CNN's Atheism "debate"

MajorCrash

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

Ahnimus

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!

Ahnimus

Holy shit!

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

"What happened to Love thy Neighbor"?

Those fuckers!

Ahnimus

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.

sponger

All people are atheists. Most haven't realized it yet, and probably never will, unfortunately.

Matt8townsend

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.

Scubascott

Matt8townsend wrote:

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.

Matt8townsend

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.

Scubascott

Matt8townsend wrote:

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.

catefrances

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.

Scubascott

catefrances wrote:

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?

catefrances

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.

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.

Scubascott

catefrances wrote:

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.

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. .

keeponrockin

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

catefrances

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.

Kann

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?

Debbie Schlussel wrote:

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?

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.

spiral out

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.

YourBuddy

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.

jlew24asu

sponger wrote:

All people are atheists. Most haven't realized it yet, and probably never will, unfortunately.

I'm not

Matt8townsend

See above for a cracking Life of Brian moment.