Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Army approves atheism-themed concert at Fort Bragg
Associated Press ^ | Aug 8, 12:51 PM EDT | TOM BREEN

Posted on 08/08/2011 10:37:54 AM PDT by markomalley

A concert event organized by atheist, agnostic and other non-theist soldiers has been cleared by the Army to take place next spring at Fort Bragg, concert organizers and a spokesman for the post said Monday.

Organizers planned to hold the Rock Beyond Belief event this year, but they canceled after saying Bragg leadership was not providing the same support it gave to an evangelical Christian concert last fall.

Supporters hailed the Army's decision.

"You know those goosebumps you get when your favorite song hits that sweet spot? I got those," said Sgt. Justin Griffith, main organizer of the event and the military director of American Atheists, in an email. "I was overcome with joy and a sense of vindication."

The plan is to hold the event on March 31 at the main parade field at Fort Bragg, where the Christian-themed Rock the Fort concert was held. Famed atheist Richard Dawkins is scheduled to appear, along with musicians, speakers and other entertainment.

"This just might be the turning point in our struggle for acceptance," Griffith said. "I mean it. I get letters daily from service members asking for advice on how to `do something like what's going on at Fort Bragg'."

Final approval for the event came last week, Bragg spokesman Ben Abel said. The festival will get the same treatment from Bragg that other groups receive, he said.

"Our logistical support will be the same as what we did for Rock the Fort," he said, meaning Bragg will provide the venue, security and basic utilities. "That's what we provide for any private organization."

(Excerpt) Read more at hosted.ap.org ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government
KEYWORDS: moralabsolutes

1 posted on 08/08/2011 10:38:04 AM PDT by markomalley
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: markomalley

Whats the saying? “There are no atheists in a foxhole?”


2 posted on 08/08/2011 10:41:18 AM PDT by CrazyJoeDivola
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley
"but they canceled after saying Bragg leadership was not providing the same support it gave to an evangelical Christian concert last fall."

BS. They cancelled when they realized that you can't have a 'concert' with like 10 people.

3 posted on 08/08/2011 10:42:41 AM PDT by americanophile ("this absurd theology of an immoral Bedouin, is a rotting corpse which poisons our lives" - Ataturk)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

I wonder where his “sweet spot” is?

Just another page in the book about how the world has lost its mind.


4 posted on 08/08/2011 10:42:42 AM PDT by yetidog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

Next thing they will be traqining our precious sons and brothrs to turn against the American pe9ople. Obama is building his army, folks.


5 posted on 08/08/2011 10:46:20 AM PDT by Paperdoll (NO MORE BUSHS!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

please forgive the typos.


6 posted on 08/08/2011 10:49:11 AM PDT by Paperdoll (NO MORE BUSHS!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley
"I was overcome with joy and a sense of vindication."

That says it all, it says EXACTLY what this is about.

Vindicate, from the Latin vindicātus: "to lay legal claim to."

Vindicate, in modern usage: "to afford justification for" or "to justify."


7 posted on 08/08/2011 10:50:10 AM PDT by HushTX (I make libs rage quit.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CrazyJoeDivola
I think I would be looking for a different foxhole if I were in battle with him. Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord.
8 posted on 08/08/2011 10:53:51 AM PDT by crusty old prospector
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: CrazyJoeDivola

As a guy who, in younger days, jumped out of planes at the Army’s command (as I assume many do at Bragg today), I gotta say...

...I can’t picture my soul being comforted, especially in those seconds before chute deployment, by the uplifting joys of the Rock Beyond Belief concert the night before.


9 posted on 08/08/2011 10:57:32 AM PDT by BuddhaBrown (Path to enlightenment: Four right turns, then go straight until you see the Light!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

Why not??
Atheism is a religion, just like any other....


10 posted on 08/08/2011 11:01:32 AM PDT by tcrlaf (PREFRONTAL LOBOTOMISTS FOR OBAMA2012!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: tcrlaf

“Atheism is a religion, just like any other....”

If atheism is a religion, then not-collecting-stamps is a hobby.


11 posted on 08/08/2011 11:16:04 AM PDT by Tazzo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

What in the world is an “atheism-themed concert”????

They get up and sing songs about “no God”?

Idiocy.


12 posted on 08/08/2011 11:30:51 AM PDT by Do Not Make Fun Of His Ears
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

“You know those goosebumps you get when your favorite song hits that sweet spot? I got those,” said Sgt. Justin Griffith, main organizer of the event and the military director of American Atheists, in an email. “I was overcome with joy and a sense of vindication.”


What do you have to be joyful about, you imbecile? By your own definition, your life has no eternal purpose and no meaning.


13 posted on 08/08/2011 11:32:25 AM PDT by Do Not Make Fun Of His Ears
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

What’s the difference between this and any other concert? They’ll be running around yelling, “There’s no God! Let’s drink!”?


14 posted on 08/08/2011 11:34:47 AM PDT by thefactor (yes, as a matter of fact, i DID only read the excerpt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

I wish believers and non-believers in the military would both focus on things other than rock festivals.


15 posted on 08/08/2011 12:09:43 PM PDT by GunRunner (10 Years of FReeping...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson