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Originally Posted by DMcCunney
Atheist Zealot thread? (Makes note to avoid as potential infinite time sink...)
As it happens, a friend is currently running for President of the American Atheists, the organization founded by Madelyn Murray O'Hare. (Ironically, he calls Atheism the "fastest growing religion in the US".) Fortunately, he's not a zealot, as the circle in which we both travel includes ordained clergy.
He doesn't see how he can replace Madelyn, and I told him he can't and shouldn't worry about trying to. His challenge is to take the foundation she laid and build on it, to take the organization to the next level. If he gets the job, and successfully executes his plans, he won't need to worry about comparison. He'll be firmly established as his own person and a worth successor to Madelyn, not a replacement.
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Dennis
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I consider(ed) O'Hair a zealot. Robert Sherman isn't far behind. And with all due respect to your friend anyone who calls atheism a religion is already starting down the wrong path; I'm hoping he was being sardonic. Unfortunately, however, extremism begets extremism; I routinely vilify the ACLU, but its presence is necessary. I personally would prefer a live-and-let-live approach--say what you want during the Pledge, baseball games, or political speeches, or don't--but some states are willing to use taxpayer money to teach creationism in science class (as opposed to literature class where it belongs) and my own country often forces me to choose a side as opposed to going by both the letter and spirit of the 1st Amendment. If you're truly independent, your voice is no longer heard. Sometimes that's a good thing, other times I'm fed up with it...particularly the 1st week of November.</rant>
Quote:
Originally Posted by Music&Mayhem
As a card-carrying member of the N.O. Secular Humanist Association, better known as NOSHA, I'm happy to find some confreres here. I dunno about Madelyn. She was kinda far out. Well, at least for Boston. I'm not a zealot about being an atheist, but I sure do wish the politicians would stop saying God Bless The United States of America at the end of their speeches. First, I have no idea what this means. Second, last time I checked I live in the USA, not the United States of Religion.
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Me too, agreed, me too, and agreed, in that order.