Hello All,

I am somewhat new to CFI and started subscribing to Free Inquiry and Skeptical Inquiry a few months ago.  I have been an atheist since junior high and very proud to say so.  I have always had a deep desire for knowledge especially in science and philosophy and thus I was able to split from religion fairly early on… In the words of George Carlin “I was a catholic until I reached the age of reason.” That being said I am a member of the military and being an atheist in the military can be very frustrating… especially when I am required to listen to prayer just before lights out or when I see the emphasis and logistical support given to “faith based initiatives” which is something I thought we were fighting in the middle east.  I really do hope that what we are experiencing now with “the four horseman” of Dawkins, Hitchens, Harris, and Dennett is a real change in the zeitgeist and that’s why I am here… I want to learn more and be a part of that change.

Just to add to the above, I live in Stuttgart, Germany with my wife and son.  I work as a computer programmer and am a big fan of Linux (Ubuntu) and Macintosh OS X… if you have any questions feel free to ask.  And to anyone reading this… thank you for your time.

-JP

Great to have you here jp5y. Yes, we’ve had a few threads here in the past about what appears to be the growing Christianization of the military ... something of concern to us all, I think.

Also a Mac fan ...

Enjoy the forum!

Welcome.  Glad to have you here.  I like Linux too.  It is far better than Vista in many ways.  Personally, I can’t stand Vista.  It sucks.

As for the Four Horsemen, I am hoping for the same thing.  I really do not like what is happening in the military either.  It is very disconcerting, to say the least.  I have often wondered, lately, if people have lost their minds.

jp5y - 17 May 2008 03:02 PM

Hello All,

I am somewhat new to CFI and started subscribing to Free Inquiry and Skeptical Inquiry a few months ago.  I have been an atheist since junior high and very proud to say so.  I have always had a deep desire for knowledge especially in science and philosophy and thus I was able to split from religion fairly early on… In the words of George Carlin “I was a catholic until I reached the age of reason.” That being said I am a member of the military and being an atheist in the military can be very frustrating… especially when I am required to listen to prayer just before lights out or when I see the emphasis and logistical support given to “faith based initiatives” which is something I thought we were fighting in the middle east.  I really do hope that what we are experiencing now with “the four horseman” of Dawkins, Hitchens, Harris, and Dennett is a real change in the zeitgeist and that’s why I am here… I want to learn more and be a part of that change.

Just to add to the above, I live in Stuttgart, Germany with my wife and son.  I work as a computer programmer and am a big fan of Linux (Ubuntu) and Macintosh OS X… if you have any questions feel free to ask.  And to anyone reading this… thank you for your time.

-JP

I was in the army in Germany during the Korean War.  I was openly irreligious, but regarded myself as an agnostic, not an atheist, at that time.  I had no problems with the army or other troops with regard to religion.  At the time McCarthy-style anti-communism was rampant with officers and NCO’s, and the army was newly integrated racially, with associated tensions.

jp5y - 17 May 2008 03:02 PM

I work as a computer programmer and am a big fan of Linux (Ubuntu) and Macintosh OS X…

I installed Kubuntu just 3 weeks ago. It is great! Now that you mention it… Would there be a correlation between being a Linux user and being an atheist? Not just believing everything you hear, but think for yourself? 

Anyway: wilkommen.

GdB

GdB,

I think there is a relation between Linux and being an atheist… your not required to pray with Ubuntu like you would with Vista, it just works.

-JP

jp5y - 20 May 2008 11:22 AM

your not required to pray with Ubuntu like you would with Vista, it just works.

Gdb

Hi!

Hello All…
Today is very happy and very beautiful.
I am somewhat new to CFI and started subscribing to Free Inquiry and Skeptical Inquiry a few months ago.  I have been an atheist since junior high and very proud to say so
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dimoth

Edited to remove link spam. dougsmith—Admin