My name is Paul Loebe and I am a Marine Sergeant. I am stationed at Camp Pendleton and I am an atheist. I’m working on this:
In the beginning
I spent a quarter century of my life heavily involved in church as a Bible-thumping believer. Then came the fateful day when I began to compare the teachings of the Bible alongside historical and scientific data and my path towards recognizing my cognitive dissonance began. Needless to say the mindless drivel that guides religious faith fell apart before my eyes and I was left feeling lost, alone, and without a sense of purpose in my life. Once the emotional drama within me faded and I began to look at the world without faith I saw it enshrined with a beauty that had been hidden by the blinders of “childlike faith”.
That was three years ago. In the last six months I discovered I am not alone. I had no knowledge of a secular community. I had no knowledge that fellow atheists existed around the world. I had no knowledge that you were all as convicted and passionate as I.
First contact
I first contacted Justin Griffith to express my adulation that 39% of my platoon consisted of non-believers or atheists. This astounding statistic surprised me to say the least. During that brief conversation I expressed an intense interest in continuing on with the momentum of the event that Justin had put on in Fort Bragg, NC. Perhaps it was the conviction in my voice or the manner in which I expressed no fear of repudiation in the fight for equality that I was about to embark upon but he fervently threw his support behind me.
Justin explained that the powerful Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) had actually stopped doing massive evangelical festivals on military bases in response to his atheist event. He seemed reluctant to ‘just do a festival’ for the sake of doing a festival. I was about to deliver him bad news: BGEA was not the only game in town.
Jesus Camp – Pendleton edition
I knew that Camp Pendleton had a very cozy relationship with a multitude of church organizations and that that was only the tip of the iceberg. As I researched more and more I became disturbed at just how many different units were directly involved with the Christian indoctrination aboard Camp Pendleton.
The largest organization in question is the Armor of Light. They are an offshoot of the Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. It took me quite a bit of digging to connect the dots between these organizations and their extremely close relationships with units aboard Camp Pendleton. Allow me to entertain you quickly with a brief history of this specific church.
–It was founded in 1965 by Chuck Smith and in 1968 quickly turned into a megachurch movement with their Pentecostal brand of fundamental evangelism.
–They have spawned over 1,000 churches and are very influential in the Southern California area…especially aboard Camp Pendleton.
–In 1980 the entire church stood by awaiting the world’s end with a candlelight vigil on new year’s eve because of a ‘revelation’ that Pastor Smith received from Jesus. Well, I’m guessing you can figure out how that turned out.
–CCCM is so extreme that the son of Chuck Smith was ‘disowned’ by his father’s church for being open, accepting, and loving to people outside of their rigid belief system when he opened a liberal church of his own just down the street from his father.
–The military outreach program is the Armor of Light. They are deeply embedded within individual units, sponsor family days, prayer days, concerts, and rallies all aboard base with the explicit permission of Camp Pendleton.
–US Government facilities and active-duty personnel are being utilized on a massive scale with alarming frequency.
We can do this the easy way…
To be quite honest with you I could care less what people choose to believe. I could care less how people choose to live their lives. I could care less who or what people worship as long as they allow me the same privileges afforded under the constitution. But sometimes we don’t always get what we want. And then there’s stubborn individuals like myself who refuse to take “no” for an answer. I froth at the mouth when I’m told my beliefs don’t rate equally.
I began corresponding with the Marine Corps Community Services in order to see exactly what I would need in order to get an event aboard Camp Pendleton that would serve the needs of the “godless”: the non-theists, atheists, agnostics, skeptics, and freethinkers. I was met with trepidation and given no clear answer as to exactly what I would need to have a successful event.
Given limited resources and minimal assistance on precisely how to get an approved event put together I proceeded to get the funding required and got American Atheists on board. With the assistance of friends, a list was put together with potential talent. I continued to feed information to the base organizers and received little to no indication on whether or not I was moving ahead to properly get the event put together. Basically, I was being ignored. I’m guessing they didn’t take me seriously.
Or we can do this the hard way
After two weeks of this they finally did take notice! American Atheists submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request on the activities that took place on base involving the Christian organizations and churches that put together concerts, family days, prayer breakfasts, food drives, and luncheons; many of them held during working hours.
The very next day I was called into the office and stood tall while getting yelled at for over an hour. Assaulted with claims of improper political activity and jumping the chain of command I was ordered to cease all activity for the event. I was denied the very rights I was serving my country to defend! I immediately began filing paperwork to speak directly to the Commanding Officer and Justin Griffith and others in the foxhole atheist community got me in touch with the Military Religious Freedom Foundation and its founder Mikey Weinstein.
