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Atheist soldier claims harassment
a.. Army Specialist Jeremy Hall sues U.S. for religious discrimination
b.. Hall known as "the atheist guy," called immoral and a devil worshipper
c.. Turned to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation for help
d.. "It's just about time somebody said something" about pressure to believe
in God
JUNCTION CITY, Kansas (AP) -- Like hundreds of young men joining the Army in
recent years, Jeremy Hall professes a desire to serve his country while it
fights terrorism.
But the short and soft-spoken specialist is at the center of a legal
controversy. He has filed a lawsuit alleging he's been harassed and his
constitutional rights have been violated because he doesn't believe in God. The
suit names Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
"I'm not in it for cash," Hall said. "I want no one else to go what I went
through."
Known as "the atheist guy," Hall has been called immoral, a devil worshipper
and -- just as severe to some soldiers -- gay, none of which, he says, is true.
Hall even drove fellow soldiers to church in Iraq and paused while they prayed
before meals.
"I see a name and rank and United States flag on their shoulder. That's what I
believe everyone else should see," he said.
Hall, 23, was raised in a Protestant family in North Carolina and dropped out of
school. It wasn't until he joined the Army that he began questioning religion,
eventually deciding he couldn't follow any faith.
But he feared how that would look to other soldiers.
"I was ashamed to say that I was an atheist," Hall said.
It eventually came out in Iraq in 2007, when he was in a firefight. Hall was a
gunner on a Humvee, which took several bullets in its protective shield.
Afterward, his commander asked whether he believed in God, Hall said.
"I said, 'No, but I believe in Plexiglas,"' Hall said. "I've never believed I
was going to a happy place. You get one life. When I die, I'm worm food."
The issue came to a head when, according to Hall, a superior officer, Maj.
Freddy J. Welborn, threatened to bring charges against him for trying to hold a
meeting of atheists in Iraq. Welborn has denied Hall's allegations.
Hall said he had had enough but feared he wouldn't get support from Welborn's
superiors. He turned to Mikey Weinstein and the Military Religious Freedom
Foundation.
Weinstein is the foundation's president and a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate.
He had previously sued the Air Force for acts he said illegally imposed
Christianity on students at the academy, though that case was dismissed. He
calls Hall a hero.
"The average American doesn't have enough intestinal fortitude to tell someone
to shut up if they are talking in a movie theater," Weinstein said. "You know
how hard it is to take on your chain of command? This isn't the shift manager at
KFC."
Hall was in Qatar when the lawsuit was filed on September 18 in federal court in
Kansas City, Kansas. Other soldiers learned of it and he feared for his own
safety. Once, Hall said, a group of soldiers followed him, harassing him, but no
one did anything to make it stop.
The Army told him it couldn't protect him and sent him back to Fort Riley. He
resumed duties with a military police battalion. He believes his promotion to
sergeant has been blocked because of his lawsuit, but he is a team leader
responsible for two junior enlisted soldiers.
No one with Fort Riley, the Army or Defense Department would comment about Hall
or the lawsuit. Each issued statements saying that discrimination will not be
tolerated regardless of race, religion or gender.
"The department respects [and supports by its policy] the rights of others to
their own religious beliefs, including the right to hold no beliefs," said
Eileen Lainez, a spokeswoman for the Department of Defense.
All three organizations said existing systems help soldiers "address and resolve
any perceived unfair treatment."
Lt. Col. David Shurtleff, a Fort Riley chaplain, declined to discuss Hall's case
but said chaplains accommodate all faiths as best they can. In most cases,
religious issues can be worked out without jeopardizing military operations.
"When you're in Afghanistan and an IED blows up a Humvee, they aren't asking
about a wounded soldier's faith," Shurtleff said.
Hall said he enjoys being a team leader but has been told that having faith
would make him a better leader.
"I will take care of my soldiers. Nowhere does it say I have to pray with my
soldiers, but I do have to make sure my soldiers' religious needs are met," he
said.
"Religion brings comfort to a lot of people," he said. "Personally, I don't want
it or need it. But I'm not going to get down on anybody else for it."
Hall leaves the Army in April 2009. He would like to find work with the National
Park Service or Environmental Protection Agency, anything outdoors.
"I hope this doesn't define me," Hall said of his lawsuit. "It's just about time
somebody said something."
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On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:29:51 -0600, "_ Prof. Jonez _"
<theprof@jonez.net> wrote:
Atheist soldier claims harassment
Excuse me Maj. Hall, sir, but in case you haven't read the United
States Army handbook, which I doubt, there are no requirements that
anyone believe in any God. Just because you don't like aethiests,
doesn't mean it's illegal or immoral.
If a soldier wants to hold a meeting with his colleagues, that's his
right. You want to file charges? Oh please. I would suggest strongly
you speak to your superiors. Filing charges on a soldier who's
belief's are not yours is against the wording of the Constitution. You
do know what that is don't you? You're sworn to protect it.
"The freedom of Religion shall not be denied, ( or lack thereof )".
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richard <i.do.not@ca.re> wrote in
news:chk914h4tmpirn0dbp1dftin8edfiabpff@4ax.com:
On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:29:51 -0600, "_ Prof. Jonez _"
<theprof@jonez.net> wrote:
Excuse me Maj. Hall, sir,
The post you're responding to quoted an article that identified Hall, the
atheist claiming harassment, as an "Army Specialist." That would make
him a noncom. The article identifies Major "Freddy Welborn" as the
officer threatening to bring charges against Hall.
but in case you haven't read the United
States Army handbook, which I doubt, there are no requirements that
anyone believe in any God. Just because you don't like aethiests,
It's not that these people are athier than anyone else. E before I in
this case. a (not) + theist (believer in god(s))
doesn't mean it's illegal or immoral.
If a soldier wants to hold a meeting with his colleagues, that's his
right. You want to file charges? Oh please. I would suggest strongly
you speak to your superiors. Filing charges on a soldier who's
belief's are not yours is against the wording of the Constitution. You
do know what that is don't you? You're sworn to protect it.
Well played!
"The freedom of Religion shall not be denied, ( or lack thereof )".
Do you mean "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"?
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