Freethought & Rationalism Archive

fando · 02-06-2003, 08:37 PM

I heard so much about the 50's being religiously overwhelming, a consequence of the Cold War with the Godless commies. I have this propaganda booklet from that era that explains why communism is bad. Most of it is devoted to the Godless commies not having faith like we do. How convincing!

Are we entering that era again?

Grad Student Humanist · 02-06-2003, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GaryP
Here in Ohio, the state motto, "With God, All things are Possible" was enacted in that decade.

That's really the official state motto??? Wow!

Toto · 02-06-2003, 10:13 PM

To fando: I was around in the 50's. The 50's were not religious - this era is much more religious, or "spiritual" as they like to say, although the religion is less regimented. In the 50's, intellectuals were overwhelmingly non religious, and the major Protestant denominations were virtually Deist.

There was a lot of token obeisance to religion to prove that one was not a Communist, but actually taking the religion seriously was frowned on.

GSH: The Ohio State Motto was the subject of a lawsuit by the ACLU representing a Congregational minister. After two appeals, the 6th Circuit en banc decided that, in spite of the fact that the words come directly from the New Testament, that the Motto expressed a non-sectarian sentiment of optimism.

Harpy · 02-07-2003, 01:23 AM

Yesterday evening Tony (happy clapper) Blair the British PM was asked in an interview if he prayed with George Bush while he was in the US. Born Again Tony looked very very embarrased by the question and said " of course not". This reply was as convincing as his arguments for going to war in support of his fundy pal.

However; the fact that he felt the need to deny that he spends time on his knees with the shrub is highly indicative of the way that overt religiosity (is that a word?) makes the British voter very uncomfortable.

If a British Prime Minister kept banging on about god the way that GWB does he would not last too long.

openeyes · 02-07-2003, 09:34 AM

I don't remember as much publicity surrounding these "prayer" breakfasts in the past.

I saw a story about it in the paper this morning. Picture of Pres. and Mrs. Shrub. Eyes closed; head bowed.

"We are a nation of prayer" (?) That must be reassuring to any possible Europeon allies! I wonder if the Bushies realize that if they de-empasized religion, that maybe a lot of the rest of the world would take our point of view more seriously (I know I have mistrust about nearly everything they say, partially because of the strong religiosity of the admin. And because they talk big and act small a lot.)

Wonder if Tony Blair has ever asked Shrub to tone it down to make the selling of Great Britain's alliance with us easier for him?

Grad Student Humanist · 02-07-2003, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Harpy
Yesterday evening Tony (happy clapper) Blair the British PM was asked in an interview if he prayed with George Bush while he was in the US. Born Again Tony looked very very embarrased by the question and said " of course not". This reply was as convincing as his arguments for going to war in support of his fundy pal.

It's still a very telling statement, regardless of the sincerity.

Could you ever imagine an elected official in the US answering "Of course not" when asked if he prayed with good ol' George? At best, at absolute best, they would avoid the question. Everyone knows not praying is Unamerican. Just ask George Bush I who thinks that theism is a prerequisite for American citizenship.

LogicMage · 02-07-2003, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Feather
Everybody knows you commiepinko atheists are a fringe group of perverted sodomite devil worshipping unAmerican loonies. Just accept the fact that Shrubya is right.

:banghead: :banghead: :boohoo:

1) I am NOT a communist, and resent the implication

2) Where do you get off insulting homosexuals? I AM a homosexual

3) You cant worship something you dont believe exists

4) Does the term "establishment clause" mean anything to you? Just because we dont believe in god doesnt make us unamerican. Last time I checked America was supposed to be a pluralistic secular republic, not a right-wing theocracy

Note: If you post was a joke, please forgive me, your lack of smilies doesnt lend your post to sarcasm

Feather · 02-08-2003, 08:16 AM

Sorry, LM. I was having a bit of a rough day and my humour lilted ascerbic. My intent was to parody the antiatheists' idiocy.

fando · 02-08-2003, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Toto
To fando: I was around in the 50's. The 50's were not religious - this era is much more religious, or "spiritual" as they like to say, although the religion is less regimented. In the 50's, intellectuals were overwhelmingly non religious, and the major Protestant denominations were virtually Deist.

