There is Nothing I Dislike Worse Than…
September 26, 2007
There is nothing I dislike worse than:
• Knowing that Osama bin Laden has not been captured, due to apathy of the Bush Administration and Congress. There is no excuse for this lack of action. We can find Saddam Hussein in a little hole in Iraq, but yet Osama bin Laden cannot be found?
• Some Christian conservatives spewing condescending messages like “God hates fags”, “God is Pro Life”, “Evolution is about how humans came from monkeys”, “You’re going to Hell for…”, “God told me…”, or “This is a Christian nation”. They act as if they have “the market cornered” on God. I suppose every other religion is godless according to their rhetoric. Why would some of these folks be teaching their children that the world is only 6,000 years old?
• Islamic paranoia. This is so similar to the old “Red Scare” days co-created by Joe McCarthy. People were deemed unnecessarily as “Commies”. Although “communism” may not be best form of government, we are not allowed to our own philosophies? Why do we feel the need to demonize other cultures like the Muslims?
• The constant intervention of other regimes, in other words…invasion! Our government and their corporate cronies telling foreign countries how they need to be/create a Democratic Republic, so their lives will be improved with more freedom….but yet our freedoms in the U.S. are in jeopardy due to the Patriot Act, warrantless wiretapping, etc. Guns, gangs, and seemingly lawless police rule the streets at night while we the average citizen constantly feel the threat of OUR lives and from OUR own kind. We always think we “know better”, do we? Why do we feel the need to force “our ways” upon others?
• Anti Semitism. There is more to this than pretending to love thy Jewish neighbor. There’s nothing more pretentious as the old saying, “I’ve got a Jewish friend”. You would be surprised at how many “Archie Bunkers” are still around!
• Total neglect of our planet. We live here…isn’t it our job to help keep it habitable for future generations? The “live for today” attitude is just about “played out” as pollution has filled our skies, waters, and land masses. We need the planet Earth MORE than it needs us!
• Homophobia
• Homelessness in America. While I am fairly confident there are some folks that prefer nomadic, meager living, I would wager that MOST do not choose to live in the cold elements of winter. On this issue, we “haves” act like the ostrich with our heads in the sand, pretending there is no problem. With all the tax-exempt faith-based organizations like churches, temples, and mosques, one would think homelessness would be at an all time low. However, many (not all) of these religious “clubs” only cater to the members of their congregation and ease their guilt by sponsoring missionaries instead. After all, “The Good Samaritan” is only a parable.
There is a bright side to this list of dislikes. We can change our attitudes and alter our priorities in life for the betterment of mankind, no matter the sexual preference, color of skin, culture, religious belief, or nationality. We can start by being good neighbors and defenders of human rights. I always thought that was what America was all about.
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16 Responses to “There is Nothing I Dislike Worse Than…”
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You make it sound like churches in America do nothing to fight homelessness and poverty at home. Yes, some churches are “clubs” that serve only their own needs, but many are very generous and feed and clothe many, many people in need. When you make such sweeping generalizations about Christians in America, you are guilty of the same type of bigotry you have just condemned.
justjim…
The tithing/pledging members of religious organizations in the US outnumber the homeless…but yet the number of homeless increases. Why is that?
Religious organizations can receive public funding. The Bush Administration enacted this in January 2001. They are already untaxed…why would they need my tax dollars?? A single person(without dependents) that only makes the minimum wage is not eligible for public assistance.
You view it as “bigotry” against churches, I view it as an abhorrence against people in real need.
Every time a church/temple is built, that city/municipality/county receives less tax dollars and the tax burden is increased on the shoulders of local residents.
Religious and/or charity organizations in the US should be audited on a regular basis to ensure that there is virtually no profit.
Mark,
- The number of non-religious people also outnumbers the number of homeless. Why aren’t you blaming yourself, too.
- Religious organizations can receive government funding, but very few do. When it does happen, it has to be for a specific type of non-profit charity that does not promote religious belief in any way (the type that you seem to be in favor of).
