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Atheist West Point Cadet Quits the Academy, Citing ‘Christian Proselytizing’ & ‘Criminal’ Constitutional Violations

Dec. 6, 2012 10:31am Billy Hallowell

Blake Page, a former West Point cadet, quit attending the prominent U.S. military academy this week, citing Christian proselytizing and the promotion of prayers and religion. Just shy of graduation, which was just months away, the 24-year-old is now speaking out against faith in the armed forces. He made the shocking announcement that he is leaving the institution on The Huffington Post.

Blake described his current situation as follows:

As I write this, I am five months from graduation. After nearly three and a half years here, there is no reason to suspect that I would be in any way incapable of completing the final requirements and walking across the stage in Michie Stadium with diploma in hand in another 174 days. Choosing to resign at this point also carries significant risk. The Army may seek recoupment in the form of about $200-300k which I will personally owe, or an additional term of up to 5 years of enlisted service. What could possibly compel me to pass over this incredible opportunity in exchange for such harsh penalties?

While there are certainly numerous problems with the developmental program at West Point and all service academies, the tipping point of my decision to resign was the realization that countless officers here and throughout the military are guilty of blatantly violating the oaths they swore to defend the Constitution. These men and women are criminals, complicit in light of day defiance of the Uniform Code of Military Justice through unconstitutional proselytism, discrimination against the non-religious and establishing formal policies to reward, encourage and even at times require sectarian religious participation.

While at West Point, the atheist was heavily involved in campus secularism. He was the president of the West Point Secular Student Alliance, an affiliate for the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers and the first director of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. In a resignation letter to West Point officials, he highlighted his intense issues with the infusion of religious sentiment in the military.

“I do not wish to be in any way associated with an institution which willfully disregards the Constitution of the United States of America by enforcing policies which run counter to the same,” he wrote. “Examples of these policies include mandatory prayer, the maintenance of the 3rd Regiment Shield, awarding extra passes to Plebes who take part in religious retreats and chapel choirs, as well as informal policies such as the open disrespect of non-religious new cadets and incentivizing participation in religious activities through the chain of command.”

Following his announcement, he was granted an honorable discharge and told that he will not need to reimburse the cost of his education, as feared in his initial post divulging the situation. Page was medically disqualified this semester from being in the Army as a second lieutenant over clinical depression and anxiety — conditions that he claims have worsened following his father’s suicide.

Watch the former West Point student, who plans to continue activism against religion in the military, describe his plight on CNN:

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Comments (255)

SidneyDave
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 12:46pm
I did not read anything about the academy forcing anyone to have any religious belief. They only support those that have one. Atheists are not fighting for their rights, they are fighting against others’ rights.

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redfish52
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 12:42pm
The stupid thing is if this cadet (I use that term loosely) had read the school literature about West Point he would have know what he was to be getting into..I put him up there with the fat girl (forgot her name) that tried to get through the Citadel Program. I was living in SC when it was going on and every night, night after night the media followed her just waiting for a male cadet to slip up and do or say something stupid…never happened. Everyone new why she was there and who was pushing her cause. Funny thing is that the next year and fine young lady entered and finished with honor’s. She was from a long line of military and she made us all proud.

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yanki161
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 12:24pm
The article seems contradictory. Was he “medically disqualified this semester” or did he decide to resign this week? I bet the former then he used it for the latter which would make him a big, fat liar.

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Atrocities
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 12:19pm
Oh no, and his behavior as exemplified here had NOTHING to do with him being an unstable douchious momma’s boy throwing a tantrum because for the first time in his life no one will wipe his nose for him on demand.

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Tank McNamara
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 12:12pm
Well. . . . . . bye!

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DZ-015
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 12:10pm
What is the atheist’s version of a “come to Jesus” moment called? This wannabe martyr obviously had one. Is it the potential demand for reimbursement for his educational expenses or the prospect of five years of enlisted service which now upsets him more? Possibly he reached his decision to bail on West Point before learning that Obama plans to leave some US forces in Afghanistan indefinitely. Oops!

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lembrandt
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 12:10pm
Does *anyone* actually believe that this kid entered into West Point completely unaware of what it taught there? Did he really *not* know that at some point he would walk across a stage and have to accept a diploma from a place he so fervently hates?

This is not an act of courage, it is a deliberate act of infiltration to try and bring down religion at West Point from within. This is what the liberals in this country always do – they are offended by something, they then seek to enter into an organization they hate simply so they can try and bring it down to their level, thereby ruining it for all time.

