Religion

Act_of_Reparation

(9,116 posts)

92. And the same argument can be made about any special interest group

Fri Dec 13, 2013, 03:17 PM

Dec 2013

Last edited Fri Dec 13, 2013, 04:50 PM - Edit history (1)

Why isn't GLAAD doing more to end world hunger? What about Mothers Against Drunk Driving? The Audubon Society? The NRA? PETA? Greenpeace?

These are all special interest groups... they are not societies, they are not not churches, and that is the illogical fulcrum on which the article swings.

Why isn't American Atheists mobilizing to address third world poverty? Because American Atheists is not a charitable fund; it is an awareness group promoting the normalization of atheism in the United States. Why doesn't the FFRF get off its ass and get medical supplies to isolated African villages? Because the FFRF is a civil liberties group defending the legal status of nonbelievers and other religious minorities. It isn't that neither organization cares about poverty, but that their organizations are neither equipped nor designed to perform the task the article demands of them.

Besides, we already have the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Doctors Without Borders, Habitat For Humanity, The Peace Corps... there's no shortage of secular charities liberal atheists already happily support.

Every time an atheist levels criticism at other atheists he is torn to shreds in this group. This is unfortunate but understandable, as many atheists who participate here appear to feel very persecuted and some have huge chips on their shoulders.

Condescending and dismissive.

I think I've my objections to the piece rather clear.

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Why atheists should listen to Pope Francis [View all] el_bryanto Dec 2013 OP

Food for thought libodem Dec 2013 #1

This assumes that Atheists have to give as a group in order to be considered generous. searchingforlight Dec 2013 #2

It also assumes that atheists identify with a certain group. I'm sure that there are many, Arkansas Granny Dec 2013 #4

Yep. searchingforlight Dec 2013 #5

Apparently, the author (and others) think that atheists themselves are to blame for the bigotry. trotsky Dec 2013 #29

That's not what he says Fortinbras Armstrong Dec 2013 #143

Thank you for providing an example of hatred against atheists. trotsky Dec 2013 #155

In what way whatsoever is my statement showing hatred for atheists. Fortinbras Armstrong Dec 2013 #160

Take a look Lordquinton Dec 2013 #166

Taffy can't even stretch that much. rug Dec 2013 #170

Trotsky accused ME of "providing an example of hatred against atheists", and said he expected it. Fortinbras Armstrong Dec 2013 #183

Stop personally attacking people. trotsky Dec 2013 #186

To the extent there is a movement, there is, imo, a failure of leadership within it. cbayer Dec 2013 #3

What drivel edhopper Dec 2013 #6

Did you mean drivel? rug Dec 2013 #7

Yes edhopper Dec 2013 #8

NP rug Dec 2013 #9

What browser are you using? pokerfan Dec 2013 #19

Thanks edhopper Dec 2013 #27

Well they do serve as the public face of Atheism el_bryanto Dec 2013 #10

Many religious individuals simply cannot see atheism as anything else but another religion. trotsky Dec 2013 #11

It's easy to believe a statement Lordquinton Dec 2013 #167

Great post. trotsky Dec 2013 #169

Demographically american atheists tend to be liberal/progressive, educated, cbayer Dec 2013 #20

Opportunities are then being squandered by the other groups mentioned as well, cbayer. trotsky Dec 2013 #30

"The Pope has changed the perception of the Church in the minds of millions" trotsky Dec 2013 #12

No I think atheists should constantly remind us that Christmas is bullshit el_bryanto Dec 2013 #13

Got a cite for that? trotsky Dec 2013 #15

Did you read the article? el_bryanto Dec 2013 #16

Does the billboard say "Christmas is bullshit"? trotsky Dec 2013 #17

I apologize for my lack of clarity el_bryanto Dec 2013 #18

Do you think it is a requirement to believe in Jesus... trotsky Dec 2013 #22

OK el_bryanto Dec 2013 #23

I think it can be argued, too, trotsky Dec 2013 #25

Stunning. Many of us grew up with a secular christmas that you have just proclaimed null and void. Warren Stupidity Dec 2013 #97

Grew up celebrating a very american secular form of christmas without 'jesus' AtheistCrusader Dec 2013 #109

The billboard says "Christmas is bullshit" Fortinbras Armstrong Dec 2013 #144

Lots of cultural events are strictly bullshit. Who cares. AtheistCrusader Dec 2013 #157

