Comments on: Why Are American Soldiers Illegally Proselytizing in Afghanistan? http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/05/04/why-are-american-soldiers-illegally-proselytizing-in-afghanistan/ by Hemant Mehta Mon, 28 May 2012 07:08:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Larry http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/05/04/why-are-american-soldiers-illegally-proselytizing-in-afghanistan/#comment-306522 Larry Wed, 06 May 2009 18:05:07 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=11184#comment-306522 If there was even a question of whether it would be considered proselytizing-which the video proves there was-then the issue should have been dropped...end of meeting folks. This is embarrassing to those military members who strive to do things right-which means legally. I can only hope that their commander hangs them out to dry. Retired U.S. Marine If there was even a question of whether it would be considered proselytizing-which the video proves there was-then the issue should have been dropped…end of meeting folks.

This is embarrassing to those military members who strive to do things right-which means legally. I can only hope that their commander hangs them out to dry.

Retired U.S. Marine

]]> By: TXatheist http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/05/04/why-are-american-soldiers-illegally-proselytizing-in-afghanistan/#comment-306139 TXatheist Tue, 05 May 2009 17:15:16 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=11184#comment-306139 Hemant, just got this update...http://www.onenewsnow.com/Security/Default.aspx?id=516980 Hemant, just got this update…http://www.onenewsnow.com/Security/Default.aspx?id=516980

]]> By: TXatheist http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/05/04/why-are-american-soldiers-illegally-proselytizing-in-afghanistan/#comment-306120 TXatheist Tue, 05 May 2009 16:16:24 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=11184#comment-306120 Hemant(my brother in reason), you have got to know the military is still the good ol boy system. At 4:15 they say the line for prostelytizing and evangelizing is the subject of intense debate. Well, if a soldier comes to a chaplain and says he/she is evangelical then talk about jc. If he's a wiccan/atheist/muslim/sihk/jain then don't. Hemant(my brother in reason), you have got to know the military is still the good ol boy system. At 4:15 they say the line for prostelytizing and evangelizing is the subject of intense debate. Well, if a soldier comes to a chaplain and says he/she is evangelical then talk about jc. If he’s a wiccan/atheist/muslim/sihk/jain then don’t.

]]> By: Pedro in the Netherlands http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/05/04/why-are-american-soldiers-illegally-proselytizing-in-afghanistan/#comment-306018 Pedro in the Netherlands Tue, 05 May 2009 08:56:56 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=11184#comment-306018 This is obscene.....they shouldn't be there in the first place and now they're trying to convert the natives..sounds like 18th century colonialism to me. The Bush Legacy huh !!! This is obscene…..they shouldn’t be there in the first place and now they’re trying to convert the natives..sounds like 18th century colonialism to me.

The Bush Legacy huh !!!

]]> By: American soldiers filmed discussing proselytizing tactics on Afghan airbase « Media Gadfly http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/05/04/why-are-american-soldiers-illegally-proselytizing-in-afghanistan/#comment-305949 American soldiers filmed discussing proselytizing tactics on Afghan airbase « Media Gadfly Tue, 05 May 2009 04:06:18 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=11184#comment-305949 [...] American soldiers filmed discussing proselytizing tactics on Afghan airbase Jump to Comments Via Friendly Atheist. [...] [...] American soldiers filmed discussing proselytizing tactics on Afghan airbase Jump to Comments Via Friendly Atheist. [...]

]]> By: JD http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/05/04/why-are-american-soldiers-illegally-proselytizing-in-afghanistan/#comment-305900 JD Tue, 05 May 2009 02:26:14 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=11184#comment-305900 The military responded by saying this was both "out of context" and "irresponsible and inappropriate journalism." There may be some truth to that. http://christianfighterpilot.com/blog/?p=321 The military responded by saying this was both “out of context” and “irresponsible and inappropriate journalism.”