This miserable excuse for a human being says that the military are all criminal for not upholding the Constitution because they support religion…I would *love* to see this case go to court to see a legal case based upon liberals belief that the Constitution protects us *from* religion, when it in fact, protects our freedom *of* religion…of course, if this happened, it could go to the Supreme Court, where John Roberts (under threats from Lord Obama himself) could rule that Christianity is illegal in the US…

Anyway, I hope the US military, at the very least, will pursue restitution for the money this kid now owes them.

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Thornyrose13
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 12:02pm
So, if this young man were a Christian, complaining about constant atheistic proselytizing, would the comments about him be so negative? How about holding off on the ad hominim attacks for just a few minutes, and analyze what he is complaining about. Is there any merit to his complaints? If so, how about addressing them?(and if you find nothing wrong about proselytizing christianity, what if it were islam, or buddhism?) If there is no merit, then he should be required to pay for his education.
Given what it takes to get into West Point, i will give him the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise. A pity others won’t do the same simply because his religious beliefs, or lack of them, differ from their own.

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jojopier
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 12:01pm
Waaaaa, they hurt my feelings.

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AllLost
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:58am
A great education, and does not have to serve in wartime…plus he will be a great paid spokesman for the left. Smart punk.

Let it burn.

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TeresaJ
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:54am
The structure of the military, held for over 200 years, is further proof that the Supreme Court has violated the Constitution in regards to the First Amendment.

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Jim in Houston
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:52am
Don’t let the door hit you in the @ss on your way out sonny. You don’t have what it takes to be an officer in our military.

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- Marine25
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:57am
  What he doesn’t have is tolerance for people who believe in fairies.
  
  Report this comment
- Metallicat
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 12:28pm
  Someone really makes Marines look bad. But since they started letting fairies openly prance around in the Marine corps,is it any wonder?
  
  Report this comment
- themachinist239
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 4:02pm
  “they started letting fairies openly prance around in the Marine corps”
  
  Tell that to a gay Marine’s face who puts his life on the line for his country like anyone else, and he’d punch your head right off.
  
  Report this comment
- Wiley41
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 6:10pm
  Machinist . All take that bet . Should be able to find and the two females. Right there what 3 gay marines now total. I’ll take the other 249,997 Marines that were just fine with the Corps prior to this political statement nonsense. But don’t need them, I’d punch his pansy a@@ back put him the guard and break his arms
  
  Report this comment
canadianlady
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:50am
Put two and two together and you’ll come up with the answer on this story. This kid obviously can’t cut it in Military Academy. Depression my ass! The kid just can’t cut it, so he’s pulling a Jesse Jackson, Jr. He’d rather blame his lack of discipline, intelligence and self-control on Christians than take responsibility for himself.

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- Metallicat
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 12:34pm
  Like
  
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BACKUPOFFMYLIBERTY
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:49am
What a little girl. The military isn’t for whiners. I’m glad he was finally weeded out. What an incredible opportunity and honor he is flushing down the toilet. I’m glad though, because it shows he didn’t deserve it in the first place. And the fuss is over what? He couldn’t handle someone else’s faith or opinions?? Welcome to America, dude! He should have just shut his mouth, but instead he’ll always be a quitter.

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willyman57
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:43am
Good Ridence……… I am pleased he is gone! Let him go and pay for his own education and let the real men and women protect our nation! God bless America!

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taintso
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:40am
Sounds like he wanted the education and not the commitment. Perhaps we will hear about him again after he gets his pilot training. Or becomes a leader of one of the homegrown group.

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tdmonkey
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:28am
I graduated from West Point only 4 years ago and this guy is wrong. There was no pressure to attend services or religious activities. We were made aware of the different chapels available and if we were interested we could get information about their activities ourselves. During Beast (basic training), we were allowed 2 hours a week for religious activities. People who did not go were able to sleep in an extra hour on Sunday, and catch up studying their knowledge (information about the Army and the Academy that we all had to memorize and pass off to the upper classmen) on Wednesday. While they did have a prayer before 3 or 4 meals each year, no one was required to participate. He could have stayed seated and tuned the prayer our. He also mentions that freshman in religious clubs got extra passes. Not true. There were trip sections (think field trips), but they were all participating in activities. A pass is permission to leave on your own for a certain amount of time (a weekend or a holiday). A trip section is an Academy sanctioned trip to participate in an activity. They have many more non-religious trip sections than they do religious. Is he suggesting that any religious trip sections be banned? This sounds like discrimination. No one at the Academy kept this cadet from worshiping (or not) as he wanted to. But he seems to want to limit Christians’ ability to worship the way we want to.

