Stated as a true atheist, Ray, since probably all pride themselves as being 
non-religious.  However, (and this stirs controversy on both sides), in the 
7th District Court of Appeals (2005), a ruling came down in favor of an 
inmate who was denied the right to organize a study group on atheism, a 
violation of his 1st amendment rights of freedom of religion.  "Atheism is 
the inmates religion, and the group he wanted to start was religious in 
nature, even though it expressly rejects a belief in a supreme being", the 
court wrote.

Referring to my dictionary, religion is "a set of beliefs concerning the 
cause, nature, and purpose of the universe".......

You can't deny that atheism is a belief, and you have faith that what you 
believe is true.  And that is your right, as an  American citizen.  Unlike 
living under a Theocracy in the Muslim world, your nor my head won't roll if 
we don't bend the knee.

Dave





-----Original Message----- 
From: Rayilyn Brown
Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2012 10:08 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Taboo Topics

ATHEISM IS NOT A RELIGION

-----Original Message----- 
From: A Phillips
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 3:38 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Taboo Topics

Atheism a religion ?   I knew Americans could be a bit weird, but to decide
that ......!!!  :)


> Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:19:37 -0800
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Taboo Topics
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> I don't have a problem debating the "right/leftt" issues you and Rick 
> bring
> up, but the only purpose to continue, (on either side) would be to
> influence an undecided party to come over. If there was one response from 
> a
> member asking questions or stating they are undecided it would be worth my
> time.
>
> It isn't, and especially in the context of what has been written below,
> i.e, comparing conservatives to the Taliban; returning to the "Dark Ages",
> crazy conservatives, Republicanism being a religion; never mind that 
> atheism
> was, (thru a court ruling), identified as a religion.
>
> The beauty of being an American has been our freedom, established and
> maintained by the blood of our heroes that gave the ultimate sacrifice to
> defend it. Rick, you talk about losing personal rights, pointing to the
> issues mentioned on this site. That's like swatting at gnats and 
> swallowing
> camels...and Ray, the Tea Party movement is in direct response to the
> decades of the political spectrum sliding further and further to the left.
> It may still have to swing further to the right to get back to where it 
> was
> when I first voted Republican in 1962.
>
> O.K., so I couldn't resist, forgive me; but the threats to our freedom are
> much bigger than mentioned here. If the loss of freedom is the issue,
> start with the present administration....wow!
>
> Dave
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Rayilyn Brown" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Monday, February 20, 2012 7:11 PM
> Subject: Taboo Topics
>
>
> > Rick
> >
> > I'm interested in why people think the way they do. I don't know about
> > others, but in my case it was probably my mother, whose word was law.
> > Being a Republican was kind of like a religion, hard to discard. She was
> > an atheist (yes you could be one and a Republican in those days), but 
> > she
> > never tried to influence me one way or another about religion. Maybe
> > because force was lacking in this area, our religion was being
> > Republican. Upon reflection I have concluded that politics and religion
> > are similar in that they don't make much sense but people believe in 
> > them
> > anyway. As a teacher of controversy in AP classes I made a point to be
> > neutral as I wanted students to think for themselves. I was so involved
> > I forgot to think myself.
> >
> > I still so wish these were not taboo topics.
> >
> > PS - when Bush 43 banned stem cell research in 2001 my mother and my
> > brother like me were no longer GOPers
> > Ray
> >
> > -----Original Message----- 
> > From: Rick McGirr
> > Sent: Saturday, February 18, 2012 12:17 PM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: Virginia personhood law
> >
> > Thanks for your comments, Ray. I respect you for embracing change, not
> > only
> > in medical research but also in your personal views on party politics. I
> > also respect you for continuing to live independently, despite your
> > difficulties. And I respect your enduring hope demonstrated by your 
> > being
> > a
> > fountain of information for this group. Thanks for all you do.
> >
> > Rick
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network
> > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rayilyn Brown
> > Sent: Friday, February 17, 2012 6:57 PM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: Virginia personhood law
