Posting Shortly: State Sen. Says CSCOPE Will be Yanked in Texas

As Heard on Beck Radio: Wait Until You Read that Poem By One of Those Punished for Benghazi Lapses

Faith

Atheists Demand That ‘Personal Religious Expressions’ Be Removed From Military’s Suicide Prevention Training

Oct. 4, 2012 2:42pm Billy Hallowell

Jason Torpy Fights Religious Expression in Military Suicide Training

Photo Credit: FILE

The U.S. military is known for its religious undertones. Over the past few years, atheists have made a concerted effort to work against the faith-based culture that is ingrained in the armed forces. Now, there’s a major fight unfolding between the Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers (MAAF) President Jason Torpy and Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty (CARL) over the role of religion in suicide prevention.

According to The Christian Post, Torpy has requested that the military remove “personal religious expressions” that are part of a mandatory suicide prevention program. Part of this program involves chaplains who council service members in need of assistance. In a statement on the MAAF web site, Torpy explained his issues with religious involvement:

Suicide rates in the US military exceed one per day. This has been identified by military leaders as a crisis requiring attention throughout the military. Last Thursday, there was an Army-wide “stand down” to focus on suicide prevention training. However, reports are coming in that chaplain-led sessions on ‘resilience’ showed a priority on religion, prayer, and “god’s plan”. These personal religious expressions may be appropriate in private, optional settings, but they have no place in mandatory settings and even violate the Army’s own guidance that its “spiritual fitness” training be optional. Organizations like MAAF and American Atheists are advising soldiers to report issues to their command to see if the military can resolve these issues internally. [...]

If these were in the local chapel or in an optional Christian or general religious setting, then they may have been appropriate. But in a mandatory briefing, they only serve to ostracize the nonreligious and give the appearance that the chain of command prefers theistic viewpoints and does not accommodate the nontheistic.

As was reported by The Associated Press, the “stand down” event involved an order that all soldiers stop their normal duties to spend an entire day learning about suicide prevention and the services that are available to them. The general purpose was to strike down the embarrassment that some people in uniform feel when they realize they are in need of mental help services.

While atheists, like Torpy, view the presence of faith in the process as a violation, retired Col. Ron Crews, executive director for the CARL, is dismayed. Quite the contrary, he believes that religion fills — and should continue to play — an important role in helping soldiers overcome face their issues.

“Why would anyone not want every resource available to help our military personnel?,” he said, going on to tell the Post that chaplains have been one of the military’s most utilized tools in the fight against suicide. “I sincerely hope that military leaders will not bow toward this intolerance.”

Jason Torpy (Photo Credit: FILE)

Crews maintained that suicide is a very serious problem in the military. Some of the contributing factors are: feelings of loneliness, depression, loss of a relationship and issues pertaining to alcohol abuse. He contends that chaplains are trained and prepared to deal with these issues and that there are numerous examples of the positive results that this arrangement offers.

However, Torpy believes that personal expressions of faith should be just that — personal. These tenets, he claims, have no place in mandatory military events. These suicide briefings ”only serve to ostracize the nonreligious and give the appearance that the chain of command prefers theistic viewpoints and does not accommodate the non-theistic,” he contends.

In an effort to show how apparently dire the situation is for non-theists, Torpy also wrote that, “nontheists feel very alone and vulnerable when suddenly part of a command-led, mandatory prayer event.” You can read the rest of his statement here.

This isn’t the first time that Torpy has fought diligently against faith in the armed forces — and it certainly won’t be the last.

(H/T: Christian Post)

–

Related:

Benghazi, IRS, AP...What's next? Only TheBlaze TV offers the truth from Glenn Beck, Andrew Wilkow, and Real News from TheBlaze. Get instant access and a free trial here.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (201)

DexterMorgan
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:59pm
Don’t you atheists have anything new to spout? It’s the same old mindless dribble. You claim to be so “smart and educated ” so why can’t you come up with something new? The whole “There is no God”,”God is imaginary” etc is getting a little old and stale. Come out of Mommy’s basement and read something other than Hitchens,Dawkins and the like. Also you claim to know the Bible better than believers but all you seem to do is mis-quote and misinterpret it. All the while whining and screaming how mistreated and persecuted you are by the hateful bigoted Christians. Seems you’re doing most of the persecuting lately.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Bad_Ashe
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 4:23pm
  Yet another example of militant atheist-types continuing to put their crusade against religion above the actual health and well-being of their fellow man, even though studies find that religious activity leads to a happier life.
  
  This is really no different than their constant crusade against “creationism”, claiming that it hinders science even though they have no evidence of this, and the evidence that exists is quite contrary to that claim. They don’t really care about youth education; they just want to make sure that the scientific pretense of their atheism (neo-Darwinian theory – be it correct or not) has no competition for the hearts and minds of public school children who don’t know any better.
  
  More intellectually dishonest cowardice from intellectually dishonest weasels.
  
  Report this comment
- cessna152
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 4:43pm
  Atheists… my goodness. When you have no higher power for accountability, suicide rates are much higher. How do I know? I was suicidal until I found Christ… instantly my drinking urges, uncontrollable sins and urge to kill myself were gone. Sorry, that does not happen with medication and your silly nonsensical anti God, lying ways.
  
  You want to really live? Know Christ! Living the old way without Christ or living how I do now…there is no comparison. My life is WAY better with Christ and I never want to go back to the old way! If you are Suicidal… turn to Christ…
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:02pm
  I haven’t read any of their books. I HAVE read the bible quite a lot…and was a sincere christian for ~20 years. What I eventually saw as “problems” were not out of “misinterpretation”, or “mis-quoting”. In fact, when I was trying to figure out why I wasn’t like “the other christains” [though I tried my very best], I journaled my reading, . . . and those notes were the basis for the book I wrote about it. It wasn’t out of “rebellion” or “hatred for christainty”. I was reading to BE a better christain. Ultimately, I had to come to terms that [having never had any experience that was even remotely real in my attempts to pray, read the bible, praise and worship, etc], there really WASN’T anything to what I was doing. Eventually, I felt hypocritical for even being in church. Everything I did was empty, . . . fruitless. Just a huge void. So, for me, . . . god IS “imaginary”. But if ‘he’ IS real, . . . that’s on ‘him’, 100%.
  
  Report this comment
- yosemitefan
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:12pm
  Please, can someone tell these pansy little atheists “f*** off” and get a haircut and a real job. Just ignore them and let them whine.
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:23pm
  But it’s okay for YOU to whine about their free speech? Again, just because someone WANTS something removed from the mandatory, doesn’t mean it WILL be. How about you tell someone to “f#ck off” if they actually succeed [which I doubt they will].
  
  Oh, . . . and nice christian attitude you have.
  
  Report this comment
- ThatsJustCrazyTalk
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 7:55pm
  @DeavonReye: You give the same deceitful (spiritually blinded) statement that many atheists do… “I was a sincere Christian for (x amount) of years, but had to become an atheist because God wasn’t talking to me.”
  
  Most militant atheists like yourself prove in their initial comment that they were never a Christian. You did so as well. You also stated, ” Ultimately, I had to come to terms that [having never had any experience that was even remotely real in my attempts to pray, read the bible, praise and worship, etc],” That statement right there proves you were never a Christian.
  
  You cannot become a Christian simply by reading the Bible, quoting scripture, or going to Church. Also, nobody is born a Christian. You MUST be Born Again. That entails having an personal experience with God. “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” – John 3:3
  
  You never were a Christian as you’ve admitted you were never Born Again. That’s why True Christians persevere in their faith my friend, no matter how hard you try to convert us. Without a testimony, which is an understanding of the exact time you CHOSE to follow Christ, having your sins washed away (Born Again) through the blood of Christ, you’re not a Christian.
  
  I do hope you (DeavonReye) and your bitterly deceived “friends” will soon have the Light of Truth in Christ shine down on you all. God Bless!
  
  Report this comment
- BeeDee
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 10:19pm
  I thought the military was voluntary now. I guess there are some people who just crawled out from under their rock and decided to enlist. NEWSFLASH – Here be there chaplains!
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 10:42pm
  Crazytalk, . . . you misunderstand my words [or I didn't explain it well]. I most definitely was “born again”, . . . in every sense of the word. I had MUCH “faith in god” at that time. It wasn’t until the LATTER period of taht ~20 years that things started to no longer make sense. No, . . . I never had any experience that came from outside myself. If there IS a god that christianity says is true, then “HE” failed in his attempt to keep me. You talk of “persevering”. There was a time [a good LONG time] that I absolutely DID persevere. It was why I was desperate to find out why I wasn’t experiencing what others were [and I understand why, now]. And it was why I started to get counsel from church leadership, . . . start REALLY “getting into the word”, and journaling my thoughts. But nothing was there. Even when I was the MOST sincere I had ever been in my life, . . . . nothing. I can’t begin to tell you what it feels like to be at the alter, . . . and a void is present there, . . . and a recollection of all the other times is was the same way as it had always been. Again, IF there is a god, “HE” failed. 100%
  
  Later, when I looked for other inputs, they made all kinds of sense [because they were based on the natural world, and are testable . . . including the mental gymnastics that brain chemistry plays on our ability to recognize reality in certain situations. But I digress.
  
