Taxpayer subsidized bigotry
In the following video John Hagee tells atheists that they should leave the United States. He then goes on to say that some of the religions, that of course aren't HIS religion, should be made illegal. Now, if you don't think this is bigotry, try substituting the word Jew, Protestant, or Buddhist every time he says "atheist".
I support any private organization's right to hate or fear anyone they want to. As much as I despise them, I believe the KKK and Nazi's have a right to exist and spout whatever bullshit they want to. However, as a religious institution, Hagee and his followers, just like the Westboro Baptist Church, are doing this on the taxpayer's dime since they pay absolutely no tax.
Besides this, there are several flaws in his argument. The United States is not a Christian nation. The religious right continues to say this in the hopes that it eventually becomes true, but it is not. Some of the founders were Christian, but certainly not all of them. Regardless of their religious affiliation, they were secularists and they believed in the separation of church and state. Have doubts? I suggest reading nearly anything by Thomas Jefferson or you can simply read the Treaty of Tripoli, the first treaty signed by the United States, where it specifically states that we are not a Christian nation.
Secondly, I [I cannot speak for all atheists] am not offended by your belief in god, I am offended when you act like your beliefs allow you to make me believe like you or when you violate the separation of church and state and want me to follow your religion based rules. Believe whatever the hell you want. Believe that Jesus was born from a virgin. Believe that your first prophet was given a book and magic glasses to interpret it. Believe that your prophet rode on a magic horse to receive divine knowledge from angels. Believe that humans were buried in volcanoes by aliens. Just don't make me live the same way you do because of those beliefs and don't use my tax dollars to support your religion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75b1FMzGTB8
I support any private organization's right to hate or fear anyone they want to. As much as I despise them, I believe the KKK and Nazi's have a right to exist and spout whatever bullshit they want to. However, as a religious institution, Hagee and his followers, just like the Westboro Baptist Church, are doing this on the taxpayer's dime since they pay absolutely no tax.
Besides this, there are several flaws in his argument. The United States is not a Christian nation. The religious right continues to say this in the hopes that it eventually becomes true, but it is not. Some of the founders were Christian, but certainly not all of them. Regardless of their religious affiliation, they were secularists and they believed in the separation of church and state. Have doubts? I suggest reading nearly anything by Thomas Jefferson or you can simply read the Treaty of Tripoli, the first treaty signed by the United States, where it specifically states that we are not a Christian nation.
Secondly, I [I cannot speak for all atheists] am not offended by your belief in god, I am offended when you act like your beliefs allow you to make me believe like you or when you violate the separation of church and state and want me to follow your religion based rules. Believe whatever the hell you want. Believe that Jesus was born from a virgin. Believe that your first prophet was given a book and magic glasses to interpret it. Believe that your prophet rode on a magic horse to receive divine knowledge from angels. Believe that humans were buried in volcanoes by aliens. Just don't make me live the same way you do because of those beliefs and don't use my tax dollars to support your religion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75b1FMzGTB8
posted by Existentialist at 12:46 PM
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