Author Archives: Jason Torpy

About Jason Torpy

**Comments at Friendly Atheist do not necessarily reflect the official policy or positions of the Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers are any other organizations.** Jason Torpy serves as President of the Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers (MAAF), a nonprofit community for atheists and humanists in the military. MAAF also educates military leaders about the needs of nontheists and advocates where necessary. Jason is a former Army Captain and Iraq veteran with a Bachelor of Science degree from West Point and an MBA from The Ohio State University.

NPR Promotes Military Acupuncture

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Jason Torpy

I was dismayed to see a headline from NPR today saying, “Military pokes holes in acupuncture skeptics’ theory.” Acupuncture is founded on the hypothesis that needles will redirect bodily energy to improve overall well-being. The problem? The bodily energy (called … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Military Atheists, Pseudoscience, Science | 54 Comments

Kissing: Did Christians Advance or Hinder It?

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Jason Torpy

    What is the history of kissing anyway? Everybody does it, or wants to (asexuals excepted). But where does it all come from? The Today Show webpage at MSNBC took a retrospective to review this ubiquitous cultural practice. How … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Love, Military Atheists, PictureoftheDay | 19 Comments

Disturbing and Interesting New Documentary Highlights Predominantly-Christian Community

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Jason Torpy

Scott Burdick has published In God We Trust, free on YouTube, a fascinating two-hour documentary on the town of King, North Carolina, its secular minority, its Christian majority, its religious diversity, a war memorial with one too many flags. Throughout … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Military Atheists | 25 Comments

American Legion Poll Confuses Issue of Military Religious Data

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Jason Torpy

Recently, I posted a White House Petition (on the intolerably slow whitehouse.gov site) to remove the requirement for service members to choose a religious preference. Military personnel could always state a preference on their records if they felt strongly about … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Military Atheists | 12 Comments

Divorce Isn’t Always a Bad Option, Especially in the Military

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Jason Torpy

A Seventh Day Adventist Chaplain at Robins Air Force Base recently lamented a divorce rate that has risen from 2.5% in 2001 to 3.9% in 2011. Is that a lot? Is there a solution? Have divorces really even increased? A … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Love, Military Atheists | 82 Comments

What Does 2012 Hold for Atheists in the Military?

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Jason Torpy

Here’s a brief list of what to watch for regarding atheists and humanists in the military in the coming year: Godless Rallies — The Reason Rally will take place on March 24th in Washington, D.C.  This will be the biggest … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Military Atheists | 1 Comment

Military Tebowing: Tacky or Unconstitutional?

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Jason Torpy

By now, you’ve heard plenty about Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow and his public displays of faith. Maybe it’s not a big deal to you and you turn up your intellectual nose at professional sports, but this guy, for all … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Military Atheists, Sports | 50 Comments

Walter Reed Bible Banning Caper

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Jason Torpy

Google “Walter Reed bans Bibles,” and you’ll find a long list of sensational articles lamenting the decision of Walter Reed officials to “ban” Bibles.  The rhetoric has it that Walter Reed officials were attempting to prevent families from bringing Bibles … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Military Atheists, Politics | 25 Comments

Army-Navy Game Introed to Christian Battle Hymn

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Jason Torpy

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord: He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword: His truth is marching … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Military Atheists, Sports | 16 Comments