tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109672632024-03-14T00:07:50.804-05:00Atheist RevolutionBreaking free from irrational belief and opposing Christian extremismJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comBlogger2200125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-51327374779969098922024-02-07T05:21:00.000-06:002024-02-07T05:21:10.696-06:00You Don't Have to Remain a Member of a Hate Group<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiSt8SDImROLKP37z0J7Q1hv3rYvb5Vhmjl1rZFYdmVNIr8SQB7lFQ7yMC83o8fzAijlM6exDLt57uJrANqiXRPeRVJ53BFPCy9MIQKD-bZUCQB19KIT_KVWUSKOkL-IPxTmY6iPl2U1wz80GYDTuaBQW1E2NpbCj5otzAGBx0DcsAZCnvdEfGA/s640/american%20church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="American flag in front of a church" border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiSt8SDImROLKP37z0J7Q1hv3rYvb5Vhmjl1rZFYdmVNIr8SQB7lFQ7yMC83o8fzAijlM6exDLt57uJrANqiXRPeRVJ53BFPCy9MIQKD-bZUCQB19KIT_KVWUSKOkL-IPxTmY6iPl2U1wz80GYDTuaBQW1E2NpbCj5otzAGBx0DcsAZCnvdEfGA/w640-h428/american%20church.jpg" title="American church" width="640"></a></div><br>I wrote a post on Medium recently called "<a href="https://medium.com/deconstructing-christianity/taking-responsibility-for-your-church-d77ce3c86fd6?sk=2730c0ca171f1fedc3945a76bc86a464" target="_blank">Taking Responsibility for Your Church</a>" in which I considered a question I've had for some time. If your church is not accepting of people like you, why would you keep going back? It isn't like Christians don't have plenty of church options. Most of those living in the United States are surrounded by churches. If the bigotry at Church A is a problem, why not try Church B? Wouldn't that make more sense than sticking with Church A while complaining about it?<p></p><p>After writing it, I recognized a problem. We don't do this when it comes to our political parties or even how we vote. Consider the Republican primary for a moment. Voters in Iowa and New Hampshire could have done the right thing. They could have said "hell no" to nominating a criminal. They didn't. And I'd bet that few Republicans will stop being Republicans when he's nominated. They won't stop voting for Republicans or even donating their money. No matter how dissatisfied they may be, they'll stay the course.<br></p><span></span><a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2024/02/you-dont-have-to-remain-member-of-hate.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-13016062002601056152024-01-01T07:54:00.004-06:002024-01-04T06:55:53.179-06:00Atheists, Vote Like Your Life Depends on It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3HfMzjBBC0cBFuXsH3mRqokLeCqi8jFHi_PkjxlO6vo4Tpv_kX6yWZgCiHF-SyE0fKeGFnAeeCfZKiuUxHEBuASmxh_t9dzcQCOA5FAR5UH9VaWUlrpVvdeUSQzLzGiXaM-Gv2stALBfAzWfvybkVRvDypvPIKmoCLSK5oHfmkomvZFRg4g68w/s640/bird-8156308_640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bald eagle" border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="640" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3HfMzjBBC0cBFuXsH3mRqokLeCqi8jFHi_PkjxlO6vo4Tpv_kX6yWZgCiHF-SyE0fKeGFnAeeCfZKiuUxHEBuASmxh_t9dzcQCOA5FAR5UH9VaWUlrpVvdeUSQzLzGiXaM-Gv2stALBfAzWfvybkVRvDypvPIKmoCLSK5oHfmkomvZFRg4g68w/w640-h454/bird-8156308_640.jpg" title="Bald eagle" width="640"></a></div><p>In the United States, we like to talk about our rights. We rarely have much to say about the many responsibilities that go along with these rights. But we sure do love to discuss our rights! And so help anybody who threatens to restrict them.<br></p><p>One of these rights is the right to vote. Our low voter turnout suggests that too few of our neighbors exercise this right. They'll offer many reasons for this, and some seem more valid than others. </p><p>Atheists and other non-Christians should have among the highest voter turnout of all. Why? Because of how much we stand to lose when Christian extremists gain power. We should vote like our lives depend on it because they do.</p><p></p><a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2024/01/vote-like-your-life-depends-on-it.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-76982648808859752332023-11-12T08:48:00.001-06:002023-11-12T08:48:11.653-06:00Why Should Their Religious Beliefs Limit Your Freedom?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfZt_fQqg6Hd5avXHp3VrJvVouTR6ZuXSwFDVoAN9Tr9RmXuR_IkUW_3f1zoWSJe-r6SoCwMXaRjWehDNmMS08zfpty_8NkEm55IaAZAh8Wp46MgdgRobB6mSXE3k-xp20ecro1B5vU88ui_8Lh9nkmlq0HOLlU0QIvSxkvf3h0MJG9o_jq-CHQ/s640/sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunrise morning chairs" border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfZt_fQqg6Hd5avXHp3VrJvVouTR6ZuXSwFDVoAN9Tr9RmXuR_IkUW_3f1zoWSJe-r6SoCwMXaRjWehDNmMS08zfpty_8NkEm55IaAZAh8Wp46MgdgRobB6mSXE3k-xp20ecro1B5vU88ui_8Lh9nkmlq0HOLlU0QIvSxkvf3h0MJG9o_jq-CHQ/w640-h428/sunrise.jpg" title="Sunrise morning chairs" width="640"></a></div><p>What if I was vegan? What if I was vegan and you weren't? Let's imagine that both of these things are true for a moment.</p>
<p>Not only are you not vegan, but you enjoy all the foods vegans don't eat. You are happy with the status quo and have no desire to change your diet.</p>
