BS: New things about atheism

Subject: RE: BS: New things about atheism
From: Amos
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 11:17 PM

I have heard the two evils being condemned in one breath by those who stand firmly against godless, commie pinko faggot atheist bastards. Associates in evil, as it were, but not with any rational discourse.


A

Subject: RE: BS: New things about atheism
From: Rapparee
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 11:08 PM

No.

Subject: RE: BS: New things about atheism
From: Mrrzy
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:35 PM

We have both, I think, and I could easily be confusing them.

But has anybody heard atheism being compared to homosexuality in terms of the way it is considered?

Subject: RE: BS: New things about atheism
From: Amos
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:18 PM

I liked it better when it was Commies. At least they had a capitol.


A

Subject: RE: BS: New things about atheism
From: Rapparee
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:14 PM

"Right To Work" states, such as the four I've worked in and the one I currently work in, in NO WAY means that you can be fired for any reason at all. It means that you can't be forced to join a Union to work for an employer.

You're confusing it with "Employment At Will." Which means that if the employer does discriminate and you can prove it you can still sue the shit out of him.

Subject: RE: BS: New things about atheism
From: Mrrzy
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:07 PM

I *love* Ralph Ingersoll! And they didn't SAY that was what it was, although it was what it was, if you follow, plus this is a Right to Work state which is newspeak for We Can Get Rid Of You Whenever For No Reason. I wanted to, though...

Subject: Lefties to Gays to Atheists...
From: Mrrzy
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:04 PM

That is a separate quibble. Atheism means no god beliefs, and some of us grew up without religion. Most left whatever religion they were born into, but I got lucky there.

(OK, I'll quibble a little: Atheism contains no element of *faith* in its beliefs. In contrast, religion does. Atheism is thus the complement of religion - you can either believe in something supernatural, beyond the natural world (be religious) or believe only in the natural world (be atheistic). For instance, I believe in Australia, though I've never been there, and nobody would say that was faith. Thus those who claim atheism is a religion are misusing both terms. Shall we start a different thread for this?) (joe clone maybe change this thread title to "Lefties to Gays to Atheists..." which is what I've been putting as a better title for the discussion I meant to start...
But I really enjoy the one Peter sparked!)

Subject: RE: BS: New things about atheism
From: Rapparee
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:04 PM

If they fire you for atheism, sue them for religious discrimination. They can no more legally discriminate against you for a lack of religious belief than they can discriminate against you because of them. Tell them you celebrate Ralph Ingersoll's birthday as one of the High Holy Days of atheism and can't work that day and see what happens.

Subject: RE: BS: New things about atheism
From: Midchuck
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 09:57 PM

An atheist is not "without religion."

Confirmed atheists and devout fundamentalist religious believers are pretty much the same, from an agnostic's viewpoint - they both Know the Truth.

Peter.

Subject: BS: Lefties to Gays to Atheists...
From: Mrrzy
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 09:49 PM

Has anyone else heard atheists being described as "the new gays?" On the one hand, many of us *are* closeted, and I, who am not, have lost at least one job I'd have kept else; on the other hand, homosexuality is, in my experience, way more acceptable these days than atheism is; on the gripping hand, wouldn't it be interesting if it were the growth of atheism that finally puts the kibbosh on homophobia? I mean, nothing unites humans like a common enemy; perhaps the religious revivalism in the US will end up being what makes being gay acceptable (how ironic, when they {the churches} are spearheading the fight against it {being gay} now!) because, after all, as long as you're a Christian you'll be OK! Being as against homophobia as I am (reminds me of the old superstitions against left-handedness, now seen as a normal rare variant which is, after all, what homosexuality is) I'm all for *something* finally getting it as acceptable as being left-handed is today (mom went through 2 grades with her left hand tied behind her back so she'd stop trying to use it)...
But accepting the possibility of being without religion seems a much greater leap.
Any thoughts or am I rambling?