Facing The Hate

From @denyreligion comes this link to a quick Proud Atheists post with the following video clip. XM host Michelangelo Signorile (@msignorile) is interviewing "Pastor"* Steven Anderson, the current hate-monger-of-the-moment:

Now first of all, I really have to hand it to Signorile: There's NO WAY I would have been able to resist flipping out on this man. People who rationalize absolute stupidity - and preach it to adults and children alike every Sunday - just drive me insane. Had it been an in-studio interview, I probably would have shown him what a criminal act really is.

Not good, and very counter-productive to our cause, I know. But that's how these people make me feel. This extreme kind of bob-and-weave reasoning is unhealthy to the human mind. It's like a poison that attacks what you know about right and wrong and warps it into some mutant form of gray matter palsy-induced pseudo-morality, rationalized by circular reasoning and outright lies.

Look. If you plot and carry out the murder of another human being - no matter what that target person does or has done - you are guilty of murder in the first degree, and should be punished accordingly. Life in prison, death, whatever sentence is handed down by either a Judge or a Jury of your peers - accept it.

This country wasn't founded solely on "God's Law." It just so happens that "God's Laws" are quite similar to the laws of Reason: It's wrong to kill, duh. It's wrong to steal, duh. It's wrong to fuck your buddy's wife, duh. It's wrong to lie, duh. But that's pretty much where the similarities end.

A freethinker knows it's wrong to hate someone for some petty reason, like skin color or sexual orientation, or even political views. Duh. But "God's Law" says that hate is perfectly OK, condemning - with prejudice - lifestyles with a peculiar selectiveness. It's OK to hate anyone that's different, "God's Law" says. Really? And here I grew up thinking hate was wrong and stupid. Silly me...

A freethinker knows it's wrong to try and impose your beliefs on someone else. Duh. We don't actively go recruiting - all we do is find folks who think the same way, and then we congregate and discuss stuff. Gee, just like you practitioners of "God's Law" do every Sunday! The big difference here is, folks like them are always trying to add to the flock. They're always trying to convince you that God makes them happier than they ever have been in their lives (how, I still don't know), and that there's no other way for you to be that happy unless you think exactly the same way they do.

That's the whole "With us or against us" mentality that not only spawned an illegal war in Iraq, but the very mentality that has divided this Nation like never before - Even during the Civil War.

A freethinker knows that a House Divided Shall Fall. Duh. But no, not "God's Law" followers. They're willfully ignorant of that little nugget of advice. No, they gleefully tip the balance, drive the wedge, pull out the fulcrum, take your pick. And they do so, happily, in the name of God. Gee, thanks, Fundies.

Former Minnisota Governor Jesse "The Body/Mind/Governing Body" Ventura once said in a Playboy interview that "Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers." I'd like to expand on that a bit. You see, it's these same weak-minded people who become the pawns of people like "Pastor"* Anderson. People like him see an oppertunity: If they exploit the fears and beliefs of these people, they can use them to gather strength for their own bigoted, hate-fueled outlook on life, and turn it into a political force.

Rationality and Common Sense should tell EVERYBODY - Atheist, Christian, whatever - that that is most certainly wrong.

Duh.

*I've known plenty of Pastors in my lifetime, and this man is nothing like the Pastors I have known. All have been kind, tolerant people who don't preach venom and bile - just misinformation, unfortunately.

Are We So Evil?

This came to me over Twitter from @denyreligion, a link to this article. There are two more videos posted there, but I really feel it necessary to show this one. Question, Christians: When have you EVER seen an Atheist - even one of the more passionate ones like myself - do ANYTHING like this?

Your brothers and sisters in Christ. You must be so, so proud...

You claim that the worst of us are people like Richard Dawkins and P.Z. Meyers, militant Atheists bent on your destruction. Well, you're half right. We'd like to see religion abolished, sure! Trust us, that wouldn't be a bad thing for the human race. But we're not like these people. Not a single, solitary bit.

The worst Mr. Dawkins does is either sit or stand in front of a microphone and calmly own your ass with fact and evidence - two things, I fear, that you lack.

The worst Mr. Meyers does is laugh at you and your silly "museums" that teach tomfoolery and madness.

Look. As much as I want to reach out and deck a stupid fundie who's clearly out of control like our redneck friend in the video, I don't. Despite popular belief that the godless are also without morals, we do in fact know right from wrong, and know that all punching people like that jackhole will get us is a night in the tank at county and an arrest record.

And yet Captain Christian here is freely lobbing threats - including physical violence and terrorism (blowing up a house?) - in the name of God. Don't you just love him? He's adorable!

