Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers
Encyclopedia
The Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers is an independent 501(c)(3) project of the Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs. It is organized as a community support network with the goal of connecting atheist
, humanist
, and freethinking
personnel of the U.S. military
with each other and with local organizations.
In addition to community services, MAAF educates and trains both the military and civilian community about atheism in the military. It undertakes to identify, examine, and respond to insensitive practices that illegally promote religion over non-religion or unethically discriminate against minority religions and differing beliefs. MAAF supports constitutional separation of church and state
and First Amendment
rights for all service members. MAAF also coordinates with other national organizations who hold similar values.
Atheism
Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities...
, humanist
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
, and freethinking
Freethought
Freethought is a philosophical viewpoint that holds that opinions should be formed on the basis of science, logic, and reason, and should not be influenced by authority, tradition, or other dogmas...
personnel of the U.S. military
Military of the United States
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
with each other and with local organizations.
In addition to community services, MAAF educates and trains both the military and civilian community about atheism in the military. It undertakes to identify, examine, and respond to insensitive practices that illegally promote religion over non-religion or unethically discriminate against minority religions and differing beliefs. MAAF supports constitutional separation of church and state
Separation of church and state
The concept of the separation of church and state refers to the distance in the relationship between organized religion and the nation state....
and First Amendment
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
rights for all service members. MAAF also coordinates with other national organizations who hold similar values.
External links
- Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers website
- Atheists in Foxholes News - MAAF Official Blog
- The Foxhole - MAAF Discussion Forums
- Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs
- Newsweek article about MAAF and Atheists in Foxholes in general.
- Dogma Free America podcast interview with Jason Torpy, President Of The Military Association Of Atheists And Freethinkers