Atheists in U.S. military seek official recognition: A small but growing movement complains of religious bias and seeks the same status as Christians, Jews and Muslims.

Capt. Ryan Jean wanted to perform well on the Army’s psychological evaluation. But he also wanted to answer the questions honestly. So when he was asked whether he believed his life had a lasting purpose, Jean, an atheist, saw no choice but to say no.

Those and other responses, Jean says, won him a trip to see the post chaplain, who berated him for his lack of faith.

Photo: Army Capt. Ryan Jean, an intelligence officer at Ft. Meade, Md., is an atheist who seeks official recognition for nonbelievers on par with that of Christians, Jews and Muslims. Credit: Algerina Perna / Baltimore Sun

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    This seems like a breach of freedom of religion to me. Respecting a variety of faiths also means respecting people who...

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    I think that you can believe in having a purpose without believing in a higher power. I mean, I don’t see it as there...

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