When religion ruled the world, they called it the “Dark Ages”. Apparently, to the History Channel, when religion ruled the world, it was “godless”. This is a blatant lie, and it’s simply not history. We’re not talking a difference of opinion here. This is wrong. Feel free to let them know how you feel.
History Channel Program on “Godless” Dark AgesHistorically Inaccurate, Insults Atheists & Other NonbelieversAn Atheist civil rights group is protesting advertisements for a program slated to air this Sunday night (March 4, 2007) on the History Channel dealing with the period referred to as “the dark ages” that describes the period as “600 Years of Degenerate, Godless, Inhuman Behavior.”In fact, a more accurate description would characterize the time as the beginning of the Middle Ages; and “godless” had little to do with the period. Historians have noted the strong Christian religiosity of those times marked by stern public piety (coupled with outbursts of dissolute behavior), the power of religious feudalism, and the pervasive role played by ecclesiastical institutions.”Godless? I don’t think so,” said Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists. “This is not only about an inaccurate description of the Middle Ages in European history, it concerns the reckless and unfair association of the label ‘godless’ with brutality and ignorance.”Johnson called upon the History Channel to alter its description of the program’s subject matter.Dave Silverman, Communications Director for American Atheists, said that the term “godless” was being used by many nonbelievers. “It’s totally wrong from both an historical and modern perspective to characterize that chaotic period in human affairs as ‘godless,’ ” said Mr. Silverman. “Those times certainly were not characterized by what we mean by the term. “Godless” means that in the absence of god, you must rely on reason, logic and compassion in building a society based on rationality, not blind faith.” AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for Atheists; works for the total separation of church and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.
Preaching works, if we do enough of it.
Most people ridicule the Mormon missionaries and the Jehova’s Witnesses, because they walk door to door, preaching. Most people think any sensible person would answer the door, say no, I am not going to convert, and close the door.
I agree. Any sensible person should do that. But people give in, according to how much preaching they hear, not according to what is reasonable.
The Mormon church and the Jehova’s Witnesses church are going strong.
I want the atheist church to get going.
To Phreedm’s “and what damage would that be” That damage is to your image and credibility -from Downunder here it makes Bush and you lot look really completely stupid and hypocritical. That’s the damage religion has done to the US. Evangelist programs with laughable idiots like Benny Hine (sic) and school boards insisting on teaching ID instead of science subjects also make you (the fundies of the US) look really stupid. Your peodophile priests (we too, have had over 100 locked up here in Australia alone) make us parents in the rest of the world throw up, and that George has a prayer meeting with Condy and the gang each Thursday helps make you the laughing stock for supporting him for a second term. Phreedm you know full well that the God and your religion, whether you sincerely beleive it or not, is nevertheless only in your imagination, and there is, in reality, no supernatural guiding hand or external force in your life. America’s priests and pastors are having a lend of you to feather their own nests and from outside the US we watch this tomfoolery in utter amazement.
All this is not to mention your xtain offshoots that dance with snakes, commit bigamy, marry children, live in the past, levitate, chant themselves into trances and cheat people of their natural lives, happiness and reason.
That would be the damage religion has done and is doing.
Hey, maybe we could get geologists to give the sermons. You know, fire and brimstone and plate techtonics, that kind of stuff. People could actually learn neat stuff.
I just saw the Jesus Bones thing. I think the show they had on before that, “The Real Story of Noah’s Ark” was much more interesting. Can’t wait to hear the other comments.
Aussie,
I agree that the USA is seen as a bunch of ignorant religious bigots by people in other nations but you also need to recognise that Oz has its fair share of xian nuts including the founder of “Answers in Genesis” who has just opened the creationism museum in Kentucky. The USA doesn’t have a monopoly on religious lunacy but it sure seems like we got more than our fair share.
Also, I just watched the Dark Ages programme on the History Channel and to me the only mention of godlessness was in reference to the inhumane treatment of humans toward one another during this time. I really didn’t see why American Atheists got their knickers all in a twist over the term “godless” when there are bigger battles to be fought.
