ATHEISTS REJECT COUNTRY'S TURN TOWARD PRAYER

Catholic World News Service ^ | Sep 27, 01 | Catholic World News Service

[Brian Kopp DPM]

ATHEISTS REJECT COUNTRY'S TURN TOWARD PRAYER

CHAMPAIGN, Illinois, Sep 27, 01 (CWNews.com) - The US' largest atheist group has rejected the public expressions of piety in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, especially those by politicians, according to the student newspaper at the University of Illinois.

Ron Barrier of American Atheists told the Daily Illini that nationally televised prayer services, presidential references to God, and calls to prayer leave atheists feeling forgotten as US citizens. "Nonbelievers were touched by the tragedy just as much as believers were," Barrier said. "All we're doing is asking for a little sensitivity. Just because one does not have religious beliefs does not make one less of a citizen."

"People who want to pray are free to do so, but we don't because we don't understand what they are doing," Barrier said. "It is humans who will clear this debris up, rescue other humans and rebuild the section of New York City. There will be no divine interference involved. People may find comfort in it, but we fail to see what purpose prayer serves."

Shane Taylor, director of the university's Christian Campus Fellowship, proffered an explanation. "It's such a core Christian idea that God wants a relationship with us," Taylor said. "It's like a relationship with anyone else. We're going to communicate with God over matters of the world, and we're hoping the president and other leaders are asking God for wisdom. We've been told we'll receive guidance and answers from God, and that is why we still pray."

As for the claim that President George W. Bush is promoting religion, Taylor said: "Our president is a Christian. His faith is a part of who he is. It's hard to ask the president not to have his faith be a part of how he responds to the attacks."

[tpaine]

Not to bright is right, --- Here is your reference to me, that proves you to be a scumbag liar.

You said at #136, to texasforevers remark that I was drunk:

Nah, that's his normal personality. Warm and fuzzy, eh what? - imbe -

---------------------------------

I'm not here to be warm & fuzzy to cowards, like you, that make snide comments behind peoples backs. - Scumbag.

154 Posted on 09/29/2001 10:51:33 PDT by tpaine [ Reply | Private Reply | To 136

[imberedux]

Still not too bright eh? YOU posted TO me. I made a comment about you (that you agreed with) but YOU posted to ME. You have also attacked me time and again. I guess that you have some special privilege that allows you to ignore the rules but it simply shows how not-bright you are. And how impossible civil discourse is for you.

[tpaine]

You made a cowardly comment about me to tex. -- I called you a scumbag in reply.

You are only proving how big a cowardly scumbag you are, by trying to rationalise your inital act. Whatta weasel.

[Hillary? Hell no!]

You can't produce what never existed.

[toenail]

You can't produce what never existed.

????

[hinckley buzzard]

For some reason the issue of political strength always seems to distill down to the presidency. As if it were the measure of fair representation.

If you are serious about finding an answer to your question, first find out how many Catholic Congressmen, Senators, Governors there are, and even more, how many run for office to begin with.

I don't know the answer to these questions, but the obvious fact is, you can't win the presidency if you don't get elected to something else first (unless you're Dwight Eisenhower), and you can't win anything if you don't run.

As far as I know, we only had one other Catholic candidate run for president. Hard to elect them if they aren't on the ticket.

[Zon]

I knew someone that was an atheist all his life. Until the last day of his life. On that day a strange thing happened, he changed his mind. I wonder how often that happens?

Something like 85% of people believe in God. I have heard many instances where God-believers soon to die suddenly stopped believing in God. Yours is the first I've heard where a dieing atheist suddenly believed in God. Not sure how the ratios compare.

[Zon]

...to say "There IS NO God." But at least they believe in something (er...uhm...is that nothing?)

Precisely why I'm not an atheist nor believe in God. I mean, what can I objectively call/label a person that doesn't believe in Santa Clause, Easter bunny, tooth fairy or God?

[Zon]

I am an atheist and I disavow this group and the insensitive, irrelevant drek in their publicity seeking statements.