Immediately after submitting my paperwork and becoming a MRFF client, the illogical order to stop my attempts to celebrate with my peers who share my religious preference was rescinded. The Marine Corps has graciously accepted the offer to work with me on putting together the next Rock Beyond Belief.
However, some of the statements they are making are troubling. They might not allow it to happen and their reasons are alarmingly ludicrous and beyond my comprehension: from the fact that there are no atheist chaplains, to the ‘fact’ that there is no precedent for an event like this (untrue), and the illegality of not supporting my religious preference as they have supported the Christians which goes in direct violation of the Joint Ethics Regulation that guides all branches of the military. Justin tells me that he fought all of these battles too. His advice has essentially helped me sidestep a year’s worth of scrambling.
With the help of organizations like MRFF and AA, the freethinking community, liberal Christians, the organizations that stand for liberty, and the public at large I will not stop and will not rest until those of us; the skeptics, the freethinkers, the liberty hounds, the philosophers, the empiricists, those who claim “I don’t believe”, and those who claim “I don’t know” are afforded the same opportunities.
I need your help! I cannot do this alone. Spread the word. Come out to the free festival – civilians are welcome. More details will be forthcoming, but here are a few great reasons to make the trip:
Nate Phelps – Greta Christina – Dave Silverman – Michael Shermer
I’ll be bringing you frequent updates about the upcoming Rock Beyond Belief 2. I’ll See you at Camp Pendleton summer 2013.
-Paul Loebe
Disclaimer: Although I am an active duty Marine Sergeant I do not speak on behalf of the U.S. Marine Corps, the Department of Defense, or any affiliated branches.
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47 comments
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Mike de Fleuriot
May 19, 2012 at 2:18 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I guess it takes more than one whack on the nose for the US Mil to understand the rules of the house.
John C. Welch
May 19, 2012 at 2:21 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Awesomeness. A marine event is one they can’t blow off as easily, given the stature of Marines in american society.
julian
May 19, 2012 at 2:38 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Good luck.
I hate every Marine I’ve ever met from Camp Pendleton but fuck it. If it’ll give me an opportunity to piss on the motto “God, Country, Corps” I will gladly find one of those assholes to stay with for this.
brentbeberstein
May 19, 2012 at 2:54 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
this is awesome! I would love to bring my whole family! We will be there!
Praccuglia
May 19, 2012 at 2:55 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Very interesting , I used to be part of the Calvary chapel cult here in Miami . That’s we’re I became an #atheist.
I will never forget when the “pastor” said 7 yes ago: if the rapture comes now the government will run solo! I stood up and that was the last day! I was already an atheist I just didn’t realize it at the time.
Thank you very much for sharing
Tweeter — Praccuglia
bluesyfish
May 19, 2012 at 3:02 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
As the mother of a newly sworn in Marine with solid atheist beliefs, I am glad to find this blog and learn about your work. I have coached my son for years on being careful about revealing his atheism. I look forward to following your blog and reading all the other links and blogs of the work done by people with and ahead of you. My son will be at Camp Pendleton sometime in the next few months and I am quite relieved to find he’ll have others with whom he can share his opinions without fear of assault or punishment. Thank you so much for the work you are doing!
Lee
May 19, 2012 at 3:29 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Right on man. I’m excited to see that this is becoming an annual event. I’m really excited to see it stretch to other branches as well. Maybe next year the Navy or Air Force will take the reigns and it will continue to roll through every branch. Best of luck with everything.
gladiejaffe
May 19, 2012 at 3:36 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This is fantastic! Bringing constitutional guarantees to the brave Marines that directly protect them!! My sister and I would love to volunteer… Who shall we contact to work on this event?
Lady Godfrey
May 19, 2012 at 4:10 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This one I could logistically attend -- I will be there if I can. Please try to get Tim Minchin to perform!
Dez
May 19, 2012 at 4:34 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yay!! This will only be a couple hours from where I live. Count me in!!
sc_0371f7f781a8f9e74dab148e02e18da2
May 19, 2012 at 5:11 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I for one will be there and will help you in any way possible. As a former SSG US Army I am fighting my own fight as a civilian in King, NC. You can read about me here.
You are not alone and we will draw the line taking a stand for our liberties as equal Americans.
Steven Hewett
David Diskin
May 19, 2012 at 5:12 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hello! I’m from Camp Quest West here in California and we would love to be a part of this event — much like we were at the Reason Rally and regional events all over.
Please contact me and let’s chat.
shanti
May 19, 2012 at 5:14 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
THANK YOU for all that you do. The least this government could do is honor, respect, and support all of the military men and women.
