"When one proudly dons a U.S military uniform, there is only one religious symbol: the American flag. There is only one religious scripture: the American Constitution. Finally, there is only one religious faith: American patriotism"- Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (link here)
As most of you may have noticed, today is Veteran's Day (or Remembrance Day for our Canadian friends). For many, it's a day to relax from school and whatnot. For others, it's a day set aside to respect the commitment some men and women made to defend their nation from all threats, foreign and domestic. While some of you reading this may disagree with the recent wars the U.S has embroiled itself in, I feel this escapes the point of today. You are free to disagree with U.S foreign policy and it's implementation (I myself think U.S foreign policy is in need of major change) and it's fine to denounce the wars. For today's post, this won't be the topic; that's a discussion for another time.
What I want to get at today is this notion that there are no atheists in foxholes, that when the bullets start flying and the shells start coming down, those who claimed to be atheists immediately turn to God. I feel this is an insult to the brave individuals who didn't turn to God when they were in the heat of combat. Moreover, it's disrespectful to the brave atheist veterans who willingly risked their lives for their fellow man (or woman), who didn't care if that comrade was religious or not. It's extremely irritating to see that people who are willing to serve their nation, populated mostly by Christians, be harassed and stigmatized for lacking faith. Really? Is this really how we want to treat people who made a commitment to you and me? Is this really how we want to thank individuals who willingly went into harm's way? If it is, you've disregarded the meaning of today and in the process acted like a self-righteous bigot. If someone's lack of faith bothers you so, perhaps it's time to re-evaluate your ideals.
Remember that today isn't just a day off, but is meant to remember that among us are individuals who took an oath to defend the constitution and everything it stands for. So, if it's not too much to ask, thank anyone you may know who was prior military (or is still serving). Beneath that uniform is a person with goals and dreams much like you and me; having met a lot of people in the military (and having a few friends currently serving), they're down to earth and great individuals, regardless of their religions or lack of. To all the veterans of the U.S Armed Forces, past and present: thank you.
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