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January/February 2011 FFRF Blasts Army ‘Spiritual Fitness’ Survey

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January/February 2011 FFRF Blasts Army ‘Spiritual Fitness’ Survey Freethought Complimentary Copy Today Join FFRF Now! Vol. 28 No. 1 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. January/February 2011 FFRF blasts Army ‘spiritual fitness’ survey In a Dec. 29 complaint to Secretary “I believe there is a purpose for my life.” of the Army John McHugh, the Free- “I often find comfort in my religion or dom From Religion Foundation said spiritual beliefs.” the U.S. Army has no business sub- “In difficult times, I pray or meditate.” jecting military troops to a mandatory “I attended religious services [how often “spiritual fitness” assessment. FFRF, the last month].” which has many members who are Barker and Gaylor called the nega- “foxhole atheists,” asked the Army to tive assessment for nonspiritual sol- immediately stop the evaluation that’s diers deeply offensive and inappro- part of a program called Comprehen- priate. “By definition, nontheists do sive Soldier Fitness. not believe in deities, spirits or the “It is ironic that while nonbelievers supernatural. The Army may not send are fighting to protect freedoms for all the morale-deflating message to non- Americans, their freedoms are being believers that they are lesser soldiers, trampled upon by this Army practice,” much less imply they are somehow wrote Foundation Co-Presidents Dan incomplete, purposeless or empty. Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor. As nontheists, we reject the idea that The letter noted that while about there is a purpose for life; we believe 15% of the U.S. population is not re- individuals make their own purpose in ligious, surveys have shown that close life.” to one-fourth of all military personnel Those who receive low “spiritual fit- identify as atheist, agnostic or have no ness” ratings are referred to a training religious preference. program in which they are told, ab- Nonbelieving soldiers who took the surdly, that “Prayer is for all individu- survey told FFRF that when they an- als.” They are encouraged to use “spiri- swered the spiritual questions on the tual support as your armor or battle In the belly of the beast survey negatively, they were referred to gear” and seek out chaplain guidance, FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor’s December visit to Tulsa, Okla., a “spiritual fitness training program.” and to consider “church” and “higher included a stop at Oral Roberts University. The six-story, 30-ton bronze Soldiers are evaluated by how they power.” sculpture named “The Healing Hands” was cast in 1980 in Juarez, Mexico, and rank statements on a spectrum from “We are shocked that the training then installed at the evangelist’s City of Faith Medical and Research Center (one “not like me at all” to “very much like module resurrects a bogus Christian hand represents prayer, the other medicine). When the hospital went broke in me.” The spiritual statements include: revisionist explanation for ceremonial 1989, the statue was moved to its current home at ORU. “I am a spiritual person.” flag folding, one which has been ex- ORU founder, faith healer and televangelist Oral Roberts was notorious “My life has a lasting meaning.” plicitly repudiated by the Department for his fundraising ploy when he announced in 1987 that God would “call me of Veteran Affairs,” home” unless he raised $8 million. (“God” finally called him home in 2009.) noted Barker. From left are Marilyn Clarke, Annie Laurie Gaylor, Ron McDaniel, FFRF cited Su- Bill Dusenberry and Tulsa chapter President Randy Bradley. Activist Dan preme Court case law Nerren took the photo. Dan designed the banner to protest city government mandating govern- observances of the National Day of Prayer. Annie Laurie met members of ment neutrality and FFRF’s new Tulsa chapter and also addressed a meeting of the Humanist protecting freedom of Association of Tulsa. She thanks all her Tulsa hosts. conscience. The spiri- tual fitness evaluation, FFRF noted, is also in violation of Army have also spoken out, but Griffith, 27, equal opportunity pro- co-founder of Military Atheists & Secu- visions. lar Humanists, has been very vocal. His Inside This Issue “Service members low spiritual fitness score indicated he have the constitu- faced “some significant challenges. What’s new with FFRF tional right to decide You may click here at any time to con- Honorary Board? Page 5 whether to observe nect with a counselor who is ready to religious practices and assist you with a problem that requires what beliefs or nonbe- immediate attention. Improving Dan Barker’s liefs to profess, accept your spiritual fitness should be an im- newest book or reject about life, portant goal.” meaning, spirits, etc. “I refuse to take this kind of insult Page 9 Neither CSF nor the any longer,” Griffith said on the Rock Army may dictate