NEW YORK: Atheist Cadet Quits West Point Over Christian Proselytizing
Saying he can no longer stomach incessant proselytizing by his Christian commanders, an atheist cadet at West Point has resigned.
"Countless officers here and throughout the military are guilty of blatantly violating the oaths they swore to defend the Constitution," wrote Blake Page, who was slated to graduate in May. "These men and women are criminals, complicit in light of day defiance of the Uniform Code of Military Justice through unconstitutional proselytism, discrimination against the non-religious and establishing formal policies to reward, encourage and even at times require sectarian religious participation." Page has learned from his superiors at West Point that he will be given an honorable discharge and not be required to pay "recoupment" costs for three and a half years at West Point. He told NBC News that when out-processing is finished, he will move to Minnesota and "continue the work I've started in whatever way I can."Page had established a chapter of the Secular Students Alliance to support non-religious cadets. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation, which advocates on behalf of atheist and non-religious service members, praised Page: "This kid just torched his career in the Army, and his degree at West Point. People should recognize courage when they see it." Commenters at World Net Daily are calling Page every foul name in the book.
Labels: atheism, education, military, New York state, religion, West Point