So in other words skepticscott Dec 2013 #159

OK, let me SLIGHTLY restate this Fortinbras Armstrong Dec 2013 #162

The billboard does not say that skepticscott Dec 2013 #163

IN OTHER WORDS, "Christ in Christmas is bullshit". Fortinbras Armstrong Dec 2013 #165

Wrong. trotsky Dec 2013 #168

You are reduced to arguing over quotation marks. rug Dec 2013 #171

Dude, do you even understand what a quote is? skepticscott Dec 2013 #172

Post removed Post removed Dec 2013 #182

Will this do? rug Dec 2013 #24

Truth bothers you, eh? AtheistCrusader Dec 2013 #100

Another uninformed Salon hitpiece Act_of_Reparation Dec 2013 #14

The author is a pretty well recognized atheist writer. cbayer Dec 2013 #21

I don't really care who he is Act_of_Reparation Dec 2013 #26

You may disagree with him, but that doesn't make him wrong. cbayer Dec 2013 #57

Opinions that are contrary to all observed evidence are wrong Act_of_Reparation Dec 2013 #62

Except he doesn't really say what you says he does. cbayer Dec 2013 #71

There is a huge, giant, gaping hole in the logic you're trying to use to bash atheists, cbayer. trotsky Dec 2013 #75

Sounds like she's accurate at least as far as one member goes. rug Dec 2013 #80

A "hole" that, alas, trotsy does not mention Fortinbras Armstrong Dec 2013 #145

Naw, you're just special. trotsky Dec 2013 #147

I have NEVER "made up a quote" Not once. Fortinbras Armstrong Dec 2013 #151

Denial ain't just a river in Egypt. trotsky Dec 2013 #153

Yes, you have made up quotes skepticscott Dec 2013 #158

In both cases I stated the complete and absolute facts Fortinbras Armstrong Dec 2013 #164

Too funny. As any honest person reading the article could see skepticscott Dec 2013 #173

Translation of skepticscott's last: "Don't confuse me with facts, my mind is made up" Fortinbras Armstrong Dec 2013 #180

And the same argument can be made about any special interest group Act_of_Reparation Dec 2013 #92

Best post of the thread. well said. nt eqfan592 Dec 2013 #95

The same argument could be made in some cases and should be made in some. cbayer Dec 2013 #98

Could you be more specific? eqfan592 Dec 2013 #135

You didn't address a single thing A_o_R said, cbayer. trotsky Dec 2013 #149

You say that cbayer's statement Fortinbras Armstrong Dec 2013 #146

Uh, no... skepticscott Dec 2013 #161

Formula for success: trotsky Dec 2013 #28

5. If rejected by Salon (as if) skepticscott Dec 2013 #61

True--it's working for self-aggrandizing accommodationist nitwit Alain de Botton Rob H. Dec 2013 #89

Why should I listen to that homophobic bigot? Humanist_Activist Dec 2013 #31

Yes, apparently by not emulating a homophobic, misogynistic bigot... trotsky Dec 2013 #32

We have people, here on this board, that don't even recognize him as a bigot... Humanist_Activist Dec 2013 #33

We should just start banning all of those people (like myself) who think there might be el_bryanto Dec 2013 #34

I have a question, did you have the same adulation of Pope Benedict? He and Pope Francis... Humanist_Activist Dec 2013 #35

Adulation - that's a big word - i think that means I worship Pope Francis el_bryanto Dec 2013 #36

Actually, I think its ignorance, they are treating him like he burst from Zeus's head... Humanist_Activist Dec 2013 #37

So basically people either agree with your opinion of Pope Francis el_bryanto Dec 2013 #38

Catholicism yes, Catholics no... Humanist_Activist Dec 2013 #40

If Catholicism is so evil and Catholics support Catholicism . . . el_bryanto Dec 2013 #41

Catholicism is a mixture of superstition, bad ideas(mostly Natural Law) and some halfway decent... Humanist_Activist Dec 2013 #42

Your description is a mixture of ignorance, bias and personal anecdote. rug Dec 2013 #44

So the Church doesn't lie about the effectiveness of condoms? Humanist_Activist Dec 2013 #46

A mixture of superstion, bad ideas and Distributionism tells more about the describer than what rug Dec 2013 #49

"...is a matter of pharmacy not theology." Ok, so we agree this far.... Humanist_Activist Dec 2013 #51

