LTTE: Why do atheists face bias in office holding?

[Synnical]

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/jan/08/010910letters/


* Posted January 8, 2010 at 3:19 p.m.

Why do atheists face bias in office holding?

Community columnist Al Westerfield picked some good examples of discrimination against the religiously impaired in his Dec. 6 column, "No more discrimination?

In a 1987 interview, George H.W. Bush revealed his true wish to see atheists denied all of their constitutional rights. Like many of strict religious faith, he assumes that without religion, these people lack a moral compass.

Apparently Bush sees no duplicity in his post-presidential work for the Carlyle Group. This private equity firm got its start exploiting inside information about America's war planning to invest in the defense industry.

Carlyle and other private equity firms have contributed to the destruction of American businesses to generate huge profits for a few individuals while causing tens of thousands of Americans to lose their jobs.

They owe much of their very existence to the exploitation of a major tax loophole that has cost the U.S. government tens of billions of dollars in lost corporate tax revenues.

When running for governor of Texas in 1994, George W. Bush revealed to reporters that he thought non-Christians would be going to hell. It would be naive to assume that his attitude as a religious fundamentalist did not contribute to gross ignorance of the Islamic culture and later impact his decision to invade Iraq.

On the eve of the Iraq war, senior U.S. Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., the only avowed atheist in Congress, stood on the floor of that body and argued passionately against the invasion.

There are now as many self-identified atheists in the U.S. as Episcopalians. As a group, they have higher levels of education, are more gainfully employed and accordingly pay more taxes than other Americans.

They also have lower rates of crime, especially violent crime. How is it that they face such discrimination to hold public office based on moral issues?

William H. Culbert Jr.

Oak Ridge

[Orrex]

1. Because they're a bunch of amoral brutes

At least, that's what we call ourselves at the monthly meetings.

[Synnical]

2. It's always the belief thing isn't it?

Forget the facts!

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale

[Orrex]

3. Over the years, one reaction has always surprised and annoyed me.

I make no secret of my lack of belief, but I don't proselytize it, either.

When approached by a friend about a matter of faith, I mention politely that I'm atheist, and invariably they say "Oh, I'm sorry."


Not in way that says "Oh, I'm sorry to have troubled you," but rather "Oh, I'm sorry that you suffer from this shortcoming."


I definitely have to bring this up at next month's meeting.

[defendandprotect]

29. No -- the "belief thing" is about keeping patriarchy in power . . .

See my message below --

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=7426423&mesg_id=7447220

[iris27]

4. This atheist is breaking out the popcorn.

Remember, Star Jones just thinks she can sleep better at night knowing that the person whose finger's on the button is someone who believes that if he ends the world, he'll still get to live forever.

:popcorn:

[Mendocino]

5. I remember James Watt,

Reagan's Secretary of the Interior saying that we needn't worry about saving the Earth for future generations because the rapture was near.

[Orrex]

11. That bastard and his steam engine got us into this whole damn mess in the first place.

[mrcheerful]

6. Because the right wing nuts had Reagan to make speeches about the godless commies

who were atheists. Everyone who follows a religious belief claim atheists have no morals, why look at how all these moral religious people who do immoral acts, so no belief in religion must be worse because only religion teaches morals, so no religion means no morals. It's the circular thinking at it's best, more of the ignore facts and go by preconceived beliefs to get the answer you want with no worry about the answer that leads one to question beliefs.

[Skelly]

7. Because people like

people like themselves (should use the disclaimer of "most"). The majority of Americans believe in God (in some form). Hence, they tend to vote for others who are like them.
Not saying it is right or the best way to be, just what is reality.

[daleo]

8. Atheism frightens a lot of chuch goers

I think they are afraid that they will catch some crisis of faith just from being around a non-believer.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

9. Bingo! You hit the nail on the head.

My question is: if their faith is so weak that simply being around a nonbeliever shakes it, do they really believe all that crap?

[defendandprotect]

23. That's what they've been told, however, what we're seeing is a crisis in religion . . .

here in America, Western Europe and Canada --

Vatican has taken them off the list -- though I'm of the opinion they've turned

to a new militancy. George W's wars where a million Muslims and more have been

killed hasn't hurt them!

That's why the surge for money from the American taxpayer to subsidize their

"faith based" organizations --- and where George W accommodated them, again.

In fact, there's an investigation into whether the Vatican used taxpayer money to

pay off their pedophile priest-sexual abuse of children lawsuits . . . !!

[lapislzi]

27. Like being around gay people makes you gay.

:eyes:

[Warpy]

10. I strongly suspect it's because atheists are generally more moral

Atheists face their judge daily in the mirror, while believers get to defer judgment until they are dead. Some believers, the Dispensationalists, honestly think they'll be judged on their lip service, not their actions.

People are terrified of atheists because they know we've generally thought a lot of things through and won't cheat, cut corners, or otherwise play ball with the PTB.

And that, Virginia, is why nobody likes an atheist in office.

[Skelly]

12. I don't think so

You are looking at it from the perspective of an atheist. From "the other side", I would say their (many Christians) fear is more of "they (meaning atheists) do NOT have someone (God) to hold them accountable so there is no reason for them to "do the right thing".

