Atheists: Methinks he doth protest too much

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635165645,00.html
from JoeUser Forums

Dave Silverman, a coming out of the closet Atheist (if I was gay, I would bitch slap the jerk) has decided that atheists cant be atheists because of persecution from the "religious right".  Well, before I get into the meat of this article let me offer him a boo hoo!  hey jerk!  I am a Catholic!  You think they like me any better?

http://www.atheists.org/comingout/othercloset.html

But perhaps the reason that you feel so ostracized is because you are doing the persecution?  ya think?  maybe just a little?

Oh!  So what do we have now.  Well anyone who reads the news knows about Michael Newdow and his quest to banish mention of God (why?  If you don't believe in Him, why be afraid of his name?  You don't sound like an Atheist, more like a BC idol worshiper or a pagan). 

Now we have a bunch of needle nose atheist objecting to honoring fallen Utah State Troopers!  And how are they honored?  SHOCK!  GASP! "I am coming to you Elizabeth!"

They are erecting crosses, most on private property, along the highways of Utah!  No message of "Jesus is going to get you!" or "Burn in hell Infidel" (I kind of like that one, it rhymes).  Just simple, plain crosses.

I have seen many along the highways here in Va! And SHOCK! GASP! On the public right of way along the highways.  Honoring those that have died at or near those spots.

yet the Atheists are up in arms over this!  They are melting!  Melting!

So Mr. Silverman, if you want to "Come out of the closet", by all means do so!  But don't blame those YOU are persecuting for putting you there.  You are just another sniveling coward that likes to dish it out, but cant take it.

Jerk.

7,595 views 73 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

Oh, and Mr. Silverman, I will say a prayer for you.  Cant hurt right?  Just a waste of my time right?

Dont call me, I wont call you.

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

The thing that a lot of people seem to forget is that the constitution guarantees a person freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion.

I get a free newsletter from the Freedom From Religion people, and the lengths that they go to to make people remove public indications or symbols of faith is really...well, scary.  To me, a person who is rabidly ANTI religion is just as bad as someone who is rabidly PRO.  It seems sometimes that these people go after Christians just because they can.  It's almost a sport...they delight in it. 

I don't have a problem with people expressing their faith in public....as long as it's voluntary.  It's when people try and make it mandatory that I get pissed off and start to want to dig my heels in.  I'm all for living and letting live.

Christians have rights too.  Constitutional rights regarding religion are for EVERYONE, not just athiests.

Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
me, a person who is rabidly ANTI religion is just as bad as someone who is rabidly PRO


That gets you the quote of the year! Seems that the Atheist have their own version of Pat Robertson!
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
I was wondering something...

What would happen to the Arlington National Cemetary... aren't those all *gasp* crosses?
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top

I was wondering something...

What would happen to the Arlington National Cemetary... aren't those all *gasp* crosses?

And even some *Gasp* Stars of David!  yea, we all wonder when they are going to get around to Arlington.

Miss you S&JT!

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
I've always been puzzled about so called atheists. An atheist says..."there is no God."

How can they know? Do they know everything? I usually just ask them..."What if you're wrong?" Have you ever been wrong before?

Boy does that tick them off!!!

I have a bumper sticker on my car that says..

IF YOU BELIEVE THERE IS NO GOD......YOU BETTER BE RIGHT!!

Me thinks they should go by the term agnostic.......an agnostic says "I don't believe there is a God."

Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
This is typical of the PC crowd these days. They aren't so much about defending their own rights as they are about trying to have other's rights denied.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top

Me thinks they should go by the term agnostic.......an agnostic says "I don't believe there is a God."

Actually, I think they say "there is a god, I just dont know which one it is".

Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top

This is typical of the PC crowd these days. They aren't so much about defending their own rights as they are about trying to have other's rights denied.

Yes, and it is sad really.  let them be themselves.  But no, they have to make us in their image, and that is where they will fail.  courts or no.

Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
Me thinks they should go by the term agnostic.......an agnostic says "I don't believe there is a God."


Not exactly. Agnosticism is more about 'prove to me that a deity does/does not exist'. They basically say 'show me'.
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
The thing that a lot of people seem to forget is that the constitution guarantees a person freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion.


"Atheists seek to remove religion from society, and to force all people to be atheists" - Absolutely wrong. We seek only the freedom for people to make their choice on their own, free of intervention from the government or public school system. We seek the freedom not to support religion through taxes, forced participation, or special privileges of any kind. That being said, your thoughts are your rights, and none of our business. Wear your jewelry, celebrate your holidays, and pray in your house, church, or in public if you like. Just don't force your religion on other people. That's what we're all about. From the website.

How can they know? Do they know everything? I usually just ask them..."What if you're wrong?" Have you ever been wrong before?


"Atheists cannot know there is no God, since you cannot prove he doesn't exist" - Again, this is a two sided coin, but the theists are loathe to admit the other side. Atheists don't need to prove the non-existence of God, any more we need to prove the nonexistence of Zeus or Santa Claus. Can theists prove God over any alternatives? Of course not. Nobody can prove God exists, yet they will stand on their heads saying they're sure. Well, if they can be sure despite evidence to the contrary, we can be sure in light of evidence in support of atheism. From the website.

What would happen to the Arlington National Cemetery... aren't those all *gasp* crosses?


Confirmed Atheist have the standard inverted U shaped stone. But it takes a member of the family to state this fact, because the military issues the standard cross to everybody who places "No preference" on the Religion Block. Since Atheist does not appear as a separate category on Religions, most Atheists check the No Pref. block. Wouldn’t you be a little offended if someone placed the Crescent on you tomb stone, just because no block appeared for your choice?


