FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – When Clarksville residents attend the city’s annual Christmas Parade, they may notice one float with a different message.
Military Atheists & Secular Humanists of Fort Campbell (MASH) and APSU Students for Secular Humanism say it’s one way they celebrate the holidays without its religious aspects.
“We are people that enjoy the holidays just like everyone else, but we don’t subscribe to the religious dogma,” says MASH member Patrick Horst, an active duty soldier at Fort Campbell.
He said last year’s float was well received. “People are very tolerant, they understand that everyone is not Christian and we even picked up a few new members from having a float in the parade last year,” Horst said.
This past Saturday soldiers, students and army spouses prepared this year’s float with the theme The Songs of Christmas. A large sign, mounted to a trailer proclaims: “Come All Ye Faithless.”
Horst said the message is not intended to be provocative. “We just put a slight twist on an existing song and adapted it for our needs.”
Horst says the freedom of expression is especially important to soldiers.
“The military is much more permeated with religion compared to other government institutions with the chaplaincy and invocations,” he said. “I think there is a need for solders who are non-religious to be able to fully participate and be open about who they are.”