When atheists take up a crusade to go on a jihad

[TexasTowelie]

Last edited Thu Mar 19, 2015, 08:44 PM - Edit history (1)

Writing columns sometimes gets you into hot water and usually when you least expect it.

I once wrote a humorous column about a woman who tried to fire a 12-gauge shotgun by holding it in her outstretched arms — she didn't want her shoulder bruised. The problem was the headline: "Woman now firmly believes in gun control."

I got dozens of nasty emails despite the fact reading even a portion of the column would have made the joke obvious.

But I've never written anything that caused such an, uh, almighty conniption as the column where I suggested atheists are flat boring.

I got thousands of emails from across the nation because, unlike Christians and other religions, atheists don't have any denominations or branches to separate them. When they go on a jihad, by golly, they are united and of one voice. Whereas Christian thought might look like a branching tree, atheist thought looks like a telephone pole without a single splinter.

(Note: I am NOT saying atheists are boring now. That was then. Atheists are all completely fascinating and brilliant.)

Read more: http://www.news-journal.com/news/2015/mar/18/latham-when-atheists-take-up-a-crusade-to-go-on-a-/

[font color=green]This editorial from the Longview News-Journal does not represent my views about atheists, but I am posting it because it provides an example of the attitudes and condescension atheists contend with in a non-secular society. Please feel free to discuss the article, but let us avoid meta issues. Thank you.[/font]

Cross-posted in the Texas Group.

ETA:
The background as to why this story appeared in the Longview News-Journal is related to a thread that I posted on March 11:
Texas public school official says students will continue to hear Bible verses every morning
http://www.democraticunderground.com/107823872

[cbayer]

1. I am glad that you added your editorial comment, because I find this really offensive.

Some of the comments are even more offensive.

If he meant this to be humorous, he really missed his mark.

[TexasTowelie]

4. Yes, I found it to be offensive also,

from the use of the words "crusade" and "jihad" to the phrase "atheism is as much a religion" it was very offensive.

The background as to why this story appeared in the Longview News-Journal is related to a thread that I posted on March 11:
Texas public school official says students will continue to hear Bible verses every morning
http://www.democraticunderground.com/107823872

I can't imagine what the responses will be, but that small newspaper has been getting noticed in Texas lately. Some of it is good journalism while other articles stir up plenty of controversy. This article fits in the latter category.

[cbayer]

6. This kind of ugly broad brushing of any group is bad.

From his other article, he seems to think of himself as fairly progressive, but boy does he have a huge blind spot when it comes to atheism and religion in general.

Thanks for bringing this here. I think it's important to see this kind of thing.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. Of course they're not boring now...

nope

not now.

Especially that Mike Flavin fella who managed to make 5 out of the 18 comments.

[guillaumeb]

3. I see the well known military commander General Izing is at it again.

All atheists are boring, judgmental, condescending bullies is as insightful as saying that all Christians are boring, judgmental, condescending bullies.

Even if were true of either group, would saying it convince a member of the group that you were just saying it to be helpful?

As to the 12 gauge, brace it against your forehead if you want to avoid shoulder pain. (Just kidding here)

[immoderate]

5. Talk about boring...

--imm

[okasha]

7. He's right about one thing.

If you want your public school child to participate in prayer and/or Bible-reading, do it at home.
And I have certainly met atheists who have shown no interest whatsoever in converting--or deconverting-- anyone. Too many other, interesting, things to talk about.

[AtheistCrusader]

8. Yo. I was paged to this thread. Sup?

[TexasTowelie]

9. !

I bet you think that this thread is about you, don't you?

I see that you are fighting for truth, justice and the atheist way on a jihadist crusade.

I'm going to have to check back to the original link to see whether any additional comments are made. This post may have generated a few more responses on the Longview News-Journal.

[AtheistCrusader]

10. Hey, it says my name right there.

It must mean me.


Atheist_Crusade_Poster_3_of_4_by_AeanNephquarielle.jpg

[trotsky]

11. Well duh.

People who post negative comments about religion on the Internet are EXACTLY THE SAME as people who chop off heads and fly planes into buildings.

[font size=+3]EXACTLY THE SAME![/font]

[AtheistCrusader]

12. Join me, brother! Forward unto victory!

[Act_of_Reparation]

13. ICH BIN EIN POLYNOMIAL!

[AtheistCrusader]

14. Extremism is FUNdamental!

[LeftishBrit]

15. Newsflash: Atheists are not a unified indistinguishable group!

'atheists don't have any denominations or branches to separate them. When they go on a jihad, by golly, they are united and of one voice. Whereas Christian thought might look like a branching tree, atheist thought looks like a telephone pole without a single splinter.'


Rubbish.

Atheists differ strongly in their worldviews; philosophies; politics; etc. Clement Attlee and Ed Miliband would have little in common with Norman Tebbit and Michael Portillo; and none of them would have much in common with Ayn Rand.


If many atheists are responding similarly to the author of this article: well, that might mean that the author of the article is offensive to most atheists, not that all atheists are alike.

And if he really does consider atheists to be 'flat boring', why does he bother to spend so much energy writing about us?!

[TexasTowelie]

16. Apparently this newspaper editor does write some satirical opinions occasionaly.

I'm wondering whether this editorial fits into that category. If he is serious, then it is offensive. If it is satire, then I can understand the humor and he pressed most of the buttons that would send an atheist into a "jihad". It's unfortunate that we don't know which audience he was aiming for with this editorial, but he probably is getting a good laugh reading the comments.