<p>I show up one day and demand that you become vegan. Why? Because of my religious beliefs. Based on these beliefs, I've decided that everybody should be vegan.</p>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2023/11/why-should-their-religious-beliefs.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-31855724195892696482023-11-03T05:32:00.001-05:002023-11-03T05:32:17.415-05:00More Americans Say They Are Spiritual but Not Religious<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1w8XZq0Pf2F7MkBrlfhbaeBcy1YYnuGszMO541kfg_mUcMWtKlD7PzRnlGVESRdSoWIDkwclmfurvQFkAUgbMO3vD1OpaAabLR8xFENFl15SfNNkOMfkUCs1tdRGDWZkcFyiyv8AviaCRex0QkugUa0q9h0RX-9jYxyGw2LO5isS9gVZILbHMQ/s640/angel-8247278_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Angel sorrow farewell" border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1w8XZq0Pf2F7MkBrlfhbaeBcy1YYnuGszMO541kfg_mUcMWtKlD7PzRnlGVESRdSoWIDkwclmfurvQFkAUgbMO3vD1OpaAabLR8xFENFl15SfNNkOMfkUCs1tdRGDWZkcFyiyv8AviaCRex0QkugUa0q9h0RX-9jYxyGw2LO5isS9gVZILbHMQ/w640-h360/angel-8247278_640.jpg" title="Angel sorrow farewell" width="640"></a></div><p>We've all heard of people who identify themselves as "spiritual, but not religious." Who are they? What do they believe? We should have many opportunities to find out in the coming years. After all, a recent <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/511133/identify-religious-spiritual.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gallup poll</a> shows that 33% of Americans describe themselves this way.</p>
<p>Some atheists will celebrate this. They'll consider it more evidence of the declining influence of <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2018/07/declining-confidence-in-organized.html">organized religion</a>. Others will question whether this reflects progress. They'll argue that "spiritual, but not religious" is replacing one type of woo with <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2021/06/do-gods-aliens-and-assorted-woo-serve.html">another</a>. Who's right?</p>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2023/11/more-americans-say-they-are-spiritual.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-91751393540257183912023-10-18T08:05:00.004-05:002023-10-18T08:06:31.192-05:00Exorcism is Harmful and Doctors Should Not Legitimize It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsAzONZLt1-dgfzEzdIpl2olG5-aTqkmOM1riHC5VXZC207W7YChy-t3pPDVEYxMLyqNYl411JafrTzSNYlxLZbsBf1mxplcAHX7KBjfpwVaN1Gmj3pOdR7i0d6ehWnKORjXjAXvcUMnICjwkk1BKR1RxnzQROMcnF_BBeZuLkJFhYV9iDGvigw/s640/sacred-face-7147746_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sacred face crucifix religion" border="0" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="640" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsAzONZLt1-dgfzEzdIpl2olG5-aTqkmOM1riHC5VXZC207W7YChy-t3pPDVEYxMLyqNYl411JafrTzSNYlxLZbsBf1mxplcAHX7KBjfpwVaN1Gmj3pOdR7i0d6ehWnKORjXjAXvcUMnICjwkk1BKR1RxnzQROMcnF_BBeZuLkJFhYV9iDGvigw/w640-h270/sacred-face-7147746_640.jpg" title="Sacred face crucifix" width="640"></a></div>
<p>In the United States, we have a controversy raging around gender-affirming health care. Some conservatives would like to charge physicians who provide it with crimes. Many of those who wouldn't go that far still hope to discourage this care.</p>
<p>In other parts of the world, we see a different controversy involving physicians and the care they provide. What role, if any, should doctors have in church-sanctioned exorcisms?</p>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2023/10/exorcism-is-harmful-and-doctors-should.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-67815187891755331352023-10-08T06:43:00.002-05:002023-10-08T06:43:41.152-05:00To Preserve Democracy, Democrats Are Better Than Republicans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEGGeZbp4_RLHyiVR6BgQ_gVokxClFz4js_drFrjOQErwyaKhLEFQbNQ-W8ZqdJ3_W3pXNB7kPZwyFnbALv1unqBP7zsWqmEQ-pvY99anhx7y8bsICUFWhAxG9vKouig9FJQ4sr4b66Ww1U9skdQt7bvigaeJurnnhPmLrryZZBaz8QWtJCL3vg/s640/chess-316657_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chessboard" border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="640" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEGGeZbp4_RLHyiVR6BgQ_gVokxClFz4js_drFrjOQErwyaKhLEFQbNQ-W8ZqdJ3_W3pXNB7kPZwyFnbALv1unqBP7zsWqmEQ-pvY99anhx7y8bsICUFWhAxG9vKouig9FJQ4sr4b66Ww1U9skdQt7bvigaeJurnnhPmLrryZZBaz8QWtJCL3vg/w640-h424/chess-316657_640.jpg" title="Chessboard" width="640"></a></div><p>There's a common argument that one can expect to hear from some on the political left in the United States. The two major political parties are so similar, they say, that there's little reason to support one over the other. I can understand why someone might say this. I find it to be inaccurate in the best of times and harmful in the worst of times.</p>
<p>This argument is an expression of dissatisfaction with today's Democratic Party. I can understand it because I share this sentiment. The Democrats seem to have lost their way and often appear ineffective or even <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2020/09/can-hapless-democratic-party-deliver.html">hapless</a>. But more to the point, the mainstream of the party is more conservative than I'd prefer.</p>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2023/10/to-preserve-democracy-democrats-are.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-66551899911637521152023-09-29T16:04:00.003-05:002023-09-29T16:04:41.662-05:00Are Christians Disliked Because They Are Christian?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGJM7qjYHWB9giHHF_2ebV36ioR6Wyn7vKGNrpkX-RzIa75r5JCzCMBExkt-PC4SwuwU-D1pD4HeV2VYZBE-U29GXC13vyMT1Iti4mWJjwjekQ6NFEfozOwgPqVGoJr5tdMaDNPq0yR6Lzna2P1EhtSbYAcaNMrNNtOtipuqFHkwLRbxkfOQOvg/s640/thumbs-down-6744093_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Two thumbs down" border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGJM7qjYHWB9giHHF_2ebV36ioR6Wyn7vKGNrpkX-RzIa75r5JCzCMBExkt-PC4SwuwU-D1pD4HeV2VYZBE-U29GXC13vyMT1Iti4mWJjwjekQ6NFEfozOwgPqVGoJr5tdMaDNPq0yR6Lzna2P1EhtSbYAcaNMrNNtOtipuqFHkwLRbxkfOQOvg/w640-h428/thumbs-down-6744093_640.jpg" title="Two thumbs down" width="640"></a></div><p>I have seen some speculation about why Christians are disliked. I've noticed that many of those speculating do identify themselves as Christians. I wouldn't mind sharing my thoughts on the topic, but it seems like there's a question we'd want to address first. <i>Are Christians disliked?</i></p>
