Caution Church Ahead- On being one of "those" Atheists

[chemp]

I linked a story to FaceBook on September 16 about Rose Marie Belforti, a Ledyard, NY town clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples (despite a recent New York law that allows such marriages) and made the comment that “Religion is little more than a shield to hide your bigotry behind.”

Having thought about it for a while, I stand by the remark, perhaps with the caveat that religion isn’t always used to justify bigotry, but too often it is, and I maintain that religion is the greatest source of bigotry in the world. Now people of good conscience can take issue with this statement, and I’m prepared to defend and debate my point of view, and even be persuaded to the contrary in the face of facts and reasonable argument.

But instead of any arguments, I was hit with this comment, from a good friend,
Steve, you’re in danger of becoming one of “those” Atheists - equally bigoted **against** religion

More at link:

http://www.cautionchurchahead.com/2011/09/on-being-one-of-those-atheists.html

[FiveGoodMen]

1. "equally bigoted **against** religion"

It ain't bigotry if it's true.

-- FiveGoodMen, one of *those* atheists

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. fairy tales are so much more appealing.

Not.

[customerserviceguy]

3. If someone wants to call me a bigot against religion

I'll wear it like a badge of honor.

[DonCoquixote]

4. Let me put it to you this way

The golden rule is used by religion, but Confucius, who never intended to start a religion, had it five centuries before that Carpenter from Nazareth ever did. If you do not try to make someone else into a lower class of person because they disagree with you, great. If you do, then you are not treating others as you would treat yourself.

Just like anyone else, there are Atheists that are people you would trust with your life, and those you would not trust with a nickel.

[tgearfanatic234]

14. Excellent post. Couldn't agree more.

[darkstar3]

5. Vehement rejection of bigotry is not bigotry.

Intolerance of intolerance is not intolerance. Do you see?

[laconicsax]

6. Oh, but it is when it challenges the privileged class.

See: "Reverse racism," "Feminazi," etc.

[humblebum]

7. Good. I am so glad to hear you say that. nt

[darkstar3]

8. Oh please,

you twist logic, history, and practically time itself in order to try and paint today's atheists as exact clones of Stalin, and then you try to cloak that bullshit in the idea that it's simple "intolerance of intolerance"? There are simply no words in any language, past or present, to express the sheer vacuousness of that tactic.

People like you are the reason that vocal atheists are so important.

[Name removed]

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[laconicsax]

10. True or false: Today's atheists are the same as Stalin, Mao, Hoxha, etc.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

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[laconicsax]

12. Interesting. You finally admit that the threat of atheism is nonexistent.

Name a modern atheist you've labeled as militant who has even the most remote chance of becoming a totalitarian dictator like Stalin et al.

Totalitarian dictators tend to act the same regardless of whether they believe in your god. Your real beef is with totalitarianism (which is being promoted by right wing Christians), not atheism.

[Name removed]

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[dmallind]

15. Easy answer to tthat. If you had the job would you marry Christians?

Assuming yes then no you're in no danger of becoming just the same.