Because it is the masses of moderates that stand by and do nothing when the barbarians are storming the gates.
Enjoy/Regards,
FluffyBunnyBalls
That pretty much nails DT. He seems to be the type who has more bile reserved for those who are close to him politically and religiously but slightly deviate from his zealously absolutist perspective. His existence pretty much puts to rest the notion that, unlike theists, atheists are unified in their non-beliefs.
I generally try to avoid getting into angry internet confrontations about religion and politics with Der Trihs mainly because I got the impression from his postings that he’s some snotty 15-year old know-it-all (which I now know isn’t true). In any case, I think everybody in this thread should chip in and, as a Christmas … uh … I mean … random gift, get Der Trihs a subscription to this magazine.
I’ll drink to that. Antiseptic, that is.
Seems like anyone who is religious falls in that category, based on what you reacted to.
Oh, puh-leeez. There are plenty of non-asshole atheists who aren’t going to let that happen. And there are plenty of theists who value the establishment clause in the constitution, for that matter. We don’t need the ass-hole atheists to protect us from anything
Amazingly short? :rolleyes:
I’m much more concerned about someone like you than of an old lady saying “Jesus loves you”. Sounds like street stoning would be more likely in your world than in hers, based on your own admission.
Let’s be fair–askeptic is an advocate of grocery bricking, not street stoning.
I have come to expect better from you John, I guess religion just brings out the inability to comprehend in the best of us…
Yeah, like in the most recent example of folks trying to get ID (Creationism) out of the schools in Dover, PA. Oh, wait, those were all mild-mannered religious people who started that lawsuit.
That’s not “storming the gates”, that’s protecting children from religious nuttery in science class. Science class is for science. Period. Public school is for education. Period. There’s plenty of time for Bible stories in Sunday school.
If you believe this then why don’t you take up arms and conquer the world? Take out a few extremists who oppose you and you’re golden. All the others will just roll over and let you institute whatever you want.
Let me know how that works for you, 'kay?
Enjoy,
Steven
If you’d like, I’ll start a GD thread: Resolved: Without people like DT, the US would be a Christian Theocracy, on par with Afghanistan under the Taliban. I’d be interested in seeing what facts you would bring to the table to support that thesis.
Exactly. And if these same mild mannered people will get riled up over that, they’re not going to just sit by when there is some actual storming of the gates.
In all honesty, hyperbole aside, I guess I would have to disagree with your thesis as stated. I don’t really think it is the DTs of the world that save us from domination by religious zealots. Nor do I really believe most people of faith are religious zealots. I respect many of people of faith. I guess I just get tired of Lib and people like him who wear it on their sleeve and live up on a cross. So maybe it is not religious people I don’t like, maybe it is just Lib.
Darn it, John. You stole my post.
I am having trouble reconciling the two views expressed by (a relatively small number of) atheists that, on the one hand, the (mostly Christian) theocrats are apparently in complete control of this country, and on the other hand the U.S. continues to fail to become that theocracy despite the large number of theists who comprise the legislatures, courts, and executive offices of this nation.
On review: OK. Personal animosities I am more than will to avoid.
Here’s a relevant web article to chew on: “10 Things Christians and Atheists Can (and Must) Agree On.”
The Christian theocrats took their shot a little too soon. They found a way to capture the media back when they pushed to eliminate the equal time clause from TV and radio. They actually convinced some people it was a fair and just thing to do. That brought us RIGHT radio ,Fox and numerous other one sided media outlets. They attacked the press they saw as liberal relentlessly ,somehow convincing many that they were not instigating the fight when they were.
They pushed for media consolidation a long time ago. They are still doing that,even though there are 5 media organizations who have their tentacles in every media market and have control of all phases of the market.(save the internet). They are after that and will get it too.
They started declaring the supreme court was too active and out of step with the people. It took awhile but they did take it over. Now it is more active than it has ever been,but since it is conservative they love it.
There is an argument about that the voting system has been tampered with and is no longer reliable. There is a good argument there. There is however no argument for who it favors.
\ We have christian organizations like Robertson and Falwell getting tax dollars. That is new .They claim somehow that funelling money through them is for charity and social betterment. They ignore the church /state separation .
I think the Iraq war undid a plan that was going to change America in a fundamental way. I hope they failed ,but they are still trying very hard.
Why not? As Douglas Adams once said, “People are the problem.” Why is that wrong?
Why he riles people up, I don’t know. But why should he be on everyone’s ignore list? I think it’s ridiculous to even HAVE an ignore list. If you want to ignore someone, ignore them. If you think their statements aren’t worthy of a response, don’t respond. But to pretend a prolific poster doesn’t exist because you don’t like the things he says goes against the spirit of this board, in my opinion.
Plus, he makes many very good posts on many other subjects. If we had a filter where one could specify block all posts from DT that contain the words Bush, Iraq, God or Religion, that would be great. Blocking him altogether you would be missing out many good posts.
That’s a good point, but it misses mine. DT is who he is…you can’t have the “good” posts without the “bad.” If he hasn’t said anything that’s earned a banning, then he has as much right to be heard on this board as any of us.