Thank You Atheists

[gharik]

Arkansas, Article 19, Section 1:
Atheists disqualified from holding office or testifying as witness.
No person who denies the being of a God shall hold any office in the civil departments of this State, nor be competent to testify as a witness in any Court.
…
Maryland, Article 37:
That no religious test ought ever to be required as a qualification for any office of profit or trust in this State, other than a declaration of belief in the existence of God; nor shall the Legislature prescribe any other oath of office than the oath prescribed by this Constitution.
…
Mississippi, Article 14, Section 265:
No person who denies the existence of a Supreme Being shall hold any office in this state.
…
South Carolina, Article 17, Section 4:
No person who denies the existence of a Supreme Being shall hold any office under this Constitution.
…
Tennessee, Article 9, Section 2 (PDF):
No person who denies the being of God, or a future state of rewards and punishments, shall hold any office in the civil department of this state.
…
Texas, Article 1, Section 4:
No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office, or public trust, in this State; nor shall any one be excluded from holding office on account of his religious sentiments, provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being.
Which States Ban Atheists from Holding Public Office?

Aren't all of these just special cases of not wanting arrogant douchebags in positions of power?



I keed, I keed.




_...kinda.

[Night]

This is hilarious. I love how doctor barber always groups "atheists" together, as if we are one people. Doctor Barber, while some atheists may attend rallies and meetings, the vast majority of us are too independently minded to put ourselves into some atheism group. Atheism is NOT a religion, and no matter how hard to try to make us seem as ignorant as a religion, you are still the one that believes in zombie Jesus, and we don't.

[gharik]

This is hilarious. I love how doctor barber always groups "atheists" together, as if we are one people. Doctor Barber, while some atheists may attend rallies and meetings, the vast majority of us are too independently minded to put ourselves into some atheism group. Atheism is NOT a religion, and no matter how hard to try to make us seem as ignorant as a religion, you are still the one that believes in zombie Jesus, and we don't.

What makes something a religion? Are you using the term anthropologically? Sociologically? Philosophically?

[Jack]

For general discussions/debates a dictionary definition is sufficient.

Definition of RELIGION

1a : the state of a religious <a nun in her 20th year of religion>
b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness
4: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

Religion - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

1.a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2.a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3.the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4.the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5.the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.

Religion | Define Religion at Dictionary.com

Religion is a set of beliefs about God or the supernatural.

define religion | definition of religion

the belief in and worship of a god or gods, or any such system of belief and worship

religion n - definition in American English Dictionary - Cambridge Dictionary Online

the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods: ideas about the relationship between science and religion
a particular system of faith and worship: the world’s great religions
a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance: consumerism is the new religion

Definition for religion - Oxford Dictionaries Online (US English)

1.
a. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
b. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
2. The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
3. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
4. A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009.

1. belief in, worship of, or obedience to a supernatural power or powers considered to be divine or to have control of human destiny
2. any formal or institutionalized expression of such belief the Christian religion
3. the attitude and feeling of one who believes in a transcendent controlling power or powers
4. (Christianity / Roman Catholic Church) Chiefly RC Church the way of life determined by the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience entered upon by monks, friars, and nuns to enter religion
5. something of overwhelming importance to a person football is his religion
6. Archaic
a. the practice of sacred ritual observances
b. sacred rites and ceremonies
[via Old French from Latin religiō fear of the supernatural, piety, probably from religāre to tie up, from re- + ligāre to bind]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

1. a belief in, or the worship of, a god or gods.
2. a particular system of belief or worship Christianity and Islam are two different religions.

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2010

Most if not all common definitions include similar elements; belief in a deity or a supernatural being, rituals and codified beliefs, and worship or devout belief.

[finder]

This is hilarious. I love how doctor barber always groups "atheists" together, as if we are one people. Doctor Barber, while some atheists may attend rallies and meetings, the vast majority of us are too independently minded to put ourselves into some atheism group. Atheism is NOT a religion, and no matter how hard to try to make us seem as ignorant as a religion, you are still the one that believes in zombie Jesus, and we don't.

Ironic though, how it's perused and defended (above) with the same vehement kind of faith as religious zealots do with there religion.

[Jack]

Why "ironic"? Religious fervor isn't a standard against which other passionate beliefs and/or opinions are measured.

[finder]

Why "ironic"? ...

