Freethought & Rationalism Archive

beejay · 04-08-2003, 01:53 PM

I just can't believe this guy gets 500 gallons of water when soldiers are complaining that they don't have enough water to drink. :banghead:

Is this really true? How do we get this to change?

GaryP · 04-09-2003, 05:02 PM

American Atheists are calling for an investigation of this guy;

"This is absolutely outrageous," said Kathleen Johnson, Military
Director for American Atheists. "This is totally inappropriate and
unconstitutional behavior by an officer in the military. He is
exploiting the harsh conditions our troops in Iraq are encountering in
order to further a sectarian religious agenda."

Johnson said that military chaplains are "embedded' with troops to
minister to those who might voluntarily seek out counseling or an
opportunity to practice their faith. "This guy is trying to 'lure'
potential converts, and he is preying on vulnerable, stressed-out
military men and women who are risking their lives in combat. The
military should investigate Llano's coercive and even possibly illegal
activities. Pastor Llano should share water and other resources with
ALL needy troops."

"He's using government resources to advance his particular religious
agenda, and doesn't seem to realize that there are plenty of soldiers
who do not agree with his particular creed, or in any creed at all,"
said Ms. Johnson.

From AANEWS

http://atheists.org/

Ab_Normal · 04-09-2003, 05:14 PM

Here's a Houston Chronicle article about the response so far from the military:

Quote:

A chaplain from Houston assigned to the Army V Corps support unit in Iraq is now the focus of an Army inquiry for his practice of offering soldiers a dip into his 500-gallon pool if they agree to be baptized.

A newspaper article about Josh Llano, 32, generated numerous e-mails and phone calls, said Lt. Col. Eric Wester, a chaplain and spokesman for the Chaplain Corps based in Virginia.

Wester said the article, and the response, got the immediate attention of the corps' chief, Maj. Gen. Gaylord T. Gunhus, who has requested that top chaplain officials looked into whether the article was accurate.

"The chief was immediately concerned about the nature of this article and negative reflection that it casts," Wester said. "The question then arose to what degree is the information in the article accurate. The content of the article clearly raises immediate questions."

At least they're looking into it... but I'm not holding my breath.

Mageth · 04-09-2003, 05:19 PM

Typical idiot Baptist. If he'd had a 500-gallon vat of whiskey instead, he'd have gotten a lot more converts.

MacPrince · 04-09-2003, 06:41 PM

The asshole deserves to have a bunker buster dropped on him and his "baptismal pool".

Toto · 04-09-2003, 10:09 PM

<moderator hat on>

It does not encourage dialogue or rational inquiry to wish violence on those with whom we disagree.

So no bunker bombs for the Baptist. There's been enough killing already.

Johnny Mayberry · 04-10-2003, 09:36 AM

Nice...blackmail and bribery are cornerstones of religion anyway, isn't it?

Gooch's dad · 04-10-2003, 02:05 PM

Ms. Heathen, that was a great letter! Kudos!

(off to fire off my own diatribe)

Jabu Khan · 04-10-2003, 02:37 PM

Heres another article thats related:
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/iraq1.htm
The Southern Baptists are trying to win a contract to distribute aid in Iraq. Since the Samaritan's Purse already has one and the SB are one of Bush's strongest supportersI have a feeling they're gonna get one.

nj_heathens · 04-11-2003, 07:17 AM

Gooch's Dad,

I wish I could take credit for writing that letter. Hell, I wish I could even tell you that I took the time to use it to write one of my own. But, I didn't do either. My apologies if my cut-n-paste job made it appear that I was the author. I believe the author is the Different Strings blogger, whoever s/he may be. You might stop by that site to deliver your kudos. It's absolutely well deserved.

Of course, now that we know the Chaplain Corps Chief is getting an earful about one of his own, there's no reason why those of us who haven't already shared our thoughts on this matter with Major General Gunhus couldn't still do that now (aka piling on).

If we really want Llano disciplined as we think he should be, we should continue to bombard his superiors with inquiries as to the status of the investigation.

[stepping down from soapbox to send my own email NOW]

Mrs. Heathen

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04-08-2003, 01:53 PM	#11
beejay Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Richmond IN Posts: 375	I just can't believe this guy gets 500 gallons of water when soldiers are complaining that they don't have enough water to drink. :banghead: Is this really true? How do we get this to change?

04-09-2003, 05:02 PM	#12
GaryP Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lancaster, OH Posts: 1,792	American Atheists are calling for an investigation of this guy; "This is absolutely outrageous," said Kathleen Johnson, Military Director for American Atheists. "This is totally inappropriate and unconstitutional behavior by an officer in the military. He is exploiting the harsh conditions our troops in Iraq are encountering in order to further a sectarian religious agenda." Johnson said that military chaplains are "embedded' with troops to minister to those who might voluntarily seek out counseling or an opportunity to practice their faith. "This guy is trying to 'lure' potential converts, and he is preying on vulnerable, stressed-out military men and women who are risking their lives in combat. The military should investigate Llano's coercive and even possibly illegal activities. Pastor Llano should share water and other resources with ALL needy troops." "He's using government resources to advance his particular religious agenda, and doesn't seem to realize that there are plenty of soldiers who do not agree with his particular creed, or in any creed at all," said Ms. Johnson. From AANEWS http://atheists.org/

04-09-2003, 05:19 PM	#14
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	Typical idiot Baptist. If he'd had a 500-gallon vat of whiskey instead, he'd have gotten a lot more converts.

04-09-2003, 06:41 PM	#15
MacPrince Regular Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: A suburb of Chicago you've probably never heard of Posts: 282	The asshole deserves to have a bunker buster dropped on him and his "baptismal pool".

04-09-2003, 10:09 PM	#16
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	<moderator hat on> It does not encourage dialogue or rational inquiry to wish violence on those with whom we disagree. So no bunker bombs for the Baptist. There's been enough killing already.

04-10-2003, 09:36 AM	#17
Johnny Mayberry Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 12	Nice...blackmail and bribery are cornerstones of religion anyway, isn't it?

04-10-2003, 02:05 PM	#18
Gooch's dad Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Madison WI USA Posts: 3,508	Ms. Heathen, that was a great letter! Kudos! (off to fire off my own diatribe)

04-10-2003, 02:37 PM	#19
Jabu Khan Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: the impenetrable fortress of the bubbleheads Posts: 1,308	Heres another article thats related: http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/iraq1.htm The Southern Baptists are trying to win a contract to distribute aid in Iraq. Since the Samaritan's Purse already has one and the SB are one of Bush's strongest supportersI have a feeling they're gonna get one.

04-11-2003, 07:17 AM	#20
nj_heathens Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ewing, NJ Posts: 447	Gooch's Dad, I wish I could take credit for writing that letter. Hell, I wish I could even tell you that I took the time to use it to write one of my own. But, I didn't do either. My apologies if my cut-n-paste job made it appear that I was the author. I believe the author is the Different Strings blogger, whoever s/he may be. You might stop by that site to deliver your kudos. It's absolutely well deserved. Of course, now that we know the Chaplain Corps Chief is getting an earful about one of his own, there's no reason why those of us who haven't already shared our thoughts on this matter with Major General Gunhus couldn't still do that now (aka piling on). If we really want Llano disciplined as we think he should be, we should continue to bombard his superiors with inquiries as to the status of the investigation. [stepping down from soapbox to send my own email NOW] Mrs. Heathen

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