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."

[Uriel1975]

It would really help if believers and non-believers could just leave each other alone. Neither side is going to "win" the argument and neither side is ever going to take over the country.

The main problem -- politically -- is the very fact that the argument is even being phrased in terms of "taking over" the country.

I hold my old university Chancellor (Jerry Falwell) and his fellows at least partially responsible for this totalitarian-esque departure from the Founders' vision...

It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here. -- Patrick Henry

[Aric2000]

Most explanations of never having elected a catholic before JFK was because a catholic answers to the pope. And if we elect a catholic president, we put the pope in charge of our country. Bizarre I know, but that is how it has been explained to me.

[Texasforever]

Yes, but by any objective measure, when it comes to government entities, the protections provided to non-believers are far greater than those of believers when it comes to mixing religion and state. Given the relative numbers it would seem that no one is having anything rammed down their throats other than the Gay agenda, environmentalism and multi-cultural dogma. But on a lighter note, how about an Atheist "prayer" to be delivered at each prayer service.?

[Aric2000]

This is NOT at all what they meant. THe Athiests are syaing that they are citizens as well, but the Christians, the Muslims and the Jews have been getting comfort from us, but they are feeling sidelined, they have feelings about this as well, but have not been given a forum to express it as the Christians, the muslims and the Jews have been.

This is what they meant, and I believe it is OK for them to feel this way, but question is, what does an Athiest do to get comfort. Christians, Muslims, and Jews Pray, as do many other religions, buddhists meditate, Wiccan's meditate and pray as well. So what does an Athiest do to gain comfort from this painful experience.

I got it, we hire a bunch of shrinks and they have a big convention and they can all talk about it!!! Sorry, I have no idea, and I doubt that Athiests do either, if they will tell us what might help them, then maybe we could help.

[Texasforever]

Oh I found an Atheist Prayer:

An atheist was taking a walk through the woods, admiring all that the "accident of evolution" had created.

"What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!" he said to himself. As he walked alongside the river he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. As he turned to look, he saw a seven-foot grizzly charge towards him.

He ran as fast as he could up the path. He looked over his shoulder and saw that the bear was closing in on him. He tried to run even faster, so scared that tears were coming to his eyes. He looked over his shoulder again, and the bear was even closer. His heart was pumping frantically as he tried to run even faster, but he tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up and saw the bear right on top of him raising his paw to kill him.

At that instant he cried out "Oh my God!" Just then, time stopped. The bear froze; the forest was silent; the river even stopped moving. A bright light shone upon the man and a voice came out of the sky saying, "You deny my existence all of these years; teach others I don't exist; even credit my creation to a cosmic accident, and now do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?"

The atheist, ever so proud, looked into the light and said, "It would be rather hypocritical to ask to be a Christian after all these years, but .... could you make the bear a Christian?"

"Very well," said the voice. As the light went out, the river ran, and the sounds of the forest continued, the bear put his paw down. The bear then brought both paws together, bowed his head and said:

"Lord, I thank you for this food, which I am about to receive."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just a little fun

[Storm Orphan]

But on a lighter note, how about an Atheist "prayer" to be delivered at each prayer service.?

Thank hydrogen. And Bob. He done good, too. Amen. ;^)

[Storm Orphan]

Good one.

[Uriel1975]

Yes, but by any objective measure, when it comes to government entities, the protections provided to non-believers are far greater than those of believers when it comes to mixing religion and state. Given the relative numbers it would seem that no one is having anything rammed down their throats other than the Gay agenda, environmentalism and multi-cultural dogma. But on a lighter note, how about an Atheist "prayer" to be delivered at each prayer service.?

• The "Gay agenda" is advanced by AIDS funding and Government-mandated "anti-discrimination" & "quota" laws in employment.
• The Libertarian answer? Abolish.

  ---

• The "Environmental agenda" is advanced by EPA funding and Government-mandated "environmental regulation" laws in business.
• The Libertarian answer? Abolish.

  ---

• The "Multicultural agenda" is advanced by NEA funding and (abomination of abominations) Government-mandated Publik Skooling.
• The Libertarian answer? Abolish.

  ---

  THIS IS YOUR COUNTRY:
  

  THIS IS YOUR COUNTRY ON CHRISTIAN LIBERTARIANISM:
  

  ANY QUESTIONS??

[Uriel1975]

That is pretty darn funny, Tex....

[Old Professer]

I don't believe in Atheism.

[Storm Orphan]

I do hope those coins are real gold, and not fiat money...;^)

[WolfsView]

you disavow them becuase you have common sense.

I have no problem with someone not believing in God, it's their decision to make, I do have a problem with them complaining that I do believe in God..

[Uriel1975]

I do hope those coins are real gold, and not fiat money...;^)

Lol!! I hope so too, but as a good Ukrainian friend of mine might point out (his great-grandfather was one of the last men manning the Sevastopol barricades against the Soviet Communist occupation of the Ukraine in the Bolshevik Revolution)... "Brass and Lead are the truly Precious Metals". (Molon Labe)

[L,TOWM]

It would really help if believers and non-believers could just leave each other alone. Neither side is going to "win" the argument and neither side is ever going to take over the country.

I can't quite do that, but I can try to talk to you about why I am now a fundamentalist Christian (with a distinct Libertarian political bent) and no longer a Randian Objectivist (atheism and all). Of course it is required that I do this with "gentleness and respect" (IPeter 3:15)

I will talk to you about G-d until you tell me to bugger off, not because I hate you, but because I am no more deserving of redemption than you are, and you should have the same chances I got to hear G-d's Good News.

I love this nation; I can pray, you can decline, and we can each defend to the death the right of the other to be free to choose. (If one of us "fundies" gets too aggressive, tell him flat out--its a good way to tell who's been reading their Bible ;-) )

[tpaine]

I'd rather dialogue with an atheist with fire in his belly than an agnostic any day. Ever accidentally drink lukewarm water? Kinda gags ya'? That's how I feel debating an agnostic.

Me now, I get all gagged up when a man that imagines agnotiscs are lukewarm is blowing smoke up his own posterior.

At least an atheist has the guts to make a decision.

How can you make a decision without evidence or facts? If you can prove the existence of a 'god', please do so. I await the your second coming, oh proud lord.

[Brian Kopp DPM]

My my, taking this little thread a little too seriously now, aren't we (un)church lady?

[L,TOWM]

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.

You apologizing for this is like me apologizing for Adam because of his choice in a fruit serving. (I had plenty of my own stuff I needed G-d's forgiveness for.) I will accept it, if it makes you feel better, but I know full well that you may be amused at my rituals, but never stoop to FORCING me to give them up. Much in the same way I would never take you to my church at gunpoint; it would be a violation against the core of our ethical systems to "force" an "acceptance" of our values by anyone else.

Of course, I will always trot out my ideas to COMPETE with yours, and have a great time doing so! (I know I have when we've got into keyboard dust ups!)

[Uriel1975]

I can't quite do that, but I can try to talk to you about why I am now a fundamentalist Christian (with a distinct Libertarian political bent) and no longer a Randian Objectivist (atheism and all).

Cool.

Care to discuss your spiritual/intellectual journey?

Best,
Uriel (A Calvinist Christian theonomic libertarian)

[tpaine]

Yes, but by any objective measure, when it comes to government entities, the protections provided to non-believers are far greater than those of believers when it comes to mixing religion and state.

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

Anybody here interpret idiotexan?

[tpaine]

No answers, aye?

Whats with the "[un]churchlady' bit? More blow?