Faith

How Have Americans’ Opinions on Faith & Religion Evolved Since 9/11?

Conventional wisdom tells us to be careful when discussing politics and religion, as both sectors hold the power to create intense controversy and debate. But in the years following the September 11 attacks, these two subjects have been at the forefront of the public discourse.

At all levels — federal, state and local — debate, whether it’s about the construction of a mosque, the exclusion of clergy at a memorial or the motivations of Islamists, has been plentiful. September 11, itself, is an event that is characterized by both religious and political themes.

The faith of the radical terrorists who orchestrated 9/11 and the policies that resulted have made for some flammable debates and scenarios over the past decade. After all, how can these two issues, which are contentious on their own, be discussed among people with divergent opinions without incident?

There’s no downplaying the significance that 9/11 has played both domestically and abroad. From disagreement over The Patriot Act to ongoing debate about the nation’s military operations in the Middle East, 9/11 has spawned some serious deliberations.

Has Faith in America Changed Since September 11?In many ways, 9/11 launched discussions — for better or worse — that may have never been addressed had the tragic event not occurred. In an article earlier this month, CNN’s John Blake tackled this important issue, presenting four ways in which this monumental event changed Americans’ attitude toward religion.

The first change Blake mentions is the “humbling” of the American people in the wake of the disaster. Since the nation’s inception, the country has been relatively isolated from attacks by foreign forces. September 11 signifies the first time that Americans realized that we are no longer protected by oceans — that violence, even on our soil, is more than plausible. Blake writes:

Most Americans had not lived with this vulnerability until 9/11, says Mathew Schmalz, a religion professor at the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts, who once lived in Karachi, Pakistan.

“We had this sense of specialness and invulnerability that 9/11 shattered,” he says. “Given that a large section of the world’s population deals with random violence every day, one of the outcomes of 9/11 should be a greater feeling of solidarity with people who live in cities like Karachi in which violence is a part of everyday life.”

Considering the fears that have followed the introduction of terrorism into most everyday Americans’ lives, some of this tragedy has become tangible. In this sense, some citizens have had their own faith in their fellow man shattered; others have struggled to find a balance between forgiveness and due process for those responsible.

The second attitudinal change that is mentioned in Blake’s piece is the re-emergence of Christo-Americanism, a movement Wooster College (Ohio) religion professor Charles Kammer defines as “…a distorted form of Christianity that blends nationalism, conservative paranoia and Christian rhetoric.”

This theory is one that is certainly debatable, as it is predicated upon the notion that the United States has a history of religious intolerance. Furthermore, it’s tough to label the handling of the years following 9/11 as “conservative paranoia,” especially when placing emotions and policy decisions into the context of what actually occurred. With the worst-case-scenario actually happening, how would one even begin to define “paranoia?”

Of course, what Kammer is getting at here is the collaboration of these elements — a combination he believes led to unhealthy rhetoric and, potentially, the treatment of Muslims in America and abroad. There are certainly examples throughout the nation’s progression that do show negative collective responses to various religious groups and movements. But is the treatment of Muslims in the wake of 9/11 one of these examples? Some would say it is, while others would flatly reject such an ideal.

Some researchers and experts say that Christian leaders like Rev. Franklin Graham and Pat Robertson fueled the fires of Christo-Americanism when they made disparaging comments about Islam. Kammer explains his thoughts on the matter:

“A segment of the religious community in the United States has been at the forefront of an anti-Islamic crusade that has helped to generate a climate of hatred and distrust toward all Muslims.”

Regardless of whether Christo-Americanism is a reality or merely a concocted theory, skepticism over Islam has certainly been present over the past decade. Undoubtedly, Americans have struggled to understand the motivations behind the 9/11 attacks. The attempt to rectify the self-professed faith of radicals with a more mainstream understanding of Islam has led to confusion and frustration for many Americans.

