Comments on: Atheist Billboards? http://www.bloggernews.net/118656 High-quality English language analysis and editorial writing on the news. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:14:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Jairo Mejia http://www.bloggernews.net/118656#comment-1377621 Jairo Mejia Sun, 09 Aug 2009 23:08:42 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/118656#comment-1377621 Atheists and agnostics are right in most of their thinking It has been common among religious believers to look with misgiving at atheists and agnostics, and to think that they are mistaken; however, in many instances the opposite is the truth; some religious beliefs are not just irrelevant, but baseless. The “God” of main line traditions simply does not exist. I accepted the challenge of finding the One who may be recognized even by agnostics and atheists: the Existence itself. The God of religions may be denied, but nobody can deny that the Existence is. It doesn’t matter how you call it, but “All-That-Is,” is. A book (probably not written for you) “Christianity Reformed From ist Roots” tells all; perhaps its reflections will relieve your friends of the illusion, as they did for me. (Amazon.com). Jairo Mejia, M. Psych., Santa Clara University Episcopal Priest, Retired Carmel Valley, California http://www.mbay.net/~jmejia/Grudzen.htm http://www.mbay.net/~jmejia/Churcher.htm Atheists and agnostics are right in most of their thinking

It has been common among religious believers to look with misgiving at atheists and agnostics, and to think that they are mistaken; however, in many instances the opposite is the truth; some religious beliefs are not just irrelevant, but baseless. The “God” of main line traditions simply does not exist. I accepted the challenge of finding the One who may be recognized even by agnostics and atheists: the Existence itself. The God of religions may be denied, but nobody can deny that the Existence is. It doesn’t matter how you call it, but “All-That-Is,” is. A book (probably not written for you) “Christianity Reformed From ist Roots” tells all; perhaps its reflections will relieve your friends of the illusion, as they did for me. (Amazon.com).

Jairo Mejia, M. Psych., Santa Clara University
Episcopal Priest, Retired
Carmel Valley, California

http://www.mbay.net/~jmejia/Grudzen.htm
http://www.mbay.net/~jmejia/Churcher.htm

]]> By: Greg M. http://www.bloggernews.net/118656#comment-806185 Greg M. Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:21:39 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/118656#comment-806185 “…atheism is now also a business — that’s the only motivation I can find for these billboards and for organizations like Metro State Atheists and PhillyCor.” How about taking the organizations at their word that they're just trying to reach out to others who don't believe in a country full of believers? Or is this foolishly naive? Maybe you're young enought to not remember a time when one couldn't really discuss atheism openly. Or maybe you grew up in some magical part of the country where you were allowed not to believe. That wasn't my experience as a child or teen. I didn't dare mention my non-belief to friends and family until at least the late 80's. Things have changed a lot. Maybe you don't realize that. Just like the gay movement of a generation ago, atheists will not be taken seriously until we are free to stand up and openly declare our position. "I'm here, I don't believe, get used to it!" “…atheism is now also a business — that’s the only motivation I can find for these billboards and for organizations like Metro State Atheists and PhillyCor.”

How about taking the organizations at their word that they’re just trying to reach out to others who don’t believe in a country full of believers? Or is this foolishly naive?

Maybe you’re young enought to not remember a time when one couldn’t really discuss atheism openly. Or maybe you grew up in some magical part of the country where you were allowed not to believe. That wasn’t my experience as a child or teen. I didn’t dare mention my non-belief to friends and family until at least the late 80’s. Things have changed a lot. Maybe you don’t realize that.

Just like the gay movement of a generation ago, atheists will not be taken seriously until we are free to stand up and openly declare our position.

“I’m here, I don’t believe, get used to it!”

]]> By: Bump0naPickle http://www.bloggernews.net/118656#comment-772636 Bump0naPickle Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:20:40 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/118656#comment-772636 Hey I didnt mean to sound pushy about my feelings towards the Lord or nuthn..I wus just sayn I wuldnt notice...thats all :) Hey I didnt mean to sound pushy about my feelings towards the Lord or nuthn..I wus just sayn I wuldnt notice…thats all :)

]]> By: Bump0naPickle http://www.bloggernews.net/118656#comment-772617 Bump0naPickle Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:11:58 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/118656#comment-772617 I mean who really cares about those billboards...honestly..I mean if I livd there bein a person whom has acceptd Jesus as my personal savior and the fact that God does xist and I didnt just sprout out of the earth like a potato that yes I do have a creator and his name is God...yah kno those signs really wuldnt affect me so much...I mean I prolly wuldnt evn notice em IF I did I wuld quickly forget about them...I mean who cares..it has no affect on my destination...or my birthday shoppn fur the holidays!!! I mean who really cares about those billboards…honestly..I mean if I livd there bein a person whom has acceptd Jesus as my personal savior and the fact that God does xist and I didnt just sprout out of the earth like a potato that yes I do have a creator and his name is God…yah kno those signs really wuldnt affect me so much…I mean I prolly wuldnt evn notice em IF I did I wuld quickly forget about them…I mean who cares..it has no affect on my destination…or my birthday shoppn fur the holidays!!!

