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June 30th, 2011
06:41 PM ET
Atheists flying ad campaign meets strong resistanceBy Katie Glaeser, CNN (CNN)–It's a battle of belief - and the right not to believe - in a country founded on freedom. "I'm a patriotic American. I served my country. I get out there and celebrate the Fourth, too," Blair Scott, who calls himself a proud atheist, proclaimed. "This America belongs to everyone." Blair, the communications director for the New Jersey-based American Atheists, said atheists in the United States often feel alienated and face accusations of being anti-American because of their lack of belief in God. To combat those notions, his group is using Independence Day to say atheists love their country, too. But the way they're spreading their message might have Americans looking to the sky this Fourth of July and finding something besides fireworks to stir emotion. Planes with banners that read "God-LESS America" or "Atheism is Patriotic" will be flying over 27 states on Monday. While people might be leery to see the messages overhead, the $23,000 campaign has had a struggle with those who are supposed to bring it to life. Justin Jaye of Fly Signs Aerial Advertising, who is orchestrating the flights for American Atheists, said out of the 85 people in the country who fly these sign-pulling planes only about 17 have agreed to fly the messages. "I've been in this business for 20 years and I've never run into so much resistance on people flying," Jaye said. "I've had pilots who are actual atheists who said, 'Justin, I am an atheist and I won't fly it because I can't wear a bulletproof vest.'" Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists, says the reaction to the organization's campaign before it takes off shows how much work the group still needs to do. "This is a clear reminder of why we need to keep fighting because the bigotry against us is so thick that a lot of the pilots are afraid to fly our banners," he said. Jaye said while some feared for their lives, others feared for their marriages. He had one pilot say his wife would divorce him if he made the flight. Red Calvert, a pilot and president of Pro-Air Enterprises in Indianapolis, said his reasons to decline the flight were based on his personal beliefs. "I respect our country and I respect our churches and we've got enough problems in our country without stirring up some more," he said. "If those people want to do something they believe in, fine, just don't include me." The American Atheists hope to draw attention and spur public discussion through their campaign on Monday. "It's going to remind people that atheism is at that ballgame and at that beach and at that parade. We are patriotic people," Silverman said. soundoff (2,835 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Next »
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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advanced humans from another planet put us here about 50,000 years ago, give or take a few thousand years, If you honestly think that we are the only human like beings in the universe then you are on the drugs. yes yes.. the jesus drugs.. you christians are the most ignorant people on the planet. you're all in for a shocker when you die..
That would make far greater sense.
You need to remember though, to be religious you must be selfish. A reward maybe? Heaven, as delusional as that is? Then again, you must also believe by fear. Reward and fear are what make a religionist, all selfish in the end.
An atheist doing good work hasn't the fear or the reward, just honesty with self.
Atheists follow their non-beliefs religiously.
If their belief is in searching for the truth and requires facts to believe, I agree.
Yeah, they're even more defensive than the theists they are complaining about. It seems that they are wedded to their beliefs just as much as any theist. I'd call that ... a religion.
Then again there are Realist, which I am one. Why is it that religionist want to claim atheism is a religion? 'Cause they need to in order to start a war.
How silly, atheism is a religion. It would be as saying one who is a traveler, is a traveler. And one who does not travel, is also a traveler. Very silly.
Joe Blow: "I'd call that ... a religion."
You are free to call it whatever you wish... you'd be wrong, however.
I can call a zebra a giraffe too.
@badlogic: If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck ....
Look, if one truly simply does not believe in God, then they are more indifferent to religious matters. But the zealotry seen here from "atheists" shows that these atheists also have a belief structure that one dare not touch. In this manner, it is the same as religion.
"Atheism is no more a belief than not collecting stamps is a hobby."
-Richard Dawkins
Joe,
After centuries of having to suffer and put up with the sickening output of Christianity, including all the inquisitions, child-molesting priests, actions against science and scientists, and on and on -the list is endless-
Atheists and others persecuted by Christianity for centuries should be commended for their tone being as civil as it is.
