Atheist Soldier Sues Army for Harassment

An atheist soldier is suing the US military for harassment after commanders pressured him to find faith, the Topeka Capital-Journal reports. One officer broke into Jeremy Hall's atheist meeting in Iraq last year and said, “People like you are going against what the founding fathers, who were Christians, wanted for America!” according to Hall's sworn statement, the New York Times reports.

“They don’t trust you,” Hall said. “The message is, ‘It’s a Christian nation, and you need to recognize that.’” Hall was eventually sent home to Kansas after receiving threats from fellow soldiers. His lawsuit, filed last month, names several defendants—including Defense Secretary Robert Gates. (More religion stories.)