Guest post: Another atheist bites the dust
Cadets at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., bow in prayer during a graduation ceremony. | AP Photo
Note from Dan: The following was penned by Justin True, an ex-Marine and member of the Southern Virginia Atheists.
By Justin True
Last week West Point senior cadet Blake Page dropped out of the military academy because he’s an atheist and he was sick of overbearing religious pressure brought upon cadets there. The Army military academy in New York’s Hudson Valley is not alone in that ignoble tradition; it’s arguably worse at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., and it likely happens at the Navel Academy in Annapolis, Md., as well.
And then I read this article — about why former Sen. Bob Kerry was reluctant to say, “God Bless America” in any official capacity.
That struck a chord with me. The issue of having true freedom in our country is being pushed by all facets of religion and its leaders. The fact that they aren’t the majority, and they have to stand up and shout like the rest of us to be heard is upsetting and a delusional war being fought on every societal front.
After reading the second article linked above, it astounds me that the very people who fight for our freedoms and rights seem to not truly hold them at all. If we are to truly have religious freedom, and if we are truly a secular government, a public servant or soldier should not have to fight such religious pressure and resign from anything.
In the article, Mr. Kerry states, “I think you have to be very, very careful about keeping religion and politics separate.” It’s a pity there aren’t more elected officials that feel this way.
Let’s face it, this country has no shortage of elected theocrats pushing a religious agenda in our faces. They are quite proud of this because they believe in a god who’s led them to certain “principles.”
From left: Rick Santorum, Indiana Treas. Richard Mourdock, Miss. Rep. Todd Akin
Among them is ex-Sen. Rick Santorum, who placed second in the Republican presidential primaries this year. Another is Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock, who was nearly elected to the U.S. Senate. Mourdock believes a pregnancy resulting from rape is a “gift” from god and that rape victims should just “accept” that “gift” rather than have an abortion. A third is Rep. Todd Akin, R-Missouri, who doesn’t (or didn’t) believe god allows “truly” raped women to become pregnant.
It’s no coincidence that all three of the above failed to be elected to the offices they were seeking. Their beliefs are insane. In spite of that, the pressure continues on people like Blake Page. He and others who who do not wish to have gods in their life, and who do not believe in the Christian deities or traditions, are being marginalized. This is happening in a nation in which more than a few forefathers were agnostics or nonbelievers.
They were the people behind the wording in the First Amendment to the Constitution: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
Where are the rights of those people? Do they ever get a chance to make laws respecting their nonreligion? They deserve those rights. It’s right there in the Constitution, in amendment No. 1.
So where in the hell did our secular government go? People like Billy Graham, Pat Robertson, and Jerry Falwell, stole it “like a thief in the night.” They stole it through fear and persuasion and by stealing the money from their churches and lining the pockets of politicians, making these politicians puppets for their religion, and puppets to ensure the fear is spread to keep the pews full and their pockets fuller.
Taking a line from the late great author, and champion of human rights, Christopher Hitchens, it’s a pity there is no hell for these charlatans to go to.
I don’t understand how our military leaders and our leaders of this government can say they stand up for our freedoms, stand up for our free speech, stand up for freedom of religion, but in the same breath they cram their religious belief down the throats of society.
We have a great and strong military, and in this military we have many brave men and women who serve this country with the tenacity and diligence that we expect from the finest fighting force in the world. I don’t just say that because I feel I have to, I say that because I served with these men and women, and I trained with military services in other countries.
U.S. Army L.t Daniel McCord (from left) Staff Sergeant Marc Krugh and Sergeant Christopher Torrentes, from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, pray before heading out on a patrol south of Baghdad. | AP Photo
I have seen the competition on the friendly side; we are the best fighting force on this Earth, period. It has people of all religious backgrounds, and people without a religious background. Why should a strong, intelligent young man like the former cadet, Blake Page, have to leave West Point in the middle of his senior year, withdraw from his education, and halt his progress at being a part of the superior fighting force that we have today?
Because of harassment, and religious bullying among the Christian faction at his school, he had to withdraw and hopes to finish his education elsewhere to escape the religious hounds and their hate-filled indoctrination. When asked about how events were promoted within West Point by his superiors, Page, said, “It was always Christian, Christian, Christian.” As an Atheist, felt the need and the desire to have his moral needs supported by a secular community, which our government and military should be, but is not. Far from it.