]]> By: marty http://www.bloggernews.net/118656#comment-772238 marty Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:23:47 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/118656#comment-772238 "...atheism is now also a business — that’s the only motivation I can find for these billboards and for organizations like Metro State Atheists and PhillyCor." The only motivation? How about our desire to be respected as full citizens and accepted into society as the contributing members that we are? How about the need to stem the wave of fundamentalism that threatens to turn America into a theocracy? How about fighting for the rights of equality for all? How about our hopes to stop the constant tragedies brought about by blind belief in religions? How about our desire to see medicine--unhindered by dogma--find the cures for diseases? How about the modest proposal that we educate the public into NOT flying planes into buildings? “…atheism is now also a business — that’s the only motivation I can find for these billboards and for organizations like Metro State Atheists and PhillyCor.”

The only motivation?

How about our desire to be respected as full citizens and accepted into society as the contributing members that we are?

How about the need to stem the wave of fundamentalism that threatens to turn America into a theocracy?

How about fighting for the rights of equality for all?

How about our hopes to stop the constant tragedies brought about by blind belief in religions?

How about our desire to see medicine–unhindered by dogma–find the cures for diseases?

How about the modest proposal that we educate the public into NOT flying planes into buildings?

]]> By: David http://www.bloggernews.net/118656#comment-771770 David Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:45:11 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/118656#comment-771770 you wrote "An atheist, by definition, does not attend religious services, does not ‘feed’ the collection plate and does not, of course, evangelize for a church." but that's not exactly true. An atheist, by definition, is anyone who does not believe a creator/god exists. you wrote “An atheist, by definition, does not attend religious services, does not ‘feed’ the collection plate and does not, of course, evangelize for a church.”

but that’s not exactly true.

An atheist, by definition, is anyone who does not believe a creator/god exists.

]]> By: shimself http://www.bloggernews.net/118656#comment-771162 shimself Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:08:32 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/118656#comment-771162 Other than the billboard company, who's "making money" off the atheist messages displayed? If atheists are called "noisy" for a few handfuls of billboards around the country, faithheads should be deemed "deafening" for the hundreds of thousands of church buildings (topped with crosses, and emitting annoying bell sounds), televangelists, radiovangelists, unwanted Gideon bibles, Mormons/JWs at the doorstep, freestanding crosses, as well as the daily coerced recitation of the God-loaded Pledge of Allegiance. Believers can simply avert their gaze if they encounter one of the few offensive billboards. If only it were so easy for us atheists! Other than the billboard company, who’s “making money” off the atheist messages displayed?

If atheists are called “noisy” for a few handfuls of billboards around the country, faithheads should be deemed “deafening” for the hundreds of thousands of church buildings (topped with crosses, and emitting annoying bell sounds), televangelists, radiovangelists, unwanted Gideon bibles, Mormons/JWs at the doorstep, freestanding crosses, as well as the daily coerced recitation of the God-loaded Pledge of Allegiance.

Believers can simply avert their gaze if they encounter one of the few offensive billboards. If only it were so easy for us atheists!

]]> By: prp http://www.bloggernews.net/118656#comment-770512 prp Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:36:49 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/118656#comment-770512 Well lets see here, put up billboards saying you are not alone in not believing in god. Where is the money?...the old saying is follow the money, if, as the original poster and Arthur said people of faith or non-faith are comfortable with their belief systems then why are people making money off of their insecurities? Follow the money. Well lets see here, put up billboards saying you are not alone in not believing in god. Where is the money?…the old saying is follow the money, if, as the original poster and Arthur said people of faith or non-faith are comfortable with their belief systems then why are people making money off of their insecurities? Follow the money.

]]> By: Arthur http://www.bloggernews.net/118656#comment-769793 Arthur Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:01:32 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/118656#comment-769793 "People who are comfortable with their belief in a deity, or in the non-existance of one, don’t need support systems — but I guess we are in a vast minorty". WE Are, this says it all. Great post. Personal beliefs are those we choose to adopt because we have already debated the choices. Arthur “People who are comfortable with their belief in a deity, or in the non-existance of one, don’t need support systems — but I guess we are in a vast minorty”.

WE Are, this says it all. Great post. Personal beliefs are those we choose to adopt because we have already debated the choices.

Arthur

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