Jimmy Dore knocks one out of the fucking park

[Act_of_Reparation]

The Friendly Atheist posted a snippet from comedian and liberal radio jock Jimmy Dore's new book, Your Country Is Just Not That Into You:

In our society, there is the expectation that we should watch what we say around the overly religious. Some members of my family are waaaaaay too religious — like the “born again” kind of crazy. Last year, I was at a family reunion with my parents and a few of my brothers, sitting around a picnic table having some laughs and talking about the latest, craziest thing Pat Robertson had said when some “born agains” pulled up in their car.

“Hey, watch what you say about religion, here comes Angela and her family, and they are really sensitive about that stuff,” my father immediately warned us.

And we all quickly changed the subject as to not offend this overly religious family member. And it pissed me off, I mean, ’til this day it pisses me off that I let that happen and didn’t say something.

Why? Because I am sick of politely dancing around the people who claim to be saved and know they are going to heaven. If you are so sure and so filled with God’s love, then what in the world could anything I say ever mess you up?

Thinking you are going to heaven, forever, eternity, everlasting life with Jesus, in just a few short years…but you can’t stand being in the presence of a little public secular reasoning? Really? Then I guess you aren’t really all that sure of yourself. Sounds to me like you aren’t standing on too solid of ground if you can be thrown into a tizzy by anyone expressing their own disbelief.

I wanted to tell my dad, “Hey pop, you know how I’m an atheist? How about if you ask those religious crazies to swallow all their Jesus talk when they are around me, cuz you know how sensitive I am about it.”

See what I mean? Turning the tables, why aren’t knee-jerk reactions to atheists filled with the same kind of reverence for my ideas and the same kind of concern for my easily hurt feelings? Why are atheists not allowed to have sensitive feelings about our beliefs? Why is it that the woman who is super sure that she’s going to heaven and so sure that I’m going to hell gets to scream it at me? Why is it that she gets to play the victim instead of the bully that she is?

I think it’s because those people secretly don’t believe their own bullshit. Anything that undermines the fundamentalist fairly tale they are living in is “offensive and insulting.” Because they secretly doubt it, too, and when you give voice to those doubts, they have to shut that shit up, and quick.

[Cartoonist]

1. It's about power.

They think they have it. Their politicians win elections. Polls show most Americans believe in God.

The day will come when they are in the minority and have nowhere to run and no one to cover for them. I might even see that in my lifetime.

[SoapBox]

3. And I've always said it's about Fear.

Fear of being "smitten" (by what or who they aren't sure), fear of being "cast out" by those with some kind of Deeee-vine Power and fear of what happens after death.

My thinking...just live this life as best you can and with doing a minimum of harm...and you are golden for whatever happens.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

2. Some of those types are just a few steps from flipping out too....

You can just see them grabbing a knife from the kitchen and coming at you like Carrie's mom.

[SmittynMo]

4. There is a thin line

between being polite and exercising your rights to speak freely in a free country. I pick speaking my mind, and thus the reason why I am not on any social media(Facebook,Twitter), other than here. If I run across someone that is big into religion and wants to push it on me or anyone else, I have the right to walk away.

[kimbutgar]

5. I find that those overly religious born agains xtians

Are still the same assholes they were before they became " born again".

They use their religion to atone for being shitty people. Baptism doesn't change who you really are if you're really a jerk.

I worked itch a women who had drug and alcohol problems, she was an awful person even sober she became born again but was still a nasty person.

[Docross]

6. I know what you mean..

It was EASTER and my Father had this thing about what good Christians should LOOK like. So in comes younger brother with long hair and a beard. Dad started making comments..."It's EASTER, you should have at least cut your hair for this day". Younger brother (who's a comedian) abruptly jumped up and left the table..went into the bedroom. Everyone thought he was upset and looking at my Dad like..that was a little harsh. When back in comes my brother, a sheet wrapped completely around him and sat down. And yes.. he looked exactly like Jesus Christ at the last supper. Brother looked at Dad and said "And I suppose you'd give HIM a bad time, too!"

First time I'd ever seen my Dad look a little sheepish.

[GeorgeGist]

7. Insecurity ...

is one pillar of religious conviction.

[PeaceNikki]

8. Thanks, I just ordered the book!

[Gelliebeans]

9. K&R n/t

[AlbertCat]

10. I've been saying this for years!

When these holier-than-thou people are lying in bed, waiting to fall asleep, you know all those doubts creep in. All this hysteria is to keep their obvious knowledge that magic isn't real at bay. They get all upset because they spend huge amounts of their energy daily trying to keep their beliefs alive and relevant.