I remember being a young, agnostic Marine, in boot camp. I would go to church services on Sundays to get away from the drill instructors. Thinking about it now, I can honestly say that I only had religion pushed on me once during my four years in service. But I wouldn’t go as far as saying I was offended by the action. I would say that it was rather funny. Most officers in the military that call themselves chaplains will “pull rank” to get you to stop asking why their religion is so illogical and unnecessary to our society today.
For the men in the article, I would have to say that religion has affected their life, and it sure has impacted their personal and professional lives. Why? Religion is an overly asserted theory that seems to slip into their everyday lives for no reason other than it can. People are still afraid to let go of a tradition regardless of how harmful it is to society, no matter how much it retards growth and knowledge, we still have the masses fearing the what if when science directly proves what this life really is. Sam Harris, asks us, “What does religion assert that science hasn’t already proven?” I say nothing. No heaven above us, no hell below us.
Religion in our government has taken an ugly and drastic turn in the recent years. That needs to stop. It begs the question, why did our Founding Fathers start this country in the first place? Religious freedom was one of them. In those laws set forth, it doesn’t protect religion solely; it protects those of us who do not hold religion to be a plausible explanation for our existence here on this Earth.
Having religious freedom in this country means that you can believe what you want, but you cannot dictate what others should believe. We do not all have to believe the same thing, but we should agree to give each other respect, and let each other enjoy our human rights and our freedoms given to us by men and women who have served this country. Women and men who served this country with different thoughts, views, opinions, sexual orientations, and religion or lack thereof.
The weight of religion is crushing our freedoms as United States citizens. We need to realize that.
December 21, 2012 - 8:00 AM
Good post Justin. It bothers me when I hear someone, usually a fundie, correctly recognize where the “godless” left is sacrificing our freedoms like those of the 2nd and 4th Amendments, but then fail to recognize the loss of personal freedom and authoritarian control they endorse in the name of “God.”
“or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
That’s all I have to say Justin.
“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
Read the phrase prior to the first comma in the 2nd Amendment John Wilburn. Then think about how that modifies the meaning of the rest of the text.
Justin, very well said. I join you in your call for tolerance, a virtue in short supply in our society.
Good post Justin, wrong of course, but nevertheless, say what you believe and believe in what you say, unlike lots of folks, including our “so called leaders”. God Bless You and God Bless America that used to be and maybe can become again. We’ll see, that is if the world doesn’t end today. Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year to ALL !
Dan, your choices of guest writers are the best. 911 truthers, socialist and atheists. I have some ideas for some future articles from your highly enlightened followers:
“How witchcraft can be utilized to stop Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.”
“Reasons why Obama should be King and not merely the President.”
“Cuba, the greatest country on the planet….especially if you love 1962 Ford Galaxies.”
For some people, faith in God is a bedrock fundamental core value, that they hold sacred, take seriously and work hard not to abuse. For others it is a cudgel to browbeat and force submission of others to their way of thinking. For some the Bible, Torah and Qur’an are guides for the history of our faith and how to live a life of faith with love, humility and kindness, for others it is a convenient quote mine they thump to denigrate, discriminate and abuse others.
There is no help for the hubris and temerity of man.
We all have to walk our own path and whether you feel you will “answer” to God or to your own conscience alone, the choice is and should be yours and yours alone. God is not in the business of forcing Himself onto anyone.
When you get a hinky feeling about something a Christian is saying, you can probably assume they are speaking for themselves, not God. Man’s ability to project is truly astounding.
Sandi, beautifully said. A powerful message of faith most appropriate for this holiday season. Peace be with you and your family.
Ron May:
“Read the phrase prior to the first comma in the 2nd Amendment John Wilburn. Then think about how that modifies the meaning of the rest of the text.”
I have many, many times. We, the people, ARE that well regulated militia and shame on most of us for letting ourselves neglect our own personal training to the extend we should.
Thanks Nosaj, my faith is not enhanced by demeaning the choices of others and I know it. Peace be with you as well. You too are a great addition to our “Cheers”!