And you want to make sure your kids grow up secure in the "knowledge" that the same God this guy worships is the right thing for them? Yeah, you need to rethink that position.

Personally, I think this video is just further proof that belief in any sort of imaginary man in the sky should be classified as just another delusion, and treated for what it truly is: Mental Illness.

What Have You Become?

OK. For argument's sake, let's just say there is a God. Hypothetically, in my case, but for this post, we'll assume that there is, in fact, an invisible man in the sky with an illegitimate Hebrew Zombie as a son, who is worthy of singing songs to every Sunday. Right.

Now, the Bible is what it is: A collection of "testaments," most of which were not written anywhere near extant to the lifetime of Joshua of Nazereth, that is the only known record of any sort of divine acts. It neglects most of the life of Joshua, from his formative years up until his early 30's. Despite this huge omission, he is the central figure of the book's second half.

In this half, Joshua makes the claim that he "will come again." OK, fair enough.

Now, take a look at Christianity today. They argue amongst themselves about who is and isn't a "True Christian." Most of those that readily and vehemently claim that title are the hardcore "Genesis is the story of Creation," "Jesus Will Come Again Soon," "Revelation Times Are Almost Upon Us" nutbars. They're the ones who want Genesis taught as fact in schoos (completely dumbing them to natural science in the process), who think that America is some sort of "Christian Nation" where we should follow a Christian doctrine of laws, and who honestly believe that Joshua will return in their lifetime.

People like Pat Robertson. Here's a man who gets on TV day after day and spews nothing but hatred and bile. Let's see him in action, commenting on educational professionals he sees as radicals:

People like those who think that this woman - a wannabe beauty queen with a chip on her shoulder who thinks she can fake her way through politics - should be the leader of the free world:

People who are inspired by Christianity to create things like this abomination:

People like Scott Roeder, the man who murdered Dr. George Tiller - IN THE MAN'S OWN CHURCH.

Now explain something to me: If Joshua were what he claimed to be and indeed were able to come back, WHY THE FUCK WOULD HE WANT TO?

Why the hell would he want followers like these people? Why would he want to come back when the core of his teachings has been warped and twisted by the power-hungry mind of man for almost two millenia, and has created followers like these nimrods?

And you're all believing in the same God? You people need to get your ducks in a row internally before you even think of invading anything on a national scale, like education or law.

True Christians you are not. Joshua would probably laugh at you, wave his hand, and condemn you all to your deserved fate in fire and torment.

Hypothetically speaking, of course.

If Joshua is waiting to come back, he's not going to do so with lunatics like you people running about claiming to be in his graces. He'd be daft and outright embarrassed, I would think! I mean, look at this lot! What the fuck! How do you claim that God created and loves all things, and then turn around trumpeting his name in tandem with hatred and violence?

Sorry, kids, but I'm pretty sure even Joshua - OK, Jee-zuss - would have you all put away.

Stop ruining it for everyone else: The True Christians who believe in love and tolerance and changing with the times, people of other faiths who have every right to co-exist with one another in equality, people who think differently than you about the God problem - that's us, Atheists! - and people who's ideas and moral structures don't quite gel with yours in general.

These people need to stop. Seriously. It's been old for a very, very long time, and Humanity has about had it, I think...

Powder Keg

Uh oh.

As I've been following the situation in Iran, I'm slowly starting to get a picture for what's happening at home. Not good, deffinately not good...

The Obama Administration has taken what I feel is a somewhat-correct approach and, while encouraging and supporting the Iranian people in their efforts for election - and ultimately national - reform, they're not taking direct action. Military action from the US is most certainly not necessary at this time, but I'm not ruling out that it may be necessary should the situation in Iran collapse, which it easily could.

But there are some here at home who think that a forceful response is, in fact, warranted. Why they think we should be the world's military nanny is beyond me. We're already up to our necks in Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention potential troubles from North Korea.

The GOP has been critical of the Administration's response to the situation in Iran, and given their status as a party fighting for its very political life, it could create a serious problem. You see, Iran is an Islamic Republic. The Republican Party's remaining base is still predominantly Evangelical Christian. These are two religions that DO NOT get along. If the Republican Party can whip up the Christian Right into an anti-islamic frenzy by saying this is our chance to overthrow yet another Islamic regime (Hussein's Iraq doesn't really count as one) and install Democracy, there could be quite a push for military deployment.

In the name of God.

You have to remember that, no matter what the Christian Right thinks, there are still a few facts they can't ignore:

1) While the protestors in Iran are denying the current regime, they are not turning away from their Islamic beliefs. They will remain followers of Islam no matter what happens.

