Religious politicians getting called out by Atheists (Christ, America, preaching)

[logline]

First on CNN: Atheists ratchet up rhetoric, use billboards to attack Republican politicians – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs

[Grandstander]

I don't think this is a helpful thing. It will inflame the religious minded without serving to change anyone's mind.

[David910]

I think is definitely a violation of the "treat others how you would want to be treated" rule. Would the people who put up that poster like a different one put up with a pro-religious stance, no, so don't do it the other way around!

[logline]

The billboard is pointing out the hypocrisy and backwards thinking of the religious right. If that doesn't make them reconsider their stance on laws based on religion, they are not worthy of re-election. If Atheists are being hypocritical, then the religious right are welcome to put up their own billboard... and should. I haven't seen one yet though!

[Grandstander]

There are atheists with no interest in political issues, even those related to atheism. Others do follow the political issues and support the atheist view, but are not interested in being confrontational. There are also those who are more militant minded and wish not only to defend atheism, but to advance it. This billboard campaign is obviously the product of members of that last segment.

Because they are public and vocal, that last group tends to represent all atheists in the minds of the opposing camp, the militantly religious. I would suspect that in the minds of the militant atheists, the fundamentalist tend to represent all religion.

I've argued in the past that it is important for atheists and agnostics to pick the right fights. When something truly matters, like preserving the integrity of the science classroom, or opposing laws whose foundations are in medieval religious ideas, then you rally the troops and speak out. When it is just decorative claptrap like the motto on our money or City Hall having a Christmas tree, why generate greater loathing from the religious people? If the motto was removed from the money, how would your life be any better? Where is the payoff for the struggle? What was the damage from the fight?

These billboards go a step further than mere opposition to the decorative, they represent atheists on the offensive, launching an aggressive war on religious politicians. This isn't the sort of war that can be won right now, nor is it going to be won by billboards when it can be won.

So...it is a uselessly provocative and inflammatory gesture. Isn't one of the most frequent complaints directed at atheists and agnostics by the religious, that we seem to be staging a war against their beliefs? We try to explain that we are not warring on religion, we are merely defending the first amendment and our rights which it provides. These billboards will make it a great deal more difficult to sell that line and will greatly reinforce the impression of an aggressive war being waged.

In return for what?

[TRANSPONDER]

I may not agree with the way they go about it, but I will defend to the death their right to go about it the way they go about it.

[chielgirl]

Perhaps the rr should stop using their bible to spread hatred.
There wouldn't be any need for these.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by AREQUIPA

I may not agree with the way they go about it, but I will defend to the death their right to go about it the way they go about it.

I don't think anyone here is advocating censorship. That said, I don't think the billboards are going to accomplish much.

[LargeKingCat]

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

I don't think anyone here is advocating censorship. That said, I don't think the billboards are going to accomplish much.

I do not advocate censorship in any form, and yes, the billboards may not accomplish all some of us wish, but they will help. I think I ought to send 10% of my tax refund to this organization, the American Atheists, and help pay for the billboards. It would at least let people know which side I am on.

[MrBlueSky_]

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

I don't think anyone here is advocating censorship. That said, I don't think the billboards are going to accomplish much.

Neither does prayer. Or religious billboards, door to door proselytizing, street preaching, etc etc etc.