Atheist Bibles-For-Porn Swap Riles Campus
A college atheist group is offering students pornography in exchange for Bibles.
Atheist Agenda calls the exchange "Smut for Smut," prompting prayers and protests from Christian students at the University of Texas San Antonio campus.
Student Monica Cornado says it's offensive to compare pornography to "the Word of God."
University officials say the atheist group has the right to conduct the swap.
UTSA spokesman David Gabler says, "As long as students are not violating laws or violating the Constitution, they have the freedom of speech and assembly."
The Atheist Agenda started at UTSA in 2005, and their first "Smut for Smut" campaign blew up into a national media sensation, reports CBS affiliate KENS in San Antonio. Past president Thomas Jackson was deluged with interview requests, and debated Tucker Carlson, the bow-tie-wearing conservative pundit, on MSNBC.
This year, organizers said a group of Christians amassed to protest the event, and one protester ripped a sign from someone's hands. But police kept a watchful gaze over students involved in heated debates, and did not report any violence.
Click on the player below to watch KENS' report:
© 2011 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Atheist Agenda calls the exchange "Smut for Smut," prompting prayers and protests from Christian students at the University of Texas San Antonio campus.
Student Monica Cornado says it's offensive to compare pornography to "the Word of God."
University officials say the atheist group has the right to conduct the swap.
UTSA spokesman David Gabler says, "As long as students are not violating laws or violating the Constitution, they have the freedom of speech and assembly."
The Atheist Agenda started at UTSA in 2005, and their first "Smut for Smut" campaign blew up into a national media sensation, reports CBS affiliate KENS in San Antonio. Past president Thomas Jackson was deluged with interview requests, and debated Tucker Carlson, the bow-tie-wearing conservative pundit, on MSNBC.
This year, organizers said a group of Christians amassed to protest the event, and one protester ripped a sign from someone's hands. But police kept a watchful gaze over students involved in heated debates, and did not report any violence.
Click on the player below to watch KENS' report:
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I find that it is these communities that breed these militant Atheists.
It's understandable to me. These strict communities build the counter-culture you see before you.
Personally, my family sorta blew off the whole Atheism thing. They called it a phase for many years until they just accepted it. Members of my community called me a devil worshipper because they're retarded, and because they were raised that way by their community. You'd think they would know what an Atheist is when they take "Religion" as a subject since 1st grade till HS graduation.
The real fuel (for me) to taking down religion has more to do with issues like stem cell research/abortions/furthering science in general. Comforting and relating to oppressed Atheist makes me feel better, but for the most part, I had it pretty damn easy to the lot of them out there.
Simply put: Religion VERY often inspires hate and disgust for anyone different, even towards the children of these religious communities. These "forsaken" children eventually grow up. What do you think they're gonna feel about religion?
You're certainly wrong about your statement of Christian's belief in terms of Catholicism. I cannot speak for the other denominations, but I feel certain that for the most part, you're wrong about them. Perhaps your pagan influences are involved with that? Perhaps your referring to the holy trinity. It's a real ***** to get a mind around it.
I most certainly believe in evolution and science, and am probably fundamentalist about it. I say probably because I'm not so sure exactly what you mean by it.
I am atheist by choice, and I'll grant you, it could very well be defined as a religion *in my case*. However, there's still the whole simple not ever been exposed to "God" part that I feel holds true to defining Atheism (for some others).
I'll even argue the definition in my case to show that I can be seen as religious. I make the assumption that something does not exist, simply because I have not experienced anything of the like. Being that the assumption is "faith" based, then it could be seen as a region. However, there's one great flaw that I noticed now that I mentioned it, but doesn't religion require a doctrine?
Atheists have no true universally unifying doctrine. A person could be Atheist by having never been exposed to the concept of "God". It seems to me that the definition of religion requires some supernatural belief, and a doctrine.
In short: I have the belief there is no supernatural being, so I have faith. It's trivially small since it's not attached to any other beliefs (like hating on gays or whatever), but it's definitely there. The thing that still throws me off though, is that I have no predefined doctrine that is NECESSARILY tied with my faith.
