The Big Picture Podcast 24: There Are No Athiests In Foxholes

U.S. Air Force Chaplain Leutenant Colonol Kenneth Reyes wrote in his “Chaplain’s Corner” column, “Many have heard the familiar phrase, ‘There is no such thing as an athiest in a foxhole.'”

This phrase has been attributed to Father Williams Cummings – a civilian missionary Catholic priest in the Phillipines.  The phrase was coined during one of the many Japanese attacks on the island nation.  During one particular seige, Father Cummings noticed several non-Catholics attending his services.  Some even known athiests were strolling through the church’s doors.  Life and death experiences prompted a reality check.

Now, the reason why I am presenting Lt. Col. Reyes’ essay this week is to not only bring to light that famous phrase – so famous that it was repeated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower – but also to share the rest of the strory regarding Chaplain Reyes and his column.

You see, this amazing essay has been removed from the U.S. Air Force website.  And Lt. Col. Reyes faces a possible reprimand for even writing it, do to a small group of athiests objecting to the phrase, “There are no athiests in foxholes.”  The essay was labeled an anti-secular diatribe filled with religious hate.

Many of you would agree with me – this claim is absurd.  But today, the absurd is the new normal.  Even historical quotes are not allowed if they are politically incorrect.

My question, then, is this:  What absurd idea today will be considered normal in the near future?  This is a time unlike any other we’ve ever seen.  A time to set our feet firmly on God’s Word, girded completely in the full armor of God.  The enemy is moving fast, and we shouldn’t allow ourselves to be caught unaware.