I encourage you to head over to a post on a blog I found today. I’ve been having a back and forth with the owner of the blog over several topics including the fact that the below clip (don’t know if he created it or not) is edited and taken out of context, and on into creationism.
For once, I found someone religious who isn’t a total goofball, so if you go over and post a comment, please, don’t abuse.
There are lots of good reasons for the separation of church and state…number one on the list being the Constitution. But I just love it when someone goes and does something that brings it to the forefront and can make even Christians and other religious people see the point.
In a school in Ponce de Leon High School FL, a young girl told her principal that she was being taunted for being a lesbian. The principal turned around, outed her to her parents, harassed students who supported her and even suspended some of them.
Ok, I get it. You’re a close minded, hillbilly Christian. This being a free country, you’re allowed to be that. What you can’t do is take your beliefs into a public institution and harass people with them.
Just because the town of Ponce de Leon is a backward, hick village in Florida that can’t accept change doesn’t mean this student shouldn’t be allowed to be who she is. And good for the students supporting her. They realize better than the people running the school that the world isn’t confined to your little town. They’ll be well equipped to deal with people different than themselves when they leave.
I grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania, and while I won’t say that there was any open discrimination going on, I’m sure there are people there who would fit in perfectly in Ponce de Leon. And, looking back, I’d hate to think of the way that a gay person would have been treated in my school.
This is why people in positions of authority, working for a public institution need to have certain questions asked during the interview. Number one: What is your religion? And to follow right away: Will you force it on others? If the answer to the second questions is yes, then they’re not even considered for the position. This isn’t a job where you can talk to your colleagues about your religion and eventually, if they tire of it, they can tell you where to go. If a student doesn’t want to hear about an administrator’s or teacher’s views, telling them where to go, or ignoring them just isn’t an option.
The worst part about this story is that the now former principal is still allowed to teach in the school. It’s a sad state of affairs when enough people in the town will support him so much that he can keep a job around kids.
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Found this post over on Bay of Fundie and thought I’d share it here…
Take a look at this and then keep reading…I think I can explain.
Sooooo…by the logic used in this video, since SOME people in the past who were atheists happened to do bad things, then that means ANYONE who doesn’t believe in their god must be going to do bad things as well? Well, I don’t believe in god and I’ve never killed anyone. I’m willing to bet that Richard and Sam haven’t either.
Let’s reverse this real quick…since there are Christians in the past who have killed, started crusades, inquisitions, etc. then that means that ALL Christians at one point or another will kill, rape, and torture to get you to believe in their god. Hell, our president does it and he believes in god!
Listen invisible person believers, atheism is simple. I base my morals on what my parents taught me, not what some story book says. My parents taught me that’s it’s not ok to hurt other people, end of story. That’s all I need as a moral compass. Reading a book in which millions of people die and which millions of people have died over since is retarded…sorry but there’s just no other word for it.
Videos like this make me pissed but at the same time make me laugh. Using flawed logic has always been my way of making a point.
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About 2 years ago we moved from central Florida to a small town here in NY. Malone doesn’t have a whole lot to offer frankly so we spend a lot of time in Montreal with my wife’s family and our friends.
Even though this isn’t my home town, and there isn’t really anything here for us, we do live here. We drive around town, we shop here and generally mind our business. As such, there’s something that has been bothering me since the day we moved here.
Located on the major roads leading into town there are large signs signaling that you are entering the village. These signs state:
"Welcome to Malone:
"Come to church with us on Sunday"
Now, this doesn’t just bother me as an atheist mind you. One would have to assume that the signs are meant to represent the town. As such, they don’t represent me and therefore don’t belong there. However, while there aren’t many here, the signs also don’t represent Muslims or Jews living in the area as they don’t typically attend religious services on Sundays.
This relates to a much larger problem in our American society as it is versus how Christians would prefer it: If you’re not Christian, you don’t belong.
A lot of fundies like to claim that the U.S. was founded by Christians, for Christians. This simply isn’t true. Many of the founding fathers were atheist. Also, one would think that after 200+ years, we could make some progress. Yes, most of the first settlers in the new world were Christian. Since then however, immigration has brought all sorts of people and beliefs to America. It seems to me that the people wanting a Christian government want us to live in 1776, if it had even been true then.
