If the war in Iraq really is a task from God, can atheist soldiers be excused from serving there?

No. Everyone in the armed force signed up of there own freewill so nobody can be excused from serving. I don't care if they signed up for the free college money, once war is declared, they serve. I've heard of solders using the excuse that they are morally opposed to war so they should not have to go. If you are in anyway opposed to war, do not sign up for the armed forces.

No. A soldier is basically a tool of the government. They are not supposed to have opinions nor free will, unless their rank requires it. They are supposed to hold the line, remain in formation, and die if need be. A military system is only as good as the discipline of its soldiers. We never should have given soldiers the right to be conscientious objectors. Too many of our soldiers today look at military life as a job and a means to get a college education. A soldier's number one duty is to protect the country and fight wars. There is no other purpose for a soldier other than warfare.

To Haysoos: Maybe folks should be informed that our country is in the business of fighting wars on behalf of the Christian God BEFORE they sign up, eh? Last I knew, the American Armed Forces were in the business of fighting wars for the purpose of defending our nation. Which is why people of all creeds, and no creed at all, enlist. If the military is now following orders directly given by the Christian god, they ought to let that be known in all the recruitment offices.

I'm pretty sure the entire army is a volunteer army. I am unaware of any enactment of enscription.

Therefore, anyone who has joined the army has agreed to follow the orders of the army.

So if the army orders them into Iraq, that's what they do. No matter what their religious beliefs, or the reasons for the orders.

If someone wanted to conscientiously object, I think the time to do that would have been BEFORE they joined the Armed Forces. Once you're in, you're in.

Couldn't God carry out this task himself? I mean, part of atheists not believing is because all the words of supposed God comes from other people, right?

Doesn't work that way. You forget about the oath that everyone swears by. Ones religion isn't the factor of military service. The burdens that such a life is excepted and ones obligations are known hopefully if one serves or chooses that kind of life.

I'm sure such a belief will really help US interests in Asia and the Middle East. They just loved the last Crusades and all of British, French and Dutch "christianization" of the "yellow masses", so I'm sure America's mission from God will continue to delight them.

GIs already give atheists a pass on fighting by pressuring them to renounce their atheism.

There are lawsuits pending against the US military for essentially sanctioning the ostracizing of atheist soldiers.

There may be atheists in foxholes, but there is a concerted effort by Christian soldiers to make sure there aren't.

If you are a soldier, you willingly signed up to carry out the orders of your superiors. So, the answer is "no".

I would suggest that an atheists that doesn't want to be involved with war think twice about signing up for the national guard, reserves, or regular military or coast guard.

It is not a task from God, but from Bush Jr. It is a ploy to help form the NWO, in which atheists play a huge part.