Atheists Need to Stand Up and Fight

We are close to the point where atheists are the last group where most folks think it is just fine to hate, persecute, and harbor bigotry against. Consider these quotes from high-ranking officials that really did not cause many problems...

• George Bush the First: "No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God."
  
  
• Ed Murnane, cochairman of the Bush-Quayle '88 Illinois campaign: "Everything that American Atheists does, Rob, is bullshit."
  
  
• Ed Derwinski, the secretary of the Department of Veteran's Affairs, for the First Bush Administration: "What you should do for me is what you should do for everybody: Believe in God. Get off our backs."

A few weeks ago I posted some examples of state constitutions that contain bigoted tests for holding office -- tests that are illegal according to the US Constitution. Yet nothing gets done about it.

Religious organizations are not taxed, yet many want to be politically active and foist their backwards mindsets on the nation. Just look at all the anti-gay sentiment. It would be unlikely to proper without religious backing. And what about David Patterson's (Governor of New York) suggestion that New York would provide money (taxpayer money) to those wishing to build a mosque on ground zero if they'd just move it elsewhere?

But now I'm rambling... back to the point of this post... there are a lot of atheists and people "without faith" out there; many more than the religious believe. I think it would do a world of good if all atheists/agnostics/no-religionists came out of the closet and proudly exclaimed they don't need faith because they have reason.

Some day...

A Mosque at Ground Zero?

OK... I was hoping to ignore this stupid, stupid story, but I guess it is just going to simmer along and not go away.

For some time now, there have been plans to build a mosque near ground zero in New York City. Some are frothing at the mouth and complaining that this should not be allowed, under the assumption, I guess, that Muslims blew up that area and should not be permitted to build there.

Now I don't know how the folks building this thing acquired the land, but if it was all done above board, then why is anyone fucking whining. The location used to be a Burlington Coat Factory. Now... (w)hen completed, the building will incorporate a prayer space to accommodate 2,000 worshipers; a gym and pool; a 500-seat theater and galleries for exhibitions; and a catering hall for weddings and other social events.

The president has it right on this one. Our country provides freedom of worship and there is no reason to forbid any group from legally purchasing property and building a house of worship. PK, maybe a less incendiary location could have been chosen, but if you don't like it, you should have bought it yourself... or done something to turn the area into a park or something...

Carl Sagan - 'A Glorious Dawn' ft Stephen Hawking (Symphony of Science)

Faith Healers "At It Again"

One of my hot button issues is in the news again as christian idiots - this time from Oregon - relied on faith healing and refused to seek medical help for their child.

In late July 2010, two members of the Followers of Christ church were charged with first-degree criminal mistreatment for failing to provide medical care for their infant daughter. The couple,
Timothy and Rebecca Wyland pleaded not guilty during a brief appearance before Clackamas County Circuit Judge Robert D. Herndon and were released without bail.

The area above their child's left eye started swelling shortly after birth. She developed a hemangioma -- a fast-growing mass of blood vessels -- that bulged out and pushed the eyeball down and outward. Oregon Health & Science University doctors who examined the girl said that without treatment, she could lose sight.

This shit has got to stop. This is a pattern with this particular church (and, let's face it, there are others). Two other couples from this church failed to provide medical care to their children: a15-month-old and a 16 year old, and both died as a result.

These folks should lose custody of their children. There are many responsible folks out there who would be willing to raise them and give them the proper care they need.

A Victory Over Bigotry and Intolerance in California Today

A federal judge overturned California's same-sex marriage ban Wednesday in a landmark case that could eventually land before the U.S. Supreme Court to decide if gays have a constitutional right to marry in America.

Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker made his ruling in a lawsuit filed by two gay couples who claimed the voter-approved ban violated their civil rights.

Gay couples waving rainbow and American flags outside the courthouse cheered, hugged and kissed as word of the ruling spread.

No one has yet been able to explain to me why they care who other choose to marry.

Of course, the battle is not over yet... not even in California where the bigoted proponents of Prop 8 plan to appeal the judge's decision.

Let's hope they fail miserably.

Unconstitutional State Constitutions

Texas' Bill of Rights Section 4:
" RELIGIOUS TESTS: 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."

Tennessee's Bill of Rights: Article 9:
Section 2. " 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."

South Carolina's Constitution, Article 4 Section 2:
"Person denying existence of Supreme Being not to hold office. No person who denies the existence of the Supreme Being shall hold any office under this Constitution."

North Carolina's Constitution, Article 6 Sec. 8:
" Disqualifications of office. The following persons shall be disqualified for office: First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God...."

Maryland's Bill of Rights: Article 36:
" That as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to Him, all persons are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty; wherefore, no person ought by any law to be molested in his person or estate, on account of his religious persuasion, or profession, or for his religious practice, unless, under the color of religion, he shall disturb the good order, peace or safety of the State, or shall infringe the laws of morality, or injure others in their natural, civil or religious rights; nor ought any person to be compelled to frequent, or maintain, or contribute, unless on contract, to maintain, any place of worship, or any ministry; nor shall any person, otherwise competent, be deemed incompetent as a witness, or juror, on account of his religious belief; provided, he believes in the existence of God, and that under His dispensation such person will be held morally accountable for his acts, and be rewarded or punished therefore either in this world or in the world to come."

Why these are all unconstitutional:
Article VI, section 3 of the United States Constitution

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.

Anyone Think This is Good News?

Even though President Obama promised BP will cover 100% of the cost of repairing and cleaning up the Gulf Oil Disaster, the Wall Street Journal reports that BP will force taxpayers to pick up at least $9.9 billion of the bill.

How will this happen? BP is planning to use tax-code provisions that allow companies to get refunds on losses. Since the disaster will cost BP at least $32 billion, they want almost $10 billion dollars from taxpayers -- effectively cutting BP clean-up costs by a third.

POTUS and VP Schedule Now Online

Just a quick post to share the online schedule of the president and VP.

It is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/schedule/complete.

Again... sorry for the lack of posts around here lately. Hopefully I'll crawl out from under the work avalanche and be more active here again soon...