@gozer: Please. You're kinda really taking it to extremes, aren't you buddy? Pretending that atheists suffered all that injustice. The fact is that most of what you wrote was committed against other Christians, not against atheists. Now all of a sudden you atheists are suddenly concerned about what happened in history against other believers. I think you are just looking for mud to throw, and you are that obvious.
Actually gozer brings out some excellent points. If religions are given special tax privileges in this country and they commit crimes against humanity, proven by the catholic church's pope and bishops who destroyed childrens lives, that is FRAUD.
You can ask daddy Darwin and he'll tell you that I'm not, how about you?
I can spell 'sibling' correctly, how about you?
Just as bacteria pops up given the right conditions, so did humans. There likely was never a single Adam and Eve, but a whole bunch of them slowly reaching their next evolution stage as they started to pop up across Africa..
Prove it! If you can't you are no better that the theists. I want you to give me the citations for the scientific literature that supports exactly your statement. I'm betting you can't because you took this all on faith and spewed out what was told to you. Again, this makes you no different than a theist.
Unlike you, I prefer the truth. Telling children something you can not prove is fact, is a lie.
Re-read the post, the work 'likely' was used. Never once stated as fact. Religions teach their unproven as fact, now that is teaching lying to children.
It all hinges on the word "likely?" Really is that what you are trying to tell me? Ok. Show me where in the scientific literature where it is proven to be "likely." Using the word "likely" still doesn't remove you from the burden of proof as you atheists are always telling us. You made the claim. Now prove it.
Likely is not establishing absolute truth. It only draws on a possibility based on theories that are accepted. Theories are not bullet proof truths either.
Was there a single amoeba? Or were there likely many? Life began far sooner than adam and eve, with many other forms first. We have seen the fossils.
Then again, should I really be in an argument with those who believe in a talking snake? Nope..
Joe, another point for you to think about is that there are mountains of evidence that contradict what the bible says. The bible gets a lot of biology and science wrong, and often contradicts itself. The evidence is vast against your claims. Here's a good read for you:
http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/science/long.html
Since you all think that the word "likely" absolves one of the need for proof, I will say that it is "likely" that God created the heavens and the earth. I said "likely" so don't ask me for proof.
Then teach it that way! We hate it when you lie to children telling them it is fact.
God, here.
Quiet down, foolish mortals!
You see, it's like this. Most of you Christians, and those of you who worship Me under other names and with other faces, well, most of you are too damned lazy to really have bothered to read and understand your Holy Book of choice. That is rather embarrassing. If you did, you'd come to realize, religion is a personal matter. None of you really "knows" enough to have the faintest clue which is better, which comes closest to revealing the hidden truths and My Divine Will. I love those who love others regardless of the religion they follow. Those of you who use My name to spread hate and fear and division, well, you'll be a bit disappointed by what is waiting for you.
As for you atheists, well, I don't believe in you, either. That was a joke, see. Who says the Lord doesn't laugh? Anyway, I love you, too, but just like when I am angry at believers for intolerance towards those of other (or no) belief, so too am I displeased when you act all uppity and superior. If you're belief really is that you're all just worm food, why do you bother arguing with them? Seems a waste of time and energy in your all too short and pointless existence.
Now, I have a new world to intelligently design. Take care, all.
Hey God, tell us more about that Holy book of choice. Why on earth would you advocate reading one of the most immoral pieces of literature ever written? Have you ever actually read this book, God? Maybe you should read it yourself before insisting others to do so.
What a treat! I feel like I've been visited by Santa... 😛
Cookies are in Hell, God. That's where we Athe
*That's where we Atheists drop off the "Thank You"s.
If a book were written by a perfect being, no interpretation would ever be needed.
Wack-jobs like these who've misplacedtheir faith in some religious flavor + Smith & Wesson are the very reason we are watching for extremists with a penchant for blowing up things.
