I Thought It Was a Dumb Idea': GOP Rep. Turns Tables on Sharp-Tongued Atheist College Student

You'd think the question of adding "atheist chaplains" to the military was put to rest by the House of Representatives, which voted against the controversial proposal several few weeks ago, but the secular humanist lobby is continuing to battle.

This time an atheist college student, Daniel Moran, took to the microphone at a town hall meeting Thursday and asked U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) why he twice voted against the measure.

(Credit: YouTube)

Instead of shrinking from the student's pointed question, Burgess had this to say: “Yeah, I thought that was a dumb idea. I’ll do it again.”

The audience erupted in applause and hoots and hollers upon hearing Burgess' response. One man in the crowd shouted, “There are no atheists in foxholes!”

But Moran stood his ground, insisted that he knows ROTC students who are atheists, and asked Burgess why a belief in God is necessary for a chaplain.

Rep. Michael Burgess speaking in Washington (Credit: YouTube)

"If you're going to have a chaplain, you've gotta start somewhere," Burgess replied, "and that starts at the top with a belief in God...every chaplain that I've ever had has started at that point."

When Moran began arguing back, the audience began to boo and shout “Throw him out!” But Burgess smartly quieted them down and calmly told Moran that he'd never vote against his fundamental beliefs.

Watch the complete exchange (which ended with a handshake) here:

(H/T: Mediaite)

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