<p>Most of the speculation I've seen has come from Christians living in the United States. Are Christians in the United States disliked? And if so, who dislikes them? Are we to imagine that most non-Christians dislike them? I haven't seen much evidence that leads me to think this is true.</p>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2023/09/are-christians-disliked-because-they.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-12779772786894531772023-09-21T07:48:00.003-05:002023-09-21T07:48:32.346-05:00Accepting Responsibility for My Role in Enabling a Delusion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWEIPV-lAMPaZAUWdRkRoEbl6fsaEhRka-GaSO8Kwh6iZCC71G8fusPhJRvE7yrW3AimvePT1Vsx_AL8bNGbcxpKgg_HrbNyt1-rFkB4cwddpUn0g-_15GLbFmsZJvWT0u8b_nJCy6MLe8O5mIQ6QghQRiefyvaRTILRIk0W8vFXN7tC2F3Q0Ow/s640/old_friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Old friends conversation people" border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="640" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWEIPV-lAMPaZAUWdRkRoEbl6fsaEhRka-GaSO8Kwh6iZCC71G8fusPhJRvE7yrW3AimvePT1Vsx_AL8bNGbcxpKgg_HrbNyt1-rFkB4cwddpUn0g-_15GLbFmsZJvWT0u8b_nJCy6MLe8O5mIQ6QghQRiefyvaRTILRIk0W8vFXN7tC2F3Q0Ow/w640-h432/old_friends.jpg" title="Old friends conversation" width="640"></a></div><p>"Why are you an atheist?" I open my mouth as if to begin my answer, an answer I've given countless times before. But the words don't materialize this time. And now I suspect I've made a mistake by answering the question all those times.</p>
<p>I don't mean to suggest that there isn't an answer. I know why I'm an atheist. What I mean is that I am beginning to suspect that giving an answer is unwise. In fact, I'm wondering if it is worse than unwise.</p>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2023/09/accepting-responsibility-for-my-role-in.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-17129752979093712052023-09-16T06:37:00.005-05:002023-09-16T06:42:31.992-05:00Your Complaints Protect the Separation of Church and State<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGystLzuMlrs4kiXb4Jz6EbC-3KyQ5f6S4hCpDLekIVVQGtJFvxxYp7pnhx5j2mRrKXPdW-0CiOGZurZysgsVKuL-nIjguaaqHEnJePsNmseKXuQm3-_bMi1cwUVH7XhmiCRwEcHWWnvn21nBx6Gf1y1kGNJBreBA62Gx_RAjcD1L7YDl21HCRw/s4032/bathroom_sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Wash your hands for Jesus" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGystLzuMlrs4kiXb4Jz6EbC-3KyQ5f6S4hCpDLekIVVQGtJFvxxYp7pnhx5j2mRrKXPdW-0CiOGZurZysgsVKuL-nIjguaaqHEnJePsNmseKXuQm3-_bMi1cwUVH7XhmiCRwEcHWWnvn21nBx6Gf1y1kGNJBreBA62Gx_RAjcD1L7YDl21HCRw/w300-h400/bathroom_sign.jpg" title="Wash your hands for Jesus" width="300"></a></div>
<p>We've all seen signs encouraging people to wash their hands in restaurant restrooms. Many of us appreciate these prompts. We don't like to think about the people who are preparing our food disregarding this advice.</p>
<p>The idea of such a reminder hanging on the wall of a public school restroom doesn't seem like a bad idea. These are high-traffic areas, and illness spreads quickly. One sick kid leads to many sick kids, and they bring whatever they catch home with them. It seems like another good place to encourage hand washing.</p>
<p>What don't picture is a sign like the one here. It says, "Wash your HANDS and say your PRAYERS because Jesus and GERMS ARE EVERYWHERE." This would be fine in a church restroom, but we don't expect it in a public school. The <a href="https://ffrf.org/news/news-releases/item/42690-calif-school-district-removes-prayer-poster-after-ffrf-communique">Freedom From Religion Foundation</a> (FFRF) intervened after a student attending a California public school found it there.</p>
<p>The good news is that the Victor Valley Union High School District promptly removed the sign. The bad news is that this required a letter from an FFRF attorney after a student complained. The sign would still be there if nobody in the school had the courage to come forward. This seems to be the case with most church-state violations, and that's disappointing. We all know how much pressure there is to keep quiet about them.</p>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2023/09/your-complaints-protect-separation-of.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-7672494750750160752023-09-11T07:25:00.002-05:002023-09-11T07:26:41.174-05:00Countering Christian Nationalism in Our Local Communities<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvEUMLIqZThFlWu0h-oMK5WvKH_MhAt3MB43c7yUGQwF9gUTmZVzhxaJmesbjtaUNG82Jf6ruQ2iTS-ciSFLOUyQAk6cCmAW8yguk8dHPBq81avJWsmMyJ_g9SHbF2sB6UioWML5W_Q7PbRNwcPqJjA8cjiMM1lkjJ0rCa-XrFEGVQlvvv84GjA/s640/small_town.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Sun Prairie Wisconsin street" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvEUMLIqZThFlWu0h-oMK5WvKH_MhAt3MB43c7yUGQwF9gUTmZVzhxaJmesbjtaUNG82Jf6ruQ2iTS-ciSFLOUyQAk6cCmAW8yguk8dHPBq81avJWsmMyJ_g9SHbF2sB6UioWML5W_Q7PbRNwcPqJjA8cjiMM1lkjJ0rCa-XrFEGVQlvvv84GjA/w640-h480/small_town.jpg" title="Sun Praire, WI" width="640"></a></div><p>There's a group of people in your local community working hard to bring about a state of affairs you find undesirable. They aim to limit your access to ideas they do not favor. They want to take away some of <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2022/02/when-christian-extremists-restrict-our.html">the rights</a> you've taken for granted. They might even aspire to criminalize some aspects of who you are. In short, they seek dominion over you.</p>