  If you want to believe, feel free! Really!
  
  Report this comment
- Maxim Crux
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 11:41pm
  DexterMorgan, they spew praise for themselves…they are their own religion. The next time you talk to an atheist, carry the understanding and knowledge that belief, being for or against something, is a matter of faith where faith is a matter that can not be proven one way or another. It is just faith. Atheism is a belief system and a faith based system by the definition. Therefore it is a religion. They have a belief that man is god and they have faith that it is the truth….so help them…and their belief.
  
  Godless people are responsible for more death and destruction than that of all religions combined. Over 100 million in the past 100 years. That is the low end estimate.
  
  Report this comment
- IslandAtheist
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 5:54am
  “The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honorable, but still primitive legends, No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this.” – Albert Einstein
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 8:58am
  Maxim, . . . as with SO many others, you set up a strawman [YOUR definition of 'atheism', which isn't true]. There is no “faith” in atheism. Atheism is the REJECTION of YOUR “faith claim”. And I task you to find ONE statement from a credible atheist who states “I am my own god”. Just ONE!!!
  
  If some of you would understand what atheism actually IS, . . . you wouldn’t get critiqued on it.
  
  Report this comment
- ChrisDiamond
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:53am
  First of one or two more responses to come goes out to YosemiteFan:
  
  “Please, can someone tell these pansy little atheists “f*** off” and get a haircut and a real job. Just ignore them and let them whine.”
  
  You do realize that this article is about atheists in the military, right? That organization full of volunteers who put their lives on the line to go off and fight turr, to defend your freedom, right? Yet you’re telling these ‘pansy little atheists to eff off. get a haircut (HA!) and a REAL job?!?
  
  You may have served. I’m not sure. If you did, then as an atheist and veteran, I thank you for your service. If not, then you might reconsider who you’re calling pansies simply because they don’t believe in your fairy tale. Several of my atheist friends in the military came home from Iraq and Afghanistan in flag-draped boxes. One was an explosive ordnance disposal technician who saved 14 other lives by blocking an IED with his own body when his teammate made a mistake trying to defuse it. His wife was pregnant with their 2nd child when she got the call. Another was a crew chief and gunner on a blackhawk who drew fire away from their bird after he’d been wounded to save his crew. both non-believers. Both had more courage and honor in their ear lobes than a keyboard warrior like yourself could ever dream of.
  
  Report this comment
- ChrisDiamond
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 11:04am
  @Maxim_Crux
  “Godless people are responsible for more death and destruction than that of all religions combined. Over 100 million in the past 100 years. That is the low end estimate.”
  
  In professor R.J. Rummel’s book, “Death by Government,” written in 1994, he estimated that government’s had killed over 160 million people in the 20th century. When you add the deaths of military combatants, the figure swells to 203 million… with 5 years left in the century. Mao Ze Dong is responsible for roughly 66 million, and Stalin was responsible for around 20 million. Hitler, a Catholic, or at least friend of the Catholic church killed some 6 million Jews and was the impetus for many more deaths in WWII. In less than 4 days in August of 1945, the Christian President Harry S. Truman killed nearly 210,000 with atomic weapons. The ‘Christian’ US government has killed well over 1.5 million theist Iraqis (of course they’re Muslims, so they might as well be Satanists to you), many of them women and innocent children in the last 15 years. During the Crusades, hundreds of thousands were killed by Christians, and during the scourge and spread of Islam (more theists), hundreds of thousands were killed.
  
  Here’s the kicker… in 40 days (and 40 nights) God killed MILLIONS with the deluge… and as God created all things, knows all things, then He is responsible for the deaths of about 2 million children each year through starvation. Food for thought.
  
  Report this comment
- ChrisDiamond
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 12:02pm
  @ThatsJustCrazyTalk
  
  You and your fellow ‘true believers’ have the insight, infinite/intimate knowledge, and the wherewithal to judge whether or not someone who claims to have once been Christian really was a Christian? You quote the bible and so forth, but how do you know DeavonReye wasn’t honestly seeking, studying and praying? Because he didn’t have the same spiritual experience as you? Does God or Jesus come to everyone the same way in Christendom? Jacob wrestled with Him, He showed Himself as a burning Bush… seems God likes a little variety in how He presents Himself to people. You must have a God-like ability to read deep into a person’s heart, mind and character through posts on The Blaze to make such a definitive assessment of other persons. I could make the rational assumption that you and other Christians are deranged lunatics who depend on an entity who’s existence cannot be proven, and have allowed others to manipulate you into a mindset and life on the promise of something better after you’re dead… but it wouldn’t be condusive to the discourse.
  
  Neither DeavonReye nor myself are trying to convert anyone. We’re simply arguing points based on reason, evidence, logic, science, the scriptures, philosophy, other writings, our personal experiences… Can you prove that you have greater knowledge, done more/wider study, or that your Christian humanity is somehow greater than ours? If not, then why should we bow to your fairy tale?
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 12:58pm
  Chris, . . . somehow, SOME christians cannot see how a person could “walk away if they were truly saved”. It is probably something they heard from the pulpit of their church. I know it was said from mine. It is absurd, however. I was absolutely sincere, back then. I just didn’t realize the ERROR filled reality of the bible. . . . nor did I know how it was actually [and why] put together, nor the actual history.
  
  But instead, . . . .the typical response is “you were never really saved”. Bull crap.
  
  Report this comment
- davecorkery
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 2:12pm
  Disagreeing with you is not persecution. It’s a difference of opinion. You have an opinion that there is a god, we have a different opinion. We know that men wrote the “holy” books. All of them. Why should we come up with something different, but you don’t have to, or can’t? How about this: Just show me one word written by god him/herself. Just one. i won’t argue, but I will verify. C’mon, just one word. You can’t because he never wrote one word. Some all powerful deity. Can’t even pick up a pen and tell us all what he wants. I guess he would rather let us all murder each other due to our different opinions of what he wants. Not that bright, your sky guy.
  You’re just mad because, until recently, you could spout all kinds of nonsense about god and were never challenged. Get used to it. There are more of us everyday and way less of your side, every single day. Methodists have been losing 1000 members A WEEK since 1960. All religions are losing their power to frighten the little people.Hopefully, the next thing your pastor will be trained to say is “do you want fries with that?
  Faith is no reason
  
  Report this comment
- Chatikh
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 8:51pm
  @MAXIM CRUX “DexterMorgan, they spew praise for themselves…they are their own religion. The next time you talk to an atheist, carry the understanding and knowledge that belief, being for or against something, is a matter of faith where faith is a matter that can not be proven one way or another. It is just faith. Atheism is a belief system and a faith based system by the definition. Therefore it is a religion. They have a belief that man is god and they have faith that it is the truth…..”
  
  By your logic, you have faith that there aren’t aliens living amongst us who are anally probing left-handed people. In that case, you are antisinistranalprobyalienist.
  
  There is no evidence for god, that’s why you have faith when you believe in him. There’s a lot of evidence that the bible is wrong, which is why it’s not faith when you don’t believe in Christianity. And atheists don’t believe that man is god. I’m going to define a deity as something with supernatural powers and probably can’t die, except that once. All people die, nobody has supernatural powers, man isn’t god.
  
  “Godless people are responsible for more death and destruction than that of all religions combined. Over 100 million in the past 100 years. That is the low end estimate.”
  
  Please let me know what your sources are. Because they’re very inaccurate. I assume you’re counting the Holocaust. Hitler was raised Catholic. There’s no evidence that he was anything other than religious.
  
  Report this comment
- Chatikh
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:03pm
  First of all, this is involving people who might potentially kill themselves. So if you have a bias, please leave it at the door when it comes to actual people’s lives.
  
  Okay, removing religion from the mandatory suicide prevention will not affect theists. If a theist becomes suicidal, all he has to do is say, “I’m Christian and want a chaplain” and they will get a chaplain immediately. If anyone knows anything about the procedure for suicide, even if it’s 3 in the morning, there will be a psychiatrist and any other person that can help coming immediately.
  
  This is going to be for those who aren’t religious. If the people who are trying to convince you not to kill yourself are trying to say “God doesn’t want you to commit suicide”, then you’re much less likely to really listen to what they are saying. Imagine if you were contemplating suicide, and people came to help you mentally, and then they had some Muslim chaplain or something telling you Allah says you shouldn’t kill yourself because it’s in the Qur’an or something. You’re not going to connect emotionally with that person, you’re going to shrug away them and everything they say. If the person contemplating suicide is atheist, they will still be able to request a religious chaplain if they want, they bend over backwards to try to get the person mentally sound again.
  
