Soldier: Promotion Denied Due to His Being an Atheist
QuestionGirl March 6th, 2008 - 1:06 pmA soldier claimed Wednesday that his promotion was blocked because he had claimed in a lawsuit that the Army was violating his right to be an atheist.
Attorneys for Spc. Jeremy Hall and the Military Religious Freedom Foundation refiled the federal lawsuit Wednesday in Kansas City, Kansas, and added a complaint alleging that the blocked promotion was in response to the legal action.
The suit was filed in September but dropped last month so the new allegations could be included. Among the defendants are Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
Hall alleges he was denied his constitutional right to hold a meeting to discuss atheism while he was deployed in Iraq with his military police unit. He says in the new complaint that his promotion was blocked after the commander of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley sent an e-mail post-wide saying Hall had sued.
More at CNN.com
March 6th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Gives new meaning to don’t ask, don’t tell. Onward christian soldiers.
March 6th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I wonder what they do if you’re agnostic, like myself? It kinda leaves the burdon of proof to them, doesn’t it? A refusal to either confirm or deny leaves them in a legal limbo for which there is no response other than trying to prove what cannot be proven. As the courtroom saying goes, never ask a question which you don’t know the answer.
March 6th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
In the army everyone is required to wear dog tags. Each time that I ever had to replace my dog tags I changed the stated religion stamped on them.
March 6th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Ridiculous. I’m passing this one on…
March 7th, 2008 at 2:25 am
I myself being an Military Police officer for over 8 years…am VERY confident that there IS more to the story than just this. You don’t get a promotion for just one reason, there are many listed on the counseling. It’s sad people are buying into his sob story when less than 2 years ago he tried sueing the Air Force for the same thing….and lost. Get a clue, HE IS NOT DEDICATED to the military!!! It’s sad when people like this only tell half their story because the Military is not able to tell the rest and expose the major issues the people leave out to make themselves look better!! It’s a disgrace to the uniform and all that we stand for!!
March 7th, 2008 at 2:26 am
correction, You don’t NOT get a promotion for just one reason. You fail in a few areas before you are not up for a promotion.
March 7th, 2008 at 2:29 am
It’s also sad when people go to Iraq UNWILLING and crabbing the whole way. Are useless when we get there and unable to do their job. And then come back and act as if THEY ARE WAR HEROS. Not that he was this way but I know many fellow troops that went over with me and were like this.
March 7th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Yes, you are so right MP. Do what every good little conservative whacko does…attack this young soldier and make it HIS fault for not being a Christian. It is people like YOU who give the Army a bad name…you dare to sit here and insinuate this man is somehow less dedicated to Army and country because he is atheist. From what you have written, I seriously doubt you even HAD any military time much less a tour in Iraq. For the record, “bro”, I am retired Navy with two tours in Iraq myself.
March 7th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Thank you soooo much for coming along BDC. I was thinking the same thing, but not having served in the military I was hoping someone who has would come along and call this guy out. He sounds very very bitter to me…on more than one level.
March 7th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Anon was me…… oops
March 7th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
You’re talking about 2 different things here, one, a soldier saying his religious beliefs, or lack of, influenced his promotion and the other is soldiers going to Iraq who are not completely dedicated to their deployment and the military’s mission there. This young man has had 2 tours in Iraq and is NOT one of the soldiers you’re describing who are NOT dedicated to their and the military’s mission there. I respect and appreciate all our soldiers service to our country regardless of their religious beliefs, or lack of, I just wish the military thought the same way because I think they are losing some good soldiers by not doing so thru what is obviously religious discrimination. Are you fighting for OUR country or are you fighting for YOUR God? If it’s the latter then you’re no different than the Islamic extremists (Jihadists) you’re fighting. Last time I checked your paycheck doesn’t come from the Church, it comes from the taxpayers who may or may not believe in your God or any God. I always hear that our freedom isn’t free and the military’s mission is to ensure we keep that freedom. If anybody is entitled to exersize that freedom shouldn’t it be the ones within your own ranks who are fighting for it? Could the irony and hypocricy be any more obvious? The young man is willingly fighting (2 tours) for a freedom that he, himself is being denied and you MP declare he’s not dedicated to the military. Why should he be?