what Beyond Belief website. “Not only am I Photo: Brent Nicastro is orthodox in matters an active duty U.S. Army soldier, I’m of conscience,” the let- also an atheist. I’m equally proud of ter concluded. both descriptions, and I’m honored After FFRF and oth- to be one of the thousands of foxhole Linda er groups complained, atheists who have fought or are cur- Greenhouse Sgt. Justin Griffith, rently fighting for our country and our looks at the who is stationed at Constitution.” Fort Bragg, N.C., went Rock Beyond Belief is planning a Supreme Court The Army’s Comprehensive Soldier Fitness is a $125 public with his nega- Pages 10 –12 million “holistic fitness program” unveiled in 2009. tive evaluation. Others Continued on page 3 Page 2 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2011 NON SEQUITUR © 2011Wiley Miller. Dist. By UNIVERSAL UCLICK. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. reserved. rights All permission. with Reprinted UCLICK. UNIVERSAL By Dist. Miller. 2011Wiley © SEQUITUR NON Meet a Member Peach of a freethinker Name: Perry Mitchell. Where I live: Atlanta, near Emory University. Where and when I was born: Atlan- ta, 1943. Family: My wonderful, smart wife, Pam (an agnostic); grown daughter, Susan (an atheist, I’m proud to say); liberal 98-year-old mom; larger-than- life older sister (unfortunately an ap- atheist; see “These are not” below). Education: Duke University, B.A. in English, 1965; University of Iowa, M.A. in literature, 1967. Occupation: Retired from a 40-year career in advertising as a writer, cre- ative director and ad agency partner. I’m now a full-time househusband and volunteer. Military service: I was drafted dur- ing the Vietnam War and served over- seas in Panmunjom, Korea, in 1969-70. How I got where I am today: Good Perry Mitchell returned in 2008 to education, luck, reading constantly, Panmunjom on the border between working hard and smart, really think- South and North Korea, where he ing about what’s important in the served in the U.S. Army in the late world and in my life, not living above 1960s. The figure represents a friendly State / Church Quotes my means, trying to make the best of military policeman at the entrance every situation (no matter how bad), to a museum just outside the DMZ, being free from the irrationalities and which is now the most popular tourist In this country, anyone can pray any Making a visible statement, [House archaic superstitions of religion. destination in Korea. time they want. Deeply, fervently — Speaker] Boehner invited a slew of Where I’m headed: More volunteer- and silently. Having a representive of school choice backers to the State of ing and financial support for causes government invoking God is insensi- the Union address, packing the speak- I believe in, especially adult literacy, ton, volunteering, and FFRF’s smart, tive, intimidating and at odds with the er’s box with students, parents and public radio and FFRF. I’m looking for- positive and personal “Out of the Clos- Constitution. The council should keep teachers tied to Washington’s Catholic ward to Pam joining me in retirement et” billboard campaign! its prayers to itself. schools. On the guest list was Cardinal so we can spend even more time travel- These are not: Pretentious people, Editorial supporting judge’s ruling Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washing- ing, helping others and enjoying life. overly fancy restaurants, technology against sectarian prayer by Point Pleas- ton, along with advocates of the vouch- Person in history I admire and why: that quits working unexpectedly, snarl- ant Beach [N.J.] Borough Council er program and students who attend Bob Dylan, the greatest artist of the ing dogs, Rush Limbaugh, our idiotic members D.C.’s Catholic schools with the help 20th century, in my opinion. His com- wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, religions Asbury Park Press, 12-20-10 of scholarship money. plex but honestly expressed worldview, that put women down and apatheists Fox News, 1-26-11 as well as his ability to capture and (look it up on Wikipedia). I think he has put a face on the con- speak to deep emotions, have resonat- My doubts about religion started: temporary reality that many Americans ed with me for nearly 50 years. During the civil rights movement, do not have a religious affiliation. For A quotation I like: I have this framed when I was a teenager. At my family’s any cause to advance and for any voice in my home office and try to live by Methodist church in Atlanta, they put to be heard, someone needs to be the it: “Kindness is more important than ushers outside on the steps to stop Afri- face of that movement and give voice to A Note to wisdom, and the recognition of this is can-Americans from entering. I said to those concerns. In that sense, Michael Subscribers the beginning of wisdom.” (Theodore myself, “What kind of church that says Newdow has been very successful.
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