  Please, try to think about it from the perspective of a soldier and not as someone who is being persecuted.
  
  Report this comment
kickagrandma
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:51pm
First clue: “atheists DEMAND…”

Helllllooooo, reality check.

You atheists are in the wrong country to be demanding anything.
CHRISTIANS ARE AWAKE at last. (Did you just hear GOD sigh???)
We CHRIST-followers joyfully and happily invite you illiterates to learn to read.
Once you learn how to read, you will want to read THE BOOK of all books.
And then, you will want to meet its AUTHOR.
Once you do, the paradigm shifts.
The eyes of your hearts open.
Your souls sing.
GOD becomes real.

That’s the REAL HOPE AND CHANGE everyone is longing for.

Come on! What are you waiting for? Aren’t you finally out of excuses???

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Tractorboy
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 4:41pm
  KICKAGRANDMA, Satan is the voice in the heads of these atheists, otherwise why make the fuss, are they trying to finish off these service people? God is the one you need to turn to in times of trouble to help carry you through, but if you get someone to destroy or kill themselves then satan wins, thus I wonder if many of these atheist know who they are working for.
  
  Report this comment
- ChrisDiamond
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 11:12am
  KickAGrandma
  
  So you’re saying God isn’t real unless you read the Bible?
  
  I’ve read the Bible… bunches… and you know what? God isn’t real. I thought He was before I started reading and studying, and then I figured out He wasn’t, largely thanks to His book. And no, I wouldn’t particularly care to meet Him. He’s a mysoginist, a racist, likes slavery, is subject to the baser human emotions of jealousy and rage, makes simultaneous claims to be all-knowing, yet dare say that we have free will (one precludes the other, you understand)… His brilliant plan required Him to lament that he’d ever created humanity, and then kill millions with a flood… but tells us “Thou shalt not kill.” Do as a I say, not as I do, eh? Convenient. He created Adam out of his own image, then created Eve from Adam’s rib, sent a tempter that He created to tempt His creations that were built with a weakness to temptation and susceptibility to beguilment, then damned the rest of humanity for the crime of being human.
  
  No thanks. I’ll pass. I have an aversion to believing in fairy tales anyway, but to choose one like this to believe in boggles the mind.
  
  Report this comment
- Chatikh
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:09pm
  I think atheist soldiers are in the absolute right country, and who are you to think otherwise? Unless the United States was taken over by Pakistan or something, we have freedom of religion or lack of religion. You’re not much of a patriot if you’re suggesting the freedom soldiers die for doesn’t even apply to their own personal beliefs.
  
  Report this comment
- Chatikh
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:15pm
  “Come on! What are you waiting for? Aren’t you finally out of excuses???”
  
  Well, for the atheists literate enough to read scientific journal articles (and I’m not really certain that you’ve ever read an actual scientific article), we’re gaining excuses every day. Until some sort of nuclear apocalypse comes that destroys the internet and all hardcopies of scientific journals, textbooks, non-fiction/educational books, etc. then we’re always going to have plenty of excuses not to believe in the bible. Which you can believe we’ve read, I certainly have and I understood it quite well. I just believed in it as much as you’d believe what a college general biology textbook says.
  
  Report this comment
bigbear_awake
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:49pm
why is it if there is no GOD why does HE trouble them so much???

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Elena2010
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 4:32pm
  Shhh…most atheists think that God is as angry and petty as they are. They don’t realize that God is far grander than they can imagine! Other atheists have thought of God as their “Sugar Daddy” who is supposed to do this or that for them. When He did not, they got mad and disavowed knowing Him. They are like caterpillars who desire out of the cocoon but want somebody else to do the hard work of opening the cocoon. Alas, God loves them too much to do that, for it was make it impossible for them to fly. God wants us all to “fly”!
  
  Report this comment
- mensa141
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 4:33pm
  Be logical. There either is or is not a God.
  1) If there is no God
  A) You do believe and possibly live a better life?
  B) You don’t believe and when you die nothing changes
  2) The is a God
  A) You believe and are accepted in heaven with open arms
  B) You don’t believe and go to hell.
  
  Consider the upside and downside of your choices and choose accordingly. Makes one question the intelligence of atheists.
  
  Report this comment
- wvernon1981
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 4:40pm
  If there is a god, why is it that atheists bother you so much?
  
  Report this comment
- Git-R-Done
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 8:59pm
  WV – You’re the ones trying to eradicate freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
  
  Report this comment
- ChrisDiamond
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 11:29am
  @Mensa141
  
  Ah, either a member of an ‘elite’ group of literati and the intelligencia, or a charlatan… but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt.
  
  “Be logical. There either is or is not a God.
  
  (blah blah blah)
  
  Consider the upside and downside of your choices and choose accordingly. Makes one question the intelligence of atheists”
  
  Rationality and empircism tells us that existence requires proof to be considered existence. If I said unicorns exist you would laugh at me because, beyond writings in fictional books, there is no proof that unicorns exist. So belief in unicorns is irrational. We can, however prove that atoms exist, electrons exist (and other subatomic particles), gravity exists… and we can prove the existence of other things that cannot be seen, at least not with the naked eye.
  
  The Catholic church denounced Galileo, arrested him and forced him to retract his findings and statement regarding earth’s rotation around the sun. Proof didn’t matter (because he had it, mind you). They wanted people to continue believing a falsehood because it might cause them to question other things the church was wrong about.
  
  You are seemingly arguing that blind faith is superior to empirical evidence on the “what if” notion. This isn’t a particularly strong argument. Shouldn’t we expect more from a Mensa member?
  
  Report this comment
- ChrisDiamond
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 12:08pm
  @BigBearAwake
  
  Perhaps it’s because we do not like being forced to listen to people talk about an entity that doesn’t exist as if he does exist…?
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 4:11pm
  Another good post, Chris.
  
  It is an important point because evidence is essential in making a determination of fact. It is why I use the avatar that I have. . . . a Faery. There are people who TRULY BELIEVE that The Fae are quite real [coming in and out of our reality from time to time], and some “have been taken to their realm for a short time”. They have no credible evidence to show their “journey”, but know it happened. Christain, . . . do you believe them? Why not?
  
  Someone made a very going point. Christianity spent most of its life without critique. Now that people are beginning to understand the WHOLE story and walking away from the religion, . . . and as others poke holes in it, . . . some christians feel “persecuted” and want to take away the rights that THEY enjoy freely. To bad. The critiques are here and they aren’t going away. Centuries of pew sitting “yes men” in fear of the very powerful church. No longer.
  
  Report this comment
- ChrisDiamond
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 5:06pm
  @DeavonReye
  
  Thank you, my friend. I sometimes reread my posts and wish that I were a little more genteel, as you are, but I actually believe in treating others how they treat me. I tried the golden rule here, and got shat on by these pious arbiters of Christian goodness and supremacy, so… I’ll slap back. I don’t like it, but if that’s how they wanna play, then I’ll play by their rules. I’d rather have a sensible debate using logic, reason, philosophy and other real disciplines, but that’s where most of these guy’s have to stop: reality… because their faith has little basis in reality. When you point it out, using their own bible, they make strawmen, or red herrings, or their favorite… the ad hominem.
  
  I’m sure their Christ is extremely proud of them.
  
  BTW, I enjoy reading your posts as well!
  
  Report this comment
- Chatikh
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:31pm
  @ELENA2010
  “Shhh…most atheists think that God is as angry and petty as they are. They don’t realize that God is far grander than they can imagine! Other atheists have thought of God as their “Sugar Daddy” who is supposed to do this or that for them. When He did not, they got mad and disavowed knowing Him.”
  
  I’m quite sure that atheists don’t view god as a sugar daddy who is supposed to give us hummers and guns. We see god as a being which, if he exists, shouldn’t be ignoring people dying of malaria and aids in africa, Chaga’s disease in south america, the native americans who died of smallpox, the holocaust, genocide, war, etc.
  A god who lets all this happen is not angry or petty or a sugar daddy. He’s worthless.
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:41pm
  Chris, . . it is sometimes VERY hard to keep from lashing out. I just had to revise a post that I was about to click “Reply” with. I won’t name names, but there are definitely a number of arrogant narcissistic jerks on this board that play games with words instead of actually offering up CREDIBLE examples of what they believe. The condescending way the post is offensive, . . . and they really DON’T have that “christian love” that they claim to have for “the lost”. They truly are the very definition of “hypocrit”.
  
  I personally think that the way the post is strictly BECAUSE they are unable to offer anything even remotely credible. The best they have are so called “messianic prophecies”, or “other biblical prophecies”, . . . all based on either assumption, misinterpretation, completely reading into a story what was never there, cherry picking what works and removing what doesn’t, . . . or what was never there to begin with.
  
  Sorry. I had to vent a bit. Again, . . . it takes a log of restraint to not rip them a new one for posting what they do.
  