Blaming the manifestation of these emotions on “Christo-Americanism,” though, may be oversimplifying the elements involved in the long-term healing process that has followed the attacks. There was understandably a strong sense of nationalism and a resurgence of faith for many in the wake of 9/11. Additionally, there was a lack of understanding of Islam that continues even today.

Moreover, the actions of radicals across the globe have continued to deal massive blows to the peaceful lens through which the majority of Muslims wish to be viewed. In a sense, it is the search for understanding amid chaos that has led to the third element that Blake mentions in his piece — interfaith dialogue.

Following the attacks, colleges, universities and communities began opening the floodgates to allow for discussions to take place between adherents of different religions. While believers who espouse diverse faith systems communicated in the past, there has been an influx of development in this area since 2001. Over the past decade, the religious have made a more profound effort to understand one another, or so the theory goes.

This, of course, has been especially prominent among Muslims, Christians and Jews, as these large faith groups have traditionally had a plethora of friction between them; 9/11 added yet another complicated element to interfaith dynamics. The increase in dialogue, to some, is a remedy.

An example of this ideal in practice is an event that took place over the weekend – the seventh annual 9/11 Unity Walk. The commemoration brought together more than 1,000 people from a variety of faiths. This “open house” event, which is intended to remember the 9/11 tragedy, serves as a prime opportunity to get to know other religions:

The fourth item that Blake covers is the growth and projection of atheism. According to Daniel Dennett, a philosophy professor with Tufts University (Massachusetts), it’s no longer appropriate to “bash” atheists. He explains:

“Atheist-bashing is now, like gay-bashing, no longer an activity that can be indulged in with impunity by politicians or commentators.”

But CNN explains, from an atheists’ perspective, why non-believers have become so much more vocal since the attacks took place:

Atheists were driven to become more vocal because of the 9/11 attacks and America’s reaction, says David Silverman, president of American Atheists. He says many atheists were disgusted when President George W. Bush and leaders in the religious right reacted to the attack by invoking “God is on our side” rhetoric while launching a “war on terror.” [...]

“It really showed atheists why religion should not be in power. Religion is dangerous, even our own religion,” Silverman says.

Some, though, would argue that atheists, themselves, are part of a religious system that is based upon non-belief. Regardless of the presence — or lack thereof — of a god, some view atheism as a system that follows many of the same rules and patterns that world religions embrace.

These four elements, while helpful to explore, raise more questions than they do answers. Certainly, faith in America is a complicated arena to delve into, especially considering the emotions that surround events like 9/11.

This year, alone, atheists were enraged about the presence of a cross at Ground Zero and the lack of prayer during the Washington D.C. and New York City commemorations frustrated the religious.

As the years progress, one thing is for certain: Regardless of where one stands politically or religiously, faith will continue to be a subject worthy of discussion and debate in America. The intermingling of anti-terror related policy, among other faith-government hybrids, will likewise continue to muddy the waters.

In the end, 9/11 created a heightened awareness among the religious and the unreligious, alike. But even 10 years later, the depth of this impact is still being examined.

(h/t CNN)

Comments (93)

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  • Gypsy123
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 9:42pm

    Heaven is home to Gods chosen people what is so sad are his children that have chosen to follow his adversary. All people are Gods children because of un repentance not all will be chosen by God.

    Report Post » Gypsy123  
  • mikenleeds
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 9:26pm

    it s just another way for the government to shut Christians up and let muslin terrorist control the country , we all know king obama is really a muslin

    Report Post » mikenleeds  
  • AB5r
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 9:21pm

    If it wasn’t so serious it would be cute as a button, make you just want to pinch their cute little cheeks, when some dimwitted twit non-Muslim in the West sticks up for Islam, tries to say that there is nothing wrong with Islam, or bring up Christianity and try to excuse Islam because of all of the horrendous hideous vile evils of Christianity. Clearly, and this is just a simple factual reality, any person who does this is doing nothing more than proving, literally proving, that they don’t know what Islam is, nor do they know history with regard to Islam. What is so tragic about this is that so many people who you would otherwise believe to be of normal intelligence, perhaps you would even respect them in their occupation or other endeavors, reveal a craven ignorance that cannot simply be dismissed. Islam destroys people who do nothing more than stand up for it as it proves they are ignorant fools speaking about something of which they know nothing.

