Published: April 30, 2008 12:25 am            

Right to believe in not believing

In this space a few years ago I wrote a piece concerning a satiric parody religion designed to mock traditional beliefs.

The “goddess” of this parody religion is the Invisible Pink Unicorn.

In the piece I poked fun at atheists, some of whom say traditional Christian beliefs are as credible as believing in an Invisible Pink Unicorn.

After the column was published I received a letter from a lady who took me to task, basically asking what gave me the right to ridicule those who choose to believe in nothing beyond the here and now, nothing beyond what they can hear, feel and touch.

Actually nothing gives me the right. This nation was founded as much on the principle of freedom from religion as it was freedom of religion.

America’s early settlers didn’t want the government telling them how to worship, so they came to this country to escape religious persecution.

This issue came to light earlier this week when Army Spc. Jeremy Hall filed suit against Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, alleging he has been harassed and his constitutional rights have been violated because he doesn’t believe in God.

Hall’s case seems to fly in the face of the old saying, “there are no atheists in foxholes.” His lack of belief came to light in 2007 when, while serving in Iraq, Hall was involved in a firefight. He was a gunner on a Humvee, and several bullets struck the vehicle’s protective shield near him, but he emerged from the skirmish unhurt.

After the incident, Hall’s commander asked if he believed in God.

“I said, ‘No, but I believe in Plexiglas,’” Hall told the Associated Press. “I’ve never be-lieved I was going to a happy place. You get one life. When I die, I’m worm food.”

How sad.

I acknowledge I have no right to ridicule atheists, and under the Constitution no one has a right to discriminate against anyone for any matter of race, religion or gender.

I can feel sorry for them, however, and I do.

Hall has been called immoral, a devil worshipper and even gay. When the suit was filed, in September, Hall was in Qatar. When his fellow soldiers learned of the suit, he feared for his own safety. Once a group of soldiers followed and harassed him. The Army said it couldn’t protect him overseas and shipped him back to Fort Riley, Kan., where he is a military police team leader.

Christians are called upon to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.” So we do, some directly and boldly, others more quietly, preferring to let the example of their lives speak for them.

For some, however, the words ring hollow. For them the promises of eternal life are as empty as the chances of running across an Invisible Pink Unicorn anytime soon.

I feel sorry for them. How hopeless it must be to believe there is nothing to look forward to beyond this mortal coil. When an atheist loses a loved one, how difficult it must be not to enjoy the assurance that family member truly is in a better place.

How lonely they must be to have no one to whom they can turn, anywhere, anytime, under any circumstance. Prayer is an amazing gift. Not that the answers always suit us, but we can always ask.

Believers have another benefit — we are part of a large, worldwide family.

I was not raised in the church, was not a “cradle Christian.” I began my faith journey in young adulthood. I wonder how much better I would have coped with my teenage angst had I had someone besides my parents and friends to turn to?

Jeremy Hall does not deserve to be harassed or discriminated against.

It might not hurt to pray for him, however.



Mullin is senior writer of the News & Eagle.