CommentsDisplaying RunFree's 10 most recent comments.

• Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Case Over NYC Ban on Using School Space for Church

  December 15, 2011 at 7:01am

  In reply to COFemale.

  @ COFemale — It’s not about kids being tainted with residuals of the Holy Spirit during math class. I, personally, don’t want my tax dollars being used to maintain buildings for church services. Why can’t they use private buildings for their worship? Why should tax payers maintain the buildings they are using? That goes for any religious service for any religion. I’m not against people practicing their religions, but why do the tax payers have to pay for that? I live in one of the poorest parts of LA, and there are at least 6 store-front churches within walking distance from my home–all maintained by the parishioners…and believe me, I can tell you they are not rich. Just as some people are against state-funded abortions, some people are against supporting religious beliefs that offend their own personal beliefs or morals. I am sure you can understand that. “Can we just give New York back to the British and say, here they are yours and give California back to Spain. I am fed up with these two states.” I do believe we should give California back to Mexico, since that’s where we took in from…and it’s nice to see all the warm and fuzzy Christians being a model of Christian love toward others–sending people back to places they’ve never been. Why can’t we discuss things without people going to blows, verbally and ideologically–there is common ground; however when the hypocritical nature of many religious people comes out in this way, it doesn’t convert a soul.

• Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Case Over NYC Ban on Using School Space for Church

  December 15, 2011 at 6:44am

  In reply to Patriot Huntress.

  @ Patriot Huntress —

  By Definition, a religion is:

  a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

  Atheism does not have a set of beliefs, does not believe in a superhuman agency or agencies, does not have rituals, and does not have a set moral code to govern the conduct of human affairs.

  a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects:

  Atheism does not have a set of fundamental beliefs or practices.

  ritual observance of faith.

  Atheism does not have any ritualistic observances of faith.

  How can you call atheism a religion? That’s like calling off a channel, or bald a hair color. Atheism simply means that you do not believe in one or more gods. I don’t believe in Zeus, Athena, Cupid, Vishnu, or Thor. That means I am atheist towards them. If you are a Christian, you’d be atheist toward Allah. I just believe in one less god than you do.

  Stop calling atheism a religion. It is a reaction to a claim about the existence of god(s). Not a set value system with rituals, holidays, and customs.

• Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Case Over NYC Ban on Using School Space for Church

  December 15, 2011 at 6:27am

  In reply to capitalismrocks.

  Separation of church and state…I live in one of the poorest areas of LA and there are about 6 store-front churches within walking distance of my house. None of them use public buildings for places of worship. I have no problem with people exercising their right to practice their religion, but not on my tax dime. I grew up in an Orthodox Catholic home. Our church had a reception hall, and even a school which eventually became a daycare. Why can’t local churches work together and rent out spaces within their churches for other smaller churches to congregate? Conservatives always say that we shouldn’t rely so much on the government–so why don’t people start using private venues for religious services? Or, with all the foreclosures, why don’t these small groups ban together and buy a reasonable property and split the mortgage? These are all reasonable suggestions. Just as I wouldn‘t want to infringe on someone’s right to worship whatever god they choose, please respect that all of us do not want to financially support your religious ceremonies and rituals. I am sure there are many religious organizations that can help people find places to worship without infringing on the civil liberties of others who choose not to participate.

• Epic Fox Segment: Host Kicks Atheist Off Show For Calling Jesus & the Nativity ‘An Insult’

  December 15, 2011 at 5:56am

  In reply to mcccmar.

  You keep saying a small minority–but let’s look at the numbers: Blacks make up 12.6% of the population; Hispanics only 6.2%; Asians only 4.8%….and Native Americans only .9%…Approximately 20% of the American population is atheist (According to a 2005 Eurostat Eurobarometer poll). That’s 2 out of every 10 people you meet. When you’re talking about a “Small Minority”…that small group is larger than the black and Hispanic community in America combined. You guys are committing a logical fallacy–the straw man argument. You make false assumptions, then attack those false assumptions. Not all atheists are creeps, morally depraved, or out to ruin people’s Christmases. You should be careful when making assumptions about an entire group of people. You are throwing your ignorance around like a beach ball at a concert…bouncing from one person to another. I certainly will not judge all believers based upon my negative experiences with some believers, who will defend their faith endlessly–even if it means doing EXACT OPPOSITE of what their faith calls them to do–which is to show radical love toward thy neighbor ESPECIALLY in the face of adversity. For a bunch of followers of a guy who taught pacifism, Christians are especially hostile toward non-believers. If you acted more like Christ, perhaps more people would want to join you; however, such hypocrisy disgusts me–as an atheist and a former Christian. I don’t treat people like that…Be good for goodness sake!