These stupid articles always center around reactions and rebuttals from christian groups. How come whenever a priest molests a child, news outlets don't immediately ask atheist's their opinions?

Atheists could put up a billboard that says "'Have a good day' - Courtesy of the Freedom From Religious Foundation" and people would still complain.

Britney Spear's Speculum: Atheists could put up a billboard that says "'Have a good day' - Courtesy of the Freedom From Religious Foundation" and people would still complain.

That's why. The mere existence of atheists drives religious people crazy.

I don't agree with flat out calling christmas a myth, especially where they put Santa on the billboard. There are better, more clever ways to deal blows to the religion industrial complex. Maybe switch Santa out with Satan.


/leave santa alone

Kelbel: Thanks for driving your opinion on me. I don't buy billboards to push my beliefs.

Man if you think a billboard is distasteful and is pushing religious beliefs, then don't. for your own sanity, look at the back of a dollar bill. DON'T DO IT!

Kelbel: Huh? I spend the money to keep the economy going. I don't look at other than the value of what it is.

The US government puts "In God We Trust" on the back of billions and billions of dollars printed. But you're gonna biatch and moan at the people who disagree with this when they voice their objections. Got it.

Kelbel: Britney: How much money did you spend this week?

38 grand. On my medical school tuition.

It's exactly like not collecting stamps.

A picture would have sufficed, did not watch TFV.

FTA: "Only the most dense and simple-minded person would put [Jesus] in the same category as the other three. Clearly, even those who lack a personal commitment to Jesus recognize that there was in fact some historical figure by this name -- religious leader and teacher -- around 2,000 years ago."

... And? Even if that were true, so what?

Kelbel: Thanks for driving your opinion on me. I don't buy billboards to push my beliefs.

And I don't come to Fark to read posts from stupid people, yet here you are.

Kelbel: You brought up the back of a dollar. I work hard for my dollars. Did not go to college and seems that if you can pay 38,000; unless it was by grants, you make way more than I do.

I'm pretty sure she/he is working pretty damn hard for his/her money. Medical school ain't exactly a cakewalk.

And it's almost certainly paid by loans. You think medical students have time to work much on the side?

\Working your way through college is an absolute myth.
\\Unless your family can pay for it, you're taking out loans.

Is this the weekly religion vs atheists post?

This seems like it would be pretty ineffective. Those of us that know that Jesus was likely born around August and who still choose to be Christians probably won't change our mind because of a billboard, and people who are determined to be Christian no matter what will just be resentful.

I think that if atheists really want to convince other people that religion is just fairy tale bullshiat, they should step back and let the Dominionist types do their work for them. A nutcase like Michele Bachmann makes me question my own faith way more than any atheist's viewpoints ever have.

An atheist like a mofo, but i do enjoy some family myths when everyone is (somewhat) off.

"Only the most dense and simple-minded person would put [Jesus] in the same category as the other three. Clearly, even those who lack a personal commitment to Jesus recognize that there was in fact some historical figure by this name -- religious leader and teacher -- around 2,000 years ago."

That's some fine delusional cognitive dissonance. Bottle that and sell it.

well, christ IS a myth
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/myth

"a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, especially one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature."

and yet, people are still gonna have a problem with this.

FishyFred: Britney Spear's Speculum: Atheists could put up a billboard that says "'Have a good day' - Courtesy of the Freedom From Religious Foundation" and people would still complain.

That's why. The mere existence of atheists drives religious people crazy.

How would you know?? I am a Christian and I have no problems with Farkers, atheists, FSM followers, jews...to each his/her own. The gospel is an invitation that can be rejected...does not affect me whatsoever.. What does irk me is people who say that are opposed to blind intolerance practicing the same. Put your broad brush back in it's holster. We agree more than we disagree but I am not the kind to explain myself unless I really think you care. You probably don't. This is fine. Atheists can be closed minded and blind as well.

Christmas isn't a myth. It's a public holiday that occurs every year. What a bunch of idiots.

As an atheist, I don't really support things like this. Let people believe what they want to believe, quit being a douche. Yeah I get it, God is a fairy tale and there's a bunch of pedophile priests. There's also millions of every day people like you and me that have religious believes which help give their lives meaning. Let them be.

Britney Spear's Speculum: Kelbel: Thanks for driving your opinion on me. I don't buy billboards to push my beliefs.

Man if you think a billboard is distasteful and is pushing religious beliefs, then don't. for your own sanity, look at the back of a dollar bill. DON'T DO IT!


Ahh, the Sanity Clause.

justoneznot: As an atheist, I don't really support things like this. Let people believe what they want to believe, quit being a douche. Yeah I get it, God is a fairy tale and there's a bunch of pedophile priests. There's also millions of every day people like you and me that have religious believes which help give their lives meaning. Let them be.

I much prefer the "Don't believe or questioning the existence of God. Come meet other people like you" line of advertising.

cptjeff: \Working your way through college is an absolute myth.

It didn't used to be. I worked summers and managed a pizza restaurant during the school year. It covered everything with enough left over for a little fun.

Fark I'm old.

Britney Spear's Speculum: These stupid articles always center around reactions and rebuttals from christian groups. How come whenever a priest molests a child, news outlets don't immediately ask atheist's their opinions?

Look, don't take this as *my* opinion, I'm just pointing out to you what should be obvious: No one in the media cares what atheists think.

Smelly McUgly: I think that if atheists really want to convince other people that religion is just fairy tale bullshiat, they should step back and let the Dominionist types do their work for them.

I've often thought that. Let the freaktard fundies take over for a few years. That would do more to damage the church than anything we could ever do.

/of course, I'll be safe in China while you conduct the experiment.

The tilt of the Earth's axis is the reason for the season.

jingks: justoneznot: As an atheist, I don't really support things like this. Let people believe what they want to believe, quit being a douche. Yeah I get it, God is a fairy tale and there's a bunch of pedophile priests. There's also millions of every day people like you and me that have religious believes which help give their lives meaning. Let them be.

I much prefer the "Don't believe or questioning the existence of God. Come meet other people like you" line of advertising.

If there was an atheist organization that got together and had meaningful discussions I think that would be great, I'd like to be part of something like that. But from what I can tell most of them are so caught up in hating Christianity, it's like they have this grudge that will never go away and it's all they focus on.

Unfortunately there seems to be a lot of atheists who became atheists not through critical thinking but out of rebellion. And maybe I shouldn't blame them, there are some Christians who try to shove their beliefs down peoples throats. But most of them aren't like that and we shouldn't treat them all as if they were.

Just because there's some dickhead religious fundie that annoys everyone on TV doesn't mean we can't be friendly with the Christians we work with or who are part of our family.

Hey Christians, did you know that Christmas is of pagan origin and your god has said he hates it? You might want to read Jer. 10 before you put up your Christmas tree this year and light the Yule log. Christians, face it, you're pagans - just come out of the closet already.

My only complaint is that if they did it to any other religion, people would be having kittens over how they're being oppressed.

Labor day is the best holiday. No gifts, big dinners, relatives, religion, or parties. Just relax.

Gyrfalcon: thelordofcheese: "Only the most dense and simple-minded person would put [Jesus] in the same category as the other three. Clearly, even those who lack a personal commitment to Jesus recognize that there was in fact some historical figure by this name -- religious leader and teacher -- around 2,000 years ago."

That's some fine delusional cognitive dissonance. Bottle that and sell it.

I'm sure there WAS, in fact, a rabbi named Yeshua ben Joseph, who lived and died around 2000 years ago in Judea, who preached a form of Judaism known as millennialism that was actually fairly common in the region (there were at least two other preachers of the same general type, Apollonius of Tyre and another named Dionysus a few decades later). For whatever reason, perhaps the dramatic circumstances of his death, Jesus was the one who became most associated with the teachings and the others faded into obscurity.

That has absolutely nothing to do with anything ELSE associated with Jesus, or the validity or non-validity of his teachings; except to say if he was even one-tenth as holy a man as his followers claim, he'd be a thousand times more godly than any of those who claim to be "Christians" today.

On what evidence, outside of the Bible or secondary references to it, do you base your belief that Jesus was an actual person who existed?

untaken_name: Hey Christians, did you know that Christmas is of pagan origin and your god has said he hates it? You might want to read Jer. 10 before you put up your Christmas tree this year and light the Yule log. Christians, face it, you're pagans - just come out of the closet already.

Dumbass. We know. We just don't care; that's the part you just can't hoist in.

untaken_name: Hey Christians, did you know that Christmas is of pagan origin and your god has said he hates it? You might want to read Jer. 10 before you put up your Christmas tree this year and light the Yule log. Christians, face it, you're pagans - just come out of the closet already.

Christmas is actually just a replacement holiday for Saturnalia? That explains the continued tradition of buggery in the Catholic Church then.

/See, some of us have a sense of humor!

TheHopeDiamond: Dumbass. We know. We just don't care; that's the part you just can't hoist in.

Oh, on the contrary. That's the absolutely most awesome part for me. It shows just how hypocritical the whole religion is, and you (as you've admitted yourself) don't even care. Delicious.

I want to hear from the Jews.

In Europe, the christians killed most of them in the 1930s and 40s. You won't see any billboards about that.

farkityfarker: On what evidence, outside of the Bible or secondary references to it, do you base your belief that Jesus was an actual person who existed?

Let's see. There's burnt toast, frying pans, water stains, wood grain, cancerous tumor, a dog's ass hair... do you want me to go on?

As a guy who will only believe in gods when I experience them myself, I don't even bother changing other people's beliefs. If they ask me why I don't believe, that's the only time I'll tell them my ideas, but I won't be advertising anything that's supposed to change their minds for the sake of it. It's just about letting people be happy however they want since it doesn't affect me negatively anyway. I still enjoy christmas and all the holidays, it's fun and I get gifts too, but that doesn't mean I believe in a little baby god who's both mean and kind (and also is a 3-in-one person) at the same time.

FishyFred: Britney Spear's Speculum: Atheists could put up a billboard that says "'Have a good day' - Courtesy of the Freedom From Religious Foundation" and people would still complain.

That's why. The mere existence of atheists drives religious people crazy.

don't generalize. the existence of atheists doesn't make me crazy. it saddens me, but i truly understand why they have their beliefs.

I have lived god with in my heart,and without. i just wish i had believed earlier

"...You must be feeling a right bunch of nitwits..."

RexTalionis: Kelbel: Thanks for driving your opinion on me. I don't buy billboards to push my beliefs.

Not that I agree with the idea of the billboards, but how are they driving their ideas on you? It's a billboard. You glance at it for a couple of seconds while you're driving. Hardly driving beliefs onto anyone.
Would you say the same thing if it was one of those pro-Christian billboards? Personally I can't stand the Christians who have to make their views public. This atheist group is just as ridiculous as the Christians. I find it funny how hypocritical the atheists are. They cry foul when the Christians do it, but will support these stupid billboards.

Atheists are just as bad as Christians.

Seriously, what is wrong with having good will towards each other around the holidays?

Just because we get presents and Easter candy while you jerks are chomping on cock-shaped tofu popsicles, don't get all moody about it.

James F. Campbell: FTA: "Only the most dense and simple-minded person would put [Jesus] in the same category as the other three. Clearly, even those who lack a personal commitment to Jesus recognize that there was in fact some historical figure by this name -- religious leader and teacher -- around 2,000 years ago."

... And? Even if that were true, so what?

Wait, is he saying that Saint Nicholas, aka Santa Claus, was a myth? Because there's a whole hell of a lot more evidence of Saint Nick than there is of Jesus.

SuwonROKs: Atheists are just as bad as Christians.

Nonsense, though I understand why certain people wish to spread this message and believe they will find people gullible enough to believe it.

Why would an atheist join an atheist organization?