I will link you to what Catholics have said. rug Dec 2013 #52

The issue is that those uninformed Bishops and other anti-choice advocates... Humanist_Activist Dec 2013 #55

No, that's simple politics, not theology. rug Dec 2013 #58

The concept of sin ? that's interesting el_bryanto Dec 2013 #45

Yes they would, next question? n/t Humanist_Activist Dec 2013 #47

How is that different from a Christian saying "If only all of those Jews could accept Christ el_bryanto Dec 2013 #48

Because I'm not talking about the supernatural beliefs in a general sense... Humanist_Activist Dec 2013 #50

You left out women being second-class citizens. PassingFair Dec 2013 #53

I thought I covered that with my slamming of the Church's anti-choice and... Humanist_Activist Dec 2013 #56

Also, just a note on my mother... Humanist_Activist Dec 2013 #43

You are, without a doubt, being an apologist for a bigot. AtheistCrusader Dec 2013 #102

Can you explain, why, precisely, you defend a bigot? AtheistCrusader Dec 2013 #101

By calling Pope Francis "a homophobic, misogynistic bigot" Fortinbras Armstrong Dec 2013 #148

By stating the truth? trotsky Dec 2013 #150

I might well call you a bigot for that statement Fortinbras Armstrong Dec 2013 #152

Your pope is a homophobic, misogynistic bigot and that is a fact. trotsky Dec 2013 #154

If a DU user came on and posted as their own what the pope has said Goblinmonger Dec 2013 #174

Just because you don't like religion and you claim that the Pope is "not a progressive" Fortinbras Armstrong Dec 2013 #175

How do you describe the words Tien1985 Dec 2013 #181

Why don't you start posting the Pope's words as your own. Goblinmonger Dec 2013 #184

Well, our friend has already shown skepticscott Dec 2013 #177

And you've called people "arseholes" and "bigots" regularly skepticscott Dec 2013 #178

Yup Goblinmonger Dec 2013 #39

Somebody needs to check a few things Warpy Dec 2013 #54

I love Kiva myself - don't have a lot to donate but it's one of my preferred donations when i do.nt el_bryanto Dec 2013 #59

Also think of the unsung, unorganized giving to secular charities... Humanist_Activist Dec 2013 #60

Habitat for Humanity is a christian org. AtheistCrusader Dec 2013 #105

That's hardly the worst of it Act_of_Reparation Dec 2013 #63

Condoms and spread of STDs. Your bigoted homophobic forced-birther and protector of pedophilia idwiyo Dec 2013 #64

He's not my anything, incidentally. nt el_bryanto Dec 2013 #65

You are spending a lot of time defending and promoting a bigot. Why? idwiyo Dec 2013 #66

I think the easiest answer is that I'm a homophobic bigot too. el_bryanto Dec 2013 #67

Well, you could have tried to promote José Nicolás Alessio. An ex-Catholic priest now, idwiyo Dec 2013 #69

Yes - but that's something I would do if I weren't a homophobic bigot, right? el_bryanto Dec 2013 #70

Well, YOU called me an anti-catholic bigot, yet it's me who asks YOU idwiyo Dec 2013 #76

Yep - you are an anti-catholic bigot and I'm a homophobic bigot. el_bryanto Dec 2013 #77

You attached that label to youself. Not sure what you complain about. idwiyo Dec 2013 #78

Why do you keep asking the question when I've answered it? I and (I assume) everybody else el_bryanto Dec 2013 #93

If you insist. AtheistCrusader Dec 2013 #106

Do you see any evidence that he might represent a change in the RCC? cbayer Dec 2013 #68

No, I don't. This pope is not ignorant. He KNOWS condoms are effective against STDs. idwiyo Dec 2013 #72

I haven't seen him support that and a google search doesn't turn cbayer Dec 2013 #73

Not correcting his predesessor's outright lies is the same as supporting it. idwiyo Dec 2013 #74

I respectfully disagree. cbayer Dec 2013 #79

He is The Pope. There is no one in RCC in a position to contradict him. idwiyo Dec 2013 #81

That's not true. rug Dec 2013 #82

Please, do not change the topic. We were talking about STD prevention. idwiyo Dec 2013 #84

Then stick to it without gratuitous inaccurate references. rug Dec 2013 #87

Pope is a homophobic forced-birther, that's a fact. Unless of cource in the last couple of hours idwiyo Dec 2013 #94

