The U.S. military has a problem with atheists

[dbackjon]

Apparently, the Marine Corps thinks a "lack or loss of spiritual faith" could be dangerous

When an active-duty Marine was given a Marine Corps training document describing "potential risk indicators" commanders should look for to prevent loss of life among service members, he found one checkbox that didn't seem to fit. Among warning signs like substance abuse and prior suicide attempts was "lack or loss of spiritual faith."


http://news.yahoo.com/u-military-problem-atheists-065000534.html

[AtheistCrusader]

1. Playing 'devils' advocate here' (lol)

Lack is right out, that's bullshit right there BUT... on the 'loss', there are two categories.

1. Shaking it off like a bad case of fleas.
2. Despondent, needing it, and still believing, but feeling abandoned/forsaken.


The first group, people who reason their way out of the religious faith paper bag, that's obviously good and healthy. BUT the latter group, if they still believe, but feel abandoned, forsaken, otherwise realize there's no transmission on that frequency, or worse, they feel their god is actively fucking with them, punishing them, etc... Any of that without coming to grips that no such god exists at all, that's a dangerous psychological situation.

Feeling that there is a god, but that god has abandoned you, isn't like being an atheist at all. That's bad times right there. THOSE people need help, most likely.

But the ones who never had faith, or put away the crutches on their own volition, they shouldn't be considered a risk.

[malthaussen]

2. Well said. n/t

[JNelson6563]

3. Excellent analysis!

I couldn't agree with your reasoning more.

[MarkLaw]

4. It could be because at the time atheist were seen as hopeless nihilists.