[MattBaggins]

16. Which is why religious based morality is juvenile

Very young children view right and wrong based on reward/punishment. As people mature they start to understand the golden rule and reach a point of reasoned morality.

What kind of morally bankrupt person can only do the right thing out of a fear of being punished by some mythical creature?

[Skelly]

18. I don't think it is only 'mythical creatures'

that keep some in line. Morally bankrupt knows no religious/non religious boundaries. For some, it is only the fear of punishment by the government (or even mommy)that keeps them doing 'the right thing'. Reasoned morality is a highly personal perspective.

[Fumesucker]

17. What very few theists seem to realize is that, at least here in the USA,..

Most of us atheists were once theists.

We understand you far better than you understand us because we were once you.

[Skelly]

19. Well

Aren't you special.

[defendandprotect]

24. How does their "god" hold them accountable? This is meaningless ....

until they are dead and discover the lie of it --

"Pie in the sky when you die" --

It's simply a living myth!

Leaving things "in god's hands" also precludes many from doing all necessary to

prevent negative things from happening.

Further, let's simply look at the pedophile-priest scandal and the coverup for decades

and more -- and, in fact, this very Pope's efforts to put CHURCH before accountability/law.

Where is there any morality in that?

What further explosive look is it into the Vatican's constdant obsession with trying to

control human sexuality?

Where is CHURCH accountability? There is none, only the hope to escape it and to preserve

an immoral church and its immoral leadership!

[skepticscott]

13. Not only that

but believers are convinced they get a "Get out of Hell Free" card every week, just by going into church and confessing their sins and their belief. Why should they worry about how their actions affect others on Earth, when a higher judge is giving them a free pass, and telling them everything is OK?

[defendandprotect]

25. Also seems to escape their notice that they are financing a male-supremacist god who

gives license for attacking his creation -- i.e., all of nature and humanity!

Certainly makes a great deal of sense . . . . NOT!

[cayanne]

14. Because we are the following

Critical and forward thinkers, analytical, and do not accept blind faith.

[defendandprotect]

20. That, too . . .

[defendandprotect]

21. dupe --

Organized patriarchal religion is the underpinning for patriarchy --

it's a primary tool of conquest from this continent and the Native American

to today's fake GOP/Fundamentalist movement which opposes human rights for women,

homosexuals and others they identify as "inferior" -- i.e., people of other races

and competing creeds.

Keep in mind US also created the VIOLENT Islamic movement and spread it into the

Middle East!

Without organized patriarchal religion's "Manifest Destiny" and "Man's Dominion Over

Nature" which are the licenses for the elite to exploit nature, animal-life, natural

resources -- and even other human beings according to various myths of "inferiority"

-- where would patriarchy be?

Obviously, what those elite males who wanted a male-supremacist society where they could

exploit others needed was aunquestionable "one male god" who would vouch for their superiority!!

And here we are tens of thousands of years after male violence turned the world upside down

and settled into "Introducing the Sword With The Cross" . . .


The answer is that it's a threat to patriarchy . . . .

[immoderate]

15. Many believers are subject to intellectual guilt.

They know, at some level, they are professing belief in the unbelievable. The honesty of atheists is threatening.

--imm

[defendandprotect]

22. The answer is that it's a threat to patriarchy . . . .

Organized patriarchal religion is the underpinning for patriarchy --

it's a primary tool of conquest from this continent and the Native American

to today's fake GOP/Fundamentalist movement which opposes human rights for women,

homosexuals and others they identify as "inferior" -- i.e., people of other races

and competing creeds.

Keep in mind US also created the VIOLENT Islamic movement and spread it into the

Middle East!

Without organized patriarchal religion's "Manifest Destiny" and "Man's Dominion Over

Nature" which are the licenses for the elite to exploit nature, animal-life, natural

resources -- and even other human beings according to various myths of "inferiority"

-- where would patriarchy be?

Obviously, what those elite males who wanted a male-supremacist society where they could

exploit others needed was an unquestionable/omnipotent "one male god" who would proclaim

their superiority!!

And here we are tens of thousands of years after male violence turned the world upside down

and settled into "Introducing the Sword With The Cross" . . .

[fascisthunter]

26. too many religious nutcases in this country

as opposed to moderate religious types.

[defendandprotect]

28. The "religious nutcases" are created by the GOP ... just as whole rw movement is

created with $$$$$$$$$$$ ...

[fascisthunter]

30. yeee-up... a god for the charlatans to follow

a god that claims greed is good, and any one poor deserves to be poor... after all, god says so!

[defendandprotect]

31. What other kind of "god" would the GOP have . . . ???

[fascisthunter]

32. lol... so true

[krabigirl]

34. Yep...and I am surrounded by them. And they are bigots, all of them.

Can't wait to move!

[winyanstaz]

33. For someone like Bush to talk about other peoples...

"moral compuss" is just ludicris.
The reason people have trouble in running for office is that the Christians control the government to a very large extent and are now taking over the military as well.

[krabigirl]

35. because people are stupid.

[Synnical]

36. Atheist Takes Office - Religionists Threaten Lawsuit

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=263&topic_id=39254&mesg_id=39254