2) This is NOT a Christian Nation. Sorry. We have Muslims, Jews, Taoists, Bhuddists, Hari Krishnas, Atheists, Catholics - all kinds of flavors of religion or lack thereof. You do NOT make the decisions for all of us, majority or not.

But will they heed that? Will they instead follow the party line and push for military action?

The results are too scary to think about. Believe me, you don't want to see the pictures rolling through my head.

Meanwhile, those of us with our heads screwed on are taking a different approach, which alot of us feel is the correct one. Americans left and right are not only supporting Iran in word, but also in deed. Posting on Twitter, disseminating video and pictures, making sure the Iranian people - suffering from a state-ordered media blackout and blockage - have an outlet that will ensure that their voices are heard.

What I'm doing is one tiny, nearly insignificant part. But all these tiny parts add up to a very significant whole. I don't think we should militarize and meddle in Iran's burgeoning revolution, but I don't think we should sit idly by and watch without acting, either. You have to find a middle ground, and then walk it.

But you can't stop looking over your shoulder, either. Because you never know what homeward forces could be plotting to take advantage of the situation for their own gain.

Nobody light a match, alright?

Yes, Virginia, there is a Christian Extremism

This man is Stephen T. Johns. He was a security guard at the DC Holocaust Museum, and was working when James W. von Brunn - a Christian/Neo-Nazi Extremist - walked in and immediately opened fire on the museum. Johns was shot, and later died from his injuries.

This article from the Washington Post offers descriptions of Johns, from those who knew him. What follows are some quotes borrowed from the article:

"A soft-spoken, gentle giant." - Former co-worker Milton Talley

"A wonderful individual . . . a truly jovial human being," - Museum Director Sara J. Bloomfield on Good Morning America

"He was like a Care Bear. He wouldn't harm anybody. Sometimes he was so nice that people would try to take advantage of his niceness." - Friend and former roommate Brian Lennon

As an extra special note that I'd like to point out: Johns was in the process of getting closer to his son, who lives with his mother. This man was trying his best to be the father that all men should be. That was taken away from his son by this heinous act, committed by this man:

Say hello to James W. von Brunn. According to various reports, he is between 87 and 89 years old. He is a World War II veteran. And he is outspoken member of the Aryan Supremacist movement. I would link you to his website, which I viewed myself yesterday after this happened, but it has been taken down, and you're met with a Directory Access Denied message.

What I saw, though, only serves to solidify my belief that Religion is evil. In a constant theme, he's called "a credit to the Christian White race" by a former commanding officer (what are these people doing in the military?!?), and uses that "fact" as justification for his rantings and ravings, usually against the Jewish and Black communities.

He is a Christian Extremist.

That's right, kids, the Muslims aren't the only religion with a lockdown on the Extremist title.

Christian Extremism has been around a very long time, actually. During the crusades, the arrogant European Christian establishment saw themselves so righteous that they just HAD to go and liberate "The Holy Land" from the Infadel Muslims. So, they invaded, and they slaughtered. This act only solidified the Muslim hatred for the Christian Infadels. This dovetails into centuries of violence in the name of God.

Also known as Christian Extremism.

But nobody wants to say those words together. It's almost like its a taboo. "Not Christians," you shout. "Certainly not we who are peaceful and loving in the name of our likewise peaceful and loving God!"

Sorry, kids. But yes, even you "Good Christian People" have your extremist nutjobs. Like James W. von Brunn. Whether you want to admit it or not, your so-called benevolent God has inspired this man - and even more frighteningly, thousands to millions of others - into this mindset. A mindset that has led to the shedding of innocent blood.

Scott Roeder, a Christian Extremist of the anti-abortion variety, gunned down Dr. George Tiller barely two weeks ago. Ironically enough, Tiller was serving as an usher in his Lutheran church when Roeder burst in and gunned him down.

Every abortion clinic bombing or shooting? Christian Extremism.

The violence in Ireland? Christian Extremism. Strangely enough, its basically against other Christians.

It's time that we recognized it for what it is: Christian Extremism.

And as you use Muslim Extremism as a pretense for a general distrust and hatred of pretty much any Arab (or even Indian depending on religious practices), so shall it be used against you. You use their extremism as justification to call them "Pakis," "Towel Heads," "Camel Jockeys..."

With Christian Extremism, according to your logic and justification, we are now in our rights to call YOU names. To discriminate against YOU. Bible Beaters. Jesus Freaks. Lunatics. Madmen. And a whole host of other colorful nicknames that I'm sure my readers can come up with on their own.

Clean up the fringes of your own faith before you condemn the fringes of another.

And to the mainstream media: GROW SOME FUCKING BALLS AND REPORT THIS FOR WHAT IT TRULY IS: CHRISTIAN EXTREMISM.