Seems that the Atheist have their own version of Pat Robertson!


Agreed, Newdow is just as much the average Atheist, as Robertson would be considered an average Christian.

I am a Catholic! You think they like me any better?


Yes. I was a Catholic myself, before I was an Atheist. From personnel experience I've taken more crap now (when I don't generally advertise my beliefs) then when I was a practicing Catholic (with bumper stickers and all).

As dharmagrl stated above, the same is the general feeling of most Atheist I know too:
I don't have a problem with people expressing their faith in public....as long as it's voluntary. It's when people try and make it mandatory that I get pissed off and start to want to dig my heels in. I'm all for living and letting live.


If you want to now call me a WHINER, go on ahead. Because you’re doing just as much whining about those mean old Atheist.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
Someday we will know for sure...if there is a God or not!! I absolutely know there is a God. Without a doubt. There are many evidences to prove this. You just don't want to believe. It's a choice you make. One day you will be held accountable for that choice like I will mine. We all will.

Go with me here.....if you are right and I am wrong....what did I lose? I lived a good life, lived my life like there was a God and had joy and contentment while doing so, and much more peace and then settle down for a long dirt nap. End of story,.

Now...if I'm right and you're wrong...you've lost all of eternity. Separated forever from a God that loves like we have no idea. He says (only if you believe it) that what he has in store for us no eye has ever seen or ear heard.

I choose to believe it. What do I lose? It's a win-win for me. It's a lose-lose for you. Are you willing to bet that high?
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
what he has in store for us no eye has ever seen or ear heard.


you can get people to do all kinda stuff using that line even if you ain't god.

you can. but you shouldn't.

it's just wrong.
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
Atheists are the only people who don’t think atheism is a religion so let them preach. Considering the long and continuing history of religions hating non-believers I think doth protest too much.
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
Ah the anti-dogma is just as bad as the pro-dogma. The way I see it, if you believe in God or Mohammad or Buddha, fine. If you don't, well that is fine too. The only thing I don't want is for people to get in my face about their beliefs.
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
Are you willing to bet that high?


considering i've kept the lions outta the superbowl for decades by betting them to win, you may wanna rethink encouraging me to bet the same way as you.
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
I've always been puzzled about so called atheists. An atheist says..."there is no God."

How can they know? Do they know everything? I usually just ask them..."What if you're wrong?" Have you ever been wrong before?


KFC, 'we' don't know everything, just as you don't know everything. If you were to ask me the above question, my response would be 'Well, what if you are wrong?'. The way I see it, there is no right or wrong, it is just a question of beliefs. You have faith in a God figure, I don't. It doesn't mean I'm any better or worse than you. I could tell you I believe we were dumped here thousands of years ago by an alien race and one day they're coming back to rescue us all. But there is no way I could say I know this for sure. But my faith carries me forward, as does yours.

Instead of alienating Atheists with questions like the one above, why not just try and be friendly. I don't believe religion should be used as a tool to categorise people. It is a personal belief, pure and simple.
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top

They basically say 'show me'.

Must be the Misssouri ones.

Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top

If you want to now call me a WHINER, go on ahead. Because you’re doing just as much whining about those mean old Atheist.

I am whining (as you call it) because of their insistance that I cannot express my beliefs because it interferes with theirs.  I am not preventing them from expressing their beliefs and really dont care if they want to beleive in the Easter Bunny.  I am not complaining about the atheists even here at JU as you have your beleifs (yes beliefs) and allow the rest of us to have ours.  That is the BIG difference.

So if you want to call me a whiner for standing up to these clowns and stating my beliefs in public, so be it.  Because I am not going to kowtow to the tyranny of SOME of the leaders of your movement. Period.

Oh, and if you dont think that Catholics are persecuted just as badly, more so in many instances, than Atheists, you have not lived in the rural south.

Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top

I choose to believe it. What do I lose? It's a win-win for me. It's a lose-lose for you. Are you willing to bet that high?

Many do.  And since God gave us free will, that is their choice to make.  For themselves!  They just have to remember to quit trying to make it for the other 98% of us.

Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top

you can get people to do all kinda stuff using that line even if you ain't god.

you can. but you shouldn't.

I dont beleive anyone here is trying to get anyone to do anything.  But yes, the very nature of God, not being able to prove or disprove His existance, can and sometimes (Jim Jones, Heaven's Gate, etc) does lead to abuses.

Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top

Atheists are the only people who don’t think atheism is a religion so let them preach

They can set up their own churches and pray to their almight bodies for all I care.  But when they start trying to dictate to the rest of us what we can and cant do, then I have a real problem.  Just as I would if Pat Robertson were made dictator tomorrow.

Reply #23 from JoeUser Forums Top
"Atheists seek to remove religion from society, and to force all people to be atheists" - Absolutely wrong. We seek only the freedom for people to make their choice on their own, free of intervention from the government or public school system


Now where in my response did I say that ATHIESTS forget about constitutional rights?? I didn't. I said that SOME PEOPLE forget....and that do. Like I said, I get the 'Freedom From Religion' newsletter, so I KNOW that there are people who want NO mention of religion anywhere.

God I love it when people put words in my mouth.
Reply #24 from JoeUser Forums Top

The only thing I don't want is for people to get in my face about their beliefs.

Exactly!  I personally think that Bugs Bunny is god and Barney is Satan!  But I am not going to try to convert you to that!  I will eat my carrot and burn purple dinosaurs in effigy!

Reply #25 from JoeUser Forums Top

considering i've kept the lions outta the superbowl for decades by betting them to win, you may wanna rethink encouraging me to bet the same way as you.

Damn!  Ya think that is why the Raiders have sucked so bad lately?  That I was betting on them too?