# Sen. Robert Byrd to atheists: Leave the country. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 27, 2002, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274 "2002-06-27T22:09:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/61 "2002-06-29T17:31:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by WV\_Woman \* > \*\*He has flip flopped since 2000, then. > > And what do you think partial birth abortions permit, honeychild? Killing an unborn baby even up to the 9th month. \*\* Well, if he has flip flopped, then show me a cite. Either a quote by him or a voting record will suffice that he is now for partial births. See **ultrafilter’s** post for my response to your second point. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/62 "2002-06-29T18:22:49Z")
> [@](#): > > In the US, Moslems, Jews, Hindus, Christians, and [your religion here] can worship freely and openly. Welcome to the American Federal Government, which will support your freedom of religion, but only if you have a religion. By declaring this a theist country in Congress, they’ve violated the establisment clause and completely ignored atheists. Like it or not, Senator Byrd, I am an American. I was born here, raised here, and will die here. I will never leave. And I’m an atheist who’s gonna tell your stodgy old ass that you do not have the power to shove your theist bullshit down my throat. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2002, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/63 "2002-07-01T02:36:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Podkayne \* > \*\* > > Cynically being cheap and obvious (and offensive to large portions of the populace) to sell concert tickets doesn’t make somebody an asshole hin your book?\*\* Not in mine. Going into someone’s home and tearing up their bible (or any other book) against their will makes one an asshole. Doing it on a street corner makes one a questionable looney. Convincing thousands of angst-ridden losers to shell out good money to watch it done on stage makes one a genius in my book. Not for the act itself, mind you, but for convincing people he’s being rebellious. Also that they’re being rebels by sitting and watching it. But then, I’m cynical, cheap and obvious.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2002, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/64 "2002-07-01T03:47:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sublight \* > \*\*Not in mine. Going into someone’s home and tearing up their bible (or any other book) against their will makes one an asshole. Doing it on a street corner makes one a questionable looney. Convincing thousands of angst-ridden losers to shell out good money to watch it done on stage makes one a genius in my book. Not for the act itself, mind you, but for convincing people he’s being rebellious. Also that they’re being rebels by sitting and watching it. > > But then, I’m cynical, cheap and obvious.😉 \*\* Actually, Marilyn Manson deserves a little more credit than that. He acknowledged his was an act, through and through. The delicious twist to his various stunts was that they were done in the knowledge that it HAD been done all before. Fans who heard even a little about what the man said understood that it was all ever so ironic: a man who would shameless manipulate his audience (and the media) and describe the extent of their manipulation at the same time. He revelled in the ridiculous tag that is “infamy” while exposing an additional layer of manipulation: Conservative **Audience 1** is shocked. Angsty **Audience 2** thinks “oh, what a rebel!” Cynical **Audience 3** congratulates themselves for not falling into the same trap as Audience 2. **Audience 3** knows all of the above are suckers: that the manipulation of 1 and 2 are both constructions; and the cynicism of 3 is misplaced. Clever, huh? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![WV\_Woman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@WV\_Woman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WV_Woman)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2002, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/65 "2002-07-01T04:02:06Z")
Why Byrd will die in office: 1. He’s been here since Adam was a zygote. 2. He’s done a lot for this state. 3. West Virginians vote their pocketbooks, not their ethics. Their votes go to whoever promises them the most money. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2002, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/66 "2002-07-01T04:08:05Z")
> [@](#): > > The great experiment in democrasy(sic) is circling the drain. Ah, yes. But the question is, “which direction is it circling?” Clockwise or counter-clockwise?😃 ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2002, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/67 "2002-07-01T07:00:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by capacitor \* > \*\*I would go for Libertarians, but I have a feeling that they would happily aim their guns at folks like me. \*\* Unless you have killed someone, or are in the process of seriously threatening someone, I am perfectly happy to let you live. I might not take an active interest in keeping you alive (but I might even so, because I’m a sentimental yahoo at heart :)), but I certainly won’t kill you. Libertarians aren’t pacifists, as a rule, but we generally oppose the _initiation_ of force: I’ll only hit if you hit first. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2002, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/68 "2002-07-01T08:04:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by WV\_Woman \* > \*\*3. West Virginians vote their pocketbooks, not their ethics. Their votes go to whoever promises them the most money. \*\* And how exactly is that different from the rest of the world? Another thing: is that historical cite where Byrd says he’s in favour of abortions up to 9 months forthcoming? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2002, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/69 "2002-07-01T21:01:52Z")
It appears he flip-flopped on the issue. [http://www.aclu.org/vote-guide/205.html](http://www.aclu.org/vote-guide/205.html) [http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/052197/senate.htm](http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/052197/senate.htm) "Byrd, who served as Democratic leader for a dozen years ending in 1988, said in a written statement that ‘‘in light of the fact that it is not as rare as some claimed and that there appear to be other alternatives, I cannot, in good conscience, continue to oppose a ban on this specific procedure.’’ Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/70 "2002-07-02T14:40:25Z")