Another good message Sandi, I agree with Nosaj, except I still get a little nervous about the “Quran” and the parts about slaying of Christians and Jews by Muslims which, thoughout history, seems to be carried out. I promise I won’t try to convert them if they won’t try to convert me. Again, at the risk of suffering pain or death, let me wish you a Merry Christmas and God, or someone, Bless You.
“I have many, many times. We, the people, ARE that well regulated militia and shame on most of us for letting ourselves neglect our own personal training to the extent we should.”
Do does little/no regulation = “well-regulated”?
Some people actually believe that, JW.
Well Dan, well-regulated personal hygiene should be a given too, but I don’t want our government intervening.
LinielGregory, less than 100 years out from WW2, there’s little doubt that when it comes to killing Christians and Jews, Christians are the reigning champs.
By the way, I’m fine with battling out all these gun, rights, Second Amendment issues, and the like on all of the other gun threads that Dan has started, but I won’t here because Justin has written some interesting stuff worth discussing for this thread. My first post was about the giving away of freedoms on different sides of the same issues, not a desire to debate the meanings of the Second Amendment.
For Justin’s sake and to promote discussion on THIS topic. I’ll leave the gun-related Q&A to those other threads.
Mr. Gregory, honesty insists that we also admit there are terrible, destructive, retribution violence inducing verses in our Bible as well. The history of no people is without sin.
I do not take “well regulated” to mean the same as getting a permit to carry a gun over the internet. Call me crazy. You may well say that most of the CCP folks are well trained, responsible and ready in a moment for super hero duty, but you cannot say they all are and we all know it. And since you brought it up, what people who did not grant me the right to own property, or vote “meant” or thought in this context matters not a whit. Why so many people think the particular words have so much meaning and force when taken in context to the time and changes is beyond my ken.
There are, in all honesty, so many reasons to discount whatever it was they “thought” or “felt” or even “said” when you put that up against what they did not do, include, fix, or say. They began abusing the “rights” of people almost before the ink dried and we all know that too.
Another Chuck,
You’re free to write a guest post, too. As I recently told J.M. White, after he penned his first one, I prefer that guest posts lean to the informational over the philosophical. You’ve got my email. Send one in. Please try to keep it to under 700 words.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and Blessings upon you as well Mr. Gregory!
Sandi says:
“For some people, faith in God is a bedrock fundamental core value, that they hold sacred, take seriously and work hard not to abuse. For others it is a cudgel to browbeat and force submission of others to their way of thinking. For some the Bible, Torah and Qur’an are guides for the history of our faith and how to live a life of faith with love, humility and kindness, for others it is a convenient quote mine they thump to denigrate, discriminate and abuse others.”
I’m not sure there is much else to say, thank you Sandi. Be comfortable in your own skin and your own faith, whatever that may be.
Merry Christmas to Sandi, Nosaj, Liniel, and Ron. I heard this quote and have been passing around. “Christmas is not your birthday.” It keeps things in perspective.
Off to take my kids through the drive thrrough…and pay for the car behind me. Caroling tomorrow nite to widows and shut ins. ‘Christmas’ in spanish means = more Jesus’. GIVE, GIVE, GIVE!
“Last week West Point senior cadet Blake Page dropped out of the military academy because he’s an atheist and he was sick of overbearing religious pressure brought upon cadets there.”
Good, The military doesnt want quitters.
Very good read, Justin. I too wonder when the change began. I’m much older than you and I remember the big hubbub about John Kennedy being a “Catholic” and how he was going to make everyone become Catholic. That didn’t happen but now it seems like that is what the politicians are trying to do. Religion does not belong in government. Look to the Middle East and see what religious leaders have done to those countries. I have always protested against religion in government, and I hate the way the country is going now. BTW I’m not atheist, I’m agnostic.
“Christians are the reigning champs” of killing since WW2 doesn’t coinside with my memory and I was alive at the beginning and end of WW2 and my recollection is the the German Nazi’s eliminated millions of our Jewish brothers and sistes, men, women and children. I don’t think the Nazi’s practiced Christianity. Someone will probably try to prove this wrong but I doubt if they can. Secondly, as I stated in another post today regarding the Don’t Believe in God billboards, the prejudice agains believers has been very powerful in eliminating God in schools, public places, etc., and Sodom and Gomorrah is being reborn, but, to quote Gen. Patton from WW2, I will believe in God every goddamned day until I die.