    Report Post » AB5r  
  • Git-R-Done
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 9:19pm

    This guy should realize that his atheism is even more dangerous than any religion has ever been since communism (an atheist based ideology) has murdered over 150 million people, which is more than any religion.

    Report Post »  
    • Bonesaw
      Posted on September 12, 2011 at 10:47pm

      And the way I see it, the only ones trying to force their belief systems onto other people are the Atheists and the muslims.

      I also have to say that as a Christian, i have NEVER witnessed or even heard of anyone “bashing atheists”. The common response I hear towards atheists is “They’ll find out in the end”. Which is pretty much a statement of fact, not a statement of hate. (When you die, you will find out if there is an afterlife or if there isn’t.) I hear all of this “Anti-atheist” terminology being thrown around but I have yet to see any trace of it anywhere.

      Report Post » Bonesaw  
  • Tim Law
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 9:17pm

    CNN’s John Blake? Who is this guy, has he every read the Bible. A MSM talking head and we should even consider his opinion? He don’t even know that Christianity is not a religion. It’s Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s a way of life, it’s living your life humbly, loving all of God‘s creations and even thou’s that hate & degrade you. Helping thou’s that can not help themselves, helping the poor, the widow, the fatherless and the shunned. Spreading the Word, the good news that God Love’s us all, and Jesus died for us, washed away our sin’s with his blood. Any person that calls themselves a Christian that believes they are better than any one else, had better return to the Bible and find the true message. We are all God‘s children believer’s and non believers alike, God love’s us all beyond reason and sent his only begotten son to die on the cross, in hope that he will be able to redeem each and everyone of us. If we all would talk to each other and and treat each other with God‘s Wisdom and Love in our heart’s. The world would be a much better place. So Bless you one and all! The Lord Love’s you whether you like it or not. Amen

    Report Post »  
    • NickyLouse
      Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:48pm

      Well, you are not exactly right.

      John 1:12 says, “to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” and 1 John 3:9-10 says, “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.”

      By the Bible, all of us are not children of God. However, anyone who does believe in Jesus alone for salvation is.

      Report Post » NickyLouse  
  • italy2007
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 9:01pm

    I think everyone should be concerned with where they plan to spend etermity. That is the only reason we were born: to be with God in eternity. And don’t blame me for saying that – Christ Almighty already did

    Report Post »  
    • LibertarianForLife
      Posted on September 12, 2011 at 9:13pm

      And where do you get the evidence for these myths, just out of curiousity?

      Report Post »  
    • Bad_Ashe
      Posted on September 13, 2011 at 2:38am

      @LIBERTARIANFORLIFE — Ahh the old “no evidence” atheist canard. Just out of curiosity. What do you consider to be “evidence”?

      Report Post » Bad_Ashe  
    • holy ghostbuster
      Posted on September 13, 2011 at 6:40am

      @Italy2007 – I plan to spend eternity in the ground. And if the only reason we were born was to be with god in eternity, then why didn’t god just skip the being born part and just go right to spending eternity with him? Oh that’s right… god is testing us to see if we are worthy of entrance into his kingdom. What a great guy. Just think if we treated our own children like that.

      @Bad_Ashe – you tell me what the evidence is for a god. You are the one making the claim. The burden of proof is on you.

      Report Post » holy ghostbuster  
    • Rayblue
      Posted on September 13, 2011 at 6:41am

      Evidence for God is the atheists themselves. The belief of “no God”, when it leads to “anti-God”,
      falls into satanism. Which requires God to exist to have validity. Most atheists don’t think their reasoning through, and those that do have found solace in believing that nothing matters.
      Life is either a cruel joke or else is barely tolerable. When atheists repeat words like “myth” and “fairy tale” and “delusional”, it shows a desire to return to the innocence of childhood with it’s subsequent marginalization of the wiser aspects of adulthood.