I mean, other than to meet atheist chicks.

sunlion: I want to hear from the Jews.

In Europe, the christians killed most of them in the 1930s and 40s. You won't see any billboards about that.

In all fairness, a coalition of peoples, many of whom identified themselves as "Christian," also banded together and stopped the group you're referring to. Just sayin'.

I have lived god with in my heart,and without. i just wish i had believed earlier

Yeah, it makes it all so much easier doesn't it? You can just do whatever you want, and as long as you ask forgiveness, you still get to go to The Magical Place In The Sky(tm)! YAY!!

The essence of Christianity transcends the story and the religion. Be nice to poor people, be humble and forgiving. You may not see a lot of Christians like this, but there are hundreds of millions of them out there. Just like there hundreds of millions of Muslims out there who try to act the same. People aren't perfect and the most visible in these religions are inevitably the most proud and hypocritical. If you write them all off because of a few you'll miss knowing a lot of decent people. You can scoff at the stories if you like, but they help a lot of people try to live decent lives and give them hope in difficult situations.

doglover: Because nobody gives a shiat what atheists think?

Probably very true in America.

just rude

tinfoil-hat maggie: Drive trough Pulaski, Tennessee on I-65. Next time I go trough there I'm going too take some picks but the billboards are all about the rapture and you could be saved if only you act now.

I think that might be the main cause of the difference of opinion on these matters. People who live where there are Christians pulling that kind of crap and those who live elsewhere.

Cucullen: The essence of Christianity transcends the story and the religion. Be nice to poor people, be humble and forgiving.

Then why does Jesus want tens of millions of Americans to not have health care if they become ill?

Jubeju: I have lived god with in my heart,and without. i just wish i had believed earlier

Yeah, it makes it all so much easier doesn't it? You can just do whatever you want, and as long as you ask forgiveness, you still get to go to The Magical Place In The Sky(tm)! YAY!!

This is a really interesting viewpoint. You must have met some real assholes who used Christianity as a Get Out of Jail Free card in your day. I'm sorry.

One of the things that used to bother me is the idea that Fred Phelps gets into heaven, whatever heaven is supposed to be, but the Dalai Lama is farked. I think that you are picking the very worst, most disingenuous folks who identify as Christian, though, and projecting them as the norm. I am sure that you will disagree with me, but honestly I think most people in general are trying to do the best that they can do for others regardless of their beliefs.

justoneznot: As an atheist, I don't really support things like this. Let people believe what they want to believe, quit being a douche. Yeah I get it, God is a fairy tale and there's a bunch of pedophile priests. There's also millions of every day people like you and me that have religious believes which help give their lives meaning. Let them be.

I agree there is a bunch of pedophile priests....and coaches, and judges, and cops, and Jews, and Muslims, and atheists, and agnostics, and (insert religion, race, color, creed, profession, etc. here).

However, there is nothing 'shocking' about an atheist pedophile, and therefore not 'news' worthy.

farkityfarker: Cucullen: The essence of Christianity transcends the story and the religion. Be nice to poor people, be humble and forgiving.

Then why does Jesus want tens of millions of Americans to not have health care if they become ill?

Because America isn't a Christian nation...

moothemagiccow: If there's anyone I hate more than christian activists, it's atheist activists

The important thing is that you've found a way to fake superiority to both.

jingks: hristianity transcends the story and the religion. Be nice to poor people, be humble and forgiving.

Then why does Jesus want tens of millions of Americans to not have health care if they become ill?

Because America isn't a Christian nation...

It's like Supply Side Jesus always says, "If an investor attempts a hostile takeover of your corporation with one hand, try to unload a bunch of worthless bundled derivatives into his other," Or something like that. I'm sure He has a parable or teaching that is related to that lesson. Maybe, "Teach a man to fish, and you have to provide benefits as an employer. Let him fish without providing company guidelines, and he can be an independent contractor -- so you don't need to incur the expense of providing him health care or pay someone else to deal with the payroll tax withholding."

I will issue a challenge to atheists right here, right now.

Go to a Muslim country, and put up you billboards full of atheist bullshiat. Let's see what happens.

Just remember that you farksticks would be burned at the stake in basically any other country than the US.

You idiots feel emboldened to shout down religion everywhere? Uh, HELLO McFLY, huge conflicts have started over religion, do you REALLY think telling the warring sides that their gods don't exist is the right path?

sunlion: I want to hear from the Jews.

In Europe, the christians killed most of them in the 1930s and 40s. You won't see any billboards about that.

I've heard "Arbeit Macht Frei" was popular not too long after that.

I want to see a billboard with the following images (full-color photos if possible) in all their graphic glory:

A man being hung, just before the rope pulls taut
A man in front of a firing squad at the moment of impact
A man on the rack
Jesus on the cross
A man being drawn and quartered
A man being flogged bloody
A man impaled Vlad-syle

If it's ok to show one form of torture and execution in public, it should be ok to show them all.

mainstreet62: I will issue a challenge to atheists right here, right now.

Go to a Muslim country, and put up you billboards full of atheist bullshiat. Let's see what happens.

Just remember that you farksticks would be burned at the stake in basically any other country than the US.

You idiots feel emboldened to shout down religion everywhere? Uh, HELLO McFLY, huge conflicts have started over religion, do you REALLY think telling the warring sides that their gods don't exist is the right path?

Come on, no way they get burned at the stake by Muslims....

...

...

...

...

they would get rocks hurled at them until they were bludgeoned to death...shish, get it right yo!

moothemagiccow: If there's anyone I hate more than christian activists, it's atheist activists. The dipshiats deserve each other.

Last atheist dick I met complained christians treated him like he "was against god." I had to inform him about what the A in atheist meant.

Did you tell him the 'A' meant "without" as in "Godless"?

moothemagiccow: If there's anyone I hate more than christian activists, it's atheist activists

fixed

/seriously, does anyone other than the activists give a crap about what the activists are activating about?

/Open Source activist

mainstreet62: I will issue a challenge to atheists right here, right now.

Go to a Muslim country, and put up you billboards full of atheist bullshiat. Let's see what happens.

Just remember that you farksticks would be burned at the stake in basically any other country than the US.

You idiots feel emboldened to shout down religion everywhere? Uh, HELLO McFLY, huge conflicts have started over religion, do you REALLY think telling the warring sides that their gods don't exist is the right path?

Sure thing. Right after a Christian group tries to promote their beliefs via billboard in the area, followed by an encore with Fred Phelps and his band of morons spending a month picketing for their brand of crazy with anti-Islamic signs.

lordargent: moothemagiccow: If there's anyone I hate more than christian activists, it's atheist activists

fixed

/seriously, does anyone other than the activists give a crap about what the activists are activating about?

/Open Source activist



I'm not even sure all the ACTIVISTS give a crap what they're activating about.

/yes i know the site is a joke but I couldn't find a good image link for the bullshiat episode

mainstreet62: I will issue a challenge to atheists right here, right now.

Go to a Muslim country, and put up you billboards full of atheist bullshiat. Let's see what happens.

Just remember that you farksticks would be burned at the stake in basically any other country than the US.

You idiots feel emboldened to shout down religion everywhere? Uh, HELLO McFLY, huge conflicts have started over religion, do you REALLY think telling the warring sides that their gods don't exist is the right path?

0/10. And I'm a Navy SEAL.

moothemagiccow: Mmhmm. Godless. As in, 'no gods.' Yanno, actively believing that there are no gods. Najust saying oh there might not be a god, I'm not sure, don't get your hopes up, but a firm, definitive resolution that there are no gods. Against god.

The only difference between Christians/Muslims/Jews and atheists is that atheists only deny the existence of one more god than they do.

tinfoil-hat maggie: Ryan2065: Despite the negative attention the billboards receive, American Atheists Communications Director Blair Scott said the signs aren't meant to offend people, but that he understands why it happens.

"When you question someone's long-held beliefs and doctrine they are going to be immediately offended and be on the defensive: it's a known psychological phenomenon," he told Opposing Views.

You're not helping... This makes it sound like your goal is converting people to your faith.

One sign will feature the phrase "2 Million Floridians don't believe in gods,"

Keep signs like this and quit with the attention whoring "Christianity is a myth!" signs.

Drive trough Pulaski, Tennessee on I-65. Next time I go trough there I'm going too take some picks but the billboards are all about the rapture and you could be saved if only you act now.
/I mean really the atheists are obnoxious?
/Oh and my fave a big black billboard with white writing purporting to be a message from God sign by God
/but yea atheist be crazy

That billboard has NOTHING on what you'll read further down in Mississippi and into Oklahoma.

0Icky0: cptjeff: \Working your way through college is an absolute myth.

It didn't used to be. I worked summers and managed a pizza restaurant during the school year. It covered everything with enough left over for a little fun.

Fark I'm old.

It still isn't a myth. I did it without anyone's help. Worked my ass off. The problem is most of these lazy, self-entitled douchebag snowflakes want you to think it's hard. If anything, university is much easier today than it was 20 years ago.

So, how does aetheism differ from other religions?

eraser8: moothemagiccow: Najust saying oh there might not be a god, I'm not sure, don't get your hopes up, but a firm, definitive resolution that there are no gods.

Actually, atheism is simply a lack of belief in gods. You don't have to have a firm, definitive resolution that there are no gods to be an atheist.

You can be an agnostic atheist (or an agnostic theist), correct? Which one is the one that is actually firm and definitive about their being no gods? It isn't either of the ones that I mentioned, but I forget my little four-square belief chart.

moothemagiccow: The Southern Dandy: moothemagiccow: If there's anyone I hate more than christian activists, it's atheist activists. The dipshiats deserve each other.

Last atheist dick I met complained christians treated him like he "was against god." I had to inform him about what the A in atheist meant.

Did you tell him the 'A' meant "without" as in "Godless"?

Did you think I meant they were againsttheists? fark me, give yer random farker some credit

Atheist does mean one is against God. It only means one doesn't believe in God. I firmly believe there are no leprechauns. Doesn't mean I'm against leprechauns.
Are you atheist when it comes to Zeus? Do you believe in Zeus? Are you against Zeus?

autopsybeverage: mainstreet62: I will issue a challenge to atheists right here, right now.

Go to a Muslim country, and put up you billboards full of atheist bullshiat. Let's see what happens.

Just remember that you farksticks would be burned at the stake in basically any other country than the US.

You idiots feel emboldened to shout down religion everywhere? Uh, HELLO McFLY, huge conflicts have started over religion, do you REALLY think telling the warring sides that their gods don't exist is the right path?

Sure thing. Right after a Christian group tries to promote their beliefs via billboard in the area, followed by an encore with Fred Phelps and his band of morons spending a month picketing for their brand of crazy with anti-Islamic signs.

Uh huh. So you're going after a splinter group of Christians that even 99.9999% of all Christians think suck donkey balls. Seriously?

I find it amusing that atheists think they should be listened to. Women and gays around the world had to fight for rights. They have been legit oppressed, and are earning hard fought freedoms.

And then atheists come swooping in, all butthurt because no one takes your one stupid idea seriously.

The Bible, the Koran, and plenty other religious texts have a moral code embedded within to help people treat fellow man with love and respect. What have atheists written that does the same?

What will allow atheists to write any kind of moral code when their one idea, the assertion of a lack of God, relegates religious texts with moral codes to the fiction section?

Britney Spear's Speculum: These stupid articles always center around reactions and rebuttals from christian groups. How come whenever a priest molests a child, news outlets don't immediately ask atheist's their opinions?

