High ranking Chaplain leaves out 'so help me god'

The Chaplain respectfully leaves off "so help me god" for the deployed atheist soldier's re-enlistment ceremony.

Chaplain (Colonel) Strohm is overseeing Sergeant Justin Griffith's re-enlistment ceremony. The Chaplain is a devout Christian with decades of active-duty service.

Sergeant Griffith is the Military Director for American Atheists, and is also spear-heading the groundbreaking atheist-themed festival 'Rock Beyond Belief' featuring Richard Dawkins at Fort Bragg, NC in 2012. He even coined the phrase "There are no chaplains in foxholes."

Despite all of this, these two are staunch allies - friends, even - and serve proudly as such.

This is an unheard of situation for many reasons. Not the least of which is the fact that a chaplain of such high rank is enthusiastically building this bridge. There are only a few chaplains with higher rank in the entire military.

This moment is potentially historic. The military's long-standing climate of hostility towards atheists is beginning to change. Foxhole atheists like Griffith are slamming the 'atheist closet' door shut behind them.

There are plenty of evangelical Christians inside and outside of the chaplaincy that are vocally opposed to equal treatment for atheists. But this video demonstrates the silent majority of Chaplains who really do 'get it'.

The constitution that SGT Griffith affirms an oath to serve and defend
guarantees:

1) A religion can't be favored over another...
AND
2) religion can't be favored over non-religion.

So even though these atheists aren't a religion, they still deserve equal treatment, opportunities, and access to resources.

Currently atheist groups are officially banned from meeting anywhere on post until the DoD-level Chaplaincy approves their groups (as of Nov of 2011, it's been an 11 month waiting game already, and with much hostility and interference.)

The atheists just want to meet in buildings (off-duty) and put their schedule out with the same visibility afforded to the religious groups. However, they are banned from even meeting in some gazebo until their packet is approved. They have met all obligations for such approval and are simply waiting. And waiting...

But this video is living proof that the atheist community *can* work in harmony with the chaplaincy - fulfilling the atheist's meager 'needs' with ease. Perhaps this type of progress will be mirrored across the Department of Defense.

Military atheists wont burn down the chapel after their meetings, or go out to find neighborhood babies to eat. They simply want to identify and 'fellowship' with their community. Like Christian / Buddhist / Muslim / Jewish / Mormon / Wiccan soldiers already get, the atheists just want the same level of respect.

[pro-tip: this does not mean 'atheism will be a religion' or any such nonsense. Atheism IS non-religion, and nothing can change that. It is, however, a 'religious preference' (an Army term) and the Chaplaincy *must* support all religious preferences.]

"Foxhole atheists are fighting for your rights, please return the favor." - Justin Griffith
Military Director for American Atheists
Twitter: @RckBeyondBelief
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MilitaryAtheist/
Blog: http://freethoughtblogs.com/RockBeyondBelief/

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Chaplain
• so help me god
• atheist
• foxhole atheist
• Justin Griffith
• American Atheists
• Christian Chaplain
• Atheist soldier
• Rock Beyond Belief

[JTrillo]

Great example of how it should be done!

[KaletheQuick]

Freaking sweet!

[bob1978amon]

now that's an America i want to live in. one that is lived on reality's terms, not a fairy-tail. maby if their were more atheist in the government their wouldn't be so many of our troops dieing over seas. cause these politicians think that when you die you really go on to heaven. good job military guy. show them bible thumpers what being a human being is all about, THE ATHEIST signing off.

[radahad000]

@WellingtonKramer3 atheism is a religion like not playing football is a sport.

[bkhex]

i want to do one with ''so help me Higgs Boson'':)

[goosed1]

The time has come to change "Army Chaplin" to "Army Counselor." They can continue to play an important role. God bless this chaplin - he seems like a really cool guy.

[jtindy]

I'm proud of you, Sergeant Justin Griffith!

[WellingtonKramer3]

@crazygeek777 I genuinely feel that atheism is a religion. Nothing to prove or disprove, I still don't respect you; never did, never will. Good luck with this faggotry, I'm out!

[crazygeek777]

@WellingtonKramer3 pfft, great job

*say complete bullshit*

*someone disproves bullshit*

*i was kidding when is said i respected you TROLOLOL*

[WellingtonKramer3]

@crazygeek777 yeah yeah, you caught me...I was lying when I said I respect your religion, you win.

[crazygeek777]

@WellingtonKramer3 the problem about that is that isn't an opinion if you're stating it as a fact.

[matthewtaylorbrown]

@WellingtonKramer3 Still, on the other hand. I love that we have the freedom of say what we feel. You may feel that it is a religion. You are entitled to your opinion.