Freedom of Religion or Freedom From Religion

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Once again, I'm not talking about some random guy who doesn't go to church or believe in a higher power. I'm talking about organized atheism here, and they LOVE to talk about and share their beliefs with others. http://atheists.org/about



"American Atheists" do have a belief.

Well, If you truly wanted to, I don't see why you couldn't make your ritual your religion. As for the bolded, you must not be familiar with the writing of Dawkins or other revered atheists who have written on the topic.... their "belief system" is perfectly spelled out.

You have a very constrictive definition of religion, not surprising since you've said that you don't consider Buddhism a religion.

So I fixed this for you. As I previously stated, a particular group of atheists MAY have a belief system, but saying ALL atheisism is a religion is stupid.

I also did state that I have read Dawkins and Hitchens. Last time I checked, most people have a belief system. It's their belief system, but that doesn't make it universal.

I don't think you have to dump all belief systems under the term religion. Buddhism doesn't necessarily fit the bill, and the Buddhists I know don't consider it a religion. It's not the end of the world what I think, and I don't throw it in their face that they are or are not a REAL religion.

All of this stems back from your original sweeping statement. Now that you have tried to amend it to just the American Atheists...rant all you want.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by AnotherKD

I can't quote cause my phone won't let me...

But when you say "they" all the time, it's lumping every atheist into your same category, which isn't fair.

No, by "they" I'm speaking of organized, cultish, in your face atheists together. I think I've clarified that enough in this thread.

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

So I fixed this for you. As I previously stated, a particular group of atheists MAY have a belief system, but saying ALL atheisism is a religion is stupid.

I never said ALL atheism is a religion, but many rabble rousing, christmas tree suing atheists do treat it as such.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

No, by "they" I'm speaking of organized, cultish, in your face atheists together. I think I've clarified that enough in this thread.



I never said ALL atheism is a religion, but many rabble rousing, christmas tree suing atheists do treat it as such.

Atheism is such a waste of time anyway. Hey guys, lets create a religion (Dogma included) where we don't believe in religion!

Yes you did. You clarified yourself AFTER the argument started.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Yes you did. You clarified yourself AFTER the argument started.

Is that a bad thing? Lol

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Is that a bad thing? Lol

No, and I acknowledged that in one of my posts. He does keep falling into lumping, though. I object when he tries to backtrack.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Also, can you point to some examples of how the government regularly supports Christianity?

Prayer in schools, town christmas displays or events (although really it's mostly a secular celebration of christmas) and so on. Mostly though it's distinctive in its lack of inclusivity. Prayer in schools is always Christian prayer, it is always a town Christmas celebration, not Eid, and so on. That's just the briefest bit on a local level. I really don't see why public funds should go to any of it.

Not necessarily lawsuit worthy UNLESS other groups have tried to gain equal time/space and been rejected, IMO. But either way I think it's inappropriate. Oh and we could discuss the conservative christian culture in the military, particularly in the academies, or the discrimination against gay people based on things written in a religious text, or laws against selling alcohol on Sundays.

Two words for you- conscientious objector.

How is that relevant to what I posted? I think you misread me. Unless military chaplains now exist to encourage service members to be conscientious objectors, you're making up your own topic here.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Is that a bad thing? Lol

You should know better, look who the source is.... I say yes, she says no, I say up, she says down...

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Yes you did. You clarified yourself AFTER the argument started.

Get over it.

Originally Posted by KDMafia

Also, a belief system is not the same as a religion. We all have belief systems, but unless there is a specific dogma and unified rules it is not a religion.

I disagree because if that was the case we wouldn't have sects or denominations.

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

No, and I acknowledged that in one of my posts. He does keep falling into lumping, though. I object when he tries to backtrack.

Get over it.

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Prayer in schools, town christmas displays or events (although really it's mostly a secular celebration of christmas) and so on. Mostly though it's distinctive in its lack of inclusivity. Prayer in schools is always Christian prayer, it is always a town Christmas celebration, not Eid, and so on. That's just the briefest bit on a local level. I really don't see why public funds should go to any of it.

I guess it's a different experience for everyone. I don't know what town you're from but I've never seen/experienced school prayers, town Christmas celebrations, etc in Michigan.

Not necessarily lawsuit worthy UNLESS other groups have tried to gain equal time/space and been rejected, IMO. But either way I think it's inappropriate. Oh and we could discuss the conservative christian culture in the military, particularly in the academies, or the discrimination against gay people based on things written in a religious text, or laws against selling alcohol on Sundays.

Once again, different experience for everyone. I've never lived in a place where one couldn't buy alcohol on Sundays.
DISCLAIMER (CUZ APPARENTLY ITS NECESSARY)- You can buy alcohol on Sunday's in the places I've lived but not till after noon.

How is that relevant to what I posted? I think you misread me. Unless military chaplains now exist to encourage service members to be conscientious objectors, you're making up your own topic here.

I didn't misread you, It's just that you didn't get the relevancy of what I posted. I don't blame you nor do I judge you because reading your post it's clear to me that you do not understand the role/influence/power/control (or lack of) of the military chaplain. It's totally understandable though, since you have never been in the military and probably have never met a real life chaplain