51. PBS Revelation: Network's 'Wall Of Separation' Has Religious Right Genesis

Comment #49868 by Beachbum on June 14, 2007 at 1:18 am

Annals of American History, Britannica Encyclopedia, 33 volumes of the letters between the founding fathers and continuing to current leaders. I highly recommend them.

52. Baptists Warned About Islam, Atheism

Comment #49858 by Beachbum on June 14, 2007 at 12:15 am

Does anyone think it might be possible that the Islamic fundamentalist, among many other complaints, feel the scientific findings in the west are cutting the legs out from under their religion?

It's just a thought, but I see many similarities in current events, when I calibrate for the differing idiosyncrasies of the Abrahamic religions.

I think the beast is dying, maybe faster than we could have dared to hope.

Does this post mean we are in forefront of religionist thought, no-longer to be ignored?

This is a virulent strain of atheism

Does "virulent" mean supported by scientific facts?

Hey guys, I'm virulent!

53. Religion - our maelstrom of ignorance

Comment #49419 by Beachbum on June 11, 2007 at 10:55 pm

"Pandering" Is there a less ingenuous word I could use, even this one seems to carry a hint of sincerity, a concept unknown in political circles.
Unfortunately, I think the comments are reflecting the same mistake the religious idiots make every day, they forget that politicians are professional liars. A weight lifter could not pull the truth from one with a crowbar. One must watch what they do, not what their lips do. Remember Bush Sr.,"Read my lips!". We did. And while we were reading, he stuck it to us.
Our forefathers knew that to have a stable Democracy, education for all was paramount. The politically religious, Capitalist, power mongers running that dump that is DC find an educated electorate inconvenient. They like the 30 second blurb and a power tie. This chart directly reflects the move away from our founding fathers vision for this country. Also don't confuse a country with its government or its people, the United States is and always has been an ideal ( ok, a slightly retarded ideal, at the moment) an ideal well worth saving from the enemies within none-the-less.
Religious education is a very important tactic, not some pundit pounding proverbs, but what religion is 'really is' all religions, superstitions, cults, myths etc. We must fight to escape the residue of the dark ages.
This is not the first time I have felt shame for my countrymen. Thanks for the post.

54. The New Atheists

Comment #49399 by Beachbum on June 11, 2007 at 7:55 pm

In general I am a very hard hitting Anti-theist, (just ask the many god-groupies that try to solicit memberships or donations at my door). But, even I can see the benefits of collaboration with the lesser evils of moderate or undecided devotees. My problem with this approach is when do we kick them off of the wagon and how much will it cost us from the point of view of intellectual honesty. I can hear it already,"But...but you agreed with us before...what?" Admittedly, I may be to fond of my ball bat for god stopping, style. I study indigenous peoples around the world and have seen first hand the devastation wrought by the purveyors of conversion. Also, being a student of history, may I point out that this is not the first time religion has come under fire. Although we have much more empirical evidence in our arsenal than our predecessors, lets not make the same (or more) mistakes as those brilliant men of note.

55. Tome truths

Comment #49375 by Beachbum on June 11, 2007 at 5:13 pm

In the vernacular of my contemporaries, WOOHOO! And I agree, in part, with all the comments of my distinguished predecessors on this thread, this is oh so very good to read. But, I must warn everyone, in line with the comments of some: There is no beast more dangerous than a wounded one. I speak from the experience of one who has lived part of his life in a subsistence existence, though animals do not have the ego of say, a pontiff.
I for one, am off to write book number 7. My aim has always been to save the children from the wolf in shepherds clothing.

56. Hitchens on Falwell, Part 2

Comment #43866 by Beachbum on May 23, 2007 at 2:44 am

CNN reported today that a student of the Liberty University of Falwell's community, was arrested with napalm style bombs. Reportedly, for use against Falwell's detractors or protesters at the funeral.
Can anyone tell me, why I'm not surprised?

57. Evolution Opponent Is in Line for Schools Post

Comment #43224 by Beachbum on May 21, 2007 at 12:23 am

I was thinking they could put in a vote of "No conman"...
Ooops I mean confidence - "No Confidence".

