If you are an atheist - it means that you are a devil worshipper - well to some of one soldiers colleagues!
But how can this be? I am Christian and I don’t mind if you believe or not, that is your choice - but this guy is a soldier in Iraq!
He has been harassed by others who called him out on what he believes in, or not in this case - I, for one, cannot understand why this would happen in this day and age. Many of the soldiers and service men and women are going to be atheist - that’s a given, but why do they have to believe in something if they are to be a US soldier - is the US on new crusades and haven’t mentioned it to anyone else in the world?
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.
Hall, 23, was raised in a Protestant family in North Carolina and dropped out of school. It wasn’t until he joined the Army that he began questioning religion, eventually deciding that he couldn’t follow any faith.
All Images designed by Alison Rhodes (LastingExpressions)
19 responses so far ↓
adam // April 26, 2008 at 10:02 pm
US soldiers are in Irag, Afghanistan, etc. fighting for FREEDOM.
But they cannot give FREEDOM to their own soldiers? I agree with you… it’s a neo-crusaders.
Mr. Hall, i am with you.
Samantha // April 26, 2008 at 10:37 pm
It makes me sick the way people are treating him. With everything else going on right now, they have to stoop as low as this?! I’m Atheist but I have no problem with other people’s beliefs or lack of. To each their own. I think that’s the way it should be & that’s the way my kids will be taught.
Michelle // April 27, 2008 at 12:24 am
That’s the way things are really going in the military these days. When I was in the Army, I kept getting phone calls on Sunday morning, demanding to know why I wasn’t at church. When I was in Basic Training, my Drill Sergeant wouldn’t let me go to any Sunday service that wasn’t Christian. I never told anyone in the Army what my religion was, but I did tell people that I objected to being told to “bow my head and pray to Jesus” at OFFICIAL ceremonies, not because I had anything against the religion, but because I value the separation of church and state. I got black-listed and called a “devil worshipper”.
Atheists, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and Pagans - and even mainline Christians who still support a secular government - are being harassed in the military by a rapidly growing number of Christian extremists. It’s scary.
SPC Hall deserves the support of every American who still thinks the Constitution is the backbone of our nation.
ted valdez // April 27, 2008 at 1:03 am
I was knocked off my chair! I didn’t know this was still happening, but am glad it’s out in the open. I was in the service during the Korean war, going through advanced weapons training in Ft Benning GA in 1953, approched by my fellow soldiers in the barracks, calling me a devil worshiper, and pushed me around..went to the 1st sgt, and he too told me he could not do anything about it. I did 23 years of service, and never told anyone about my beliefs again. Thank you Spc Hall, if I had known where to turn, I am sure would have done the same thing. Ted retired SFC
museditions // April 27, 2008 at 1:07 am
“immoral, a devil worshiper and gay”…That’s all rather bizarre. Many atheists have a highly developed ethical code, but I can almost understand the “immoral” label from people who can’t imagine a person could have values without a god.
“devil worshiper” — rather ironic, isn’t it, since if the person were worshiping the “devil” he would be practicing spirituality. Although, not perhaps “theism”, strictly speaking.
Do I even have to say that some of the most religious people I know are gay?
“Is the US on new crusades?” –Indeed, I believe the current administration are, and not doing a very good job of keeping that a secret from the rest of the world.
Rick // April 27, 2008 at 2:18 am
I spent 6 years in the Army, and I’m heathen. My wife is currently active duty Army, and she is heathen. The amount of crap we’ve had to put up with would astonish many. From having to provide written dissertations on our faith (for refusing to attend meetings set up in Christian chapels, for instance) to being told, essentially, that our beliefs were meaningless…
Well, it’s been a difficult road. We both love this country and the freedom it provides, but sometimes we wonder why the military allows its officers and enlisted leaders to trample on those very same freedoms.
Jesus // April 27, 2008 at 3:09 am
The US government needs you to believe in god, once you’ve become that delusional you become more of an asset to the government becuase you’ll pretty much believe anything after that point. Religion is very useful to those with power.
garymurning // April 27, 2008 at 5:18 am
Thanks for posting this, Will. A crazy, depressing state of affairs.
Incidentally, there’s an atheist forum on Dawkins’s site Richard Dawkins that some of your military atheist commenters may find helpful.
thebeadden // April 27, 2008 at 10:31 am
Onward, Christian soldier…….
Dan (Fitness) // April 27, 2008 at 4:32 pm
The dishonorable conduct of his colleagues is only matched by his own honorable action. Hall, we see more than your rank and the flag. We see your character, and so should your fellow soldiers.
B0bbyG // April 27, 2008 at 5:41 pm
I think it’s disgusting the way these soldiers are behaving towards their fellow soldier, fellow American, and fellow human being. Hall’s an atheist. Lots of people atheists are nowadays. I didn’t realise this kind of attitude still existed in such an extreme form.
I’ve always thought this was the ultimate fallacy held by certain Christians: that non-Christian = Satanist. So atheists worship Satan, Jews worship Satan, practicioners of faiths which have absolutely no connection to Abrahamic religions and possibly predate them worship Satan… it’s just so stupid.
As to whether or not he’s gay, if he says he isn’t, then why say otherwise? Although if he was, it shouldn’t be a big deal. It sounds like these soldiers are confused about what century they’re living in.
zombiedude // April 27, 2008 at 8:05 pm
It is odd that the people say seperation of church and state, because we’re not to force any view on another, but whether we believe something right or wrong based on any standard, we are free to do so.
Colin Genders // April 27, 2008 at 8:44 pm
What a sad reflection that the United States armed forces are fighting religious intolerance perpetrated by islam whilst practicing themselves. Apparently ignorance and injustice are not traits found in only in other religions, it continues to exist, strong and well, as they always have, among christians. Sorry but I can’t bring myself to capitalize such nonsense as religion.
Banana Fish // April 27, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Like everyone else, I have an opinion. In this case it is that hypocrisy, narrow-mindedness and “situational ethics” are the purvue of these supposedly “christian” whack-jobs. They demonstrate the overwhelming reason for separation of church and state. God, goddess, or whatever help us all. I’d pray to Gumby if it would help our country regain some semblance of compassion and moral compass.
parallelsidewalk // April 27, 2008 at 10:34 pm
I agree with the basic premise though I refuse to concede that the troops are “fighting for my freedom” in Iraq. The Iraq invasion has nothing to do with my freedom, and I’m not going to thank the troops for it.
mysoul // April 27, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Its Ironic- that the land that fights for “FREEDOM” doesnt understand the meaning of it. Or maybe, just maybe, there really isnt any Freedom, its an illusion we create to make ourselves seem better than others. Or Maybe Freedom means- You are Free as long as you have the freedom to infringe on another’s way of life.
lunawolf // April 28, 2008 at 12:07 am
I’m so sick of living in a growing theocracy, I can’t f*ing stand it.
wede // April 28, 2008 at 5:54 am
Thomas Paine was indeed an atheist. He was a very huge collaborator on the writing of the US Constitution. Any military personal, past or present, who would chastice another officer for being an atheist, should not be defending our country. As it is obvious, they do not believe in the US Constitution.
lunawolf // April 30, 2008 at 1:44 am
Thom Paine. <3 Have you read any of his “The Age of Reason?” He really lays it out. How can the Devil be so strong that a Loving Creator has to kill a man in order to win?
I’m not an atheist, but I’m not into the whole untouchable-man-in-the-sky thing either.
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