  Anyway, on with the good [ACTUAL good] fight.
  
  Report this comment
Lordcsmith
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:47pm
Carl Jung said two things that were awesome regarding this. Do not discount imagination as everything that comes from man is birthed in the imagination. Second, all conversations about religion come down to one thing: you have either had the religious experience or you have not. We will never see eye to eye on it.

Economy is imaginary, love is imaginary, racism is imaginary, all concepts, feelings and experience is “imaginary” because it, in itself, has no natural quality to be measured and weighed. Yet, these things affect mankind’s life more than anything you define as “real”. God, much like these other things mentioned, is imaginary insofar as we do not know how tall it is or how big it is but we can certainly measure its effect on us and the footprint it leaves behind. You just have the choice to ignore it. All of these things were discussed, more eloquently I might add, in the “Bronze Age” from whence it came. One of these days you might catch up to the Bronze Age’s thinking and then see how far we’ve come to today.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Elena2010
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 4:34pm
  Carl Jung also said that we would worship something larger than ourselves.
  
  Humanity in a psycho-social sense is a neolithic humanity. We only get where we are going faster and kill more efficiently. Humanity is what it is. No amount technology will improve the human soul. Only spiritual things can do that…or the opposite.
  
  Report this comment
GaltLine
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:46pm
Time to prevent atheists from making religious expressions such as, “There is no God.” They need to be denied access to court rooms where they can espouse their religious views and break down the wall between their church and our state.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- ChrisDiamond
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 12:18pm
  Galtline
  
  “Time to prevent atheists from making religious expressions such as, “There is no God.” They need to be denied access to court rooms where they can espouse their religious views and break down the wall between their church and our state.”
  
  So you’re a statist who believes that people who do not believe as you do should have their liberty diminished, and that people who do believe as you do should have ‘extra’ rights?
  
  You want to ban an expression like, “There is no God,” and I’ll agree to that if you will also ban any expressions that proclaim the existence of God. That way we would both be treated equally under the law. At least my proposal is fair and treats us as equals. Your proposal makes no such concession on my behalf. Tsk, tsk, tsk. I’m sure that sweet little 8 pound 6 ounce baby Jesus is smiling at your staunch defense of your belief by denigrating those who disagree with you.
  
  You’re a hypocrite. You do not love others, as your God commanded you to through Jesus. You have no respect for liberty. You’re a statist pig who wants to use the force of your Daddy government to enforce your morality on others, or to strip liberty from people who disagree with you. You may consider yourself a Christian and a patriot, but you are neither. You are a hate-filled enemy of liberty.
  
  Report this comment
darkeningskies
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:31pm
lol…..torpy is just throwing a temper tantrum……………someone must of stolen his pink tutu

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Gorp
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:44pm
  Screw the atheists. If they don’t like it that’s tough.
  
  Report this comment
- ChrisDiamond
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 12:26pm
  @Gorp
  
  That’s what you have to say to men and women who volunteered to risk their lives (if necessary) to defend your freedom?
  
  You’re an unappreciative, disrespectful piece of fecal matter. Nothing more.
  
  Report this comment
- Chatikh
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:26pm
  @GORP
  
  You’re talking about something that affects suicidal soldiers. You’re so insecure in your religion that you can’t even be tolerant even for those who are extremely depressed and want to kill themselves?
  
  If your faith is all that matters and lives don’t, maybe this will reach your blackened heart: if people who aren’t religious kill themselves, you can’t convert them to Christianity, can you?
  
  These are soldiers volunteering to fight in a war. They’re probably scared and depressed but they are a hell of a lot braver than you are being right now.
  
  Report this comment
darkeningskies
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:18pm
Oh Go STFU you satanic piece of trash

And beware…..Christians are coming out swinging……get ready

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- pinnybogg
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:33pm
  the devil is at full force..trying to take over God’s country..we all have to be alert aat all times and SPEAK OUT
  
  Report this comment
- johnjamison
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:41pm
  So because one of the six atheist serving in our military feels alienated and alone we must instead make the other 99.9% who have religious values must be made to feel that way instead.
  Atheism is fascism and you’re right just like saint patrick drove the snakes out of ireland soon a saint will rise to drive out our snakes as well.
  
  Report this comment
- kickagrandma
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:42pm
  Oh, yes, sir!!!
  
  Report this comment
- gwnail
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:46pm
  Such language does not represent true Christianity…much less Jesus Christ. Try praying for the salvation of the man’s eternal soul instead of making Christ and His followers look bad.
  
  Report this comment
- NHwinter
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:49pm
  I demand personal religious expression stays in. Do I count? I will be hurt and emotionally damaged if they are removed. Can I sue?
  
  Report this comment
- Rampart
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:50pm
  Perhaps the military should employ “Aethiest Chaplains” to come by and stare blankly at each wounded and dying aetheist as last rites…
  
  Report this comment
- GaltLine
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:56pm
  @ GWNAIL
  
  Guess we can’t upset their tables, call them hypocrites, or “white washed tombs either.”
  
  Report this comment
- ChrisDiamond
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 12:29pm
  GWNAIL
  
  You are the first person to post something I’ve read here on the Blaze that I actually believe is truly a Christian. With as much sincerity as I can possibly muster, I thank you for that. Your pals might consider that perhaps they aren’t that great a reflection of Christ or His teachings.
  
  Report this comment
- Chatikh
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:41pm
  @Darkeningskies
  
  Yes, you are a shining example of christianity. Advocating use of violence and using violent metaphors for your peaceful religion. Jesus is very proud of you. Please wave on your way to heaven.
  
  All a christian has to do is say “I’m Christian” and they’ll get a chaplain. You’d think they’d have no problem saying it since they say it all the time. Maybe they get tired of it?
  
  And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
  
  Report this comment
hi
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:16pm
The military has a right to freedom of religion. Part of that freedom is having access to religous pastors from all faiths.
I’m sure the atheists can find someone who is selfish and always offended and offer them their anti-religous leader position.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- darkeningskies
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:28pm
  barney frank?? I am sure he would be more than willing to offer any atheist his advise on various positons
  
  Report this comment
- Chuck Stein
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:32pm
  Good one
  
  Report this comment
- coldnorth
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 7:12pm
  You get a twofer…Frank can fill the gay mentor rule too.
  
  Report this comment
- ChrisDiamond
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 12:24pm
  @Hi
  
  We also have the right to freedom FROM religion. The founders understood this. I have no problems with chaplains in the military. No problem whatsoever. When they prayed aloud, I would stand and keep quiet out of respect for them and my brothers and sisters. But forcing a religious perspective on soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines regarding suicide awareness training does create the appearance of military favoritism toward theology. See, we weren’t offered a non-religious version of the same class when I was in, and we weren’t allowed to skip the fairy tale religion portion of the courses. It was BS then, it’s BS now. Why shouldn’t atheists in uniform have the right to training free of theistic mysticism?
  
  Report this comment
Tri-ox
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:14pm
Just one more reason to fire obama – he and his atheists must be stopped before they cause any more damage to America.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- ChrisDiamond
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 12:37pm
  You do realize that much of our trouble has come from our Christian involvement in two wars overseas over the last 10 years? $2 trillion plus of our debt? You do realize that our Christian government has legalized theft for themselves and their bankster pals, even though God says “Thou shalt not steal.”…? You do realize that our Christian government has killed over 1.5 million Iraqis, many of them women and innocent children when God says, “Thou shalt not kill.”…? You do realize that our government has lied to us about more than I can recount here, even though God says, “Thou shalt not bear false witness.”…?
  
  Christian president GW Bush said that, “The Constitution is just a godd*mned piece of paper.” Didn’t God say “Thou shalt not take the name of your Lord thy God in vain.”?
  
  Your view of Christianity and it’s wholesome, good ‘Christian’ work through government is rather skewed. Maybe you should educate yourself so someone like me doesn’t have to make a post highlighting both your ignorance and hypocrisy.
  
  Report this comment
Female
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:13pm
I am a Christian and a veteran.

If you want to turn toward Mecca and pray, I don’t care and it doesn’t hurt me to hear it.

If you want to burn incense to Budda and meditate, I don’t care and it doesn’t hurt me to wait patiently until you finish even an hour.

If you want to implore the assistance of a higher power, I don’t care and it doesn’t bother me except truthfully it always makes me think of a lightbulb with lots of watts.

If you don’t want any spiritual assistance because you have no belief but you are still in emotional trouble, I DO CARE and I will sit with you, listen to you, help with what I can, and yes, silently pray for you because you are created in God’s image and…

I am a Christian and a veteran.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- WillG
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:32pm
  Well said Brother. Thank you for your service.
  
  Report this comment
- WillG
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:34pm
  I meant Sister.
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 4:22pm
  Now THAT is a good post, FEMALE.
  
