I am gay and an atheist.

[MNBrewer]

In this country we have freedom of religion. Some people think that means you're free to believe whatever you want, as long as you believe in something. Untrue! That freedom includes the freedom to NOT believe in anything. It also doesn't shield your beliefs from scrutiny, or even ridicule.

I view belief in deities the same way I view belief the Loch Ness Monster, faeries, or Santa Claus.

One big difference in the way that I react toward people who hold belief in those 3 imaginary creatures listed above and those who hold belief in some type of deity is that people who believe in the Loch Ness Monster don't want to deny me civil rights (either because I'm gay, or because I don't believe in the LNM). I imagine that for a LNM believer, the fact that a candidate for political office DIDN'T believe would not be a cause for "concern".

On the other hand, in general, people who believe in deities DO want to deny gay people and non-believers civil rights and equality. They DO have "concerns" about voting for non-believing candidates in elections. On the whole, religious belief is a negative influence on humanity. Belief in the Loch Ness Monster is harmless. Belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior can be downright murderous.

[RKP5637]

1. K&R !!! n/t

[Leftist Agitator]

2. So...

Does that make you a gaytheist?

:)

[dmallind]

3. Look on the bright side though

You'll have a president who shares your sexuality long before you'll have one who shares, at least openly, your atheism. One for two ain't bad. Ok yes it is, but hey.

[marginlized]

4. I thought it was "freedom FROM religion". n/t

[qb]

5. K&R I appreciate a voice of reason.

The greatest danger is literal adherence to commandments written by ancient, fearful, superstitious people. Far too many people fit that definition today.

[defendandprotect]

6. Right to free thought, personal conscience and free will is our highest privilege ....

and it's mainly protected by Separation of Church & State --


-- and why the RW has long been active in trying to erode that separation and to

preserve patriarchy by preserving organized patriarchal religion.

That requires getting government to enforce their religion's beliefs on all of society --

i.e., re bith control and abortion.

And, most of all, gaining access to taxpayer dollars to subsidize their religions!


Just in the sense that these organized patriarchal religions are all based on male-supremacy

it's shocking to see that so many women/mothers/families support them financially and feed

their children into its system.

It's also shocking that we haven't had lawsuits by the public to stop subsidies for faith

based religious groups!

[demigoddess]

7. Dear God, protect me from your followers

enough said?