      Report Post » Rayblue  
    • Bad_Ashe
      Posted on September 13, 2011 at 4:59pm

      @HOLY GHOSTBUSTER – Alright. But first let’s define our terms. What do YOU consider to be valid evidence? Until we define that, the conversation will be nothing more but wheel-spinning and self-flagellation.

      Report Post » Bad_Ashe  
  • chipmunk
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 8:56pm

    Boy, this kind of topic really gets the atheists worked up!

    Anyone who writes that there have been no changes in their life since 9/11 does not travel much, does not travel by air much, & is not familiar with NYC pre 9/11 versus post 9/11. But I would not characterize Americans as fearful.

    Report Post »  
  • Tusker
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 7:11pm

    I have a deeper understanding of the Muslim faith and now I can’t stand them even more! I love the way they’re using our own laws against us and they also want us all dead. (even though I don’t think they had much to do with 9/11) JMO. We should be more afraid of our own govt.

    Report Post » Tusker  
    • rangerp
      Posted on September 12, 2011 at 8:41pm

      America’s faith and religion has not evolved, it has gone the other direction.

      James chapter 1-27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

      -America elected a evil president who supports the murder of unborn children, attended muslim school, has a disdain for christianity http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPIr5qJEtP0

      -In regards to the fatherless, America has committed one of the biggest evils in our history. We are now letting sodomites and sick minded lesbians adopt our children who are orphans

      -God blesses those that bless Israel. Obama and his type have turned their back on Israel, and turned a bline eye to Iran

      -Obama has released sodomites on our military, taking one more steap to destroy America

      -Our music and entertainment becomes more twisted and anti family as each year passes

      -We have dishonored the site of the twin towers, by even discussing the possiblity to putting a muslim worship center for the same heathens that attacked us. I bet they are having a real laugh on that one

      Report Post » rangerp  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on September 12, 2011 at 8:53pm

      Yep they are using our own laws against us. I disagree with Blake’s implications. America has had an attack on it’s ow soil before: Pearl Harbor and Midway. If history classes and parents spent a little more time teaching their children about that history, then it wouldn’t be such a shock when America gets attacked.

      Report Post »  
  • Elena2010
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 6:49pm

    That makes as much sense as a Druid praying with a Zoroastrian praying with a Jew praying with a Muslim. None of the above worship the same god. It’s tough enough for the Jew and Christian to pray together while worshiping different aspects of the same God.

    Better that the 3 communities eat together than try to pray together. Fellowship meals are more meaningful that watering down the worship of the Big 3. That bishop should know better!

    Report Post » Elena2010  
    • John 3:16
      Posted on September 12, 2011 at 7:19pm

      This entire article is as big of waste of time as Al Gore breathing.

      Report Post » John 3:16  
  • Elena2010
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 6:39pm

    9-11 taught me all I really needed to know abt islam and jihadis. However, I do continue to read up on the target…I mean, subject.

    Those muslims who actually practice islam are our sworn enemies — by their own account. They will do and say everything they can to destroy us. Petrodollars help fuel their jihad against the West.

    Report Post » Elena2010  
  • This_Individual
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 6:27pm

    Mom! The Christians and athieists are fighting again!

    Report Post »  
    • Think_First
      Posted on September 13, 2011 at 8:10am

      I used to be a pagan. So are you professing pagan and defending the atheist, or do you not know there is a difference? Let me explain…A pagan has many and all gods, excluding only one. Jesus Christ. An atheist excludes all gods, even the pagan ones. So where do you stand? I also would like to ask a very pertinent question? Where is the proof there is no God? Prove to me there isn’t one and I will believe you. The other pagans and atheists failed to prove it to me, and so I left them behind for a faith that does have proof for those willing to look. All I found in paganism is an empty heart and predators using each other. There is no more tolerance there than in any other religion. Actually less. They were not kind to me when I went Christian. I was bodily harmed… Now explain to me again why your religion is better.

