Pope Criticizes Atheism in Encyclical

[Milton Bradley]

When you think about it though, he's not the only one to have said it.

George H.W. Bush was once quoted as saying:
I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God.



I'm not condoning what the pope said. Frankly, I've never been this pissed in my life. But how uncommon is it that someone influential said something like that?

This is truly a case of "consider the source".


Considering George "Wiretap" Bush's record on honesty, it's safe to assume you can disregard anything that comes out of his mouth. Taking this man at his word is but the begining of a long, and arduous road.


He's probably doing us all a favor by being such a visible true life example of the old proverb that states, "it's better to be thought an idiot, than to open ones mouth, and prove it."


The sad thing is, he probably really means it. But, waht do you expect from somebody that subscribes to his own reality.


He's the "Uniter".

[Becky14]

This is truly a case of "consider the source".


Considering George "Wiretap" Bush's record on honesty, it's safe to assume you can disregard anything that comes out of his mouth. Taking this man at his word is but the begining of a long, and arduous road.


He's probably doing us all a favor by being such a visible true life example of the old proverb that states, "it's better to be thought an idiot, than to open ones mouth, and prove it."


The sad thing is, he probably really means it. But, waht do you expect from somebody that subscribes to his own reality.


He's the "Uniter".

Point taken.

[ItsDarts]

I have a question for you atheists- by what justification do you condemn someone who harms someone else? What is the supreme principle behind Law?

One word.... Evolution.

We are social animals and as such when someone doesn't play according to the rules of the social community, they are punished or expelled from that community. Do you REALLY need a book to tell you that hurting others is wrong? Isn't there just something inherant inside you that tells you that it's wrong? This is called a conscience. Some people have better consciences than others. Your conscience tells you that slavery is wrong, yet your old book condones it. Your conscience tells you that burning witches is wrong, yet at one point, it was your book (or the people who interpreted it) condoned such acts..... Now we're all waiting for you Christians to let your conscience tell you that denying gay people their rights is wrong. It's only a matter of time, I hope. And no, I'm not gay, but I support their positions.

[Becky14]

One word.... Evolution.

We are social animals and as such when someone doesn't play according to the rules of the social community, they are punished or expelled from that community. Do you REALLY need a book to tell you that hurting others is wrong? Isn't there just something inherant inside you that tells you that it's wrong? This is called a conscience. Some people have better consciences than others. Your conscience tells you that slavery is wrong, yet your old book condones it. Your conscience tells you that burning witches is wrong, yet at one point, it was your book (or the people who interpreted it) condoned such acts..... Now we're all waiting for you Christians to let your conscience tell you that denying gay people their rights is wrong. It's only a matter of time, I hope. And no, I'm not gay, but I support their positions.

*applause*

And the fact that people actually think that atheists are closed minded, or stupid, or any of the other BS I've seen, Is APPALLING.

[Keith Hamburger]

Point taken.

Ummm ... Were we talking about George H.W or George W.?

The original post said H.W. and the response seemed to be about W.

Keith

[phoenix_fire]

*applause*

And the fact that people actually think that atheists are closed minded, or stupid, or any of the other BS I've seen, Is APPALLING.

Really? You mean you're not going to even consider that there might be a component to the interpretation of atheism common to many that is closed-minded? Sounds a little narrow in and of itself. I was somewhat under the impression that being narrow was kinda one of the big points of atheism.

[Milton Bradley]

Really? You mean you're not going to even consider that there might be a component to the interpretation of atheism common to many that is closed-minded? Sounds a little narrow in and of itself. I was somewhat under the impression that being narrow was kinda one of the big points of atheism.

Narrow? Perhaps demanding might be a better adjective.

[Chimera]

Chimera do we presume you support this outrage of christian religious facism?

I don't really care either way. I'm not surprised in the least is all I'm saying. He's the pope.....Why would he ever be expected to have anything but negative feelings towards atheism.

[phoenix_fire]

True. But accusations and wild hyperbole aren't going to win him any converts. It's not like atheists ever blame an entire ideology for the past actions of a few people that were countries and years away from the audience and acting on motivations that weren't necessarily influenced by their belief/nonbelief. Oh wait...

[Jack]

Sort of like all those Mao/Stalin/Hitler comments I see so often, eh?

[phoenix_fire]

I meant more along the lines of the Crusades/Inquisition/Hitler comments that almost every atheist debater drags up at least once in his/her tenure.

Can't take it...but sure as, well, nothing....can dish it out.

But then I've already said that such irrelevant generalizations are pointless and ignorant. I've even been somewhat sympathetic toward atheists in this thread. Your turn.

[ItsDarts]

I meant more along the lines of the Crusades/Inquisition/Hitler comments that almost every atheist debater drags up at least once in his/her tenure.

Can't take it...but sure as, well, nothing....can dish it out.

But then I've already said that such irrelevant generalizations are pointless and ignorant. I've even been somewhat sympathetic toward atheists in this thread. Your turn.

I think the point you are missing is that your ideology is technically based on converting everyone. The bible supports and condones this practice. Atheism has no such ideology. People citing Pol Pot or Marxism as an atheistic ideology are mistaken and do so to cover up their own ideology's shortcomings. Atheism was used as part of a political process, but atheism by itself has nothing to say about how people should live. Atheism by itself is only a lack of belief in god(s). Christianity, Islam and some other religions clearly state that you are to convert people everywhere, regardless of political affiliation.