It’s this small mindedness that is running and ruining our country. Especially in these small towns. I grew up in a town smaller than this and understand the mentality well. Most of the people from towns like this believe it to be the center of the universe instead of what it really is: A small town.
I’ve decided that I’m going to do my best to rid the town of these signs. Not just for myself and other atheists, but for anyone who doesn’t attend church on Sundays as, apparently, the people running the town do. I suppose my first step will be to find out if the signs are on private or public land. I believe at least 2 of them are on public land in which case from there, I head to a village council meeting. If they’re all on private land, I’m not sure where to go from there. I suppose I could approach the land owner about the signs but I’m not sure this is necessary. Having the name of the town and local organization symbols on it I would thing be enough to show that it represents the town and therefore needs to be changed.
I’ll continue to update the progress of this project here. I know one of my neighbors will support me, but his line of work means he’s away from home quite a bit so I doubt there will be much he can do. Wish me luck!
A federal judge has ruled that atheism is a religion in a case where an inmate was denied permission to start an atheist study group. While I agree that the inmate should be able to have his group, I don’t think I like my non-belief referred to as a religion.
re·li·gion:
n.
1.
a. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
b. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
2. The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
3. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
4. A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.
Now, after reading the definition of the word, I see that number four could apply to our beliefs. Even so, would you consider your atheism a religion? To me, religion has always been the belief in a god or deity of some sort. At the same time, I’m splitting hairs here. I myself have been an atheist for a long time now but I’m just now coming to terms with this and realizing what a difference it makes in my life. As such, I could certainly compare it to a religion. I don’t follow a god, but I do believe in science, reason and free thought, and I’d like to "convert" as many people as possible.
What about you?
I don’t want to be accused of just picking on christians. They have their issues but they’re certainly not the only ones out there who want to control what you think, say and do. While reading over at Unscrewing The Inscrutable, I read a post by Jim Downey. You can find the original article here. To give you the gist of it, Sherry Jones wrote a book about Aisha, a young wife of Muhammed. This is a novel, based very loosely on reality in the fact that these people exsisted and that’s about it.
While sending out early copies of the book to help boost interest, a professor by the name of Denise Spellberg apparently didn’t like it. She teaches Islamic History at the University of Texas. And I’m sorry, but she needs to mind her business.
Why is it we can’t write, draw or talk about Muhammed? I’m not a muslim and while I can respect that muslims can’t write, draw or talk about Muhammed, their rules DO NOT APPLY TO ME. I can say what I please and all they can do is sit and be pissed. Just like I can say what I want about Jesus Christ. I can take his name in vain and I can draw or write about him. I can produce a picture of him (or Muhammed) in a gay pose, being killed, or any other depraved thing I can think of. This is called freedom. I enjoy it because I live in the United States of America. The worst part about this is that the author of this book wasn’t trying to be offensive. She was trying to share a story to show us more of Islamic history.
For some reason, people today, especially in the U.S., believe they have some protection under the law to not be offended. Well I hate to tell you but you have the right to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and the freedom to bear arms for self defense. However, freedom of speech means that I can also say what I want whether you like it or not.
This is why so many fundies and religious people have a problem with freedom in the first place. To them, none of us are meant to be free. We’re supposed to serve their lord. As such, we come back to the same story: Religion is about control. Control of thought, body, and act. If you choose to turn yourself over to being a slave to an invisible person, so be it. But don’t think for one minute that I am in any way required to join you. Since I don’t believe in your friend, I can say and do as I please. Welcome to the United States of America.
Since I enjoy this freedom, allow me to share with you some of the religious material I’ve found on the web that many people would find extremely offensive. Me, I just think they’re funny as hell. Enjoy!
