As they say, you can mold statistics to sell any store you please. And that's what's going on here.

For example, take his chart about "I would not want my child to marry someone from this group". Given the total sample is (likely) majority Christian, and therefore highly Christian skewed, then it's obvious those demographics that are most unlike Christians will have the highest percentages to that question.

Ask an atheist-only sample, and Christians and conservatives will have the highest percentage. Ask an African-American sample, and whites will probably have a large percentage. Ask a Muslim-only sample, and Jews and Christians will have the highest percentages. You get the idea...

And I've read enough blogs and message boards - mainly left leaning ones - to know that a good number of atheists are just as inclined to lump all deists in one stereotype, as opposed to singling out the fringe. In fact, I find atheists tend to be more brazen in their mocking of deists (well, just Christians actually... it's "un-PC" to openly deride other religions) and their beliefs.

Apparently you don't know what "bigotry" means.

Fail.

(09-09-2010 02:44 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  As they say, you can mold statistics to sell any store you please. And that's what's going on here.

For example, take his chart about "I would not want my child to marry someone from this group". Given the total sample is (likely) majority Christian, and therefore highly Christian skewed, then it's obvious those demographics that are most unlike Christians will have the highest percentages to that question.

Ask an atheist-only sample, and Christians and conservatives will have the highest percentage. Ask an African-American sample, and whites will probably have a large percentage. Ask a Muslim-only sample, and Jews and Christians will have the highest percentages. You get the idea...

And I've read enough blogs and message boards - mainly left leaning ones - to know that a good number of atheists are just as inclined to lump all deists in one stereotype, as opposed to singling out the fringe. In fact, I find atheists tend to be more brazen in their mocking of deists (well, just Christians actually... it's "un-PC" to openly deride other religions) and their beliefs.

Atheist rank up there with Vegans in my eyes... They have an idea that they treat as a religion, they are jus as bigoted as those they hate, and they have this aloof belief that their 'religion' and bigotry is justified and enlightened.

Why do people by in large not think Atheist share the same vision for America? Simple, because people from Agnostics to Snake Handlers think that our rights come from something greater than man. That's why our constitution restrains the government, Atheist think that Rights come from man and that is damn scary when you look at the USSR and China!

Now why are Atheistic 'nations' more peaceful? Because the Atheist Maxist who ran the USSR and China have been replaced with either Capitalist or Nationalist governments thus not being called Atheist.

I doubt the people sent to Siberia were happy it was an atheist sent them..

--

Basically People are evil... People who attend Christian Churches, Muslims, Jews, Atheist, ....

Anyone who's had to raise a child can tell you that the most frustrating part is rooting out the deceptive and selfish hart, that is the core of every human being. It does not matter what faith, or lack of faith, you subscribe to your kids are going to come out knowing how to lie, manipulate, and scheme to get what serves their needs most.

(09-09-2010 03:34 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  Why do people by in large not think Atheist share the same vision for America?

While I agree in general with your comments, to me the point was this:

1. Some people got asked a question.

2. They answered their opinion. They did nothing else at this point.

3. This was immediately labeled as "bigotry" by the host.

Sorry, that's not bigotry.

GTS isn't about to put a "Go DAWGS" sticker on his car anytime soon, but that doesn't make him a bigot. Just because you disagree with someone, doesn't mean bigotry is involved (and it's on their side too, naturally).

I don't think our rights come from god, nor do they come from man. They are human rights because, well, we are human. Simple as that. God took rights away too (remember that flood that people claim happened?) Or when a man takes away another mans right to live his private life the way he wants because God says he shouldn't be gay or because God told him to go to war.

A point that I didn't see him address...

Countries with large atheist population are DYING. From a Darwinian perspective it is inferior. Atheism leads to unsustainable birthrates, 30 years ago everyone was talking about the future of Europe as the first atheist continent. Now nobody is under such allusions, the future of Europe is going to be either an Islamic or re-Christianized one.

Also from a personal perspective, I do believe anyone that is a Dawkins-thumping Atheist to be immoral and untrustworthy. But since Atheists claim that they are NOT a religion, I don't see holding such an opinion to be anymore bigoted than distrusting or discriminating against Marxists or anarchists.

But wait, there's more.

http://www.philosophynow.org/issue80/80marks.htm

Atheism demands amorality. Yup, even atheists are saying it now.

So, since it's true, and even understandable, that most people's view of America requires some morality, it's only fitting that they feel most distanced from atheists. What's the big deal.

Furthermore, and here's the kicker, since athesists are necessarily amoralists, THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH BIGOTRY!

(09-10-2010 10:27 AM)DrTorch Wrote:  Furthermore, and here's the kicker, since athesists are necessarily amoralists, THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH BIGOTRY!

Excellent point...

I stopped playing the video at 5:18, though I probably stopped listening around 1:30. So I really don't have anything to say about what the guy in the video has to say, though I do have a comment: Dude, you're boring as hell! Stats are nice and all, but dear lord, are you trying to put your audience to sleep?

The thing I wanted to comment on is how badly the words "bigot" and "intolerant" are just thrown around along with the term "racist." (GTS, you know my approach, so you know how to take the next part) These words carry almost no meaning any more since they're now tossed about any time someone is not 100% accepting of something or someone for any number of causes, regardless of their reasons. They've become a copouts for those who can't rationally argue their position. Unfortunately they still carry the stigmatism associated with them and tarnish those labeled with them.

