Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Kevin Dorner · 12-31-2001, 10:33 AM

I found this one while plowing through links for the Infidels Newswire (which I do a lot.) I'm posting it here because the Wire didn't get updated today and probably won't get updated tomorrow, it being New Year's Day and all.

<a href="http://www.wmbb.com/headlines/MGBYBK13SVC.html" target="_blank">Hate Crime in Bay County</a>

Note that the pair graffitoed "The Devil Rules" but then claimed to be... uh... atheists? I think they were rebelling at being force-fed Chick tracts. Their self-titling of themselves as atheists displays that level of understanding of the word.

Grumpy · 12-31-2001, 12:42 PM

You can see how atheists would be inclined to commit such crimes. After all, with no moral compass, what would prevent anyone from defacing someone else's property? As opposed to theists, who are commanded by their gods to strictly observe the sanctity of other believers' shrines (some gods, anyway).

On a more serious note, I wonder if an "atheist spokesman" denounced the vandalism. The story in the link is a simple crime-beat article, and would not include such a quote even if one was available. Which atheist group would field such a spokesperson? And why should they have to?

[ December 31, 2001: Message edited by: Grumpy ]</p>

Toto · 12-31-2001, 12:48 PM

I think they let the Christian church define atheist for them

Grizzly · 12-31-2001, 12:49 PM

You know, I would have been more impressed if they had spray painted things like "Think for yourselves!" or "You are the master of your own destiny!" or "No Gods, No Devils". The fact that they spray painted stuff about the Devil clearly indicates that these kids are not atheists. They probably not even satanists. They're probably just punks.

DISCLAIMER: This post in no way should be read as an encouragement of vandalism. Any use of this post in any way other than its original intention is strictly prohibited.

[ December 31, 2001: Message edited by: Grizzly ]</p>

Kevin Dorner · 12-31-2001, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Grizzly:
<strong>The fact that they spray painted stuff about the Devil clearly indicates that these kids are not atheists. They probably not even satanists. They're probably just punks.</strong>

Given that the story is three days old and I haven't heard of any fuss over it, I'd hope that others drew the same conclusion.

GunnerJ · 12-31-2001, 03:31 PM

Don't worry, guys. If pressed, we'll just say they weren't "true athesits," just a bunch of fundamentalist radicals who distort our belief's true message to serve their own ends.

Wizardry · 12-31-2001, 11:16 PM

Ten bucks says they spell it "athiests".

GunnerJ · 01-01-2002, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Ten bucks says they spell it "athiests".

Better than "athesits."

12-31-2001, 10:33 AM	#1
Kevin Dorner Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 762	Vandals damage Florida church, call themselves "Atheists" I found this one while plowing through links for the Infidels Newswire (which I do a lot.) I'm posting it here because the Wire didn't get updated today and probably won't get updated tomorrow, it being New Year's Day and all. <a href="http://www.wmbb.com/headlines/MGBYBK13SVC.html" target="_blank">Hate Crime in Bay County</a> Note that the pair graffitoed "The Devil Rules" but then claimed to be... uh... atheists? I think they were rebelling at being force-fed Chick tracts. Their self-titling of themselves as atheists displays that level of understanding of the word.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

12-31-2001, 12:42 PM	#2
Grumpy Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Alaska, USA Posts: 1,535	You can see how atheists would be inclined to commit such crimes. After all, with no moral compass, what would prevent anyone from defacing someone else's property? As opposed to theists, who are commanded by their gods to strictly observe the sanctity of other believers' shrines (some gods, anyway). On a more serious note, I wonder if an "atheist spokesman" denounced the vandalism. The story in the link is a simple crime-beat article, and would not include such a quote even if one was available. Which atheist group would field such a spokesperson? And why should they have to? [ December 31, 2001: Message edited by: Grumpy ]</p>

12-31-2001, 12:48 PM	#3
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	I think they let the Christian church define atheist for them

12-31-2001, 12:49 PM	#4
Grizzly Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 2,936	You know, I would have been more impressed if they had spray painted things like "Think for yourselves!" or "You are the master of your own destiny!" or "No Gods, No Devils". The fact that they spray painted stuff about the Devil clearly indicates that these kids are not atheists. They probably not even satanists. They're probably just punks. DISCLAIMER: This post in no way should be read as an encouragement of vandalism. Any use of this post in any way other than its original intention is strictly prohibited. [ December 31, 2001: Message edited by: Grizzly ]</p>

12-31-2001, 03:31 PM	#6
GunnerJ Banned Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: a place where i can list whatever location i want Posts: 4,871	Don't worry, guys. If pressed, we'll just say they weren't "true athesits," just a bunch of fundamentalist radicals who distort our belief's true message to serve their own ends.

12-31-2001, 11:16 PM	#7
Wizardry Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 363	Ten bucks says they spell it "athiests".

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.