MEDIA ADVISORY
November 3, 2015
Contact:
Margaret Downey, (610) 357-9432, [email protected]
Jason Torpy, (202) 656-6623, [email protected]
UnitedCoR’s Executive Director, (202) 744-1553, [email protected]
TWO DAYS WITH THE “CAPTAIN AND THE CHAPLAIN”: ATHEISTS IN FOXHOLES VETERANS DAY EVENT
On Tuesday, November 10, 2015 The Freethought Society will sponsor an evening’s discussion on the need for the inclusion of Humanist chaplains in the U.S. military. The subject of atheists in foxholes will be covered at 7 p.m. in the Skyline Room (4th floor) of the Free Library of Philadelphia located at 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This event will be followed by a celebration confirming that “Yes, there ARE atheists in foxholes” Veterans Day event at the Chester County Historical Courthouse at 11 a.m.
WHO:
Speakers for the event are:
–Margaret Downey, President of The Freethought Society.
–Jason Torpy, former U.S. Army Captain, President of the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, and endorsing agent for the Humanist Society.
–Executive Director for the United Coalition of Reason and first Humanist chaplain applicant for the U.S. Navy.
WHERE:
Tuesday: Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Wednesday: Chester County Historical Courthouse, 2 N. High Street (between Market and Gay Streets), West Chester, Pennsylvania.
WHEN:
Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at 7 p.m. EST.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at 11 a.m. EST.
WHY:
This event is intended to discuss issues of diversity within the U.S. Armed Forces, especially the importance of including humanist chaplains in the U.S. military. Over 13,000 active duty personnel identify as atheists or agnostics and 276,000 individuals have no religious preference, meaning that nonreligious service members outnumber all non-Christian faiths. However, all applications for Humanist military chaplains have so far been rejected. The inclusion of Humanist chaplains in the armed services would meet the vital needs for confidential guidance and comfort of chronically underserved non-theist military members and service members of religious minorities.
MORE INFORMATION:
More information about the case Heap et al v.Hagel et al, No. 1:2014cv01490 – Document 79 (E.D. Va. 2015) can be found at: http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/virginia/vaedce/1:2014cv01490/310314/79/, and http://www.cohenmilstein.com/cases/364/heap-and-the-humanist-society-v-hagel-et-al.
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The Freethought Society (FS) at ftsociety.org promotes freedom of thought, expression and choice. FS also advocates separation of religion and government. FS publishes a quarterly newsletter (The Freethought Society News). The newsletter is delivered as an e-zine only and is complimentary to supporters, donors, like-minded individuals and those who are interested in learning more about freedom of thought. Monthly events take place in many locations across the nation, with emphasis in the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.
The Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers at militaryathiests.org provides direct support and advocacy for humanists and other nontheists serving in our military around the world.
The United Coalition of Reason at unitedcor.org is a nonprofit organization that helps local nontheistic groups work together to achieve higher visibility, increase membership, and have a greater impact in their local areas.
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For more information, contact:
Margaret Downey
President
The Freethought Society
(610) 357-9432
[email protected]
Jason Torpy
President
Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers
(202) 656-6623
[email protected]
UnitedCoR’s Executive Director
Executive Director
United Coalition of Reason
(202) 744-1553
[email protected]
