Rep. Stark applauded for atheist outlook

Atheism: The Religion That Denies Being A Religion

In the absence of proof either way, declaring there isn't a God requires just as much faith as declaring there is a God.

Such is the irony of the Atheist Religion.

If Representative Stark chooses to believe there isn't a God, good for him! Religious freedom must apply to Atheists as much as anyone else for it to truly be freedom.

But to imply that such a declaration of faith is somehow superior to other declarations of faith is nothing short of religious bigotry.

At least, that's how I see it.

Your Mileage May Vary.

Originally posted by Majic
Atheism: The Religion That Denies Being A Religion

In the absence of proof either way, declaring there isn't a God requires just as much faith as declaring there is a God.

I happen to respectfully disagree, when there is no proof of something existing it is not reasonable to therefore conclude that it indeed does not exist? I'm all for being proven wrong however until when and if I will choose to not believe in an unproven "Supreme Being".

Originally posted by shadow fax

Originally posted by In nothing we trust

Originally posted by annestacey
Another step toward the ban of religion. On one hand, I believe that most (if not all) organized religion is nothing but brainwashing tactics to control the masses.

Once you get rid of religion how do you plan on maintaining control of the masses?

money. you use money.

Great idea, who gets to be the banker?

And how can you trust the banker not to swindle you?

[edit on 14-3-2007 by In nothing we trust]

A Leap Of Faith

Originally posted by WestPoint23
I happen to respectfully disagree, when there is no proof of something existing it is not reasonable to therefore conclude that it indeed does not exist?

Yes -- provided you believe absence of evidence equals evidence of absence.

If anything, history shows that "gods" of some kind -- whatever they might actually be -- cause massive changes in human behavior which manifest themselves in very measurable and concrete ways, so even if gods are nothing more than memes influencing the human psyche in a manner akin to mass hysteria, they still exist.

To declare they don't exist at all, however, transcends proof and itself becomes a declaration of faith -- a declaration of faith undertaken in opposition to the facts, as it turns out.

And when that happens, a religion is born.

I personally applaud Representative Stark fro stating his belief, or in
this case, his non-beliefs.

There is nothing wrong with him being an atheist, and honestly anyone
who actually votes for someone shearly based on there religious beleifs
or non-beliefs, is an example of what is wrong with this country.


Something interesting to, I was watching/listening to the news earlier,
and they were talking about this, and they had people eMail there opinions.

They read several of them, and something like 60-70% (base don really
rough calculation in my head) did'nt care that he was an atheist, and
those were people who were Christian and atheist.

[edit on 3/14/2007 by iori_komei]

Weak-minded people need belief to be happy, they can't believe in themselves... I seriously don't understand them. And for the extremists, well they are like a sport team... if you're against their team you're the enemy.

[edit on 14-3-2007 by Vitchilo]

he isn't exactly "atheist" he just doesn't assert the existence of a creator-being.
but he's close.


now, atheism as a religion. making the assertion that deities almost certainly do not exist isn't a leap of faith. it is in fact nothing more than a reasonable assumption when you take into account the fact that the universe can be explained without the existence of said beings. it would be a leap of faith if the probablities were 50/50, but they aren't.

atheism is a religion like bald is a hair color

Originally posted by anathema777

The American Humanist Association applauded Rep. Pete Stark for publicly acknowledging he does not believe in a supreme being. The declaration, it said, makes him the highest-ranking elected official — and first congressman — to proclaim to be an atheist.

Can always count on huge flame war to ensue after a story like this drops.

As far as any one person saying implying that Christianity is the only correct moral/ethical guideline well that’s Bullsh*t.

No one has said that, this is smoething people of the, ugh I guess the only word to describe you people is "left", persuasion continuely imply. No one has said that, you folks have.

Id also like to remind you that atheism, probably a more radical form of unitarianism and universalism, grew from the same place that the more conservative versions of christianity has.

