# Ok atheists, settle the fuck down. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 15, 2009, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366 "2009-01-15T02:10:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/121 "2009-01-15T17:47:56Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > It shouldn’t matter how many of them and us there are. This is a religious test for public office, pure and fucking simple. Just because it isn’t codified doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. :rolleyes: Meanwhile, back in reality… I personally feel oppressed because there aren’t very many men with long hair in office, and I have long hair that I’d have to cut if I wanted to run for office. People vote for those who represent them. I am sorry if they are not voting for you who does not represent them, and generally thinks their issues are a bunch of bullshit. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/122 "2009-01-15T17:48:52Z")
> [@Sarahfeena](#): > > As I said, it’s a message he’s sending to us, as well. You’ve completely ignored my argument that he’s also sending a message to all Presidential hopefuls- that the appearance of belief in the Christian God is necessary if you’re going to run for President. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/123 "2009-01-15T17:49:24Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Secular culture refers to all people regardless of religion, so no, I am referring to atheist culture. The idea that there is no atheist culture is nonsense and not something I will entertain as a serious argument. Please help us understand the common components of our alleged “culture”. I go to a sushi bar about once a week, is that part of it? ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/124 "2009-01-15T17:49:53Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > I personally feel oppressed because there aren’t very many men with long hair in office, and I have long hair that I’d have to cut if I wanted to run for office. You can cut your hair. I can’t believe in a god. Oh, and: :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/125 "2009-01-15T17:49:55Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > How are they beseiged by our failure to believe? The term athiest culture is kinda like gay agenda. They need to erect a feild of strawmen and call them the barbarian hordes who are here to persecute us for our beliefs and destroy our way of life. Doesent matter if they are right, only that the church has called it wrong. There is atheist culture and there is a gay agenda. The fact of the matter is the culture of America has changed a great deal since the 1960s. There is a lowering of standards, crude jokes on television, child pornography on billboards. It’s not imaginary. Arguing about whether it’s a concern one should care about is one thing, but I’m not interested in an argument that states that it’s imaginary, because it’s not. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/126 "2009-01-15T17:51:45Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Hopefully it won’t take 100 years for you to realize that…YOU’RE NOT FUCKING OPPRESSED. Maybe not oppressed, but certainly marginalized. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/127 "2009-01-15T17:52:43Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > You can cut your hair. I can’t believe in a god. > > Oh, and: :rolleyes: If you run for office will you be pro-life or pro-choice? The idea that moral beliefs can be intrinsically separated from politics is complete hogwash. The fact of the matter is that your political beliefs are incompatible with the beliefs of those who you disagree with, and you, exactly like them, expect them to conform more to you than you are willing to conform to them. And that’s politics, that’s the way it is, and you lose because you are of a minority opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/128 "2009-01-15T17:53:39Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Secular culture refers to all people regardless of religion, so no, I am referring to atheist culture. The idea that there is no atheist culture is nonsense and not something I will entertain as a serious argument. The idea that there is an atheist culture strong enough for Christians to feel besieged by is nonsense and not something I will entertain as a serious argument. See, I can do it too! ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/129 "2009-01-15T17:53:49Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > Maybe not oppressed, but certainly marginalized. That’s because you hold a marginal belief. If Christians were the minority, as they might well be in 50 years, they will be the one’s marginalized. _shrugs_ ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/130 "2009-01-15T17:54:01Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > :People vote for those who represent them. I am sorry if they are not voting for you who does not represent them, and generally thinks their issues are a bunch of bullshit. :rolleyes: I see. In your “real world” the majority gets its way and the minority just needs to suck on it. Actually, my cynicism tells me that’s precisely the way shit works in this country. My point is that it shouldn’t work that way, according to the constitution. Democracy doesn’t serve to enforce the will of the majority, but to protect the rights of the minority. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/131 "2009-01-15T17:54:17Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > There is atheist culture and there is a gay agenda. Please, **mswas** - explain to us exactly what the “atheist culture” is. And after that, why don’t you outline the “gay agenda”? I’m sure we’d all love to read all about your views on the subject. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/132 "2009-01-15T17:54:17Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > You’ve completely ignored my argument that he’s also sending a message to all Presidential hopefuls- that the appearance of belief in the Christian God is necessary if you’re going to run for President. I didn’t mean to ignore it. But I don’t think it’s particularly relevant, because that’s not the message he’s intending to send. If future presidential hopefuls take it that way, that’s their problem. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/133 "2009-01-15T17:55:06Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > The idea that there is an atheist culture strong enough for Christians to feel besieged by is nonsense and not something I will entertain as a serious argument. > See, I can do it too! Ok, so we are at an impasse. I am tired of dealing with the absurdity of 20 people on the same message board all telling me exactly the same thing, holding the same opinions and trying to tell me there is no common culture. It’s ridiculous nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/134 "2009-01-15T17:57:36Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Ok, so we are at an impasse. > > I am tired of dealing with the absurdity of 20 people on the same message board all telling me exactly the same thing, holding the same opinions and trying to tell me there is no common culture. It’s ridiculous nonsense. I know what you mean. You know who ticks me off? Those math people. They say there’s no culture of mathematics, but when I ask them what 2 plus 2 is, they all give me exactly the same answer! Can’t fool me, there’s clearly indoctrination going on. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/135 "2009-01-15T17:58:01Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > I personally feel oppressed because there aren’t very many men with long hair in office, and I have long hair that I’d have to cut if I wanted to run for office. Whatever you say, Samson. ---
**Author:** ![artemis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@artemis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/artemis)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/136 "2009-01-15T17:58:53Z")
Of course there’s a common culture. It’s just not an _athiest_ one! There is no commonality of religious belief in US common culture, which is why this whole “So help me God” in the Presidential oath business is problematic. When it comes to matters of spiritual belief, “E pluribus unum” describes US common culture nicely. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/137 "2009-01-15T17:59:03Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > I know what you mean. You know who ticks me off? Those math people. They say there’s no culture of mathematics, but when I ask them what 2 plus 2 is, they all give me exactly the same answer! Can’t fool me, there’s clearly indoctrination going on. There IS a culture of math people. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/138 "2009-01-15T18:00:13Z")
> [@artemis](#): > > Of course there’s a common culture. It’s just not an _athiest_ one! There is no commonality of religious belief in US common culture, which is why this whole “So help me God” in the Presidential oath business is problematic. When it comes to matters of spiritual belief, “E pluribus unum” describes US common culture nicely. An oath is generally relevant to the person taking it. It’s not about whether YOU are religious but whether or not the President is religious. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/139 "2009-01-15T18:00:22Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > There IS a culture of math people. Way to miss the point, genius. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/140 "2009-01-15T18:01:16Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Way to miss the point, genius. It’s funny how often y’all think it’s me who is not getting it. Just because your point is stupid doesn’t mean I didn’t get what you were driving at. You’re just not going to convince me that the sky is chartreuse. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366.md?page=8)