IT'S BIGOTRY!!!!

Saw "free speech or bigotry?", in relation to the atheist bus campaign signs.

Hmm, would it be "bigotry", to say I don't exist?
No, that's just goofy.

So, if there were a God, why would he be troubled by that assertion?
Even more goofy.

And if it wouldn't trouble him, why do the religious get troubled on his behalf?

And for the religious folk it doesn't trouble, why do they get troubled on the behalf of the troubled?

And for the "I'm an Atheist but...", non-believers, why do they get troubled on behalf of the troubled?
Even more puzzling.

And why do they both get knee-jerk troubled on behalf of the troubled without even having any troubled folks around?

And all that's WITH a God, that he very likely doesn't exist, makes it even less troublesome a sentiment.

Except for the clergy, who rely on this fantasy for their job security.

But switch their trade for another obsolete trade.
Imagine "sorry, you're finished, buggy-whip salesmen", on the sides of the first cars.

The buggy-whip salesmen would whine, but it would be true.

And it sure as hell wouldn't be "bigotry".

The only leg this argument has left to stand on is this idea of "the sacred".
Notice how it takes one letter switch to make it into "scared"?
It's fear, folks.
That's all it is.

And that's all the argument comes from.

Talk to an old black man who lived through Jim Crow, he'll tell you about some fucking bigotry. Read More......

Where myth goes to die.

A friend of mine once said "all religion begins as faith. Once faith has died and been fossilized, then it becomes religion".

I don't agree.

I think it's when myth becomes fossilized, it becomes religion.

Myths are for people, not the the other way around.
Religion puts that cart before the horse.

Good myths show us who we are, and who we can be.
And that can be a good thing.
It can help point the way, and give us belief in ourselves, and what we're capable of.

Now, if one wants to call that belief "faith", then so be it.

And indeed, I think that belief in self dies when literally believed in imaginary celestial dictators, and their middle-men get in the way.

And among other things, as an artist, I'd like myth to be liberated from this sort of thing.
From the lawmakers, and power brokers.
(Something I railed about near the end of the superstition rant, in fact)

I think that's a component that believer and non-believer alike is getting sick of.

At least I hope so.

( click here for sequel) Read More......

Of course I could be wrong....

...about that last bit, and therefore the whole salami.

But then, you'd have to convince me of it, and that still means opening the debate.

And if I am, then we go right back to the horror list of unpleasant options. Read More......

Harry art from Aquilacane.

Heh, clearly this occurs in between episodes 8 and 8.5.

Thanks, man, excellent. :)

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Now, I could leave it all alone, if...

....there were no Taliban, no terrorists, no creationism, no Fred Phelps, no Glenn Beck and his divisive Orwellian crap, no UN resolutions to try to stifle free speech, no Nazi Popes condemning condoms in AIDS ravaged countries, no boy fucking Bishops, etc, etc.
Want me to stop?
Fix it.
Fix the little world you've all made.
Fix it now.
Avert doomsday.

Or assure me that that's already happening, that everything will be hunky dory.
Not just with assurances, but really walk me through it.
Walk me through how the status quo world doesn't blow itself up.

Then, I'd be glad to hang my head, zip my lip, and lead my dopey little life, and talk about mundane little things.

Or, show me a better plan for saving everything than what I've laid out...

And if you can't promise me religion won't destroy the world,...why do I have to bend over backwards on the whole "oh, but don't attack faith", deal?
Saying faith is bogus is peanuts compared to armageddon, I figure.

"Why does the world have to be better?!?!? We don't want your fucking utopiaaaa!!!!", well, then you don't want Western civilization.
Can't use it's goodies, and damn its foundations.

Civilization, or death-cultism.

Hope, or death wish.

Pick one.

As Bill Maher said at the end of "Religulous", "grow up or die".

Face the horror, folks, them's the choices.

Grow up, or die.


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So where do we go from here?

Or "what the fuck do you care?", part 3.

And/or, "why truth matters", part 2.


Now, given the forgoing, where do we go from here?

Well, takes me right back to the first rant.

Opening up the discourse on religion.

It's what the founders, at least Tom Paine wanted, that's why he wrote The Age Of Reason, that's why it exists, that's why I have his works linked on my sidebar.

Ah, but surely he lost the debate, right?
Nope.
Just bullied.
Reputation ruined with slander, and a campaign to try to erase him from the historical record.
Someone even stole his fucking bones.

But there you go, religion has always been virulently hostile to dissent.

It's why Jefferson kept his views in the closet, to be released only until after his death.

Rule by fear, not very democratic, or open minded.

Again, I point to the Taliban.

That how we wanna be, America?
Hmm?
Not me.
No more of this.

It's debate or war, and if the latter, that's the side you'd have to join.
I don't see anyone raising their hands for it (well, your John Walker Lindhs maybe) , so discourse it must be.

If religion wants to put its ideas up on the public table, for things like prop 8, abortion, evolution in schools, birth control, etc, etc, then guess what?
Those ideas are up for inspection, debate, dissection, and yes, if found lacking and fallacious, ridicule.