I recently heard it said that Atheism is becoming akin to religion. That those of us that speak out are treating our atheism as if it’s something to be followed and revered. While I certainly don’t think that this is true, I do think we are much more outspoken now than in the past. I know I am, and I know I’m seeing a lot more about it on TV, the internet, and other sources. And I think I know why…
It’s not hard to figure out really. Stories like this are what does it. When I read this article this morning I wanted to flip out. Imagine you’re a Christian. Now imagine that someone discriminates against you either in the military or at your job. What do you do? You’d sue them and you’d win. You’d win because we, as Americans, believe in religious freedom and you should be able to pray to whatever spaceman suits your needs.
Yet somehow, Christians think that the First Amendment doesn’t cover those who don’t have a god. Religious freedom to them means that everyone is free to worship their god, and if you don’t, well then we’ll just force you out of your position, pass you over for promotion or anything else we can get away with to let you know you’re wrong.
Oh, and before anyone decides not to read the article and thinks that this young man is “in it for the money” I advise you to read this part:
Hall isn’t seeking compensation in his lawsuit — just the guarantee of religious freedom in the military.
That’s right folks, the boy doesn’t want your money. He just wants to be able to NOT pray to your particular deity. Oh and for others to have the right to do the same.
Now of course, Mr. Hall must be the only one feeling this way right? I mean, our military would never become “God’s Army” would they? Certainly not under a president who started this war partially out of religious needs. Actually there are about 8,000 complaints so far so I’d say he’s not alone. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard this story either. There have been several reports about it and I think it needs to be broadcast more so that people know exactly what our military is doing to people.
When will religious people understand that “Freedom of Religion” also means “Freedom FROM Religion”? I personally think that people who talk to invisible people have mental issues…they may not be dangerous, but come on, invisible people! For whatever reason, society accepts them so let them do it. Just don’t push your shit on other people.
So yes, atheists are more vocal now. It’s because we don’t have a choice. Those of you out there who believe in a god have decided to push, so we’re gonna push back. And we have more ways to do it now. Watch as we become more vocal and it isn’t such a stigma to be atheist. I have a feeling you’re going to find that there are more of us than you thought, and you’ll realize that we don’t want to deal with your bullshit.
I decided that if I’m going to run a blog about atheism, the least I could do is go out and do some research. I know why I’m an atheist but hell, you can always use more good arguments for something like this. While taking a look on the interwebs for atheism websites, I came across a post over at Dwindling in Unbelief that details just how violent christianity is. The other major religions have their problems with killing as well, but since christians like to say that they’re the majority in the U.S., we’ll stick with them for now.
If you take a look at this chart, you’ll see that god has a vicious streak a mile long! Well over 2 million people killed in the bible! And those are just the ones that are countable!!! Nevermind, the flood, or when he offed the first-born of Egypt. We don’t know the count, so they’re not included. 2 MILLION!!!
Ok, now I don’t know that this list is accurate, so lets give god the benefit of the doubt. We’ll cut the list in half which puts it just over the 1 million mark. 1 million people that died because of god…wow…I haven’t killed anywhere near that many, and I play video games all the time!
Since the bible is just a story book written a long time ago, I could let this violence go except for two things. First of all, stop talking about how christianity is a peaceful religion. If the god you pray to has killed over 1 million people, you don’t get to claim you’re peaceful. Much like Iraqi civilians in our current religious war, once you cross the 100,000 mark, you lose all claims to being a peaceful people. Secondly, I could let it go but it’s continued since then. The muslims started moving into Europe first, then came several crusades into the “holy land”. Then we have the Spanish Inqusition. Hell, Hitler was a christian who viewed the Jews as the killers of Christ and therefore could exterminate them without a twinge of conscience.
And now we have our current war. If you’ve diluted yourself into believing that this isn’t a religious war, get over it. Christianity and Islam have come to a head with this war and it will continue. This is our new Crusade. As much as it has to do with oil, it has just as much to do with the fact that W and his followers believe the end times are upon us and this is how they come about. A fight over the holy lands. Muslims are no better when it comes to violence, but we started this one and apparently we’re going to finish it.