The same generalizations alluding to "ignorance" much in the same way religionist will generalize non-belief while passionately expressing their views. Ironically exposing their determined ignorance of the other's beliefs.

[cat505]

Darwin's theory of evolution ( as opposed to "God did it" ) is taught to children all across America.

I don't see how this is a bad thing. If I was a hindu child why would I want a PUBLIC SCHOOL teaching me the Christain view of things? Would you like it if Christain Children were taught the Hindu story of creation, and the Hindu view on Homosexuality? These are public schools, and the constitution SPECIFICALLY states that the church and state should be kept seperate. Also, even if religous teaching was allowed in public schools, why would it have to be CHRISTAIN religous teachings?

[theophilus]

Quote by: DoctorBarber
Darwin's theory of evolution ( as opposed to "God did it" ) is taught to children all across America.

I don't see how this is a bad thing. If I was a hindu child why would I want a PUBLIC SCHOOL teaching me the Christain view of things? Would you like it if Christain Children were taught the Hindu story of creation, and the Hindu view on Homosexuality? These are public schools, and the constitution SPECIFICALLY states that the church and state should be kept seperate. Also, even if religous teaching was allowed in public schools, why would it have to be CHRISTAIN religous teachings?

The problem with teaching evolution in public schools isn't the fact that it is taught but how it is taught. It is generally presented as if it were something that has been scientifically proven to be true in the same sense that the laws of gravity have been proved. The truth is that since it involves events that were supposed to have happened in the past before there were any humans to observe them it makes many claims that can't be tested scientifically. In addition there are some observable facts that are inconsistent with the theory that aren't ever mentioned in school. Here is a good place to find out about some of these inconsistencies.

Science Against Evolution Official Home Page

Since it is widely believed it is necessary that students learn about it should be taught honestly. The students should be made aware of the fact that it can't be tested and proven by scientic methods and there is evidence against it.

[gharik]

The problem with teaching evolution in public schools isn't the fact that it is taught but how it is taught. It is generally presented as if it were something that has been scientifically proven to be true in the same sense that the laws of gravity have been proved. The truth is that since it involves events that were supposed to have happened in the past before there were any humans to observe them it makes many claims that can't be tested scientifically. In addition there are some observable facts that are inconsistent with the theory that aren't ever mentioned in school. Here is a good place to find out about some of these inconsistencies.

Science Against Evolution Official Home Page

Since it is widely believed it is necessary that students learn about it should be taught honestly. The students should be made aware of the fact that it can't be tested and proven by scientic methods and there is evidence against it.

I'm not an expert in science, but I'm pretty sure that evolution is damn near fundamental in the fields of biology and genetics--similar to plate tectonics in geology. And I'm pretty sure that there have been experimental results confirming both.

[Peter]

The problem with teaching evolution in public schools isn't the fact that it is taught but how it is taught. It is generally presented as if it were something that has been scientifically proven to be true in the same sense that the laws of gravity have been proved. The truth is that since it involves events that were supposed to have happened in the past before there were any humans to observe them it makes many claims that can't be tested scientifically. In addition there are some observable facts that are inconsistent with the theory that aren't ever mentioned in school. Here is a good place to find out about some of these inconsistencies.

Science Against Evolution Official Home Page

Since it is widely believed it is necessary that students learn about it should be taught honestly. The students should be made aware of the fact that it can't be tested and proven by scientic methods and there is evidence against it.

Please put together a sample curriculum for teaching the theory of creation so that we can compare the two theories side by side and decide which should predominate in schools. Do you feel they should be taught as equal truths? Maybe you feel that the theory of creation should be taught as the dominant theory? If so, exactly what would be taught in a science class as the theory of creation? I'm serious Theo, explain the theory of creation?? I wanna know.

[Peter]

The problem with teaching evolution in public schools isn't the fact that it is taught but how it is taught. It is generally presented as if it were something that has been scientifically proven to be true in the same sense that the laws of gravity have been proved.

Whoa! You accept the laws of gravity as being proved?? Last time I checked the laws of gravity failed to account for the rotation of galaxies and dark matter was invented to make up the difference. If the laws of gravity were treated like the Theory of Evolution you'd be all over this fact like stink on shit! You'd be yelling about the problems with the laws of gravity but simultaneously enjoying the scientific advances afforded by our understanding of gravity. You'd want the Theory of God Sucking Big Things Together, or some equal nonsense, taught to our children along with the laws of gravity. It makes me physically ill to imagine such a world.