  Report this comment
grimmster
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:11pm
I’m am NOT a very religious person,in that i dont attend church or pray or read the bible,i have my reasons, and no im no atheist, im a believer in God,but if i were an ateist, i would take a wide birth around me. As far as people/s that i hate, muslims and atheist are at the top two spots.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
The Jewish Avenger
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:11pm
Ugh… not again…

We wont make you pray if you want to kill yourself. But just the same, there is a God and He loves you. Sorry you have a problem with that, but if it makes your suicide a little harder to carry out… so be it. Funny that an athiest when feeling alone wants no mention of God, but, THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS THAT DIE FOR THIS COUNTRY ARE BELIEVERS IN GOD. They find comfort in praying and it would prevent THEM from commiting suicide. So I ask, is the reason why you want to remove it is knowing that the faithful when weak will commit suicide while you find comfort in the lack of God being expressed to the military EVEN THOUGH YOU KNOW YOU ARE THE MINORITY? So the needs of the few outweigh the needs of the many, right? Sorry, my family and generations that died, died for you to have a “voice” not the “upper hand” over us… deal with it… go think of nothing in your fox hole but keep your crap that is destroying the glue that binds this country to yourself!

I mean what the heck do you want?

FALLEN FAITHFUL:”Chaplain, I’m so confused”
Chaplain: “Let us pray…”

ATHIEST: “Chaplain, I’m so confused”
*Chaplain slaps athiest across the face*
ATHIEST: “Oh ya, thank you Chaplain.”

I get really frustrated over this… “It’s better to have nothing”… attitude.

But thats what happens with decades of God fearing men and women that die for our country while the granolas stay at home and bEtch and had their feelings hurt for the

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Chatikh
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:55pm
  We are in the minority but deserve no less protection by the government as you do from people trying to get you to believe in Allah.
  
  And when it comes to actual human lives, and soldiers’ lives at that, you need to leave your biases behind. Maybe it’s hard for you to think of soldiers’ lives since so many have died in two wars, but the enemy is killing enough of our soldiers, we don’t need them killing themselves. Suicidal theists, especially Christians, will not be disadvantaged in any way. They merely need to state, “I want a chaplain, i’m suicidal” and they’ll bring him one immediately at any time, along with a psychiatrist.
  
  Non-theists soldiers’ lives count just as much as a Christian live does, hard as that may be to believe. Non-theists won’t have to experience someone attempting to force their unshared beliefs on them while they are in a sensitive state. Just like if a muslim chaplain were to try to convince you that Allah has a bigger plan for them and it’s in the Qur’an that suicide is bad, non-theist soldiers will be spared having to deal with someone possibly making them feel worse.
  
  If you learned anything in the bible, I’d hope that you’d learn that saving a life is more important than politics. Even if it is someone with whom you disagree.
  
  Report this comment
fuzzy20841
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:10pm
As a white heterosexual, god fearing male, when do I get to demand?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Chuck Stein
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:16pm
  Sorry, you are an oppressor — so you cannot demand. Ooops, wait . . . don’t oppressors ALWAYS get to demand?
  
  Report this comment
- Anonymous T. Irrelevant
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:34pm
  No kidding, I am SO effing tired of .001% of the population trying to tell the 75% what to do, and the {}^*}%*+# judges go along with it!
  
  Report this comment
- Chatikh
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:06pm
  You get to have all the rights promised by the constitution, without anyone interfering. It’s part of being in the majority, you don’t have to demand anything. You already have everything.
  
  And it isn’t the “0.001%”. Atheists and agnostics are much much more numerous than that. And it’s not only us, it’s the Jews, the buddhists, the hindus, the muslims, the daoists, etc.
  
  And even if it was the “0.001%”, the amazing constitution and country that we live in promises that the 0.001% can’t limit your rights. And, the “75%” shouldn’t be able to limit the rights of the “0.001%”, but christians have always spat on the constitution when it comes to the rights of minorities.
  
  Report this comment
thibx
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:09pm
go to hell. i’m tired of you, if you want to not believe in God you can. why in the hell are you against something you don’t believe in. i repeat shut up and go to hell.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Female
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:20pm
  When I have such an opinion as: “i repeat shut up and go to hell.” I usually include one more cliche’?
  
  I REPEAT:
  
  shut-up, DROP DEAD, and go to hell!
  
  I want to insure they receive proper instructions in attempting to reach my stated goal. LOL Please forgive, I am just trying to be funny.
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 4:19pm
  I enjoy seeing the “love” coming from the christian community.
  
  So he is asking for religious terms being removed from the manditory. So what? It may not even be done. . . . . . . yet you want him [because of his opinion, granted to him by the first ammendment] to “die and go to hell”. Wonderful example of the TRUE human spirit mascarading as “a holy christian”.
  
  Report this comment
- jimbo_from_suwanee
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:43pm
  There will be no atheists in Hell.
  
  Report this comment
- 4truth2all
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 8:58pm
  Yo Deavonreye:
  
  Anyone hoping or wishing that another person go to hell in all probability will find themselves in the same eternity with the very persons they wished apon.
  
  Faith comes from trust … we are saved BY GRACE and this a gift from God … look for the grace, Christ is not a religion He is a relation … good day
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 11:01pm
  Thanks, 4truth.
  
  Report this comment
- 4truth2all
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 7:51am
  Yo Devonreye:
  
  No problem … christianity isn’t about “feel good” shallowness.
  God NEVER fails …we do … for if He is God He can not … easy
  
  Report this comment
- Chatikh
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:01pm
  @THIBX
  
  “why in the hell are you against something you don’t believe in.”
  
  What a simplistic way to think. I assume you’re perfectly for muslims having a mosque in your neighborhood? because why in the hell are you against something you don’t believe in. And you’d want a pagan cult living in the house next door? because why in the hell are you against something you don’t believe in. And you’d want your children learning about witchcraft and astrology? because why in the hell are you against something you don’t believe in.
  
  Atheists don’t believe in god. But christians are quite real, and we have just as much right to not have it forced upon us as you have the right to be free of all of the above.
  
  I really don’t understand why Christians are not understanding this? I’ll put it in all caps:
  ANY CHRISTIAN CAN STILL REQUEST A CHAPLAIN, THEY ARE STILL ALLOWED TO PRACTICE THEIR RELIGION. CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THIS WHATSOEVER. NO ONE IS PERSECUTING YOU.
  
  Report this comment
Ducky657
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:08pm
The old saying there are no atheists in a fox hole is true. As a veteran I have seen the effect faith has on the battlefield and am amazed that these folks want to take faith out of the equation. It is rare that someone who has strong faith even considers suicide. The only reason I can figure these folks fear faith is because like a child in the dark they fear what they can’t see. Their fears that someone will hear information related to faith is not only illogical but foolish to the nth degree.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- formidable_foe
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 4:34pm
  …and what’s with Torpy’s comment that non-theists feel “very alone and vulnerable” during these military events. “Vulnerable” to what? Attack? Being harassed because you’re a non-believer? Give me a break!! I love his comment: “These suicide briefings ONLY serve to ostracize the non-religious…” This truly illustrates the selfish narcissism of atheists like Torpy. Never mind that our fellow soldier has died… this is ALL ABOUT ME!!!! A spiritual component to these briefings is obviously helpful to OTHERS. Q: Why try to deny your fellow man this comfort? A: You’re a egomaniacal punk who only cares about YOURSELF! Torpy… you and your kind are nauseating!
  
  Report this comment
- Balpit
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 10:39pm
  As part of the military, they’ll find themselves under attack by people who want to kill them on the battlefield.
  But, they’re more upset with being “under attack” by being exposed to religious beliefs they don’t agree with?
  
  OK…
  
  Report this comment
- Chatikh
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:20pm
  So can you be more clear? Do atheists become religious when they are afraid? Or are they afraid of religion? Because it can’t be both. And maybe for some people, “No atheists in foxholes” is true, but not for many atheists. An atheist asking for divine intervention is like you asking Buddha for assistance. It’s not something that atheists do. For the sake of argument, let’s say it is true. You’re proud of the fact that people try to pray to god when they’re in a very non-rational state? By your argument, religion is not something people who are rational believe in.
  
  The belief that if something is true, it should have some evidence is extremely logical. Since society decided logic and evidence were superior to religious stories, society has been advancing at a exponential rate. The computer you use to spread your views wouldn’t have been possible if people hadn’t realized that evidence is what separates truth from fiction.
  
  Report this comment
- Chatikh
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:26pm
  And @FORMIDABLE_FOE
  ” This truly illustrates the selfish narcissism of atheists like Torpy. Never mind that our fellow soldier has died… this is ALL ABOUT ME!!!!”
  
  You really think that’s what it’s about? It’s about the lives of real soldiers who their only “flaw” is that they disagree with you. I think the fact that you can’t think of actual soldiers who are probably braver than you having rights to be free from being forced religion says more about you than it does about Torpy. Christians are not having their rights infringed upon. A suicidal Christian soldier just has to request a chaplain and they’ll get one, any time. Atheist soldiers have rights that they are fighting for to be spared someone forcing their beliefs while they are in a delicate state of mind. This isn’t even about Torpy, this is about real soldiers. Think about that for just a second, please.
  
