# So now atheists can't adopt!?! \[circa 1970 - ed. title\] **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 4, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295 "2008-01-04T18:14:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295/61 "2008-01-05T00:12:53Z")
[QUOTE=Revenant Threshold] Hey, we like atheists plenty fine here. Come to the UK! Containing many atheists and no Zambini. And probably less actual zambinis, too. [/QUOTE] Are you sure? There are at least 56 more of them. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295/62 "2008-01-05T00:14:23Z")
[QUOTE=Zambini57] “Just pretend”. Exactly. If the sarge would have just swallowed his pride at being an atheist (You know, that I’m -smarter, more-enlightened-than-thou) pride, he’d have an adopted kid by now. Might even have been a good parent. Too bad for the kid. He has to suffer because someone couldn’t keep his mouth shut. Just had to let the world know that he is a supreme, enlightened free-thinker. [/QUOTE] If you were planning on flaming-out, you might have made it a bit funnier than this shit. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ea5d25/32.png) [@Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Scrappy_Hero_Pup)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295/63 "2008-01-05T00:14:52Z")
[QUOTE= Guinistasia] What a lovely example of Christian humility and kindness. [/QUOTE] Nice move, idiot. You’ve got me agreeing with **Zambini57.** He’s a moron. We know that for sure. Nowhere is it said he’s a Christian. And, **Zambini?** I happen to be an agent of the state (although not NJ), and my idealism is shared by most. Just because bad things happen to minority groups in the “real world” doesn’t mean the system encourages such treatment, it means that the system is either imperfect or it hasn’t gotten to those instances yet. But it’s the “poli-sci undergrad” idealism of the people within the system that ensures that, eventually, it will. How fast that happens depends on the strength of our idealism. ---
**Author:** ![Zambini57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/4491bb/32.png) [@Zambini57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zambini57)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295/64 "2008-01-05T00:18:52Z")
[QUOTE=Contrapuntal] Are you sure? There are at least 56 more of them. [/QUOTE] I’m not sure what you have against me. Is it that I don’t kow-tow to atheism? I’m agnostic. I don’t give two shits if you believe or don’t believe in any supreme being. And what I said above is true. You sometimes have to go along to get along. I once heard that the worst thing you can say to an atheist is : " I don’t care." ---
**Author:** ![Zambini57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/4491bb/32.png) [@Zambini57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zambini57)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295/65 "2008-01-05T00:20:35Z")
[QUOTE=Struan] If you were planning on flaming-out, you might have made it a bit funnier than this shit. [/QUOTE] Who’s flaming out? I have a point to make, dummy. So why don’t you refute it, if you can, instead of resorting to Doper cliches? ---
**Author:** ![Zambini57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/4491bb/32.png) [@Zambini57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zambini57)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295/66 "2008-01-05T00:23:41Z")
[QUOTE=Happy Scrappy Hero Pup] Nice move, idiot. You’ve got me agreeing with **Zambini57.** He’s a moron. We know that for sure. Nowhere is it said he’s a Christian. And, **Zambini?** I happen to be an agent of the state (although not NJ), and my idealism is shared by most. Just because bad things happen to minority groups in the “real world” doesn’t mean the system encourages such treatment, it means that the system is either imperfect or it hasn’t gotten to those instances yet. But it’s the “poli-sci undergrad” idealism of the people within the system that ensures that, eventually, it will. How fast that happens depends on the strength of our idealism. [/QUOTE] Oh, please. “Idealism” lasts about from age 18 to maybe 26. Then it’s gone. We should call you Sisyphus. You’ll never win. Each new generation comes along with the same old shit. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295/67 "2008-01-05T00:24:49Z")