- The thing about singles on minimum wage is a concern, but what does that have to do with churches?
- Building a church/temple does mean less tax revenue than if a business or home were built there, but I would argue that churches/temples benefit the public in many ways. They create a lot of jobs and they do recycle a good bit of money back into local economies - not to mention the amount of money that is given to non-religious, non-profit causes (10% of my church’s budget is given to non-profits).
- Some churches do seem to exist in order to make money, but I would argue that most don’t. They’re just trying to bring in enough money to cover expenses and save a little for a rainy day. I’m all for audits, by the way.
Mark, I don’t see why you’re so opposed to religion. We share many of the same ideals for social justice that you appear to. Perhaps we can work together on these matters instead of trying to tear one another down?
justjim…
Churches are untaxed businesses.
Many corporations give generously to non-profit…just like churches…but yet are TAXED.
What do I have against religion??
Because it simply a tool to control the masses. In Christianity, fear tactics are used to control people…..in other words, “terrorism”.
“Mark, I don’t see why you’re so opposed to religion.”
Well, let’s see… most of the world’s wars of the past and present are based on religion.
Religion uses fear to control their people. They threaten with hell and promise you heaven. Doesn’t Islam promise 40 virgins or something?
Religion made a billions of years old planet 6000 years young… ???
Oh, if I donate 10% of my budget to non-profits, will I be tax exempt? Wait, my husband owns his own business. If he donates 10% will he be tax exempt? That would be sooo cool!!
It’s nice that you share lots of the same ideals for social justice… but does Mark have to approve of religion in order to fix what’s broken?
Mark,
OK. Perhaps churches should be taxed. That’s a debate we could have. But I still don’t get exactly why are so anti-religious. I think that you and I share a lot of the same ideals and concerns about society. I’d be curious to know what kind of experience, if any, you have had with churches.
Miss PDX,
You are making some very broad generalizations here. Not all religions, not all churches, and not all Christians are the same.
- I would agree that many wars of the past have had a religious tone, but there was a lot else behind them - land, economics, politics, personal grudges, etc. Don’t oversimplify it by saying that religion caused them all. Also, a whole lot of religious people have worked tirelessly for peace.
- My faith(Presbyterian)doesn’t use fear tactics. We talk about forgiveness and grace, and we don’t harp on heaven and hell. Again, you’re generalizing.
- I believe in evolution, Big Bang, and all that good scientific stuff - and I’m an ordained minister! In fact, most Christians agree with me. You’re generalizing!
- Again, the tax question is not that important to me. My church will keep doing its thing whether we’re taxed or not.
And I’m not saying anybody has to approve or agree with anything religious. But how about live and let live? We really could stand to work together a little bit.
justjim…
I am against anything that is based on lies. Christianity is based on two basic lies…a “virgin birth” and “Jesus Christ being the son of a god” or Messiah. This is a crock! No matter how moderate or fundamental you are, that’s the basic beliefs.
Why would someone with ANY rationality believe in these basic Christian beliefs?
Just because it has become a socialized religion doesn’t make it so.
I grew up in a “Pentecostal” way of life. I was the one in Sunday School that asked questions like:
“If Cain went to the land of Nod to find a wife, then who was the first man and woman??” Christians leave out the story of Lillith, Adam’s first wife.
I never believed in any higher power.
I’m an atheist. I choose rationality and logic…at least that what I strive for.
Christianity has been “at bat” for 2000 years and still no proof of ANYTHING.
Unless you disregard Acts through Revelations out of the New Testament…you are a Paulian, not Christian. IMO, Paul was the downfall of Christianity.
Mark,
First of all, not all Christians believe in the virgin birth, or even that Jesus was the Son of God. You need to get your facts straight. There is a whole spectrum of Christian belief out there, and you seem to be aware of only the conservative side of it.
Second, Christianity sucks as a socialized religion. It loses all of its power and immediacy. I’m actually glad that the church is declining in social stature, so that we can get back to doing what we’re supposed to.