Oh brother. Here, let me try explaining the painfully obvious to you: The billboards are intended to make people question Christianity, so naturally the article includes the reactions of a few Christians. They're directly related to the story. (And if any Satanists, Poseidon-worshippers, or Santa-loving children publicly express their feelings about these ads, there's likely to be a followup.) OTOH, while a priest molesting a child is a terrible, terrible thing, it has f*ck all to do with atheism. You might as well ask why articles about the Sandusky scandal don't feature the opinions of people who don't like college football. The article makes perfect sense, it's your question that's stupid.

mainstreet62: I will issue a challenge to atheists right here, right now.

Go to a Muslim country, and put up you billboards full of atheist bullshiat. Let's see what happens.

Just remember that you farksticks would be burned at the stake in basically any other country than the US.

You idiots feel emboldened to shout down religion everywhere? Uh, HELLO McFLY, huge conflicts have started over religion, do you REALLY think telling the warring sides that their gods don't exist is the right path?

Yes.

autopsybeverage:
It's like Supply Side Jesus always says, "If an investor attempts a hostile takeover of your corporation with one hand, try to unload a bunch of worthless bundled derivatives into his other," Or something like that. I'm sure He has a parable or teaching that is related to that lesson.

Parable of the Talents. It's where Jesus endorses hedge fund performance fees.

moothemagiccow: If there's anyone I hate more than christian activists, it's atheist activists. The dipshiats deserve each other.

Last atheist dick I met complained christians treated him like he "was against god." I had to inform him about what the A in atheist meant.

How can you be against something you don't believe in?

mainstreet62: autopsybeverage: mainstreet62: I will issue a challenge to atheists right here, right now.

Go to a Muslim country, and put up you billboards full of atheist bullshiat. Let's see what happens.

Just remember that you farksticks would be burned at the stake in basically any other country than the US.

You idiots feel emboldened to shout down religion everywhere? Uh, HELLO McFLY, huge conflicts have started over religion, do you REALLY think telling the warring sides that their gods don't exist is the right path?

Sure thing. Right after a Christian group tries to promote their beliefs via billboard in the area, followed by an encore with Fred Phelps and his band of morons spending a month picketing for their brand of crazy with anti-Islamic signs.

Uh huh. So you're going after a splinter group of Christians that even 99.9999% of all Christians think suck donkey balls. Seriously?

I find it amusing that atheists think they should be listened to. Women and gays around the world had to fight for rights. They have been legit oppressed, and are earning hard fought freedoms.

And then atheists come swooping in, all butthurt because no one takes your one stupid idea seriously.

The Bible, the Koran, and plenty other religious texts have a moral code embedded within to help people treat fellow man with love and respect. What have atheists written that does the same?

What will allow atheists to write any kind of moral code when their one idea, the assertion of a lack of God, relegates religious texts with moral codes to the fiction section?

[maximumtrolling.jpeg]

Sarah Palin's Conscience: mainstreet62: I will issue a challenge to atheists right here, right now.

Go to a Muslim country, and put up you billboards full of atheist bullshiat. Let's see what happens.

Just remember that you farksticks would be burned at the stake in basically any other country than the US.

You idiots feel emboldened to shout down religion everywhere? Uh, HELLO McFLY, huge conflicts have started over religion, do you REALLY think telling the warring sides that their gods don't exist is the right path?

Yes.

Act on your belief, then. Put up a billboard in Turkey, let us see the hilarity that ensues.

Good. I'm so glad to see that the majority of people believe in nothing. I mean, according to revelations, armageddon, etc., it is during the times when nobody believes in God that God will destroy everything and I, for one, welcome that.

I can't stand to live in a world where nobody believes in anything. What's the farking point of existing? Seriously, can one of you so-called aethiests answer that for me? Why continue to survive if there's nothing to survive for? Religion aside, I happen to believe in life beyond this one and reaching a higher existence. And that is considering everything from the basic principles of physics and energy principles all the way to string theory and multidimensional mathematics.

/Yes, I agree religion as an organization destroys the spirituality behind one's personal theology.
//But if you don't believe in anything, why the fark must you want everyone else to believe the way you do? It's a huge contradiction. True aethiests don't bother imposing their beliefs on others. Here's one image that always sums up these hypocritical ''aethiests'':

KelbelThanks for driving your opinion on me. I don't buy billboards to push my beliefs.

justoneznot: As an atheist, I don't really support things like this. Let people believe what they want to believe, quit being a douche. Yeah I get it, God is a fairy tale and there's a bunch of pedophile priests. There's also millions of every day people like you and me that have religious believes which help give their lives meaning. Let them be.

Smelly McUgly I think that if atheists really want to convince other people that religion is just fairy tale bullshiat, they should step back and let the Dominionist types do their work for them.

-So the best atheist is a silent atheist, that's what I'm getting here...

Amigajoe: KelbelThanks for driving your opinion on me. I don't buy billboards to push my beliefs.

justoneznot: As an atheist, I don't really support things like this. Let people believe what they want to believe, quit being a douche. Yeah I get it, God is a fairy tale and there's a bunch of pedophile priests. There's also millions of every day people like you and me that have religious believes which help give their lives meaning. Let them be.

Smelly McUgly I think that if atheists really want to convince other people that religion is just fairy tale bullshiat, they should step back and let the Dominionist types do their work for them.

-So the best atheist is a silent atheist, that's what I'm getting here...

Yes, Joe, that is EXACTLY it.

Sarah Palin's Conscience: mainstreet62: autopsybeverage: mainstreet62: I will issue a challenge to atheists right here, right now.

Go to a Muslim country, and put up you billboards full of atheist bullshiat. Let's see what happens.

Just remember that you farksticks would be burned at the stake in basically any other country than the US.

You idiots feel emboldened to shout down religion everywhere? Uh, HELLO McFLY, huge conflicts have started over religion, do you REALLY think telling the warring sides that their gods don't exist is the right path?

Sure thing. Right after a Christian group tries to promote their beliefs via billboard in the area, followed by an encore with Fred Phelps and his band of morons spending a month picketing for their brand of crazy with anti-Islamic signs.

Uh huh. So you're going after a splinter group of Christians that even 99.9999% of all Christians think suck donkey balls. Seriously?

I find it amusing that atheists think they should be listened to. Women and gays around the world had to fight for rights. They have been legit oppressed, and are earning hard fought freedoms.

And then atheists come swooping in, all butthurt because no one takes your one stupid idea seriously.

The Bible, the Koran, and plenty other religious texts have a moral code embedded within to help people treat fellow man with love and respect. What have atheists written that does the same?

What will allow atheists to write any kind of moral code when their one idea, the assertion of a lack of God, relegates religious texts with moral codes to the fiction section?

[maximumtrolling.jpeg]

I'M TROLLING?! Because I asked atheists to describe what alternative written moral code they would have us live by?

By destroying the idea that deities exist, they destroy the Bible which is based on the fact the God exists.

Isn't it morally reprehensible to kill a moral code that allows goodwill towards men and not replace it? Does it exist? What are a large majority of US laws based on?

I want to know why I should take an atheist seriously if they aren't selling ideas that promote inner peace and goodwill towards others. Enlighten me!

The Southern Dandy: Atheist does mean one is against God. It only means one doesn't believe in God. I firmly believe there are no leprechauns. Doesn't mean I'm against leprechauns.

I don't believe in unicorns, or androids.

But if there were unicorns and androids, I would be for them, because that's awesome.

Cucullen: The essence of Christianity transcends the story and the religion. Be nice to poor people, be humble and forgiving. You may not see a lot of Christians like this, but there are hundreds of millions of them out there. Just like there hundreds of millions of Muslims out there who try to act the same. People aren't perfect and the most visible in these religions are inevitably the most proud and hypocritical. If you write them all off because of a few you'll miss knowing a lot of decent people. You can scoff at the stories if you like, but they help a lot of people try to live decent lives and give them hope in difficult situations.

See here's my problem, the most visible tend to be the "leaders" and it appears that most of these "leaders" definitely have a stake in keeping their flocks in perpetual ignorance and fear so as to keep the racket going.

Couple of "not so cool stories, bro"

I grew up having to go to the church that doesn't believe in doctors. Now my family did go to doctors, but Mom took us to this church to keep her family happy. Can you imagine a 6 year old kid every Sunday watching an old man's nose rot off his face because his "faith" was going to do a better job removing that cancer than a doctor? The man was revered in the church until the day he died by the "elders" because he had such strong faith. My dad, years later, had the same cancer this old man had on his nose and in less than an hour doctors had it removed with nothing to show for it but a slight notch in his nose. Many kids were scarred for life by the image of that old man and his rotting face and it didn't have to happen if the "leaders" of the church instead of praising him maybe said "hey, god works in mysterious ways, go get that shiat cut out". That's just one horror story. Let's not talk about the dead young mothers to the hands of midwives, the "crippled to the point of not being able to support their families" men who thought god would heal their broken arms or legs, or the dead kids whose parents thought god would heal their concussions or virii that antibiotics would have taken care of in a day.

Second story, my brother-in-law had a problem with drugs. He went to a christian rehab clinic, which I'll admit did wonders for him. When my sister and he moved back home from out-of-state the first thing he wanted to do was find a nice church to go to. He found one in our hometown, and my parents (who hadn't been to church for years) out of support joined the church with him and my sister. In less than a month, let me repeat, less than a month, my fairly liberal family turned into a recruitment poster for the most hard-core fundamentalist neocon assholes you've ever met in your life. One sunday dinner, my former "pro-gay rights" sister informed everyone that the problem with this country was "those damn queers". She was well on her way to believing the "autism was caused by vaccinations" bullshiat, also. My brother-in-law informed me that he used to love nature and science shows, but he doesn't watch them anymore since he now "knows" that the world is only six thousand years old. Oh did you also know that we don't have a president in the white house, we have a n**ger, mexicans are stealing our jobs, and that every muslim in the world is a crazy terrorist.

Now what in the world could've caused this rapid change in my family? Well, I guess you could say they were gullible and ignorant people, but they didn't used to be. I met the pompous prick they call their "pastor", and all I can say is that he had this smug look on his face that can only come from having so much control over other people. But hey, guess what, they're adding on to their already huge ass church every day so I guess I'd have a smug look on my face too. Pretty soon, it'll be all bmw's and banging chicks (or dudes) in the youth group at the expense of other people's families. Aint religion grand?

//Of course these stories will be downplayed because of their "anecdotal" qualities. Which, as a critical thinker, I'm just fine with.
//Wouldn't have a problem with religion in America if it wasn't so much "fox news on a bun" that it appears to be nowadays.

Amigajoe: KelbelThanks for driving your opinion on me. I don't buy billboards to push my beliefs.

justoneznot: As an atheist, I don't really support things like this. Let people believe what they want to believe, quit being a douche. Yeah I get it, God is a fairy tale and there's a bunch of pedophile priests. There's also millions of every day people like you and me that have religious believes which help give their lives meaning. Let them be.

Smelly McUgly I think that if atheists really want to convince other people that religion is just fairy tale bullshiat, they should step back and let the Dominionist types do their work for them.

-So the best atheist is a silent atheist, that's what I'm getting here...

I think that if anyone wants to get others interested in his or her beliefs, the trick is to be nice and treat others with the utmost kindness. When someone invariably asks you why you are so kind or wants to know what the philosophy is that you espouse which makes you such a nice person, then you might let that person know what you believe without being all "CONVERT BEFORE YOU BURN IN HELL" or "JOIN US BECAUSE WE DON'T BELIEVE IN SKY WIZARDS."

That's probably more effective than being aggressive about not only what you believe, but what idiots others are who don't think like you.

Now, I say this here, but I'm sure I'll be shiat-talking a conservative in some political thread. It's true, though.

eraser8: If by "point" you mean some grand plan or design, I don't think there is one.

Perhaps not.

Two main reasons:

1) life is interesting. Just because we don't expect any afterlife doesn't mean we don't experience great pleasure from the things we experience while we're living.