The word “godless” doesn’t have to be taken in a literal sense or used to imply what is bad. Not to stir debate but I would think atheists would want to hear the word godless used more and not less.
Krystalline,
Oh, yeah, I very much know that the Western monks didn’t do the bulk of the lifting when it came to preserving classical high culture. Tho’ the Byzantines did more to preserve classical learning than the Muslims, tho’ the Muslims did a lot of that, too.
HOWEVER, religion still didn’t cause the Middle Ages, or even the Dark Ages. Barbarians. Bad weather. The overextension of the Roman Empire and political decisions to focus on the Eastern Empire at the expense of the Western Empire. (Someone mentioned disease, but that wasn’t a serious contributor to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire.)
Additionally, saying that Muslims and Byzantines kept classical civilization alive is merely changing the religion a little bit.
However, diversion of resources to Rome wasn’t a problem during the early Middle Age. The barbarian invaders were largely pagans, and even when they were Christians they were often not Roman Catholics, instead being Arians, until well into it. And for a large period of the early Middle Age, Rome was controlled by the Byzantines (in a totally fascinating story that involves prostitutes as queens and eunuch conquerors, might I add) and the Roman church was captive to the whims of the Byzantine Church.
Again, this is not to praise Christianity. I just don’t think we need to invent false reasons to condemn Christianity. Christianity didn’t cause the Middle Ages.
“If The History Channel wanted to do something useful, they should present the facts about the damage the christian religion has caused to the United States.”
Xtian Religion has caused more than the following damage to the United States:
1)Evangelists brainwashing people to invest money to build more scandalous churches!
2)Children being molested by priests leaving permanent emotional scarring for the rest of the childs life through adulthood!
3)Faith based groups using xtain religion to alter the basic political rights that are denied to non-xtians!
4)Current religious wars costing U.S. Soldiers their lives and destroying families!
5)Financial burden on U.S. taxpayers through loss of innocent lives in other countries due to religious wars leading to environmental destruction, and pollution of other countries via the United States government all due to religious wars!
6)Xtian religious groups lobbying attempts to manipulate the American government to promote prayer and other religious “activities” in public schools!
7)Churches being allowed tax-free status!
8)Placing religious slogans on American money that has always been offensive to Atheists!
9)Churches ringing their annoying loud echoing church bells disturbing the peace!
10)Hate groups such as the KKK use xtian religion to promote hate among innocent people!
11)Illegally placing the xtian Ten Commandments on State and City public property!
12)Etc, etc, etc, religion destroys many populations in all countries!
Still evolving after all these years : )
SunbeamAtheist
sunbeamatheist:
yep, good start for an answer.
Alex, I got to agree with hominid on this. I too would like to see godless used more but not in a negative and untruethful light.
We are use to xtians twisting the truth, we assumed the worst. Have not seen it yet but recoreded it. Is it worth watching?
When i seen the previews for this show i thought to myself “what un-educated person made this” Thanks AA for having our backs fast on this one. We all know that it is hard enough now adays as an atheist
The Jesus tomb program on Sunday Discovery turned out to be very interesting. Despite certainty not being 100% regarding the occupants of the tomb the statistics, probabilities, and the case being made for “master” Mary very possibly as having been laid to rest in the Jesus family tomb in Jerusalem as opposed to in France were equally interesting. The dna and petina tests to help and try identify tomb occupants also added to overall intrigue. Despite the fact there wasn’t absolute 100% certainty, the program seemed to make a pretty strong case for who was in the tomb and why the case being presented was not only a definate possibility but likely. I thought the tomb program helped shed additional light on the subjects of godlessness and history.
I saw this as well. It wasn’t only in the program either. It was in the short promo for the show, playing in nearly every commercial break during the weeks before.
Phreedumb said: And what damage would that be…?
Gee, smart-ass, maybe you can enlighten us, you zealous gzus-loving cocksucker! Fuck you and that goddamn cross you came in with! Go fuck yourself, Phreedumb…