The life of a serviceman is wrought with conflict. The conflict is a little more real for those wearing dog tags that list no religious preference. Dog tags, a very recognizable token of the military experience, are in all actuality a rather morbid talisman for the owner. A dog tag carries information, such as the service members’ social security number, blood type, branch of service and religious preference. Dog tags are worn at all times, per Marine Corps regulations, in the following manner: two around the neck and one in the bootlaces. These aluminum identifiers serve as little roadmaps for medical personnel when a Marine is struck in combat. Should a Marine not survive his injuries, the religious preference listed on his dog tags dictates the type of memorial service that Marine receives.

Most service members, regardless of branch, are familiar with the adage “there are no atheists in foxholes.” I can tell you, as a combat veteran, that there are indeed some atheists in foxholes. Witnessing the chaos that is combat, it became apparent to me that there was no supernatural plan at play. A series of near-death experiences met with different outcomes, I still have no way to reconcile any of it in my head. A bloody lottery—that is the reality of combat.

Many of my fellow Marines, however, did seem to reconcile the confusion of combat through their personal religious beliefs. In particular, one Marine I served with in Iraq showed me a small bible that he kept near his chest. This small bible had a small hole in it, and from this hole, the Marine showed me a warped piece of lead. He insisted and most likely still insists that some form of divine intervention prevented harm to his body. And if that feeds his need for hope, love or acceptance on a larger scale then I suppose in spite of my doubts that I can respect that sentiment.

According to an article on National Public Radio’s website, Americans on the whole may share some of my doubts concerning religion. The article titled “America’s Less Religious: Study Puts Some Blame On The Internet” details what may be contributing to the growing number of Americans that claim to have no religious affiliation. The article presents the findings of an analysis performed by scientist Allen Downey, a teacher at Massachusetts’ Olin College of Engineering. Downey’s analysis delved into what factors may contribute to the recent spike in Americans with no religious affiliation. These factors include Internet usage, the drop in religious upbringing and an increase in college-level education. Downey urges that Internet use seems to be the largest contributor to the growing number of non-religious Americans.

The Internet has provided vast knowledge as well as an open forum for discussing this knowledge. While I believe that the Internet certainly has contributed to the decrease in religious affiliation, I think that a much larger detractor may simply be an overdosing of religious hypocrisy by a population seeking something more tangible, more transparent. Seeing the scandals associated with the Catholic church, it is certainly no surprise that Americans would look for something, well, different.

As attitudes toward marriage equality and divorce have shifted, so have the numbers in church pews. While many sects of Christianity, for example, have altered their stance on these issues to welcome those once cast out, the fact remains that from a scriptural standpoint, these alterations stand in conflict with the book on which these sects still heavily lean upon. This puts these churches in an odd spot, as scripturally, they cannot fundamentally accept what Scripture does not allow. While many appreciate the line blurring, for Americans already in a state of religious indifference, this line blurring only serves to further their indifference.

mmacdona@mavs.coloradomesa.edu