Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Zora · 05-29-2003, 03:42 PM

I have started sending out replies to religious emails, which I view as just another piece of SPAM.

It goes something like this:

"In the future, I would appreciate it if you would not forward religious emails to me. I do not believe in a deity who is personally involved in our lives, nor in the efficacy of prayer.

I believe personal examination is essential to being a moral and productive member of society. Many philosophies teach these principles...among them Hinduism, Buddhism and Confuscionism. If you would like to read more about these philosophies, Iwill be glad to suggest some websites.

I know you will respect my right to religious freedom. "

I have never received a response, let alone a negative one. If a person pulls out the "majority" card, there is a good speech by James A. Reed, senator from Missouri in 1926 that addresses just that. The title of the speech is "Majority Rule"...and I would send a copy to these morons. (If you do a search on the internet, you should be able to find it. )

KitKit · 05-29-2003, 06:21 PM

i've gotten the "sit down & shut up" email from several close friends & here was my reply...

Quote:

It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Only 76% are Christian. That leaves 24% that believe in some other entity or no entity. That is a HUGE number of people a whopping 69,776,086.8 people, to be exact. So, over 69 million people do not believe in the Christian god that you are referring to on the dollar bill & in the pledge of allegiance. And yes, the Christians will say over & over that it means "any god" but the rest of the 69 million someodd people know that is bull shit. It most certainly represents a Christian god. AND 13% don't believe in ANY god. That's 37,795,390.75. So it doesn't apply to them at all.

Why don't we just tell the 14% to shut up and sit down????
Because this is a country created & based on the premise of freedom of religion, however what we REALLY mean is that we are going to shove our Christian god down your throats whether you like it or not & if you don't agree then you are wrong & we don't want you here. That is NOT freedom of religion. Christians are notorious for pushing their religion on everyone else. Just because you believe in something with all your heart & soul does NOT make you right (it doesn't make you wrong either). It only makes you passionate. Being passionate is fine, it's wonderful. I have complete respect for that. But if you push it on others & tell them they are wrong & condemn them if the don't agree with you, then you are no better than any fascist out there.

Here's the definition of fascism: A system of government marked
by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.

Sounds like every right wing Christian I have ever known. Please don't be like that. Please respect other people's beliefs. Don't push yours on them. There is a separation of church & state for
a reason. The two cannot coexist & still remain fair to all the citizens of this country.

I love you & respect your beliefs & your conviction in them.
Please do the same for me.

by the way, i'm moving to the netherlands!

Marcel · 05-30-2003, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KitKit

by the way, i'm moving to the netherlands!

Welkom in Nederland!

(You're not kidding, are you?)

KitKit · 05-30-2003, 04:12 AM

yes, i am kidding.

but it's nice to know i'd be welcome.

i'm just tired of all the religious crap here in the US, especially down here in texas, ESPECIALLY in the little suburb i live in. i am WAY outnumbered by the xtian freaks.

and when my 5 year old came home from kindergarten recently and told me she believes in god...well i almost lost it. (of course she still believes in santa & the easter bunny too, so i guess i still have time)

Marcel · 05-30-2003, 08:57 AM

That's what I figured.

But you could move to the Dutch town of Zwolle, TX. I wonder what it's like, over there.

I wonder what I would do if my child came home with such a remark. Should I try and talk it out of her, or should I allow her to make up her own mind, but still telling what I think?

KitKit · 05-30-2003, 10:19 AM

i told her there is no god. i asked "do you think fairies are real? do you think that dragons & unicorns are real? do you think that animals can talk like in the cartoons?" to all of which she replied "no." then she said "but santa is real & the tooth fairie & the easter bunny too, right?" and i said "yes, i suppose they are very real to you right now." and left it at that. just planted the little seed of doubt. just enough to get her to think for herself. as soon as she lets me know she is ready to stop believing in santa & the others then we will have a real discussion about fairie tales & superstitions. i just don't think she is quite old enough yet. but she is a brilliant child, so i really don't have any doubt that she will be smart enough not to get sucked into religion.

catmar · 06-03-2003, 02:43 PM

Splat:

:notworthy :notworthy :notworthy

quote from Heathen's post:

But I'm much happier as an atheist than I was as a Christian.