There may be some truth to that.

http://christianfighterpilot.com/blog/?p=321

]]> By: Hepius http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/05/04/why-are-american-soldiers-illegally-proselytizing-in-afghanistan/#comment-305841 Hepius Tue, 05 May 2009 00:11:56 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=11184#comment-305841 The military is riddled with evangelical Christians. I ran into more than a few when I served in the Army. I am appalled at the behavior of these soldiers in Afghanistan. Their actions will be used by our enemies as justification for war against the United States. What a great recruiting tool for jihadis. I've blogged about my interactions with Christian members of the military. One who had never heard of an atheist: http://hepiusspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/03/i-am-devil.html Another whose wife broke down in tears when she heard of my atheism: http://hepiusspeaks.blogspot.com/2008/06/why-are-you-crying.html The military is riddled with evangelical Christians. I ran into more than a few when I served in the Army.

I am appalled at the behavior of these soldiers in Afghanistan. Their actions will be used by our enemies as justification for war against the United States. What a great recruiting tool for jihadis.

I’ve blogged about my interactions with Christian members of the military. One who had never heard of an atheist:

http://hepiusspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/03/i-am-devil.html

Another whose wife broke down in tears when she heard of my atheism:

http://hepiusspeaks.blogspot.com/2008/06/why-are-you-crying.html

]]> By: SarahH http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/05/04/why-are-american-soldiers-illegally-proselytizing-in-afghanistan/#comment-305836 SarahH Mon, 04 May 2009 23:56:17 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=11184#comment-305836 Color me <em>not remotely surprised</em>. I don't imagine the Afghan people are terribly receptive to the idea. If a non-government group wants to distribute Bibles far and wide, let them. Our military shouldn't have anything to do with spreading or encouraging or discouraging religion, period. Color me not remotely surprised.

I don’t imagine the Afghan people are terribly receptive to the idea. If a non-government group wants to distribute Bibles far and wide, let them. Our military shouldn’t have anything to do with spreading or encouraging or discouraging religion, period.

]]> By: VorlonGuyverOss http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/05/04/why-are-american-soldiers-illegally-proselytizing-in-afghanistan/#comment-305834 VorlonGuyverOss Mon, 04 May 2009 23:41:36 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=11184#comment-305834 As a member of the military I have "witnessed" these types of occurrences first hand. People know that this is not supposed to be going on but it is the "will of god" and mans laws do not apply to them. The chain of command is festering with supporters of these individuals who knowingly and willingly turn a blind eye to the laws they have sworn to uphold. The problem is when any other belief structure from Asatru to Zoroastrianism would be hammered as hard as possible. Christianity apparently is not in the dictionary. Most followers of any belief structure are Uncritical Persons (intellectually unskilled thinkers) that have few Skilled Manipulators (weak-sense critical thinkers) and have even fewer Fair-Minded Critical Persons (strong-sense critical thinkers) living among them. Until the application of law is vigorously applied and the reason understood these behaviors will continue. Undoubtedly Christians begin to claim "persecution for following their religion". Only the application of law being applied fairly, evenly, and continuously can negate this fallacious thought. As a member of the military I have “witnessed” these types of occurrences first hand. People know that this is not supposed to be going on but it is the “will of god” and mans laws do not apply to them. The chain of command is festering with supporters of these individuals who knowingly and willingly turn a blind eye to the laws they have sworn to uphold.

The problem is when any other belief structure from Asatru to Zoroastrianism would be hammered as hard as possible. Christianity apparently is not in the dictionary. Most followers of any belief structure are Uncritical Persons (intellectually unskilled thinkers) that have few Skilled Manipulators (weak-sense critical thinkers) and have even fewer Fair-Minded Critical Persons (strong-sense critical thinkers) living among them.

Until the application of law is vigorously applied and the reason understood these behaviors will continue. Undoubtedly Christians begin to claim “persecution for following their religion”. Only the application of law being applied fairly, evenly, and continuously can negate this fallacious thought.

]]> By: Matto the Hun http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/05/04/why-are-american-soldiers-illegally-proselytizing-in-afghanistan/#comment-305819 Matto the Hun Mon, 04 May 2009 22:45:17 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=11184#comment-305819 The next time an uptight Christian whines about something like the Atheist Bus Campaign and how it hurts their widdle biddle feelings we should say, "How can it hurt you, this is a gift we are giving to you. How can you not like gifts?" The next time an uptight Christian whines about something like the Atheist Bus Campaign and how it hurts their widdle biddle feelings we should say, “How can it hurt you, this is a gift we are giving to you. How can you not like gifts?”

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