      Report Post »  
    • This_Individual
      Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:12pm

      Please feel free to read my previous posts on the subject (by clicking my name), as I am neither against Christianity or the atheists. “Pagan” is a blanket term used for anyone who professes devotion to one or more gods. Unless your devotion used to be with any of the principal dieties of the Latin, Oscan, Etruscan, or Sabine Gods, please save your assumptions. I will not appoligize for the unfortunate situations which you found yourself in with supposed “pagans” (as I do not represent anyone). But I am happy that you have found your peace. In answer to your questions,my family and I incorporate certain ancestral dieties into our daily prayers. But, we do not assume to tell anyone else that they are wrong for choosing their own spiritual path. The only thing that really bothers me is when someone tries to impose their beliefs on others (be it with a belief in a diety or not). Lastly, I would have you know that those who you have been calling “pagans” are misguided children who play video games too much, and are grasping for attention. Any true polythiest would normally keep to themselves, and be happy enough within their peace not to proslytize or condemn others for their own beliefs.

      Report Post »  
  • This_Individual
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 6:26pm

    Pagan & proud of it!

    Report Post »  
    • rangerp
      Posted on September 12, 2011 at 8:43pm

      For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God

      Report Post » rangerp  
    • This_Individual
      Posted on September 12, 2011 at 10:14pm

      RANGER- Thanks for thr reading buddy. You and I are American, let’s go with that.

      Report Post »  
    • StonyBurk
      Posted on September 13, 2011 at 11:24am

      So you are ignorant and proud of it? That is your right- but you cant convince me I ought be more like you.I am an American

      Report Post »  
    • This_Individual
      Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:19pm

      Who is trying to convince you of anything? I am just excersizing my freedom to practice the religion I choose. In fact I am with you (my fellow American), in showing faith is very important to those who find peace within our respective religions. It is interesting though, that you would think that I am proslytizing and that you are any more American than I (someone who has proudly served our nation and her inspired constitution.

      Report Post »  
  • capitalismrocks
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 6:23pm

    Atheist bashing… gimme an f-ing break!!! How about something REAL like Christian-Bashing, that should be made a hate-crime, I’m tired of Christians being crapped on by everyone, its total BS !!!

    Report Post » capitalismrocks  
    • Bad_Ashe
      Posted on September 13, 2011 at 2:49am

      @CAPITALISMROCKS – I wouldn’t get too worked up. Daniel Dennett is an idiot who is trying to somehow convince himself and his fellow pseudo-intellectual godless evangelists that their now dead “brights” movement actually made any sort of impact on the world at large. Fellows like Dennett and Silverman hate the fact that their atheist proselytizing in the USA made no demographic impact, even though was the hot topic for a couple of years, and they managed to sell some books, but is now largely responded to with eye-rolling and moving on to more pressing conversation. They’ve essentially been relegated to placing provocative billboards in order to gain some cheap publicity, which puts them roughly on the same intellectual level as PETA.

      Report Post » Bad_Ashe  
    • RationalJames
      Posted on September 13, 2011 at 10:02am

      Christians have more privileges than any other belief system (or lack thereof) in the US.
      You’re not oppressed sweeties.

      Report Post » RationalJames  
    • This_Individual
      Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:36pm

      You would be “crapped on” if you weren’t allowed to practice your religion. But ultimately, we are all free to practice the religion of our choice.

      Report Post »  
    • jpat12
      Posted on September 13, 2011 at 2:03pm

      Rational James, you sir are completely misguided. If one atheist says that a Christian said God while they were at a funeral. Then it become such a big deal the the cemetary bans people from saying it to defend the atheist.

