*promote the Happy Holidays.

Self promoting this video and sending it back into the queue for one more try; last queued Friday, December 24th, 2010 5:45am PST - promote requested by original submitter RFlagg.

I'm an atheist, and I'm in the armed forces. We have people from all walks of life. All religions, races, creeds. To say that we all tolerate eachother's differences would be incorrect. "Tolerate" implies that we put up with things that are unpleasant. Rather, we understand one another, and except the occasional light-hearted jokes, there is little-to-no judging. If someone tells me Merry Christmas, I respond with the same. If someone tells me Happy Holidays, there is no difference.

I wish America would pull it's head out of it's ass, grow a pair, and stop getting it's panties in a bunch every single time someone says something that goes against your beliefs. The military can manage it to get along, despite all our stresses, why the hell can't you damned religious people grow up?

Regardless of what the damn business puts on it's walls, you still have to wake up, go to work, pay bills, cook dinner, put gas in your car, and progress your life. "Happy Holidays" vs "Merry Christmas" doesn't freakin' matter. Fuck.

I'm an atheist. I find this incredibly BOOOOORRRIING!

>> ^Gamble:

I'm an atheist, and I'm in the armed forces. We have people from all walks of life. All religions, races, creeds. To say that we all tolerate eachother's differences would be incorrect. "Tolerate" implies that we put up with things that are unpleasant. Rather, we understand one another, and except the occasional light-hearted jokes, there is little-to-no judging. If someone tells me Merry Christmas, I respond with the same. If someone tells me Happy Holidays, there is no difference.

Every military ceremony I've been to (~150) has began and ended with a prayer involving Jesus. Individuals within the army are tolerant/understanding, but the general culture is still heavily slanted towards Christianity.

I wonder if they would accept an atheist chaplain...

When entering into the USAF back in the mid-90's, I was advised not to put down my denomination as Atheist. The SSgt wouldn't go into details as to why, other than if I happened to be in a life threatening situation with others, it may be impressed upon those of religious persuasion to save their brethren before making the attempt for me. It would be easier for "everyone" if I just put "non-denominational" instead. Throughout basic training and tech school, I also had the luxury of additional detail (labor) because I wasn't comfortable attending church services. Later, as I gained rank, it was also impressed upon me that to further my career, organizations, such as Toastmasters, would be enthusiastically encouraged from my leadership chain.

If things have changed since then, fantastic, but I was never given the impression that the armed forces were the enlightenment of civilization in regards to secularism, "all walks of life" withstanding.

Upvote for the opening song!

>> ^Djevel:

When entering into the USAF back in the mid-90's, I was advised not to put down my denomination as Atheist. The SSgt wouldn't go into details as to why, other than if I happened to be in a life threatening situation with others, it may be impressed upon those of religious persuasion to save their brethren before making the attempt for me. It would be easier for "everyone" if I just put "non-denominational" instead. Throughout basic training and tech school, I also had the luxury of additional detail (labor) because I wasn't comfortable attending church services. Later, as I gained rank, it was also impressed upon me that to further my career, organizations, such as Toastmasters, would be enthusiastically encouraged from my leadership chain.
If things have changed since then, fantastic, but I was never given the impression that the armed forces were the enlightenment of civilization in regards to secularism, "all walks of life" withstanding.


And for @Gamble... I know your movies like "Full Metal Jacket" does exactly what's being described, but have you guys (or anyone in the armed services) ever seen/had/heard a Atheist Sergeant ? It seems to me that besides on the death bed and when you are in a "peaceful" defensive setup that only then would religion (and only then) be allowed to function full strength.

It seems incredibly counter-intuitive to have instilled or given religious Christians (the ability to countermand--without a court-marshal & on-site kick to the groin and punch in the face--[ I know they don't have the ability--they just have people that are willing to be unscrupulous for them to cover anything up--how very Christian of... yadda, yadda, yadda...]), to ever (I know the point was that he was a crappy Sergeant, but they're are many like him ; but this one example is mine ) have a Sergeant teach at basic and later on for specialists (marines/rangers/etc...) that creates a not only a physical division within the ranks, but a mental one.

If actually acted upon or even used in the normal functions of combat you put: the mission, the soldiers, civilians, allies, and more like completely missing/noticing any opportunities to get the enemy. Tactics and doing your job should always be priority number one. If religion is in any of these top priorities, except for morality (as it is altruistically linked to religion and life, even Atheists; morality is being linked more and more as a intrinsic property of our evolution and all mammals in general; even bee colonies work together "through Christ" though?...), but morality is a near fully physical psychological manifestation due to instincts and evolution (and religion; especially when you fear dying and going to a lake of fire; this could be considered a "psychotic" attribute, especially when it concerns *this, present, reality*).

As state and religion are compelled to stay apart due to the constitution and how it relates the two and law in the First Amendment; so should religion and military as they have the same correlated negative qualities as what comes from not following the First Amendment. (Yes I know it never says it, but: Thomas Jefferson did, the Supreme Court has used it many time (making it essentially a law, regardless), and the First Amendment if understood correctly (look at the Supreme Court cases involved and how they interpreted it) creates a literal gap between the State (the State can't make a law concerning Religion, whatsoever) and Religion ( Religion like the State must never become entwined in any fashion with the State; if it does it isn't considered a Religion by the State and loses all it's protections, like the notion of organization tax exemption, which unlike a typical organization can make money [this is why so many people hate Scientology as it's literally at the line that shouldn't be crossed and is considered a tax haven by many]).

Only more lives will be at risk. Giving yourself a moral boost using religion can be done silently; I know I used to be heavily religious.
_{Keep your mind at task; this is life and death. It's also not just your life on the line.}
/sorry ran a bit longer than intended