The plan is to hold the event on March 31 [2012] at the main parade field at Fort Bragg, where the Christian-themed Rock the Fort concert was held. Famed atheist Richard Dawkins is scheduled to appear, along with musicians, speakers and other entertainment.
-- From "Army approves atheism-themed concert at Fort Bragg" by Tom Breen, Associated Press 8/8/11
A concert event organized by atheist, agnostic and other non-theist soldiers has been cleared by the Army to take place next spring at Fort Bragg, concert organizers and a spokesman for the post said Monday.
Organizers planned to hold the Rock Beyond Belief event this year, but they canceled after saying Bragg leadership was not providing the same support it gave to an evangelical Christian concert last fall.
The event had its origin in the Rock the Fort concert last fall, which was organized by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Groups like Americans United for the Separation of Church and State opposed the event, saying it was an unconstitutional use of military resources aimed at winning converts to Christianity. Military leaders at the time said any private event, regardless of religious orientation, would receive the same level of support, and Griffith, stationed at Bragg, decided to take them up on that.
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From "Atheists Win Fort Bragg's Consent for 'Godless' Festival" by Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor 8/7/11
Sgt. Justin Griffith, the man behind the festival, says . . . “This just might be the turning point in the foxhole atheist community’s struggle for acceptance, tolerance and respect. It’s an amazing time to be a nonbeliever in the U.S. military on the cusp of a major breakthrough.”
. . . Griffith, with the backing of groups working for church-state separation, last month complained to the Secretary of the Army that the fort was discriminating against certain religious groups.
The atheist festival is aimed at gaining acceptance in armed forces and invites public “free of charge, to see this revolution begin to bear fruit.”
“Vendors are going to be hawking godless books, stickers, t-shirts and of course food and drinks.” The group, which describes itself as “a small grass-roots outfit,” claims the backing of “many major secular and military foundations.”
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Also read Pagan Worship Center Added to Air Force Academy
