God and Country. Or Not.

Gays can now sort of join the U.S. Army - even if we hope they don't - but atheists still have to stand in line for equality. It seems the Army considers not just emotional and social but "spiritual" fitness before allowing you to kill for your country. If you don't have God to give you "meaning and purpose in your life," they'll counsel you till you do. A counterpoint is the lucid, funny holiday message from Ricky Gervais on the gifts of atheism. "I see nothing 'wrong' in believing in a god. It's when belief starts infringing on other people's rights when it worries me. I would never deny your right to believe in a god. I would just rather you didn't kill people who believe in a different god."

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