<p>This group is <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2022/05/defeating-christian-right-requires.html">well organized</a>. They meet at least 1-3 times each week. They know each other well, share many goals, and support one another in the process. Few have close friends outside their group, and prefer it that way. Their group provides plenty of support, community, and access to like-minded people. What more could one need?</p>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2023/09/countering-christian-nationalism-in-our.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-36501718330302154222023-09-09T14:55:00.005-05:002023-09-09T14:56:39.328-05:00Louisiana Baptists Spread Nonsense to Welsh Students<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-6ZLljc7EmWfzhkxKqIPvnp0i-FaE9piaivrAxgbX1tzQciE7Mxn8O1mPKZsTM17BytAcDDY9Ljj05_oRcLDeaWqcrCGK1kJWq_EGtgjLfQv1CrIBCNGDIPRhDOzmnLzfcg06qFsHk85FYifMvlBxYNbkHbYuvV6fenH8BXdOMovH__d5UHvZQ/s640/carew.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Carew castle" border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-6ZLljc7EmWfzhkxKqIPvnp0i-FaE9piaivrAxgbX1tzQciE7Mxn8O1mPKZsTM17BytAcDDY9Ljj05_oRcLDeaWqcrCGK1kJWq_EGtgjLfQv1CrIBCNGDIPRhDOzmnLzfcg06qFsHk85FYifMvlBxYNbkHbYuvV6fenH8BXdOMovH__d5UHvZQ/w640-h427/carew.jpg" title="Carew castle" width="640"></a></div><p>What do evangelical Christians in the United States do when they have a hard time finding support for their more extreme beliefs at home? They export them to some unlikely places. According to the <a href="https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2023/09/us-evangelicals-exposed-welsh-pupils-to-homophobia-and-creationism" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Secular Society</a>, one of those places is Wales.</p>
<blockquote>An American church partnered with over 20 schools in Wales and exposed students to homophobic beliefs and creationism, a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpS1wXjCsKA&ab_channel=TheNewsMovement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">new documentary</a> by The News Movement has revealed.<br>
<br>
Members of the evangelical, Louisiana based First West Baptist Church <a href="https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2023-09-06/the-us-evangelicals-that-were-allowed-in-to-welsh-schools-for-ten-years" target="_blank" rel="noopener">visited</a> the schools as part of a "cultural exchange" between 2009 and 2018. First West Baptist claim the partnership was established when they offered to provide help after a spike in suicides among young people in Bridgend in south Wales.</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2023/09/louisiana-baptists-spread-nonsense-to.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-76263220823042681462023-09-06T05:56:00.001-05:002023-09-06T05:56:05.360-05:00Canada: How Do They Keep It So Clean?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1c8R8mF16aFo0f2VRRgIacpd3BtvHkFCgRUo2NfU0Jvbh5v7r9ayUnRK1X05ocO1PNjbtrdGbIV72XrLzev0VvYyOH9imNoKoCjpK0-8kV3u5rcrN6ONmPZdyQLybZs30F11VIF8W2b7dubPNZcf2VhkTGXP1SUbRQwNFdUJi8_PQqlS0DN5t9g/s640/scenic_road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Banff Canada national park" border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1c8R8mF16aFo0f2VRRgIacpd3BtvHkFCgRUo2NfU0Jvbh5v7r9ayUnRK1X05ocO1PNjbtrdGbIV72XrLzev0VvYyOH9imNoKoCjpK0-8kV3u5rcrN6ONmPZdyQLybZs30F11VIF8W2b7dubPNZcf2VhkTGXP1SUbRQwNFdUJi8_PQqlS0DN5t9g/w640-h426/scenic_road.jpg" title="Scenic road" width="640"></a></div><p>I was born in the United States and have lived here all my life. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest in a family that enjoyed road trips and camping. Thus, it is no surprise that I've been to Canada several times. Many trips with my family centered on British Columbia. Some of the longer journeys involved traveling East through Alberta. As an adult, I added a couple of trips to Ontario to the list.</p>
<p>I've always enjoyed spending time in Canada. But I have to admit there's one thing about it I've never been able to figure out. How do they keep it so clean? Traveling in the U.S. means seeing lots of litter on the side of almost every road. This was a rare sight in Canada. How do they do it?</p>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2023/09/canada-how-do-they-keep-it-so-clean.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-88984179256858949642023-09-02T13:54:00.002-05:002023-09-02T13:54:47.696-05:00Cult or Not? Hearing Your Religious Beliefs for the First Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xm03wh-fRJ9bjanCXTVMR-i43uqbzVoKWg9E7YlvG4kD1SFKJblZUJVZwmQqas-9nahnKYGP58MtGwTSwLI6CyJjW2H9S6Q1vkfrSN25buYQAa-KG_SAWJ9HhMSpPOeXyuEa-oGAhI7rlLTkrqPPfiRdxi_oZnVl3ft7tmLekPo-SH0k4drXOA/s640/stone_circles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stone circles mystery cult" border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xm03wh-fRJ9bjanCXTVMR-i43uqbzVoKWg9E7YlvG4kD1SFKJblZUJVZwmQqas-9nahnKYGP58MtGwTSwLI6CyJjW2H9S6Q1vkfrSN25buYQAa-KG_SAWJ9HhMSpPOeXyuEa-oGAhI7rlLTkrqPPfiRdxi_oZnVl3ft7tmLekPo-SH0k4drXOA/w640-h428/stone_circles.jpg" title="Stone circles" width="640"></a></div><p>I did not grow up in a religious cult. That is, most people around me didn't consider it to be a cult. No, the religion of my childhood was "normal." But what does that even mean? It was common enough that lots of people lived inside it. They never bothered themselves with thoughts of how others might view it. They had no reason to do so. It was normal to them.</p>