Merry Christmas to you, and the kids, Pistol Pete and thanks from chiming in and thanks for thinking of others at this time of year. And, you are right, no room for quitters in the military, sure wouldn’t want one of them “taking my back” in a battle. Joiners is what we need and that is why I joined up with the VA Defense Force at age 65, ten years ago, and climbed back up the ladder to Staff Sgt., A Company, 24th BA, Highland Brigage until they retired me at age 75 this past July.
Mr. Liniel Gregory, I accept your challenge. The National Socialist Party was absolutely based on Christian ideologies, and was led by a devout Catholic.
1. Adolf Hitler: Acting According to God’s Will
I believe today that my conduct is in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator.
- Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, Vol. 1
2. Adolf Hitler: Thanking God
Even today I am not ashamed to say that, overpowered by stormy enthusiasm, I fell down on my knees and thanked Heaven from an overflowing heart for granting me the good fortune of being permitted to live at this time.
- Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, Vol. 1 Chapter 5
3. Adolf Hitler: Deutschland Über Alles
I had so often sung ‘Deutschland über Alles’ and shouted ‘Heil’ at the top of my lungs, that it seemed to me almost a belated act of grace to be allowed to stand as a witness in the divine court of the eternal judge and proclaim the sincerity of this conviction.
- Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, Vol. 1 Chapter 5
4. Adolf Hitler: God’s Grace Smiles
Once again the songs of the fatherland roared to the heavens along the endless marching columns, and for the last time the Lord’s grace smiled on His ungrateful children.
- Adolf Hitler reflecting on World War I, Mein Kampf, Vol. 1, Chapter 7
5. Adolf Hitler: Fulfilling God’s Mission
What we have to fight for is the necessary security for the existence and increase of our race and people, the subsistence of its children and the maintenance of our racial stock unmixed, the freedom and independence of the Fatherland; so that our people may be enabled to fulfill the mission assigned to it by the Creator.
- Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, Vol. 1 Chapter 8
6. Adolf Hitler: Fate of God
But if out of smugness, or even cowardice, this battle is not fought to its end, then take a look at the peoples five hundred years from now. I think you will find but few images of God, unless you want to profane the Almighty.
- Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, Vol. 1 Chapter 10
7. Adolf Hitler: Sin Against the Will of God
In short, the results of miscegenation are always the following: (a) The level of the superior race becomes lowered; (b) physical and mental degeneration sets in, thus leading slowly but steadily towards a progressive drying up of the vital sap. The act which brings about such a development is a sin against the will of the Eternal Creator. And as a sin this act will be avenged.
- Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, Vol. 1 Chapter 11
8. Adolf Hitler: Sacrilege Against God
Anyone who dares to lay hands on the highest image of the Lord commits sacrilege against the benevolent creator of this miracle and contributes to the expulsion from paradise.
- Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf Vol. 2 Chapter 1
9. Adolf Hitler: Confidence in God
Thus inwardly armed with confidence in God and the unshakable stupidity of the voting citizenry, the politicians can begin the fight for the ‘remaking’ of the Reich as they call it.
- Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf Vol. 2 Chapter 1
10. Adolf Hitler: Gold has Replaced God
It may be that today gold has become the exclusive ruler of life, but the time will come when man will again bow down before a higher god.
- Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf Vol. 2 Chapter 2
All this time… Atheists get the blame for Hitler. Be ashamed Catholics, be ashamed.
“Secular schools can never be tolerated because such schools have no religious instruction, and a general moral instruction without a religious foundation is built on air; consequently, all character training and religion must be derived from faith …we need believing people.”
- Adolf Hitler, April 26, 1933, speech made during negotiations leading to the Nazi-Vatican Concordant
Sufficient evidence Mr. Gregory? Or shall I continue? Pistol Pete?
“the prejudice agains believers has been very powerful in eliminating God in schools, public places, etc.,” -Liniel Gregory
Please, Sir, inform me of these places that secularist are fighting to keep prayer to your god out of? The only places that we fight to keep secular is government property and functions. You may not shove your superstition down my throat at government buildings or functions because it is all of our property and functions. Christian, Non-theist, Hindu, or even the people you have an irrational fear of, Muslims.