Third, being a Christian doesn’t mean throwing logic and rationality out the door. You seem to be reacting against your Pentecostal background, which is one of the least rational of all churches. I would suggest you learn a little bit about some of the more liberal churches. You might be surprised.
justjim…
I’d be considered as a “lost soul” by most any Christian. I cannot share in a belief system of any sort. I simply cannot believe in any higher power. I came to know and believe in myself totally, which does not include invisible beings.
I’m open-minded enough to accept proof, but for my whole life, most religious beliefs seem rather redundant and counterproductive to the essentials of human existence.
Mark,
More power to you if your belief system (or lack thereof) gives you the grounding and the peace of mind you need to get through life.
But please stop trying to tear down the Christian faith in the process.
justjim… I am generalizing among those that I know, true. But not without a reason. I walk through life with open eyes and none of the Christians I know believe in the big bang or evolution. NOT A SINGLE ONE. So yes, this is my generalization based on the Christians I know.
Also, yes I’m generalizing on the religions I know. Preaching forgiveness is about as bad in my opinion as promising heaven. I don’t need forgiveness to be a good person. I’m a good person, and that is that. I have experienced the Christian faith, both in Germany and in America… and in France, Switzerland, Austria and even Poland. I think that gives me a bit of an idea on what religion is generally about and enough insight to have an opinion. Oh, I went to religious education for my entire school time. You can read my blog “An Atheist Homeschooler”. It’s in the blog roll. If you go back a couple of pages you will see that I’m not just saying empty words.
As for the wars… I didn’t say that ALL of the wars are based on religion. I said most of them are. And while politics and other stuff may play a side role, religion is usually the major reason for those religious based wars. I don’t care much for listing them all, but I will if you insist, and then you tell me which one is actually more based on politics rather than religion.
The tax question may not be important to you. It is to others, and I highly doubt that your church would do exactly the same stuff if it were taxed. No, I can’t prove that, but I know from experience that people tend to be less generous when they have to pay more out of pocket.
Take care.
justjim… you’re asking Mark not to tear down the Christian faith. Have you even noticed how unfairly atheists in this country are being treated by fundamentalists? Have ever noticed that atheists are being threatened?
Do you know that George Bush sen. said in 1987 “I don’t know that Atheists should be considered as citizens.” after he was asked what we would do to appeal to atheist voters?
Atheists are finally coming out and speaking up for themselves. And it is about time. We’re not tearing down anything. We are voicing our opinion just like anybody else does. How is it different when atheists speak their minds from when Christians speak their minds?
Speaking of tearing things down.
Quote from a minister in the NWA Times on 9/22
“The third danger lies in what kind of person the atheist may become
when he becomes his own god. If he does not recognize God, he may not
recognize any of the restraints that a belief in God generates. Thus,
without restraint, he may become a pedophile, a murderer, a thief, or
any other kind of a deviant you can think of.” –John Terry, Church of Christ minister
The old “Without God, people will be evil” argument. Classic!
justjim,
I would agree with you. The more liberal churches are less dogmatic. There is an inverse correlation between dogma and rationality, thus the more “liberal” churches are less likely to throw rational thought out the door.
Christianity itself (whatever denomination or sect you’re referring to) is a dogmatic concept. “God” is a dogmatic concept. “Faith” is a dogmatic concept.
Dogmatism involves the adoption of ideas for which there is no logical reason to do so. There are reasons for which we might want to do that temporarily: suspension of disbelief is an important tool in the creative process, be that in watching a movie or hypothesizing the results of a chemical interaction.
Should we live our entire lives in some virtual reality, creating artificial consequences to real actions?
I say no. We should not confuse the limitations of existence with the limitations imposed by our own minds. We should work to eliminate restrictions, not create them.
So, Jim, without a belief in Jesus, god, the bible, the virgin birth, what is your faith? Christianity Lite? Only half the evil, and ten percent of the guilt of major Christian denominations?