<p>Many religious beliefs seem quite strange to those outside the religion. I remember the first time I encountered <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/taking-look-at-mainstream-christian.html">Catholic beliefs</a> about transubstantiation. They believe what? If they think the wafers turn into flesh, why would they eat them? Are they cannibals?</p>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2023/09/cult-or-not-hearing-your-religious.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-81901562777883363262023-08-26T08:11:00.003-05:002023-08-26T08:11:36.187-05:00Republican Presidential Debate Highlights a Focus on the Wrong Priorities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzJoVh8zXIEa9FeJdiVXODI_3i0ZmrrfAg47JMa1B58HWjWV00UvCd-PcxO5U_XdxzcrNgzMnbtUqXfE-Ec2qq-NnaKc_zpTEH6z6A612HPQVNEtSODJVssqEU5R0XCRfaDzwboICjEzZ9PCqAdgbChKyNuvfOBd6vnz5Lj5eCA66JhRcetZBsg/s640/Milwaukee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Milwaukee Wisconsin city" border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzJoVh8zXIEa9FeJdiVXODI_3i0ZmrrfAg47JMa1B58HWjWV00UvCd-PcxO5U_XdxzcrNgzMnbtUqXfE-Ec2qq-NnaKc_zpTEH6z6A612HPQVNEtSODJVssqEU5R0XCRfaDzwboICjEzZ9PCqAdgbChKyNuvfOBd6vnz5Lj5eCA66JhRcetZBsg/w640-h428/Milwaukee.jpg" title="Milwaukee" width="640"></a></div><p>I watched the first Republican presidential debate. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it, and I didn't. I watched it because I was curious. We are facing a new situation in which the frontrunner is facing criminal charges. Republican voters don't seem to mind one bit. This shouldn't surprise us. After all, many of them supported an <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2022/06/have-jan-6-committee-hearings-changed.html">attempted coup</a>.</p>
<p>I was curious to see how the competition would address this. Could they make a case that they were better choices? I was also curious to see how those who haven't been polling well might try to stand out from the pack. Some don't have much name recognition compared to others. Could they change that?</p>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2023/08/republican-presidential-debate.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-76509480883813400342023-08-19T07:37:00.002-05:002023-08-19T07:38:21.452-05:00Remaining Hopeful in the Face of Christian Nationalism<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1tJedb8UXbEEwAE9XWdHE9uzIivQPCF8B3Hs8FYyl2gVAwYorigWStTgpDctNVoTcjfsH7RQseYd-fPDsj6cKYadNUXKJ2nP082WkHlr7vEoxTUqdZxp_Vczzh5WbMPJZtWUoJ7yrYDhiuGd5RNSSP247Kt82q4EEmTW1u17zFeHNL-R_lT3TA/s640/hummingbirdflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hummingbird bird flower" border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1tJedb8UXbEEwAE9XWdHE9uzIivQPCF8B3Hs8FYyl2gVAwYorigWStTgpDctNVoTcjfsH7RQseYd-fPDsj6cKYadNUXKJ2nP082WkHlr7vEoxTUqdZxp_Vczzh5WbMPJZtWUoJ7yrYDhiuGd5RNSSP247Kt82q4EEmTW1u17zFeHNL-R_lT3TA/w640-h428/hummingbirdflower.jpg" title="Hummingbird bird flower" width="640"></a></div><p>In a post earlier this month, <b>Rhys Long</b> (Americans United for Separation of Church and State) <a href="https://www.au.org/the-latest/articles/rhys-final-thoughts/#">wrote</a>:</p><blockquote>Around the country, good people have been pushing back against the forces of religious extremism, protecting the fundamental rights of the public. I have read and written about stories that prove that America is not lying down in the face of Christian Nationalism but is fighting back.</blockquote><p>This is a good reminder. The future of separation of church and state can look bleak at times, but it would be a mistake to give up.</p>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2023/08/remaining-hopeful-in-face-of-christian.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-14447988057292039042023-08-16T07:12:00.003-05:002024-01-04T07:12:36.006-06:00We Need a Secular Community<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcdXm5uy7MxzJLuZl_evEYRWbgB4aiOMwolrVmzx-oTjEBqw2kLm9192rz02JFrTyyW06ld71lnSL9rBgP3tmCRPbfRmhlyziGbHk_U14xFNgm_-6Dyk6jX4rHTcZy8wd91T5S7UrOs2Wt7et-8M5VBx3LknfOxMiQOnZZ7O7CwJyg6n3eRhHVg/s640/team.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Team group people community" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcdXm5uy7MxzJLuZl_evEYRWbgB4aiOMwolrVmzx-oTjEBqw2kLm9192rz02JFrTyyW06ld71lnSL9rBgP3tmCRPbfRmhlyziGbHk_U14xFNgm_-6Dyk6jX4rHTcZy8wd91T5S7UrOs2Wt7et-8M5VBx3LknfOxMiQOnZZ7O7CwJyg6n3eRhHVg/w640-h480/team.jpg" title="Team group people" width="640"></a></div><p>Most nonbelievers recognize the difficulty of bringing atheists, humanists, and freethinkers together. Protests about how "we're not joiners" are so common that they have become a psychological hurdle, if not an actual one. And yet, many questions remain unanswered. Is it desirable to strive for a united secular community? What might such a community look like? Is it even possible to bring people together under the banner of nonbelief in gods? This post addresses whether a secular community is something we should seek.