To Christians And Other Believers, Do You Think Atheism Is A Bad Influence In Society? (America, church)
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This is the opposite question from the thread regarding the influence of religion in society. I'm curious what religious people really think of atheists like myself, not so much as individuals but our overall influence and impact in society. I realize that religious people and atheists have totally opposite points of view regarding the existence of God but are there some of you who honestly feel that atheism is detrimental to our society? And if you think it is please explain why. Thanks.
This is the opposite question from the thread regarding the influence of religion in society. I'm curious what religious people really think of atheists like myself, not so much as individuals but our overall influence and impact in society. I realize that religious people and atheists have totally opposite points of view regarding the existence of God but are there some of you who honestly feel that atheism is detrimental to our society? And if you think it is please explain why. Thanks.
They claim to be tolerate but they really are not but what I can say is that I fully support your choice to be atheist in this "free" country!
They claim to be tolerate but they really are not but what I can say is that I fully support your choice to be atheist in this "free" country!
Not one thing they say can change it.
Who says America is a 'free country'...? from much of what I've seen so far on these forums, I would say that free speech is one big delusion. Puritanism still rules wherever you look... with plenty of regulations to make sure that this remains the case.
Who says America is a 'free country'...? from much of what I've seen so far on these forums, I would say that free speech is one big delusion. Puritanism still rules wherever you look... with plenty of regulations to make sure that this remains the case.
Atheists by and large are tolerant, as long as you're not shoving your brand of fantasy down our throats. Religion or lack thereof is a personal choice, don't bother me with your interpretation of it and we'll get along just fine.
Atheism isn't a "Bad" influence on society, as long as the society isn't controlled by the majority of the people. Our country was set up with a constitution, which regulated the government for the people. It was irrevokable without the general consenus of the people, in all the states, which comprise of a wide variey of beliefs.
So, in reality, the only influence it could attain, is that to change the constitution to reflects it's values, thereby subjecting the religious to values not their own. But the same works both ways. We would not want the religious to force feed their values upon those who did not subscribe to those beliefs either.
So, there really is no worry, and the notion we could "vote" someone into office that will reflect our particular beliefs is a notion of fantasy. Otherwise the constitution if of no effect, and we are controlled by the masses, which will result in total chaos and strife, when the factions soon begin to war with the other opposite believing groups.
Atheism isn't a "Bad" influence on society, as long as the society isn't controlled by the majority of the people. Our country was set up with a constitution, which regulated the government for the people. It was irrevokable without the general consenus of the people, in all the states, which comprise of a wide variey of beliefs.
So, in reality, the only influence it could attain, is that to change the constitution to reflects it's values, thereby subjecting the religious to values not their own. But the same works both ways. We would not want the religious to force feed their values upon those who did not subscribe to those beliefs either.
So, there really is no worry, and the notion we could "vote" someone into office that will reflect our particular beliefs is a notion of fantasy. Otherwise the constitution if of no effect, and we are controlled by the masses, which will result in total chaos and strife, when the factions soon begin to war with the other opposite believing groups.
Actually it is not fantasy...Meet the Dominionists -- biblical literalists who believe God has called them to take over the U.S. government.
Soft Dominionists are Christian nationalists. They believe that Biblically-defined immorality and sin breed chaos and anarchy. They fear that America's greatness as God's chosen land has been undermined by liberal secular humanists, feminists, and homosexuals. Purists want litmus tests for issues of abortion, tolerance of gays and lesbians, and prayer in schools. Their vision has elements of theocracy, but they stop short of calling for supplanting the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Hard Dominionists believe all of this, but they want the United States to be a Christian theocracy. For them the Constitution and Bill of Rights are merely addendums to Old Testament Biblical law. They claim that Christian men with specific theological beliefs are ordained by God to run society. Christians and others who do not accept their theological beliefs would be second-class citizens. This sector includes Christian Reconstructionists, but it has a growing number of adherents in the leadership of the Christian Right.
What they have accomplished so far.
Before the midterm elections of 2006, dominionists controlled both houses of the U.S. Congress, the White House and four out of nine seats on the U.S. Supreme Court. They were one seat away from holding a solid majority on the Supreme Court. As of January 1, 2007, dominionists will not control the leadership of either house of Congress, and the President will no longer be able to so easily appoint dominionists to the federal courts.
