|
Posted on 12/23/2004 8:37:38 AM PST by NYer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Catholic League is the nation's largest Catholic civil rights organization. It defends individual Catholics and the institutional Church from defamation and discrimination. |
|
|
|
|
False dilemma fallacy. Another option: things got vastly inflated by the myriad of authors who wrote his biography.
Your fine and you know it. Most atheists I know are VERY secure in their worldview.
Something missing in this entire thread is a critique of one William Donohue. Wow, what a piece of work. The guy is an embarrasment to Catholocism.
Speaking of atheists, he says:
“They would then repair to the cocktail lounge where they would all be given empty glasses. Dinner would follow, though nothing would be served. At the awards ceremony, those who best represent the spirit of nothing would, of course, be given nothing for their efforts. Best of all, the keynote speaker wouldn’t open his mouth, allowing everyone to just sit there, staring endlessly into space."
A feisty atheist might suggest that he get a couple of dead fish and a few loaves of bread to serve a few thousand Christians, while the atheists rely on modern science - agriculture and animal husbandry to feed themselves in a temporal world.
Seriously, everytime I've seen William Donohue, I wonder why the Catholic league doesn't pick a more even-tempored, compotent spokesman.
I've read it countless times. Where's the reference to the Christian god? What in it should drive secular folks nuts?
Yes- and you have Christians to thank for that... You show your gratitude so kindly.
I haven't had much respect for this guy since he has supported civil unions and other homosexual rights.
From an anthropological and historical point of view, we've seen rules like the Commandments in various societies from before Moses was even born. The Commandments were just societal rules written down and enforced by the fear of a deity rather than simple secular punishment.
But I'd dump #10, because our whole capitalist economy is built on the idea that if I want that new Mercedes in my neighbor's driveway (i.e., I covet it), I'd better work my butt off to buy one too.
Where?
I didn't see George Bush or any other prominent Republican bash Atheist once in the campaign, In fact in one of the debates he even said he respected people's right not to believe. These attacks
Outside of some isolated locations, I don't see it. (The predictions of a Roy Moore's governorship is a bit premature)
Not saying its right I am just saying it's hardly suicidal.
It will be suicidal.
From http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/US/P/00/epolls.0.html
If my Math is right.
3 million people who profess no religion at all voted for Bush (That's his margin of victory right there)
12 Million of Bush's votes were from people who rarely/never attend church (Which includes the 3 million above)
Throw in the 17 million Catholics & Jews who voted for Bush, who many (most) in these 2 groups are more tolerant/less hostile and/or paranoid of Evangelical Christians
These people are not likely to join in this Atheist/Agnostic/non-Judeo-Christian bashing and in fact are likely to be turned off by it. We didn't win by that big of a margin, we lose even a small % of these people say hello to President Hillary.
The war on terror (which yes includes Iraq) and the piss poor choice of John Kerry won this election, It won't be as big an issue (if at all) in 2008 and a platform of "You don't believe in My God, My Way so I don't think you are a real American and you have no morals and you should be my Dhimmi" will not be a winning strategy to keep these people.
Pascal's Wager. Third option: I take the "safe" route, believe in Jesus, but find out at my death that any one of thousands of other religions was the "true" religion granting eternal life. Oops. IOW, to an atheist, believing in Jesus is no safer than believing in any other prophet/god.
There's also the problem that a selfish, saving-your-own-ass motive for belief isn't likely to be something that will get you into heaven.
As an atheist, I could never stand that b!tch.
The patriot Thomas Paine had something to do with it, as well.
Flip Wilson started a "Church" for you where you can be ordained. It's called the "Church of What's Happening Now".
Note: See Flip Wilson circla 1960's and 1970's.
Also see Geraldine
Preach on, Brother!
Does any serious person truly believe that ANY politician would ever willingly drive away a bloc of votes?
Great facts, too. Ever since the election, certain sects of Christians have been acting as if it was they, and they alone who won the election for the President. This "atheist-bashing" is one possible symptom.
Here's another thought...the President doesn't bash anyone because he's actually a nice man, as well as an HONEST Christian.
Well, Thomas Paine was no Christian, but there were people of many religions who contributed to the revolution.
Yep, if there is a God, that is his greatest gift to us. Without free will, we are nothing of any import or meaning.
Oh Really? Name them.
Not JUST Christians, m'Lady. There were also Deists, Jews, agnostics, and yes, atheists amongst those who fought the Revolutionary war. All the above, and more, also left members on battlefields from Tripoli to Mosul in defense of that Liberty.
But perhaps you referred to the Founding Fathers...who also not only included Deists, atheists, and Jews in their number, but took their ideas of representative government by-the-people from the pagan Romans and Greeks.
"Well actually the Bible claims to be the Word of God. Thus it is infallible." and "If the Bible is not true than God is false."
That, right there, is the biggest mistake Christians make when trying to convince non-Christians that Christianity is the correct and/or true religion.
In defining something - anything - you never use the word or item you are trying to define as part of the definition. Non-Christians do not believe in the Christian Bible, so using the Christian Bible as a means to convince non-Christians that Christianity is the only way is not only ineffective - it is ludicrously disingenuous,...at best. You are a Christian: Great. I am not: Just as Great.
For the record, I do believe in God, at least in the form of a higher power/creative force. Further, I have friends who run the gamut - from Christians to Jews to athiests, and just about everything in-between.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