</p>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2007/09/we-need-secular-community.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-69696479676872587672023-08-13T12:50:00.002-05:002023-08-13T12:50:50.543-05:00Bibles in Hotel Rooms is Another Strange Example of Christian Privilege<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pRhR267XDwu7d91MBa2nBAE3u-xfWLHArzsWJENczwqyB-bJGb2IlWiY-UHmIiPDNaPybifh3R41_XAlsA_pa3qoh_ZVQ9Wxk3JwqFbTuBBWO_QVR13rxa0d1L7CmSIgut3bU99qQNeuJ5jOaxtJJLeY3NgIDFLQYJhM3ejC5zB2SJo4NfyRAQ/s640/motel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Roadside motel with classic car" border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pRhR267XDwu7d91MBa2nBAE3u-xfWLHArzsWJENczwqyB-bJGb2IlWiY-UHmIiPDNaPybifh3R41_XAlsA_pa3qoh_ZVQ9Wxk3JwqFbTuBBWO_QVR13rxa0d1L7CmSIgut3bU99qQNeuJ5jOaxtJJLeY3NgIDFLQYJhM3ejC5zB2SJo4NfyRAQ/w640-h428/motel.jpg" title="Motel" width="640"></a></div><p>We've all heard of <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2010/03/what-is-christian-privilege.html">Christian privilege</a>. I'd assume that most people have at least a basic understanding of what the term means. But what does it look like? There are many illustrative examples from which one might select. Choosing one to focus on seems incomplete, but the right one might be enough.</p>
<p>If you have ever traveled in the United States, you might have stayed overnight at a hotel or motel. And if you've done so, you might have noticed one book in every room of every one of them. Of course, we're talking about a book often referred to as "the Bible."</p>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2023/08/bibles-in-hotel-rooms-is-another.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-66728968854288318812023-08-11T16:12:00.000-05:002023-08-11T16:12:36.312-05:00Responding To Anti-Atheist Bigotry: Go on Offense or Play Defense?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxHlJdAZau4rob-3aYoiggmd2GlhfeUHw4KddCscSRy7jpt4vbBS_rjOQg9_cmYFhY5y4GH-nldTDrXvQOgJ-3TWxNR0i4ew8DPEyGOprr-gsZcujJjTCpOlruUYV_vfHzLWt5uB5PI8YvSH1Zsm-LDLOfrrpINzytrDc9nxC9t5zBKjW9PJX5A/s640/jetski.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Man riding a jet ski waves" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxHlJdAZau4rob-3aYoiggmd2GlhfeUHw4KddCscSRy7jpt4vbBS_rjOQg9_cmYFhY5y4GH-nldTDrXvQOgJ-3TWxNR0i4ew8DPEyGOprr-gsZcujJjTCpOlruUYV_vfHzLWt5uB5PI8YvSH1Zsm-LDLOfrrpINzytrDc9nxC9t5zBKjW9PJX5A/w640-h480/jetski.jpg" title="Jet ski" width="640"></a></div><p>When I encounter bigotry, I often feel obliged to speak out. This reaction isn't limited to <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2022/09/anti-atheist-bigotry-as-one-example-of.html">anti-atheist bigotry</a>. I also experience it in cases of racism, gay bashing, sexism, and the like. I find myself thinking that by remaining silent, I am condoning the behavior. My silence communicates that it is okay with me, and that pushes me to speak out. Still, I'm not always sure how best to respond in these situations. This started me thinking about how atheists should respond to the bigotry directed at us.</p>
<p>When confronted with anti-atheist bigotry, what is the atheist to do? Silence doesn't seem to be our best option, so what is? What sort of response is optimal?</p>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2007/12/responding-to-anti-atheist-bigotry.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-30078762215690212522023-08-09T07:46:00.001-05:002023-08-09T07:46:39.427-05:00Do Christians Have the Power to Believe Whatever They Want?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyrbATM8bLxxT_xTOE1WiFEV6JmqUDrTCLf_4lRDWeSw5E8nF_K7InwqG5pjoSyBLpMD-Zn4EdXvJQdR9IkYI6PXK-6hHq-OlRNuvOLRH869Pz5eKVMfCWtmXxHgglN1wy2vbt1PLbw2XBYI-OvfJtuUDdHT_7KopI8B-N7LdU4akjht2Jsw8dA/s640/cathedral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Church cathedral religion" border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyrbATM8bLxxT_xTOE1WiFEV6JmqUDrTCLf_4lRDWeSw5E8nF_K7InwqG5pjoSyBLpMD-Zn4EdXvJQdR9IkYI6PXK-6hHq-OlRNuvOLRH869Pz5eKVMfCWtmXxHgglN1wy2vbt1PLbw2XBYI-OvfJtuUDdHT_7KopI8B-N7LdU4akjht2Jsw8dA/w640-h426/cathedral.jpg" title="Cathedral" width="640"></a></div><p>I've long thought that Christians who tell atheists to "<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2016/09/you-just-gotta-believe.html">just believe</a>" don't understand how belief works. I can't will myself into believing something I don't believe. But what if I've missed something obvious? The fact that belief doesn't work this way <i>for me</i> doesn't have to mean it doesn't work this way for them. Might Christians be able to believe whatever they desire?</p>
