ceejayoz's Journal: Someone show this to Brent

True hero athlete - Day's theme: Challenge yourself

Tillman's youngest brother, Rich, wore a rumpled white T-shirt, no jacket, no tie, no collar, and immediately swore into the microphone. He hadn't written anything, he said, and with the starkest honesty, he asked mourners to hold their spiritual bromides.

"Pat isn't with God,'' he said. "He's f -- ing dead. He wasn't religious. So thank you for your thoughts, but he's f -- ing dead.''

What? This didn't happen for God, as well as country? A professional athlete turned soldier, and we're supposed to believe that he'd have no use for piety? Robbed of a cliche, where does that leave us?

Challenge yourself.

His brother-in-law and close friend, Alex Garwood, described how Tillman handled his duties when he became godfather to Garwood's son. He came to the ceremony dressed as a woman. Not as a religious commentary. He was doing a balancing act.

Sounds like the guy was a bit of a liberal agnostic! Wonder if Brent & Co. will be so happy to call him a hero when they find out... too challenging to their narrow worldview?

Re:

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Re:how does the dead guy's brother being ...

[Saige]

From what I've heard, Tillman had a "potty mouth" - so that the use of the f-word was considered a tribute to him by some people that knew him.

I mean who cares what, if any, religion he followed in life?

Obviously his brother did. If Tillman wasn't religious, and then all these people start talking about God and heaven and all that at his memorial service, isn't that an insult to him?

Shouldn't a memorial service for someone at least reflect the person the service is about?? Or would only an asshole re

Re:how does the dead guy's brother being ...

[cyranoVR]

His brother isn't being an asshole, he's expressing his grief.

However, you're pretty damn callous if you couldn't see that.

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speaking just for me,

[Red Warrior]

who cares?

Has anyone been discribing in flowery prose his LEET religious convictions? Why would we care? Why would his views on religion detract from the bravery, nobility, patriotism, and, yes, heroism he demonstrated in selflessly serving his country?

Re:speaking just for me,

[dubiousdave]

As I've said before, I find much more nobility in actions performed without faith in eternal reward.

Re:speaking just for me,

[ceejayoz]

The point is that even anti-religion liberals can be brave, principled men who fight for their country... not just conservative Christians (as people like Brent would have us believe).

As you said, his views do not diminish his heroism - that's what may throw the fundies for a loop. ;-)

more interestinger

[gmhowell]

There's a more interesting bit to be gleaned from that article: Tillman dressed in drag, and spoke a fair bit about gays.

So not only was he an atheist, but he was a poof?

If we keep digging, we might be able to get some people to self-combust.

Hemingway

[cyranoVR]

I had seen nothing sacred, and the things that were glorious had no glory and the sacrifices were like the stockyards at Chicago if nothing was done with the meat except to bury it. There were many words that you could not stand to hear and finally only the names of places had dignity. Certain numbers were the same way and certain dates and these with the names of the places were all you could say and have them mean anything. Abstract words such as glory, honor, courage, or hallow were obscene beside the co