Congressman Todd Akin (R-Missouri, 2nd district) claimed today that all soldiers who aren't religious are poor fighters:
"The other thing that's interesting is that the Marines and some other groups have taken a look at the influence of faith on the fighting man and they find that ... people that are of faith tend to be much better fighters and shouldn't be any surprise to us."
Well, it's a surprise to me...
Akin was appearing on right-wing lawyer Jay Sekulow's daily show
Jay Sekulow Live today to voice his concern over recent efforts to "stifle" the free speech of military chaplains - i.e. objecting over warnings to chaplains not to make their prayers too sectarian. (If you play the recording, the statement quoted is at around 26:45)
I have no idea what sort of research the Marines or anyone else has done into this matter, I doubt it even exists. But I do know is that Congressman Akin is impugning the reputation of every brave soul in uniform who just happens not to believe in the same Judeo-Christian god he does. Disgusting.
And if he's really that worried about the fighting ability of atheists and agnostics, then why isn't he calling for the military to throw all such non-believers out of the services immediately? After all, if those damned non-Christian grunts and generals dragging us down into the quagmire that is Iraq, they need to join the homosexuals on the sidelines so that the "Men of God" can win the war for us.
If he had his way, I don't doubt that is what he'd do.
If you would like to express your feeling on this matter to the congressman, here is his contact page:
http://www.house.gov/...
Update: copy of the email I sent (kept it reasonably polite in the hope of at least getting a response - I would like to see this "evidence" he talked about)
Dear Congressman Akin,
I was listening to your interview on today's "Jay Sekulow Live" about the issue of military chaplains and the freedom to pray as they would wish. While I am not against military chaplains being able to express their first amendment rights, I was appalled to hear you stating that Christian soldiers (or, at the very least, religious military personnel) make "much better fighters" than those who happen to be atheists or agnostics (26 minutes, 45 seconds into the broadcast).
That, sir, is no more than contemptable slur on the many non-religious people who proudly serve with great distinction in the armed forces of the United States.
You made the claim that there is research that backs up your assertion. Please have your staff forward me specific references to that evidence so that I can see it for myself. I find it hard to believe that reliable proof of your assertion really does exist.
Finally, I believe that, at the very least, you owe those fine soldiers a public apology for your deliberate insult of their abilities.
I look forward to hearing your response.