      Report Post »  
  • The Third Archon
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 6:08pm

    “Furthermore, it’s tough to label the handling of the years following 9/11 as “conservative paranoia,” especially when placing emotions and policy decisions into the context of what actually occurred. With the worst-case-scenario actually happening, how would one even begin to define “paranoia?”
    Yeah, I’ll be fair here–EVERYONE’S paranoia led to the election of a conservative government and conservative policies–
    George W. Bush
    Lower Taxes
    Increased Defense Spending
    Department of Homeland Security
    USAPATRIOT ACT
    etc.

    Report Post » The Third Archon  
  • bankerpapaw
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 5:58pm

    If you don’t believe in the Bread of Life, you are toast.

    Report Post »  
  • MODEL82A1
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 5:51pm

    As an unbeliever, one thing I cannot understand or tolerate is “evangelical” atheists.

    Report Post » MODEL82A1  
  • AB5r
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 5:47pm

    Bottom line – it is a requirement of Islam that people who Islam, the Koran and Muhammad deference and respect. Since the 9/11 attacks America, including our military, have shown MORE deference and respect for Islam. That means that the 9/11 attacks were a HUGE success for Islam. That means that the West, including America, are fools.

    Report Post » AB5r  
    • AB5r
      Posted on September 12, 2011 at 5:52pm

      Bottom line – it is a requirement of Islam that people show Islam, the Koran and Muhammad deference and respect. Since the 9/11 attacks, America, including our military, has shown MORE deference and respect for Islam. That means that the 9/11 attacks were a HUGE success for Islam. That means that the West, including America, are fools.

      Report Post » AB5r  
    • The Third Archon
      Posted on September 12, 2011 at 6:06pm

      Dude, Islam is just as stupid as all religions–it doesn’t get a free pass. If I were to pretend to talk to a man in the sky with magical powers I would be put in an insane asylum–why do we treat religion any different?

      Report Post » The Third Archon  
    • AB5r
      Posted on September 12, 2011 at 6:10pm

      I posted a response to you about Islam on your other post but it was censored. I would explain to you how you are mistaken but Blaze censors don’t want that info out for some reason. Read for yourself at thereligionofpeace.com

      Report Post » AB5r  
    • rangerp
      Posted on September 12, 2011 at 8:44pm

      The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction

      Report Post » rangerp  
  • The Third Archon
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 5:44pm

    “This theory is one that is certainly debatable, as it is predicated upon the notion that the United States has a history of religious intolerance”
    You are clearly not familiar with every colony except Rhode Island, and to some degree Maryland, then. We are FAR more tolerant now of religious diversity than we were at the onset of this country (though that’s not really surprising). To many of our founding fathers (not to slight them all, there were some true prodigies like Thomas Paine) religious diversity meant nothing more than the freedom to choose which sect of Christianity you preferred.

    Report Post » The Third Archon  
    • Lloyd Drako
      Posted on September 12, 2011 at 5:59pm

      It’s not simply a question of religious intolerance. This “Christo-Americanism” also seems to rest on the belief that America is literally God’s country, like other except, perhaps, Israel.

      Report Post » Lloyd Drako  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on September 12, 2011 at 6:52pm

      While I am on the opposite side I agree with both of you. Please recognize that there always has been the free church though that does see a separation of government and church. In modern America more denominations have eventually come to this conclusion, but as was pointed out, in colonial times only Rhode Island and Georgia truly had freedom of worship. Everywhere else only had freedom for that particular denomination.

      America is not a Christian nation. It is a FREE nation. It was founded on Judeo-Christian principles however. This is an important distinction. As atheists, do not make “Christianity” your enemy, there are those of us that hold to your right to not believe. I recognize that I cannot force-feed Christ to you, but I will also preach Christ to my dying breath.

      Report Post »  
  • jakartaman
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 5:42pm

    I have always wondered how atheist reconcile their beliefs vs science?
    where and why did the big bang occur where did did the matter come from etc etc.
    There is a supreme being – and we are all sprits on a temporal planet in time and space
    Live in Christ and you will have no problems

    Report Post »  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on September 12, 2011 at 6:47pm

      This summer, I read a book called “Einstein, His life and his Universe’. Einstein believed in God. He did not believe in an afterlife, though. Einstein was also very critical of insecure atheists who stridently attacked religion and those holding religious beliefs. I think of Einstein often when reading many of the posts on the Blaze.