  @BALPIT
  
  They have a right to be free from attack from both the enemy and their government.
  
  I think it’s hard for Christians to think about how it would affect a real non-religious person, because they never have to experience anything like that. But I bet my balls that they’d scream bloody murder if muslims were treating them like christians treat us. Especially when you look at how they react when you separate church and state.
  
  Report this comment
- Balpit
  Posted on October 7, 2012 at 2:36pm
  If they’re being exposed to a belief they disagree with, they’re not “under attack”. No more than I’m under attack when I see a statue of Buddha at my local Chinese restaurant. They’re not being forced to worship, they just see something they don’t agree with and scream bloody murder.
  
  Report this comment
- formidable_foe
  Posted on October 9, 2012 at 6:24pm
  Well said Balpit.
  
  @Chatikh,
  
  The “real soldiers” you speak of are not forced into prayer or praising any deity. The issue here is atheists claiming they are somehow under attack by merely being exposed to the religious views and practice that others have the right to express. I say if atheists like Tropy had the “balls” you claim you have, they wouldn’t be crying so much like they do. Live and let live for heaven’s sake….. (sorry, I couldn’t resist).
  
  Report this comment
PobeptMu
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:05pm
What does the atheist tell them? This is all there is. Your life has no ultimate value, meaning or purpose. That religion only tells you were made in image of God, that you are here for a purpose, that you have value, you life does have meaning.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- DeavonReye
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 4:15pm
  Sorry, but I don’t need “a god” to have purpose and meaning in my life. I don’t know where you get that “ONLY a religious person can have meaning”.
  
  Report this comment
- Bad_Ashe
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 4:35pm
  @DEAVON – Absolutely an atheist’s life can have meaning and purpose, but it is a subjective one at best, and ultimately (per atheist ideology) meaningless. When all is destroyed in the heat death of the universe, your life will have ultimately meant nothing. There is no legacy for the atheist, as all their contributions to the naturalistic world are destined to be eradicated.
  
  All of that aside, the urgent question is whether or not there is any objective value or greater benefit in this atheistic meaning and purpose? On atheism, in which meaning and purpose are nothing more than subjective traits, a serial killer’s life has meaning and purpose.
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 4:54pm
  The universe never promises anything beyond this life. I won’t be so arrogant as to assume that it does. I truly understand the reason why people NEED to have “something else after death”. It is scary. But rest assured, you’ll never know that you are.
  
  Report this comment
- Bad_Ashe
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 12:29pm
  @DEAVON – Your response was a pointless post that doesn’t address the question at hand. On atheism, how is purpose and meaning anything more than a subjective personal preference? Is there then any real greater benefit or good to this purpose and meaning? What of good? On atheism, is this too just a subjective personal standard?
  
  Report this comment
- ChrisDiamond
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 12:49pm
  POBEPTMU
  You do not understand atheism at all. An atheist’s life has just as much value, meaning and purpose as any believer’s life. In fact, I’d say we value it even more because most of us do believe that this is all we get. We make the most of it. We don’t need a fairy tale to define our existence or give it purpose.
  
  BADASHE
  So because we disagree with you, our life’s meaning is “subjective, at best and ultimately meaningless?” What an arrogant and presumptious ***** you are! Tell my wife and my kids that my life has been meaningless, that their experiences with me have been for nothing and meaningless. Tell the two friends I’ve talked out of suicide, or the 3 marriages I helped to save that my life was ultimately meaningless. What a fantastic representative of your Christ you are! According to you, God made me, and loved me so much that He sent Jesus to be tortured and murdered so I could be cleared of the guilt of sin that God created, God propagated and allowed to happen, and that I might escape hell. Your God loved me enough and did not demand my love in return. I could choose to love him or not, right? But you will discount my life (that your boss created) as WORTHLESS?
  
  Seriously, Christians!! The lot of you do more to discredit and shame Christianity than any atheist ever could!
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 1:10pm
  Good post, Chris.
  
  Report this comment
- ChrisDiamond
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 2:02pm
  @DeavonReye
  
  Thank you… When I was in church, I knew people (more than any church would like to admit) that were precisely like these people here: hateful, spiteful, arrogant, mean-spirited, vengeful… Then I wondered about that… Why are so many Christians like that? Then I reread the OT and was like, “Oh yea. Duh.”
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 2:43pm
  Ha!! Indeed! :-)
  
  Report this comment
- Chatikh
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:32pm
  You’re right about atheism. Ultimately, at some time in the future it won’t matter. So we should just kill ourselves? Give up? Not when we can experience life to the fullest, without wasting our one shot on religion every week. We still experience everything you do, we can enjoy life while we have it. We can love, have sex, have children, make a legacy for ourselves. Atheist, Christian, whatever, in 100 years you’ll probably be forgotten on earth unless you did something really exceptional. Christians aren’t really concerned about that.
  
  And just because a concept gives a false meaning to life, doesn’t mean you should believe in it.
  
  Report this comment
- Bad_Ashe
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 1:41am
  @CHRIS – Hi! Outside of being arrogant (and I was arrogant back when I was a hard agnostic, so my faith has nothing to do with it), I’ve displayed none of the traits you list here. Even if I had, it would be irrelevant; either you don’t understand the argument being made, or simply have poor reading comprehension. Also, the emotional appeals do little for your argument.
  
  A lack of objective meaning for the atheist has nothing to do with agreeing with me; it’s simply true. For the atheist, the meaning in your life is entirely subjective because you don’t believe that values, good, evil, purpose, is held in any kind of external objective source. It is simply a matter of personal preference. On atheism, a serial killer’s life has purpose and value, even if only to him. He’s not held to any sort of objective standard, moral or otherwise.
  
  On atheism, our lives are ultimately meaningless. We will die, our children will die, their children will die, and any material contribution we made will be destroyed in the heat death of the universe. While it is true that we can find meaning in the here and now, it’s simply subjective meaning and is still ultimately pointless.
  
  Finally, I didn’t state that anyone’s life was worthless. Nor did I state that someone’s life is pointless because they are an atheist. My ideology is the antithesis of those ideas. However, if atheist ideology is true (and it isn’t), all of life is ultimately meaningless for the reasons listed above.
  
  Report this comment
- Bad_Ashe
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 1:59am
  @CHATIKH – This is a series of poorly developed comments and pointless rhetoric. If you are going to respond, respond to the specific point being made and save the mock incredulity.
  
  On atheism, how does your life have objective meaning and purpose? How do you even define “good” in stating that you’ve lived a good life? The only way is by utilizing a completely subjective criteria.
  
  By atheist criteria, which is inherently subjective, a serial killer will have lived a meaningful, purposeful, and even good, life. They probably even left a legacy of some kind…
  
  Speaking of, if creating a legacy is paramount to atheist meaning, how do you reconcile that with the fact everything is going to eventually be destroyed? Try not to get too emotional in your response, we are all just biological material, after all…
  
  Cheers!
  
  Report this comment
- ChrisDiamond
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 11:03am
  @Bad_Ashe
  
  Let me try this again… And I’ll ask you for some clarification.
  
  We are destined for a universal heat death, as you call it, where the sun will eventually consume the solar system (if I remember the theory correctly). This is believed to be our future tens of millions of years from now, or roughy 500 to 5,000 times as many years as all of recorded human history. in the last 60 years, or 1% of recorded human history, we have harnessed the power of the atom, put a man on the moon, and put more computing power in a handheld device than there was in space shuttles through the early 80s. They are working on star trek style impulse engines as we speak, and we are finding more and more worlds within habitable regions of their solar systems that could potentially support life.
  
  But I digress…
  
  Are you equating atheism and your concept of it with nihilism?
  
  Why is it that theism is the only means by which life obtains objective meaning? You didn’t make that precise argument, but your posts make it plausible to assume you believe this. I thought I’d ask before moving forward.
  
  The greatest questions of life; how did we get here, what is our purpose or meaning for our existence can only be answered subjectively, no? What you believe as answers to these questions is true for you, but not necessarily factual. Same goes for me. But I don’t see life as ultimately meaningless without God.
  
  Report this comment
- Bad_Ashe
  Posted on October 7, 2012 at 2:21am
  Hi Chris,
  
  Just to clarify, I’m not talking about only our solar system, but the entire universe. Per the second law of thermodynamics, it’s very likely that someday the entire universe will diminish into a state of zero thermodynamic energy and can no longer process its own material or support life. Everything will die.
  
  I’m not equating atheism with nihilism, though the implication could be made. The difference is that nihilism denies that moral truths exist at all, what I’m taking about is objective moral truths. The thing lacking from atheistic morality is an explanatorily adequate basis for objective moral values.
  
