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
>
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>
> ----- 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
> >
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