CHRISTIAN BIGOTRY: Hagee Tells Atheists to Leave the Country
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Tag Archives: religion
QUOTE: Eric Hoffer, On Intellectual Sterility
Eric Hoffer a.k.a. “Longshoreman Philosopher” (July 25, 1902 – May 21, 1983)
American Social Writer, Author, Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
The blindness of the fanatic is a source of strength (he sees no obstacles), but it is the cause of intellectual sterility and emotional monotony. The fanatic is also mentally cocky, and hence barren of new beginnings. At the root of his cockiness is the conviction that life and the universe conform to a simple formula – his formula. His is thus without the fruitful intervals of groping [uncertainty], when the mind is as it were in solution – ready for all manner of new reactions, new combinations and new beginnings. (Between the Devil and the Dragon. New York: Harper & Row Publishers, 1982, p. 287)
SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE: Film / “In God We Teach”
A film by Vic Losick, “In God We Teach” tells the story of a high school student who secretly recorded his history teacher in class, and accused him of proselytizing for Jesus. The teacher, in danger of losing his job strenuously denied it. The specifics of the controversy lead directly to the church & state arguments that are in the news this election year. With Stephen Colbert, Alan Dershowitz, Neil deGrasse Tyson and others.
EVOLUTION: In U.S., 46% Hold Creationist View of Human Origins
The Most Religious Americans Are Most Likely to Be Creationists
Majority of Republicans Are Creationists
Those With Postgraduate Education Least Likely to Believe in Creationist Explanation
QUOTE: Oscar Wilde, On Disobedience
Oscar Wilde (16 October 1854 – 30 November 1900)
Irish Writer, Poet, Classicist, Spokesman for Aestheticism, and Atheist.
Known for his biting wit, flamboyant dress, and glittering conversation.
Disobedience, in the eyes of anyone who has read history, is man’s original virtue. It is through disobedience and rebellion that progress has been made.
LOGIC: Is Homosexuality Unnatural?
CHRISTIAN BIGOTRY: Lawrence M. Krauss / Does Religious Liberty Equal Freedom to Discriminate?
[…]
. . . [T]he right to marry, . . . is a secular legal issue. Even if the state were to recognize same-sex marriages, churches, mosques or synagogues or other places of worship would not be required to hold wedding ceremonies within them or sanction such marriages because the no legal standing is attributed to such ceremonies or sanctions. Where is the attack on liberty?
[…]
. . . [T]he banner of ‘religious liberty’ is effectively more akin to the ‘right to discriminate.’ For the state to treat organized religious groups differently than it does other organizations implies special rights for these groups to behave differently than others. But this requires such religious groups to determine who is in the “in’ group, and who is in the ‘out’ group, and because religious doctrine guides moral behavior, it provides an opportunity for members of the group to condemn the behavior of those not in the group.
[…]
. . . [W]hen organized religious groups gain power of any form, power over the state, power over women, or power over children, the results inevitably lead to restrictions on liberty based on discrimination [bigotry].
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ANTITHEISM: Richard Dawkins / Christopher Hitchens Tribute
PHILOSOPHY: The Atheist and Death
Whether you die from a long, painful illness or quietly in your sleep or from violence or misadventure, the final moment for every single person is the same: UNconsciousness. That transition will either be quick and sharp, or slow, like falling asleep. Regardless, ONE second afterwards, you’re not there to experience anything. As Wittgenstein put it “Death is not an event in life: we do not live to experience death. If we take eternity to mean not infinite temporal duration but timelessness, then eternal life belongs to those who live in the present.” There is nothing to fear in the experience of death for, to the last second, we are alive and not dead; and then once dead, we experience nothing at all.
HUMOR: Eve’s First Prayer
“Lord, I have a problem.”
“What’s the problem, Eve?”
“I’m bored. I know that you provided me with this beautiful garden, and all of these wonderful animals, as well as that hilarious comedic snake, but I’m just not happy.”
“And why is that Eve?”
“Lord, I think I’m lonely, and I’m sick to death of apples.”
“Well, Eve, in that case, I shall create a man for you.”
“What’s a man, Lord?”
“A flawed creature, to be sure. He will have many bad traits: he’ll lie, cheat and be vain; all in all, he’ll give you a hard time. And he’ll be bigger, faster. But he will will like to hunt and kill things for you to eat along with the veggies I’ve provided. And I’ll create him in such a way that he will satisfy your physical needs – sometimes. He will be witless and will revel in childish things like fighting and kicking and throwing balls about – sometimes using sticks. He won’t be as smart as you, so he will also need your advice to think properly.”
“Sounds OK, I guess” says Eve, with ironically raised eyebrows.
“Well, you can have one then, but only on one condition.”
“And what’s that Lord?”
“As I said, he’ll be proud, arrogant and self-admiring . . . so you’ll have to let him believe that I made him before you. And that will have to stay our little secret — woman to woman.”
Source: The Atheism News Magazine
Always Question Authority 