'I Was An Atheist In A Foxhole"

[PM Martin]

http://americanhumanist.org/humanism/I_Was_an_Atheist_in_a_Foxhole

"My Vietnam War experiences began in the fall of 1966 fighting the South Vietnamese communists — the Viet Cong. After my first month in Vietnam, I became an atheist. My former religion was Lutheran, due to my Swedish ancestry which traditionally dictates that progeny be so baptized. I could understand only a primitive concept of God. I rebelled. No compassionate God, I thought, would permit all this killing to happen. After witnessing the dead and wounded during my first "firefight," I looked up and said, "You sadistic God! You're not worthy of my worship!"

Medical evacuation by helicopter "dust-off" was a comfort to many soldiers in the jungles. When soldiers incurred critical wounds, they could expect to be returned home to the United States. Otherwise, they could be assured of arriving at a hospital operating table and being treated with professional care, usually in about thirty minutes. However, when ambushed and outnumbered by an enemy force with superior firepower, the fear of dying strikes one's intellect and emotions to the point of crippling panic."

In response to those jackals who say only "God fearing" people are soldiers.

[cbayer]

1. Good story. Thanks for posting it.

[COLGATE4]

2. IMO, anyone who says "only God-fearing people" are soldiers

doesn't know what the fuck they are talking about.

[cbayer]

3. I've never heard anyone say that.

I have heard "there are no atheists in foxholes", but not anything about only god-fearing people being soldiers.

[AtheistCrusader]

4. I had an army ranger buddy that I work out with say it on facebook 2 days ago.

And he remains convinced of it.

[trotsky]

7. ...

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=God+fearing+soldiers

[stone space]

5. This atheist doesn't do foxholes. It's against my religion. (nt)

[davidsilver]

6. I met plenty of atheists when I was in the Army.

[cbayer]

8. There is a lot of support coming from the military religious freedom foundation (MRFF).

I think things have gotten significantly better in some areas. The hardest nut to crack appears to the the air force.

[NeoGreen]

9. You will get no argument from me on that point (nt)

[cbayer]

10. Which branch were you in?

Can you tell me about the symbol in your sig line? I see various people sporting it and I think it has to do something with military service, but I don't really know.

I've tried to search the image, but get nowhere, so just a hint would help.

Thanks.

[NeoGreen]

12. AF...

...if so inclined, you can decipher my "rack" using the following:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awards_and_decorations_of_the_United_States_Armed_Forces

[cbayer]

13. Ah, so you know why the AF is going to be the last to change.

I had cause to spend some time in Colorado Springs and it was one of the more frightening places I have been in the US.

Thanks so much for the link! This has mystified me for a while and now I can figure them out. Congratulations on your many honors. You wear them well.

[progressoid]

11. Most of the Vietnam Vets I know are atheists.

Granted, I only know 6 personally. 4 Atheist. 1 Presbyterian. 1 Unknown.

One of the atheists told me it was Vietnam that made him first doubt God. He couldn't fathom a loving God allowing such horrors to occur.