talkpolitics | Bigotry at the Tea Party Protest

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atheism,
tea party

Bigotry at the Tea Party Protest

Given some of the discussions generated from my last post, I wanted to share with you one last picture from the April 15 Tea Party protest.

But first, I wanted to thank everyone for all of the positive comments. I was trying very hard to be open minded and fair, and I am genuinely happy that people found my post to be so. I am even more happy that people from "both sides" liked it for that reason. This is an incredibly positive political sentiment - that we have a common preference for fair and balanced presentation. It gives me some hope that this hyper-polarized climate might collapse one day.

I also wanted to apologize for not being on line much after posting - I'm on limited internet these days.

Anyway, I hope this doesn't destroy the fair and balanced vibes, but a lot of the commenters believed that the Tea Party is a bigoted movement. Not only do I insist that this is wrong, but I also believe that making this wrongful accusation needlessly pushes Tea Partiers and their liberal counterparts further away from ever listening to each other, or making any compromise. I therefore wish that I could say that I saw no evidence of bigotry at the Tea Party, but I can't. Here's the last picture:

This is one of the counter-protesters. Her shirt reads "F*ck your God". I didn't intentionally leave this out of the original post because I was embarrassed by it, although I am embarrassed by it. I only left it out because in choosing from my hundred photos to post, this one was just va poor quality shot.

I'm not trying to make liberals look bad with this picture. I'm just trying to show that while there are people with ugly beliefs on both sides, these ugly beliefs don't define those sides. The Anti-Tea-Party movement (or Coffee Party, or whatever) isn't an anti religion movement, even if some members of the Atheist Takfiri show up in the crowd. The same goes for racists (of which I saw none) or anti-abortionists (of which I saw the nutter truck driver - his rear billboard was all about fetuses) who show up for an anti-tax movement. The movement isn't about those other things, even if some of the participants go way off message.

Sorry if this post doesn't offer much new information over the last one, but given that there was such a strong belief in Tea Party racism in the first set of comments, I felt that I had done everyone a disservice by leaving this picture out.

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Welp, I'm reading it and I agree with paft.

No shit! But she's bringing up a point that has nothing to do with what I posted. Agreed? I wasn't talking about Atheists witnessing to people because with no belief system, they really have nothing to witness about. They don't believe in a higher power therefore, case closed.

they really have nothing to witness about

How about rationality? For example, my cousin believes that the earth was all made by god in one fell swoop and evolution is a lie. Christians taught him this crap and they are wrong. He feels that when people starve in Africa, its all good cause God wants it that way. He believes that Americans are god's chosen people. How fucked up is that?

As malcolm x once pointed out, if the religious kept it all between themselves and their god, no one would be the wiser.

For example, my cousin believes that the earth was all made by god in one fell swoop and evolution is a lie. Christians taught him this crap and they are wrong. He feels that when people starve in Africa, its all good cause God wants it that way. He believes that Americans are god's chosen people. How fucked up is that?
Did he get in your face and espouse his beliefs to you? If not, then it's not your place to try and convert him to your belief system. Even if Atheists don't witness to people, that's basically what they're trying to do; convert Christians from one belief system to another. If he DID get in your face, then ask him why he worships a Jewish Zombie whose blood was spilled to "save our sins" and if you resort to metaphorical cannibalism and telepathically tell him you accept him as your Master, you'll live forever. That's what I tell the holy-rollers I see preaching on the street corner. See, I consider myself a Christian, but I think of the Bible more as moral plays and Jesus is like your TomTom on the highway of life - a guide. People can say that's a fucked up way of thinking if they want to, but I haven't had any severe accidents, grotesque deaths, or bad health (for me personally) in my life so far and that's been my belief for a while. Do I believe in Heaven and Hell? I hope they exist, but I can't say I know for sure. Only one thing's going to prove it, and I'm not at that point yet.

Why is it always Christians that Atheists target? Just once, I'd like to see an Atheist get in the face of a Muslim. It'd be like some PETA clown throwing paint on a biker in a leather jacket!

Did he get in your face and espouse his beliefs to you?

Sure did missy. And he punched his mother for sleeping with another man after he left he father cause the divorce was a sin and she was a whore.

If not, then it's not your place to try and convert him to your belief system

Actually, my family is my business. Its also my business when they try to inject religion into schools and law.

I consider myself a Christian

And here you are telling people what is right and what is wrong. Big surprise. Go on, type "you should...." again.

Why is it always Christians that Atheists target?

Atheist don't "target". Quit using language like you are being shot like a Christian shoots an abortion doctor.

The word is "criticize". I know, Christians cannot handle rational criticism, they think its abuse, but its not.

Why is it always Christians that Atheists target?