Tsu Dho Nimh
May 19, 2012 at 5:31 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
It’s a lot closer than Fort Bragg :)
Robin
May 19, 2012 at 5:41 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Check in with Penn Jillette of Penn&Teller @pennjillette on Twitter. If plans can be made far enough in advance maybe he and/or Teller could make a video appearance or be there in person. I saw a picture of an “Atheist Christmas Tree” that was decorated with pictures of famous atheists, secularists and free thinkers. That led me to think of a nativity creche that substituted a Flying Spaghetti Monster for Baby Jesus. Anybody out there up to trying it out?
Pierce R. Butler
May 19, 2012 at 5:42 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
“Armor of Light” -- hmmm.
Does their material feature an M-1 Abrams tank as drawn by Thomas Kincaide?
Justin Griffith
May 19, 2012 at 5:56 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Robin -- way ahead of you
andrewcollins
May 19, 2012 at 8:44 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, reside in BC, and am an active atheist, member of CFI Canada, Vancouver Skeptics etc:
As a British Ex-Pat the hypocrisy of the USA regarding separation of church and state astounds me. Britain is far more secular yet has an established state religion, the Church of England, which has managed to exist in a secular society without imposing itself on the populace the way Christian sects do in the US.
Unfortunately religion is a profitable moneymaking business in the US which spawns a huge number of odious shysters. I head one speak last Wednesday, calling himself Terry Riddle, an ex-Marine, young Earth creationist. His presentation was a mass of cherry-picking, fact distortion and outright lies. I found him one of the most odious people I have ever encountered. He is in fact Mike Riddle:
http://www.answersingenesis.org/events/bio.aspx?speaker_id=46
The guy was not even using his correct name!
Cheyla
May 19, 2012 at 9:36 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Absolutely awesome!!!
Rike
May 19, 2012 at 11:26 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Paul Loebe, you rock! You rock beyond belief! If at all possible, we will be there!
Ted Rodosovich
May 20, 2012 at 12:45 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
OO_RAH!
Some of the fiercest warriors in history were not Christians, not Evangelicals, not Fundies. Just go to godchecker.com and take a lookie at all the gods our form of primate has created over the millenia. I am a 70 yr old partial West Pointer (2 yrs.). I boxed corps_wide (Heavywt. Brigade Champ 1960-61) along with a chap named Frank Reasoner USMC. Played pro football in the U.S. & Canada (1965-66). Lifelong buddy with Clyde William (Bill) Muter USMC. Others. Have the greatest admiration for the Marines & SEALs.
Check out my fave god, Bumba, of Africa. His creation of the universe is the way I react to the Fundy-Evangy Christians …
; 7 )
Dakota
May 20, 2012 at 3:10 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m here on pendleton now, but unfortunately I will not be in the area next summer. I think that this is just great though and will be passing the word to as many people and Marines as I can!!!
Larry
May 20, 2012 at 4:48 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I think this is great. Justin did a great job and I admire him for his tenacity and committment, but he is only one guy. The more people who pick up the baton the better. Acceptance will come for us and isn’t that the main thing we want?
There is one problem though with what you wrote. Did you really mean to say we are all convicted? That’s certainly something I’m trying to avoid. Perhaps you meant “committed”? Or maybe you meant we stick to our “convictions”. Just please don’t make us “convicts”.
Good luck!!!
charleskellogg
May 20, 2012 at 11:30 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Have you contacted the San Diego Coalition of Reason yet? It is a partnership of 15 secular organizations in the San Diego area. There may be a lot of resources available to you there. As a Navy veteran and atheist, I look forward to attending this next summer.
Graham Martin-Royle
May 20, 2012 at 11:52 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Quick question from a foreigner, where is this? I wouldn’t mind a holiday in the states next year and it would be fun to take in something like this if possible.
charleskellogg
May 20, 2012 at 12:11 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Graham, Camp Pendleton is just north of San Diego, Ca. Lots of other great activites available in the area.
redpanda
May 20, 2012 at 12:37 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Let me guess, it was your idiot company Gunny (former drill instructor ofc) that flipped the fuck out on you when your CO informed him you had been talking directly to the base staff?
I hated those guys so much. Complete inability to think outside the box and do anything other than yell at people when anything doesn’t automatically fall into line. A good friend of mine is a Major, and he has the exact same opinion of them.
Paul Loebe
May 20, 2012 at 3:34 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks again for all the support! I’ll keep all of you informed of updates as much as I can.
Marlon
May 20, 2012 at 4:37 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
julian says:
May 19, 2012 at 2:38 pm
Good luck.
I hate every Marine I’ve ever met from Camp Pendleton but fuck it. If it’ll give me an opportunity to piss on the motto “God, Country, Corps” I will gladly find one of those assholes to stay with for this.
________________________________________________________________
Can you honestly say you hate Marines? Where can a Marine who doesnt believe in God go to train?