<p>If so, this could have an upside. Aren't there things we'd be happier believing even if they weren't true? Suppose I could believe that I am more attractive, intelligent, or capable than I am. Isn't it reasonable to think that this could make me happier? As long as I didn't cross over into the sort of arrogance that drove others away, it seems like it might.</p>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2023/08/do-christians-have-power-to-believe.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-32195133936018923592023-08-05T08:40:00.002-05:002023-08-06T12:41:02.930-05:00Continued Support for Trump Among Evangelical Christians Is No Mystery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajcXi6v_brqgRHMnKGeq1SVGkIHrX-3Yrzyei6g14Mh-_Qma0-MNYQ0sLQJYnSpoj5t03bkfYjf9Lzg5dE0fYEdUytiBI9QVblJHldszTLK64CXZuquUpQmZMaInkfrAUGZeVJaPEmtajbgvGM6838fIeHr2AFRUEIqpKoKo0LF3o2UB81BTjVQ/s640/landscape-8029037_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Storm clouds building" border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajcXi6v_brqgRHMnKGeq1SVGkIHrX-3Yrzyei6g14Mh-_Qma0-MNYQ0sLQJYnSpoj5t03bkfYjf9Lzg5dE0fYEdUytiBI9QVblJHldszTLK64CXZuquUpQmZMaInkfrAUGZeVJaPEmtajbgvGM6838fIeHr2AFRUEIqpKoKo0LF3o2UB81BTjVQ/w640-h428/landscape-8029037_640.jpg" title="Storm clouds" width="640"></a></div><p>I'm not sure why some in the news media are still asking whether there is anything <b><a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2023/06/once-and-future-president-trump-pledges.html">Donald Trump</a></b> can do to lose the support of evangelical Christians. Continuing to pose this question seems even stranger when they already have an acceptable answer. Why do they seem so reluctant to accept the answer and move on?</p>
<p>This article by <b>Jack Jenkins</b> for <i>Religion News Service</i> quotes an email from Rev. <b>Robert Jeffress</b>:
<blockquote>It’s doubtful that the latest indictment of President Trump will have any meaningful impact on his overwhelming popularity with evangelical voters, given the fact that previous indictments have only increased his support among Republicans — and most evangelicals vote Republican...</blockquote><p>Right. They've adopted him as one of their own, and they'll stick with him.</p>
</p><a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2023/08/continued-support-for-trump-among.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-65427264778241709072023-08-01T19:18:00.000-05:002023-08-01T19:18:04.301-05:00It Is Time to Reject Religious Bullying by Conservative Christians<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-7NXL6xSKkUob4wU9m39p5lTIuGDwgtUyI_t8g95o3iwvuLaUorMBLg21wMDdA9RI5ubiqFcarJhQAWWDvv1_PBwYifpzb6ebEBvrIYTe9Xi0KyvXVwnyt96udAKLuL2yH6quO3Tq1mvK-ddpakA4R-bPUnhBYjpCXrYGBhKh1j0j5gD8hLDdQ/s1280/church_meadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chapel church meadow flowers" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-7NXL6xSKkUob4wU9m39p5lTIuGDwgtUyI_t8g95o3iwvuLaUorMBLg21wMDdA9RI5ubiqFcarJhQAWWDvv1_PBwYifpzb6ebEBvrIYTe9Xi0KyvXVwnyt96udAKLuL2yH6quO3Tq1mvK-ddpakA4R-bPUnhBYjpCXrYGBhKh1j0j5gD8hLDdQ/w640-h360/church_meadow.jpg" title="Church meadow" width="640"></a></div><p>If I had a valid driver's license and adequate funds, I could buy a red car if I wanted to. I could also choose not to buy a red car for all sorts of reasons. I could decide I don't like the color or that I was afraid the color would make me a target for police. I could think back to some bad experiences I had with red cars. There was the time my friend wrecked his red car after hitting an invisible patch of ice. And there was the time a stranger driving a red car fired at least two bullets into a car I was riding in.</p>
<p>Based on these reasons or many others, I could decide I wanted nothing to do with a red car. But what if that wasn't good enough? What if I decided to prohibit anyone else from owning a red car?</p>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2023/08/it-is-time-to-reject-religious-bullying.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-80102256993520842772023-07-30T09:38:00.000-05:002023-07-30T09:38:24.609-05:00How We Became Christians Can Help Us Understand Why Some Still Are<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1sZX6fIE_oIawdrj-UNB5HL0e1NBL8AF9D4RYCLJSvsa0sTqea_CZ39omy_90zKOK3BU5qqA57NJnRz9j5UQT3UOFyMX-zjEVVB2JKEyWyVZfuzqtgVkDS1SPZ30Ak95ycW3aBJiobBa1upesLl2DefdxEP11nPPgtEsg_CeixgubG59g4tYiw/s640/christening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christening baptism child" border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1sZX6fIE_oIawdrj-UNB5HL0e1NBL8AF9D4RYCLJSvsa0sTqea_CZ39omy_90zKOK3BU5qqA57NJnRz9j5UQT3UOFyMX-zjEVVB2JKEyWyVZfuzqtgVkDS1SPZ30Ak95ycW3aBJiobBa1upesLl2DefdxEP11nPPgtEsg_CeixgubG59g4tYiw/w640-h426/christening.jpg" title="Christening" width="640"></a></div>
<p>Are you an atheist? If so, I'd say the odds are good that you have uttered something close to the following words on at least one occasion:</p>
<blockquote>
How can anyone believe what many Christians <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2009/07/how-many-christians-really-believe-what.html">claim to believe</a> in this modern world in which we are now living? Don't they hear how absurd much of it sounds? How can they not know better?</blockquote>
<p>This is a tempting question, and I've asked it myself. I also seems like an easy question to answer. We can do so by drawing on our own experience and the experience of many other <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2019/08/an-ex-christian-atheist.html">ex-Christians</a> who are now atheists.</p>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2014/11/how-i-became-christian.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-37855849474610427692023-07-28T15:05:00.000-05:002023-07-28T15:05:00.451-05:00How to Improve Our World: One Stone for Many Birds<a style="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6-Uxg3BTLvg/SnWtbsZ8n3I/AAAAAAAAA3c/qzAwDQ3kj_s/s1600-h/Religion_motivational.jpg"><img loading="lazy" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6-Uxg3BTLvg/SnWtbsZ8n3I/AAAAAAAAA3c/qzAwDQ3kj_s/s320/Religion_motivational.jpg" alt="Religion causing genocide" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365385222369877874" border="0"></a><p>We all realize that the world we inhabit is far from perfect, right? Even on a good day, there are some things we'd like to improve. We won't necessarily agree on what they are, but each of us could come up with a list without too much difficulty. If we compared our lists, we'd find that they had some items in common.</p>
