moon's reflections inside our outpost bunker.
The radio man sputtered, "Oh, Lord! Lord! Help us!"
My response to him was to stop praying. I exclaimed, "To hell with God! You help us! You radio back for mortar and artillery fire support!"
Fortunately, he regained his composure and radioed the forward observers for fire support to be directed at our map coordinates. Common sense dictated that staying alive was more important than wasting precious time praying. Consequently, he save our lives...
Atheist [H.L. Mencken]
WHERE IS THE GRAVEYARD OF THE DEAD GODS?
What lingering mourner waters their mounds? There was a time when Jupiter was the king of the gods, and any man who doubted his puissance was ipso facto a barbarian and an ignoramus. But where in all the world is there a man who worships Jupiter today?... Where are their bones? Where is the willow on which they hung their harps? In what forlorn and unheard-of Hell do they await their resurrection morn? Who enjoys their residuary estates?... the Hell of dead gods is as crowded as the Presbyterian Hell for babies... They were gods of the highest dignity - gods of civilized peoples - worshipped and believed in by millions. All were omnipotent, omniscient and immortal.
And all are dead.
Atheists in Foxholes