Strawman argument.... Plenty of atheists criticize Muslims, and every other religion.

Just once, I'd like to see an Atheist get in the face of a Muslim.

You sure have violent fantasy. Whatever gets you off, I guess seeing religious freaks assault atheists is what floats your boat. How typically Christian.

Thanks for sharing.

How convenient that you pick and choose what points to respond to instead of reading my whole post. Typical...

Hypocrite.

Whatever you say, sunshine.

Its what is clear to anyone who reads the thread. You ignored direct questions to you and points I posted. Then, you whined that I did not address your every word. Textbook hypocrisy, all there in black and white for your review if you'd care to shovel a glimpse that direction.

I've addressed each important point you've made. If you wanna deny that, go right ahead and keep whining.

So, which point of yours did I miss?

Do I believe in Heaven and Hell? I hope they exist

That doesn't surprise me. Anyone who would have fun in heaven quite content knowing people are being burned for eternity is not a moral arbiter I want to listen to.

That doesn't surprise me. Anyone who would have fun in heaven quite content knowing people are being burned for eternity is not a moral arbiter I want to listen to.

Hey, there are people who deserve that kind of punishment: Hitler, Charles Manson. Unless you don't think they did anything wrong...

A portion of one life time of wrong doing = an eternity of punishment. Got it.

Hitler died for his cause = clearly unrepentant

Manson sitting in jail with a swastika carved into his head and has never apologized for what he did = clearly unrepentant

It's refreshing to get a glimpse into what you believe. You piss and moan about the Pope on your blog (clearly a criminal) yet you sit on the fence about people who take human life?

Did you spend your time as a little kid killing kittens? I'm just curious...

Doesn't the Bible say something about an eye for an eye? Leaving aside how stupid that really is, how is hell an eye for and eye?

Did manson or hitler torture people in a lake of fire for eternity?

Anyway, I support the death penalty. After that, its just your imagination.

Did you spend your time as a little kid killing kittens? I'm just curious..

You are the rudest person I've interacted with in some time on LJ. No, I did not kill kittens. Did you? You were the one publicly fantasizing about muslims hurting atheists just a couple of posts ago. Maybe you're the psycho violent one?

Did manson or hitler torture people in a lake of fire for eternity?

Manson killed people and took pleasure in it. Hitler tortured and killed millions in the name of ethnic cleansing. I think so. But then again, if you're an Atheist, you don't believe in any of that, so why do you give a shit what I think? My opinion isn't going to condemn them. As a Christian, my belief is that they're condemned by their words and their actions. It's in the guidebook. :)

Anyway, I support the death penalty.

So far, one redeeming quality in your favor. Kudos!

You are the rudest person I've interacted with in some time on LJ.

Thank you! If you think that way, it obviously proves that I'm getting under your skin. Maybe something will sink in...

You were the one publicly fantasizing about muslims hurting atheists just a couple of posts ago.

Oh please, point out where I said that. Wait, let me do it. My exact words were:
Why is it always Christians that Atheists target? Just once, I'd like to see an Atheist get in the face of a Muslim. It'd be like some PETA clown throwing paint on a biker in a leather jacket!

Not once did I say, "Hey, I'd like to see a Muslim kick some Atheists ass for attacking their beliefs". People assume that the majority of bikers are big tough bad-asses. That's why you never see people from PETA throwing paint on bikers wearing leather jackets. Instead, they throw it on old ladies wearing fur coats. They attack people they think are weak. That's why Atheists have a tendency to go after Christians more than Muslims or any other religion.

Maybe you're the psycho violent one?

Like I said, I don't get violent unless I'm physically provoked. If you're ever in upstate NY, maybe you'd like to test that. Considering your weak nature, you don't seem like the type who would last too long in a fight. That's not a threat; just an invitation.

Manson killed people and took pleasure in it.

Actually, Manson killed no one himself, but he ordered and masterminded killings. So, he gets life or the death penalty, either way is fine by me, but I prefer the latter.

Hitler tortured and killed millions in the name of ethnic cleansing.

The Nazi's he led did yes. Still, even if he served 100 years in hell for every lifetime, eternity is longer and therefore not eye for an eye.

He's dead now so the point is moot, eh?

if you're an Atheist, you don't believe in any of that

WTF? Did your IQ just drop? Being an atheist means I don't believe in deities and the supernatural. That's all it means. a-theist. Geez.

so why do you give a shit what I think?

Good question, I don't, however you posed the original question, right?

You are the rudest person I've interacted with in some time on LJ.

Thank you! If you think that way, it obviously proves that I'm getting under your skin.

You are not getting under my skin. You are however losing my interest and willingness to communicate with you by being rude. And you are making yourself look bad to others who read your uselessly rude comments.

