Ask An Atheist

From the video:

“The Harlot Babylon is preparing the nations to receive the Antichrist. The Harlot Babylon will be a religion of affirmation, toleration, no absolutes, a counterfeit justice movement. They will feed the poor, have humanitarian projects, inspire acts of compassion for all the wrong reasons. They won’t know it, beloved they will be sincere, many of them, but their sincerity will not in any way lessen the impact of their deception. The fact that they are sincere does not make their deception less damaging. I believe that one of the main pastors, as a forerunner to the Harlot movement, it’s not the Harlot movement yet, is Oprah. She is winsome, she is kind, she is reasonable, she is utterly deceived, utterly deceived. A classy woman, a cool woman, a charming woman, but has a spirit of deception and she is one of the clear pastors, forerunners to the Harlot movement.”

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You know, I really enjoy exposure to cultures outside my own.  And, love it or leave it, religion is a huge part of almost every culture.  I think learning about other peoples traditions and beliefs helps me to feel more comfortable about folks who I might otherwise feel very removed from.  Sharing culture is one of those wonderful experiences that strangely brings people together by exposing people to differences – largely because most cultural differences seem far less alien once people realize the similarities they share with one another in spite of their differences.

However, the way to expose people to other cultures in America cannot come at the expense of  the First Amendment of the Constitution.  
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Whenever people say “I don’t believe in evolution” it strikes me as odd.  Given that evolution is a solid scientific theory and one that we can observe taking place, the choice not to “believe” in it seems like one that is inspired either by ignorance or by a stubborn rejection of reality.  Either way, I’m not one to say you can’t refuse to believe in evolution, but I sure as hell don’t have to respect your position on the subject.
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This is a question I’ve read quite a bit in response to the 4th of July flyovers being organized by American Atheists.  What does God or atheism have to do with the 4th of July?  What is the point?  Why does this matter?

It matters in part because it sheds additional light on a huge problem in some parts of the country – namely that in certain areas, it is still considered dangerous to be openly atheist.

This campaign was initially meant to run in all 50 states, but only 26 states will see the “God-LESS America” and “Atheism is Patriotic” banners in their skies this coming 4th.  The reason for this is partially ideology – even in this economic climate, there are still plenty of businesses who will still turn away work because of its association with atheism.  And while that reality is discouraging, it’s fine by me.  Many of these pilots are individuals or small businesses with the right to refuse whatever work they want.

But according to Justin Jaye of Fly Signs Aerial Advertising, who organized the flights for American Atheists in some areas, a pilot willing to fly the banner in some states couldn’t be found for an entirely different reason.

“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.’”

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When I hear  still-politically powerful Christians whine about how schools are no longer allowed to take their side in theological debates and how put upon they are, I can’t help but be reminded of Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Veruca was a spoiled little girl who often bullied her parents into giving her whatever she wanted. She wanted everything and she wanted it nooooow….

Since the article I wrote yesterday is getting a lot of attention, I’ve seen this mentality pop up in the comments section quite often. Now I don’t assume that these folks are being willfully unreasonable with their demands, but that’s the nature of Christian privilege. Those that have it, often don’t notice it. Read the rest of this entry »