Clipmarks | Atheist Clips

Obama's Faith-Based Plan

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 04:22:45 GMT

clipped by: willhelm
clipper's remarks: "We should evaluate any policy efforts to maximize civil society and faith-based solutions by whether they move in the direction of reducing the size and scope of government and whether they help individuals escape
dependence and achieve a life of independence."

Clip Source: www.sphere.com

there are two immediate concerns with the proposal:

The announcement emphasizes government funding — not changing the character of government to allow more space for civil society solutions.

But even worse, Obama’s plan says that when a faith-based organization takes federal dollars, it would lose its ability to preserve its faith-based character through maintaining hiring standards consistent with its mission. It could be forced to hire an atheist. In other words, it would strike at the heart of the faith-based initiative.

The Bush administration has rightly highlighted the significance of such faith-based and community groups in addressing social needs and urged that government change in ways that will allow such approaches to flourish. One primary emphasis has been the need to preserve the religious integrity of groups that participate in government programs to tackle social problems — this is essential to their mission and effectiveness.

More A-Theists Than We Realize

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:59:37 GMT

clipped by: arifsali

Clip Source: newsweek.washingtonpost.com

The problem with this question is in the definition of an atheist. Literally, that word means “not to believe in a theistic deity.”

Theism is attached to the concept of an external, supernatural deity, who intervenes in human history to accomplish some divine purpose or to answer prayers. In the light of the work of Galileo, who made the theistic God above the sky homeless, and Isaac Newton, who rendered the theistic God to be unemployed, theism has come on bad days.

Theism, however, is not God; it is a human definition of God that is dated and inadequate. Professional theologians hardly ever talk about a theistic God, yet none of them are atheists in the sense of asserting that there is no God.

It is a pity that theological knowledge so seldom makes it down to the people in the pews. It seems from this Pew Survey, however, that it might be making it in the ranks of the atheists.

Former Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Newark

IS YOUR HOUSEMATE AN ATHEIST?

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:39:42 GMT

clipped by: mcflycat

Clip Source: www.livelyivy.com

An atheist belief system: 7 secular rules for life.

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:41:59 GMT

clipped by: JohnWaterman

Clip Source: 40yearoldatheist.com

The church was hijacked by Christianist Cultist.

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:43:31 GMT

clipped by: ZenBonobo
clipper's remarks: My personal orientation in such matters is that the original teacher of what became Christianity would laugh derisively at expressions of Temple worship and personalization that pass for expressions of piety.

My evangelical friends who had previously scoffed at my views have now come into congruency with my non-theistic beatitude oriented view.

Clip Source: www.macleans.ca

LUIZA CH. SAVAGE | June 25, 2008 |

Given that 10 per cent of Americans believe that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is a Muslim, and many more believe he followed a preacher who is radical if not unhinged, the Illinois senator seems an unlikely candidate to deliver religious voters to the Democratic ticket. "Jesus Christ would not vote for Barack Obama," charged Alan Keyes, Obama's Republican challenger for his U.S. Senate seat during the campaign in 2004, noting that as a state lawmaker Obama had voted against anti-abortion legislation. Yet Obama, the formerly atheist son of a religiously skeptical mother and a Muslim-turned-atheist father, is emerging as the candidate with the greatest chance in decades to coax at least some Christian evangelicals and other churchgoing voters away from the Republican fold.

Why Obama may be poised to lure churchgoers away from the Republicans

No Irish Need Apply

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:20:18 GMT

clipped by: zippunkygirl

Clip Source: www.irishcultureandcustoms.com

No Irish need apply!
The man that wrote it,wrote it well
The same was writ on the gates of hell
No Irish need apply!
This quote came from a reader who wanted to know who wrote this verse and if there was any more to the poem or song. We found several versions of the song, but did not find this particular stanza.
"Bekki B" found the origin.
It turns out that it isn't from the lyrics of a song. During the time of the Penal Laws, the town of Bandon in Co. Cork had a sign which said: Enter here, Turk, Jew or atheist, any man except a Papist.
Underneath those lines, some Irishman, fighting back with the only two things left that could not be stripped from him - his wit and his dignity - wrote: "The man who wrote this wrote it well, for the same is writ on the gates of Hell."

