Atheist organization to erect monument in Florida

[WarmRoom]

Justin come on there is no war on Christianity that is about as much hootnanny as the GOP war on women and minorities. Are there some frivolous lawsuits sure just as much as there are frivolous laws making it illegal to serve public office without worshiping god.  It cuts both ways and it is a minority on both sides of the argument you cant seriously argue that communities are being "impoverished" by these types of lawsuits. I think what happened at this court house is a prime example of the strength of our democracy where to separate groups with differing opinions on what should and should not be allowed in the public sphere can reach a compromise.

[Guest shiloh357]

Justin come on there is no war on Christianity that is about as much hootnanny as the GOP war on women and minorities. Are there some frivolous lawsuits sure just as much as there are frivolous laws making it illegal to serve public office without worshiping god.  It cuts both ways and it is a minority on both sides of the argument you cant seriously argue that communities are being "impoverished" by these types of lawsuits. I think what happened at this court house is a prime example of the strength of our democracy where to separate groups with differing opinions on what should and should not be allowed in the public sphere can reach a compromise.

 

 

Actually you are wrong.  There are major lawsuits against Christians being waged continuously to stamp out any Christian expression.  It has been going on for years and is led by the ACLU (Anti-Christian Litigation Unit).  That is unConstitutional.  Given that free speech and freedom of religion are enshrined in our Constitution, public/government property should be the safest place for religious expression.

[WarmRoom]

well Shilo I am not here to argue with you. I think this "war on Christianity" is a bunch of hot air. the media tends to sensationalize things and can often take a very narrow view on any given subject to generate sales/ratings. I am not going to try and convince you otherwise if you bought it hook line in sinker i'll go ahead and let them real you in. I am not trying to knock down your argument either but you constantly bring up this Ramadan thing and its just a silly argument because schools are not enforcing Ramadan some schools are accommodating peoples religious beliefs this does not = school prayer where teachers make students pray before meals or class. If the teachers were making students adhere to Ramadan that would be a different matter. I would be up in arms about that. If your kid wants to pray in school I can support that I just don't want a teacher telling my kid that he has to pray before every meal. I don't think its that much to ask to not have religion crammed down my kid's throat at every opportunity.

[Guest shiloh357]

well Shilo I am not here to argue with you. I think this "war on Christianity" is a bunch of hot air. the media tends to sensationalize things and can often take a very narrow view on any given subject to generate sales/ratings. I am not going to try and convince you otherwise if you bought it hook line in sinker i'll go ahead and let them real you in. I am not trying to knock down your argument either but you constantly bring up this Ramadan thing and its just a silly argument because schools are not enforcing Ramadan some schools are accommodating peoples religious beliefs this does not = school prayer where teachers make students pray before meals or class. If the teachers were making students adhere to Ramadan that would be a different matter. I would be up in arms about that. If your kid wants to pray in school I can support that I just don't want a teacher telling my kid that he has to pray before every meal. I don't think its that much to ask to not have religion crammed down my kid's throat at every opportunity.

 

 

No one forces students to pray.  That is just nonsense.  Christians are censored for ANY public expression of faith, whereas Islamic students are accomodated for Ramadan and the same people who were up in arms because of the word "Christmas" appearing in a public school are the same people who see no problem with the same school acomodating Ramadan for the Muslim students.  It is a major double standard even if you don't have the courage to admit it.

[WarmRoom]

I will admit there are isolated incidences where this happens and it is usually related to liberal "tolerance" not atheism or atheists. this is an EXTREME blog and generally I had to stop reading a lot of it because I think it is just offensive and flat out wrong in some areas but if you want to see what atheists think about islam and tolerance you should take a look <<< remove link. >>> there is also the secular right which is for conservative atheists. Atheists are fighting just as vociferously against Islam in the public sphere you just don't here about it because fox news wont cover atheism in a positive light and it doesn't fit the liberal medias views of tolerance so generally people don't here about it.

 

However to suggest this is widespread is a bit excessive.

 

Also I was forced to pray when I went to school. Although I will admit I was a Christian at the time and didn't have a problem with it them but looking back the heavy influence of Christianity at school hampered my development in some areas in my life.  So don't tell me that no one is forced to pray in schools because I was. There was even a muslim student in our school that the teachers made him recite Christian prayers also he was not given any breaks for Ramadan nor was it accommodated in any way.

