Atheism

absolutely - I was just doing a bit of occam razoring

From a theists perspective, the speaker is clearly an idiot

Well, it's good to know that theists and atheists can at least agree on one thing.

Those battles are won hinge. Why do you keep banging on about them? There's no going back.

Euthenasia is next. And biological design. Bureaucratic child rearing in nurseries. Mind control. Scientific feudalism.

Almost worthy of the geek and nerd humour thread

Not quite hinge. It's just another self-reassuring selection from a range of choices so wide that they can prove anything.

Your abject failure to respond to the points raised in my last post is geeky and nerdy but without any sign of humour except in the sense of you laughing at things it suits you to laugh at.

Like those ******* DJs who have killed a dedicated nurse and left a cloud over the Duchess of Cambridge's pregnancy.

And faked humour at that. Predatory and bullying humour.

And having others getting your kicks for you because you have no capacity to get your own.

Christians love to portray themselves as the persecuted in society. Yet, we read stories like the following all the time.

GENEVA (Reuters) - Atheists and other religious skeptics suffer persecution or discrimination in many parts of the world and in at least seven nations can be executed if their beliefs become known, according to a report issued on Monday.
The study, from the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), showed that "unbelievers" in Islamic countries face the most severe - sometimes brutal - treatment at the hands of the state and adherents of the official religion.
But it also points to policies in some European countries and the United States which favor the religious and their organizations and treat atheists and humanists as outsiders.
The report, "Freedom of Thought 2012", said "there are laws that deny atheists' right to exist, curtail their freedom of belief and expression, revoke their right to citizenship, restrict their right to marry."
Other laws "obstruct their access to public education, prohibit them from holding public office, prevent them from working for the state, criminalize their criticism of religion, and execute them for leaving the religion of their parents."
The report was welcomed by Heiner Bielefeldt, United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, who said in a brief introduction there was little awareness that atheists were covered by global human rights agreements.
The IHEU - which links over 120 humanist, atheist and secular organizations in more than 40 countries - said it was issuing the report to mark the U.N.'s Human Rights Day on Monday.
According to its survey of some 60 countries, the seven where expression of atheist views or defection from the official religion can bring capital punishment are Afghanistan, Iran, Maldives, Mauritania, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Sudan.
The 70-page report lists no recent cases of actual execution for "atheism" -- but researchers say the offence is often subsumed into other charges.
In a range of other countries - such as Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Kuwait and Jordan - publication of atheist or humanist views on religion are totally banned or strictly limited under laws prohibiting "blasphemy".
In many of these countries, and others like Malaysia, citizens have to register as adherents of a small number officially-recognized religions -- which normally include no more than Christianity and Judaism as well as Islam.
Atheists and humanists are thereby forced to lie to obtain their official documents without which it is impossible to go to university, receive medical treatment, travel abroad or drive.
In Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin and North America, countries which identify themselves secular give privileges to or favor Christian churches in providing education and other public services, the IHEU said.
In Greece and Russia, the Orthodox Church is fiercely protected from criticism and is given pride of place on state occasions, while in Britain bishops of the Church of England have automatic seats in the upper house of parliament.
While freedom of religion and speech is protected in the United States, the report said, a social and political climate prevails "in which atheists and the non-religious are made to feel like lesser Americans, or non-Americans."
In at least seven U.S. states, constitutional provisions are in place that bar atheists from public office and one state, Arkansas, has a law that bars an atheist from testifying as a witness at a trial, the report said.
(Reported by Robert Evans)

As if "christians" don't pick and choose their morals. LOL Confession, anyone?

Surely atheists must be rewarded in the US? Setting aside Christian morality is bound to give atheist businessmen an advantage.

Business and religion loves to pork the citizens, whatever the nation.

I just read this in Slate in article by Abby Ohlheiser - didn't know this, although I've understood all along that electability is an issue:

"Seven states—Arkansas, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas—have constitutional provisions banning atheists from holding public office."


link -
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2012/12/11/atheists_and_capital_punishment_iheu_report_documents_criminalization_discrimination.html

Yes, that follows what I posted. It is easy for the most in countries like the United States and Australia to be atheist, but in many other parts of the world it becomes a life or death proposition.

But I don't like that atheists don't get to run for public office, by law, in some states of the US. In practice, I presume some in public offices are sans religion but just not explaining that. In any case, atheists not allowed for public office in the US is bizarre to me.

Wondering if that has been challenged in the courts.

I bet it could be challenged successfully. Only thing, the publicity would likely doom any non believer at the polls.

Well, sure, but there should be some who would go for it. I don't get how these state laws/constitutions wouldn't be unconstitutional. Makes me want to swear.

I'm not in the mood for googling, am busy making both pork adobado, and if I survive that, squash ravioli - no, not for the same meal, my plan ahead cooking and resultant washing..

Nag me if I forget to research tomorrow - or maybe someone more knowledgeable on this will show up.

No wonder atheists are in the minority. They can't find a sacrificial lamb.

You could challenge it ed. You could argue that your human rights are being infringed by you having no candidate to vote for and having to choose between not voting and voting for a superstitous, mumbo-jumbo spouting knuckledragger who wants to return to medievalism.

If you win and the first candidate loses at the polls so what. Jesus lost at the polls. The next one might do better and so forth. Upon this sand I will build my lurch. Trailblazers don't expect to win at first.