Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Ojuice5001 · 02-01-2003, 05:05 PM

The astronauts were in heaven, but they fell out. Why does Bush think that God is so indecisive that the astronauts have already been readmitted to heaven?

What's that you say? Being in heaven isn't the same thing as being very high up in the sky? Okay, but I'm not sure that the writers of the Bible would agree with that. Not all of them, anyway.

cricket · 02-01-2003, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Perhaps Bush, regardless of what his particular brand of Christianity teaches, desires all aboard the Columbia to be in heaven. Being that he obviously believes in heaven, and being that he believes it is a good place, I'm glad he wishes them eternally well.

Family members of the non-Christian astronauts are not comforted by these words. It's a slap in the face; disrespectful to others' beliefs. Worse, it can hurt families when others tell them their loved one is with God now. In their grief they may wonder if it's true; that maybe there could be a god/jesus. If family members know the deceased was agnostic or atheist, it is difficult for them to hear "He's in heaven, now." In their mind, the message is instantly translated: "He's in hell, now."

GaryP · 02-01-2003, 06:05 PM

I think the fact that Bush has told the world that Jesus is the only way to true salvation, it is indeed insensitive of him to even mention going "home".

IF the astronauts have souls, at least one of the seven and most likely more, would not qualify for heaven in the way GWB speaks of it and therefore can not possibly be where he said they are.

cricket · 02-01-2003, 06:43 PM

Most of the astronauts were statistically likely to be atheist/agnostic, since more than have of the *top* scientists are, and I daresay astronauts are near the top.

Of course, it doesn't matter to Bush, as the asshole's point was not to comfort families of the dead. He likely doesn't care about them; if he did he would speak to them with some sensitivity. This was just a self-serving chance to trot out his own damned beliefs, and a strategy to say 'the right thing' to a country of Christian voters.

lisarea · 02-01-2003, 06:56 PM

Well, I'd buy the argument that he's just an idiot and doesn't understand how what he's saying is offensive.

I do believe he has very nasty ulterior motives regarding religion in general, but in this case, I think he's just being his usual idiotic self. His speechwriters need to hook him up to some kind of device where they can deliver electrical shocks when he strays from his prescribed comments. Like one of those dog barking collars or something.

cricket · 02-01-2003, 08:25 PM

Still reading news accounts. I see Bush spoke w/ the astronaut's families.

"He spoke with the families of the astronauts who died offering what comfort he could."

The astronauts died offering who what huh?

Must be time for me to sign off this site and (too) many others.

Bye!

Amie · 02-01-2003, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by emur
Perhaps Bush, regardless of what his particular brand of Christianity teaches, desires all aboard the Columbia to be in heaven. Being that he obviously believes in heaven, and being that he believes it is a good place, I'm glad he wishes them eternally well.

Unlike hardline fundies, this speaks well of him.

Mel

good post emur

7 astronauts lost their lives today, if the only thing some people choose to fixate on is whether or not he mentioned God in his speech then I think thats really unfortunate...

Amie · 02-01-2003, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cricket
Most of the astronauts were statistically likely to be atheist/agnostic, since more than have of the *top* scientists are, and I daresay astronauts are near the top.

Hi cricket
I would venture to say there are just as many scientists who are theists...

Quote:

Of course, it doesn't matter to Bush, as the asshole's point was not to comfort families of the dead. He likely doesn't care about them; if he did he would speak to them with some sensitivity. This was just a self-serving chance to trot out his own damned beliefs, and a strategy to say 'the right thing' to a country of Christian voters.

I think he cares about them.

Mad Kally · 02-01-2003, 09:22 PM

It's all the fault of Harry Potter and labor unions.

The Love of God as told by the True Christians.

Quote:

I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

Proverbs 1:26

Opera Nut · 02-01-2003, 09:31 PM

Here in Houston they had a news crawler about various memorial services - I guess the lady from India is Hindu since one of the services mentioned is at a Hindu congregation in my 'hood tomorrow. So that makes two non-xtians on board.

Shrub can't even imagine life as a non-xtian, he doesn't understand anyone who is different from his privileged WASPy upbringing. Furthermore, he is not even curious about other countries or other cultures.

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02-01-2003, 05:05 PM	#21
Ojuice5001 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: A city in Florida that I love Posts: 3,416	The astronauts were in heaven, but they fell out. Why does Bush think that God is so indecisive that the astronauts have already been readmitted to heaven? What's that you say? Being in heaven isn't the same thing as being very high up in the sky? Okay, but I'm not sure that the writers of the Bible would agree with that. Not all of them, anyway.

02-01-2003, 06:05 PM	#23
GaryP Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lancaster, OH Posts: 1,792	I think the fact that Bush has told the world that Jesus is the only way to true salvation, it is indeed insensitive of him to even mention going "home". IF the astronauts have souls, at least one of the seven and most likely more, would not qualify for heaven in the way GWB speaks of it and therefore can not possibly be where he said they are.

02-01-2003, 06:43 PM	#24
cricket Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: St Louis MO USA Posts: 1,188	Most of the astronauts were statistically likely to be atheist/agnostic, since more than have of the top scientists are, and I daresay astronauts are near the top. Of course, it doesn't matter to Bush, as the asshole's point was not to comfort families of the dead. He likely doesn't care about them; if he did he would speak to them with some sensitivity. This was just a self-serving chance to trot out his own damned beliefs, and a strategy to say 'the right thing' to a country of Christian voters.

02-01-2003, 06:56 PM	#25
lisarea Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Broomfield, Colorado, USA Posts: 5,550	Well, I'd buy the argument that he's just an idiot and doesn't understand how what he's saying is offensive. I do believe he has very nasty ulterior motives regarding religion in general, but in this case, I think he's just being his usual idiotic self. His speechwriters need to hook him up to some kind of device where they can deliver electrical shocks when he strays from his prescribed comments. Like one of those dog barking collars or something.

02-01-2003, 08:25 PM	#26
cricket Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: St Louis MO USA Posts: 1,188	Still reading news accounts. I see Bush spoke w/ the astronaut's families. "He spoke with the families of the astronauts who died offering what comfort he could." The astronauts died offering who what huh? Must be time for me to sign off this site and (too) many others. Bye!

02-01-2003, 09:31 PM	#30
Opera Nut Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Houston TX Posts: 1,671	Here in Houston they had a news crawler about various memorial services - I guess the lady from India is Hindu since one of the services mentioned is at a Hindu congregation in my 'hood tomorrow. So that makes two non-xtians on board. Shrub can't even imagine life as a non-xtian, he doesn't understand anyone who is different from his privileged WASPy upbringing. Furthermore, he is not even curious about other countries or other cultures.

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