Edited June 5, 2013 by GoldenEagle
<<< removed link >>>

[MorningGlory]

I am not saying that atheists support Islam.  I am simply pointing to the lack of consistency.  Christianity is the only faith expression that gets any heat from the atheists.  Again, try reading what I actually wrote instead of trying to make up my argument for me just so you have something to knock down.

 

We don't "enforce" the holiday of Christmas.  It is a faith expression and what they do is silence any expression of our faith in direct violation of the Constitution that protects our right to express our faith when and where we choose. 

 

It is not a conspiracy theory. It is on the news and happening all over the country.  It has nothng to do with neutrality at all.

 

 

I have to agree, Shiloh.  Atheists go after Christianity almost exclusively.  And why is that?  Simply because Christianity is a threat to them even if they don't know why for sure.....the false religions such as islam, Buddhism, etc. are not.  Yes, organized atheism tries to stifle the freedom of speech of everyone except themselves.  And, IMO, another reason they don't go after islam in particular is because they're afraid to.  Go to atheist websites and try to find ANYTHING anti-islam.  You won't.

 

[MorningGlory]

I will admit there are isolated incidences where this happens and it is usually related to liberal "tolerance" not atheism or atheists. this is an EXTREME blog and generally I had to stop reading a lot of it because I think it is just offensive and flat out wrong in some areas but if you want to see what atheists think about islam and tolerance you should take a look <<< Removed link. >>>  there is also the secular right which is for conservative atheists. Atheists are fighting just as vociferously against Islam in the public sphere you just don't here about it because fox news wont cover atheism in a positive light and it doesn't fit the liberal medias views of tolerance so generally people don't here about it.

 

However to suggest this is widespread is a bit excessive.

 

Also I was forced to pray when I went to school. Although I will admit I was a Christian at the time and didn't have a problem with it them but looking back the heavy influence of Christianity at school hampered my development in some areas in my life.  So don't tell me that no one is forced to pray in schools because I was. There was even a muslim student in our school that the teachers made him recite Christian prayers also he was not given any breaks for Ramadan nor was it accommodated in any way.

 

 

I don't know where you went to school, or how long ago, but NO ONE can be forced to pray in school (or anywhere else) as it is against the law.  It wasn't even legal when I was in grade school and that was in the 70s.

Edited June 5, 2013 by GoldenEagle
<<< Removed quoted link. >>>

[MorningGlory]

Well.. that is not true. I have read atheists talking about Islam, including Harris in his End of Faith, I just read a lengthy mini discourse by Steven Weinberg about religion in which he mentions Islam, and so on. The new atheists really do hate Islam, from what I have seen and personally been exposed to, but as they are from western nations in which Christianity is more common, do focus on that more.

 

 

Is this a reply to me?  If so, know that I have trolled the atheist sites and read some material and I've not found even ONE derogatory mention of islam.  Can you post links or sources? 

[revolutionist90]

Yeah lol we have gone a bit off topic hehehe.

You have to understand though a lot of these symbols like the evolution fish etc. come from ex-Christians we use these symbols much like early Christians did to say hey I am an agnostic/atheist its ok to chat with me about these issues if you want. It is an evolution of the symbolism of sorts and I can totally understand why its offensive. It really is more of an inside joke we accept that Christians are not going to get it but it is away of expressing ones frustrations when dealing with a life that was once dedicated to something you no longer believe. Humor sometimes is the best medicine so to speak.

But enough of Flying Spaghetti Monsters and pastafarians lets agree to accept each others differences with empathy and peace =D

Yeah I understand where you are coming from with the fish in that for you it is your type of secret symbol to tell others about your position and I am glad you understand that reforming the fish can be offensive to some. We have differences in beliefs and we must be tolerant/empathetic of each other to keep the peace.

[vlad]

I don't understand a group (that denies it is a group) erecting a monument to themselves....after all, atheists believe in nothing (according to them) so what is the point of a monument?  I think they should have it, don't get me wrong, but I'm tired of the American Atheists Association insisting they aren't a movement and hold no beliefs.  Opinions anyone?

 

http://www.christianpost.com/news/fla-courthouse-to-have-first-in-the-nation-atheist-monument-96984/

What is the memorial like? May be it is their testimony before the Lord that they do not recognize Him.