Last modified on January 26, 2023, at 13:48

Military

Military (latin: militaris - a soldier) is an adjective meaning relating to, or characteristic of members of the armed forces.

The military is a noun that refers either to the armed forces of a country, or the personnel.

Religion in the military

See also: Religion in the military and There Are No Atheists In Foxholes

Encycylopedia.com states concerning religion in the military:

Religion in the Military. For more than 220 years, religion and religious leaders have provided a source of strength and faith for a total of 55 million Americans who have served in the military forces of the United States. The rigorous demands of military duties—separation from friends and family, training in remote locations, battle, and the possibility of violent death—have mandated support for those who serve and who may potentially lay down their lives for their country.[1]

There are no atheists in foxholes

See also: There Are No Atheists In Foxholes and Atheism and anxiety

Reverend William T. Cummings is famous for declaring "There are no atheists in foxholes".[2]

Reverend William T. Cummings, who served at Bataan, is famous for declaring There are no atheists in foxholes."[2] In addition, Lieutenant Colonel Warren J. Clear, who also served at Bataan, used the expression in an interview printed in U.S. newspapers in the middle of April.[2]

Chaplain F.W. Lawson of the 302d Machine Gun Battalion, who was wounded twice in wartime, declared "I doubt if there is such a thing as an atheist. At least there isn't in a front line trench."[2] Hannah More wrote: "In agony or danger, no nature is atheist. The mind that knows not what to fly to, flies to God."[3]

President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared in remarks broadcast from the White House as part of a February 7, 1954 American Legion Program:

As a former soldier, I am delighted that our veterans are sponsoring a movement to increase our awareness of God in our daily lives. In battle, they learned a great truth-that there are no atheists in the foxholes. They know that in time of test and trial, we instinctively turn to God for new courage…Whatever our individual church, whatever our personal creed, our common faith in God is a common bond among us.[4]

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