Lyr Add: Atheists in Foxholes (Alice Shiver)

Subject: Lyr Add: ATHEISTS IN FOXHOLES (Alice Shiver)
From: GUEST,Rikki Tikki
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 08:11 AM

Here's a stirring lyric that denies the old cliche that there are no atheists in foxholes. Cries out for a good tune!

ATHEISTS IN FOXHOLES

By Alice Shiver, 1999
From http://www.ffrf.org/foxholes/

Atheists in foxholes, some say they are myths,
Creations of the mind who just don't exist.

Yet, they answered the call to defend, with great pride.
With reason their watchword, they bled and they died.

They took Saratoga from the British crown,
Secured America's freedom at the Battle of Yorktown.

From Sumter to Appomattox, fields flowed with their blood.
When the cannons grew silent, the flag proudly stood.

From the Marne to the Argonne, in trenches and tanks,
They defeated the Germans -- the whole world gave thanks.

They were bombed at Pearl Harbor, fought on to Berlin.
Many freethinking women served along with the men.

Still war keeps erupting -- Iraq, Bosnia, and Kosovo.
Where is the peace that eludes people so?

It is broken by tyrants who bear crosses and creeds,
That overshadow reason with hate and cruel deeds.

So atheists prevail until your work is complete.
Mothers mourn, children cry, and bigots plan your defeat.

By air, land, and sea, you answer freedom's call.
Without god or faith, you seek liberty for all.

The website tells the story behind the poem. Its author, Alice Shiver, read it at the July 4th, 1999 gala of the Alabama Freethought Association, dedicating a monument to atheists in foxholes, who don't get their fair credit when those who've died in our country's wars are mentioned.    --   Rikki

Quoted from the website:

"It's time to dispel one of this nation's greatest myths . . . There are indeed many atheists in foxholes.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation erected its monument to "Atheists in Foxholes" in 1999 at Lake Hypatia, Alabama.

The monument is dedicated to the many members of the military who were "atheists in foxholes," as well as to all freethinkers (atheists, agnostics, and skeptics of any persuasion) who serve in the U.S. military.

The monument reads:

"In memory of ATHEISTS IN FOXHOLES and the countless FREETHINKERS who have served this country with honor and distinction.

"Presented by the national Freedom From Religion Foundation with hope that in the future humankind may learn to avoid all war."

Foundation president Anne Nicol Gaylor originally proposed an "Atheists in Foxholes" monument to replace a cross on public property in San Diego.

The Foundation's formal bid was rejected in favor of religious bidders.

Pat Cleveland invited the Foundation to erect its own monument on land donated by the Cleveland family in rural Alabama, as part of a freethought park. Pat is president of the Alabama Freethought Association, a Foundation chapter which also hosts the national Foundation's southern Freethought Hall and auditorium near Talladega.

"The membership of the Freedom From Religion Foundation includes many veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam," Gaylor noted, "and we also have members who put their lives on the line as police officers and firefighters."

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Atheists in Foxholes
From: Mrrzy
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 12:41 PM

Thanks! I know a bunch of atheist vets...

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Atheists in Foxholes
From: skipy
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 01:14 PM

Any atheist doctors or just vets?
Skipy

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Atheists in Foxholes
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 01:34 PM

Why should anyone assume it would be otherwise?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Atheists in Foxholes
From: Captain Ginger
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 05:40 PM

Thanks for that, even if it's a mite US-centric for my taste. I've met atheists in foxholes, scrapes, sangars and sundry other bits of earth and tin, and I'd always trust one more than any God-botherer - at least they can't claim to have a "get out of shit free" card to play and to have God on their side.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Atheists in Foxholes
From: GUEST,GI Joe
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 06:54 PM

I was a medic korean war while "there are no atheists in fox holes"
may be true or not [define fox hole] or do you mean incomming fire.
When someone is on the way out and they know it [buying the farm] they either want their mother, wife or a clergyman. on mater if they are Cath, Prost, or Jewish a prayer with them makes their passing over a lot easier.