I ran across this story covering Jeremy Hall’s case (PZ comments) and just want to quote the following:
[Hall’s atheism] eventually came out in Iraq in 2007, when he was in a firefight. Hall was a gunner on a Humvee, which took several bullets in its protective shield. Afterward, his commander asked whether he believed in God, Hall said.
"I said, ’No, but I believe in Plexiglas,’" Hall said.
Give that boy a promotion. In a firefight it is most definitely preferable to believe in Plexiglass over God.
More like this
The more things change the more they get weirder. In my day, the only way you could be a Conscientious Objector was to claim that status on religious grounds. If you were an atheist, tough shit. Now if you are an atheist, they don't want you to fight.
You can't go home with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. You don't sleep with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. You don't get hugged by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and you don't have children with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The latest addition to LA's food scene is apparently Top Chef winner Ilan Hall's Scottish/Jewish fusion restaurant The Gorbals. According to The Oklahoman (!), Hall is catching some flack:
Chapel Hill, NC - September 24, 2008 - Mac McCorkle, Political Consultant for Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue and 2008 Democratic Nominee for Governor, will be speaking on behalf of the Lt.
There is always Cromwell's famous dictum for the New Model Army: "Trust in God but keep your powder dry."