Do you know what I'm trying to say?
A few thoughts for your consideration:
#1 "An Atheist may be simply because they may never have been exposed to any idea of "God" as we know it."
-Not likely as atheism is but the rejection of God in the sense of creator and ruler of the universe
#2 "Hitler was Christian, there's a great history of emblems with swastikas and crosses".
- Hitler was a christian like a chicken soars with eagles. To be a christian one must also do as a christian. Killing one, let alone millions, is in total opposition to claiming christianity.
That we and the entire universe "evolved" from nothing or chance is far beyond debate. The problability of such is one in almost infinity, thats why more and more scientists are changing to intelligent design.
I still believe a person can be an Atheist by simply not knowing the concept of "God" as even you defined.
The evolution debate is beyond my scope of expertise. However, you mention infinity, but as far as I've known the universe to be, it practically is infinity. Not only that, but there's the kind of circular reasoning that throws me off. That is, if we had to be made, then who made God? I don't understand why it doesn't work both ways.
I'm sorry to boil it down to semantics =/
What I was really trying to get across is that an atheist is more of a lacking of the concept of God in the sense of there being no pre-defined doctrine. Therefore, there's nothing to unite atheists in anything other than a *personal* level.
I do credit religion for helping establish civilization, but I think that purpose has long since been served, and it no longer need be. In addition, I believe that religion is retarding societal growth in culture, and in our understanding of our universe.
Also, this "doing as a Christian" statement really throws me off too. It's just so subjective. So many denominations, so many interpretations, and so many private interests really skew any objective means to understanding "the word of God."
The following is beyond my scope, so forgive my intrusion, but I do seek advice regardless.
I had a Catholic school upbringing, so I'm moderately well versed as far as conceptual knowledge of Christianity. In terms of the Bible itself, I believe it is corrupted by man. Regardless of the source of it, it has been very greatly tampered with. Therefore, even under terms of a religious debate, it is hard to stand by the bible. For as I know it to be, the word of the Christian God is Jesus (incarnate word), and NOT the bible. Too bad Jesus isn't around to set **** straight.
The following should also be considered:
An Atheist may be simply because they may never have been exposed to any idea of "God" as we know it.
Atheists do not necessarily have a doctrine. Take that part in for a moment, it leads to a lot of other things which I'll simply sum up as: Atheists are individuals of their own. People, in general, have morals of their own by their own experiences. Please don't make this an issue. Religious folk have their own share of moral atrocities, likely even greater.
From my experience Atheists, more often than not, do not congregate.
The Atheist Agenda is a special case wherein they have congregated. These types of Atheists have been described as "militant" Atheists. They seek to challenge the notion of there being gods for various personal reasons. However, it should be noted that these type of Atheists (usually) seek the scientific method in their means for greater understanding. That is, they seek to be disproven. If you don't understand this statement, it's time to research the way theories ACTUALLY work. The thing is... how do you disprove something that may not even exist? Therein lies the trick to converting an Atheist.
Personally, I support the Atheist Agenda for *my* own personal reasons including:
1. Inspiring debate. To set a stage for public criticism of any idea, so that it may be refined by critical thought. This requires freedom of speech. A freedom religious folk often do not tolerate, as has been shown plenty enough on this board alone.
2. Making a stand. The religious folk keep claiming persecution. Do me a SIMPLE favor. Google "Most hated minority", and see what you find.
A few side notes. Out of my experience, it's sort of obligatory, and sad that I have to take these notions on.
Hitler was Christian, there's a great history of emblems with swastikas and crosses.
All Atheists are people, and people, more often than not, have morals.
Freedom of speech is a right to say ANYTHING with the exception of DIRECTLY inciting violence. That's the ONLY exception. BTW "directly" as in saying something along the lines of commanding, "Kill (person/group)."
I'm pagan--I don't believe in a deity but I have general beliefs. Not all pagans adhere to a doctrine (and for those who have it twisted wicca and paganism are not the same thing) nor do they congregate (or perform rituals) It's still considered a "religion" by people like you although I don't consider it a religion in the traditional sense. It does fit the technical definition however.