[QUOTE=Zambini57] I’m not sure what you have against me. Is it that I don’t kow-tow to atheism? I’m agnostic. I don’t give two shits if you believe or don’t believe in any supreme being. And what I said above is true. You sometimes have to go along to get along. I once heard that the worst thing you can say to an atheist is : " I don’t care." [/QUOTE] I’m an atheist, and I doubt many of my acquaintances know it. Your characterization of atheists as moaning about their treatment is wrong, and the rabid way you go about it is off-putting. So \*\*SgSchwartz \*\*wrote “atheist” on his application? He was being honest. Why does it have to be some aggressive maneuver? How the fuck do you know why he did it? And, for some old business. What restaurants refuse service to atheists? And which of the five warnings you got were for a Pit rant? ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295/68 "2008-01-05T00:26:26Z")
[QUOTE=Zambini57] I’m not sure what you have against me. Is it that I don’t kow-tow to atheism? I’m agnostic. I don’t give two shits if you believe or don’t believe in any supreme being. And what I said above is true. You sometimes have to go along to get along. I once heard that the worst thing you can say to an atheist is : " I don’t care." [/QUOTE] What I have against you is that you are expressing the idea that minorities should live in oppression. You’re fucking _endorsing_ it. For that, you are cordially invited to eat shit. And the worst thing you can say to me, an atheist, is “And now that I’ve crushed your legs and slowly killed all of your family and friends in front of you, I’m setting fire to your remaining arm! Bwahahaha!!” (But I’d have to say that “You have to pretend to be something you’re not or suffer” is pretty damn bad too.) ---
**Author:** ![zuma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9c0ed/32.png) [@zuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuma)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295/69 "2008-01-05T00:26:51Z")
Come on people, Vietnam is a quagmire, gas is approaching 40 cents a gallon, and the Beatles broke up! This is way down the list of priorities for me. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295/70 "2008-01-05T00:30:30Z")
[QUOTE=Revenant Threshold] Hey, we like atheists plenty fine here. Come to the UK! Containing many atheists and no Zambini. And probably less actual zambinis, too. [/QUOTE] You’re probably thinking of Zamboni if you’re referring to ice resurfacers. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295/71 "2008-01-05T00:30:54Z")
[QUOTE=Zambini57] Who’s flaming out? I have a point to make, dummy. So why don’t you refute it, if you can, instead of resorting to Doper cliches? [/QUOTE] You are a minimally skilled troll who has mistaken genuine offence for wit. Go away, have a think and we’ll see you next time. Bye. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295/72 "2008-01-05T00:32:37Z")
[QUOTE=Zambini57] I once heard that the worst thing you can say to an atheist is : " I don’t care." [/QUOTE] I don’t know who you are or anything, but could you do me, an atheist, a personal favour and stop caring, _really_? ---
**Author:** ![Zambini57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/4491bb/32.png) [@Zambini57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zambini57)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295/73 "2008-01-05T00:37:33Z")
[QUOTE=Contrapuntal] I’m an atheist, and I doubt many of my acquaintances know it. Your characterization of atheists as moaning about their treatment is wrong, and the rabid way you go about it is off-putting. So \*\*SgSchwartz \*\*wrote “atheist” on his application? He was being honest. Why does it have to be some aggressive maneuver? How the fuck do you know why he did it? And, for some old business. What restaurants refuse service to atheists? And which of the five warnings you got were for a Pit rant? [/QUOTE] Sometimes honesty is not the best policy. It’s just that simple. You have to take into account where you are. I live in Georgia. There’s racism here, and it’s very apparent that one is in the middle of the Bible belt. I’ve lived in many other areas of the US, and they all have their bigotries and prejudices. This isn’t Utopia. Scenario: You walk into a restaurant here, you sit down, order. You sneeze. Waitress says “God bless you”. You say “God doesn’t exist”. I’m willing to bet you would become persona non grata not only then, but in the future if you should go there again. That’s just the way it is. As for the warnings. I’ve seen plenty of high-timers get away with much worse. I think mostly it was just a case of “whip the newbie into shape” by the mods. ---
