Athiest, agnostic students have discussion forum Published Oct. 21, 2009 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Thirty percent of the Air Force's nonprior students don't profess an affiliation with any organized religion. A new discussion group at the Fishbowl, The Query of Orthodoxy, gives Airmen who are agnostic, atheist or undecided a chance to explore their faith and the beliefs of others. The group meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the Fishbowl, said Chaplain (Capt.) Charles Mallory. Chaplain Mallory, who works in student ministry for the 81st Training Group, also initiated the weekly "Pizza with the Padre" series a year ago that gives students an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the history, beliefs, customs and practices of other world religions. Airman 1st Class Alexander Johnson, a student in the 335th Training Squadron, spoke to Chaplain Mallory about starting the discussion group when he arrived at Keesler for finance training in August. "The sole purpose of 'The Query of Orthodoxy' is to simply bring together like-minded individuals to socialize and expand on philosophical quandaries -- somewhat like a free-thinkers group to pick each other's brains to learn what it is that each other believes," Chaplain Mallory explained. "Growing up, my dad said life was all about your heart and motives - don't worry about heaven and hell," Airman Johnson recalled. "I tend to be a free-thinker - I don't deny God's existence, but I don't trust human perception to perceive divinity." Airman Johnson's experiences with what he described as a rigid "born-again type of sect" left him determined to maintain openness to people of many different walks of life and philosophies. He's been influenced by the writings of a wide range of philosophers, particularly Friedrich Nietzsche. "I'm not a pessimist and I don't hate Christianity - I want to be understanding and have faith in the goodness of humanity," said Airman Johnson, who hails from Reno, Nev. "I believe in taking uncertainty and going forward with courage and not looking back." Airman Johnson says he's learning a lot about himself and others by exploring the innermost thoughts and dreams of others in the group. "I'm determined to maintain openness so I can absorb as much as I can," he explained. "I'm not looking for a concrete mandate in my life. Being with people of varying philosophies can stimulate thoughts in a very positive way. "Preconceived notions can hold you back - it's not a matter of being right or wrong, but being open to other ideas," he continued. "You can't win an ideological battle, no matter how logical or smart you think you are." "We feel the group is very well-timed and important because it provides a very positive outreach to a misinterpreted and usually misunderstood group of Airmen," he continued. "The discussion group averages five to seven students per week and welcomes anyone who wishes to attend." Lt. Col. (Dr.) Marcus Cranston, a preventive medicine physician in the trainee health program for the 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron, came forward to serve as a mentor for the group. "I'm not a spokesman and I don't claim to have any religious expertise," said Colonel Cranston. "I have tremendous respect for people of all different faiths and philosophies. My wife is Hindu, my in-laws are Muslim and I've traveled to more than 70 countries. I don't have a religious preference, but I have a lot of interest in what people believe. "I think it's important to give people an opportunity to explore whatever interests them in a non-judgmental way," he emphasized. "That's why we have the Air Force - to defend their rights of self-expression. Chaplain Mallory said it's rewarding to help students with their spiritual needs, especially with this new group. "Some of those who fall into the atheist/agnostic category do sense the misunderstandings from others and hear the misguided statements that can sometimes be derogatory," the chaplain pointed out. "The conflicts they get into are mostly due to misconceptions that others have because they are more wrapped up in what atheists or agnostics don't believe, rather than what they do believe." For more information, call Chaplain Mallory, 377-2331.