Actually it is not fantasy...Meet the Dominionists -- biblical literalists who believe God has called them to take over the U.S. government.
Soft Dominionists are Christian nationalists. They believe that Biblically-defined immorality and sin breed chaos and anarchy. They fear that America's greatness as God's chosen land has been undermined by liberal secular humanists, feminists, and homosexuals. Purists want litmus tests for issues of abortion, tolerance of gays and lesbians, and prayer in schools. Their vision has elements of theocracy, but they stop short of calling for supplanting the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Hard Dominionists believe all of this, but they want the United States to be a Christian theocracy. For them the Constitution and Bill of Rights are merely addendums to Old Testament Biblical law. They claim that Christian men with specific theological beliefs are ordained by God to run society. Christians and others who do not accept their theological beliefs would be second-class citizens. This sector includes Christian Reconstructionists, but it has a growing number of adherents in the leadership of the Christian Right.
What they have accomplished so far.
Before the midterm elections of 2006, dominionists controlled both houses of the U.S. Congress, the White House and four out of nine seats on the U.S. Supreme Court. They were one seat away from holding a solid majority on the Supreme Court. As of January 1, 2007, dominionists will not control the leadership of either house of Congress, and the President will no longer be able to so easily appoint dominionists to the federal courts.
Meet the democrats! The beauty of our system, is that when things look like that might happen, all it takes is an election.
It is laughable to me to see atheists attempt to take the high ground. Those of faith are clearly the backbone of this nation which was founded on Christian principles. How is it that Christians are, then, seen as attempting to take over? How does one take over that which he rightfully and historically owns?
Is it not the atheist who now wants to make of America something she was never created to be? Is it not the atheist who wants dominion--who masquerades as a force for tolerance when its ultimate goal is to stamp out religion wherever it finds it? Is it not atheism that kicked God out of schools and despises and fights against any public display of reverence for God? Is it not atheism that has infiltrated our schools systems with its anti-God, anti-moral, Evolution doctrines?
Do not point your fingers at Christianity and accuse it of dominion. It cannot wrongly dominate that which was created by it and for it! It is atheism that is the intruder. It is atheism that is intolerant while it points its finger at Christianity and shouts "intolerance!"
This nation was created by religious people seeking a nation under God. As such, those of faith are the true natives. Atheists should expect to be as much an anomaly in America as a Christian should expect to be in a Muslim nation. We would not go to Iraq and insist that they proclaim the Christ of Christianity and demand that Christianity have an influence in their Islamic society. Neither should atheists feel that they have the right to impose their antithetical, godless tenets upon the Judeo-Christian society in which they are privileged to live.
Why do atheists find it strange that those of faith want to preserve that upon which this nation was founded? We seek only to maintain our Judeo-Christian heritage. It is the atheist who is the dominionist because he will never be content living alongside those of faith--his ultimate goal is to wipe them out once and for all. Tolerant atheism is an oxymoron!
Atheists can have a beneficial influence on society. Atheists can cause those who believe in a Creator/God to truthfully question what they believe, and why. If we are honest, we have to carefully consider the sometimes negative impact that belief can have on our society, (the frequent violent history of the Christian Church and Islam extremists are certainly examples of such). I believe atheists can provide a check and balance. By the same token, atheists can get just as ugly, judgemental, and intolerant as any person who has a religious belief. I don't think either "side" has a corner market on those traits.
Neither group has a right to carry things to an extreme, and demand complete compliance from the other. That's one of the reasons why, here in the United States, we have the First Amendment, ("Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press..."). People have a freedom of religion, (or freedom from, as the case may be), and all people have the right to speak their mind, whether they are religious or not. If people shout so loud as to entirely drown out one another, demanding only their side be heard, we will never learn how to live in a reasonably tolerant society. Tolerance and compromise are not bad words, contrary to what so many people in both camps seem to think. They are the tools for a more peaceful civilization. But, it does take a great deal of wisdom, (which we seem to sadly lack), to utilize both words to everyones' benefit.
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