Religion has outlived its usefulness. Years ago people would die soon and unexpectedly. They wouldn't have known that it was heart attack, cholesterol, diabetes, infectious diseases. In these times it may seem reasonable to believe in a higher being that controlled their lives. Now with progress in medical science we have changed the tide.
Atheism is simple. I don't understand the need to rationalize it on so many different levels, advances in medicine not withstanding.
It's like this: "I'm an atheist because I don't see a god. Not tangible by science and/or observation? I don't believe it. No reason to."
There. Done. No "what if" arguments, because they aren't tangible either.
Honesty is a powerful trait. Don't teach as fact, what you can not prove. That would be teaching children to lie.
You think that all athiest are liberal? You are wrong. There are many right leaning free thinkers and there are many many atheists that are in the closet because of fear of persecution by Christians and because there is no need to come out in public.
Just a look at the headlines on this "religion" blog shows one the bias C.N.N. has against Christianity. Scandal-plagued pastors, church's victims, sod.omite marriage ... yes, and yet people here say that Christianity isn't under attack.
it seems that CNN is trying to disprove Christianity. its only an observation because I don't see anything promoting Christianity on this website haha 🙂
I don't think it is under attack. It is simply in the majority in this country, so you see it in the news more often, for both negative and positive articles.. However, as the news focuses more on the negative than the positive, this is what you get...
Nor would I say this particular article put my Atheist brethren in a positive light...
ummm..Christianity is under attack. Where is the compassion from the left to stop this attack!?!
All of those stories are based on facts. If believers, especially religious leaders, lived up to their own cult's stated values and rules, if they didn't behave improperly, there would be nothing to report. Bad behaviour by believers, or anyone, is NOT CNN's problem – they are just doing their job in reporting what's going on – good – or bad!
yeah, Christianity is not on CNN's to-do-list to promote anytime soon haha
CNN is doing no such thing. It is publishing a story. Educated folks posting here is who you must be disagreeing with.
It's not under attack--it's in decline.
To all of you who say that C.N.N. is just reporting news ... well, I've got news for you – the choice of what stories to report on is an EDITORIAL choice. You could pick ANY subject out there and put up a bunch of negative stories about it and then say "sorry, I'm just reporting the news." No, someone at C.N.N. is choosing to focus on the negatives about Christianity.
@HotAirAce: Cult? Is there no end to your hatred of Christianity and all things Christian?
It's not under attack...those ARE the constant stories that involve the Christian religion these days. Rarely a day goes by that a Catholic Priest isn't in the news for molesting someone. Scandalous pastors seem to be the norm rather than the exception. Christians are constantly trying to assert their beliefs into politics that affect us all. That's the news of Christianity. What would you prefer? A story about some people went to church and ate pancakes?
Guess you only read a few stories here. Seems you are being selective, not CNN.
I only wish CNN would focus more on clergy abuse. It seems they choose to under-report it.
@Joe Blow From Idaho
Why do you have problem with the word "cult"? Put down your bible for a minute and pick up a dictionary – you'll find the definition fits all religions.
do atheists think that giving to the poor is a good thing?
Atheists realize that humans need to look out for other humans. That means, we all share the blame for allowing ethnic cleansing and pogroms. 'This is not my war,' is lame. Likewise, helping poor or making them sufficient to earn enough not to go hungry is essential.
ok cool, just wondering where that need to look out for other human beings comes from. If it doesn't come from a higher being, than i'm confused as to how all atheists believe its essential to look out for all.
Read my post above Jim. The answer is yes. And no. In other words, we are just like the rest of the human populace. There are good and bad Christians. The same can be said of Atheists.
right on...as for the good atheists, where do their morals come from?
Atheists morals come from? The Brain, of course! We're Atheists... Where else would they come from??? 🙂
I understand...haha, but its a strange coincidence that all good atheists believe that helping your fellowing neighbor is a good thing. Unless, all atheists all got together at Starbucks to discuss what is right and wrong...then it makes sense 🙂
Why Liberals and Atheists Are More Intelligent, Satoshi Kanazawa, Social Psychology Quarterly 2010 73: 33
What does that have to do with anything? I'm not a religious person and I give to charities. Your point?
if liberals are so smart, than how come they can't seem to figure out how to pass a simple budget...even with the republicans in their way 🙂
i ask, because i'm curious where good athiests get the idea in your brain that giving to charities is a good thing? by the way...i believe giving to charities is a good thing too haha!