      Report Post »  
    • MARCH4HIM
      Posted on September 13, 2011 at 3:06am

      Take anyone on the planet .Put them in the shoes ..Of one the people.. showed falling out of the “world trade center” on 9/11 …..To their DEATH…if they believe in GOD .. I believe they will embrace it even stronger…WHY WOULD THEY RECOSINDER..If the alternative ( atheism ) is nothing …They have nothing to loose…. IF they are an Atheist… do they embrace their idiology stronger…Or maybe reconsider their belief…About “GOD VERSES OBLIVION”….In that brief “life ending” moment ….
      JET PLAIN GOING DOWN.. ..FALLING FROM A SKY SCRAPER..
      .BEING IN A FOX HOLE TAKING INCOMING MORTAR ROUNDS ….I belive the old saying… HAS MERIT…When your talking “end of life senarios”…thats where atheism is at its weekest point…Afterlife has to be the unthinkable to an atheist…And under this topic 9/11..
      where “imminent death” was present…I’m surprised to see so many post here…That would conclude otherwise..That they would boldly take that step into the great unknown…If David Silverman was the guy holding on to the side of that skyscraper ….Do you think he would reconsider his stance …On life after death,…Knowing death is at the door..?
      THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE THE MOST INSANE MOMENT….TO CHOOSE NOTHING OVER SOMETHING….

      Report Post » MARCH4HIM  
  • The Third Archon
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 5:39pm

    “Considering the fears that have followed the introduction of terrorism into most everyday Americans’ lives, ”
    What? Terrorism isn’t an everyday part of MY life–is it an everyday part of your life? I don’t wake up and say to myself “gee, I better not go to ‘x’ ‘y’ and ‘z’, because I might be shot/blown up by groups ‘a’ ‘b’ and ‘c’” because this is America, a land of plenty and peace. We have great people, and a government that usually means well even if it screws up a lot–that’s more than most of the world can say (and I wish that weren’t the case, I wish more of them were stable and had better lives and more resources, but the reality is we in America are pretty lucky and privileged).

    Report Post » The Third Archon  
    • Lord_Frostwind
      Posted on September 12, 2011 at 6:21pm

      Well said.

      Report Post » Lord_Frostwind  
    • Shotgun167
      Posted on September 12, 2011 at 6:26pm

      How can it not be a part of your everyday life? Pat downs at the airport. Screeners at every government building. The news constantly screaming that there is a “hightened security alert”…not that anyone has a clue what they should do about that, other than be afraid and be happy that the Patriot Act is there to allow the government to tap everyone’s phone conversations. How do you get away from it without hiding under your sheets (That doesn’t work either, BTW. Been there.).

      Report Post »  
  • mycomet123
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 5:38pm

    Atheism is a religion/ideology of self. It’s the unholy trinity of me,myself & I. Unfortunately this ideology dictates to the rest of the religions what they can & cannot do!!

    Report Post »  
  • The Third Archon
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 5:34pm

    ” After all, how can these two issues, which are contentious on their own, be discussed among people with divergent opinions without incident?”
    Democracy–hooray!

    Report Post » The Third Archon  
  • The Third Archon
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 5:34pm

    ” After all, how can these two issues, which are contentious on their own, be discussed among people with divergent opinions without incident?”
    Democracy–hooray!

    Report Post » The Third Archon  
  • DimmuBorgir
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 5:23pm

    And ever notice that atheist and hipsters look pretty much identical??

    I wonder if that’s why both irritate me equally

    Report Post » DimmuBorgir  
  • DimmuBorgir
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 5:21pm

    At least there won’t be any Atheists in heaven.

    Report Post » DimmuBorgir  
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