Catholic League begin "Adopt an Atheist" campaign

• BobYoMeowMeow wrote on 2011-12-25 01:27

  Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, has recently started “a new initiative aimed at atheists” titled “Adopt an Atheist.” Donohue asks “everyone to contact the American Atheist affiliate in his area, letting them know of your interest in “adopting” one of them.” He writes, “Let them know of your sincere interest in working with them to uncover their inner self. They may be resistant at first, but eventually they may come to understand that there were Christian all along.” If we hurry, [...] they will no longer be looked upon as people who believe in nothing, stand for nothing and are good for nothing.”
  
  Donohue provides a link in his news release that lists a number of American Atheist state directors in addition to President David Silverman and Director of State Operations Ken Loukinen. Also included on this list is the former Texas state director, Joe Zamecki, who finds Donohue's campaign to be “bizarre on twelve different levels” mainly because “saying that state directors may by Christians is ridiculous because these are some of the most active atheists.” Zamecki says, “It sounds like The Onion wrote this.”
  
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  Saying that atheists pretend to be Christians or otherwise hide their identities is not a controversial claim by any means. Individual atheists fear 'outing themselves' because they may lose employment, be ostracized by family members, be bullied in schools, get kicked out of their parents' homes, and much more. Recent data reveals that atheists are the most hated group of persons in the United States and that religious persons distrust atheists as much as they distrust rapists. Atheists have many reasons to be 'in the closet,' but do Christians have reasons to masquerade as atheists?
  
  Many atheists – some of which emerged from a religious upbringing – have rejected supernatural claims because they have found no merit in the arguments. Additionally, some active atheists often relish discussion with the religious and often have it. Zamecki, commenting on calls for persons to e-mail him, says, “I want e-mails. I welcome Christians asking me about my beliefs.”
  
  While many atheists are 'in the closet,' attend Christian masses and pretend to be Christians, it is not at all clear that atheists, especially the active ones, are secretly Christians. Contrary to what Donohue writes, many atheists do not lack conviction, are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in and are productive American citizens.
  
  The Catholic League has been contacted to make comments for a follow-up article.

  
  
  http://www.examiner.com/atheism-in-scranton/catholic-league-launches-adopt-an-atheist-campaign
  
  the cat was suddenly reminded of this picture
  in a bad way
  
  can't think good thoughts
  

  [Image: http://i.imgur.com/p2W4M.png]
• EndlessDreams wrote on 2011-12-25 01:34
  Oh look, religious groups are making a fool out of themselves again.
• Kollin wrote on 2011-12-25 01:36
  Dumb-asses. Hope one comes up to my house so I can slam the door in their face.
• Cynic wrote on 2011-12-25 01:41
  I normally try and be accepting and all, but these are the types of people I have most. The deluded, ignorant, holier-than-thou ones.
• Hiccup wrote on 2011-12-25 02:23
  :l .....
• Cucurbita wrote on 2011-12-25 02:33

  Quote from BobYoMeowMeow;705212:

  
  

  [Image: http://i.imgur.com/p2W4M.png]

  
  
  I know a real live example of the bottom panel. Had someone who adopted children left and right and abused them in a terrible environment. I knew two of the kids in high school. They were both kicked out when they turned 18.
• lightychan wrote on 2011-12-25 03:06
  nooooo ;3;
  sigh. As a christian.... I must say. No me gusta ;v.....
• Zid wrote on 2011-12-25 05:00
  Look at it this way: at least they're not pointing guns at atheists.
  
  They're not going to give a choice C any time soon.
• Taycat wrote on 2011-12-25 05:34
  I wish there was a way to stop stupidity such as this.
• Cynic wrote on 2011-12-25 05:38

  Quote from Mythical Detective Loki;705547:

  I wish there was a way to stop stupidity such as this.

  
  
  Sadly nobody will ever do anything, since religious people are nearly untouchable by the law. Probably because religion is so closely related to politics/essentially is a form of politics.
• Taycat wrote on 2011-12-25 05:59

  Quote from Cynic;705556:

  Sadly nobody will ever do anything, since religious people are nearly untouchable by the law. Probably because religion is so closely related to politics/essentially is a form of politics.

  
  
  Yes, I see. It sickens me to no extent how quickly people will pull the religion card on things they do. Then, we can't touch him. I understand it's wrong to go against people's religion, but there is irrefutable proof that the things they do are wrong. I can only be hopeful that some of the modern Christian's recognized the stupidity of their elders and tries to stop it.
• lightychan wrote on 2011-12-25 08:06

  Quote from Mythical Detective Loki;705578:

  Yes, I see. It sickens me to no extent how quickly people will pull the religion card on things they do. Then, we can't touch him. I understand it's wrong to go against people's religion, but there is irrefutable proof that the things they do are wrong. I can only be hopeful that some of the modern Christian's recognized the stupidity of their elders and tries to stop it.

  
  
  well. I'm one of those modern christians. We'll see how our generation will go :v
• Conor wrote on 2011-12-25 08:10
  pantheism ftw!
• Episkey wrote on 2011-12-25 14:21
  Wow that's just wrong. I'm a Christian and even I was disturbed when I read this article.
  
  Particularly this sentence.
  "If we hurry, [...] they will no longer be looked upon as people who believe in nothing, stand for nothing and are good for nothing.”
  
  To state that a person is good for nothing? Is that really Christian behavior? That's very anti-Christian if you ask me.
  Of course, the organization behind it all is no other than the Roman Catholic Church ... :sigh:
• Cynic wrote on 2011-12-25 14:38

  Quote from Episkey;705800:

  Wow that's just wrong. I'm a Christian and even I was disturbed when I read this article.
  
  Particularly this sentence.
  "If we hurry, [...] they will no longer be looked upon as people who believe in nothing, stand for nothing and are good for nothing.”
  
  To state that a person is good for nothing? Is that really Christian behavior? That's very anti-Christian if you ask me.
  Of course, the organization behind it all is no other than the Roman Catholic Church ... :sigh:

  
  
  It's one major reason my Mom no longer labels herself a Christian. She believes in God and the bases of his teachings from the bible (without all the crazy, daft parts), but I've told her for the longest time that you don't need to be a Christian to believe in God.
  
  Seems like with them, though, you're either a Christian who believes in God or you're not a Christian and don't believe in God. It's so painfully black and white to them.