Author Topic: First Prayer in Congress 9/7/1774 (Read 2411 times)

Engine · « **Reply #15 on:** March 02, 2005, 03:27:10 PM »

I was once a clerk for Tower Records in Manhattan. One day a priest comes in, collar and all, and rings up over $300 worth of porn DVDs to send to people in the Philippines.

We had to call over a manager to ring it up using his religious tax-exemption.

storch · « **Reply #16 on:** March 02, 2005, 03:40:21 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Chairboy
Perhaps I suffer from a failure of imagination, but I fail to see how a christian government can adequetly represent my secular rights.

Our predictive models are shaped by knowledge of the extremes. The large scale Coriolis force of a weather pattern can most clearly be seen in the fierce action of a hurricane. As an immediate correlary, the characteristics of a moderate religious government can be more clearly seen in institutions such as the Taliban, Iran, and the Crusades.

The weather pattern (like the moderate religious government) may (and probably will) not flare into the destructive fury of a hurricane, but the same large scale characteristics will be evident.

As an atheist in our society, I am concerned that my christian neighbors will enjoy a position of more privilege in the years to come, and that such privilege will not be based on merit, but on a shared belief structure.

How on earth could you come to that conclusion? Do you constantly look up to make sure the sky is still in it's proper place?

On a side note how are you progressing with your weight reduction program?

Chairboy · « **Reply #17 on:** March 02, 2005, 04:09:55 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by storch
How on earth could you come to that conclusion? Do you constantly look up to make sure the sky is still in it's proper place?

I think my post speaks for itself. If you have a specific point to contest, I'll give a more specific answer.

Quote

Originally posted by storch
On a side note how are you progressing with your weight reduction program?

Doing great, thanks.

midnight Target · « **Reply #18 on:** March 02, 2005, 08:07:22 PM »

Sorry Seagoon, I know you have to hold up the faith and all, but Morality and Religion are 2 very different things.

If we become a less religious society it does not follow that we become less moral. Unless you have to believe in a religious doctrine that says we will. But you can chase that tail all you want.

Raider179 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 02, 2005, 09:15:57 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Seagoon

") is that it also means that the rights of Christians are being eroded and ultimately eliminated. We are getting to the point where any kind of Christian speech in the public square is legally prevented, while specifically anti-religious, irreligious, or pornographic speech is protected.

So christians get special rights? What rights are being eroded? Christians can speak in the public square freely but yeah I think its way over the top to post the ten commandments there. Thats a little different than just having your say. Heck I turn the tv on and there's hundreds of christians raising hell outside of a courthouse about not being able to raise hell. Pornographic speech in public area's is expressely prohibted by decency laws.

Anti-religious people enjoy the same freedoms as you. They can go into the town square and shout they hate god at the top of their lungs if they want, the same way you can go say how much you love him.

Hey as long as we are using the bible for a guide on how to live our lives lets use some other parts to. This one is a particular favorite of mine.

Exodus 31:15

Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy [4] to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

Yeah lets kill people for working on sunday. lol Just because the bible says something doesnt mean it's a good idea, but I know religious people like to quote the bible on some things and then say its not meant literally when it doesnt fit their argument.

storch · « **Reply #20 on:** March 03, 2005, 12:20:51 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Raider179
So christians get special rights? What rights are being eroded? Christians can speak in the public square freely but yeah I think its way over the top to post the ten commandments there. Thats a little different than just having your say. Heck I turn the tv on and there's hundreds of christians raising hell outside of a courthouse about not being able to raise hell. Pornographic speech in public area's is expressely prohibted by decency laws.

Anti-religious people enjoy the same freedoms as you. They can go into the town square and shout they hate god at the top of their lungs if they want, the same way you can go say how much you love him.

Hey as long as we are using the bible for a guide on how to live our lives lets use some other parts to. This one is a particular favorite of mine.

Exodus 31:15

Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy [4] to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

Yeah lets kill people for working on sunday. lol Just because the bible says something doesnt mean it's a good idea, but I know religious people like to quote the bible on some things and then say its not meant literally when it doesnt fit their argument.

so ummmm, what cha doin' this sunday?

Raider179 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 03, 2005, 03:15:02 AM »

I bowl on sundays. lol

SunTracker · « **Reply #22 on:** March 03, 2005, 03:26:37 AM »

What about crazy ole George Bush saying God told him to invade Iraq? As an American and an atheist, I am outraged by this.

Thrawn · « **Reply #23 on:** March 03, 2005, 03:45:16 AM »

Cripes why?! I wish our Prime Minister had God advising him on what to do!

Martin: Will Brazil concede this embrae/bombardier negotiating point.

God: Yep.

Martin: Sweet, take that Silva.

I mean, damn omniscience as a resource...wait a minute, why didn't God tell him that Iraq actually didn't have any WMD?

SunTracker · « **Reply #24 on:** March 03, 2005, 03:59:59 AM »

DONT QUESTION GOD THRAWN! CHRISTIANITY IS INFALLIBLE!

Saintaw · « **Reply #25 on:** March 03, 2005, 06:53:05 AM »

lazs2 · « **Reply #26 on:** March 03, 2005, 07:53:59 AM »

christians and athiests are both fine with me so long as neither has a say in my life.

lazs

storch · « **Reply #27 on:** March 03, 2005, 08:43:53 AM »

like anyone is out in gangs trying to press you guys into a worship service.

Engine · « **Reply #28 on:** March 03, 2005, 09:02:54 AM »

Actually, there are gangs of Christian ladies roaming the NYC subway system, trying to convert people.

Chairboy · « **Reply #29 on:** March 03, 2005, 09:14:58 AM »

It's better then that, they go after our children. First the 10 Commandments show up in court, then they show up in school. My kid asks the teacher "What's that mean?" Teacher says "These are commandments from God". Kid says "My dad said there isn't a god." Teacher suggests that there is because the tiny little steps that started here have brought us to the point a few years from now where evangalism is considered appropriate.

Chairboy, what do you object to in the 10 commandments? What's the harm in posting them in court?

Later: Chairboy, all they're doing is posting them in our violence torn schools. What's the big deal? They're already in the courthouse, the school is hardly anything that different.

Later: Chairboy, what do you expect the teachers to say when asked? If you're really worried about what your children learn, teach them at home! Of course, I'm not sure how an atheist would teach values... but that's ok, God loves all his children!

Later: Chairboy, the teachers are people too, all they're doing is sharing their beliefs and the Lord's blessing with your children in school. What's the harm in that? You should feel blessed that our great country allows, nay, encourages people to spread the word of god. After all, our founding fathers were christian, it just goes to show you that christ has a strong role in the life of our nation. Telling me that your children should not be indoctrinated at a young age by teachers, why, you're robbing them of the blessings of the lord. Do you really want your children to grow up with an empty feeling in their soul where Jesus lives? Or do you love your children enough to allow their teachers to save their souls?

It always starts small, but that doesn't change where things go. It's a slippery slope, and since you're a christian, you don't see the same threat that I do. In fact, I suspect that you might tacitly approve of in-school indoctrination of christianity because you privately think that everyone SHOULD follow your religion. I'll go as far as to suggest that you are not seperating your beliefs from the issue at hand.

If the item in question was the posting of laws from the Quran, eg, a list that says things to the effect of 'no woman may show her face in public' or 'there is no god but allah' or some of the harder core stuff the various mullah's enforce in some countries, would you be as accepting?