All human use moral relativism for all their moral judgment needs.
By using a Bible, you are using moral relativism to use a book of lies for your morals.
If there were objective moral absolutes, you wouldn't need a Bible at all.
If this is too complicated for you, feel free to block out the truth like every other delusional cult member does in here.
"Why Liberals and Atheists Are More Intelligent, Satoshi Kanazawa, Social Psychology Quarterly 2010 73: 33"
More intelligent.... than whom?
Religious folk?
Or just "more intelligent" than the average?
The Social Psychology Quarterly could perhaps spell out the headline a little better so we can know if they are committing a logical fallacy or simply were simply shortening it for brevity.. 😐
yeah, i think the definition alone of moral relativism totally makes moral relativism false. Think about it 🙂
Jim, let's assume you're right, and morals are arbitrary unless they come from a higher power. Let's further assume that human morals come from your god. What higher power do your god's morals come from?
you know the answer...haha. Thats the whole concept...its impossible to fully understand God. He's freaking God for crying out loud. That's the whole idea. I know atheists can't handle trusting a higher being....i understand 🙂
Conservative intelligence? Support of Republicans in opposing REMOVAL of tax cuts awarded in 2000 for people making more than $250K. Not to mention not allowing hedge fund manager's income to be taxed at ordinary income tax vs 15% dividend tax rate. And these are also the people who skillfully killed your savings and jobs.
yeah, Obama is in bed with the big banks as much, if not more, than the republicans haha. Sorry to burst that bubble. Also, Obama tried to save the mean corporate jet companies in his stimulus bill...and is now attacking them. Where is the compassion...WHERE!!!!!!?????
What does Obama have to do with Atheism... 🙂
Sounds like Jim is throwing around a little hate.
@jim
You said: "i ask, because i'm curious where good athiests get the idea in your brain that giving to charities is a good thing? by the way...i believe giving to charities is a good thing too haha!"
As someone pointed out to you, not all atheists share the same beliefs. To be an atheist all you have to do, is not believe in the supernatural.
Morals evolved with our intellect. We developed the ability to feel sympathy for our fellow humans. We concluded it was better to feel pleasure than pain. For ourselves and for others.
Humans learn morals and their religion from their parents and from the society they live in. So everyone has morals – a sense of what is right and wrong.
We are a nation of laws. Obviously, I am accountable to society for my actions. Society enforces acceptable behavior.
All Morals are Relative:
It is wrong to kill, except when a dictator is threatening to take over the world.
It is wrong to lie, unless you have a little Jewish girl hiding in your attic.
etc.
Many atheists, but by no means all, subscribe to secular morality. I am one of the many.
Cheers!
Atheist typical handiwork to make a handful looks like a bunch.
A little hater, aren't you 'monkey handle'
Ask Daddy darwin and he'll tell you that I'm not, how about you?
@Jim It depends on what you give them. The best thing to give them is a job.
Try being a atheist for a day if you are not one. Like an addict you would go through an intense withdrawal phase, and more than likely, you will run back because you cant imagine a life where no one is looking out for you. The sad truth is a loved one may have died an untimely death due to disease or illness, and as much as you may wish someone to have step in, it didn't happen. eh? Likewise, no one is coming to your aid either.
That is the dumbest thing I've ever read! Obviously if someone is an atheist, they don't believe in magical mystical beings who grant wishes from in the sky. I believe it's possible there is a higher power but I don't think it involves itself into our daily lives. If it does, it has a sick sense of humor.