That is the opinion of a one issue, intolerant, biased, antagonistic poster. That's the fact. rug Dec 2013 #96

Thankfully pope and those who adore him do not represent entire RCC. idwiyo Dec 2013 #132

Thankfully you do not represent anyone at all, especially anyone who cares about human rights. rug Dec 2013 #137

Post removed Post removed Dec 2013 #138

When you tell somebody to stuff it up the hole where it come from, you are making personal attacks. rug Dec 2013 #139

Are you defending this pope despite the fact that he is a bigoted homophobic forced-birther idwiyo Dec 2013 #140

Come on, idwiyo, you can do it. You're twisting and squirming. Let's have an answer. rug Dec 2013 #141

Ah yes, calling out bigotry is in itself bigotry. Thanks for that incredible piece of intellectual AtheistCrusader Dec 2013 #108

Calling out bigotry by using bigotry still is bigotry. rug Dec 2013 #115

Because it's bullshit. AtheistCrusader Dec 2013 #116

Lol, no, of course not. rug Dec 2013 #117

You're free to cite anything contrary that I have said. AtheistCrusader Dec 2013 #119

I haven't the slightest inclination to sift through your posts. rug Dec 2013 #121

That poster did not engage in catholic bashing. AtheistCrusader Dec 2013 #123

Bullshit. rug Dec 2013 #125

He attacked the pope and catholic dogma. Not all catholics. AtheistCrusader Dec 2013 #126

I'm sure that poster would not be one who says Catholics who do not leave the Church are enabling rug Dec 2013 #127

Thank you and you are correct. There are enough Catholics who stand against idwiyo Dec 2013 #133

Sorry sorry! AtheistCrusader Dec 2013 #142

Would it not require a change in doctrine? cbayer Dec 2013 #83

The Pope does not need approval. Goblinmonger Dec 2013 #88

(aside) Hi idwiyo, I've never heard anyone at-risk cite Church doctrine in re: condoms. pinto Dec 2013 #85

I have spoken to enough people from various countries in Africa to know idwiyo Dec 2013 #86

I've read about missionary (from a number of faiths) impact on health care in Africa, pro and con pinto Dec 2013 #90

I don't doubt that this is a factor, but it is far from the only thing cbayer Dec 2013 #91

No, it's not the only factor, but one that is easy to eliminate, and it's up to the pope to do so. idwiyo Dec 2013 #131

You're as bad a cbayer in that respect skepticscott Dec 2013 #179

Find another target, skepticscott. I'm not taking the bait. pinto Dec 2013 #185

He could wake up, scratch his ass, walk to the balcony and YELL something about condoms working AtheistCrusader Dec 2013 #107

Considering how the rw is apopleptic about his suggestion that poverty is bad, I'd say you're wrong. rug Dec 2013 #110

And you'd be completely, 100%, spectacularly wrong. AtheistCrusader Dec 2013 #111

58% versus 55%? rug Dec 2013 #112

I know math is hard, but that's a majority within the church itself. AtheistCrusader Dec 2013 #113

I know words are hard but spectacular means of the nature of a spectacle; impressive or sensational rug Dec 2013 #114

I'm not talking about non-catholics. AtheistCrusader Dec 2013 #118

Which means that Catholics are not as you describe. rug Dec 2013 #120

Hardly. AtheistCrusader Dec 2013 #122

I didn't say "NONE". rug Dec 2013 #124

You made a positive claim. AtheistCrusader Dec 2013 #128

You said "spectacular". rug Dec 2013 #129

And you said AtheistCrusader Dec 2013 #130

You hit the exact reason why so many supporters of this bigot tie themselves into knots idwiyo Dec 2013 #134

Yeah, let me pull up a chair and listen to this scumbag tell me I am doing the devil's work AtheistCrusader Dec 2013 #99

i'm not an atheist. i don't believe in god, but DesertFlower Dec 2013 #103

Sorry you are an Athiest. Alittleliberal Dec 2013 #188

well at least i know what to call myself. DesertFlower Dec 2013 #189

Well phil89 Dec 2013 #104

Oh, listen to the Pope I do... uriel1972 Dec 2013 #136

Trying to pick a fight? snot Dec 2013 #156

Inane and irrational. CJ is an idiot. ChairmanAgnostic Dec 2013 #176

Atheists lack a unifiying belief Bradical79 Dec 2013 #187