  In other words, on atheism…why is rape wrong? Why isn’t being a serial rapist a purposeful and meaningful life? Who’s to say a serial rapist hasn’t led a “good life”. It’ all subjective, no?
  
  As for your last paragraph, of course you don’t see your life as meaningless…nor should you. Humans are predisposed to find some kind of purpose, and I’m sure you are a great guy with a great family, and more power to you for it. However, if God does not exist (per your ideology) there is no ultimate significance to anything we do. Life is absurd. Mankind is simply a doomed race in a dying universe…because we end as nothing, we are nothing.
  
  Cheers!
  
  Report this comment
- ChrisDiamond
  Posted on October 9, 2012 at 1:51pm
  Hi Bad_Ashe
  
  Thank you for your kind words. I likewise am pretty sure you are a great person with a family and friends who love you and are very grateful for you.
  
  I’m afraid my response must wait a little while longer. But I do plan to respond.
  
  Report this comment
- ChrisDiamond
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 12:12pm
  @Bad_Ashe (Continued)
  
  So the quality of life the serial rapist has led is irrelevant. He has aggressed against others and infringed on their right to their property. He should be forced to make restitution, or be completely ostracized from society.
  
  There is a lot of ontological discussion regarding morality, truth and moral truths. That you claim atheistic morality is objective and proffers no explanitorily adequate basis for objective moral values lends more to your bias toward theism as opposed to an objective examination of the theses behind morality from the atheistic perspective. Moreover, the assetion you make is, and can best be quantified, in my opinion, that only God or belief in Him can validate the value, worth or purpose of life. If it’s true for you, then it is true for you… but that it isn’t true for me, or that the only way to prove you are correct is to die and find out whether its heaven, hell, or the big dirt nap, means that your assessment and statement is as subjective as you claim atheistic morality is… isn’t it?
  
  Report this comment
momrules
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:02pm
People like Torpy anger and dismay me. He is not fighting for atheist military personel, he is simply trying to rid the military of any reference to God. At a time in any persons life when they are so depressed that suicide is an option every avenue of help should be available to that person.

Torpy and atheists like him have an agenda. They want a Godless America and they do not care how many people have to die to advance that agenda. They want the Chaplains and other faith leaders in the military to hide to talk to people who need them the most.

I hope the military leaders fight this but they will probably lose if they do. That seems to be the things are in America now. The good and God loving losing to the godless and God hating. This is another reason I believe God has turned his back on this country.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Elena2010
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 4:41pm
  Mom — my fear is that the military will cave w/o a fight!
  
  The higher you go up in the ranks, the more PC you become (in general). There are not many Chesty Pullers or Chet Nimitzes out there any more. Even senior Chaplains are spiritually, pastorally as worthless as a $3 bill! Real leadership in the service exists at O-5 and below.
  
  Report this comment
- ChrisDiamond
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 2:47pm
  @MomRules
  “People like Torpy anger and dismay me. He is not fighting for atheist military personel, he is simply trying to rid the military of any reference to God. At a time in any persons life when they are so depressed that suicide is an option every avenue of help should be available to that person.”
  
  He didn’t say anything about removing the training or any of the services available to people. He’s just arguing that the training shows preference toward theism. No one is arguing to remove chaplains or their services from the Armed Forces.
  
  “Torpy and atheists like him have an agenda. They want a Godless America and they do not care how many people have to die to advance that agenda. They want the Chaplains and other faith leaders in the military to hide to talk to people who need them the most.”
  
  Wrong again. Read what’s written there instead of reading stuff that isn’t there in order to fit your perception. Moreover, who will have to die to remove theistic references in mandatory training? No one. Speak in hyperbole much?
  
  “I hope the military leaders fight this but they will probably lose if they do. That seems to be the things are in America now. The good and God loving losing to the godless and God hating. This is another reason I believe God has turned his back on this country.”
  
  Why should they fight it and continue to demonstrate preference of theism over atheism? Just put them on equal ground.
  
  Report this comment
blackyb
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:02pm
It is all part of the con of America and has seeped over into the military. Demoralizing the troops to weaken this country. It is part of the Obama con.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Chatikh
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:35pm
  You’ve discovered the conspiracy!! It’s totally a plot by Obama to do whatever it is you said, because it totally serves a purpose, whatever it might be.
  
  Grow up, it’s not you vs. them. It’s you living with them.
  
  Report this comment
blackyb
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:01pm
So, if I am reading this right, some suck wants the people who are fighting for our freedoms not to be able to worship or have the right to include God in their lives? That atheist should be tried for attempted treason. That atheist is a seditionist and needs to be put back under the rock he/she crawled out from under.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:08pm
  There was a brief attack on the military’s Chaplain’s Corp during the Clinton Admin. I’ve been wondering when it would come back in full force. Must be hoping for an 0bama 2nd term and his full support.
  
  Report this comment
Scottt01
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 2:57pm
Faith has every right to be tolerated in all aspects of our society; Society is not the sole property of atheism. Freedom to express ourselves, GOD as our witness.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:06pm
  Well, you know that we are dealing with that uber tolerant left wing. When do you suppose that the atheists will attack the few remaining religious of the Dem-wit party. I know they have laid claim to actually including Islam in their protests, but I want to seem actually and actively bash Islam like they do Christians. Atheists are wimps.
  
  Report this comment
- PATTY HENRY
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:07pm
  IT is CLEARLY THE TIME to put a SCREAMING HALT to all things ATHEIST. THEY cannot prove their theory (we know we can prove ours, but we know they CANNOT prove theirs). They have way over-stepped their bounds. If the vast MAJORITY of AMERICANS and/or SOLDIERS believe in GOD or even a High Power, who are they to say “REMOVE GOD”.
  1. This is an attempt to remove GOD from AMERICAN SOCIETY with one purpose in mind: CONQUEST of ALL that is AMERICAN by Communists/Marxists/Islamics/Socialists all or combinations of.
  2. They have been able to BULLY towns, States, Schools, Public arenas with the bloody ACLU so it’s up to WE, THE PEOPLE to hire the best ATTORNEYS we can and fight back.
  THEY can’t fight this: “Bring your Atheist symbol to the playing field you pagans, but leave ours alone.”
  THOSE OF US FORTUNATE enough to KNOW GOD, knows that GOD is the ONLY answer to all of our problems. That the earth is (has been ) ruled by Satan but that’s coming to an end. That Satan is evil and seeks to destroy, Atheism is a form of Satanism (denial of GOD) and I’m not going to argue with anyone who is so stupid that they actually believe there is NO HIGHER POWER.
  I’m saying: It’s time for us to gather together and fight these people at every turn. I am not alone when I say “WE, THE PEOPLE, BELIEVE IN and WILL WORSHIP GOD as WE see fit” .
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 4:13pm
  “THEY cannot prove their theory (we know we can prove ours, but we know they CANNOT prove theirs).
  
  Please, . . . give your compelling proof for your side.
  
  Report this comment
- Bad_Ashe
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 4:39pm
  @DEAVON
  
  Must we go through this again?
  
  What do you consider to be “compelling”? Do you understand the difference between “proof” and “evidence”. How long will it take before you move the goalposts?
  
  You know, the usual stuff.
  
  Report this comment
- Elena2010
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 4:49pm
  Moses was a well-educated fellow of his time. However, he did not know about genetic abnormality, germs, cholesterol, and cancer. Yet God already did and loved us enough to warn us away fm these things using the language of the day.
  
  Don’t marry your sister — it will produce wacky kids.
  Don’t eat shellfish, pork, etc. — I made them to clean up dead stuff and cleanse the water…plus they have cholesterol that will clog your arteries
  Don’t eat the blood — it has germs in it
  Don’t incinerate your meat – doing so will create carcinogens
  Bury your poop – it attracts flies which have germs on them
  Burn down the house, etc., whose mold you can’t get rid of — stachybotrys is a nasty mold that will kill you
  
  Are you understanding that God is all loving and all knowing now?
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 4:52pm
  Ashe, . . . “proof” is really for mathmatics and alcohol. I am looking for compelling evidence. Having someone say “because it must be the case” without ample evidence is not going to cut it. Believing someone who may be “an authority figure in the community”, . . . or who may have “an advanced degree in biblical studies” isn’t going to cut it. Until it is meaningfully credible, it is just opinion.
  
  The only reason I may “move a goalpost” is because [as an analogy] you all are playing on a different field.
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:18pm
  Elena, . . . are you saying that people had no clue about this? I would really like to know your evidence that such things were NOT known. People were unaware of things, sure, . . . but they still knew [generally] what to look for and how to deal with it. Eat bad shell fish and it will keep you from doing so again. Bury poop!! Did it take a “god” to tell people that? You’re seeing what isn’t there, just your interpretation.
  
