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Getting To Know You => Introductions => Topic started by: John Kieffer on July 15, 2011, 03:20:31 PM

Title: John Kieffer: atheist activist, combat vet, etc
Post by: John Kieffer on July 15, 2011, 03:20:31 PM
Hello,

Glad to join this forum.

Some things about me:

Academic:
Pine Forest HS, Fayetteville, NC 1968
Univ. of South Florida, Tampa, FL (BA, 2005; MA, 2009, Religious Studies)

Military service:
US Army 1968-90, commissioned officer (Major, Infantry)
Service includes combat tour in Vietnam, 1969-70

(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi56.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg183%2FVietnamvet-BRIGHT%2FNearKheSanh-1970-1-1.jpg&hash=f8e21c8657e5f12551276f9886fcb4f908a26781)
"Atheist in a Foxhole" ... me, July 1970, about an hour before we were ambushed near Khe Sanh, Vietnam

Affiliations:
Atheists of Florida - President
Humanists of Florida Association (HFA) - member
Center for Inquiry (CFI): Florida - charter member
Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) - member
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) - member
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) - Life member
Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers (MAAF) - member

More about our church/state activism with Atheists of Florida:
http://www.atheistsofflorida.org




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Title: Re: John Kieffer: atheist activist, combat vet, etc
Post by: Tank on July 15, 2011, 03:30:21 PM
Hi John

Welcome to HAF

Regards
Chris
Title: Re: John Kieffer: atheist activist, combat vet, etc
Post by: John Kieffer on July 15, 2011, 04:36:48 PM
Quote from: Tank on July 15, 2011, 03:30:21 PM
Hi John

Welcome to HAF

Regards
Chris

Thanks Chris. 

I read the new rules and hope to get to full posting privilege as soon as possible (I think I need 10 posts & this is #2). 

I used to post here a while back by another screenname (Vietnamvetatheist or Vietnamvet-Bright or something like that) and have decided recently that I will now re-register on this and other forums using my real name as part of an atheist "out" campaign that is necessary to fully legitimize our movement.



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Title: Re: John Kieffer: atheist activist, combat vet, etc
Post by: Recusant on July 15, 2011, 05:35:53 PM
Hello, and welcome back to HAF, John.  I remember you in your previous incarnation here, and actually have followed your activities in Florida with interest.  I look forward to your future contributions here. (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg830.imageshack.us%2Fimg830%2F860%2Fsmilew.gif&hash=8238eab24d16418eb1c8cd60d971239ab1363c74)
Title: Re: John Kieffer: atheist activist, combat vet, etc
Post by: John Kieffer on July 15, 2011, 06:31:58 PM
Quote from: Recusant on July 15, 2011, 05:35:53 PM
Hello, and welcome back to HAF, John.  I remember you in your previous incarnation here, and actually have followed your activities in Florida with interest.  I look forward to your future contributions here. (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg830.imageshack.us%2Fimg830%2F860%2Fsmilew.gif&hash=8238eab24d16418eb1c8cd60d971239ab1363c74)

Thanks for the welcome.

Since my last post here in my last "reincarnation", I was arrested in Polk County for taking photos and talking (while wearing my Atheists of Florida t-shirt) during a prayer ritual in the Polk County (FL) School Board auditorium before the school board meeting was called to order.

I'm currently facing a maximum of 1 year and 4 months in jail if convicted on the 3 misdemeanors (#1 "disorderly conduct," #2 "resisting arrest w/o violence", and #3 "disrupting school, worship of god, or other lawful assembly")

Here's a link about what happened:

http://free2think.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=1414

Moments before I was arrested ...
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1231.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee509%2FAtheistsofFlorida%2FPolkschoolboard6.jpg&hash=e64655079816073c63a9d1f0a8632b6431b7771b)

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Title: Re: John Kieffer: atheist activist, combat vet, etc
Post by: Tank on July 15, 2011, 06:48:42 PM
I thought I had heard somewhere that America was a 'free' country? Obviously I have been mislead!
Title: Re: John Kieffer: atheist activist, combat vet, etc
Post by: John Kieffer on July 15, 2011, 07:02:56 PM
Quote from: Tank on July 15, 2011, 06:48:42 PM
I thought I had heard somewhere that America was a 'free' country? Obviously I have been mislead!

Free country as long as you remain silent during government prayer rituals ... or don't publicize your atheism:

I was actually escorted out of another government meeting (Cape Coral, FL) by police for wearing my Atheists of Florida t-shirt at their meeting (while other t-shirts were allowed).

(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwftx.images.worldnow.com%2Fimages%2F13900723_BG1.jpg&hash=294bf2e04d6200ef96d51f86605786173fce0fd5)

Info about this ... http://free2think.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=1390



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Title: Re: John Kieffer: atheist activist, combat vet, etc
Post by: xSilverPhinx on July 15, 2011, 07:56:58 PM
Welcome!
Title: Re: John Kieffer: atheist activist, combat vet, etc
Post by: Whitney on July 16, 2011, 01:19:03 AM
Glad to see you back, do you need help accessing your old account?
Title: Re: John Kieffer: atheist activist, combat vet, etc
Post by: The Magic Pudding on July 16, 2011, 01:58:22 AM
Are the police at all public gatherings or do they follow you around?

Anyway good luck, power to your arm and all that.