Tell me sir, what would anger you more, Muslims forcing your child to get on a prayer mat, face east and pray to Allah (GOD), or no prayer at all? Forcing your children to chant to Buddha, or no prayer at all? You may believe in your traditional god, but there are those of us that absolutely do not, and we don’t want to take part in praying to your god either.
Next, Mr Gregory, you called the gentlemen in the article quitters. Am I to assume that Jefferson, Washington, Franklin and many more of our country’s founders are quitters, too? After all, they broke away (quit) their motherland, England on their religious or irreligious principals.
If you call someone a quitter, and would not follow someone into battle over standing up for their personal convictions and principals, I wouldn’t want to be in a Fighting Hole with you either.
Re: Sandi Saunders @ 10:37 am
Well said!
Re: scott whitaker @ 12:52 pm
Yup!
Trying to mix and compare Christian theology and Mein Kampf interpretations of any religion is ludicrous.I do not think anyone really cares whether or not Hitler was a Christian or an atheist. The heinous atrocities he committed during his fortunate short lived existence are acts of evil that nobody should waste their time trying to espouse or defend.
Justin, although religion is faith based for the most part, I don’t see the reason for you to promote yourself as being an atheist. It is indeed your right to do so, I just don’t see any point in different groups trying distinguish themselves that are all attempting to live by the Golden Rule. Merry Christmas!
Chuck,
In an ideal world, we wouldn’t HAVE to. Unfortunate as it is, though, we still face an inordinate level of discrimination. In several states, despite federal law, we’re not legally allowed to hold office. We still have public schools and property; property that belongs to ALL of us, that is used specifically to cater to people of faith. We’ve been burned, hanged, had our parental rights denied, had our children taken from us, had adoptions denied us, simply for being atheists. We’ve had our low points in history, as have people of faith. We’re a tiny (but rapidly growing) minority in America, but so much of America still looks down on us and calls us immoral, calls us damned, calls us communists, calls us devil worshipers. We have much work to do- To prove ourselves, even though we shouldn’t have to, to show people that they’re wrong about atheists in foxholes, to show them they’re wrong about atheist morality, and to show them, above all, that we will NOT be trod upon. Christianity, above all other faiths, holds by far the most privilege in this country. They are 80% of the population. We are, at best, 16%, and that’s only if one counts ALL of the unaffiliated as atheists (which wouldn’t be accurate). We are rising, and we will overcome, and we WILL be treated as equals in America. We will call out hypocrisy, and we will show the masses our scars. People like Liniel, and Suzie on the post about the billboards, will learn to recognize that they have not been persecuted- THEY hold all the power. We only want the piece we’re entitled to as Americans. Christians are on the television, and in the pulpits, and on the street corners every day. It’s about damned time that we take our equal time and use it.
Well said, Brad! I wouldn’t make an attempt to say it better myself! We need more folks like you in our movement to be recognized as a moral and decent people in our nation and world. I hope one day we get the chance to work together on achieving our common goal.
http://www.meetup.com/SouthernVirginiaAtheists/
AC, just look at the derision from a few people on this blog. No matter how much suzie whines about the imaginary destruction of religion, this country is still run by and for Christians.
Justin..just like all faiths some idiots run the wrong direction,just like exteme muslims.
Jesus is my standard..not Hitler…that is a terrible athiest argument.
So why just the hate on Christians? Where is your hate for muslims and jews on this board. Doesnt sound like an true athiest to me, but just Anti-Christian. You are just angry at someone in your past.
Haven’t seen South Park, SNL, or Bill Maher do any spoofs of Muhammed or Buddah lately. They wouldn’t dare make fun of those religions…
But like you guys said, there is no attack on Christianity at all in this country.
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/tebow/1374394/
http://www.mediaite.com/online/bill-mahers-christmas-eve-jesus-fked-tim-tebow-satan-is-tebowing-tweet-stirs-outrage/
http://noisydove.com/noisy-dove-politics/jesus-on-southpark-double-standard/
Pistol Pete,
The challenge was to prove the Nazis were in fact Christian, that is what I did. As an Atheist I challenge all gods, not just the Christian tradition.
I do have a particular distaste for Christianity, but not because of one single person or incident. Christianity and its lies and disgusting theology is in our face on a daily basis. So yes, I do speak out more on Christianity.