58. The stone is cast

Comment #41777 by Beachbum on May 17, 2007 at 12:05 am

Hello everyone, I will say this for you all on this site, everyone is giving this "man" more platitudes than he could ever possibly deserve. My authority on the subject: Raised in Indiana, Backwoods Indiana, then moved to Florida - the "panhandle" of Florida. To say I lived in the "bible belt" would be to forget that a belt needs a buckle. I have had to fight this mans arrogant crap, since I've been old enough to turn the TV on by myself. But, I will say this, "I am sorry that he died". Because, (hold on to your hats folks, this is where the ride gets fun) he died before he got caught with his hand in the sinners jar. Always begging for money and spewing his brand of right and wrong, periodically amended after select court decisions, of course. I for one, wanted to see him grovel on National TV, at least Ball like Jimmy Swaggart or beg for forgiveness like Jim Baker. This guy is/was a pickpocket, as Christopher Hitchens called him, the lowest form of conman, he was supported by the very people that could illafford to support the kids they already had, the dirt poor of the South. They are ignorant, uneducated and very needy, but mostly they are my friends and family. Everyday...every day (for effect) this "used car salesman" of the Televangelist sect would slobber on the inside of my TV screen. My family where some of his fans, for those of you wondering from where this obvious distain comes. Please do not afford this man any Polite courtesy, Political Correctness or whatever you think PC actually stands for, he does not deserve it. And as for this website loosing ANY of my respect, let me set the bar... Beat this one, a little birdy told me that she overheard two worms talking about their cousins in Virginia, and she said that the worms wouldn't touch'em - he was just going to have to Nasty away.

Anyone want to give me odds on his male lover coming out of the Closet on CNN next week? It's just all that hate has to come from somewhere - internal?

This man is proof that Religion is politics, the second tower of power, ask any witchdoctor. As for my passion on this subject, contact me and I will send pictures of the people for whom I am fighting, the children of the south.
Fight the good fight. Beachbum

59. Why Christopher Hitchens is not Great

Comment #40742 by Beachbum on May 14, 2007 at 9:43 pm

I have just come back from the townhall website regarding this article, commented on the

Hitchens' intimidating intellect wasn't even honest enough in the construct of his argument to note that Christianity is in fact NOT a religion of rules.

with the "what are the ten commandments? Suggestions?
Thank you, FXR for the reminder.
But ye'all don't fret nun yahear...(end of satirical slang) I am quite surprized at the number of rebutal comments I read, further more, the chap that posted ahead of me hit the target with both barrels, full of direct rebutals from the bible.
Side note: The neocon attaboys seem to come from an understanding of gospel garnered from old B&W American TV shows ie. Leave It to Beaver can we just wait for them to die off? Ah, humour - I'm Back! Sorry, but that article "torqued my wrench".

60. Does God Exist? The Nightline Face-Off

Comment #39789 by Beachbum on May 11, 2007 at 11:40 pm

I have seen the whole argument and it is my opinion that the "banana boys" were ill prepared for the debate, embarrassingly so. Their assertion that they could produce evidence without the "bible" was blown out of the water by themselves, with what sounded like a sermon - from the bible. Brian and Kelly impressed me with their entire rebuttal, and could have made a significant dent in the "creationist crap" if only they had been given something to refute. The "banana boys" made it to easy. I was not impressed with their intellect, preparation, organization or even their understanding of the subject matter, but like most bible-thumpers I know, they talk well. Brian and Kelly mopped the floor with 'em, they just had to use short handles.

61. Why the Gods Are Not Winning

Comment #36338 by Beachbum on May 1, 2007 at 12:45 am

It has always bothered me to note that in 41 years of disbelief, I have continually found that my arguments where met with the typical rebuttals for the, it seemed to me, most absurd reasons. Allow me to lament, "Everyone else believes, why don't you?" "Just because..." and my personal favorite, "Hey, if there is no god, no one goes to heaven. If there is one, just you don't." This particular quip hit me hard, hard enough to open my eyes. Hypocrite and a clergy, but why?
In pondering the past 'reasonings' of my argumentative opponents, I found fear, but I thought it was the fear of "hell" or a peer group, maybe a fear of chastisement at their church. Obviously, the preacher wanted me to hedge my bet. Now I find people, in the US, hold on to their superstitions to guard against losing their credit ratings. They are afraid of poverty. Now that is the second most irrational conclusion Amercans will come up with, to date. I mean, doesn't the bible say that Jesus was poor? What about the needle through the eye of a camel, or whatever?
Oh, and thank you for posting this article, it is very informative.