And given the logic problems I've laid out in this rant alone, it'll be an uphill slog for the believer.
But so be it.
"I just believe it", doesn't get a free pass anymore.
Especially when deciding on the liberties of other human beings.

And the free pass wasn't properly earned anyway, as with the example of Tom Paine, it was bullied, and weaseled, and why do the modern faithful want to be the inheritors of that legacy?

Laziness at best, wickedness at worst.
But, call me starry eyed, I think people are and can be better than that, so, if these propositions are truly worthy to take part in our system, let them earn their place with truly open debate.

But again, it would be an uphill slog for the faithful, but so be it.

Or, else they can frame their propositions with secular arguments.
That one would really be better for everyone.

But for some propositions, I'm not holding my breath.
But, prove me wrong.

Ah, but why ridicule?
As I pointed out previously, when it's political opinion, the fur flies.
Take the "vilest", thing you think you've heard about Christianity, and substitute "Liberalism", and it doesn't make you flinch.

So, either the non-believer has to hang his head and shut up,..which, is no longer acceptable for all the above reasons, OR, we can elevate the discourse across the board.
Hmm?
No?
Well...*shrug*.

Also, the discourse is already opened up for the other guy's religion/superstition.
Seems like Atheism is the last taboo.
And there's really no rational reason.
Just culture.

Oh, and as evidence that this entitled bullying attitude hasn't gone away, just look to Glenn Beck's little crocodile tear soaked "we surround them", movement.

Who's "them"?

And what is this little Mickey Mouse Club going to do with the surrounded?
Demand surrender?
Will there be terms?
Or will it be some sort of Waco situation?

Well, let's look at his 9 principles, and 12 values, shall we?
Oh, let's.
What fun.

1. America is good.

Not always. When it's not, it needs criticizing.
Sounds like "my country right or wrong".
Sounds like crushing dissent.
Sounds like more of the same tedious stuff I nailed in the original "meaningless slogans".

2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.

Ah, I knew it, Atheists aren't invited to the little Mickey Mouse Club.

I presume this is the dissent meant to be crushed. Same bullshit, different day.

3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.

Honest like trying to build your career off 9/11 after slamming 9/11 victim families, Glenn?

Yeah...

4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.

Okay...what does this mean?

The government is busting in to make your kids eat their vegetables?

Or, is it you want to beat your kids across the eyes with a belt, and you claim that as a holy right?

Or something in between?

Without specifics, this is meaningless dribble at best, ominous paranoid bile at worst.

5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.

Another weird one. The law of the land, or "God's law"? If the former, um, no shit. Who the hell is stumping for "crime is good!!"??

6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.

Well, that one's obvious to decipher, no commies.

7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.

"Mine!!! Mine!! Mine!!", ayep, no commies. Also, no welfare, or any other program randomly decided is evil.

Without specifics, this is mindless propaganda. But, so's the whole dopey list, that's why lists mostly suck for anything beyond harmless cutesie crap like a magazine's favorite movies.

8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.

Oh, I agree, Glenn, so why are Atheists excluded from your little love list?

Or hell, why are commies? Last I checked, they have a right to their opinions.

Hmm, and it seems to contradict rule 1.

Oh, right, only the government can be evil, not the plot of land, or douchebag cable news pundits, or Chuck Norris.

9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.

Oh, agreed, too bad we can't join hands in brotherhood like on 9/12, because you kicked me out of the club on rule 2, and anyone who just plain disagrees with Glenn Beck on rule 1.

Well, my gorge is bubbling, let's look at the 12 values now...

Honesty.

Uh huh, okay, with ya....

Reverence.

Ope, there we go, I'm kicked out of the club again. from either direction, dang.

Hope.

With ya.

Thrift.

Sure.

Humility.

Okey-dokey.

Charity.

When I got some extra to give,...well, I'll throw some at the RDF *mischievous wink*

Sincerity.

Are you kidding me? Look at these rants. I'm opening a vein here.

Moderation.

(Face full of pie) *burp* what?

Hard work.

All righty.

Courage.

Ditto the sincerity comment.

Personal responsibility.

Kay.

Gratitude.

Ayuh.

Well, again, Atheists aren't on the love list, so, either there's a forthcoming 8/11 club for us to be patriotic with Glenn, or we don't count as Americans.

I won't hold my breath on the former, and assume the latter.

So, there you go, we're "the surrounded", and there's nothing to that that isn't a threat, and points out the attitude I've been railing against.

This is what the operators of the bullshit machine do.

Well, sorry, it's debate and dissent that are American, and it's not just open to batshit blubberers that want the government to crumble, and for people on welfare to curl up and die.

This is the mess that's been made of our discourse, and politics, folks.

Time to take it back.

Not for one group, but everyone.

And fuck "surrounding", people, let's just chip at the bullshit.

Enough already. Enough of the tears, enough of the fear, enough of the assholes.

THAT'S why I fucking care.

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Another great video.

Should be shown in every school along with "here be dragons".

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