> >
> > Rick
> >
> > You have my complete support. What could be more important to us than
> > getting some relief from this cruel disease. I fell yesterday in my
> > kitchen
> >
> > and luckily suffered no serious injuries, but for how long?
> >
> > It is 2012, not 1312 and we are debating contraception as a campaign
> > issue.
> >
> > When I applied for SS disability in 1998 after doing menial jobs to earn
> > my
> > credits, due to Reagan's "Double Dipper" law, I had it cut 60% from the
> > $400-$500 I earned to $143 a month because I got a poverty level 
> > teachers
> > pension. I know now that Republican war on the have-nots was in effect
> > before Bush 43, but it took his stem cell restrictions to FINALLY get me
> > to
> > think about what I really believed. With Tea Party politics we can see
> > what
> >
> > conservatives really believe and it does not resemble the GOP I grew up
> > with.
> >
> > I have noticed the gradual takeover of state governments by 
> > conservatives
> > like Scott Walker and his union-bashing and all this crazy legislation
> > which will, if successful, further stymie stem cell research.
> >
> > I am old, but still like it loud and will continue to report their
> > activities which do not bode well for us. But what will it take to stop
> > this stampede to the Dark Ages?
> >
> > -----Original Message----- 
> > From: Rick McGirr
> > Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 12:59 PM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: Virginia personhood law
> >
> > Personhood! Peace be with y'all. I know that many members of this 
> > listserv
> > would like to avoid the issues which are politicizing many conversations
> > today. I wish each and every one of you nothing but happiness and good
> > health. But I find it very difficult not to respond when dogma threatens
> > progress. I shall do so elsewhere, and I'll try not to mention anything
> > upsetting here.
> >
> > Except for this one, last time. Don't you ever feel that our rights are
> > being steamrolled by hysterical hypocrites who would take our laws and 
> > our
> > understandings back to pre-enlightenment times? Aren't you concerned by
> > the
> > fundamentalist threat to liberty represented not by the Taliban, but by
> > conservative groups in our own country? Do you know how many directions
> > this
> > threat takes in American society? Do you plan to hold your tongue as the
> > last of our rights are dismantled, piece by piece? To speak, to support,
> > to
> > advocate for ourselves sometimes causes heated debate. That's what our
> > system is all about. Are we to keep the conversation nice and soothing
> > because we don't like to hear or say words like "embryo", "fetus", 
> > "God",
> > "democracy", etc? I for one would welcome an increase in volume. But I'm
> > just an old rocker. I like it loud.
> >
> > I will continue as a member of this worldwide group. I feel that this is 
> > a
> > special community with a lot to offer. I also feel that we have more at
> > stake today than most groups, and it confuses me when people shy away 
> > from
> > the debate. Yes, these can be subjects upsetting to discuss. I think 
> > even
> > more upsetting will be our realization that we no longer have a say in
> > matters of life, death, science, taxes, and religion, if we disallow our
> > voices to be heard.
> >
> > But enough from me. I will inform the list if I happen to write anything
> > of
> > tolerable quality. This is not goodbye. I will be around. Thank you all
> > for
> > your kind attention.
> >
> > Rick McGirr
> > Buffalo, NY
> > 58 yrs old, diagnosed with PD in 2001
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network
> > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rayilyn Brown
> > Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 6:50 PM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Virginia personhood law
> >
> > all 4 Republican candidates support this:
> >
> > http://floridaindependent.com/69499/virginia-personhood
> >
> > Ray
> > Rayilyn Brown
> > Past Director AZNPF
> > Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to:
> > mailto:[log in to unmask]
> > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to:
> > mailto:[log in to unmask]
> > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to:
> > mailto:[log in to unmask]
> > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to:
> > mailto:[log in to unmask]
> > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to:
> > mailto:[log in to unmask]
> > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: 
> mailto:[log in to unmask]
> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn

----------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn

----------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn 

----------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn