Atheist Claims Harassment in the Military (AP)

Does the military encourage harassment of atheists?  What is there are atheists in foxholes?  This story is a poignant reminder that the rights of all to believe, or not to believe, must be protected.

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/atheist-claims-harassment-in-military/20080428092709990001

AP

Posted: 2008-04-28 14:32:47
Filed Under: Iraq News, Nation News
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. (April 26) — Like hundreds of young men joining the Army in recent years, Jeremy Hall professes a desire to serve his country while it fights terrorism.
But the short and soft-spoken specialist is at the center of a legal controversy. He has filed a lawsuit alleging he’s been harassed and his constitutional rights have been violated because he doesn’t believe in God. The suit names Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

“I’m not in it for cash,” Hall said. “I want no one else to go what I went through.”

Known as “the atheist guy,” Hall has been called immoral, a devil worshipper and – just as severe to some soldiers – gay, none of which, he says, is true. Hall even drove fellow soldiers to church in Iraq and paused while they prayed before meals.

“I see a name and rank and United States flag on their shoulder. That’s what I believe everyone else should see,” he said.

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