Posted on 09/14/2001 8:31:13 AM PDT by careyb
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P.O. Box 750, MADISON, WI 53701 Contact: Annie Laurie Gaylor Statement on September 11 TerrorismActs of Terrorism the Ultimate "Faith-Based Initiative"?September 13, 2001 This statement was released by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Madison, Wis.-based national association of freethinkers (atheists and agnostics) working to protect the constitutional separation of church and state since 1978. Representing our national membership of freethinkers, as well as the 18.5% of U.S. citizens who are not religious, we join in the national mourning over the events on September 11, a horrible and senseless human tragedy. However, Bush's proclamation of Friday, September 14 as a "National Day of Prayer and Remembrance" shows the pitfalls of the "God is on our side" mentality, and the dangers of religious patriotism. While it may be natural for religious persons to turn to religion or prayer for solace, it is not the role of the President of the United States, or his spokespersons, to urge citizens to pray, to go to church, to turn to faith, or to observe a National Day of Prayer with worship. In fact, it appears that the terrorist disasters of September 11 may well have been the ultimate "faith-based initiative." These terrorists apparently expected to find a reward "in heaven" and were bent on starting a "holy war" with our nation. Our country should not fall into the trap of religious terrorists: Holy wars don't have solutions, they just have body counts. Religion is not the answer, it is probably the problem. As Pascal put it: "Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction." Prayer had its chance on September 11, and it failed. Imagine the unanswered prayers of hundreds or thousands of the victims of these terrorists. Official prayer will not solve any problems. We believe it is appropriate for President Bush to call for a Day of Remembrance, but leave prayer up to individuals. Civil War Col. Robert G. Ingersoll reminds us: "The hands that help are better far than lips that pray." The nonreligious are among the victims and their families, and are represented in the ranks of the heroes, the firefighters and police officers risking or giving their lives to save others. It is offensive that the President of all Americans disregards the convictions, even the existence, of the more than 10% of the population that is not religious. The "God is on our side" mentality was responsible for these tragic acts of terrorism. We must not compound the dangers by a "One Nation Under God" response. # # For media members:
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I feel like giving them a foot-based initiative right in the groin for saying that...
If you want "Freedom From Religion," move to China.
Intolerance noted.
You militant anti-Christians and the Taliban would get on together just fine.
Other people said that the Titanic could not be sunk, even by the hand of God. They learned that you can never underestimate His power.
These people are idiots to think that God can't do a thing to help us. The whole ting though rests upon us being faithful.
It has also intrigued me to no extent that atheists don't believe in God, yet they are always fighting Him.
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And, I have never met a firefighter that does not believe in God and I know a bunch of firefighters! Don't know as many police officers as I do firefighters, but all the ones I do know are believers.
A better question, what comments did you make that were not sophomoric? Your “Village Atheist” stance at a time like this is both tiresome and inappropriate. Your linking of the Taliban with Christianity as joint evils is not only ignorant but also offensive.
Finally, regarding your age. You have replied to someone else that you are old enough to be a retired fireman. That makes you middle aged (although anyone can claim anything on a website. That’s how pedophiles attract their prey via the internet). I have often observed that there is a difference between growing up and growing old. You appear to be a case of mental arrested development.
I have no more time for you, or – for that matter – anyone like you.
Peace and love.
I personally did a lot of reflection, both mentally and spiritually this week (which I guess you might consider praying, just not in the strictly Christian sense), and a lot of talking with members of many religious and non-religious belief systems. I'm glad to say that most of us are unified as Americans, even if we can't be unified religiously.
Be safe all.
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