What Atheists Believe

This is another one my comment posts on the CNN Belief section. This was in response to the founder and executive director of the Fixed Point Foundation opinion piece about how those awful Atheists should be careful for what they wish for. 

Being an activist atheist and after decades of hearing theists decry we want the destruction of  religion and also claim it will be the end of civilization can wear one down. But, someone needs to stand up to these bullies and  point out this is not true. This is just one of many stereotypical accusations  thrown about blatantly by social conservatives. The accusation is not true! Most atheists are smart enough to know religion is a part of the human condition and won’t disappear (wishful thinking). We can only hope religious fundamentalism fades with time and has less sway in the political realm.

We think religion is a personal, private matter and we do believe the freedom of conscious is crucial for  a successful democracy such as ours. We stand atop the Jeffersonian wall of separation and defend both the atheists and theists first amendment rights. Modern American Atheists can not and should not be compared to notorious foreign tyrants of the past. We are proud citizens of a country in which we are allowed to speak our minds and live our lives as we see fit. Being an atheist means only one thing. It does not define who one is, its only a statement of non-belief in a supernatural being or beings. That’s all, nothing more or less. We are just like you, except we don’t go to your church. We are your neighbors, co-workers, family members. Our numbers are growing, and more and more of us are coming out and standing up  for our civil rights just like any other minority who have been denigrated forever.

Of course I can’t speak for all atheists, but many of us, don’t care what you believe or why as long as it doesn’t harm you, your family or anyone else.

Divide and Conquer

From Christopher's book "Arguably" I found a line by Adams that I had to blog about. In this book, Christopher writes about our American founding fathers and what they really believed or did not believe. In it there are examples of how it was seen advantageous to divide and conquer using sectarian strife. It still works today.

Here is a line from Adams about Jefferson's supporters with a twist.
"Let us have an Atheist or a Deist (as President) or anything rather than an establishment of Presbyterianism (insert any sect here)."

Today, it seems some Republicans would rather have an adulterer as a presidential nominee rather than a Mormon.

My comment post for the CNN story about Bob Jones U students protesting sexual abuse within their community and missionary organizations

Church leadership abuse their power over the gullible in many ways. When people automatically accept what they are taught and are told blind faith is a good thing, bad things happen. Naive people who trust all Christians are easy targets.

Look in the mirror and ask yourself why you believe what you believe?

Xmas Parties this year

The 2011 Season (1st Sober)

Actually had a great time at the Navy Reserve Xmas party this year! No prayer and not a single person said Merry Christmas. Amazing!

On the other hand, someone at my office suggested we sing Christmas carols at the office Christmas party. I cringed and thought, I will have to find something else to do next Friday. I managed to skirt attending last years party, but we have a couple of new ladies in our department that have been over zealous in preparing for the party. Its seems to me, its no longer voluntary. I was asked outright if I was going to participate in the Secret Santa, and I reluctantly said yes. I feel like complaining to management about the blatant abuse of my goodwill. I did not forget to sign up, it was on purpose damn it. This is not my favorite time of year. I do not want to play their reindeer games, especially now that our new employees have decided to take over and I wonder how far they will push it. The way they behave is exactly what one would expect from people who assume everyone celebrates Christmas. Its very rude and unprofessional.
Update: We had our division Xmas party yesterday, it was fun. More like amusing. I did notice there were a few other co-workers like me appeared to be reluctant participants. I wore a Hum Bug Oscar the Grouch Xmas t-shirt under my hoodie. I did flash it to those I trusted had a similar outlook about the festivities. I admit it was fun, its just very irritating to be "pressured' to attend and play along. And it was telling to see our new Christian co-workers decorations and especially all the posters, screamed "Merry Christmas"! not Happy Holidays. A blatant, thumbing of the nose to half the people in the room. I have decided to send a Xmas card to management and ask them to tone it down a little. The handful of true believers we have had way too much fun strutting their stuff.
Talking about Xmas cards, I did not send any last year and will no longer do so. My sister sent New Years cards last that works for me. I digress, A Mr. Hitchens received a card, written on a torn piece of brown paper bag, was something like this: Money is tight, times are hard, Here is your dam Xmas card.


By the way, we do have a tree in our house and we open gifts Christmas morning, just like I did growing up. We don't go to midnight mass, or go to church or perform grace. Its all about family and spoiling ourselves and our children, since really we have need for nothing.

This year will be different for us, we will be staying home (2nd time in 18 years). It won't be as much fun, with just the four of us, but it will be less stressful for me and to make up for it, the kids can ski everyday on the local mountain. Also this year, I will be taking vacation the week between Xmas and New Years.The best part of the "Holiday's" for me, is when we have friends and family over New Years Eve. We play pinochle and then Wii past midnight.

Have a Happy New Year