Apology Needed as National Guard General Blasts “Agnostics, Atheists, Bigots” During NAA
In a shocking “about face,” the Chief of the National Guard Bureau praised American diversity and the role played by minorities in our nation’s military defense, but then suddenly chastised “Agnostics, atheists and bigots.”
Lt. Army Gen. H. Steven Blum made the remarks while speaking to the NAACPs Annual Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Awards Dinner in Washington, DC on July 18. The story, including quotes from Blum’s talk, was reported in an American Forces Press Service dispatch. According to writer Rudi Williams:
“As for the military’s diversity, Blum said, the battlefield might be the greatest equalizer. ‘Agnostics, atheists and bigots suddenly lose all that when their life is on the line,’ Blum said. ‘Something that they lived with their whole life believing gets thrown out the door, and they grasp the comrade next them, and they don’t care what color their skin is, and they don’t care where they pray…’”
American Atheists President Ellen Johnson said that much of Blum’s talk emphasizing themes such as tolerance and diversity was “stained by an animus directed at Agnostics and Atheists.”
“Why is he singling out the millions of Americans who simply have doubts about religion or do not believe in religious teachings, and then comparing this group to ‘bigots’?”
Johnson said that if religious groups and ethnic minorities deserve praise for their role in defending America, the patriotism and intellectual integrity of Atheists, Agnostics and other Freethinkers should be respected as well.
Dave Silverman, Communications Director for American Atheists said that Lt. Gen. Blum’s remarks suggest that the military still has a problem when it comes to religious belief.
“We’ve had the scandal at the Air Force Academy where officials were promoting Christian fundamentalism, and we have a problem with military chaplains insulting service men and women who happen to be Atheists,” said Silverman. “Now the top official in the National Guard is singling out Atheists with these narrow and unfair remarks.”
Silverman added that Atheists have always been present in the military, and noted that last year “Foxhole Atheists” from across the nation rallied in Washington, DC on Veterans Day.
“Religious belief, or the lack of it, shouldn’t be a litmus for patriotism, on or off the battlefield.” said Ellen Johnson. “Officials with the National Guard need to issue an apology for these ill-considered remarks made by Gen. Blum.”
Press Releases
American Atheists to Fly Atheist Banner At Super Bowl: An Atheist civil rights group announced today that it will be flying an airplane banner on Super Bowl Sunday around Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The banner will read “Football beats church anytime – atheists.org.” The banner is scheduled to be in the air from 9:30-11:30 AM local time.
American Atheists: Stop Allowing Public Bigotry and Prejudice Against Atheists: (January 26th, 2012) - An Atheist civil rights group announced today its disappointment in the remarks made by an Ohio State University football player on Twitter, which called for his followers to “show some hate” to an atheist.
American Atheists & Backyard Skeptics (CA): Shared Billboard Encourages Closeted Atheists: (January 11th, 2012) - American Atheists announced today that it is working with the Backyard Skeptics located in Orange County, California, to put up a several billboards. The first billboard is already in place on Beach Boulevard. The new billboard includes pictures of Poseidon, Jesus, Santa Claus and the Devil and says, "7 million Californians see myths when they see them. What myths do you see?"
American Atheists Wishes Everyone a Happy Solstice!: (December 21st, 2011) - American Atheists is wishing everyone across the planet a Happy Solstice regardless of their non-religious or religious affiliation.
Atheists Applaud Decision by Travis AFB to Allow Atheist Display: (December 20th, 2011) - Travis AFB put up a religious holiday display, garnering the attention of American Atheists and the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. A local atheist stationed at the base contacted American Atheists to help put up an atheist display to challenge the base's claim that all sides would be represented, including a hastily added menorah to offset the clearly Christian theme.
Atheists Mourn the Death of Christopher Hitchens: (December 16th, 2011) - American Atheists announced today their most sincere sympathies to the family of Christopher Hitchens. Christopher will be missed for his intellectual commentary and especially for this enthusiastic voice for atheism, which was recognized internationally.
Ohio-Based Media Company Shows Prejudice Against Atheists: (December 12th, 2011) - An Atheist civil rights group has announced their disappointment in the Lind Media Company's decision to refuse atheist billboards in Ohio. The company waited until one business day before the billboards were scheduled to go up to inform the Mid-Ohio Atheists (Affiliate of American Atheists) that the billboards were denied.
American Atheists Launch Billboard Encouraging Atheists to Come Out to Family: (December 12th, 2011) - An Atheist civil rights group announced today a new billboard meant to encourage closeted atheists to come out to family. The new billboard states, "Tell your family you don't believe in gods. ...they just might agree." The billboard will be going up on December 12th on the New Jersey side of the Lincoln Tunnel.