<p>People who value the separation of church and state are still quite diverse. Some are religious believers, and others are atheists. Some favor liberal politics, while others are more conservative in their political views. Valuing secularism gives us something in common, and many of us will share <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2015/04/advancing-secular-goals.html">some goals</a>.</p>
<p>But it would be a mistake to expect too much agreement. We can still differ in many important ways. After all, the fact that we value secularism could indicate that we are thoughtful people. It could also mean that we are willing to adopt perspectives that are sometimes unpopular.</p>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2009/09/how-to-improve-our-world-one-stone-for.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-16383694358549234902023-07-22T08:38:00.002-05:002023-07-22T08:38:22.056-05:00Belief in Gods and Other Religious Concepts Has Declined Since 2001<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90rTqLlTyP1EvIafAXJCFTW4_WeUbUv_qEDIpY802GChxEbK5qWGIhs-3Pp2UKLmtEQDejqfqPSbOJ6NUhQv4ZVkw5ts5oHAWSOXfbNSjRYOMmIRxC6Z5EwLwpVn-IX2vJtWKNI9m5bn-tOy0V2JSb3ZR8zkZY2SH0wO6TDSfVBcNqzC5tKP-kQ/s640/poll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Opinion poll" border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90rTqLlTyP1EvIafAXJCFTW4_WeUbUv_qEDIpY802GChxEbK5qWGIhs-3Pp2UKLmtEQDejqfqPSbOJ6NUhQv4ZVkw5ts5oHAWSOXfbNSjRYOMmIRxC6Z5EwLwpVn-IX2vJtWKNI9m5bn-tOy0V2JSb3ZR8zkZY2SH0wO6TDSfVBcNqzC5tKP-kQ/w640-h428/poll.jpg" title="Opinion poll" width="640"></a></div><p>There's a bit of good news to report from a recent Gallup poll. Their strange title gives most of it away: <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/508886/belief-five-spiritual-entities-edges-down-new-lows.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Belief in Five Spiritual Entities Edges Down to New Lows</a>. But what are the five entities?</p>
<ol>
<li>"God" (I'm unsure which one this is supposed to refer to)</li>
<li>Angels</li>
<li>Heaven (how is this an entity?)</li>
<li>Hell (again, how is this an entity?)</li>
<li>The Devil</li>
</ol>
<p>It should not surprise (but may disappoint) you that 74% of their respondents profess belief in some sort of god. Sadly, the United States continues to be an outlier here. Still, this number has dropped quite a bit since 2001. And while only 12% of those surveyed say they don't believe in gods, that number has increased.</p>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2023/07/belief-in-gods-and-other-religious.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10967263.post-50166880981362749492023-07-17T06:21:00.004-05:002023-07-17T06:24:54.637-05:00Any President Will Be Hated By Half the Country<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuHJhN73X3l_y7mxQQ-jIkZ7lRc9PAbe6Es3qW43wQDXNmZTQdwBhF2z4eqlcJrbqNjjS-AP508XYg8nw-AJ8BoW5xhuhw8CrksTidVi-28VRpF8yZs9V-auKGzo31pNBzntXYQON0maKvjwBq7HtRuNGv9R6dC1P8OilKB6cTdq1COLIvRYiyA/s640/stormclouds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Storm clouds over wheat field" border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuHJhN73X3l_y7mxQQ-jIkZ7lRc9PAbe6Es3qW43wQDXNmZTQdwBhF2z4eqlcJrbqNjjS-AP508XYg8nw-AJ8BoW5xhuhw8CrksTidVi-28VRpF8yZs9V-auKGzo31pNBzntXYQON0maKvjwBq7HtRuNGv9R6dC1P8OilKB6cTdq1COLIvRYiyA/w640-h428/stormclouds.jpg" title="Storm clouds over wheat field" width="640"></a></div><p>It is almost impossible to imagine anyone winning a presidential election with more than a slight majority of the popular vote. This is not a new phenomenon, but there does seem to be something new about it. Close to half of voters will hate whoever wins the presidency and everybody who voted for them. This does not strike me as healthy. At least, I have difficulty seeing it as a sign of a well-functioning democracy.It sounds like more and more Americans are beginning to <a href="https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/2019/12/05/hidden-common-ground-americans-divided-politics-seek-civility/2617120001/">recognize that this is a problem</a>.</p>
<p>It would be easy to point the finger, as there are many places where we could place blame. The news media, especially the partisan <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2013/04/less-angry-after-turning-off-cable-news.html">cable news shows</a>, have made things worse. The political parties and elected officials at every level of government have contributed. Public education may deserve a look. We could go on and on. But most of the blame belongs to us. This is not one of those cases where I mean that we've sat back and let it happen (which we have). Far too many of us have participated in making the problem worse.</p>
<a href="https://www.atheistrev.com/2019/12/any-president-will-be-hated-by-half.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Copyright © 2005-2024 <a href="https://www.atheistrev.com">Atheist Revolution</a>.</div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485781130885424400noreply@blogger.com