"If the allegations are substantiated, the Army is in clear violation of the Constitution".
Here's some truth that may help you or may just upset you, truth has that tendency!
Seeking a higher power is part of our human nature, and natural explanations account for all of it.
Some NEED to SEEK a Higher Power, yet, I don't! Why might that be?
All humans share the following genetic capabilities:
1) moral nature - our specific moral behaviors are learned within a cultural context, Muslims find eating pork a "sin", Polynesians worship pigs!
All are born with a conscience; Muslims feel guilty eating pork, Polynesians don't!
2) capability to speak - our specific language is learned.
3) need to seek a higher power – one's actual "belief" or "religion" is a choice, I have no need to seek…so this is not part of my genetics, see below!
4) sexual orientation - heterosexuality is built in to most of us, it is not a choice or a lifestyle.
The need to "Seek a higher power" is genetic. More genes were passed along by individuals who tended to "follow-the-Leader" over the last 200,000 years or so.
That's because those without a "natural tendency" to acquiesce to leadership, wandered too far from camp at night and got eaten by wolves before procreating.
The manifestation of that GENETICALLY AND EVOLUTIONARILY BENEFICIAL TENDENCY is what we observe; "faithful" seek and find a set of beliefs that satisfies the need to seek.
Almost all people have a built-in need to seek a higher power and religions offer various paths to satisfy this need.
I don't have the need, and that's simple human variability.
Not a debate between "believers" and atheists at all, your belief is simply fulfillment of a biological urge, and can't be countered with rational thought.
You said: "Christians should desire the conversion of everyone to the faith." I can't "convert" you to atheism any more than you can convince me to change my sexual orientation. The only "conversions" obtained will be amongst those who share your NEED TO SEEK HIGHER POWERS, not any atheists!
We atheists have reason to fear the faithful, as many besides "soldiers miss the point of the Christian faith"!
Frish - Fearless Leader, LA Brights
