On Faith
MITCHELL KAHLE
As a kid, I would decorate my bicycle with crepe-paper streamers and noisemakers to ride in the annual Memorial Day parade down Chicago Street through my home town of Jonesville, Mich., to the Sunrise Cemetery at the edge of town. Religious belief is not
prerequisite for patriotism,
courage and honorI remember the salute of World War II-era rifles firing blank rounds and the ring of spent shell casings falling on the pavement. My father was there with us; he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and later helped free prisoners from Nazi concentration camps.
I recall those moments every time I stroll through the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, better known as Punchbowl. I often go for walks around the crater rim and up to the lookout. On the way, I pause to marvel at the mosaic maps in the Court of Honor. It is a quiet, solemn place, providing an opportunity to contemplate the tragedy of war.
As I walk among the thousands of well-tended graves and columbarium at Punchbowl, I can't help but notice the diversity of America's armed forces during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Ethnic diversity is expected in Hawaii, but the religious diversity is especially noteworthy.
While crosses adorn the majority of burial markers at Punchbowl, other symbols reveal that Buddhist soldiers fought side by side with Christians, Muslims with Jews and, yes, atheists alongside them all. There are literally hundreds of graves without any indication of religious affiliation. Thousands of nonbelievers have fought in America's battles from the Revolutionary War to the current "War on Terrorism."
Although the government does not conduct surveys of religious belief (or nonbelief), it is estimated that about 12 percent of the U.S. population (more than 30 million people) is nonreligious -- atheist, agnostic or secular humanist. If this proportion is carried over to the military, it is probable that at least one in 10 soldiers is without religious belief.
Thus the old saying "There are no atheists in foxholes" is entirely without merit or legitimacy. It is an insult to spread such mendacity, yet many make such malicious pronouncements without consideration or apology.
I have a friend who is a Vietnam combat veteran and one of the first American soldiers to have "atheist" stamped on his dog tags. My brother fought in some of the pitched battles of the Gulf War; he is also a nonbeliever.
Brave men and women fought and died to stop the spread of tyranny in the 20th century. All soldiers are worth remembering, including those who chose to reject religion.
Religious belief is not a requirement for bravery, courage, decency, honor or patriotism. Many atheists have served and will continue to serve in the U.S. military. So instead of repeating ridiculous old sayings, let's remember all of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
Mitchell Kahle is the president of Hawaii Citizens for Separation of State and Church.
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