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- jettson
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 10:18am
  What a waist of money and time in this guy. There is someone that didn’t get in to West Point so this guy can pull this crap. Get the hell out then. Thank you Tdmonkey I’m glad someone told the truth. We all have to stop this kind of slime.
  
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Zeke48
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:23am
I’m a disabled combat Vet., and I wouldn’t want this coward leading my Son or Daughter into any battle, let alone being in his command. He did us a favor. God Bless America. He can believe what he wants, it just goes beyond Religion with him. Sounds like he needs help.

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athiest-infedel
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:19am
what a jerk for letting little things like going again the constitution bother him, once again the point is missed and all you can do is slam the athiest for not beliving in the great sky daddy.

defiance of the Uniform Code of Military Justice through unconstitutional proselytism, discrimination against the non-religious and establishing formal policies to reward, encourage and even at times require sectarian religious participation.

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kaydeebeau
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:16am
Hey all you millitant athiest morons – Shut UP – pay attention to the history of any org you wish to infiltrate to understand the mission –

I have had it up to “here” with the militant athiests” – don’t like it – make another choice – still don’t like it – respect the ideals of the rest of us.

We are founded as In God We Trust – don’t like – it – live with it or find a country that subscribes to your “ideals”

I will turn my cheek – but I am running out of cheeks.

You can ignore, not believe in the Soverignty of God Almighty – or still be mired in the falsehoods of the world – you can deny God Almighty – fine – just STOP trying to convince the rest of us .

I am required to tell you the good news of Jesus christ. You are free to disregard that message,

You militant athiests are trying to silence me – that is WRONG!

I do not have to belive what you espouse – you are still free to disregard the Gospel I preach – YOU ARE NOT entilteled l to shut my mouth!!!!

I really “love” how the left focuses on the first part of the 1st Amendment and totally ignores the 2nd part – …or prohibit the free execise…. All the FFR / millitants, athiesits want to do is prohibit ….

SHUT UP and / or get OVER IT !!!!!! I am not forcing you to belive but you are forcing the rest of us to capitulate to you. Hypocrits – surpirise….

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- ChrisDiamond
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 10:37am
  “We are founded as In God We Trust – don’t like – it – live with it or find a country that subscribes to your “ideals””
  
  Do you know when that motto came out? The US adopted the motto in 1956… hardly at our nation’s founding. I agree with you and others that private religious or religion-based organizations should not be subject to attempts to force them to accomodate atheist views or demands. That shows no respect for freedom and I disavow atheists and atheist groups who engage in this type of activity. The government itself should not champion or espouse a religious basis because it violates the establishment clause and then potentially discriminates against people who do not share that faith. If private orgs want to do that, more power to them (and I say this as an atheist), but it does not belong in government.
  
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scrudge
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:13am
Ah Yes….. he he he… another commie quits WEST POINT … good riddance… join the unemployment lines BIMBO

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- themachinist239
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 4:14pm
  What in this article led you to believe he is a commie? Or a capitalist? Or a socialist? I do not see his political theory discussed in this article one bit. Oh that’s right you’re incapable of critical thinking, hence non-religious = non-American = anti-American. The gaps in logic are incredible.
  
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kryptonite
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:08am
The atheist issue is being picked up by the commie media to further erode the military and Christianity. The guy openly admits he got out because he was told he couldn’t commission, and that was his reason for attending West Point in the first place. So why was he disqualified from becoming an officer? It appears this young man suffers from clinical depression. So we are being sidetracked from the real issue, as per usual.

From a spiritual pov, it is sad to see the generational curse this kid inherited from his dad. He is at a significant risk of committing suicide himself at some point in his life, unless he allows Jesus to set him free. Pray for him.

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COFemale
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:07am
Good riddance.

If you are that much of a wussy, the Army does not need you. If you endured 3-1/2 years and can’t endure 5 more months, being an atheist isn’t your problem. There is a different issue at hand and he is using atheism as an excuse.

Maybe you were on the verge of getting kicked out and rather have that happen you resigned instead. Perhaps you were found conduct unbecoming of an officer.

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AmericanStrega
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:06am
If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

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hi
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:06am
He would make more of an impact if he graduated with honors, then complained. Otherwise, he is just a quitter and what he says does not hold water.

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- georgette
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:22am
  Atheists, this is America…..believe what you wish…….allow others to do the same
  
  This is not an “either..” or” nation….are you trying to make it one?
  
  Report this comment

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