ITA!

Radcliffe Emerson · 06-03-2003, 02:48 PM

I'm Libertarian, and I know several L's (and some Democrats) who are non-believers.
Most believers I know are Republicans, however.

Eudaimonist · 06-04-2003, 12:50 PM

I have found that some Christians will react to your declaration of humanism with the same shock as your declaration of atheism. Yes, humanism is actually a dirty word in some Christian circles.

I personally will say that I'm a nontheist (instead of the more shocking "atheist"), an Objectivist, or a Eudaimonist, and then explain what I mean by the word.

05-29-2003, 03:42 PM	#31
Zora Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Missouri Posts: 571	religious emails I have started sending out replies to religious emails, which I view as just another piece of SPAM. It goes something like this: "In the future, I would appreciate it if you would not forward religious emails to me. I do not believe in a deity who is personally involved in our lives, nor in the efficacy of prayer. I believe personal examination is essential to being a moral and productive member of society. Many philosophies teach these principles...among them Hinduism, Buddhism and Confuscionism. If you would like to read more about these philosophies, Iwill be glad to suggest some websites. I know you will respect my right to religious freedom. " I have never received a response, let alone a negative one. If a person pulls out the "majority" card, there is a good speech by James A. Reed, senator from Missouri in 1926 that addresses just that. The title of the speech is "Majority Rule"...and I would send a copy to these morons. (If you do a search on the internet, you should be able to find it. )

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05-30-2003, 04:12 AM	#34
KitKit Regular Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: earth Posts: 142	yes, i am kidding. but it's nice to know i'd be welcome. i'm just tired of all the religious crap here in the US, especially down here in texas, ESPECIALLY in the little suburb i live in. i am WAY outnumbered by the xtian freaks. and when my 5 year old came home from kindergarten recently and told me she believes in god...well i almost lost it. (of course she still believes in santa & the easter bunny too, so i guess i still have time)

05-30-2003, 08:57 AM	#35
Marcel Regular Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Voorschoten (Netherlands) Posts: 131	That's what I figured. But you could move to the Dutch town of Zwolle, TX. I wonder what it's like, over there. I wonder what I would do if my child came home with such a remark. Should I try and talk it out of her, or should I allow her to make up her own mind, but still telling what I think?

05-30-2003, 10:19 AM	#36
KitKit Regular Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: earth Posts: 142	i told her there is no god. i asked "do you think fairies are real? do you think that dragons & unicorns are real? do you think that animals can talk like in the cartoons?" to all of which she replied "no." then she said "but santa is real & the tooth fairie & the easter bunny too, right?" and i said "yes, i suppose they are very real to you right now." and left it at that. just planted the little seed of doubt. just enough to get her to think for herself. as soon as she lets me know she is ready to stop believing in santa & the others then we will have a real discussion about fairie tales & superstitions. i just don't think she is quite old enough yet. but she is a brilliant child, so i really don't have any doubt that she will be smart enough not to get sucked into religion.

06-03-2003, 02:43 PM	#37
catmar Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 220	Splat: :notworthy :notworthy :notworthy quote from Heathen's post: But I'm much happier as an atheist than I was as a Christian. ITA!

06-03-2003, 02:48 PM	#38
Radcliffe Emerson Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: the dark side of Mars Posts: 1,309	I'm Libertarian, and I know several L's (and some Democrats) who are non-believers. Most believers I know are Republicans, however.

06-04-2003, 12:50 PM	#39
Eudaimonist Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Sundsvall, Sweden Posts: 3,159	I have found that some Christians will react to your declaration of humanism with the same shock as your declaration of atheism. Yes, humanism is actually a dirty word in some Christian circles. I personally will say that I'm a nontheist (instead of the more shocking "atheist"), an Objectivist, or a Eudaimonist, and then explain what I mean by the word.

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