American Atheists Launch New : (November 14th, 2011) - American Atheists announced today that their new billboard is going up in several locations nationwide, including the New Jersey side of the Lincoln Tunnel: the same location as last year’s famous “You KNOW it’s a MYTH” billboard. The new billboard will also be going up in Ohio and Florida.
Supreme Court Declines to Hear Utah Cross Case: VICTORY for American Atheists!: (October 31st, 2011) - An Atheist civil rights group announced today that it is applauding the United State Supreme Court’s decision to not hear the Utah cross case after the Court of Appeal for the 10th Circuit ruled against the state in the case.
Atheist Activist Group Disappointed in Kentucky Court of Appeals Ruling in Homeland Security Case: (October 28th, 2011) - American Atheists expressed disappointment today that the Kentucky Court of Appeals three judge panel ruled 2-1 against American Atheists in the case against the Kentucky Department of Homeland Security for their mandate of belief in “Almighty God” to protect the state from terrorism.
ATHEISTS FILE SUIT TO BLOCK WTC MEMORIAL CROSS: (July 25th, 2011) - An atheist group is filing a complaint on Monday in an effort to block display of the "World Trade Center Cross" which is scheduled to be part of a memorial display commemorating the 9/11 attacks.
Atheist News
Atheists: a forgotten minority: (February 6th, 2012) - The struggle for social inclusion is being fought on many fronts at the moment, and one group that tends to take a backseat is atheists.
ARKANSAS - Legislative leaders not inclined to oppose ban on religion in state-funded preschools: (February 5th, 2012) - A state lawmaker last week called on the Legislature to reject a proposed rule banning preschools from using state money for religious activities, but legislative leaders say a line between church and state has to be drawn somewhere.
NEW YORK - Schools: No place for religious services: (February 5th, 2012) - The religious congregations at the heart of a recent controversy about the separation of church and state — nearly all of them Christian — are upset that a recent federal appeals court decision is forcing them out of the New York City public schools they have long called home.
CONNECTICUT - ACLU objects to school lease on church grounds: (February 5th, 2012) - The ACLU of Connecticut Friday publicly objected to a lease between the city of Stamford and St. Clement's Parish, due to what it calls "unconstitutional restrictions on public education."
Bill Maher: Atheism is a religion like abstinence is a sex position: (February 4th, 2012) - Bill Maher has a new rule: Atheism is not a religion. On Friday night’s edition of Real Time Maher told his audience that atheism and religion are not two sides of the same coin, joking - “Atheism is a religion like abstinence is a sex position.”
VIRGINIA - Federal Judge Orders Pittsylvania Co. Board to Halt Prayers: (February 3rd, 2012) - Federal Judge Michael Urbanski issued a preliminary injunction Friday telling the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors to halt prayers before meetings until a final ruling in their suit with the ACLU is made.
NEW YORK - NYC Council, State Senate Rush to Keep Churches in Public Schools: (February 3rd, 2012) - The New York State Senate is fast-tracking a bill to override a law upheld by the federal courts that forbids worship services in New York City public schools.
CALIFORNIA - Atheist Billboard in Santa Ana: (February 3rd, 2012) - A billboard posted along a Santa Ana freeway is encouraging drivers to come out to their loved ones. The 48-by-14 foot sign tells passersby not to be ashamed if they don’t believe in a god.
TEXAS - Coming to a South Dallas Billboard: A Celebration of Black Atheists & Freethinkers: (February 3rd, 2012) - When we last caught up with the Dallas-Forth Worth Coalition of Reason, our local band of atheists, freethinkers and humanists, they were trying fruitlessly to get The Dallas Morning News to include a "secular perspective" in their weekly religion blog.
INDIANA - Atheist banner to fly over Superbowl: (February 3rd, 2012) - They say that America is the most religious nation of the developed world, but is football really a religion? On February 5th, Superbowl Sunday, American Atheists will be flying a banner over Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana that will read, “Football beats church anytime – atheists.org.”
ALABAMA - 'Bible Man' OK'd by Jackson County school board: (February 3rd, 2012) - A parentﾒs complaint about religious assemblies during the school day brought more than 100 people supporting the assemblies to a called meeting of the Jackson County school board Monday night (Jan. 30, 2012).
INDIANA - Creationist School Bill Looks Doomed: (February 3rd, 2012) - Legislators in Indiana appear to have fallen short of their goal of injecting creationism into U.S. public schools, at least for this year. However, they did deploy a few new tactics in the never-ending assault on evolutionary theory by religious fundamentalists.