Originally posted by madnessinmysoul
he isn't exactly "atheist" he just doesn't assert the existence of a creator-being.
but he's close.


now, atheism as a religion. making the assertion that deities almost certainly do not exist isn't a leap of faith. it is in fact nothing more than a reasonable assumption when you take into account the fact that the universe can be explained without the existence of said beings. it would be a leap of faith if the probablities were 50/50, but they aren't.

atheism is a religion like bald is a hair color

Need to do your research on liberal protestantism in america and the social gospel to truly understand what you are preaching. You tout atheism as the "perfect" idealogy, but I really doubnt you even know its origins.

Originally posted by In nothing we trust

Originally posted by shadow fax

Originally posted by In nothing we trust

Originally posted by annestacey
Another step toward the ban of religion. On one hand, I believe that most (if not all) organized religion is nothing but brainwashing tactics to control the masses.

Once you get rid of religion how do you plan on maintaining control of the masses?

money. you use money.

Great idea, who gets to be the banker?

And how can you trust the banker not to swindle you?

[edit on 14-3-2007 by In nothing we trust]

whoever you pay to be the banker. the world as a company, just like it is right now without all the bull# that governments bring along.

its a utopia, not a viable option

it doesnt matter, the world will only continue to exist as a livable planet if the population diminishes extremely. it was never designed for this many people. if and when that happens, religion will be gone anyway.

whats up with the whole God thing anyway? whats he do for those who believe in him/her?

Originally posted by XphilesPhan
Need to do your research on liberal protestantism in america and the social gospel to truly understand what you are preaching. You tout atheism as the "perfect" idealogy, but I really doubnt you even know its origins.

Wait a minute. Believing in nothing has an origin?

Signed,

Now I've Heard Everything

Originally posted by Majic
Atheism: The Religion That Denies Being A Religion

In the absence of proof either way, declaring there isn't a God requires just as much faith as declaring there is a God.

Such is the irony of the Atheist Religion.

If Representative Stark chooses to believe there isn't a God, good for him! Religious freedom must apply to Atheists as much as anyone else for it to truly be freedom.

But to imply that such a declaration of faith is somehow superior to other declarations of faith is nothing short of religious bigotry.

At least, that's how I see it.

Your Mileage May Vary.

Are you wilfully ignorant?

Atheism is not] a belief that there is no God; it is simply the rejection of a belief in any specific God or supernatural entity. In general (however, I can’t speak for all idiots out there) Atheists do not claim to know for certain there is no God.

Atheism is not a religion.

yup yup cant blame the applause. a while ago at the super market i was picking up groceries. and i thought to myself, why not walk around proclaiming im atheist. so i go to one old man and say, "Im atheist" real boldly. and his eyes lit up and he shook my hand. and i did it to another person. and another. each one congratulated me somehow be it a handshake or offering to pay for my groceries. and the cashier, smoking hot btw, i told her i was atheist and she said she atheist too. needless to say i got her # without even asking allll because of being atheist. sso next time you want attention/regognition, just tell ppl your atheist

Congratulations to Representive Stark for not allowing religious zealots to control his mind. Many 21st century human beings do not need to adhere to a control set of relgious values to maintain their moral compass. I am sure he will do a fine job without believing in a supreme being. Don't get me wrong -- I have plenty of christian friends, hindu, muslim, atheist, etc. and I at peace with my personal code of ethics. If i'm not mistaken, religion is the number one reason man kills man since our inception.

Originally posted by theutahbigfoothunter

Rep. Stark applauded for atheist outlook

news.yahoo.com

The American Humanist Association applauded Rep. Pete Stark for publicly acknowledging he does not believe in a supreme being. The declaration, it said, makes him the highest-ranking elected official — and first congressman — to proclaim to be an atheist. The organization took out an ad in Tuesday's Washington Post, congratulating the California Democrat for his stance.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Although Rep. Stark has an uneven record for civility, I have to say I'm extremely pleased that at least on member of the HR is coming out as an atheist. Professing religious belief as a political convenience is a disgrace. Even non-believer Jefferson had to declare himself a Unitarian in order to avoid the dreaded atheist label (see Brooke Allen's book Moral Minority).