Atheism Versus Christianity: The Errors on Both Sides of the Argument

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:50:01 GMT

clipped by: missjackson

Clip Source: mindprod.com

Since atheists and Christians often get into hateful discussions with one another, I hope that this essay will shed some light on this issue so that both sides can make their points without fear of insult, hatefulness or condescension.

The Problems the Atheist Makes when Conversing with Christians

Problem #1: Limiting a Christian’s Proof of God to Empirical Science

Problem #2: Judging What You don’t Understand

Problem #3: Name-Calling/Insults

Problem #4: Blaming Religion for The World’s Problems

Problem #5: Taking Things Out of Context

The Problems the Christian Makes when Conversing with Atheists

Problem #1: Not Admitting That You Made a Mistake

Problem #2: Stereotyping and Labeling

Problem #3: Stating That Atheism is a Religion

Problem #4: Condescension

Problem #5: Hypocrisy

Concerning atheist attacks on Theism

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:44:31 GMT

clipped by: missjackson

Clip Source: www.carm.org

Even though many atheists don't care if people believe in God or not, others feel obligated to fight what I have often heard them label as "oppressive religious bigotry." To this end, many of them are active in politics, social groups, the internet, and even use lawsuits to change society into a more atheistic temperament. They often consider Christians as a threat to freedom, common sense, and a good life. Consider this quote I found on an atheist web site at atheists.org.

"We are constantly being overrun by people trying to get their ticket to Heaven at our expense, and if we don’t stand up and be counted we will lose the very freedom we hold most dear; freedom of thought..."

It is inflammatory, illogical, and paranoid.

Many atheists I've spoken to tell me that I cannot think logically, that I am deluded, and that I believe in myths.

They tell me that I am bound by foolish antiquated beliefs and need to abandon my religious bigotry

In other words, they don't want me to think the way I do.

Atheist are the Most Distrusted Group in America

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 09:34:48 GMT

clipped by: Catshade

Clip Source: www.asanet.org

From a telephone sampling of more than 2,000 households, university researchers found that Americans rate atheists below Muslims, recent immigrants, gays and lesbians and other minority groups in “sharing their vision of American society.” Atheists are also the minority group most Americans are least willing to allow their children to marry.

Edgell believes a fear of moral decline and resulting social disorder is behind the findings. “Americans believe they share more than rules and procedures with their fellow citizens—they share an understanding of right and wrong,” she said. “Our findings seem to rest on a view of atheists as self-interested individuals who are not concerned with the common good.”

researchers also found acceptance or rejection of atheists is related not only to personal religiosity, but also to one’s exposure to diversity, education and political orientation—with more educated, East and West Coast Americans more accepting of atheists than their Midwestern counterparts

Tags: atheist, atheism, religion, social, psychology, stereotype, prejudice

The Atheist's Guide to the Philosophical Wasteland

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:21:32 GMT

clipped by: Socratoad

Clip Source: www.islandone.org

The Atheist's Guide to the

Philosophical Wasteland

Table of Contents

Part I Introductory Overview

Chapter 1 The Philosophical Wasteland

Chapter 2 Atheism

Part II Introduction to the Synchronic Approach

Chapter 3 Marx's Communism

Chapter 4 Rand's Objectivism

Chapter 5 Sartre’s Existentialism

Chapter 6 Nietzsche

Chapter 7 A Diachronic Chapter

Chapter 8 Conclusions on Atheism and Philosophy

Introductory Overview

The Atheist's Guide to the Philosophical Wasteland is intended to promote critical thinking and serve as a guide to philosophical inquiry. Its goal is not missionary. It does not attempt to convert anyone to atheism nor promote a particular philosophy or worldview. It does not even argue that God does not exist. Instead, this is simply assumed as a starting premise for a deeper analysis of atheism. If there are no gods, regardless of whether this is the case, then what are the implications for philosophy and philosophical issues such as values, meaning and purpose in life?

