CNN's Atheism "debate"

MajorCrashMajorCrash Posts: 1
edited February 2007 in A Moving Train
Recently CNN ran a story about a family that was discriminated against because they were atheist. After that, they had a discussion about why atheists were so hated. Of the three people discussing it, 2 were Christian, and one was Jewish. Note the lack of an atheist in this discussion on atheism.

Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPHnXrU5JzU

I want to know what you people think about this.

Edit: Here's the blond woman's response to the angry emails she got: http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2007/02/when_atheists_a.html
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  • AhnimusAhnimus Posts: 10,560
    MajorCrash wrote:
    Recently CNN ran a story about a family that was discriminated against because they were atheist. After that, they had a discussion about why atheists were so hated. Of the three people discussing it, 2 were Christian, and one was Jewish. Note the lack of an atheist in this discussion on atheism.

    Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPHnXrU5JzU

    I want to know what you people think about this.

    Dithpicable!
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • AhnimusAhnimus Posts: 10,560
    Holy shit!

    Does it say "Why do atheists inspire hate?" in the background?

    "What happened to Love thy Neighbor"?

    Those fuckers!
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • AhnimusAhnimus Posts: 10,560
    Omg, taking prayer out of school is taking morality out of school?

    This is the most hateful pile of shit I've ever seen.

    That's what I think of it.
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • spongersponger Posts: 3,159
    All people are atheists. Most haven't realized it yet, and probably never will, unfortunately.
  • As far as I know there isn't a single senator in the US who has publicly 'admitted' to being an atheist. They know to do so would be political suicide which says it all about the level of prejudice.
  • As far as I know there isn't a single senator in the US who has publicly 'admitted' to being an atheist. They know to do so would be political suicide which says it all about the level of prejudice.

    Which would be worse - atheist or muslim? Politically speaking I mean.

    I'm pretty sure an atheist would stand a much better chance than a muslim in Australian politics these days. In fact I don't think anyone would really give a shit if a politician was atheist.
    It doesn't matter if you're male, female, or confused; black, white, brown, red, green, yellow; gay, lesbian; redneck cop, stoned; ugly; military style, doggy style; fat, rich or poor; vegetarian or cannibal; bum, hippie, virgin; famous or drunk-you're either an asshole or you're not!

    -C Addison
  • Scubascott wrote:
    Which would be worse - atheist or muslim? Politically speaking I mean.

    I'm pretty sure an atheist would stand a much better chance than a muslim in Australian politics these days. In fact I don't think anyone would really give a shit if a politician was atheist.

    There was a poll conducted in the States recently asking people if they would TRUST and SUPPORT a muslim/Jewish/Gay or athiest president.

    The athiest option was the only one for which less than 50% said they would trust in. Middle America is known to be pretty homophobic but even that 'catagory' scored higher on the trust and support scale than atheist.
  • There was a poll conducted in the States recently asking people if they would TRUST and SUPPORT a muslim/Jewish/Gay or athiest president.

    The athiest option was the only one for which less than 50% said they would trust in. Middle America is known to be pretty homophobic but even that 'catagory' scored higher on the trust and support scale than atheist.

    Wow. Scary.

    According to some figures from the 1996 census that I just found, 16.5% of Australians identified themsleves as having no religion, and I bet that of the 70.3% that identified as Christians at least half of them never set foot in church and wouldn't care if an atheist was to lead them.

    Somehow I suspect that most australians wouldn't feel comfortable with a muslim representative.
    It doesn't matter if you're male, female, or confused; black, white, brown, red, green, yellow; gay, lesbian; redneck cop, stoned; ugly; military style, doggy style; fat, rich or poor; vegetarian or cannibal; bum, hippie, virgin; famous or drunk-you're either an asshole or you're not!

    -C Addison
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    Scubascott wrote:
    Which would be worse - atheist or muslim? Politically speaking I mean.

    I'm pretty sure an atheist would stand a much better chance than a muslim in Australian politics these days. In fact I don't think anyone would really give a shit if a politician was atheist.

    well obviously it's a concern for kevin rudd. that fucker's jumped on the christian bandwagon and denied he's doing so.
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  • well obviously it's a concern for kevin rudd. that fucker's jumped on the christian bandwagon and denied he's doing so.

    Yeah, that really surprised me. Maybe he's genuine. I don't think it's really a smart political move to make yourself an obvious christian in Australia. Unless I'm completely out of touch with my own country I think most Australians would rather politicians leave their religion out of it. I know I would. . .

    What do you reckon?
    It doesn't matter if you're male, female, or confused; black, white, brown, red, green, yellow; gay, lesbian; redneck cop, stoned; ugly; military style, doggy style; fat, rich or poor; vegetarian or cannibal; bum, hippie, virgin; famous or drunk-you're either an asshole or you're not!