2) our genes command us to survive and reproduce.

Perhaps you do. Most of the world does not.

The Ghost of Tom Ace: Good. I'm so glad to see that the majority of people believe in nothing. I mean, according to revelations, armageddon, etc., it is during the times when nobody believes in God that God will destroy everything and I, for one, welcome that.

I can't stand to live in a world where nobody believes in anything. What's the farking point of existing? Seriously, can one of you so-called aethiests answer that for me? Why continue to survive if there's nothing to survive for? Religion aside, I happen to believe in life beyond this one and reaching a higher existence. And that is considering everything from the basic principles of physics and energy principles all the way to string theory and multidimensional mathematics.

/Yes, I agree religion as an organization destroys the spirituality behind one's personal theology.
//But if you don't believe in anything, why the fark must you want everyone else to believe the way you do? It's a huge contradiction. True aethiests don't bother imposing their beliefs on others. Here's one image that always sums up these hypocritical 'aethiests':

[lh3.googleusercontent.com image 640x445]

Oh yes, I like that logic. Atheists don't believe in God therefore they don't believe in anything and lead meaningless lives.

mainstreet62: I'M TROLLING?! Because I asked atheists to describe what alternative written moral code they would have us live by?

By destroying the idea that deities exist, they destroy the Bible which is based on the fact the God exists.

Isn't it morally reprehensible to kill a moral code that allows goodwill towards men and not replace it? Does it exist? What are a large majority of US laws based on?

I want to know why I should take an atheist seriously if they aren't selling ideas that promote inner peace and goodwill towards others. Enlighten me!

Not an Atheist, but the general feeling I get from them is that we should all be allowed to do whatever the fark we want, whenever the fark we want, and anyone who questions why they did what they did, or tries to tell them what they did was 'wrong' is simply trying to 'keep them down' by imposing 'made up fairy tales' on them.

Not saying this is how they ALL think, but I KNOW I have meet some who have told me just as much.

Peacedog: Well, I guess you could say they were gullible and ignorant people, but they didn't used to be.

Yes, they did. They just used to agree with you, so you didn't notice, and now they don't agree with you, so you notice.

Baryogenesis: The Ghost of Tom Ace: Good. I'm so glad to see that the majority of people believe in nothing. I mean, according to revelations, armageddon, etc., it is during the times when nobody believes in God that God will destroy everything and I, for one, welcome that.

I can't stand to live in a world where nobody believes in anything. What's the farking point of existing? Seriously, can one of you so-called aethiests answer that for me? Why continue to survive if there's nothing to survive for? Religion aside, I happen to believe in life beyond this one and reaching a higher existence. And that is considering everything from the basic principles of physics and energy principles all the way to string theory and multidimensional mathematics.

/Yes, I agree religion as an organization destroys the spirituality behind one's personal theology.
//But if you don't believe in anything, why the fark must you want everyone else to believe the way you do? It's a huge contradiction. True aethiests don't bother imposing their beliefs on others. Here's one image that always sums up these hypocritical 'aethiests':

[lh3.googleusercontent.com image 640x445]

Oh yes, I like that logic. Atheists don't believe in God therefore they don't believe in anything and lead meaningless lives.

You clearly missed the point, but that's ok. Could you please tell me what Aethiests do believe in? Not trolling, I'm very curious to know. Would they happen to be the same virtues that the deities and doctrines of most of the world's theological beliefs represent? I guess to restructure my point, I could say that I would hope that aethiests still believe that being morally benevolent is beneficial for all. I'd like to think that we are all connected; we are all one spirit, all one consciousness.

/Did a lot of LSD, what can I say?

mainstreet62: Sarah Palin's Conscience: mainstreet62: autopsybeverage: mainstreet62: I will issue a challenge to atheists right here, right now.

Go to a Muslim country, and put up you billboards full of atheist bullshiat. Let's see what happens.

Just remember that you farksticks would be burned at the stake in basically any other country than the US.

You idiots feel emboldened to shout down religion everywhere? Uh, HELLO McFLY, huge conflicts have started over religion, do you REALLY think telling the warring sides that their gods don't exist is the right path?

Sure thing. Right after a Christian group tries to promote their beliefs via billboard in the area, followed by an encore with Fred Phelps and his band of morons spending a month picketing for their brand of crazy with anti-Islamic signs.

Uh huh. So you're going after a splinter group of Christians that even 99.9999% of all Christians think suck donkey balls. Seriously?

I find it amusing that atheists think they should be listened to. Women and gays around the world had to fight for rights. They have been legit oppressed, and are earning hard fought freedoms.

And then atheists come swooping in, all butthurt because no one takes your one stupid idea seriously.

The Bible, the Koran, and plenty other religious texts have a moral code embedded within to help people treat fellow man with love and respect. What have atheists written that does the same?

What will allow atheists to write any kind of moral code when their one idea, the assertion of a lack of God, relegates religious texts with moral codes to the fiction section?

[maximumtrolling.jpeg]

I'M TROLLING?! Because I asked atheists to describe what alternative written moral code they would have us live by?

By destroying the idea that deities exist, they destroy the Bible which is based on the fact the God exists.

Isn't it morally reprehensible to kill a moral code that allows goodwill towards men and not replace it? Does it exist? What are a large majority of US laws based on?

I want to know why I should take an atheist seriously if they aren't selling ideas that promote inner peace and goodwill towards others. Enlighten me!

Fine, I'll bite.

Religion is a piss poor place to try and establish a moral code for humanity.

The Bible promotes bigotry, hatred, murder, slavery, and fear, just to name a few. I cannot, in good faith, raise my daughter on this book, because it promotes all of the above. It will tell her that she is only as good as a man she marries, and can never speak against a male or rise above him.

She will learn from this book that she is unclean and cannot be touched if she has her period, or bears a child.

She will learn that a supposed loving God is a vengeful, spiteful, hateful thing that will completely fark up your shiat just to prove a point to Satan.

This forgiving God killed his people because he disapproved of their actions, when he had the power to change them to good people.

He practices favoritism, choosing one people over another simply because they kissed more ass.

The Good Book also promotes that parents treat their children badly. Remember how Noah banished his son for laughing at his stupid, drunk, naked ass? Remember how God cursed his seed?

Or how about Lot's daughters, who got Lot drunk and then raped him and bore his children? I certainly don't want my daughter to preserve my SO's seed should something happen to me.

Or the big J himself, who beat the shiat out of money changers? I don't promote violence in my house. How can I ban her fighting others when Jesus did so himself?

Let's not even crack into other religions, who all have their shortcomings, which all preach bigotry and hatred.

I will NOT teach my daughter to act good ONLY because an invisible being is watching her every move, judging her every action, and that she will receive eternal damnation if she goes against this loving god's hypocritical commandments.

Instead, I will teach her the basics of human kindness, respect, and dignity. I will teach her to not be a dick to others. I will teach her that her actions are her worth and a direct reflection of her character.

I will raise her the way she was born: as an atheist and as a good human being.

eraser8: Morals are not dictated by authority, they're reasoned by human beings.

What makes you think those things are mutually exclusive? Did you sit around helping to reason out your local, state, or Federal laws? Laws are codified morality enforced through the police power of the State. They are absolutely dictated by authority, as well as reasoned by human beings. Your position appears to be ill-thought.

The only billboards related to religion that I have ever seen were pro religion. I even saw one pushing for the teaching of creationism in schools on the Mass Pike (hopefully a hostile audience). So I would find atheist billboards a refreshing change.

eraser8: Divinegrace: Not an Atheist, but the general feeling I get from them is that we should all be allowed to do whatever the fark we want, whenever the fark we want, and anyone who questions why they did what they did, or tries to tell them what they did was 'wrong' is simply trying to 'keep them down' by imposing 'made up fairy tales' on them.

Well, telling someone he shouldn't be able to work on the Sabbath because it is forbidden by a book IS simply trying to "keep him down" by imposing "made up fairy tales" on him.

Telling someone she shouldn't be allowed to marry the woman she loves because it is forbidden by a book IS simply trying to "keep her down" by imposing "made up fairy tales" on her.

Telling someone that he can't have bacon on his burger because it is forbidden by a book IS simply trying to "keep him down" by imposing "made up fairy tales" on him.

Sarah Palin's Conscience: mainstreet62: Sarah Palin's Conscience: mainstreet62: autopsybeverage: mainstreet62: I will issue a challenge to atheists right here, right now.

Go to a Muslim country, and put up you billboards full of atheist bullshiat. Let's see what happens.

Just remember that you farksticks would be burned at the stake in basically any other country than the US.

You idiots feel emboldened to shout down religion everywhere? Uh, HELLO McFLY, huge conflicts have started over religion, do you REALLY think telling the warring sides that their gods don't exist is the right path?

Sure thing. Right after a Christian group tries to promote their beliefs via billboard in the area, followed by an encore with Fred Phelps and his band of morons spending a month picketing for their brand of crazy with anti-Islamic signs.

Uh huh. So you're going after a splinter group of Christians that even 99.9999% of all Christians think suck donkey balls. Seriously?

I find it amusing that atheists think they should be listened to. Women and gays around the world had to fight for rights. They have been legit oppressed, and are earning hard fought freedoms.

And then atheists come swooping in, all butthurt because no one takes your one stupid idea seriously.

The Bible, the Koran, and plenty other religious texts have a moral code embedded within to help people treat fellow man with love and respect. What have atheists written that does the same?

What will allow atheists to write any kind of moral code when their one idea, the assertion of a lack of God, relegates religious texts with moral codes to the fiction section?

[maximumtrolling.jpeg]

I'M TROLLING?! Because I asked atheists to describe what alternative written moral code they would have us live by?

By destroying the idea that deities exist, they destroy the Bible which is based on the fact the God exists.

Isn't it morally reprehensible to kill a moral code that allows goodwill towards men and not replace it? Does it exist? What are a large majority of US laws based on?

I want to know why I should take an atheist seriously if they aren't selling ideas that promote inner peace and goodwill towards others. Enlighten me!

Fine, I'll bite.

Religion is a piss poor place to try and establish a moral code for humanity.

The Bible promotes bigotry, hatred, murder, slavery, and fear, just to name a few. I cannot, in good faith, raise my daughter on this book, because it promotes all of the above. It will tell her that she is only as good as a man she marries, and can never speak against a male or rise above him.

She will learn from this book that she is unclean and cannot be touched if she has her period, or bears a child.

She will learn that a supposed loving God is a vengeful, spiteful, hateful thing that will completely fark up your shiat just to prove a point to Satan.

This forgiving God killed his people because he disapproved of their actions, when he had the power to change them to good people.

He practices favoritism, choosing one people over another simply because they kissed more ass.

The Good Book also promotes that parents treat their children badly. Remember how Noah banished his son for laughing at his stupid, drunk, naked ass? Remember how God cursed his seed?

Or how about Lot's daughters, who got Lot drunk and then raped him and bore his children? I certainly don't want my daughter to preserve my SO's seed should something happen to me.

Or the big J himself, who beat the shiat out of money changers? I don't promote violence in my house. How can I ban her fighting others when Jesus did so himself?

Let's not even crack into other religions, who all have their shortcomings, which all preach bigotry and hatred.

I will NOT teach my daughter to act good ONLY because an invisible being is watching her every move, judging her every action, and that she will receive eternal damnation if she goes against this loving god's hypocritical commandments.

Instead, I will teach her the basics of human kindness, respect, and dignity. I will teach her to not be a dick to others. I will teach ...

This is as simplified as the guy who thinks that atheists cannot possibly have moral codes.

I still think "Mythmas" may have been better.

Smelly McUgly"This is as simplified as the guy who thinks that atheists cannot possibly have moral codes."

