# Atheists use 'unholy' water to unbless Florida highway **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 19, 2012, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234 "2012-03-19T16:19:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234/101 "2012-03-20T19:37:36Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > Interesting that MSNBC calls it “unholy water” but [holy water doesn’t need quotation marks.](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38282753/ns/health-pet_health/t/holy-water-dog-food-pet-sitters-face-odd-requests/) They are both equally fictitious. That’s a bit disingenuous. One is in the dictionary, one is a new concept, which gets quotes the first time at least. And it is at least as factual a concept as the Aether, whether or not someone believes in it. Obviously the English language has a clear religious bias. > [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > Did the road get a saving throw when they unblessed it? The road is a Bitumenous Cube, which I believe is always neutral. Not sure if unholy water affects only Good creatures, or non-Evil creatures. Is there a “Kinda holy, but also a little evil water” for neutral creatures? > [@kayaker](#): > > Are there stamp or motorcycle clubs attempting to strong-arm school boards into teaching about stamps and motorcycles? Yeah, but you don’t need to be an atheist to oppose teaching ID, or a committed anti-biker to not want to be forced to wear leather and denim all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234/102 "2012-03-20T19:39:28Z")
Religions typically get a pass on their ridiculous claims and posturing. Our society traditionally exempts religiosity from the kind of criticism that other similarly implausible public activity gets. This has the negative effect of tending to legitimize it, and letting it define much of the conversation, and letting children conclude religiosity is part of the definition of normal and proper. I think atheists unblessing the highway do the same good for society as the little boy who shouted that the emperor has no clothes. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234/103 "2012-03-20T19:56:10Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > Okay, that does put a different spin on it. WOW, it does. It is now evident to me that God is using these Atheists to remove that unholy curse placed by that church. Yes this is really how I do see it, and how I do believe God works in our world, God’s use of non-believers is not dependent on their belief, they are doing the right thing and will be blessed for it. I vote to let them have the water. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234/104 "2012-03-20T22:27:00Z")
You would think that the occasional thunderstorm that you normally see in Florida would make any and all of this a moot point…but instead, it’s all about one-upping each other. I thought Florida had lots of other fun things to do instead of enlisting for this passive-aggressive bullshitfest…I guess I was wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234/105 "2012-03-20T22:29:58Z")
> [@Napier](#): > > I think atheists unblessing the highway do the same good for society as the little boy who shouted that the emperor has no clothes. Hear, hear! ---
**Author:** ![Jasper\_Kent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@Jasper\_Kent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasper_Kent)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234/106 "2012-03-20T23:11:48Z")
I dunno. At first I found it amusing, and of course it makes a point-- to those who already get the point.\* But the backlash can cause even more problems than the original issue. I’ll use the analogy of PETA. I love animals, I help rescue and rehabilitate animals, I’m vehemently against the abuse of animals, I think endangered species should be vigorously protected. _ **However,** _ I think PETA makes a mockery of animal rights activists. I don’t hunt, but I do not care if people want to hunt non-threatened species. I don’t care if people wear leather. I do not think that animals have the same rights as people-- only that they should be treated humanely. That includes letting them live healthy, happy lives before we eat them. But because of PETA, my “animal rights” position lumps me in the same category as those who think that owning an animal is equivalent to human slavery. I have two dogs and two cats who are doing just fine, thank you. Sorry if this turned into a hijack. - Another favorite from Mark Twain: **"Religion will make a man good-- if he was a good man to begin with."** ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234/107 "2012-03-21T01:29:59Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Reminds me of the joke where scientists in the future call up God and say we can make anything now, so we don’t need you anymore. God challenges them one last time to make life from dust. The scientists get started, then God interjects by saying, ‘No you have to get your own dust’. Scientist: “Oh come on! It would take _hours_ for us to fire up the Big Bang Generator just to extract some fresh-made space dust from a new pocket universe! And you wouldn’t _believe_ the electrical bill on that thing.” > [@RalfCoder](#): > > To me, if they truly wanted to make a difference, they’d start a food bank, sponsor youth groups, fund book donations to the local library, clean a park or a beach, etc. I don’t see the need to make a big whooping deal out of getting publicity for each and every good deed; just get out and do them on a consistent basis, and move on to the next one. A quiet, persistent effort to keep helping others over time would be much better (IMHO) at getting their point across than this stunt. Atheists have been doing good deeds as long as they have existed; they go almost totally unrecognized. It is simply generally assumed that atheists are by nature evil. Doing good deeds is good for its own sake, but an atheist doing good isn’t going to convince any believers that atheists aren’t monsters. Nor by the way is acting “polite” and not publicly questioning or criticizing religion going to make religious people any more polite or any less hateful towards atheists. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > I think letting religiously oppressive crap like this pass without comment will have a net negative effect, and I think thousands of years of history back me up on that. Why don’t you go back and reread **MEBuckmner’s** account of what transpired, and who supported it. Ignore it and it’ll go away? > I don’t _think_ so. > [@Napier](#): > > I think atheists unblessing the highway do the same good for society as the little boy who shouted that the emperor has no clothes. I agree. It’s good to call people on religious nonsense, and “ignore them and they’ll go away” _doesn’t work_. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234/108 "2012-03-21T04:03:36Z")