Atheism is spreading it's wings over the world in a carefully planed agenda. On the BBC Arabic now I can see them discussing this in a program called open agenda that speaks about the Tunisian film "No God no Master" which calls to atheism...and how that brought a hot re-action to the Tunisian population to call for Islamic rule...
whoa... we have a worldly Agenda??? Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
@weak sauce
You said: "whoa... we have a worldly Agenda??? Thanks for letting me know! "
Yes! You didn't get the memo?
Cheers!
I think you are thinking about the movie Cats and Dogs. I, personally, have never trusted my cat! 🙂
Nice try at a conspiracy theory, Muneef. Now provide some evidence of such a global plot, not a reference to a video that few have seen. Name the planners and their agenda.
The reality is as usual different from your latest delusion. Not that a global plot to bring down religion would be a bad thing, but you just haven't produced any evidence.
See, there's that nasty "evidence" word again. Get used to it. You'll be asked for it a lot re your sky fairy beliefs, and you have none to offer.
gozer...bulldozer...
http://allafrica.com/stories/201107010950.html
Third place and gaining as we type:
o http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html
oReligion >>Adherents
Christianity 2.1 billion
Islam 1.5 billion
Irreligious/agnostic/atheism 1.1 billion
Hinduism 900 million
Chinese traditional religion 394 million
Buddhism 376 million
Animist religions 300 million
African traditional/diasporic religions 100 million
Sikhism 23 million
Juche 19 million
Spiritism 15 million
Judaism 14 million
Baha'i 7 million
Jainism 4.2 million
Shinto 4 million
Cao Dai 4 million
Zoroastrianism 2.6 million
Tenrikyo 2 million
Neo-Paganism 1 million
Unitarian Universalism 800,000
Rastafari Movement 600,000
1.5 million Conservative Jews and there rabbis have concluded that Abraham, based on lack of text and architectural evidence, probably did not exist. Therefore Christianity, Islam and Judaism have no foundation and fail as religions moving irreligious, atheists and agnostics to the top of the list.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Adam and Eve are myths making original sin (and limbo) mythological and Baptism symbolic.(Also taught in graduate theology classes at many major Catholic universities, e.g. Catholic U, Notre Dame. )
In some ways, religion is like Am way pyramid scheme. One recruits others, and others recruit even more. The products are just ethereal promises in afterlife. In the end you invest time and money, and start to move around people who think like you, giving you a false impression of what you do is what every one else does, so it has to be right.
The largest and most dangerous way religion spreads is by breeding. It can be challenging to convince a thinking, open minded adult of the odd things religions claim. It's hard to change someone already programmed with another religion. It's easy to program an infant/child. This is why the worlds religions oppose population control, despite the terrible consequences for our planet.
Your Amway anology is spot on.
And so, Mary Rachel, you have in your quiet, eloquent manner, stated the one greatest commandment that Jesus gave~Do unto others as you would have done unto you~you are, of course, wrong about ownership, since this commandment belongs to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I can only hope that one day He becomes your Lord and Savior too, for without Him, you will not have the hope of eternal life that I have. This does not make me weak(although the Bible also says in my weakness God will make me strong), nor does it make me psychologically needy. I would certainly rather walk through my life in faith, having someone I can depend on to always guide and direct my steps, knowing that He has a plan for my life and at the end find out I was wrong than to walk through scoffing at those who have a relationship with God the Father and Creator of the world only to find out when I die that I was wrong and Hell really does exist.
Lisa, if Hell exists, your god is evil. Why can't you see that?
Then you do not value your soul as much as an atheist does by insisting on proof before throwing one's soul upon an altar to be burned for nothing.
Lisa,
"I would certainly rather walk through my life in faith, having someone I can depend on to always guide and direct my steps, knowing that He has a plan for my life and at the end find out I was wrong..."
Islam declares that you must follow their way or you are doomed. Fred Phelps says that you must follow his exact way or burn forever. Many of the gods over the centuries are very jealous and will damn you to one nasty fate or another for not believing in them. If you are going to apply Pascal's Wager (look it up) you'd better get busy and worship *all* of them and follow *every* rule that has ever been dreamed up. What if you are wrong?... indeed.