    -C Addison
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    Scubascott wrote:
    Yeah, that really surprised me. Maybe he's genuine. I don't think it's really a smart political move to make yourself an obvious christian in Australia. Unless I'm completely out of touch with my own country I think most Australians would rather politicians leave their religion out of it. I know I would. . .

    What do you reckon?
    i reckon religion is a private thing and should be kept so. what goes on between you and your 'God' is between you and your 'God'. but you know i am an atheist and the one thing that all the major religions agree on is that atheists are going to hell. :D:D

    but then we've got tony abbott, a known christian as the health minister espousing birth control. hello?? when was he last pregnant?
    you also have to remember that when the irish catholics were shipped to the colonies they were denied the right to worship as catholics. and if they did, they were punished for doing so.
    hear my name
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  • i reckon religion is a private thing and should be kept so. what goes on between you and your 'God' is between you and your 'God'. but you know i am an atheist and the one thing that all the major religions agree on is that atheists are going to hell. :D:D

    Well, as an atheist, I'm glad that I don't believe in hell. . . .

    I'm curious though. If you were to try to speak for the whole country, do you think Australia gives a rat's arse if a politician is atheist or not? I don't think so. .
    It doesn't matter if you're male, female, or confused; black, white, brown, red, green, yellow; gay, lesbian; redneck cop, stoned; ugly; military style, doggy style; fat, rich or poor; vegetarian or cannibal; bum, hippie, virgin; famous or drunk-you're either an asshole or you're not!

    -C Addison
  • I agree with what the black guy said

    My choice is what I choose to do
    If it's causing no harm it shouldn't bother you

    Your choice is who you choose to be
    If you're causin no harm you're alright with me
    Believe me, when I was growin up, I thought the worst thing you could turn out to be was normal, So I say freaks in the most complementary way. Here's a song by a fellow freak - E.V
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    Scubascott wrote:
    Well, as an atheist, I'm glad that I don't believe in hell. . . .

    I'm curious though. If you were to try to speak for the whole country, do you think Australia gives a rat's arse if a politician is atheist or not? I don't think so. .

    i don't really know. i think the australian people act as if they don't give a rat's arse. but i can attest to the shocked looks on people's faces when i tell them i am atheist.
    i'm also still reeling from the fact that the man who raised me, who i had always known as an atheist, told me that if he were to 'pick' a religion it would be judaism. my first thought was 'what the fuck!?' and i have yet to recover that that little revelation.
    and if australians don't give a rat's arse, then why bother sharing your views in the first place? i think maybe 'we' like to think we are secular but when it comes down to it, the majority are praying to get into heaven. and they want their politicians kneeling in the pew right beside them.
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
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  • KannKann Posts: 1,146
    MajorCrash wrote:
    Edit: Here's the blond woman's response to the angry emails she got: http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2007/02/when_atheists_a.html

    In what world does she live in exactly?
    So to you hate-filled atheists a/k/a future Muslim extremists (redundant)
    I'm not to sure about this, but when your an atheist you don't believe in God? In any God? Whatever the religion?
    Anyways, nice lesson of tolerance.
  • even flow?even flow? Posts: 8,066
    Are they jealous that people can love and respect each other without the guidance of religion. Seems to me that the religious people on this planet seem to think their shit dosen't stink and that their religion is better than the others. Plus if religion is so great. Why all the splinter groups out to make money and change the word of their gods ever so slightly to make their way, the way.

    Could you imagine having to marry your own race or religion because you are that worried about what your religious head, parents, family and friends would think. Shallow life indeed.
    You've changed your place in this world!
  • spiral outspiral out Posts: 1,052
    Wow this debbie schussel talks alot of sense, i can defintely see myself turning into a future Muslim extremist who will commit terrorist attacks in the name of allah even though i think all religion is a crock of s**t.

    She writes a very good propaganda piece and unfortunatly many thick americans are to dumb to think for themselves or question it's stupity and will believe it.
    Keep on rockin in the free world!!!!

    The economy has polarized to the point where the wealthiest 10% now own 85% of the nation’s wealth. Never before have the bottom 90% been so highly indebted, so dependent on the wealthy.
  • Those videos are ridiculous...

    The only person who makes any sense what soever is Steve Smith...

    "Freedom of Religion does not mean Freedom from Religion" wtf does that mean...

    The fact that religion is probably the highest debated topics in politics nowadays shows a true failure of the bill of rights.
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    sponger wrote:
    All people are atheists. Most haven't realized it yet, and probably never will, unfortunately.
    I'm not
  • See above for a cracking Life of Brian moment.
  • CollinCollin Posts: 4,931
    "debate" indeed. The only one that made any sense was the guy.