Showcase of Real Stupidity

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:54:01 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: It's getting more and more difficult to keep up with the wackos these days. Ray's best line, of course, is his assertion that the poster he's responding to lives in an imaginary world. Irony meters all over the world pegged on that statement. Oh my!!!

Clip Source: raycomfortfood.blogspot.com

The Atheist Worldview

"There've been several hundred gay marriages enacted in California in the past few days. Maybe a couple of thousand by now, I haven't checked the numbers. And in the non-gay-marrying Midwest, they're fighting floods, while in California it's fair and dry. How is The Golden State managing to escape the wrath of your imaginary friend, I wonder?" Weemaryanne

Maryanne. At present there are 840 wild-fires that are burning at once in California, destroying many homes. The fires were started by lightning strikes. Guess who’s in charge of the electrical department? These are from thunder storms that have no rain. Guess who gives the rain? You said "while in California it's fair and dry." We are having the worst drought in our recorded history. Last year 1,155 homes were destroyed. You live in an imaginary world. I suggest you get out more.

Tags: religion, god, suffering, homosexuals, gays

World Youth Day condom protest against Pope

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:52:07 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: Rattle those pots and pans. (Condoms don't rattle - though someone will probably take the idea)

Clip Source: www.smh.com.au

Condoms will be handed out to pilgrims en route to a papal Mass at Randwick Racecourse on World Youth Day as part of a protest against the Catholic Church's attitude to homosexuality, contraception and abortion.

A coalition of religious, atheist, gay and lesbian groups will stage the rally in Taylor Square from midday on Saturday July 19 before marching to the main event of the week-long World Youth Day celebrations.

Protest organisers are expecting thousands to gather on Oxford Street and Anzac Parade to rally against the church's attitude.

Rachel Evans, organiser of the NoToPope Coalition formed for the event, said she expected between 1000 and 5000 protesters to turn out and was confident there would be no violent confrontations with pilgrims.

Tags: death

Study: 1 in 5 atheists believe in God

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:34:01 GMT

clipped by: Joshua Zumbrun
clipper's remarks: If you're ever looking for an argument that our education system is failing...

Clip Source: www.washingtonpost.com

Most Americans Believe in Higher Power, Poll Finds

A belief in God or a higher spirit is pervasive. Even Americans who describe themselves as atheist or agnostic have a robust sense of a higher power: Twenty-one percent of those who describe themselves as atheists expressed a belief in God or a universal spirit, and more than half of those who call themselves agnostic expressed a similar conviction.

Food for Thought

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:01:21 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: One statistic that stood out to me was the strange 1 in 5 self professed atheists that claim to believe in God. Atheism is conventionally defined as holding no belief in a god or gods.

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

Survey Shows U.S. Religious Tolerance

The report, titled U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, reveals a broad trend toward tolerance and an ability among many Americans to hold beliefs that might contradict the doctrines of their professed faiths.

For example, 70 percent of Americans affiliated with a religion or denomination said they agreed that “many religions can lead to eternal life,” including majorities among Protestants and Catholics. Among evangelical Christians, 57 percent agreed with the statement, and among Catholics, 79 percent did.

The new report sheds light on the beliefs of the unaffiliated. Like the overwhelming majority of Americans, 70 percent of the unaffiliated said they believed in God, including one of every five people who identified themselves as atheist and more than half of those who identified as agnostic.

Tags: religion, survey, pew, atheism

Zeitgeist the movie, A must watch if you can handle the truth!

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:05:25 GMT

clipped by: raven714
clipper's remarks: I do not agree with the first 40 minutes however, everything after that is based on true facts and I do agree with.
I encourage everyone to watch the two-hour movie, and come to your own conclusions. Having an understanding of true facts for most people is a problem. They would rather turn their backs on the Constitution then to know what is at stake with this nation, and the world.
The first 40 minutes in and was written by an atheist, and I do not agree with the rhetoric.
The rest of the movie is based on true facts and if you can handle the truth then pay attention as the truth will be reviled.

Clip Source: video.google.com

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