Apologies to all believers of all faiths.

Precisely why I'm not an atheist nor believe in God because of a firm stand on objective reality I cannot juxtaposition to nothing. So much silliness from the above atheist group. I need not acknowledge much less disavow for I don't label myself an atheist.

[Zon]

Shove a gun up their A$$ or a grenade in their cakehole and they'll start praying!

Point a gun to my head and I'll say whatever you need to hear, even do it in the most emphatic, convincing, believable tone with all the presence I can muster, that will stop you from murdering me.

[Zon]

I'm not a libertarian which may become obvious from my response.

Taxes - The Libertarian answer? Abolish.
The Queen bee of government initiation of force. Abolish IRS and implement NRST
Laws against abortion - The Libertarian answer? Abolish.
Leave it up to each State.
Laws against drugs - The Libertarian answer? Abolish.
Yes -- political agenda parasites. All drugs, not just some drugs.
Laws against pornography - The Libertarian answer? Abolish.
Yes -- political agenda parasites.
Laws against prostitution - The Libertarian answer? Abolish.
Yes -- political agenda parasites.
Zoning Laws - The Libertarian answer? Abolish.
Yes -- political/bureaucrat agenda parasites. Allow community ostracism or acceptance be the guiding principles.
National Parks - The Libertarian answer? Abolish.
Private parks for those who want to own them for private use or profit-mode business.
The Coast Guard - The Libertarian answer? Abolish.
Protection and defense from initiation of force is valid government service. I don't know if a Coast Guard is necessary for that.
The FAA - The Libertarian answer? Abolish.
Yes -- political/bureaucrat agenda parasites. Private industry would provide a better service than the FAA.
The FDA - The Libertarian answer? Abolish.
Yes -- political/bureaucrat agenda parasites. 
Insider Trading Laws - The Libertarian answer? Abolish
Yes -- political/bureaucrat agenda parasites. .
Zoning Laws - The Libertarian answer? Abolish.
Same answer the first time you posted it.
Building Codes - The Libertarian answer? Abolish.
Yes -- political/bureaucrat agenda parasites. 
Parental Authority - The Libertarian answer? Abolish.
I think you've misplaced that with the left-wing crowd.
Immigration Laws - The Libertarian answer? Abolish.
Yes -- political/bureaucrat agenda parasites. 
The Border Patrol - The Libertarian answer? Abolish.
May be necessary to protect and defend against the initiation of force.
The INS - The Libertarian answer? Abolish.
Yes -- political/bureaucrat agenda parasites. 
Public Schools - The Libertarian answer? Abolish.
Yes -- political/bureaucrat agenda parasites. Brainwashing/indoctrination "factories".

[Zon]

"Every man his own Pope", including retyred and even senile old contractors. He IS his own best authority

Every mentally able person is their own best authority. Mentally disabled persons are limited in their ability to act in their own best interest. The disease of mysticism has seen to it that most all individuals are mentally disabled to their detriment that they seek external authority as superior to their own.

[Zon]

Something like 85% of people believe in God. 

85% of Americans believe in God.

[Uriel1975]

Phenomenal post, by the way. I've meant to make some comments, but for now I'll just *BTTT* to mark the thread.......

[Torie]

Ron Barrier of American Atheists told the Daily Illini that nationally televised prayer services, presidential references to God, and calls to prayer leave atheists feeling forgotten as US citizens.

This agnostic has never felt uncomfortable or threatened when his fellow citizens who are believers pray. The sentiment expressed above leaves me totally baffled. I really don't understand it. Each of us has our own spiritual journey to navigate, and to in any way criticise that as long as it is reasonably respectful of the journeys of others, to me represents a supreme act of hubris and arrogance. I am quite sure I would say the same if I were an atheist, a perspective with which I occasionally flirt.

[L,TOWM]

You can't produce what never existed.

Now this comment has me absolutely fascinated...
Will you please indulge me and elaborate?