Out of all that I pointed out, you single out my summarization and then call my reasoning simple?

The Ghost of Tom Ace: Baryogenesis: The Ghost of Tom Ace: Good. I'm so glad to see that the majority of people believe in nothing. I mean, according to revelations, armageddon, etc., it is during the times when nobody believes in God that God will destroy everything and I, for one, welcome that.

I can't stand to live in a world where nobody believes in anything. What's the farking point of existing? Seriously, can one of you so-called aethiests answer that for me? Why continue to survive if there's nothing to survive for? Religion aside, I happen to believe in life beyond this one and reaching a higher existence. And that is considering everything from the basic principles of physics and energy principles all the way to string theory and multidimensional mathematics.

/Yes, I agree religion as an organization destroys the spirituality behind one's personal theology.
//But if you don't believe in anything, why the fark must you want everyone else to believe the way you do? It's a huge contradiction. True aethiests don't bother imposing their beliefs on others. Here's one image that always sums up these hypocritical 'aethiests':

[lh3.googleusercontent.com image 640x445]

Oh yes, I like that logic. Atheists don't believe in God therefore they don't believe in anything and lead meaningless lives.

You clearly missed the point, but that's ok. Could you please tell me what Aethiests do believe in? Not trolling, I'm very curious to know. Would they happen to be the same virtues that the deities and doctrines of most of the world's theological beliefs represent? I guess to restructure my point, I could say that I would hope that aethiests still believe that being morally benevolent is beneficial for all. I'd like to think that we are all connected; we are all one spirit, all one consciousness.

/Did a lot of LSD, what can I say?

No, you missed the point. Atheism says only one thing about the atheist. Any other beliefs, ethics or philosophies are completely independent of not believing in God. And believing in God isn't necessary for a person to have meaning, morals or something to live for. Therefore your question is meaningless, atheism doesn't work that way.

Sarah Palin's Conscience: good human being.

Sorry, by what metric? Don't play the same game the religious try to play. There's no such thing as a "good human being", just as there's no such thing as a "bad human being". There are only human beings, and things they do which are subjectively "good" or "bad" depending upon whose point of view you're looking at things from. I.E. slavery is pretty bad from the point of view of the slave, and pretty good from the point of view of the master. But there is no objective measure of what is absolutely "good" or "bad", and trying to pretend that there is reveals your unconscious religious bias.

Does American Atheists put up similar billboards during Ramadan? Do they put up billboards claiming the prophet Muhammad is a myth? Do they ever put up billboards during Rosh Hashana? The target of American Atheists seems to be curiously selective.

untaken_name: Sarah Palin's Conscience: good human being.

Sorry, by what metric? Don't play the same game the religious try to play. There's no such thing as a "good human being", just as there's no such thing as a "bad human being". There are only human beings, and things they do which are subjectively "good" or "bad" depending upon whose point of view you're looking at things from. I.E. slavery is pretty bad from the point of view of the slave, and pretty good from the point of view of the master. But there is no objective measure of what is absolutely "good" or "bad", and trying to pretend that there is reveals your unconscious religious bias.

I cannot put it better than George Carlin did. "Don't be a dick."

I find this to be a pretty good measure of a "good" human being.

david_gaithersburg: Does American Atheists put up similar billboards during Ramadan? Do they put up billboards claiming the prophet Muhammad is a myth? Do they ever put up billboards during Rosh Hashana? The target of American Atheists seems to be curiously selective.

I wasn't aware that these were government holidays, with huge marketed celebrations.

I wasn't aware that these religions push their moral code into every day life in order to pleas their god/s.

I was completely unaware that they were able to put their god/s into laws and legislation. That they had a lot of sway in American politics, that they were a protected class.

No, I'm equal opportunity disbelieved, but I generally target the diety whose followers restrict my booze buying until after Sunday service.

Baryogenesis: The Ghost of Tom Ace: Baryogenesis: The Ghost of Tom Ace: Good. I'm so glad to see that the majority of people believe in nothing. I mean, according to revelations, armageddon, etc., it is during the times when nobody believes in God that God will destroy everything and I, for one, welcome that.

I can't stand to live in a world where nobody believes in anything. What's the farking point of existing? Seriously, can one of you so-called aethiests answer that for me? Why continue to survive if there's nothing to survive for? Religion aside, I happen to believe in life beyond this one and reaching a higher existence. And that is considering everything from the basic principles of physics and energy principles all the way to string theory and multidimensional mathematics.

/Yes, I agree religion as an organization destroys the spirituality behind one's personal theology.
//But if you don't believe in anything, why the fark must you want everyone else to believe the way you do? It's a huge contradiction. True aethiests don't bother imposing their beliefs on others. Here's one image that always sums up these hypocritical 'aethiests':

[lh3.googleusercontent.com image 640x445]

Oh yes, I like that logic. Atheists don't believe in God therefore they don't believe in anything and lead meaningless lives.

You clearly missed the point, but that's ok. Could you please tell me what Aethiests do believe in? Not trolling, I'm very curious to know. Would they happen to be the same virtues that the deities and doctrines of most of the world's theological beliefs represent? I guess to restructure my point, I could say that I would hope that aethiests still believe that being morally benevolent is beneficial for all. I'd like to think that we are all connected; we are all one spirit, all one consciousness.

/Did a lot of LSD, what can I say?

No, you missed the point. Atheism says only one thing about the atheist. Any other beliefs, ethics or philosophies are completely independent of not believing in God. And believing in God isn't necessary for a person to have meaning, morals or something to live for. Therefore your question is meaningless, atheism doesn't work that way.

Preach on, hypocrates. Preach on. Convert us!

mainstreet62: Isn't it morally reprehensible to kill a moral code that allows goodwill towards men and not replace it? Does it exist? What are a large majority of US laws based on?

Divinegrace: Not an Atheist, but the general feeling I get from them is that we should all be allowed to do whatever the fark we want, whenever the fark we want, and anyone who questions why they did what they did, or tries to tell them what they did was 'wrong' is simply trying to 'keep them down' by imposing 'made up fairy tales' on them.

I'm an atheist, and I'm flabbergasted.



Seriously guys? Seriously?

Morality doesn't have to be dipped in religion, and when you get right down to it, morality is basically a personal thing anyway. Everyone chooses what they consider moral or not and what they're going to do or not do.

Sometimes a person's own moral compass runs afoul of what society as a whole considers moral (Jeffrey Dahmer for example). Just because I'm not religious doesn't mean I'm going to run out and eat people.

For me, there's only one big moral rule, and that's to not cause unnecessary harm (physical or emotional) to other people. (Unnecessary in that if someone breaks into my house in the middle of the night, I will have no qualms about shooting them).

Sarah Palin's Conscience: Smelly McUgly"This is as simplified as the guy who thinks that atheists cannot possibly have moral codes."

Out of all that I pointed out, you single out my summarization and then call my reasoning simple?

Everything you pointed out was simplified and petty. "All religions are bad and say evil stuff" is silly.

If we want to have a discussion about something like "the Ancient Hebrews and Paul say teh gheys iz bad," we have to talk about a) the ancient Hebrews trying to establish a society and thus encouraging the type of sex that makes babies and b) Paul probably being gay. We don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. In fact, there are more practicing Christians than you know that understand that the ancient Hebrews were trying to establish a culture and society and that numerous churches have inserted their own junk into the NT.

Your assertion that because the Hebrews were trying to utilize their religion in part to establish a code of law and a set of societal rules that everyone could play by so that they could stop being nomads, this makes any religion that utilizes the Torah EEEEVUL is so simplified that it defies belief.

I hope that you are able to have a frank talk with your daughter about the history behind the Bible (or any other holy book) if she asks questions about it. Let her know that we are lucky to have advanced as a society and we don't have to look at Leviticus so that you can determine her bride price. Telling her "HURR DURR EVIL BOOK SKY WIZARD" is pretty short-sighted. At the very least, she will have an interesting lesson in history, literature, and human culture.

Seems like a lot of effort/money to be a jerk.

/ don't like religious billboards of any kind
// god doesn't need advertising

The Ghost of Tom Ace: But if you don't believe in anything, why the fark must you want everyone else to believe the way you do?

So they'll stop bothering us about it and stop using it as a criteria to judge others as unworthy or less human.

It's really that simple. It's the verbal and emotional abuse they use to bring others into their fold. The less of them there are, the less acceptable it becomes in our society.

lordargent: mainstreet62: Isn't it morally reprehensible to kill a moral code that allows goodwill towards men and not replace it? Does it exist? What are a large majority of US laws based on?

Divinegrace: Not an Atheist, but the general feeling I get from them is that we should all be allowed to do whatever the fark we want, whenever the fark we want, and anyone who questions why they did what they did, or tries to tell them what they did was 'wrong' is simply trying to 'keep them down' by imposing 'made up fairy tales' on them.

I'm an atheist, and I'm flabbergasted.

[files.sharenator.com image 400x297]

Seriously guys? Seriously?

Morality doesn't have to be dipped in religion, and when you get right down to it, morality is basically a personal thing anyway. Everyone chooses what they consider moral or not and what they're going to do or not do.

Sometimes a person's own moral compass runs afoul of what society as a whole considers moral (Jeffrey Dahmer for example). Just because I'm not religious doesn't mean I'm going to run out and eat people.

For me, there's only one big moral rule, and that's to not cause unnecessary harm (physical or emotional) to other people. (Unnecessary in that if someone breaks into my house in the middle of the night, I will have no qualms about shooting them).

Amen. Err, uh...Yes!

Sarah Palin's Conscience: I cannot put it better than George Carlin did. "Don't be a dick."

I find this to be a pretty good measure of a "good" human being.

Yes, but it's subjective. I'm not saying there is no good or bad, I am saying that good and bad are subjective. Like pretty or art. There will be things most people agree on, and things they disagree heavily on. But there is no objective good or evil or right or wrong. It doesn't exist. It's fantasy.

david_gaithersburg: The target of American Atheists seems to be curiously selective.

If my flat is regularly infested with cockroaches, but once or twice a year I see an ant or a spider, I'm still going to invest in roach spray and not worry so much about the ants and spiders.

Smelly McUgly: Sarah Palin's Conscience: Smelly McUgly"This is as simplified as the guy who thinks that atheists cannot possibly have moral codes."

Out of all that I pointed out, you single out my summarization and then call my reasoning simple?

Everything you pointed out was simplified and petty. "All religions are bad and say evil stuff" is silly.

If we want to have a discussion about something like "the Ancient Hebrews and Paul say teh gheys iz bad," we have to talk about a) the ancient Hebrews trying to establish a society and thus encouraging the type of sex that makes babies and b) Paul probably being gay. We don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. In fact, there are more practicing Christians than you know that understand that the ancient Hebrews were trying to establish a culture and society and that numerous churches have inserted their own junk into the NT.

Your assertion that because the Hebrews were trying to utilize their religion in part to establish a code of law and a set of societal rules that everyone could play by so that they could stop being nomads, this makes any religion that utilizes the Torah EEEEVUL is so simplified that it defies belief.

I hope that you are able to have a frank talk with your daughter about the history behind the Bible (or any other holy book) if she asks questions about it. Let her know that we are lucky to have advanced as a society and we don't have to look at Leviticus so that you can determine her bride price. Telling her "HURR DURR EVIL BOOK SKY WIZARD" is pretty short-sighted. At the very least, she will have an interesting lesson in history, literature, and human culture.

All of that is fine for ancient civilization. Please, tell me how we can use these in our modern society. The way I see it, we have very little to no use for these silly stories. They are nothing more than a tool use by the ignorant to stop progress.

Now, about the over-simplification you've pegged me for...