@Lisa
You said: "Do unto others as you would have done unto you~you are, of course, wrong about ownership, since this commandment belongs to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Actually, that isn't true.
"Statements that mirror the Golden Rule appear in Ancient Egypt in the story of The Eloquent Peasant.[7] Rushworth Kidder states that "the label 'golden' was applied by Confucius (551–479 B.C.), who wrote a version of the Silver Rule.
Also:
"At the time of Hillel, an elder contemporary of Jesus of Nazareth, the negative form of the golden rule already must have been proverbial, because of the accordances with Tobit 4:15. When asked to sum up the entire Torah concisely, he answered:
"That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn."
—Talmud, Shabbat 31a – Source: Wikipedia
Jesus was just one of many, who espoused this principle. Jesus certainly doesn't own it.
Cheers!
i meant you can't have both...sorry about that.
Atheism is neither patriotic nor unpatriotic. Likewise for Christianity.
Very true. Another reason it can be considered a moronic banner for Atheists in America. 😦
Seems like it is usually the idiots who want to fly banners in this world...
People believe in religion because they cant get grips with the fact that once they are dead, there is no life, no angels, no soul, and no resurrection. It is survival of the fittest salesmanship.
You mustve died and come back from the dead to know this information. Wich means there is life after death. Amazing point you have just proven.
Mary-Rachel-Mouna- very nicely put. I wish more people like you would come out and have the courage to say that there is no god. Theists are the ones who are weak and scared, and can't question themselves that why they believe in god.
As a Conservative and a Christian I have to say that the atheists have one thing right. Religion needs to be taken out of politics. The US may have been founded in large part by Christians and other believers (and a few agnostics and atheists) but it was founded to be a secular republic. Religion has no place in politics, and no place in setting policy. If you cannot support your political view on anything more than a religious foundation, your argument cannot b supported. Look around the world. In general, the more religion has a hold on the political structure, the worse the country is.
As an atheist, I say amen to that.
Further proof that it is possible to be Christian and secular at the same time. Thanks for the post!
@Steve
HERETIC! BURN HIM!
😉
(some of us even have a sense of humour)
Good post. The spiritual has no place in the secular functioning of any society.
Equality of religion is the great leveling factor that provides religious freedom to all while keeping any religion from gaining dominance by keeping religion out of the application of government.
Religious freedom means blocking the religious bias and bigotry of ALL religions so that all may be as freely expressed as possible.
@tmm77625
Well said.
Peace...
The southerners have good manners (yes ma'am, no sir) and are proud of their hospitality. The are very religious, Church going, and can read passages off the Bible like experts. But tell me how come these people of faith were the ones who could justify slavery (oh well it was the need of the times. Really?), support KKK, wield guns, be vengeful, you name it. The truth is Christianity has been held hostage by the very people who would have crucified Christ if given a chance.
oh yeah? Have you ever even been to a southern state? I am a (usually) polite, liberal, southern atheist...born and bred in the bible belt. Support the KKK? I have never personally met a person in my life that does (that I am aware of). Slavery? You mean the awful thing that not a single person alive has been a part of the in the united states (referring to African slave trade)? Guns? well...maybe some here, but no more than anywhere else in the country. I make no claims to be in the majority, but I am by no means alone. Many think as I do.
Your generalizations and statements of unresearched assumptions remind me of something...now what could that be?
Why do believe that AIDS has a purpose – to slow the growth of a species?
Re: pope-a-dope, given that the use of condoms is known to prevent the spread of AIDS, the rcc's stance is evil, right up there with protecting pedophiles.
Probably the pope had thought that stopping the AIDS using the traditional teaching of the church like abstinence is quite an impossible dream as far as the enticement of the flesh is concern. That's why he decided to set it aside and make himself open for other course to stop the dreaded disease.
But it doesn't prove anything than the pope is willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause.
The pope is criminal.. Denying small children abused to preserve his and the churches reputation first.