Wait, let me do it. My exact words were:
Why is it always Christians that Atheists target? Just once, I'd like to see an Atheist get in the face of a Muslim. It'd be like some PETA clown throwing paint on a biker in a leather jacket!

Not once did I say, "Hey, I'd like to see a Muslim kick some Atheists ass for attacking their beliefs".

You are pretty transparently lying now. Sorry, you were caught, own up to it. Why would you pick a muslim, cause you know they try to kill people who insult them. You implied you wanted to see that. You are now pathetically lying about it.

That's why Atheists have a tendency to go after Christians more than Muslims or any other religion.

I am the dick in Mohammed's ass. There, satisfied?

Like I said, I don't get violent unless I'm physically provoked. If you're ever in upstate NY, maybe you'd like to test that. Considering your weak nature, you don't seem like the type who would last too long in a fight. That's not a threat; just an invitation.

Now you are just acting crazy and immature. You write shit that you would never say to someones face. Wow, what a piece of work. Grow up.

Being an atheist means I don't believe in deities and the supernatural.
The point was that if you're an Atheist, you don't believe in Heaven or Hell. Atheists are skeptical of the supernatural. That would include Heaven and Hell. Duh!

Why would you pick a muslim, cause you know they try to kill people who insult them.
No shit! You catch on so quickly. However, never did I once say that I wanted that to turn into violence. Your point is moot.

I am the dick in Mohammed's ass. There, satisfied?
Not entirely. It's "Mohammad", not "Mohammed". I'm aware that you don't believe in deities, but the least you could do is know who the fuck you're talking about.

You write shit that you would never say to someones face.
I know several people around LJ that will dispute your claims.

Wow, what a piece of work. Grow up.
You first. :)

The point was that if you're an Atheist, you don't believe in Heaven or Hell. Atheists are skeptical of the supernatural. That would include Heaven and Hell. Duh!

Okay. I misunderstood your meaning because when you use pronouns such as "that" they reference to your most recent subjects, which if you read were Hitler and Manson, not heaven and hell. You're correct, I don't believe in heaven or hell.

Why would you pick a muslim, cause you know they try to kill people who insult them.
No shit! You catch on so quickly. However, never did I once say that I wanted that to turn into violence

You didn't have to say it, its inherently implied.

am the dick in Mohammed's ass. There, satisfied?
Not entirely. It's "Mohammad", not "Mohammed".

Arabic words have no exact english spelling, its phonetic.

the least you could do is know who the fuck you're talking about.

You are aware arabic uses a different script right? Its called Arabic abjad. Look it up. There is no direct way to translate it into english so its done phonetically.

Its just as valid to write Al-Kayda as it is to write Al-Qiada.

Learn something new every day, doncha young lady?

You write shit that you would never say to someones face.
I know several people around LJ that will dispute your claims.

Says you. But if you want to brag about going around talking shit and picking fights, that's up to you.

Thank you for at least acknowledging that I knew what I was talking about instead of twisting my words around once again.

Its just as valid to write Al-Kayda as it is to write Al-Qiada.
Your second spelling is correct, but not even the USCFR spells it the first way.

Edited 2010-04-22 20:04 (UTC)

Its just as valid to write Al-Kayda as it is to write Al-Qiada.
Your second spelling is correct, but not even the USCFR spells it the first way.

Sure, there are established conventions, however there is no strict correct spelling, persay, because arabic uses a different alphabet.

Its phonetic.

"You didn't have to say it, its inherently implied.
Kinda like it's inherently implied that you're a weak-ass who can't stand up to his aunt? Okay. Got it."

Well, that was rude and uncalled for... First of all, you know nothing of my life. Second, I do stand up to religious oppression, but when I do, you claim I am oppressing religion.

If I call her on her shit, you'd accuse me of not respecting her religious beliefs.

Oh well. Rest assured that I do call her on her shit, just as I've called you out on yours despite your thinly veiled threating tone.

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dreadfulpenny81.livejournal.com - 2010-04-24 02:21 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

yes-justice.livejournal.com - 2010-04-24 02:23 (UTC) - Expand

The spelling (any spelling) is actually made up, to be somewhat phonetically fitting to the Latin alphabet as opposed to the Arabic alphabet.

Edited 2010-04-23 00:59 (UTC)

Did he get in your face and espouse his beliefs to you? If not, then it's not your place to try and convert him to your belief system

I agree 100%. If Christians would keep it between themselves and their god, I would have no problem with them. None whatsoever. If they kept it between themselves and their god, how could anyone even know to care?

However that just isn't reality.

They constantly try to push their religion in schools, law, and even personally. That is what I oppose and I suspect what Atheists are really resisting.

There are also probably a couple of atheist assholes who just want to abuse the religious, but everyone has extreme assholes like that...

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