The Ghost of Tom Ace: Baryogenesis: The Ghost of Tom Ace: Baryogenesis: The Ghost of Tom Ace: Good. I'm so glad to see that the majority of people believe in nothing. I mean, according to revelations, armageddon, etc., it is during the times when nobody believes in God that God will destroy everything and I, for one, welcome that.

I can't stand to live in a world where nobody believes in anything. What's the farking point of existing? Seriously, can one of you so-called aethiests answer that for me? Why continue to survive if there's nothing to survive for? Religion aside, I happen to believe in life beyond this one and reaching a higher existence. And that is considering everything from the basic principles of physics and energy principles all the way to string theory and multidimensional mathematics.

/Yes, I agree religion as an organization destroys the spirituality behind one's personal theology.
//But if you don't believe in anything, why the fark must you want everyone else to believe the way you do? It's a huge contradiction. True aethiests don't bother imposing their beliefs on others. Here's one image that always sums up these hypocritical 'aethiests':

[lh3.googleusercontent.com image 640x445]

Oh yes, I like that logic. Atheists don't believe in God therefore they don't believe in anything and lead meaningless lives.

You clearly missed the point, but that's ok. Could you please tell me what Aethiests do believe in? Not trolling, I'm very curious to know. Would they happen to be the same virtues that the deities and doctrines of most of the world's theological beliefs represent? I guess to restructure my point, I could say that I would hope that aethiests still believe that being morally benevolent is beneficial for all. I'd like to think that we are all connected; we are all one spirit, all one consciousness.

/Did a lot of LSD, what can I say?

No, you missed the point. Atheism says only one thing about the atheist. Any other beliefs, ethics or philosophies are completely independent of not believing in God. And believing in God isn't necessary for a person to have meaning, morals or something to live for. Therefore your question is meaningless, atheism doesn't work that way.

Preach on, hypocrates. Preach on. Convert us!

What in the blue fark are you talking about?

There is no atheist doctrine or shared philosophy other than not believing in God. Asking what atheists believe in is a non starter. I can tell you my views on ethics, but I can't speak for atheists overall.

Perhaps a visit from Sanity Claus might help christians. It would definitely help the ones in georgia.

The Ghost of Tom Ace: You clearly missed the point, but that's ok. Could you please tell me what Aethiests do believe in?

As a general group, atheists don't believe in anything, think of this group as one huge circle that encompasses the core definition of atheism (not believing in a god).

Within this circle, there are many other identifiable groups that have other things in common other than just atheism.

For example, Taoism is an atheistic religion (they do not believe in deities).

Buddhism is also an atheistic religion (for the most part).

Then you have people who have never been exposed to the concept of a god.

And then you have people who don't have the mental capacity to have a belief in god (babies).

And then, you have people that worship other things, that are not deities (For example, they worship the water spirit, fire spirit, etc). These are also technically atheists because they don't believe in a god.

Then you have people like me (and this is the biggest group), who basically don't believe in god and don't give a whit about what religious folks (of any religion) do, as long as they leave us alone (IE, don't make laws that prevent us from buying beer on your sabbath day, don't come knocking on our door early in the morning, etc), and we're not out to convert anyone to atheism especially because we despise it when people try to convert us to one religion or another.

And then you have the jackoffs that post billboards promoting atheism. Which atheists like me also don't want to have anything to do with. Feel free to fark with those dudes all you want, just leave me out of it.

untaken_name: Sarah Palin's Conscience: I cannot put it better than George Carlin did. "Don't be a dick."

I find this to be a pretty good measure of a "good" human being.

Yes, but it's subjective. I'm not saying there is no good or bad, I am saying that good and bad are subjective. Like pretty or art. There will be things most people agree on, and things they disagree heavily on. But there is no objective good or evil or right or wrong. It doesn't exist. It's fantasy.

I never really thought of it that way.

However, I fail to see how that would pave the way to rape, murder, and thievery. These have been firmly established as big "no"'s in our society.

Maybe my line of thinking is too narrow on this one?

/not snarky
//honestly curious

Sarah Palin's Conscience: Smelly McUgly: Sarah Palin's Conscience: Smelly McUgly"This is as simplified as the guy who thinks that atheists cannot possibly have moral codes."

Out of all that I pointed out, you single out my summarization and then call my reasoning simple?

Everything you pointed out was simplified and petty. "All religions are bad and say evil stuff" is silly.

If we want to have a discussion about something like "the Ancient Hebrews and Paul say teh gheys iz bad," we have to talk about a) the ancient Hebrews trying to establish a society and thus encouraging the type of sex that makes babies and b) Paul probably being gay. We don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. In fact, there are more practicing Christians than you know that understand that the ancient Hebrews were trying to establish a culture and society and that numerous churches have inserted their own junk into the NT.

Your assertion that because the Hebrews were trying to utilize their religion in part to establish a code of law and a set of societal rules that everyone could play by so that they could stop being nomads, this makes any religion that utilizes the Torah EEEEVUL is so simplified that it defies belief.

I hope that you are able to have a frank talk with your daughter about the history behind the Bible (or any other holy book) if she asks questions about it. Let her know that we are lucky to have advanced as a society and we don't have to look at Leviticus so that you can determine her bride price. Telling her "HURR DURR EVIL BOOK SKY WIZARD" is pretty short-sighted. At the very least, she will have an interesting lesson in history, literature, and human culture.

All of that is fine for ancient civilization. Please, tell me how we can use these in our modern society. The way I see it, we have very little to no use for these silly stories. They are nothing more than a tool use by the ignorant to stop progress.

Now, about the over-simplification you've pegged me for...

Use what? A dumb rule about homosexuality that doesn't apply to our culture, or the concept of going to the trouble of drawing water from the well for anyone who comes past asking for a drink, even if that person is otherwise reprehensible to you? That's a bit of a trick that most of us still haven't mastered.

I'm not saying that you need the Bible to do the latter, but let's not act like there isn't incredibly useful insight anywhere in the book simply because it's old.

Look, I don't really care what you believe as long as you're nice to other people. If you're doing that, you're ultimately doing it right. However, you are taking an incredibly short-sighted view of this Holy Book, so I can only imagine how misguided you are about the others that you pooh-poohed in a single sentence.

/is amused with the poor confused mortals

It still flabbergasts me that the position of believing only what is apparent somehow requires defense. A rubber ball rolls behind a screen. It COULD be the case that it turns into a cat and walks to the other side, changes back into a ball and rolls out the rest of the way from the screen. That is the religious version of reality. Not believing something so cockamamie shouldn't be a "belief system" on par with religion as if they are on a level playing field.

The "what I'd like to be the case" vs. "what you actually see" religions (aka theism and atheism) will have to do battle and I hope the former gets ground up into dust along with any non-converts.

lordargent: The Ghost of Tom Ace: You clearly missed the point, but that's ok. Could you please tell me what Aethiests do believe in?

As a general group, atheists don't believe in anything, think of this group as one huge circle that encompasses the core definition of atheism (not believing in a god).

Within this circle, there are many other identifiable groups that have other things in common other than just atheism.

For example, Taoism is an atheistic religion (they do not believe in deities).

Buddhism is also an atheistic religion (for the most part).

Then you have people who have never been exposed to the concept of a god.

And then you have people who don't have the mental capacity to have a belief in god (babies).

And then, you have people that worship other things, that are not deities (For example, they worship the water spirit, fire spirit, etc). These are also technically atheists because they don't believe in a god.

Then you have people like me (and this is the biggest group), who basically don't believe in god and don't give a whit about what religious folks (of any religion) do, as long as they leave us alone (IE, don't make laws that prevent us from buying beer on your sabbath day, don't come knocking on our door early in the morning, etc), and we're not out to convert anyone to atheism especially because we despise it when people try to convert us to one religion or another.

And then you have the jackoffs that post billboards promoting atheism. Which atheists like me also don't want to have anything to do with. Feel free to fark with those dudes all you want, just leave me out of it.

That was pretty much my point earlier about how this whole billboard thing is kind of hypocritical and, quite frankly, disrespectful to atheists in general. It basically goes against the atheist grain to impose a belief unto others, yeah?

Smelly McUgly: "Use what? A dumb rule about homosexuality that doesn't apply to our culture, or the concept of going to the trouble of drawing water from the well for anyone who comes past asking for a drink, even if that person is otherwise reprehensible to you? That's a bit of a trick that most of us still haven't mastered.

I'm not saying that you need the Bible to do the latter, but let's not act like there isn't incredibly useful insight anywhere in the book simply because it's old.

Look, I don't really care what you believe as long as you're nice to other people. If you're doing that, you're ultimately doing it right. However, you are taking an incredibly short-sighted view of this Holy Book, so I can only imagine how misguided you are about the others that you pooh-poohed in a single sentence."

My initial argument was about how we shouldn't be using religion as a moral compass, and as a Southern American atheist I used the Bible as an example because it is the book that is dominant in my culture.

The question I answered was where could I, as an atheist, possibly gather morals when I have no religion. I pointed out how piss-poor the Bible is to get morals from and why I as a human and as a mother reject them.

To say that I should ignore all the bad parts and focus on the good is, in my opinion, incredibly ignorant.

To say that there are good parts which we can still lean from while simultaneously ignoring the terrible parts which are used to dehumanize, belittle, and outright make illegal is dangerous.

Now, please, tell me how the stories and lessons learned from the Bible and similar holy texts can be used in a modern society. I still hold the opinion that it has very little to no use and can he easily discarded.

I have no problem with religion or its absence as long as I don't have to deal with annoying signage. Fanaticism bothers me, no matter how it manifests.

Damn zealots...

\\Apatheist

Potentially amused.

/apatheist

Evangelical atheists can be uniquely annoying in a way that even religious evangelists aren't.

Frederf: It still flabbergasts me that the position of believing only what is apparent somehow requires defense. A rubber ball rolls behind a screen. It COULD be the case that it turns into a cat and walks to the other side, changes back into a ball and rolls out the rest of the way from the screen. That is the religious version of reality. Not believing something so cockamamie shouldn't be a "belief system" on par with religion as if they are on a level playing field.

The "what I'd like to be the case" vs. "what you actually see" religions (aka theism and atheism) will have to do battle and I hope the former gets ground up into dust along with any non-converts.

Not that I disagree with your conclusion, but the idea of things not working the same out of observational view is a very reasonable theory. Consider video games and other simulators. Do you really believe it's generating and displaying all of the terrain and physics that it can in the places you're not looking at the time? No, of course not. There may not even be enough calculation speed to do it in many cases.

Even so, this does make for a very selfish world where reality really does revolve around the observer. However, as we get better at making that illusion ourselves, we must realize that there are not only rationales for doing so but also more complex methods to allude its detection. The real issue for this type of system would be finding the boundaries where it calculates things differently. The simple way would be a radius around the observer; however, to avoid clever experiments you may wish to make it lag around where they've been or calculate around objects that the observer has interacted with indefinitely.

I'm not saying it's going on, but I'm saying it could be and we ourselves are trying to do exactly that across several fields and mediums. Simply: until we know a way to disprove it, it's an interesting idea just like any other theology. Since things like this always seem to avoid detection by their nature, the theory can likely not be tested until someone comes up with something clever enough or finds an error/hole in the illusion. All things considered, we have better things to do, families to feed, and enough emotional security to ignore it.

Grow some balls atheists, and let's see you mock the Muslim religion..or kwaanza or something other than a Christianity

Mocking Christianity is the last form of accepted bigotry. If they put up a billboard attacking Mohammed or something, there would be riots in the streets..

....pussy ass atheists are pussies

I just hope there's a way for BOTH sides to lose this argument.

publikenemy: Grow some balls atheists, and let's see you mock the Muslim religion..or kwaanza or something other than a Christianity

Mocking Christianity is the last form of accepted bigotry. If they put up a billboard attacking Mohammed or something, there would be riots in the streets..

