[metmom]

One of the problems with the militant atheist types is that they equate overhearing something with being assaulted with it.

Being required to be respectful (as I presume the military does) of other’s beliefs is not the same as being required to believe other’s beliefs.

There are plenty of religions that I think are off track but if I were in a situation where they were praying, I would at least do them the courtesy of being respectful as they practice their religion as the Constitution permits them. I would not even take offense at them proselytizing me as I would understand that they were doing it out of genuine concern.

If someone thinks that what they believe is right, it comes with a sense of obligation to tell others that as well. If someone thinks that they have something that will benefit others and make their lives better, I would expect them to want to share it with me and would consider it an honor that they had enough concern about me to want to do that.

Those perpetually offended atheists seem to forget that it’s the Judeo-Christian belief system that they are trying to suppress that gave them the Constitution that gives them the right to NOT believe if they so choose.

[aWolverine]

One of the problems with the militant atheist types is that they equate overhearing something with being assaulted with it.

This is an outstanding point. There is no right of freedom from being exposed to another's thoughts, explicit or implicit, that is philosophically valid. There are issues of aesthetics, ethics, and empathy which come in to play when one decides whether or not to share one's thoughts with another, but there is no moral or philosophical ground to stand on in making the decision to shut someone else up. You may choose your reaction to another, you may NOT choose whether another expresses their honest thoughts. I am not going to bring law into the discussion, because my perception of the is that it is inconsistent and capricious.

In summary, if you are an athiest and are offended by someone else expressing their thoughts regarding theology, excuse yourself and go have a cigarette. Do NOT file a lawsuit.