Foxhole Atheists

Sponsored by:Secular Coalition for America 

Event Location:Zenger Room 

Atheists in Foxholes and the New Administration: A Briefing on Religious Discrimination in the Military

Secular Coalition and Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers Unveil Proposal for Religious Accommodation Policy, November 10, 2008

Washington, DC -- Atheists and others with no religious affiliation make up 21% of the U.S. armed forces, and yet they suffer harassment, discrimination and proselytizing in a military increasingly dominated by a powerful minority of evangelical Christians. Other military personnel who do not hold a born-again Christian belief are similarly marginalized. The Secular Coalition for America and its member group, the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, will host a press conference describing the conditions and present new policy recommendations for the next administration with special focus on the military chaplain corps.

Speakers include an atheist veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and an atheist Army intelligence officer in their first public appearances on this subject. Supporting statements from one or more members of Congress are expected.

WHAT: A Press Conference on Religious Accommodation in the U.S. Military
WHO: Secular Coalition for America Director, Lori Lipman Brown
Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers President, Jason Torpy
Army 1st Lieutenant (retired) Wayne Adkins
Army Reserve Major Laurel Williams
WHERE: National Press Club, Zenger Room, 529 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC
WHEN: Monday, November 10, 2008, 9:45 A.M. EST