....pussy ass atheists are pussies

Right, because Christians don't put up billboards mocking and insulting atheists.

When Jews and Muslims in the U.S. start insulting atheism, I'll worry about it.

I never see these hatemongers pick on islam. Maybe it's because it's easier to pick on a people that have sworn a life of peace as Christians have.

One day we will get tired of being bullied. And when that day comes people will point fingers, but forget the constant vexing and badgering that came before it.

Dracolich: The Ghost of Tom Ace: But if you don't believe in anything, why the fark must you want everyone else to believe the way you do?

So they'll stop bothering us about it and stop using it as a criteria to judge others as unworthy or less human.

It's really that simple. It's the verbal and emotional abuse they use to bring others into their fold. The less of them there are, the less acceptable it becomes in our society.

Verbal and emotional abuse are age-old methods for attacking people who don't conform to the majority view. Physical abuse is even more popular, as is mass slaughter, though such over-enthusiastic debate techniques are currently frowned upon in polite Western societies. Whether you're dealing with religion, politics, or even just musical preferences, people have always drawn up sides and demonized their opponents, and without some major evolutionary rewiring of our thinking, that's never going to change. It certainly won't happen just because one belief system goes away and gets replaced by another. The methods used to maintain that belief will remain the same, because people are inherently dicks.

I can understand someone thinking that worldwide acceptance of a single religion would finally bring peace. Religion is all about magical solutions. But thinking the total rejection of religion and spirituality would achieve the same thing? Commonsense observation - the very thing you claim to be championing - is facepalming so hard it's leaving fingerprints on the back of its head.

TedNigma: I never see these hatemongers pick on islam. Maybe it's because it's easier to pick on a people that have sworn a life of peace as Christians have.

One day we will get tired of being bullied. And when that day comes people will point fingers, but forget the constant vexing and badgering that came before it.

I think it's more like aiming for center of mass than trying to a headshot at range. There's a lot more Christians across the nation than there are Muslims/Hindus/Jews/Gozer Worshippers/etc.

TedNigma: I never see these hatemongers pick on islam. Maybe it's because it's easier to pick on a people that have sworn a life of peace as Christians have.

One day we will get tired of being bullied. And when that day comes people will point fingers, but forget the constant vexing and badgering that came before it.

First you say that you've sworn a life of peace, then you go on to issue a thinly veiled threat.

Delicious!

TheHopeDiamond: My only complaint is that if they did it to any other religion, people would be having kittens over how they're being oppressed.

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. This is a politically correct ad hominem. Perhaps if I see signs ridiculing Ramadan and Muhammad ibn Abdullah during Muslim holy month, I might be convinced they actually oppose religious thought, rather than the obvious specifically anti-Christian agenda that we see now.

GungFu: sanity

You can't fool me. There ain't no Sanity Clause.

For every atheist putting up billboards inciting the hornets' nests of religious people, there are many multiples of us who live our lives peacefully and lovingly tolerate our religious friends and family as we'd like them to tolerate us.

(I will admit, though, when I was in my early twenties and threw off my religious upbringing, I was a jerk for a little while about it. I regret that, but it was understandable - I was pissed for being lied to for so long.)

FishyFred: The mere existence of atheists drives religious people crazy.

No, just the intolerance, destruction of property and who knows what else the mililtant atheists are doing.
You don't believe, so you have to make no effort to get along with the rest of the population.
If not for that, you could happily set in your parent's basement posting nonsense and no one would care.

publikenemy: Blah

OR it could be a question of populace. Of religious people in the USA most are Christian or a flavor of Christian, while the religions you mentioned are small percentages. Just saying.

TedNigma: Bleh.

I'll believe Christians are peaceful when doctors aren't gunned down anymore for providing abortions and Christian religion isn't being pushed as law. And before you say most Christians don't do that, well if you're going to judge Athiests by the loud minority, I'm free to do the same to Christians.

/As an apatheist, I don't care about religion you may have or have not, until you try to legislate with it. Keep your religion, whatever it may be, out of law.

Kurmudgeon: No, just the intolerance, destruction of property and who knows what else the mililtant atheists are doing.

What destruction of property are you speaking of?

The Jami Turman Fan Club: publikenemy: Grow some balls atheists, and let's see you mock the Muslim religion..or kwaanza or something other than a Christianity

Mocking Christianity is the last form of accepted bigotry. If they put up a billboard attacking Mohammed or something, there would be riots in the streets..

....pussy ass atheists are pussies


Right, because Christians don't put up billboards mocking and insulting atheists.

When Jews and Muslims in the U.S. start insulting atheism, I'll worry about it.


Show me these billboards specifically mocking atheists. Even if there were a billboard like you say, it would be nowheres near the same thing. There is no central belief with atheism so how can they attack it? Mocking the birth of Christ can not be paralleled in any way with an attack on atheism since there is nothing equivalent to mock.

How about just letting people be and not worrying what people believe or don't believe in? How about showing some respect for other people's beliefs?

Liberals love to talk about how we should let Muslims have their prayer time, and how they are free to practice their beliefs, and we should all be tolerant. Actually, they say that about all beliefs...except for Christians...they are free to attack

Why are even the grown up Atheists so full of teenage angst and trying to be edgy? I'd expect this from some 15 year old rebelling against their parents. I believe in God and Jesus but dang I don't go spewing it every chance I get.

publikenemy: Liberals love to talk about how we should let Muslims have their prayer time, and how they are free to practice their beliefs, and we should all be tolerant. Actually, they say that about all beliefs...except for Christians...they are free to attack

Pretyy stupid ploy. You would think these braintrusts would have better things to do. It would be like putting up an anti-rap billboard just because you thought urban black youth music was stupid.

ThrobblefootSpectre: Yeah I was thinking the same thing. This is a politically correct ad hominem. Perhaps if I see signs ridiculing Ramadan and Muhammad ibn Abdullah during Muslim holy month, I might be convinced they actually oppose religious thought, rather than the obvious specifically anti-Christian agenda that we see now.

This doesn't mention the Christian gods. It just says god. Get over your poor persecuted self.

Mama's Boy: Why are even the grown up Atheists so full of teenage angst and trying to be edgy? I'd expect this from some 15 year old rebelling against their parents. I believe in God and Jesus but dang I don't go spewing it every chance I get.

This "teenage angst" is the anger I feel when I see the religious pushing their religion into my life through campaign, law, and legislation. It is the anger I feel when I am shunned by my peers, mocked and taunted, ignored and belittled because I do not believe in their god/s.

What you see as an attempt to be "edgy" is me asserting my rights and defending my world view.

My atheism was not a result of a teen-age rebellion against my parents, but from a love of Greek mythology as a child.

You have a right to your belief and me to a lack of mine. If you truly wish to keep your religion to yourself, then do so with your money and your votes. Do not allow your brethren to vote on propositions to ban abortion because it "murder babies." Do not agree to prohibiting the sale of alcohol on Sundays. And don't treat out assertion of rights and beliefs as a childish act fueled by pubescent emotions.

Santa Claus > Tebow

cptjeff: Kelbel: You brought up the back of a dollar. I work hard for my dollars. Did not go to college and seems that if you can pay 38,000; unless it was by grants, you make way more than I do.

I'm pretty sure she/he is working pretty damn hard for his/her money. Medical school ain't exactly a cakewalk.

And it's almost certainly paid by loans. You think medical students have time to work much on the side?

\Working your way through college is an absolute myth.
\\Unless your family can pay for it, you're taking out loans.

Totally untrue, I did it. It takes twice as long, but it can be done.

Fart_Machine: publikenemy: Liberals love to talk about how we should let Muslims have their prayer time, and how they are free to practice their beliefs, and we should all be tolerant. Actually, they say that about all beliefs...except for Christians...they are free to attack

[www.goldrush.com image 350x262]

So wtf is that supposed to mean? There are a lot of Christians so we should attack? Stupid point guy...

Tolerance is key..just because you don't hold a similar belief, doesn't mean it's wrong. Atheists are so angry that others have beliefs. Let it be man let it be

0Icky0: Get over your poor persecuted self.

Ah yes, insults and condescension. I assume from that you are atheist. It is a familiar pattern by now.

Anyway, to address your confusion (or intentional lie, whichever) - the signs in the article are specifically about Christmas and Jesus. It matter of factly says that in the article, so it's not really a matter of debate. Which is why I mentioned Ramadan and Mohamed as Muslim equivalents. That seems pretty clear.

publikenemy: Fart_Machine: publikenemy: Liberals love to talk about how we should let Muslims have their prayer time, and how they are free to practice their beliefs, and we should all be tolerant. Actually, they say that about all beliefs...except for Christians...they are free to attack

[www.goldrush.com image 350x262]

So wtf is that supposed to mean? There are a lot of Christians so we should attack? Stupid point guy...

Tolerance is key..just because you don't hold a similar belief, doesn't mean it's wrong. Atheists are so angry that others have beliefs. Let it be man let it be

No, it means you should calm down princess. Nobody is trying to oppress you.

THE ONLY ADVANTAGE OF BEING ATHEIST IS HOMOSEXUALITY
THIS COULD BE WHY 100% OF ATHEISTS LIKE TO HAVE SEX WITH OTHER MEN

ThrobblefootSpectre: Anyway, to address your confusion (or intentional lie, whichever) - the signs in the article are specifically about Christmas and Jesus.

FTA: One sign will feature the phrase "2 Million Floridians don't believe in gods,"

Yup, it's all about those Christians.

Jon iz teh kewl: THE ONLY ADVANTAGE OF BEING ATHEIST IS HOMOSEXUALITY
THIS COULD BE WHY 100% OF ATHEISTS LIKE TO HAVE SEX WITH OTHER MEN

I do enjoy sex with men...

Fart_Machine: [www.goldrush.com image 350x262]

It would be hilarious to see an OWS version of that pie chart showing the 99% shouting "Help! We're being oppressed!"

Britney Spear's Speculum: Atheists could put up a billboard that says "'Have a good day' - Courtesy of the Freedom From Religious Foundation" and people would still complain.

Actually, that would probably do more to help their cause than ruining some people's favorite time of year.

ThrobblefootSpectre: Anyway, to address your confusion (or intentional lie, whichever) - the signs in the article are specifically about Christmas and Jesus. It matter of factly says that in the article, so it's not really a matter of debate. Which is why I mentioned Ramadan and Mohamed as Muslim equivalents. That seems pretty clear.

Yes, I know. The sign in the article is stupid and ugly.
I was addressing your generalization that atheists only "attack" Christians.

ThrobblefootSpectre: Fart_Machine: [www.goldrush.com image 350x262]

It would be hilarious to see an OWS version of that pie chart showing the 99% shouting "Help! We're being oppressed!"

You're kind of clueless aren't you?

Scenario:

You're at church one fine Sunday when your farmer neighbor, Abraham leans over to you and tells you, "God has told me he requires me to sacrifice my son to him. I am to take my son directly after church to the middle of my south pasture and plunge a knife into his heart."

As a "person of God" what do you do? To call the police is to admit that your 'God' is imaginary, and that Abraham has a few screws loose.

Do you do nothing?

Whiskey Priest: Britney Spear's Speculum: Atheists could put up a billboard that says "'Have a good day' - Courtesy of the Freedom From Religious Foundation" and people would still complain.

Actually, that would probably do more to help their cause than ruining some people's favorite time of year.

A billboard ruined Christmas for you?

Whiskey Priest: Britney Spear's Speculum: Atheists could put up a billboard that says "'Have a good day' - Courtesy of the Freedom From Religious Foundation" and people would still complain.

Actually, that would probably do more to help their cause than ruining some people's favorite time of year.

And Christians screaming about a pretend War On Christmas is helping everyone enjoy the season?

