Author Topic: Atheism and the USA, followup (Read 10913 times)

Hangtime · « **Reply #135 on:** May 14, 2006, 10:28:12 AM »

Good one, Dago! Yah, know; I was aware of that treaty... The Barbary war is an interesting one, and the development of our naval policy and capabilities prior to the War of 1812 and defense of our trade being my focal point. But the significance of religious infuence on the Sultans had'nt impacted my 'vist' to the subject 35 years ago.

A DAMN good find!

It should be remembered that that Treaty was framed and ratifed at a time in our history when the original framers of the constitution and the bill of rights were still very much involved in the Government of our fledgeling Nation.

The Bill of Rights. Passed by Congress September 25, 1789. Ratified December 15, 1791. The treaty with the Bey's.. 1797.

That should put the context of the Church and the State and just what the hell the "hacks" that wrote our Constitution AND that Treaty.. our first with a forigen power, had in mind!

Again... THANKS Dago!

MajWoody · « **Reply #136 on:** May 14, 2006, 01:18:54 PM »

God didn't create us all as robots to be Christians. He gave us all the ability to choose for ourselves. Those that choose not to believe don't bother me one bit. It is not I that they will answer to. I will never try to convince anyone to be a Christian if they don't want to believe in God. I hold no ill will or animosity toward those who are athiests. It is their choice to make & the people who claim to be Christians that try to force their beliefs on others are most likely nothing but religious cults. Most every religeon has them whether it be muslims, hindu's, etc..
Christ died on the cross for all. Athiests & believers alike. It is up to each of us to decide whether you accept it or not. If you do, God loves you. If you don't, God loves you.

midnight Target · « **Reply #137 on:** May 14, 2006, 02:04:07 PM »

http://www.hitechcreations.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=175522&highlight=Treaty+with+Tripoli

I knew I saw this somewhere.

Arlo · « **Reply #138 on:** May 14, 2006, 03:49:26 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by SaburoS
...and yet here you are continually posting in a thread that pretty much is "much ado bout nuthin'."
Seems it means more to you than you are letting on.

I participated in yet another obsessive/compulsive Chairboy "Why Atheists rule and Christians drool" (alternating with "OMG! Teh Christians are taking over teh guvmint and oppressing my good Atheist people!") thread by offering my advice that the sky isn't falling and militant atheists need to get a grip and take a deep breath. The road to reality is paved with oxygen molecules. It hasn't universally sunk in to date. It probably never will. But I reckon I've as much a right to be a Don Quixote as Chairboy. He found a Sancho Panza in you. I'll just have to make do without.

Arlo · « **Reply #139 on:** May 14, 2006, 03:52:03 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by SaburoS
So I take it then you wouldn't mind if the term "Under God" was removed from the Pledge?
How about removing the term "In God We Trust" on our currency?

It's not a threat to anyone's religion after all.
How about you get back to me when the threat actually materializes for everyone to see. (borrowing your line)

It's not the issue you would make it out to be. *ShruG* I just don't see how it theatens the Atheists so greatly. Didn't prevent them from being one so far. Guess I'm just secure in my own belief that way.

Chairboy · « **Reply #140 on:** May 14, 2006, 03:54:02 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Arlo
I participated in yet another obsessive/compulsive Chairboy "Why Atheists rule and Christians drool" (alternating with "OMG! Teh Christians are taking over teh guvmint and oppressing my good Atheist people!") thread by offering my advice that the sky isn't falling and militant atheists need to get a grip and take a deep breath. The road to reality is paved with oxygen molecules. It hasn't universally sunk in to date. It probably never will. But I reckon I've as much a right to be a Don Quixote as Chairboy. He found a Sancho Panza in you. I'll just have to make do without.

Yet ironically, you seem to be the one tilting at windmills with talk of 'militant atheists'.

Oh, that's ironic in the Merriam-Webster sense, not the unfortunate Alanis Morrisette misuse.

BTW, I've been doing my darndest to start interesting conversations that keep a civil tone, and so far so good. Isn't that what the board is for?

Arlo · « **Reply #141 on:** May 14, 2006, 04:02:24 PM »

They are interesting, in a psychological study of "Atheists on a crusade to defend America from the obvious Christian takeover of the guvmint" pov. And, as such, I don't mind. Mind my chiming in from time to time? I probably only post in less than 10% of the threads you start regarding such. They are fairly prolific. And though you seem to infer that the direction being taken could lead to something less than civil, I don't particularly see a degree of sarcastic scorn as *that* uncivil. We've both seen (and probably done) worse.

Holden McGroin · « **Reply #142 on:** May 14, 2006, 07:35:37 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by SaburoS
...and that's not nearly as laughable as those that keep trying to paint Atheism as a religion.

Again, how does an Atheist practice his Atheism?

The word God doesn't threaten Atheistic belief.

"Atheistic belief"

Faith is the belief in the unprovable.
The existence or non existence of God is unprovable.

Therefore, .... if one believes in the unprovable, one has faith.

Faith is the foundation of Religion. All you need to do then is have a leadership, an organization that defends the faith and proselytizes the belief and you have a religion.

Nash · « **Reply #143 on:** May 14, 2006, 07:37:31 PM »

Seems like too many people are confusing atheism with agnosticism.

Holden McGroin · « **Reply #144 on:** May 14, 2006, 07:40:23 PM »

I think you are correct Nash, See? I do agree with you sometimes.

I have no religious beliefs. I am agnostic.

Nash · « **Reply #145 on:** May 14, 2006, 07:43:16 PM »

Hehe.

The thing I'm confused about is a term for someone like me, who believes in a little bit of this, and a little bit of that.

A Smorgasbordian, maybe.

Dago · « **Reply #146 on:** May 14, 2006, 09:05:09 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Nash
Hehe.

The thing I'm confused about is a term for someone like me, who believes in a little bit of this, and a little bit of that.

Wishy Washy.

Nash · « **Reply #147 on:** May 14, 2006, 09:06:19 PM »

Ooh that stings.

phht.

lazs2 · « **Reply #148 on:** May 15, 2006, 08:54:08 AM »

I am every bit as embarassed to be around someone taking every opportunity to proclaim his "athiesm" as I am to be around the guy who quit drinking last week and is now wearing a huge wooden cross around his neck and a glazed look on his face.

lazs

Suave · « **Reply #149 on:** May 15, 2006, 09:55:44 AM »

Because I've never met an atheist proclaimer on any continent I've been on, and I'm old. I've never seen an athiest preacher on my TV, I've never had an athiest knock on my door, or offer me athiest literature at a public place. It's hard for me to sympathize with the weariness of being harangued by atheists.