I will go, folks live in Cardiff. I just love the atheism.
Marlon
May 20, 2012 at 5:01 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Paul Loebe please email me. ASAP
michaelfedo
May 20, 2012 at 10:26 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
<--Marine, atheist, and proud of it. Just because I don't put the uniform on any more, doesn't mean I won't dig in and help make this happen.
I was at Pendleton from 2000 to 2003. I bit my tongue and went along with the embedded Christian culture there (seriously, there is zero representation of any other faith) and once-once!- at a Marine Corps Ball I had the audacity to snicker during one Captain's way-too-long story of him finding God (ok, it was bad timing but you should have heard this guy). It's everywhere in the Corps. And when you stop and actually let your brain housing group process the thought that we are supposed to have not just separation of church and state, but you're surrounded by all these upper-level SNCO's and lifers whose midlife crisis consisted of becoming evangelical Christians..it hits you hard.
They are everywhere and are taking part of a culture that has become corrupted.
So fuck 'em. As Chesty once said "They are in front of us, behind us, and we are flanked on both sides by an enemy that outnumbers us 29:1. They can't get away from us now!"
Graham Martin-Royle
May 21, 2012 at 4:56 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
@charleskellogg: Thanks, California eh? That just makes me wanna be there even more. Starting to save the pennies now.
truthspeaker
May 21, 2012 at 6:19 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I can’t speak for the author, but using “convicted” in that way is part of fundamentalist/evangelical Christian jargon. Like any cult, they have their own vocabulary to differentiate themselves from outsiders.
twincats
May 21, 2012 at 6:44 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I am beside myself!! I read about this year’s RBB on Ed’s and PZ’s blogs and hads a sad I couldn’t get all the way out to Ft. Bragg.
I live in the I.E. so Pendleton is totes doable and I am making my plans now!
JesusChrist
May 21, 2012 at 8:17 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
My name is Jesus and I’m agnostic and who the fuck cares? Just ROCK. Being proud of not believing something is as retarded as believing in a fake man-fairy in the sky. Are you all little girls? Shut. the. fuck. up. And. ROCK.
Marlon
May 21, 2012 at 8:28 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Dear Jesus Christ,
You don’t exist. And never will. I am not crazy.
B/C We rule the land
A/D We rule once again.
-MM
Paul Loebe
May 21, 2012 at 9:48 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You’re right. Convicted was the wrong word to use. My bad. Like I said…former fundamentalist. It takes awhile to lose the lingo ;-P
LOL
navinjohnson
May 22, 2012 at 7:43 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Navy veteran and atheist from Orlando, FL. My family and myself will be there! Is there a way to contribute to the event?
PaulSven
May 22, 2012 at 10:36 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I did a lot of audio /video work aboard Camp Pendleton -- with the band program, the Wilcox range, 11 Area Fitness Center, etc. After the wars started up, my business dried up. I enjoyed my friends in the corps but religion was simply something that wasn’t discussed unless it was Christianity.
I am so happy about the Rock Beyond Belief events. I live in SD and will be at the event. It would be great to get some of the SD news to cover it although San Diego is so damn conservative when it comes to religion.
Rock on!
catburns
May 22, 2012 at 12:20 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
“I was denied the very rights I was serving my country to defend!”
Nothing upset me more then this statement. It’s ludicrous! You have done a wonderful job! Stay strong, keep the unfaith! I will support in anyway I can!
Zach Sneddon
May 22, 2012 at 8:49 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
It’s heartening to see the burgeoning of reason in an unreasonable world. Keep us posted.
debbieabrams
May 28, 2012 at 12:45 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m an officer in the AF (formerly AD and now a reservist at March ARB) and will retire in a few years. As I get closer to retirement, I get more and more fed up with hiding my lack of belief in a god. This rally just got me off my tush and I posted the link on my Facebook page. I will be there, no question. Before I retire I want to be surrounded by other military members like me, at least once.
Paul Loebe
May 28, 2012 at 2:48 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Debbie,
You are awesome! Stop hiding in fear. I am also on facebook. Please add me.
Ken
May 28, 2012 at 7:35 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Bravo, Paul! I live right up the road in Temecula and I’ll do anything I can to support this event -- including attending it gleefully. And great kudos to you for helping to get it up and running. If I never saw one of those obnoxious NOTW decals again, it would still be too soon.
Doug Littrell
June 3, 2012 at 8:12 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Great work. Keep it up! This movement is beginning to take a deep hold in many and spreading.
Ted Rodosovich
June 7, 2012 at 4:53 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Amen, Brother! ’bout time …
AF Capt
June 8, 2012 at 9:33 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Keep up the great work!! I will be there if I can.