Well your atheist beliefs about unholy water are just as much a matter of faith as my beliefs about holy water. Can you positively prove it is unholy? And don’t give me any nonsense about you merely having no positive belief about it being holy. That’s not what you mean by unholy, no matter what you say. ---
**Author:** ![Tamex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Tamex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamex)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234/109 "2012-03-21T05:59:21Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > And where was that water from 😉 > > Reminds me of the joke where scientists in the future call up God and say we can make anything now, so we don’t need you anymore. God challenges them one last time to make life from dust. The scientists get started, then God interjects by saying, ‘No you have to get your own dust’. Scientists make dust all the time. A portion of household dust consists of dead skin cells. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234/110 "2012-03-21T06:13:44Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > Well your atheist beliefs about unholy water are just as much a matter of faith as my beliefs about holy water. Can you positively prove it is unholy? > > And don’t give me any nonsense about you merely having no positive belief about it being holy. That’s not what you mean by unholy, no matter what you say. Huh? I didn’t say that I believed that anything could be unholy any more than it can be holy, barring a actual demon showing up and saying “Yup, that’s our stuff.” ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234/111 "2012-03-21T06:45:32Z")
Whoosh! ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234/112 "2012-03-21T16:16:23Z")
Not so much un-holy as a-holy… rather like this little undertaking, really. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234/113 "2012-03-21T19:41:30Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > Not so much un-holy as a-holy… rather like this little undertaking, really. So > [@](#): > > A strip of anointed oil has been placed over all lanes of highway at the county line and a prayer has been given at each location asking God to bring them to have angels inspect every vehicle that travels into or out of this county and to bring under conviction to those who seek evil and we asked God to bring them to a state of submission and repentance. If they will not submit to God’s way of living, then the prayer is to have them incarcerated or removed from the county. is just peachy, then? ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234/114 "2012-03-21T21:44:28Z")
Stop me (heh, you can’t!) if you already heard this story (more than likely fictional): A congregation from a christian church were praying to God to stop the construction of a topless bar in their town. A week later, a thunderstorm rolled through the town, and lightning struck the construction site, and the nearly completed building burned to the ground. The congregation was so smug at the turn of events, that the owner of the business decided to sue the church for the cost of the damages. The church said they were not responsible for the damages…but the Judge found himself in a quandary and addressed the court…“I have a plaintiff who actually _believes_ that God answered the congregation’s prayers, and a whole congregation who _do not believe_ that God did this on their behalf, even when they prayed for it. In other words, the owner of the topless bar has more faith in God than a whole congregation.” The story doesn’t have a verdict in it, because the point was already made… ---
**Author:** ![Docta\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Docta\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Docta_G)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234/115 "2012-03-21T22:51:47Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > [http://now.msn.com/now/0318-atheists-unbless-highway.aspx](http://now.msn.com/now/0318-atheists-unbless-highway.aspx) > > As an ex-altar boy I know howe to make Holy Water. How do you make “Unholy Water”? It’s piss. ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234/116 "2012-03-22T00:23:58Z")
> [@AnalogSignal](#): > > I am going to sell bottled **Unholy Water** … It will be tap water. Ah, but the company you cited has beaten you to it! You ever read the company name backward? Their target market is really really **naivE**. ===G! If I could walk on water If I could wakl on water would you Believe In me? . --Eddie Money . _Walk on Water_ ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234/117 "2012-03-22T14:10:26Z")
> [@Jasper\_Kent](#): > > That includes letting them live healthy, happy lives before we eat them. PETA aside, modern industrial farming _precludes_ “letting them live healthy, happy lives before we eat them.” And of necessity, “humanely raised” animals will be a number so small as to be insignificant, when it’s not just a marketing lie. So your choices are effectively “don’t eat them” or “_pretend to myself_ they lived healthy, happy lives.” ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234/118 "2012-03-22T14:17:20Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Huh? I didn’t say that I believed that anything could be unholy any more than it can be holy, barring a actual demon showing up and saying “Yup, that’s our stuff.” Snapple products suddenly seem a bit more ominous than usual. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Natural](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a9adbd/32.png) [@Mr.Natural](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Natural)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234/119 "2012-03-22T20:06:16Z")
har har. That seems sort of silly, but whatever. edit: the original topic, I mean. The article. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234/120 "2012-03-23T06:30:26Z")
> [@RalfCoder](#): > > My take is that the atheists who “unblessed” the road are just being snarky, even if it is to make a point. > > To me, if they truly wanted to make a difference, they’d start a food bank, sponsor youth groups, fund book donations to the local library, clean a park or a beach, etc. I don’t see the need to make a big whooping deal out of getting publicity for each and every good deed; just get out and do them on a consistent basis, and move on to the next one. A quiet, persistent effort to keep helping others over time would be much better (IMHO) at getting their point across than this stunt. > > That said, it would be funny as… well, Hell… if they could get the “Adopt a Highway” program to let them adopt this stretch of road. On the other hand, its perfectly ok to waste time blessing a road rather than going out and starting a foodbank or somthing similar? Furhter, although it matters not to me, but by “blessing” the road, aren’t you in some sense “claiming” it for you religion? How would a Muslem feel about travelling on a “Christian” road? Or a Hindu, etc etc…isn’t it a bit selfish to bless a road, and come what may for any other religion? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-use-unholy-water-to-unbless-florida-highway/616234.md?page=7)