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Religious Groups Criticize Houston VA for Respecting Families’ Wishes

The Houston Chronicle reports that some Christian groups have filed suit against the constitutional policies of the VA cemetery administration. The nation remembers Richard Tillman, who jumped on stage to stand up for his brother Pat Tillman’s wishes. The Veterans Affairs Cemetery Administration protects the family when it restricts the religious speech of volunteers, and volunteers can opt out of funerals where the family has not requested a religious service consistent with the religious interests of the volunteer. Volunteers are given access to funerals to support the family, not to promote personal religious beliefs.
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Military academy chaplain services extended to atheists

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Military academy chaplain services extended to atheists

Reinforcing positive trends in respect for atheists, agnostics, humanists, and other nontheists, the Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, and West Point (Army) have provided weekly meetings for summer trainees.  Jason Torpy, President of the Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers, … Continue reading

Air Force Academy Makes Strides in Religious Respect

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Air Force Academy Makes Strides in Religious Respect

In a recent visit to USAFA, MAAF President Jason Torpy reviewed current training, programs, and materials.  This is a continuation of ongoing collaboration between MAAF and USAFA to better provide for atheists, freethinkers, humanists, and other nontheists at the Academy.  … Continue reading

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Open Letter: Chaplain Support of Atheists

As endorsers and related agencies, you oversee and direct chaplains who interact with atheists and humanists daily. The primary purpose of this open letter is to invite chaplain endorsing agencies to agree in principle to the Minimum Statement of Support, a basic statement of equal access for nontheists:

“Nontheistic service members including atheists, agnostics, humanists, freethinkers, and others identifying as nontheists serve honorably within our nation’s military. Chaplains should support nontheistic service members with the same enthusiasm, resources, and services that they provide for theistic service members. Leaders should not use their position to influence individuals or the chain of command to adopt the leader’s own personal religion. These are minimum standards of conduct to which all service members, especially chaplains and commanders, should adhere.”

We as atheists and humanists are reaching out to help military chaplains to better understand nontheists in uniform. Continue reading

Humanists reach out to injured hero

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Humanists reach out to injured hero

Like many other atheists in foxholes, Oscar Zavala has served his country for years.  Like few soldiers and fewer Americans, Oscar is an infantry squad leader serving during wartime with the Army’s 101st Airborne Division.  Having served two tours in … Continue reading