Just because you don't like that you fit the definition doesn't mean it isn't true.
I think the thing that atheists often miss is that Christians, (and people of other various faiths) belive that God (and their belief systems' various deities and creators etc) is completely the Natural order of things. Not exactly "Supernatural". He is part of the natural order of things just as your belief that science is the natural order of things. I don't agree with this with respect to a Christian God but they see the Universe this way. You can't seem to wrap your heads around that world view. This is why atheism is a religion--you see the natural state of the universe as having been created via evolution and chemical reactions and science completely sans any God or creator. It's simply a different world view but a completely natural one for YOU.
You just don't agree that this is so.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but it is truly ignorant to say that Hitler was Christian. This is for two reasons. First, Hitler was adamant Darwinist. His entire plan was to enforce "survival of the fittest." That's why the first to be executed were the sick and old, those who he deemed unfit to produce. You cannot be both a Christian and Darwinist.
Second: What you must realize is that there is a clear difference between the Biblical defintion of a Christian and the World's definition, the one found in Dictionary's. A Christian according to the Bible strives to be Christ-like and above all else shows love. Unfortunately there are not many who actually fit this description. A person does not just claim to be a Christian, but is one because others see Christ working through them. Even you can tell this was not the case with Hitler.
So I only ask that when someone claims to be a Christian you compare their faith to their actions. For faith without works is dead, meaning a Christian does not really have faith if it does not match up with their deeds. Not saying that we must be perfect, only that we attempt to imitate Christ and perfection.
And trust no agent; for beauty is a witch
Against whose charms faith melteth in blood."
Much Ado About Nothing (II, i, 178-180)
Try this out & choke Mr.Smoke !
William Shakespeare was a Catholic !
http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/15492
The Quest for Shakespeare !
http://www.amazon.com/Quest-Shakespeare-Joseph-Pearce/dp/1586172247
Try Again my deluded friend !
Bring It On !
"The problem with Christianity, is not that it has been tried & found wanting, BUT, that it has been found difficult & Not Tried At All" !!
- GK. Chesterton.
Think before you post.
________________________________
Take your own advice.
Kaufman v. McCaughtry, 419 F.3d 867 (8th Cir. 2005), 2005 U.S. App.
ATHEISM IS A RELIGION
It said "FOR PURPOSES OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT".
The Supreme Court also declared, for the purposes of the first amendment(campaign finance=political speech), that corporations are beings.
So by your logic, businesses are people? Good one!
religion-the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
Key Words: GOD, FAITH, SUPERNATURAL, COMMITMENT
No one cares whether you like it or not. No one cares if you like what it's called. No one cares if you turn your back or your mind. No one cares if you are insulted or if you claim God is insulted. Not even your God. He has more important things to do than get all worked up over what some mortals call His Word. He'll deal with them soon enough.
U lot always talk of RIGHTS, but NEVER ever, do U consider the commensurate responsibilites that go with it !
Freedom to insult is not freedom - but LICENCE !
&... that my bigoted friend is ONE thing I'll never fight to defend as a Right of ANYONES !
Get It !
U may not be going away, & Neither are WE !
If U wish to wipe ALL religious belief off the face of the Earth, then by all means U can try, But Please Start with your own Religion FIRST !
AKA - Athestic Humanism / Scientism !
Actually it is, Freedom of Speech ensures that anyone can say what they want(within reason of course). Maybe your ideals would fit in better in, say, China or Iran?
PS. I have never heard of this "Athestic Humanism / Scientism". Do you have names of any adherents?
PPS. You spelled Atheistic wrong and 'scientism' isn't a word.
Like the way this "wonderful" atheist did !
MILITANT ATHEIST GUILTY OF BIGOTRY:
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2010/03/03/militant-atheist-found-guilty-of-leaving-offensive-images-in-liverpool-john-lennon-airport-s-prayer-room-100252-25957177/
If only all bigoted & militant atheists were treated this way !
We wouldn't have to put up with this Cr#p !