Freethought & Rationalism Archive

cliff999 · 03-28-2003, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hypernovean
Anyone else notice how the wording of the poll on the side suggests that morality doesn't exist without god ("No. What's wrong with bringing morality to the White House?").

This is an excellent point that illuminates how theists use language to paint those that disagree with them in a corner. Morality and religion are two different things, but they want you to believe that you cannot have one without the other.

The way they use language is one reason I don't like saying "I don't believe in god". They have framed the word "Believe" in a positive and adding "don't" in front of it immediately puts the person saying it in an unfavorable light. Maybe I'm making too much out of linguistics, but the way things are said and interpreted is important. It may sound trivial, but is it?

bbleier · 03-28-2003, 07:51 AM

I have the real picture of Bush.......

fando · 03-28-2003, 09:12 PM

Was Bush overly religious before? I think his current streak of fundyism is due to the pressures of his job. Perhaps he is subconsciously making up for not having what it takes to be a great president. Maybe he thinks if he does the born-again thing, history will look up on his presidency favorably and judge him qualified. Kind of how Clinton was insecure about his presidency and it showed through his well known admiration of past presidents.

Toto · 03-28-2003, 10:53 PM

Bush became a "born again" through the influence of Billy Graham when he was 40, after a life of drinking, drugs, and youthful indiscretions. During his father's last campaign for president, GW Bush was the "ambassador" to the religious right, and built up a lot of contacts and political capital. Unlike other conservatives who made alliances with the Christian Right for common political aims, he was really one of them. He supposedly decided to run for president after attending a sermon at his home church decrying the status of the presidency under Clinton. He decided that God was calling him.

So there is no evidence that he has suddenly become more religious. I also must assume that every piece of religiosity that comes out of the White House has been selected for its political impact, and is no evidence of any genuine religiosity of any sort.

03-30-2003, 10:48 AM

With God on His Side

Harumi · 04-01-2003, 05:18 PM

Although I'm not anti-war...nor am I pro-war actually. I just feel that something needs to be done about Saddam and the status quo over in the Middle East--problems which the US had a hand in causing. Letting them alone isn't going to help us, it's only going to make things worse.

Besides, Saddam is an ass and needs to get blown up anyways.

Aside from that though, I think I'm going to start subscribing to New York Times now. That was a good article.

03-30-2003, 10:48 AM	#35
atheist_in_foxhole Guest Posts: n/a	Interesting article in the New York Times: With God on His Side

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03-28-2003, 07:51 AM	#32
bbleier Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Here Posts: 27	I have the real picture of Bush.......

03-28-2003, 09:12 PM	#33
fando Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Los Angeles Area Posts: 1,372	Was Bush overly religious before? I think his current streak of fundyism is due to the pressures of his job. Perhaps he is subconsciously making up for not having what it takes to be a great president. Maybe he thinks if he does the born-again thing, history will look up on his presidency favorably and judge him qualified. Kind of how Clinton was insecure about his presidency and it showed through his well known admiration of past presidents.

03-28-2003, 10:53 PM	#34
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	Bush became a "born again" through the influence of Billy Graham when he was 40, after a life of drinking, drugs, and youthful indiscretions. During his father's last campaign for president, GW Bush was the "ambassador" to the religious right, and built up a lot of contacts and political capital. Unlike other conservatives who made alliances with the Christian Right for common political aims, he was really one of them. He supposedly decided to run for president after attending a sermon at his home church decrying the status of the presidency under Clinton. He decided that God was calling him. So there is no evidence that he has suddenly become more religious. I also must assume that every piece of religiosity that comes out of the White House has been selected for its political impact, and is no evidence of any genuine religiosity of any sort.

04-01-2003, 05:18 PM	#36
Harumi Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: N/A Posts: 3,184	Although I'm not anti-war...nor am I pro-war actually. I just feel that something needs to be done about Saddam and the status quo over in the Middle East--problems which the US had a hand in causing. Letting them alone isn't going to help us, it's only going to make things worse. Besides, Saddam is an ass and needs to get blown up anyways. Aside from that though, I think I'm going to start subscribing to New York Times now. That was a good article.

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