The fact that people are encouraged to give ten percent of their own money to their church, which in turn only gives ten percent of that to charity, is abominable. People need that money, and churches take it, and keep 90%… for what? Putting a little more gold leaf on their gory statues of their god nailed to 2×4’s? Making sure the refectory has the newest stained glass?
Or the perennial classic, paying off the lawsuits against pedophile priests? The Catholic Diocese of Los Angeles paid out $660 million recently to finish off a round of lawsuits. Why is it that a church just happens to have more than half a billion dollars laying around? Because churches - especially of the Catholic variety - are little more than temples to a god of greed and repressed lust. What a perfect example of why people shouldn’t have to live their lives under these arbitrary and meaningless rules imposed by religion.
Oh, lemme guess: you’re not Catholic, though. You’re better than that. Your particular brand name of Christianity is superior. Other Christians have it all wrong. Wow, I’ve never heard that before.
If your church has gone to such great lengths to distance itself from the more insidious branches of the Christian family tree - from accepting evolution and other modern science, to a disbelief in the virgin birth - then why not go whole hog and just join the rest of reality by dropping the god schtick altogether? Why waste all this time and money organizing a religious organization devoted to the worship of a god that science is, more and more, showing to be fictional, when you could just as easily spend that time and money building a secular charitable organization?
The reason is obvious to all of us, JustJim: because despite all your protestations (pun intended), it’s quite clear that you have more in common with the off-the-deep-end cults than us. It’s because you have more in common with that crazy guy on Lincoln Ave with the sign that says “GOD WANTS YOU ALL TO DIE, THE END IS NEAR” than you have in common with us. It’s because, no matter how much you try to move the goalposts and prove that you’re better than other Christians, first and foremost, you’re still a Christian. As much as you dislike the fact that you’re getting “lumped in” with all the rest of them, you still have no problems using their underhanded tactics, do you?
Case in point: Miss PDX said, “most of the world’s wars of the past and present are based on religion.” Not only an opinion, but a verifiable fact. You respond by saying: “Don’t oversimplify it by saying that religion caused them all.” See the problem here? You’ve misquoted her, misunderstood her, and used that blatant misrepresentation against her like you’ve got some kind of defense for the fact that the vast majority of wars in Western history were waged either on behalf of, or with the direct approval of, people who claimed to be earthly representatives of god - people just like you.
You say “More power to you if your belief system (or lack thereof) gives you the grounding and the peace of mind you need to get through life.” The implication is clear: that religion will give us the “grounding and peace of mind” we need, while casting doubt on the efficacy of atheism to do the same. Well, yes, relying on our own conscience, using our own better judgment in everyday situations will, far more often than not, mean that we can rest easy at night - as opposed to the constant barrage of messages about guilt and sin with which your religion bombards its followers. Just like all religious zealots, you take something for which you should feel embarrassed and try to turn it into a strength.
Or are you going to do one of those, “Oh, we don’t believe in guilt at our church” things again?
The fact is, no matter what flavor of Christian you are, you have, by definition, tied your religious affiliation to that of a guy who died two thousand years ago. The only thing we have today that gives us even the slightest clue what this Jesus guy was all about is the bible. And you probably cringe every time it’s brought up, because you’ve tried so hard to modernize your religion and liberalize your church, right? But there it is, plain as day, the Old Testament, and all its craziness. You sound like a reasonable enough guy, JustJim, so you must know what I mean: the public stonings, the wacky laws, the bigotry, the sexism, the bizarre restrictions and commands. If you really want to modernize your faith, then there’s no way around it: you must sever the connection to this book. And in doing so, you’re no longer called a Christian. Quite a conundrum for you, but this is the reason it’s so easy to lump you all together: you’re all Christians, and you all get your god from the same book, even if you try to interpret it differently. And that book is more than enough to indict you all on charges of mass delusion, cruelty, and veneration of a god that hates humans.