/I know, I know, broad brush

Fart_Machine: ThrobblefootSpectre: Fart_Machine: [www.goldrush.com image 350x262]

It would be hilarious to see an OWS version of that pie chart showing the 99% shouting "Help! We're being oppressed!"

You're kind of clueless aren't you?


Either being the majority implies you cannot be oppressed or it doesn't. Can't have it both ways.

WHAT IS SO HARD TO BELIEVE. THAT SOMEONE AS NICE AS JESUS ONCE EXISTED?

SOMEONE THAT DIDNT FIGHT WITH OTHERS ACTUALLY EXISTED?

OR ARE U DETESTING THE FACT THAT JESUS WAS BORN FROM A DIFFERENT FATHER. THAT PART BOTHERS U INTO THINKING ITS NOT A REAL EVENT.

LOTS OF KIDS ARE BORN TO DIFFERENT FATHERS TODAY
HOW STUPID ARE U PEOPLE??

ThrobblefootSpectre: Fart_Machine: ThrobblefootSpectre: Fart_Machine: [www.goldrush.com image 350x262]

It would be hilarious to see an OWS version of that pie chart showing the 99% shouting "Help! We're being oppressed!"

You're kind of clueless aren't you?


Either being the majority implies you cannot be oppressed or it doesn't. Can't have it both ways.

Or there is more to each position than just simply being part of a majority

ThrobblefootSpectre: Fart_Machine: ThrobblefootSpectre: Fart_Machine: [www.goldrush.com image 350x262]

It would be hilarious to see an OWS version of that pie chart showing the 99% shouting "Help! We're being oppressed!"

You're kind of clueless aren't you?


Either being the majority implies you cannot be oppressed or it doesn't. Can't have it both ways.

The point of OWS is that a wealthy elite have a huge control over the economic and political process.
Do you believe non-Christians have the same control over their majority Christian counterparts?

Baryogenesis: Or there is more to each position than just simply being part of a majority

True. But I am addressing that specific graphic in particular, which shows only relative proportions. I still think it would be hilarious to see an OWS version of the 99%. Maybe I'll do one in powerpoint today.

Uh, so what?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbBLDBohgrY

I don't freak out when i see billboards that say "turn to God before you get a divorce" (and yes that is an actual billboard in my area though I may have the wording a bit off). I just ignore it. Why? because I'm confident in my belief, or non-belief if you want to be technical. The fact that others have different beliefs doesn't "offend" me, not does it bother me that they try to express that belief publicly. I'm not an insecure person like so many Christians seem to be.

When others try to force their beliefs on me, by crafting laws based on religious texts, or forcing me to pray in school (or even remain silent while others pray) that doesn't just offend me. It infuriates me.

Do what you want personally but leave me out of it.

Nabb1: Aw, is it that time of year when a few whiny insecure atheists need to do some attention whoring because they're feeling left out?

It's also that time of year when a few whiny insecure Christians get butthurt over a billboard or their local chain merchant for printing banners with Happy Holidays.

WHY DONT ATHEISTS USE THIS MONEY TO ADVERTISE CD SALES
OF THEIR SERMONS OR SOMETHING
OH WAIT THEY DONT HAVE AN AGENDA
THEY ARE JUST ___?

The "atheists are as bad as christians" comments are always amusing.

You see, the big difference is that when atheists argue their lack of belief, they're correct and intellectually honest, but when religious people argue their beliefs are being crazy, delusional children (except that they're often 18 years of age or older!!!).

Thus, if you're part of the "atheists are as bad as christians" brigade, it shows you don't care about intellectual honesty and the problems that it causes our sad society because of religion's presence and all the other intellectually bankrupt, stupid ideas people have.

Way to let emotions get in the way of making good, mature decisions! Children.

No one else pick up that the news anchor was 'Christ in a Hart man'?

//or perhaps i am the only one who thought it was amusing?

Meh, I'm more into Daedra worship now...at least for the next few months

eraser8: untaken_name: What makes you think those things are mutually exclusive?

The nature of morality.

untaken_name: Laws are codified morality enforced through the police power of the State.

So, the laws that permitted slavery were moral? The laws that permitted segregation were moral? The laws that permit abortion or moral?

You are confusing authority and obedience with morality. As I wrote earlier, sometimes, coincidentally, commands from authority will also be moral. But, in other instances, they will be manifestly immoral.

Um, I am not the one confused as to what morality is. By what metric do you measure what is moral and what is immoral? In what way are things "manifestly immoral" about some laws?

Jon iz teh kewl: WHY DONT ATHEISTS USE THIS MONEY TO ADVERTISE CD SALES
OF THEIR SERMONS OR SOMETHING
OH WAIT THEY DONT HAVE AN AGENDA
THEY ARE JUST ___?

Fart_Machine: What destruction of property are you speaking of?

Because tagging a billboard is the same as burning down a church.
/rollseyes

Sarah Palin's Conscience: I never really thought of it that way.

However, I fail to see how that would pave the way to rape, murder, and thievery. These have been firmly established as big "no"'s in our society.

Maybe my line of thinking is too narrow on this one?

/not snarky
//honestly curious

It is generally religion which has established those things as "no"s. Even when people are not personally religious, they cannot escape the effects of religious programming on society. Nature doesn't abhor rape, murder, or thievery - they are RAMPANT in nature. There is no intrinsic value to human life - any more than there is intrinsic value in the life of cockroaches or birds. We have deluded ourselves into believing there is because of religion, and not just Christianity. Humans have a need to believe they are part of something larger than themselves, because the awful truth that we are completely alone and there is no objective good or evil is just that - awful. Most people are not prepared to face it, whatever they claim their philosophy is.

This architect does not care if you believe or not, so go fark yourself.

moothemagiccow: If there's anyone I hate more than christian activists, it's atheist activists. The dipshiats deserve each other.

Last atheist dick I met complained christians treated him like he "was against god." I had to inform him about what the A in atheist meant.

THIS

I find it very hard to care about this, or the other side argument that always spill off of it, like that old, "How can you prove that Jesus actually existed, regardless of whether he as a god?"

When I see a story like this, what it makes me think is that the highways are already glutted to the point of vomiting with billboards, especially in the urban areas. All with huge "BUY ME BUY ME" messages on them.

So if you want to make a connection between billboards, and what we worship in this country, there you go.

Atheism: Another religion for the equally insecure.

ThrobblefootSpectre: Evangelical atheists can be uniquely annoying in a way that even religious evangelists aren't.

AND THIS TOO

Kibbler:
When I see a story like this, what it makes me think is that the highways are already glutted to the point of vomiting with billboards, especially in the urban areas. All with huge "BUY ME BUY ME" messages on them.

So if you want to make a connection between billboards, and what we worship in this country, there you go.

THIS.

eraser8: Divinegrace: Not an Atheist, but the general feeling I get from them is that we should all be allowed to do whatever the fark we want, whenever the fark we want, and anyone who questions why they did what they did, or tries to tell them what they did was 'wrong' is simply trying to 'keep them down' by imposing 'made up fairy tales' on them.

Well, telling someone he shouldn't be able to work on the Sabbath because it is forbidden by a book IS simply trying to "keep him down" by imposing "made up fairy tales" on him.

Telling someone she shouldn't be allowed to marry the woman she loves because it is forbidden by a book IS simply trying to "keep her down" by imposing "made up fairy tales" on her.

Telling someone that he can't have bacon on his burger because it is forbidden by a book IS simply trying to "keep him down" by imposing "made up fairy tales" on him.

Don't stop there...

Telling someone that he/she can't cheat on their spouse because it is forbidden by a book IS simply trying to 'keep em down' by imposing 'made up fairy tales' on em.

Telling someone that they can't take what they want because it is forbidden by a book IS simply trying to 'keep em down' by imposing 'made up fairy tales' on em.

Telling someone that they kill someone they don't like because it is forbidden by a book IS simply trying to 'keep em down' by imposing 'made up fairy tales' on em.

Damn all those 'fundies' for trying to 'keep us down' by imposing 'made up fairy tales' on em.

I will tell you this, I fear no man, government, or death. Take away my love and respect for God and I will fark this world, and anyone who gets in my way, up six ways come Sunday. Have no doubt I would get away with it too!

Even if you DON'T have faith, count your blessing that I DO. I double dog dare you to actually make me lose mine.

Britney Spear's Speculum: These stupid articles always center around reactions and rebuttals from christian groups. How come whenever a priest molests a child, news outlets don't immediately ask atheist's their opinions?

Atheists could put up a billboard that says "'Have a good day' - Courtesy of the Freedom From Religious Foundation" and people would still complain.

Except this isn't a neutral message. It's an insult to Christians faith. Yes asking for the insulteds reaction is natural.

These kind of assholes, and you for defending them, are one of the reasons I hate to identify myself as atheist.

Jesus may not be my reason for the season, personally I celebrate family, food, and Santa but why do you need to slam on those who do believe?

Go be smug somewhere else

As a concerned Christian I would like to take a moment to say...

Go ahead and put up the billboards. you have that right and I will defend that right to my very last dying breath. If some one's faith can be shaken by looking at a bill board for 2 seconds then their faith was not that strong to begin with.

As long as i can put up a pro christian sign with out you going apecrap about it then all things equal out. and I am cool with that.

Until someone is fed to a bloody great lion there is no "war on Christanity" in the USA.

thank you and God bless (if you believe that sort of thing, if not then have a nice day anyway)

Rose McGowan Loveslave

cptjeff:

\Working your way through college is an absolute myth.
\\Unless your family can pay for it, you're taking out loans.

Hmm... 3 years at Univ
No loans
No grants or gifts
No help from parents
Walked out with a degree and no debt
Some myth
Did walk out with callouses on my hands and a good understanding of how a construction site works

Rose McGowan Loveslave: Rose McGowan Loveslave

Britney Spear's Speculum: These stupid articles always center around reactions and rebuttals from christian groups. How come whenever a priest molests a child, news outlets don't immediately ask atheist's their opinions?

Atheists could put up a billboard that says "'Have a good day' - Courtesy of the Freedom From Religious Foundation" and people would still complain.

You have to understand the media today is all about getting some ignorant moron to go DERP! DERP! DERP! It is hard to find atheists an that goes DERP! DERP! DERP! While on the other hand you can't swing a dead cat in the US with out hitting some Christian retard going DERP! DERP! DERP!

Fine. Don't celebrate Christmas then. And while you're at it go 跟猴子比丟屎

I understand that "normal" Christians get upset about "activist" atheists and feel put upon, but what those "normal" Christians -- particularly in America -- need to understand is that Atheists aren't pushing back against them, they are pushing back against a concerted effort by activist Christians to enact into law the subjective, short sighted, bigotted and, frankly, nonsensical and hypocritical beliefs of a particular brand of Christianity. When religous organizations attempt to lobby lawmakers and push referendums, they need to be stopped. Their stupid, xenophobic rules about sexuality and behavior should stay inside their temples and churches.

America is a secular nation. That is one of its greatest strengths.

Why would atheists ever feel like they were persecuted and needed to defend their position?

Ryan2065: Despite the negative attention the billboards receive, American Atheists Communications Director Blair Scott said the signs aren't meant to offend people, but that he understands why it happens.

"When you question someone's long-held beliefs and doctrine they are going to be immediately offended and be on the defensive: it's a known psychological phenomenon," he told Opposing Views.

You're not helping... This makes it sound like your goal is converting people to your faith.

Well, the idea is to get people to abandon erroneous beliefs; however, that doesn't make it the equivalent of proselytizing. There's any number of "myths" the billboard could have been talking about - like, say, the various misconceptions a lot of people have about evolution or global warming - but I'd think that sensible people wouldn't see those as attempts to convert people to some "faith".