atheists going too far?

[poetry_writer]

Not all atheists are alike - just like not all Christians are far-right nutters.

Fox news? Consider the source.

Are you saying Fox news lied? As Alan pointed out, if the facts are accurate, why question the source?

[loosechickens]

No, I think the poster meant that Fox News could be counted on to rush to publicize this, while they wouldn't rush at all to question why a sitting governor of a state in his official capacity would plan a prayer extravaganza, praying to one particular religion's deity, and sponsor said prayer extravaganza with a group with major religious objections to a segment of society, well represented in said governnor's home state. And in fact, if they mentioned it, it would be in a very positive way.....

But I wouldn't argue that because Fox News said it, it isn't true....only that, like the hoorah about people "killing Christmas" by saying "happy holidays", they can gin up outrage and upset in their target audience, who will then be amenable to acceptance of their conservative programming.

Of COURSE this particular group is over the top on this, and there are WAY more important places to focus on the separation of church and state........so I'll agree with you (and I have no belief at all in some deity in the sky, but also don't consider myself an atheist, because atheists are just as sure there IS no god as the religious people are that there IS one, and I take the position that we don't have any idea, so neither group can be sure that their belief is TRUTH.....as, since the said god is not appearing in the sky or anyplace other than things like grilled cheese sandwiches at present, none of us can know).

So, in answer to your question, poetry_writer, yes, I think it's kind of ridiculous. Especially when there are really SERIOUS assaults daily on the separation of church and state. Folks should pick their battles and put their energies where it matters, IMHO.

[Zigzagman]

Dont understand the Coke and Twinkies comment.

Sorry, but my mental image is of big fat pasty white people watching Fox News - stuffing their face, belching, and wearing a bib!

Peace

[poetry_writer]

Sorry, but my mental image is of big fat pasty white people watching Fox News - stuffing their face, belching, and wearing a bib!

Peace

Why do you have this image of people who watch Fox? Its odd

[Alan]

Why do you have this image of people who watch Fox? Its odd

You must be new here.
There are certain unwritten truths which must always be acknowledged. One of them is that you must always demonize the opposition. Another one is that conservatives, especially religious conservatives are the opposition.

[ApatheticNoMore]

Getting upset about the issue is also a case of too much time on your hands. I mean fine if you actually live in New York and it's a local issue to you, ok I respect caring about local issues, but otherwise, it is a non-issue when put in perspective. Btw, we don't actually know the religious beliefs of the firefighters do we? (especially considering it is a multiracial multicultural city like New York).

[loosechickens]

You can have whatever image you choose to have, zigzagman, about how viewers of Fox News look....plenty of people believe that the viewers of PBS are Birkenstock wearing, nuts and berries eating, vegan, coastal Liberals. It doesn't mean that is fact, for either group. Or that voicing such a view is all that appropriate, although, as in religion, we are all entitled to our beliefs.....so, however inaccurate it may be, you can say, "My image of Fox News viewers is...........", but you can't state as fact that they are all fat, pasty white people.

You CAN look up the demographics of any particular news organizations listeners or watchers, and state something like "the large majority of Fox News viewers are white and middle-aged" if that is provable and true (I have no idea whether or not it is), or post a study of the demographic of income and/or education of PBS viewers (I have no idea what that would be, either)........

But.....it doesn't help the discussion to characterize people that way, especially if you can't back it up with facts. Just needlessly offensive, especially to Fox News viewers. JMHO

[loosechickens]

Just to lighten things up a little......thought this was really cute, especially the look on the First Lady's face......gotta wonder if Fox News gave THIS a whole lot of play, hahahahaha.......

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0..._n_881288.html

[Zigzagman]

I can't prove it but that is my mental image and it doesn't have anything to do with demonizing anyone - it is just the image I think of when I think of Fox Viewers - not sure why? The Atheist/Christian debate is merely an example of the disrespect each has for the other. I think the world would be far better off without religion.

Peace

[Alan]

You can have whatever image you choose to have, zigzagman, about how viewers of Fox News look....plenty of people believe that the viewers of PBS are Birkenstock wearing, nuts and berries eating, vegan, coastal Liberals. It doesn't mean that is fact, for either group. Or that voicing such a view is all that appropriate, although, as in religion, we are all entitled to our beliefs.....so, however inaccurate it may be, you can say, "My image of Fox News viewers is...........", but you can't state as fact that they are all fat, pasty white people.

You CAN look up the demographics of any particular news organizations listeners or watchers, and state something like "the large majority of Fox News viewers are white and middle-aged" if that is provable and true (I have no idea whether or not it is), or post a study of the demographic of income and/or education of PBS viewers (I have no idea what that would be, either)........

But.....it doesn't help the discussion to characterize people that way, especially if you can't back it up with facts. Just needlessly offensive, especially to Fox News viewers. JMHO

Can you make this thread a sticky? Someday I might not remember which of your posts I actually agreed with.

(plus, this might be a useful reference sometime soon)