Jan 28 2011

Humanist Hour interview with ‘foxhole atheist’ Justin Griffith

Categories:

Entertainment, Press, Rock Beyond Belief, Soldier Fitness Tracker

The American Humanist Association’s monthly podcast, the Humanist Hour, interviewed me about Rock Beyond Belief, Spiritual Fitness, and the Soldier Fitness Tracker. Jes Constantine has been running the show for many years, and is now joined by Todd Stiefel, of the Stiefel Freethought Foundation as co-host. We had a great time, and the masterful editing by Jes greatly enhanced the flow. Music from our artists are intertwined effortlessly while somehow remaining contextually relevant to the conversation. I’m thoroughly impressed, and I highly recommend this to anyone wanting to have a taste of what Rock Beyond Belief will be like.

From AHA’s Humanist Hour:

In this month’s audio podcast, listen to Jes Constantine and guest interviewer, Todd Stiefel, speak with Justin Griffith about his experience as an atheist in the U.S. Army and, more specifically, about failing the Spiritual Fitness component of the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness test and turning that experience into a freethought activist opportunity with Rock Beyond Belief. Also: don’t forget to celebrate Darwin Day this February 12th! Happy Birthday, Charles!

Links from this month’s episode:

Rock Beyond Belief: RockBeyondBelief.com
Fort Bragg’s Military Atheists and Secular Humanists (M.A.S.H): meetup.com
Triangle Freethought Society: TriangleFreethoughtSociety.org
Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers: MAAF.info
Steifel Freethought Foundation: SteifelFreethoughtFoundation.org
International Darwin Day Foundation: DarwinDay.org

Podcast RSS Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HNN_Podcast

Music from this month’s episode (in order of appearance):

“What you want” by Spoonboy
“When I was 4″ and “You don’t have to be a scientist to do experiments on your own heart” by Jeffrey Lewis

Editor’s Note: Though we recommend subscribing to our podcast using a program like iTunes, you can start listening right now by downloading audio file directly:

Direct Download: http://aha-files.s3.amazonaws.com/63/95/5/1913/thh58.mp3 (right click the link to save the mp3 file or left click to listen).

Tags: American Humanist Association, Foxhole Atheist, Jes Constantine, Justin Griffith, MASH, Soldier Fitness Tracker, Spiritual Fitness, Todd Stiefel

About the Author

Justin Griffith is the Military Director for American Atheists. Justin is spearheading Fort Bragg's 'Rock Beyond Belief' atheist festival, and demanding equal treatment for foxhole atheists - including local groups who are currently banned from even meeting on post. After failing the Army's mandatory Spiritual Fitness testing, the remedial training told Justin he could improve his Spiritual Fitness by starting an 'online blog'. You may have heard about it. :) "*Foxhole atheists are fighting for your rights. Please return the favor.*"

Important / FAQs

For Military service members

- How do I fix my official records to say 'ATHEIST'?
In just 5 minutes you can change your records. Walk-throughs provided for all DoD branches. Air Force Navy and Marine Corps can do so online.

- Why should I avoid "NO-REL-PREF" as my religious preference on my official records?
This is a debate-ending reason to fix your records. Also, NRP is just incorrect. Atheists don't have a religion, however, you *do* have a preference about religion.

- How can I avoid saying "So help me god?" and avoid signing contracts with the phrase?
Many service members respectfully refuse, and they are fully within their legal rights to do so. You may face some flack from uninformed superiors, but you will definitely win any challenge they throw at you. Contact me if you need to.

- How one NCO got prayer removed from ceremonies.
Not all service members will have this opportunity but if you are in a position to make a difference, this is a play-by-play of an epic victory.

[Expect this list to grow quite a bit.]

For Civilians

- How can civilians help foxhole atheists?
In as little as 30 seconds you can make a huge difference. Add your phone call or email to a stack of other voices demand justice.

- I like to click on things - can I help?
Yes! Use those sharing buttons, help us spread the word. Join the American Atheists Military facebook group to directly interact with a large number of foxhole atheists. Like the RBB page for blog-post and festival-related discussion.

- How can civilians help to make it safer for service members to be openly atheist?
Show up to Rock Beyond Belief 2 at Camp Pendleton (San Diego, CA).Be a part of history, and stand with us in solidarity in great numbers.

- I hate all of you military thugs, what should I do?
Read this. If you still feel a burning desire to argue with or mock us, please leave your comment in that thread.

Free Thought | Free Festival

The free festival on Fort Bragg's Main Post Parade Field was a massive success! Expect updates, highlights, and other footage over the next few months.

UPDATE: A second festival is in the works for Camp Pendleton - a large Marine Corps base near San Diego, CA. Summer 2013

Like us on Facepalm

The painless way to support Rock Beyond Belief is to 'Like' us on Facebook. It takes 3 seconds. You do support the troops... don't you?

Even more Facepalm
A really awesome Facebook group, American Atheists Military is uniting service members, veterans and supportive civilians. This is where a lot of important issues are first discovered, and brought to light. There is a constant stream of foxhole atheists correcting their dog tags to say 'ATHEIST' and putting them up on the wall. Throw yours up there! No 'anti-war' or 'anarchist' trolling, please.

For those of you wanting to connect directly with Justin Griffith on facebook, there are still a few spots left.

Contact:

Justin Griffith on
Facebook
Twitter
Email

Journalists / bloggers etc: please mention so if your query is time sensitive in the subject line.

Disclaimer

No authors are speaking on behalf of the DoD, or the US Military.

Rock Beyond Belief

Foxhole Atheists are fighting for your rights, please return the favor.

Humanist Hour interview with ‘foxhole atheist’ Justin Griffith

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