So the next time a christian tells you how peaceful they are, remember, 1 million strong and counting…
I found an article today and it scares the shit out of me. Seems that your fundamentalist president, Mr. Bush, is at it again. This time he wants to expand the definition of abortion to include anything that affects the fertilization of an egg. This would allow your doctor to refuse the prescription of birth control. Yeah, if this happens he can do that and there will be no consequences…not only that but if the hospital he works for tries to actually make him do his job, then said hospital will no longer receive federal funding. Basically, this would allow a doctor to act as a judge instead of a doctor and get away with it.
What a nice world we live in where one groups belief in a magical invisible person can be allowed to affect the rest of us. I don’t know about you, but when I go to the doctor, I’m not there for spiritual advice. I’m there so he can diagnose any problems and fix them. It is in no way a doctor’s job to judge me and attempt to save me from eternal damnation.
There is nothing “controversial” about these treatments. They’re proven and they work. You having a personal problem prescribing a medication doesn’t make it controversial, it makes you an ass. The way I see it, this could open the door to allowing doctors and pharmacists being allowed to decide what medication or treatment you can and cannot have. What if your doctor happens to be a religious freak and thinks that if someone has cancer, god gave it to him and so he shouldn’t receive chemotherapy because it’s “God’s Will”? Or that diabetics, like my son, shouldn’t receive insulin because it’s not natural?
If you have personal issues with doing your job, get another fucking job. You have no right to deny treatment to someone based on personal beliefs. Your job is to give or deny treatment based on science, not what some storybook told you was right or wrong. If you were supposed to use the bible to prescribe treatment, then the bible would have been required reading at medical school.
Now, Mr. Doctor and Ms. Pharmacist, shut up and do your job…prescribing shit I don’t need cause the pharma companies told you to.
I have a bit of a problem. You see, I have several family members who are very devout Christians. These people have a serious problem understanding that I’m an athiest and can’t figure out why. See, I was raised Methodist, and much like the late George Carlin, I was a believer until I reached the age of reason…about 10 years old or so.
So, how do you share with your theist friends and family that you’re an atheist? What did you tell them and how did they take it?
Most of the people in my life that matter know what I am and what I don’t believe in. They’ve accepted this and have moved on from it. It isn’t discussed. I let them believe in fairies and they let me not. This however, leads me to a second problem: I want to save them… Just like Christians want to “save” people and bring them the light of their lord, I want to save these friends and family members from turning their lives over to an organization that basically turns them into slaves. I don’t use the term slave lightly but let us consider what organized religion wants:
Now, let’s look at each of these points and see where they lead us.
1. Turn over part of your money: Mainstream churches certainly don’t take every penny you make but let’s face it, if they could they would. And some cults do. Paying a membership fee for an organization is one thing, but any group that constantly needs you giving money has a problem. What I’m really trying to figure out is what the money is used for. I’ve been to churches with elaborate stained glass windows, huge open spaces, and gorgeous, ornate furniture. For what??? Does your god really need you to sit on a hand carved pew made out of mahogony to feel good about himself? What kind of self esteem problem does this guy have that this should be required?
2. Refuse to think for yourself: Critical thought. We apply it to many desicions in our lives. What house to buy, whether or not to have children, what job we want, hell, even what food to buy! Why is it that when it comes to religion, you’re not allowed to think? What fear do religious leaders have of free, critical thinking? Could it be that they don’t want you to question the answers because the answers don’t really make sense and they know it?
3. Using fear: Do this or YOU’LL GO TO HELL!!! OMGWTF!!!! Yep, religion is good at this. Make you fear everything, and you’ll only have one place to turn: them. Fear is used as a tool by a lot of groups; government (see Bush administration), media, and soposed “safety councils”. But no one does it better than religion. They wrote the book on fear. Just look at the bible! God kills millions, MILLIONS of people in the bible! Why wouldn’t you fear that!? So I get it. Were I the type of person who feared invisible people, this would probably scare me into listening too. And, doing what you’re told without a real reason or explanation is a form of slavery. Whether you’re picking cotton 200 years ago because you fear the whip, or praying and giving a group your money because you fear hell are the same thing.
After re-reading what I just wrote, it makes me want to “save” these people even more. Why anyone would give themselves over to slavery is beyond me…