**Author:** ![Zambini57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/4491bb/32.png) [@Zambini57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zambini57)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295/74 "2008-01-05T00:39:08Z")
[QUOTE=Bryan Ekers] I don’t know who you are or anything, but could you do me, an atheist, a personal favour and stop caring, _really_? [/QUOTE] I DON’T care. Really. ---
**Author:** ![Zambini57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/4491bb/32.png) [@Zambini57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zambini57)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295/75 "2008-01-05T00:41:12Z")
[QUOTE=Struan] You are a minimally skilled troll who has mistaken genuine offence for wit. Go away, have a think and we’ll see you next time. Bye. [/QUOTE] Get lost. You have nothing to offer to this discussion. I’m not trying for wit. I’m not here to amuse you. Be sure to report me, and then go hang out in MMP where you’ll be safe from the real world. Jackass. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295/76 "2008-01-05T00:44:11Z")
[QUOTE=Zambini57] Get lost. You have nothing to offer to this discussion. I’m not trying for wit. I’m not here to amuse you. Be sure to report me, and then go hang out in MMP where you’ll be safe from the real world. Jackass. [/QUOTE] 😛 Amateur. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295/77 "2008-01-05T00:48:22Z")
[QUOTE=Zambini57] Scenario: You walk into a restaurant here, you sit down, order. You sneeze. Waitress says “God bless you”. You say “God doesn’t exist”. I’m willing to bet you would become persona non grata not only then, but in the future if you should go there again. That’s just the way it is. [/QUOTE] So, you have no examples, just a willingness to bet? Not much of an argument, really. Tell you what I’ll do. The next ten times I go out to eat, I’ll ask the server “If I tell you I’m an atheist, will you still serve me? How about the next time I come in?” And see what happens. > [@](#): > > As for the warnings. I’ve seen plenty of high-timers get away with much worse. I think mostly it was just a case of “whip the newbie into shape” by the mods. You proclaimed quite loudly that you got suspended for ranting in the Pit. Got a link? ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295/78 "2008-01-05T00:52:34Z")
[QUOTE=Zambini57] Scenario: You walk into a restaurant here, you sit down, order. You sneeze. Waitress says “God bless you”. You say “God doesn’t exist”. I’m willing to bet you would become persona non grata not only then, but in the future if you should go there again. [/QUOTE] Exactly how many atheists have you witnessed doing that? If somebody says “God bless you” to me, I say “thank you.” I don’t have to believe to appreciate courtesy and I’d bet that most atheists would be the same way. Other than that, fuck your attitude. ---
**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:** [January 5, 2008, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295/79 "2008-01-05T00:53:24Z")
[QUOTE=Zambini57] I once heard that the worst thing you can say to an atheist is : " I don’t care." [/QUOTE] For most atheists, the response would be “At LAST !” [QUOTE=Zambini57] Sometimes honesty is not the best policy. \< snip \> Scenario: You walk into a restaurant here, you sit down, order. You sneeze. Waitress says “God bless you”. You say “God doesn’t exist”. I’m willing to bet you would become persona non grata not only then, but in the future if you should go there again. [/QUOTE] That’s not ‘honesty’, that’s making a bizarre response to a meaningless pleasantry. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295/80 "2008-01-05T00:54:07Z")
[QUOTE=OneCentStamp] Can we still put a fence around New Jersey? [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=D\_Odds] I’m getting too slow in my old age; I was going to ask the same. But be careful, Texan. Glass houses and all that! [/QUOTE] Hey! Nitpick: come on \*\*D\_Odds \*\* at least you have to know that NJ is a peninsula. You don’t need to put a fence around us, just one long straight one on our northern boarder and block the bridges and tunnels. Might be worth it to keep down the bennies. Now back to the irregularly scheduled \*\*Zambini57 \*\* hijack of this strange thread. A real blast from the past. Jim (For the record in 1970, I was still a New Yorker and pre-school, my biggest concerns were Sesame Street, Scooby Doo and playing) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-atheists-cant-adopt-circa-1970-ed-title/432295.md?page=5)