At night out at sea, the ship's pastor always said a prayer over the ship's intercom (1MC) that seems to be Christian and military biased.

In Navy boot camp, my recruit division commanders used to talk about their belief in god. It was very upsetting to me because I felt like it was a slap in the face, it was as if they were calling me stupid but I couldn't say anything back to them because I would have got punished.

Even though the military states that we had freedom of religion, sometimes while eating at the galley on Naval Air Stations, military pastors would come around and start talking to us about their imaginary god.

Though I was raised Hindu, but I've always been an Atheist, and I still don't eat beef or pork because of personal preference.

I saw this kid in a video, and he seems wiser than his years, thoughtful, and sensitive. If he were just another a** hole, he'd have tell-tale signs of it, as well as suing for money, which he isn't.

Anthony I don't care if you believe me or not I was there I know what happened. And since your name is Anthony and you're a guy I am assuming we weren't in the same platoon or company and I suspect not the same year either so I bet your experience was different than mine. We never had anyone but our Drills or Fireguard in our bay at night looking over us and our Drills office as well as a storage/TV room was part of our bay. I don't think they had to wake girls up I am sure some of them were quite willing to go, still doesn't make it right does it.

I'll also affirm that as an atheist, I got extra duty while others were in church, was occasionally harassed, and a few times, felt extremely pressured by others higher in the chain of command to convert to some form of evangelical christianity. Never thought to sue over it, though.

Finally, in my basic, they had several drill instructors for our company, and we only occasionally had the one who did final inspection and lights out wake us in the morning. Most of the time they rotated schedules. And they did, in fact, bring a cooler of beer to their office more than once, in large part, I think, to tease us.

Print out the image, make it into stickers and tshirts, spread the word

By the way, I'm with Anthony in calling BS on your late night sex party story. That crap just doesn't happen in real life.

Certainly I believe the part about the Christians getting out of chores. It was the same with me, but it was, like, an hour of mopping, then I could sneak a nap behind my locker. Maybe you had it worse.

However, I don't believe late night sex parties were going for two reasons: there's someone in charge of quarters at night on a company and battalion level that the drill sergeants would have to get around. Plus, how much sleep do the trainees get in basic training? 6 hours, if they're lucky? Drill sergeants wake up the trainees and put them in bed, and you're telling me they were staying up to party? Please.

Most groups of people (and especially guys) is going to get irritated if you keep making a big deal about something - it just gets tiresome if that all the person goes on and on about. And his sueing certainly hints at the fact that he’s one of those people.

Sure, there are vaild reasons to sue, but I suspect this guy brought on the abuse by being obnoxious about his athiesm.

Does anyone know if he was wearing a short skirt as well?

...shutting up, now.

I didn't mean to come off pro-army, just anti-Hall.

This blog entry has some excellent, informative links:
http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/009562.php

The only thing that bothered me was that my dog tags read "No pref" for religion, implying that I was indifferent to the religious ceremonies to be carried out upon my death. This was wrong of course. My "pref" was none.

Sure, there are vaild reasons to sue, but I suspect this guy brought on the abuse by being obnoxious about his athiesm. Being obnoxious certainly does encourage abuse.

Perhaps it is just a coincidence then that my son, after a few weeks in boot camp requested that my mother send him a cross to wear (since almost all the guys wore one) and is planning to be baptised.

Particularly in a military environment, one which discourages independent thought and encourages conformity, it seems likely that there is a not-to-subtle pressure to fit in.

It's not the first news article I've read about discrimination against atheists in the military, so I doubt it was Hall just being "a pussy" or "pushing" his lack of faith on other people. He's just the first one to actually do something about it, which I can only applaud him for.

Johnny Cat said: "They make a big ass deal out of their atheism, to the point of irritation."

So, refusing to pray or going to mass is now "making a big ass deal"? Aren't the Christians being pussies here, getting all butthurt about somebody not believing in their god?

Moodindigo said: "Atheism = A philosophical stance against theism, not a religious belief."

There's still such a things as religious Atheism.
Religion encompasses more than just theism. As you said, Atheism is the rejection of theism, the disbelief in any gods or deities; it does not exclude other religious beliefs. (For example: Jainism or Humanistic Judaism)

Well that's what you get when you havce evangelical Theists in charge.

They feel that your kid was torn limb from limb by an IED for the little baby Jebus.

And your kids soul will be winging it's way via celestial UPS truck to the nice shiny heaven.

So rest easy america, Sky Daddy is operating these mooks via divine inspiration.

NYC:
Just for reference, over 90% of members of the National Academy of scientists descrbe themselves as Atheist or otherwise non-religious.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religion

Upon reading a large book called a dictionary, you will find that words often have several layers of meaning. Fortunately, some dictionaries have pictures.

Notwithstanding your narrow interpretation of religion as theism, I often like to put down random religions on forms I have to fill out such as Buddhism, Gypsy, or whatever else I felt like at the moment. I occasionally get flak about that, so, yes, they make fun of my religion.

Does the Army embrace Christian ideals? Yes. Does the Army encourage you to become a Christian? Yes. Is the Army a Christian organization? Maybe.

That being said, was I ever pressured into becoming a Christian or attending Christian services? No. Did people ever make jokes about my religion? Yes, just like I did about theirs. Was I ever harassed, treated poorly, given extra duty, or denied a promotion because I’m not a Christian? Never."

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... so they made fun of your religion.... and you're an atheist...

Can't we have an IQ requirement on the comment section?

The irony of this controversy is that some Scientists are Atheists, and they are the ones discovering the medical cures that wounded soldiers need to increase their odds of survival.

Many who research DNA are Atheists; their discoveries and inventions have aided in finding cures for diseases that many Soldiers have gotten vaccinated for to help them remain healthy.

How would they respond to those same life saving Physicians if they met them face to face?