    I do however agree with the person that said he/she doesn't believe atheists are most discriminated against. You can't pick an atheist out of a crowd.
    THANK YOU, LOSTDAWG!


    naděje umírá poslední
  • Can you pick a gay person out of a crowd?? How about a Muslim? Or sceicentologist? At that nature anyone of any religion? Can you pick out a Nigerian in a crowd? How about someone of Irish decent? Just because it is not obvious that a person is an atheist, does not meant that they are not discriminated.
  • CollinCollin Posts: 4,931
    YourBuddy wrote:
    Can you pick a gay person out of a crowd?? How about a Muslim? Or sceicentologist? At that nature anyone of any religion? Can you pick out a Nigerian in a crowd? How about someone of Irish decent? Just because it is not obvious that a person is an atheist, does not meant that they are not discriminated.

    You can often tell if a guy is gay or not. You can tell if someone is a muslim if he is wearing a turban, or if she is wearing a head scarf, for example. You can pick brown and black people out of a crowd. You can pick people with another language than English out of a crowd (if they say something).

    I never said they aren't discriminated against. I just don't think they are most discriminated against. Unless they happen to be black, brown or hispanic, dress or look different.
    THANK YOU, LOSTDAWG!


    naděje umírá poslední
  • Collin wrote:
    You can often tell if a guy is gay or not. You can tell if someone is a muslim if he is wearing a turban, or if she is wearing a head scarf, for example. You can pick brown and black people out of a crowd. You can pick people with another language than English out of a crowd (if they say something).

    I never said they aren't discriminated against. I just don't think they are most discriminated against. Unless they happen to be black, brown or hispanic, dress or look different.

    Your logic is completely off...First off not all Muslims wear headdress, second not all Irish have an accent, people of african decent can be white as well as black, id like to see you pick a gay person out of a crowd...so like i said your logic is completely lacking of any genuine thought or consideration.

    Considering you dont have to see a person to discriminate also that statement is absolutly off base.
  • hippiemomhippiemom Posts: 3,326
    Collin wrote:
    You can often tell if a guy is gay or not. You can tell if someone is a muslim if he is wearing a turban, or if she is wearing a head scarf, for example. You can pick brown and black people out of a crowd. You can pick people with another language than English out of a crowd (if they say something).

    I never said they aren't discriminated against. I just don't think they are most discriminated against. Unless they happen to be black, brown or hispanic, dress or look different.
    They're in pretty much the same position that gays were in 50 years ago. You didn't see a lot of discrimination on a day-to-day basis, because so few were openly gay.

    It depends a lot on where you live, too. Being openly atheist, I'm certainly in a very small minority, but in an urban area in the north it's not really a big deal. In some parts of the country the discrimination is intense.
    "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,492
    Awesome, another special class that needs special protection.

    I never understood why someone would hate another person because of their religious beliefs, skin color, etc. It just so stupid. I wait until people's action make me hate them.
    hippiemom = goodness
  • miller8966miller8966 Posts: 1,450
    hippiemom wrote:
    They're in pretty much the same position that gays were in 50 years ago. You didn't see a lot of discrimination on a day-to-day basis, because so few were openly gay.

    It depends a lot on where you live, too. Being openly atheist, I'm certainly in a very small minority, but in an urban area in the north it's not really a big deal. In some parts of the country the discrimination is intense.

    But its vice versa. If your a die hard church go-er living in liberal massachusetts you will probaly receive some form of descrimination, compared to the south.
    America...the greatest Country in the world.
  • I think what Sponger mean (correct me if I'm mistaken, Sponger) is that everyone is an atheist regarding all of the other gods not of their religion. For example, the vast majority of god-believers don't believe in Thor or Zeus. As the saying goes, atheists just take their disbelief one god further.

    I am an atheist. That means I don't believe in Thor, Zeus, or your chosen god.

    As for the CNN clip, it was like they were trying to lower the collective IQ of the US. Hilarious that the one woman was so het up about the possibility of removing "in God we trust" from money. If I believed in God and wanted him respected, the last thing I'd want is his name on some grubby bill that's getting crammed down the g-string of an exotic dancer, rolled up to snort a line or offered to bribe someone.

    I don't care about "god" in the pledge. I always replace it with "dog." I do trust and believe in dog, after all.
    The kids of today should defend themselves against the Seventies Nineties.
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    MajorCrash wrote:
    Recently CNN ran a story about a family that was discriminated against because they were atheist. After that, they had a discussion about why atheists were so hated. Of the three people discussing it, 2 were Christian, and one was Jewish. Note the lack of an atheist in this discussion on atheism.

    Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPHnXrU5JzU

    I want to know what you people think about this.

    Edit: Here's the blond woman's response to the angry emails she got: http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2007/02/when_atheists_a.html

    My take on this?
    What a bunch of idiotic simpletons.
    There is no substance here whatsoever.

    The American media strikes again.

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    except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
  • I agree with what the black guy said

    My choice is what I choose to do
    If it's causing no harm it shouldn't bother you

    Your choice is who you choose to be
    If you're causin no harm you're alright with me

    My point as well...too many people and groups these days putting their nose in other people business even if the other people are not causing shit
    Master of Zen
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