Buffman

galiel

I have discussed your huckster's approach to the current situation with you before. I recommend you do a thorough background historical analysis of what a great many of the folks posting here have already done before talking to them like you are some sort of divinely anointed, charismatic, fundamentalist, atheistic preacher, drumming up new devotees for his righteous crusade. (I see enough of those types on TV selling "Get Rich/Get Into Heaven" schemes if you will just listen to them and do what they tell you...and buy their books/tapes/cassettes/etc.)

The people you find here are hardly members of the grass roots about which you hold so much faith in their rising up in support of your particular views simply because you are highly enthusiastic about them. Might I venture that, in this forum, you are "preaching to the choir." I see nothing new in your list of recommended actions that haven't already been an on-going practice by many of the folks here.

What have you personally done to aid/support Dr. Newdow in his efforts?

galiel

Thank you for the ad hominem attack--it makes your attitude and intent clear for all to see, and spares me the need to point them out.

While I express strong objections to the general direction of these threads, you are the one who choses to personalize the discussion. Since you begin your post thus, I respectfully chose not to engage you in debate. Your attempts to stifle dissent are merely additional evidence of your silliness.

Buffman

Now! Now! How would you describe this?

STOP MOVING TO THE BACK OF THE BUS. BE PROUD. MAKE YOUR CHILDREN PROUD. A C T N O W ! ! ! !

galiel

As the non-ambiguous expression of an opinion different than yours, something you seem to have difficulty accomodating.

Now, can we return to substantial discussion about the appropriate response to religious oppression, or what the originator even went so far as to call "The Next Inquizition", or do you have to have the last word in your childish game of oneupsmanship?

[ September 06, 2002: Message edited by: galiel ]</p>

Buffman

Hmmmmmm? Funny you should say this without recognizing its applicability on a two-way street.

As the non-ambiguous expression of an opinion different than yours, something you seem to have difficulty accomodating.

Alonzo Fyfe

Sorry! I fear that galiel and I have a previous history of opinion clashes over this identical issue. I did not feel that his first post was as concerned with advancing your "Inquisition" possibilities as it was with recruiting adherents for his particular form of activism. I believe there is a time and place for every opinion, whether I agree with it or not. IMHO, this specific string was not the appropriate time nor the place for a "Call to arms" plea. But that is just one more opinion.

abe smith

ummmmm. Buffman, why not just let Galiel have his say? Altho, tis true, I'm not too much informed about you-all's on-going spatting, my short-term observer's impression iz that you have personal animus against him? & why not lighten-up, Dude?

Buffman

Hi abe,

Thanks for the thoughtful advice. It is duly noted and appreciated.

Yes, there is a history! No, I have no animus against the individual beyond "some" of the content and techniques involved with "some" of his posts. He seems unwilling to appreciate that others can disagree with his opinions and still be contributors to the goals of a more rational America...even if they do not attend the Godless March and would dare to publicly question its name and timing... or even its advisability. (As I recall, that was the initial area of opinion difference.)

He has requested that I not interfer with him. I will not interfer with his posts as long as, IMO, they contribute to the goals and policies of these forums and issues under discussion. That does not mean that I will remain silent if I believe there is cause for comment...regardless of whether my opinion proves distressing to him or not. I believe that I have just as much right to my opinions as he has to his...until verifiable evidence proves me to be in error. Then I'll back-off as quickly as possible while admitting my error. I am sincerely sorry that our original discussions became too involved in specific techniques rather than sticking to content. Unfortunately, I have learned that the line between technique and content can become blurred. Sometimes the technique is the only actual content.

4th Generation Atheist

Hey, at least the rest of us know where each of you stands on these matters....

emphryio

I would like to point out that there is of course more to worry about than the various scenarios by which the shit could really hit the fan for atheists. We should also realize that to some degree maybe it already has.

What I'm saying is, look around you (here in America.) Is this place even close to being what it could be? I would say no. Why not? I would say to some extent exactly because of people thinking of happiness in heaven and on not on earth. People making decisions based on what "feels" right and not on logic. Basically people practicing faith-based religion.

In other words, there not sending atheists/agnostics to the gas chambers, but as you look around at your particular concrete jungle, as you work 50 hours a week, as you come home on a street where you probably don't know your neighbors despite living beside them for 5 years, as you get assaulted by TV commercials twice as loud as the show (not that I watch the crap on TV), as your company finds a dishonest way to fire you when you've been sick, as you drive your car 15 minutes to buy a loaf of bread, as you, as you, as you. Oh Nevermind. Why bother.

The point is the shit has already hit the fan.

We are being murdered slowly on a daily basis. And outside of eventing a "smart" pill, nothing can be done.

Cheers.

4th Generation Atheist

For those issues, there's already a "smart" pill, of sorts. It's called birth control. Population is a big factor in a number of the issues you mention.

It sure wouldn't fix everything. But you've got a point---our communities face extreme fragmentation, and discrimination against atheists is only one color in the whole dirty stained-glass window.