And to correct you here, I don’t hate Christians. I do however loath Christianity and its harm it does to our community and nation.
@37 “So why just the hate on Christians?”
Hate the religion, love the religious. Sound familiar?
No seriously pistol. There aren’t any muslims or jews on my doorstep. If there was vocal group of either, who where just as evangelical, then there would be just as much criticism. From what I can, European atheists have to deal more with the muslims than we do because there are larger populations of them. If it makes you feel any better, I think the muslims stir the crazy pot to much higher degree as christians, but their aren’t many of’m around.
Plus, evangelical Christians make it their business to get into other people’s business. That’s what evangelism is about,right? I’ve never had an atheist on my doorstep, or hand me evangelical literature when I was getting a haircut, or, get this, try to win my soul to christ while drinking a beer at the Capital Ale House (that was pretty weird, but I guess everyone has their ministry niche.). I can’t telly you them number of times I’ve been minding my own business at home or in public when some good intentioned by clearly delusion person thinks they need to approach me about my eternal soul.
As long as there is evangelism, there will be push back. From my point of view, it ain’t the non believers who are the most aggressive in this regard.
Mr. Liniel Gregory,
Adolph Hitler was nominally a Catholic. Read any valid history. He would also use whatever scheme or leverage he could to justify his political and social goals. Using religious imagery and claiming to be on God’s side was just one of the twisted ways he manipulated his message. He really thought God was on his side.
Sorry, but the Hitler was an atheist dog just don’t hunt. Know what was printed on the belt buckles of German SS? “Gott mit uns”. You seem like you have the resources to look it up. Do so.
If this conversation is going to move in the direction it usually does then it will be time to move on to Stalin or Pol Pot, which believers will always trot out as evidence that atheism leads to terrible consequences. Cue Suzie.
Church was one of Hitler’s acceptable activities for women. Of course he wasn’t an atheist.
And this piece from Justin came to mind when I was reading Panetta’s report yesterday about the ongoing sexual
Assault crisis at the Academies. Seems like all that God isn’t doing much.
“But like you guys said, there is no attack on Christianity at all in this country.”
PP, buddy, if you consider these “attacks on Christianity,” then you really are quite uncertain about your faith. Sad. (BTW, I personally don’t care for Bill Maher).
BTW, PP, the depiction of Muhammad (NOTE the proper spelling) was kept off SP solely because Comedy Central wimped out over some threats of violence. Would you advocate keeping parodies of Christianity or Jesus off the air through similar threats of violence? You could try that if if you care to.
As for Buddhism, there really isn’t just a whole lot to parody there. For the most part, they don’t get up in your face, try to recruit you, or credit Buddha (NOTE the proper spelling) for everything from a football win to the successful cooking of dinner.
gdad,
I agree with you there on, Bill Maher. He seems to go out of his way to plug Atheism, and most of the time it isn’t remotely funny. He tries to be facetious with it, but in my opinion, he fails miserably. I am a huge comedy fan, and I love Atheist comedians like, Ricky Gervais, and my personal all time favorite, David Cross. Bill Maher, sounds like a preschooler compared to these guys.
And to me, Buddhism is more of a life philosophy more than a religion. The Buddha, did not want statues or any likeness of himself to be worshiped. The only thing that makes Buddhism comparable to a religion is his birth story. (If someone would like to chime in and educate us on why I am wrong, please do, I don’t know all that much on Buddhism). I think the big thing with Christians, and Muslims, is that they know their stories in their “holy” books are so far fetched and are in fact fables, they get offended and want others to “bow down” and respect a tradition that is obscene and just flat out childish at best.
If we were to make the Bible into a movie, it wouldn’t even make it into the theaters. It would be a XXX movie and would be banned from being sold in most stores. So, I always assume that most folks haven’t read the bible, or they just let some guy who is trying to get 10% of their pay checks for his vacation home tell them a crazy interpretation of these stories.
Personally I think the bible taken as the truth is disgusting, but when taken as fables, it is quite a funny and interesting read.
Justin True:
“So, I always assume that most folks haven’t read the bible”
On average, atheists know the bible better than “Christians”.
There isn’t much to say about Buddhism…it’s too reasonable. SP did go after the Scientologists though.