Maybe today's Pharisees won't take over, after all.


[edit on 15-3-2007 by disownedsky]

Originally posted by WestPoint23
I happen to respectfully disagree, when there is no proof of something existing it is not reasonable to therefore conclude that it indeed does not exist?

I would give him a WATS but apparently i may not. I think it's at least as large a leap of faith ( and possible even larger considering you are bound to be in a very small minority) to say that there is no god(s) or nothing worth thinking about in those terms and frankly i find Atheism to be a arrogant as theism's in general. If you must be something be agnostic and at least admit that you don't know it all.

I'm all for being proven wrong however until when and if I will choose to not believe in an unproven "Supreme Being".

You don't have to believe in any of the commonly proposed one's to reserve judgement on the whole issue... Atheism is basically stating that you do not believe there can be a creator, or something with the power commonly ascribed to them, and considering the general absence of proof or evidence either way ( and proving a negative is quite a chore) it's not imo where i would be putting my money.

Whether you be agnostic or atheist your going to the Muslim/Christian ( insert whatever) hell anyways so why resist the temptation to seriously insult any god's you might not be aware of?

I have sympathy with the Senator but only because his journey is not going to get easier from here on in. We do however need more like him who are willing to test the boundaries and make people think about these issues.

Anyways!

Stellar

Originally posted by XphilesPhan
This is just the media trying to goad the right into a kneejerk reaction over this proclamation so they can poin their fingers and say, "look! they are fundamentalists."

The famed, but non-existent, left wing media i suppose?

Who cares... I dont care that there is a politician who, according to my beliefs, is going to hell. Just pray that he dont try to take others with him.

Well i suppose he will be taking a few already as he must have fooled a lot of ( i suppose liberals) American into voting for him...

I do have my reservations about this. What exactly are his ethics and morals if he doesnt follow a christian model?

So human beings had no morality and ethics before 2007 ( depending on what number you believe in anyways) years ago ? Do you really believe that only Christians have morality and ethics because if you do i will have to make a note that i am not in fact dealing with sane 'entity' ( and that's possible generous) here...

Homosexual orgies, intravenous drug use, and high treason?

sounds like clinton. *smirks*

Compared to the paedophile activities that some members of the republican party indulges in that sounds positively healthy.

I'll probably get slammed for that remark,

.

You deserve worse.

Originally posted by XphilesPhan
Well, since he doesnt follow any religous model, what are his morals and ethics and are the compatible with the people he represents, I think that is a fair question, dont you?

You need actual morals and ethics to become a US senator? You mean you don't just have to call yourself christian, use the lords name in a reverent tone of voice, suggest you were sent by him on a 'mission', say he saved your life ( you were, in idiotic fashion, drinking yourself to death and discriminating against trees along roads) but actually practice some kind of ethics or morality?

I bet this would be news to most senators who seem to have little consideration for ethics or morality when it does not serve their interest.

Stellar

Last Will And Testament

Originally posted by VladTheImpaler
Are you wilfully ignorant?

Are you willfully rude?

Feel free to disagree all you want, but knock off the insults. :shk:

Originally posted by Majic
Atheism: The Religion That Denies Being A Religion

In the absence of proof either way, declaring there isn't a God requires just as much faith as declaring there is a God.

Such is the irony of the Atheist Religion.

Case and point.

I wish others could open their eyes to this and not demand that their representative conform to their personal beliefs or incur the wrath of judgement from the moral majority.

~Anathema

Originally posted by Majic
Last Will And Testament

Originally posted by VladTheImpaler
Are you wilfully ignorant?

Are you willfully rude?

Feel free to disagree all you want, but knock off the insults.

:shk:

Yes I am willfully rude.

However, that's not an insult, it is a legitimate question. You don't seem have any idea what Atheism even means, yet you make such claims. If you believe Atheism is a religion even after the concept has been explained to you, then yes, you are willfully ignorant, insult or not.

Vlad