Free-think items for the troops

Just Arrived Joined: Oct 30, 2005 Posts: 7

Hello all

I am currently stationed in Afghanistan. I would like to see if anyone has any Atheist/Agnostic-type items that they would like to send in care packages to the troops. Some items off the top of my head that you can send:

- Books: We have two areas where troops take and leave used books. We work long hours, but trust me, we still have some down time. Sam Harris, Dan Dennett, Richard Dawkins come to mind.

- Magazines: If anyone has any left over editions of Skeptical Inquirer or anything of the sort I will put them in the break areas. I see people reading lots of magazines.

- DVDs: shows, documentaries, Jonathan Miller comes to mind

- MP3s: IG, of course, the show that changed my way of thinking

- You can mix in basic toiletry items like small shaving gel cans, toothbrushes, non-perishable food, etc.

- Anything else you would like to send

As many of you that have been in the military know, Christianity is practiced by (I'm making an observational guess) a majority of our members. There are a few free thinkers that I talk too, but they are few and far between.

It takes approx 8 days for a package to arrive from the states. Shipping via USPS is $8-12. Amazon free shipping offer applies here just like the states. Please use this exact address:

Send random care packages. Just send them to this exact address:

Any Soldier
PRG 6-1*
APO AE 09354-3005

*You can replace 6-1 with 6-2, 6-3,6-4, 6-5, 6-6, 6-10, 6-12, 6-1-4 and it will go to many different recipients.

Thanks for your time and energy

UPDATE: I have arrived home. You can still use the above address for random packages.

Graduate Thinker Joined: Mar 26, 2008 Posts: 519

You're probably going to catch a lot of fire if you do this; I've heard that the military isn't very atheist/agnostic friendly. I see the more religious members getting worked up over it- unless you know most of them and intend the packages for the other freethinking members.

Just Arrived Joined: Apr 12, 2008 Posts: 7

Naw he won't catch any fire from this. Yeah, I know there are some cases of discrimination against non-christians in the military but it is not wide spread.

They sell atheist books in the Army PX. At least they do here in Germany. I just bought God is not Great at the PX. They also sell Wiccan and other religious books. I bought a great looking Koran a few weeks back.

I personally would not be vocal atheist or agnostic in the US Army.

I'll try and send you some stuff Capt Tucker and since I also have an APO address shipping will be free. May not be the atheist/agnostic stuff you are seeking but there is some other stuff that I can send you and I am sure the troops will enjoy them.

I also have been hooked up with a group in the states (through my own forum) that is wanting to send me a bunch of stuff to send out as care packages.

Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 6:55 am

You ever hear about this guy in relation to religious discrimination? Micheal L. Weinstein. Here is his website:
http://www.militaryreligiousfreedom.org/

He has some good youtube videos: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=michael%20weinstein&search=Search&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&spell=1

*edit* the short story of one atheist in the military.
http://militaryreligiousfreedom.org/press-releases/abc-news-atheists-speaks-out.html

Graduate Thinker Joined: Mar 26, 2008 Posts: 519

Hope Hall gets what he's looking for despite his atheism and his biased superiors. I think that the army is for the most part hostile to atheism because many recruits come from the small town rural south. Lots of old time religion down there, that happens to be where I live.

Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 12:58 am

BTW welcome to Infidelguy forums GermanyBert.

Just Arrived Joined: Apr 12, 2008 Posts: 7

JOBAfunky wrote:

You ever hear about this guy in relation to religious discrimination? Micheal L. Weinstein. Here is his website:
http://www.militaryreligiousfreedom.org/

He has some good youtube videos: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=michael%20weinstein&search=Search&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&spell=1

When did you serve?

Yup...know all about it but it is an isolated case and he is a bit extreme.

I would never judge an entire organization on the experiences of a few people. Maybes CAPT Tucker's organization is not like this.

Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 8:11 am

I didn't serve, so I have to rely on second hand information. In the video he talks about several cases, and I have heard other's claim that they've experienced a similar environment. So you imput goes into the mix shifting my opinion in a more moderate direction. But still, when the highest ranks are doing it...

Graduate Thinker Joined: Mar 26, 2008 Posts: 519

Any time you have people in high places with power, those people tend to use the power in accordance with their own views- so a christian major may be hostile to atheism in this way, especially if he's southern baptist. I don't know the major's denomination in Specialist Hall's case, but I'm guessing most of the people who ragged on him about his atheism were. The reason I'm assuming is because southern baptists are less tolerant in general of different beliefs.

You're going to get people like this major in these situations, and really the only thing to do about it is to report them. I hear that Army beaurocracy isn't a very good forum for these kinds of complaints, and I think that that has to be fixed.

Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 2:08 pm

Being a vocal atheist isn't too bad, actually- as long as you aren't hostile. I've been fairly vocal about it and actually unearthed another 2 in my barracks. Since I "cussed god out" the Christians mostly leave my beliefs alone, but they're still friendly to me.

I'd say for the most part, tolerance is pretty well built into the fabric of the military. It's not where it needs to be yet, but it's moving in the right direction. I'm a card-carrying member of MAAF, and while I can't say it's changing any minds, it has opened a few roads as far as conversation goes.

Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 1:23 am

Just saw this new Weinstein video poted on Reggie's site:
http://www.infidelguy.com/modules.php?name=Video_Stream&page=watch&id=41

Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:36 am

yeah Im a little late on catching this thread here, but I too was in Afghanistan as a part of the Air Force. It was hard times yes and still is here in the air force as religion has a foothold on everything. Just today infact people were talking about our next commanders call, being held in the base chapel. I don't care to step foot in that building if I don't have too but I'll deal as long as no one invocates it.

Almost 11 years in now and I get sick and tired of the intolerance towards us atheists or hell, non christians in general. When you go to a mandatory function, the chaplain prays aloud and asks to bow your head, yeah I don't do that nor do I like it. They have a time and a place for that, not something that is mandatory!

Just my little rant from the long time lurker I am.


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