J Dub, I have found that to be true also. It gets really fun at times.
The notion that Hitler was Catholic because he said so is ridiculous. Do you think these dictators admit what they are on the way in when they are trying to gain acceptance? obama also talks a good game about religion. His record speaks otherwise. Hitler and his regime murdered thousands of priests. Catholics had to go underground. I suspect we will be there againl in the coming decades.
“The notion that Hitler was Catholic because he said so is ridiculous. Do you think these dictators admit what they are on the way in when they are trying to gain acceptance?”
–Comment by Suzie
The notion that Suzie is Catholic because she says so is ridiculous. Do you think these anonymous bloggers admit what they are on the way in when they are trying to gain acceptance?
Do you think these anonymous bloggers admit what they are on the way in when they are trying to gain acceptance?
I don’t think anybody would accuse me of “trying to gain acceptance” within the blog. Like the Catholic Church, I speak for what’s right and don’t care what people think.
Of course SNL never does skits parodying Muslims as is clearly evidenced by this one:
http://www.guzer.com/videos/terrorist_names.php
“I don’t think anybody would accuse me of “trying to gain acceptance” within the blog.”
That’s true. You just want attention — of any kind.
Suzie, I think you are a Catholic for shear excuse. You bring to the front of your argument that you are Catholic as a front. As a reason and an excuse for your despicable behavior. You are racist, you loath the poor, you loath females, you loath other religions, you loath others that may have another sexual orientation, and so on. It has nothing to do with your religion and everything to do with your ignorance and your self hatred. You blame everyone else for the world’s problems as you sit back and do nothing. You do nothing, you are lazy, you are willingly ignorant. You are religion not out of necessity, but out of personal, and selfish survival.
Considering how the Vatican interacted happily with the Nazi regime, sounds like another Catholic just trying to push off the crap her religion did on others.
Gdad@54…can you be more insulting? Where is the FAP…Dan?
That’s true. You just want attention — of any kind.
If you think that, why aren’t you smart enough not to respond to every single post I make?
I reviewed all of the comments on Saturday and decided to withhold any further ado from me to the verbose and unduly prolix atheist comments and billboard advertisers to avoid giving any credence or dignity to the non-belivers. Suffice it to say you’re just plain wrong, however, thank God we live in America and you are FREE to say anything you like and I support your right to do so. To you and everyone else I close this Christmas Eve with wishing each and everyone a very Merry Christmas, a healthy, happy and prosperous NEW YEAR and God Bless Us everyone. Linnie
“Gdad@54…can you be more insulting?”
Leon, it’s not insulting to tell the truth.
“If you think that, why aren’t you smart enough not to respond to every single post I make?”
Because in the past when folks didn’t respond, your posts got even shriller and more frequent. That’s the way some youngsters react when they aren’t getting enough attention. So I guess I AM guilty of rewarding bad behavior.
And of course it’s yet another lie to suggest that I respond to every post you make. I don’t have that much time to spare.
holy…, ah, cow, Justin. you are appear to be pretty angry today.
personally, i think life’s too short for that kinda “personal attack” stuff, but then again, if you just gotta be you, hey, go for it. but then again, you also get to own it.
60.“Gdad@54…can you be more insulting?”
Leon, it’s not insulting to tell the truth.
Comment by gdad — December 24, 2012 @ 10:14 am
So you consider the truth something that you cannot and do not know…
as you cannot know whether she seeks attention nor even who she really is.
Liniel Gregory:
“to avoid giving any credence or dignity to the non-belivers. Suffice it to say you’re just plain wrong”
Retreating to the church and the shelter it gives the weak-minded. There’s a reason these debates aren’t carried to the end and it’s ALWAYS the same side who bails.
wayne goodman:
“53.Of course SNL never does skits parodying Muslims as is clearly evidenced by this one:”
LMAO!!!!
#61…Don`t have the time ? Now, there`s a gift that will keep on giving.
Re: gdad 10:18 am
Yup! Suzie also takes the lack of responses as a [false on the face of it] justification to assume and claim victory — crowing about shutting everyone down.
Some time back, I quit replying directly to her, for awhile. Need to take periodic breaks in rewarding bad behavior.
Comment by Justin True — December 24, 2012 @ 12:47 am
Mahatma Ghandi said “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”