  Report this comment
- Bad_Ashe
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 12:25pm
  @DEAVON – Answering my question about what type of evidence you would consider to be “compelling” by restating that you are looking for compelling evidence is quite the feat of redundancy. As for the rest of your post, man up and answer the question. I didn’t ask what kind of evidence you reject (which is pretty clear from the start), I asked what kind you would find compelling.
  
  As for goalposts….you’re an atheist; moving the goalposts is simply your thing.
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 12:51pm
  Compelling evidence MAY be:
  
  Appearing to me in person [as was done, and okay do to with "doubting Thomas"] and demonstrating it without question.
  
  An obviously “supernatural” entity showing up on earth to state who [if any] had the right belief of them all.
  
  Those would be a good start. God is supposed to be supernatural, . . . so I would EXPECT the evidence to be spectacular and awe inspiring.
  
  Report this comment
- ChrisDiamond
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 2:57pm
  @PattyHenry
  “I’m saying: It’s time for us to gather together and fight these people at every turn. I am not alone when I say “WE, THE PEOPLE, BELIEVE IN and WILL WORSHIP GOD as WE see fit” .”
  
  Um, I’m sorry, but where is anyone anywhere saying how, when or where you can worship? I don’t read that. Christians are statists, and learned through the evangelical right movement that big government is GREAT, so long as it’s big government the way YOU want it.
  
  Hypocrite! And what a pathetic testimony: we need government to defend our right to force our moral ******** on everyone! If not, God will be displeased! Is your ‘salvation’ dependent on the Christianity of our nation, or on your own Christianity? If it’s just your own, like the Bible says, then perhaps you should work on being a much better representative of your Christ.
  
  Report this comment
- Bad_Ashe
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 2:16am
  @DEAVON -
  
  Really? So your baseline standard for compelling evidence is God appearing from the heavens and hanging out with you for a little while? Maybe he’ll bring along the pyrotechnic crew for the band KISS to pack the appearance full of awe-inspiring bombast?
  
  This is essentially a close minded cosmic bellhop argument. If God doesn’t show up precisely the way you want him to, then you will simply continue to reject all other evidence. I can only assume that you use a similar standard of evidence for everything else in life that is not readily apparent?
  
  If this is truly your only standard of evidence, my advice would be to just simply stay out of the “God” conversation. You clearly won’t benefit from it, no matter how prepared or persuasive your interlocutor.
  
  Last but not least, before you (or anyone else) falls back on the pop-astronomer Sagan “extraordinary claims” canard, there is a reason why this oft-quoted-by-atheists nugget of fried gold never stuck among philosophers…because it is incorrect.
  
  Any adequate study of the supernatural would look no different and provide evidence that is no more ordinary or extraordinary than the evidence that is provided for a natural claim. Whether you are studying the effectiveness of Vitamin B, prayer, Ouija boards, or lap band surgery, the means and the evidence produced will be the same.
  
  Cheers!
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:24pm
  So, you expect me to “believe YOUR ‘proof’ of god” based upon HUGE assumptions . . . just because you say so? What I stated as evidence for god WOULD be compelling. You asked, I answered. I said “MAY” in my statement. NOT “this is my standard”! Furthermore, I can damn well post in whatever conversation I want.
  
  I will ask again. Show me your evidence. I will consider it. If you have none, then man up to it! Stop with the absurdities and special pleadings. So, I put it on YOU now. Give your evidence that you THINK “I won’t consider because I move goal posts”. Stop side stepping it.
  
  Report this comment
- Bad_Ashe
  Posted on October 7, 2012 at 2:54am
  Hi Deavon,
  
  I don’t expect you to do anything…I’m not talking about “proof”, I’m talking about evidence. Scientific data being utilized to support a philosophical argument based on logic is anything but an assumption.
  
  You can post in any conversation you want, it just seems pointless given the evidentiary standard you cited…hence my suggestion. But if all you want out of it is some good ol’ fashioned religion-baiting, more power to you.
  
  Certain elements of my last post were surely being played for laughs, but they still accurately summed up your position. Additionally, I didn’t commit any special pleading; I never stated that you wouldn’t understand or I wouldn’t bother with my arguments because of any predisposition on your part; I simply pointed out the absurdity of your response.
  
  Yes you stated “may”, and not “this is my standard”, but given that I asked you what type of evidence you would consider to be compelling and your first response was akin to “God showing up on my doorstep” shows that either you couldn’t think of anything based on a reasonable standard of evidence, or you were being intellectually dishonest.
  
  I asked you the question for an obvious reason; if you can’t bother to give it an honest answer in order to establish some general parameters, or if you can’t admit to the conversation-killing fact that God guest-hosting Conan is the only kind of evidence that would convince you, then on what motivation should we continue?
  
  Report this comment
- DeavonReye
  Posted on October 8, 2012 at 8:42am
  Once again, I posted, . . . . .and it is no longer there. I’ll just sum it up.
  
  Let’s just get down to it. Post your very best evidence for the christian god of the bible and I will consider it. No more posturing for the sides. Let’s debate your evidences for what they are.
  
  Report this comment
larmijo
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 2:57pm
Torpy seems to think there are many in the military who are atheists. Really? I can’t imagine someone putting their life on the line for their freedom and their country who does not believe in a higher power. Regardless, how ever many atheists there are, do they really feel so helpless and alone that the military manual can make them feel bad? Maybe they need God…

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- usedCZARsalesman
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:03pm
  there are no more atheists in the military than there are in the rest of America…less than 10%. Just like loud, angry gays, they are the VAST minority attempting to push their worldview on the rest of us
  
  Report this comment
- IslandAtheist
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:13pm
  Our soldiers need to play with their imaginary friends on their own time. Our tax dollars shouldn’t be used to promoted bronze age superstitions.
  
  Report this comment
- Elena2010
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 4:52pm
  Island — religious practice goes back to the paleolithic period. As long as humans have been here, we have worshiped Something and had rituals. When we see Neanderthals place grave goods into the graves of their own, we see in that act a belief in an afterlife.
  
  Report this comment
- sunflowersurfer
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 12:23am
  As my (departed) father, veteran of the Pacific Theater ofWW II, has said many times: There are NO atheists in a foxhole.
  
  Diringmy 26+ years of active duty I have found this simple statement to so very true
  
  Report this comment
HigherRoad
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 2:52pm
Issue manuals to the atheists with a string and a big, black crayon attached which can be used to strike a line through any or all statements that have no relevance to them personally.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Elena2010
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 2:52pm
Damn dog in the manger, Torpy! Just because you don’t want it does not give you the right to take it fm another.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- wingedwolf
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 2:53pm
  Thanks for saying what I would have said.
  
  Report this comment
00100111
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 2:51pm
Sorry, asshats, I mean atheists. I didn’t hear you, I was yawning too loudly.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- ROCKETSMOM
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 8:57pm
  Oh Lord, that was So Funny!!!!!!!!!!!!! I REALLY NEEDED THAT LAUGH!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  Report this comment
JEANNIEMAC
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 2:46pm
This is another reason to rid ourselves of Obama. Romney spoke of the Constitution, our Creator, God given rights, etc. Romney will not allow the atheists to rule the day, as has Obama.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- IslandAtheist
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:16pm
  god is imaginary
  
  Report this comment
- darkeningskies
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 3:22pm
  islandatheist….. also known as the parasitic peabrain
  
  Report this comment
- Elena2010
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 4:29pm
  @Islandatheist — and if He is imaginary, how does that hurt you if I believe?
  
  And if He’s not…He takes last minute plea deals. But until then, you starve spiritually.
  
  One more thing — God is terribly fond of you even if you don’t know Him. He knows your name and absolutely adores you and would love for you to get to know Him. :-D
  
  Report this comment
- Bad_Ashe
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 4:46pm
  IslandAtheist is imaginary. I know because when I was 8 years old I asked him for a pony and he didn’t give me one so I got really really upset and since then have been compelled by a juvenile rejection of objective moral authority because if such an authority existed it would not want me to sit in my basement all day trolling any article on the web that mentioned a higher power so I could make a crack about Broze-Age goat herders or continue planning my Final Fantasy-themed wedding to my Japanese love doll.
  
  Now back to our regularly scheduled program…
  
  Report this comment
- chefdp
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 7:11pm
  You want to know what is made up, separation of church from state.
  
  Report this comment
- Chatikh
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:37pm
  lol, rather than try to refute what IslandAtheist said, you all just insulted him, also without any evidence to support your claim of his stupidity.
  
  Christians are the epitome of morality!
  
  Report this comment
- Bad_Ashe
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 1:46am
  @CHATIKH – IslandAtheist under another name? Your post is equally idiotic and doesn’t rise above the level of religion-baiting troll. If IslandAtheist had actually supported his or her assertion, I would have been happy to seriously engage with those claims. But a stupid comment deserves mockery and score, so I obliged. Of course, if you’d like to support IslandAtheist’s assertion, take your best shot.
  
  Cheers!
  
  Report this comment

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.