American Atheists Media Alerthttp://www.atheists.org ELLEN JOHNSON SLATED FOR CNN PAUL ZAHN SHOW,ROLE OF RELIGION IN PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE, ELECTIONTHIS THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2007 ~ 8:00 PM ET ELLEN JOHNSON, President of American Atheists will be interviewed on the popular CNN program “The Paula Zahn Show” this Thursday, July 19, 2007. The program will examine the role of religion in presidential campaigns, including the growing use of faith-based sloganeering by most of the candidates. “The Paula Zahn Show” begins at 8:00 PM ET, check local listings. For further information, visit http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/paula.zahn.now/ WHO & WHAT: American Atheists President Ellen Johnson live on “The Paula Zahn Show” discussing the growing role of religion in presidential campaigns. WHERE: CNN, “The Paula Zahn Show” WHEN: This Thursday, July 19, 2007 beginning at 8:00 PM ET. Check your local listings. MORE INFO: http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/paula.zahn.now/ 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.
Good stuff! I’m not real familiar with Zahn since I don’t watch much CNN. Anyone know if Johnson is likely to get fair treatment on her show?
Wow, 48 hours notice and thanks again for the heads up Dave.
nocoercion-
Unfortunately, most of the time I’ve seen her she doesn’t get much fair treatment, although she does a pretty decent job.
This is great- now I have plenty of time to set the DVR!
I just hope she doesn’t go on again about how atheism makes you a better person. Ugh.
I would say that atheism doesn’t “make you a better person”, but If critical beliefs affect the way you behave so that false ones tend to make you do things with bad consequences, then it’s not such a stretch to suggest that better persons tend to have truer beliefs. Then, since atheism and theism are logically opposed as critical assertions/beliefs, then people shouldn’t be criticized for thinking that their critical beliefs lead to better results than those of people whose beliefs are logically opposed, and therefore to behavior that is better.
Go Ellen!
Tomath
Huh? Could you restate that?
What,
I’m essentially saying that theists and atheists alike should be expected to believe that their theistic/atheistic belief leads to better behavior, just given a simple principle I believe in and believe most who think about these issues do also, namely that true beliefs lead to better behavior than false ones. (Of course, some/most false beliefs are trivial matters, so the principle applies mostly to ‘critical’ beliefs, ones that have important effects in the world.).
Huh?
tomath
What does belief have to do with it?
Tomath,
People who have core beliefs that make better decisions is a better situation than having someone who has core beliefs which tend to make poor decisions. We all agree. But core beliefs need to be explained. Example: I have judeo-xian beliefs means nothing in how you will respond to a situation.
Ellen on CNN last night 7/19/07
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLeAkiZoi9k
TXatheist,
Thanks for the link. I will give them credit for at least including an atheist in the discussion, but I doubt if many were impressed or persuaded by Johnson’s participation. IMO, she really got lost in the shuffle there.
It seems like they throw a question at her that every atheist knows requires 1 minute or more to answer. “Was America founded by atheists or believers?” Well, believers but not judeo-xian believers like the topic they just went over so it would be a false inference to answer it in one word.
TXatheist,
Saw you on yew-’toob. Can I have your autograph? I’ll settle for your e-mail ’signature’
Oh yeah, and I didn’t trust my, or anybody elses pastor, already. What a DICK. Maybe she will go temporarily insane and ‘off’ that MF’er! Worked for the pastor from Tennessee’s wife.
***On Topic***
Yeah, I know. ’bout time. Anyhow, I think Ellen should consider avoiding shows like Paula Zahn in the future. If they want to do something in-depth, that is one thing, but to go on with 3 other guests, for a segment that was barely 5 minutes long, is just setting yourself up for failure. Sort of like how / why Bill O’Really(?) has ‘Librul’ guests on so he can shout them down and cut their mic’s, should they utter something remotely intelligent. But that’s just my take on the situation.