Basically the above was griping, but I'm sick of being classified as a bigot because I think homosexuality is wrong, or intolerant because I reject that Islam is a "religion of peace", or racist because I think Michael Steele is incompetent.

I am atheist.

I don't treat atheism as a "religion".

My life is not ruled by amorality.

I couldn't ******* careless what you belive in....whether it Jesus, Mohammed, the divinity of cows, Martians, or the Flying Spaghetti Monster....as long as you don't knock on my door.

I also think painting an entire segment of people with a broad brush is just being lazy. Every group(Atheists, Christians, Muslims, etc) has their largely silent normal majority just trying to live their lives the best they can. These are my people....good people, strong people that love their families and their communities. Unfortunately, the batshit crazy few of each group takes up the airwaves and poisons our politics and social discourse and tries to make our lives as miserable as theirs are.

(09-19-2010 01:49 AM)T-Monay820 Wrote:  I stopped playing the video at 5:18, though I probably stopped listening around 1:30. So I really don't have anything to say about what the guy in the video has to say, though I do have a comment: Dude, you're boring as hell! Stats are nice and all, but dear lord, are you trying to put your audience to sleep?

The thing I wanted to comment on is how badly the words "bigot" and "intolerant" are just thrown around along with the term "racist." (GTS, you know my approach, so you know how to take the next part) These words carry almost no meaning any more since they're now tossed about any time someone is not 100% accepting of something or someone for any number of causes, regardless of their reasons. They've become a copouts for those who can't rationally argue their position. Unfortunately they still carry the stigmatism associated with them and tarnish those labeled with them.

Basically the above was griping, but I'm sick of being classified as a bigot because I think homosexuality is wrong, or intolerant because I reject that Islam is a "religion of peace", or racist because I think Michael Steele is incompetent.

+3. 1 for each point.

(09-19-2010 02:54 PM)aTxTIGER Wrote:  . Every group(Atheists, Christians, Muslims, etc) has their largely silent normal majority just trying to live their lives the best they can. These are my people....good people, strong people that love their families and their communities.

What do you mean by "good"?

(09-19-2010 01:49 AM)T-Monay820 Wrote:  I'm sick of being classified as a bigot because I think homosexuality is wrong, or intolerant because I reject that Islam is a "religion of peace", or racist because I think Michael Steele is incompetent.

i know, right?

(09-20-2010 07:48 AM)DrTorch Wrote:  

(09-19-2010 02:54 PM)aTxTIGER Wrote:  . Every group(Atheists, Christians, Muslims, etc) has their largely silent normal majority just trying to live their lives the best they can. These are my people....good people, strong people that love their families and their communities.

What do you mean by "good"?

Look at a dictionary. There should be(roughly)50 different uses of the word "good". All of those uses mean(roughly) the same ******* thing.

(09-19-2010 01:49 AM)T-Monay820 Wrote:  I'm sick of being classified as a bigot because I think homosexuality is wrong,

Now time for the important distinction that is lost on so many...

Do you merely THINK it is wrong, or do you wish to IMPOSE that it is wrong by, for instance, making it illegal for gays to marry.

The first is opinion. The second is prejudice.

(09-21-2010 10:58 AM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  

(09-19-2010 01:49 AM)T-Monay820 Wrote:  I'm sick of being classified as a bigot because I think homosexuality is wrong,

Now time for the important distinction that is lost on so many...

Do you merely THINK it is wrong, or do you wish to IMPOSE that it is wrong by, for instance, making it illegal for gays to marry.

The first is opinion. The second is prejudice.

BZZZT!

Fail again GTS. Who's preventing homosexuals to marry? They have exactly the same rights as heterosexuals. So where is your "prejudice" (incorrect word choice)?

Nice job in #13, Torch. For the record, I understood it. Schaeffer's "Leap". Alive and still going strong....

(09-21-2010 11:09 AM)DrTorch Wrote:  

(09-21-2010 10:58 AM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  

(09-19-2010 01:49 AM)T-Monay820 Wrote:  I'm sick of being classified as a bigot because I think homosexuality is wrong,

Now time for the important distinction that is lost on so many...

Do you merely THINK it is wrong, or do you wish to IMPOSE that it is wrong by, for instance, making it illegal for gays to marry.

The first is opinion. The second is prejudice.

BZZZT!

Fail again GTS. Who's preventing homosexuals to marry? They have exactly the same rights as heterosexuals. So where is your "prejudice" (incorrect word choice)?

REALLY?! Try doing it in just about any state. Even California.

1prej·u·dice noun \ˈpre-jə-dəs\
Definition of PREJUDICE
1
: injury or damage resulting from some judgment or action of another in disregard of one's rights; especially : detriment to one's legal rights or claims
2
a (1) : preconceived judgment or opinion (2) : an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge
b : an instance of such judgment or opinion
c : an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics

(09-21-2010 10:58 AM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  

(09-19-2010 01:49 AM)T-Monay820 Wrote:  I'm sick of being classified as a bigot because I think homosexuality is wrong,

Now time for the important distinction that is lost on so many...

Do you merely THINK it is wrong, or do you wish to IMPOSE that it is wrong by, for instance, making it illegal for gays to marry.

The first is opinion. The second is prejudice.

No, both are Prejudice, Prejudice is a *good thing*! Just like judgment is a good thing.

Well more accurately lacking any prejudice or judgment is a bad thing since some are good and some are bad but I think you get the idea.

Unfortunately the work prejudice has been bastardized by our PC culture just like the work 'tolerate' has been destroyed..