> [@](#): > > And how exactly is that different from the rest of the world? :::raises hand::: Atheists, if you want to leave, come on up to Canada. We may still have God in the national anthem, but you don’t have to sing it if you don’t want to, and the only person you have to pledge allegiance to is the Queen. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/71 "2002-07-02T14:46:54Z")
(To clarify - not arguing that Canadians always vote their ethics, just that I do. Can you think of another reason for being a Kneedipper in Quebec? Come on.) ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/72 "2002-07-02T14:54:25Z")
> [@](#): > > but you don’t have to sing it if you don’t want to, and the only person you have to pledge allegiance to is the Queen Which queen? Quebec seems to be hipdeep in them! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/73 "2002-07-02T15:04:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Narrad \* > \*\*Actually, Marilyn Manson deserves a little more credit than that. He acknowledged his was an act, through and through. The delicious twist to his various stunts was that they were done in the knowledge that it HAD been done all before. Fans who heard even a little about what the man said understood that it was all ever so ironic: a man who would shameless manipulate his audience (and the media) and describe the extent of their manipulation at the same time. He revelled in the ridiculous tag that is “infamy” while exposing an additional layer of manipulation: > > Conservative **Audience 1** is shocked. > Angsty **Audience 2** thinks “oh, what a rebel!” > Cynical **Audience 3** congratulates themselves for not falling into the same trap as Audience 2. > **Audience 3** knows all of the above are suckers: that the manipulation of 1 and 2 are both constructions; and the cynicism of 3 is misplaced. > > Clever, huh? 🙂 \*\* Clever analysis, that. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/74 "2002-07-02T15:10:12Z")
Thanks for the offer **matt\_mcl** , but this atheist is staying in her home, remaining American, telling Senator Byrdbrain to go felch a hippo, and taking her gun collection to the target range. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dieter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@Dieter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dieter)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2002, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/75 "2002-07-03T10:04:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by WV\_Woman \* > \*\*1. He’s been here since Adam was a zygote. > \*\* This strikes me as an odd thing for a christian to say. As for this entire thread… well, the subject really. It makes me sick. Religion is such a bad thing to have in politics for this very reason. Such a sorry state of affairs. What’s next? Athiest burnings? ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2002, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/76 "2002-07-03T10:19:05Z")
As for MM tearing up the bible? 'Tis no different than religious leaders burning his records. ---
**Author:** ![Chance\_the\_Gardener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@Chance\_the\_Gardener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chance_the_Gardener)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2002, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/77 "2002-07-03T14:44:29Z")
I’m not an atheist but I do strongly oppose this _under God_ bit, as well as saying the Pledge in general. I’m a registered Democrat and embarrassed as hell by Senator Byrd’s remarks, as all Americans should be. I resent mixing religion and politics and I resent forced recitation of oaths in general. That’s fine for totalitarian governments, but an aberration for one like ours. I have friends who grew up under fascist dictators in Spain and Portugal and they told me about all the similar crap they were subjected to. If respect for one’s country isn’t voluntary, it’s not really respect, anyway. If an oath to God isn’t voluntary, then it’s… well, it’s in vain. Since Senator Byrd is arranging the exodus of reasonable citizens from the United States, I’ll gladly accept a townhouse in Paris or Brussels, or possibly Strasbourg. Amsterdam and London are also acceptable. Let me know when to start packing. Evicted we stand! ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2002, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/78 "2002-07-04T08:04:00Z")
athiest, agnostic, catholic, christen, or buddist. everyone has a religeon, its completly irrelevant if it consists of one worshiper [personal religeon] or millions of similar minded people. because I dont buy the christan line about god and all that I should leave. why should a southern baptist have more rights under the constitution than an athiest. his religeon is every bit as personal as mine is, there’s only the illousion of belonging to a group. its not possible that even two people share the exact same beliefs let alone millions. well if hes paying I suppose jamaca or ireland would be cool. and yes my damn shift key seems to be broken, brackets instead of parenthisies…sp…question marks…grrrr. ---
**Author:** ![Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilvert_s_Pagan)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2002, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/79 "2002-07-04T16:22:24Z")
…they’re all whores. The job description of a US Senator is to cynically play to the feeble minded, while prostituting oneself to the moneyed interests. Thus, the only reason to take Byrd seriously is that he has power, not that he believes what he is saying. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2002, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/80 "2002-07-04T16:40:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tpayne \* > \*\*…they’re all whores. The job description of a US Senator is to > cynically play to the feeble minded, while prostituting oneself to > the moneyed interests. Thus, the only reason to take Byrd seriously > is that he has power, not that he believes what he is saying. \*\* Cite? Please? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274.md?page=5)