That's even scarier! I didn't realize that about the 50's and now I don't understand why I percieve that era as overwhelmingly religious. I guess the extremes survived to today (the anti-commie book), distorting my perspective of the past.

GaryP · 02-08-2003, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Toto
To fando: I was around in the 50's. The 50's were not religious - this era is much more religious, or "spiritual" as they like to say, although the religion is less regimented. In the 50's, intellectuals were overwhelmingly non religious, and the major Protestant denominations were virtually Deist.

There was a lot of token obeisance to religion to prove that one was not a Communist, but actually taking the religion seriously was frowned on.

GSH: The Ohio State Motto was the subject of a lawsuit by the ACLU representing a Congregational minister. After two appeals, the 6th Circuit en banc decided that, in spite of the fact that the words come directly from the New Testament, that the Motto expressed a non-sectarian sentiment of optimism.

Toto--

I take it that you are a little older than me. I was in my single digits in the 50's. I was raised as a Methodist here in Ohio. My impression would not equate the Methodist church with anything like Deism.

But I have heard people speak of a large difference between the church on the East Coast and the practices here in Ohio. Did you grow up in a more cosmopolitan area than I did, or do you base that statement on research?

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02-06-2003, 08:37 PM	#11
fando Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Los Angeles Area Posts: 1,372	I heard so much about the 50's being religiously overwhelming, a consequence of the Cold War with the Godless commies. I have this propaganda booklet from that era that explains why communism is bad. Most of it is devoted to the Godless commies not having faith like we do. How convincing! Are we entering that era again?

02-06-2003, 10:13 PM	#13
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	To fando: I was around in the 50's. The 50's were not religious - this era is much more religious, or "spiritual" as they like to say, although the religion is less regimented. In the 50's, intellectuals were overwhelmingly non religious, and the major Protestant denominations were virtually Deist. There was a lot of token obeisance to religion to prove that one was not a Communist, but actually taking the religion seriously was frowned on. GSH: The Ohio State Motto was the subject of a lawsuit by the ACLU representing a Congregational minister. After two appeals, the 6th Circuit en banc decided that, in spite of the fact that the words come directly from the New Testament, that the Motto expressed a non-sectarian sentiment of optimism.

02-07-2003, 01:23 AM	#14
Harpy Regular Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Chelmsford, South East England Posts: 144	Yesterday evening Tony (happy clapper) Blair the British PM was asked in an interview if he prayed with George Bush while he was in the US. Born Again Tony looked very very embarrased by the question and said " of course not". This reply was as convincing as his arguments for going to war in support of his fundy pal. However; the fact that he felt the need to deny that he spends time on his knees with the shrub is highly indicative of the way that overt religiosity (is that a word?) makes the British voter very uncomfortable. If a British Prime Minister kept banging on about god the way that GWB does he would not last too long.

02-07-2003, 09:34 AM	#15
openeyes Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minnesota Posts: 4,215	I don't remember as much publicity surrounding these "prayer" breakfasts in the past. I saw a story about it in the paper this morning. Picture of Pres. and Mrs. Shrub. Eyes closed; head bowed. "We are a nation of prayer" (?) That must be reassuring to any possible Europeon allies! I wonder if the Bushies realize that if they de-empasized religion, that maybe a lot of the rest of the world would take our point of view more seriously (I know I have mistrust about nearly everything they say, partially because of the strong religiosity of the admin. And because they talk big and act small a lot.) Wonder if Tony Blair has ever asked Shrub to tone it down to make the selling of Great Britain's alliance with us easier for him?

02-08-2003, 08:16 AM	#18
Feather Veteran Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 1,827	Sorry, LM. I was having a bit of a rough day and my humour lilted ascerbic. My intent was to parody the antiatheists' idiocy.

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