Army Approves Concert For Agnostics and Atheists At Fort Bragg
jonathanturley
In an important symbolic victory for soldiers who are atheist, agnostic, or non-theist, Fort Bragg has approved a concert called “Rock Beyond Belief.” While journalist Ernie Pyle may have said that “there are no atheists in foxholes,” we know that to be untrue. We have brave men and women fighting for their country without a belief in God or any specific God. They have faced open hostility in the military, so this is a major victory of sheer recognition.
Christian-based concerts are routinely held on military bases. Now, various musicians and atheist Richard Dawkins will be allowed to appear for soldiers with agnostic and atheist beliefs. The organizers had to fight hard for the concert and oppose an earlier denial of the same support given Christian concerts.
Mikey Weinstein, president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, is quoted as summing up the true meaning of this change: “It’s not a victory for atheism or agnosticism over any type of religion, it’s a victory for the Constitution.” Amen brother.
