When someone asks me who/what I am, I reply that I am the National Spokesperson for American Atheists. They are asking for what I DO for a LIVING, but I feel that the AA title best describes me.But what I do for a living is broker businesses. I find sellers and match them to buyers, and make a commission when the deal closes.So last December I went out to a prospective customer who turned out to be a religious Christian. After a long productive meeting my prospective customer took me to lunch with his wife. Before we ate he suggested we say grace, to which I replied “Oh sure, you can do that. Go ahead”. They did, and I sat silently. They noticed I did not say amen or even bow my head. I was sure this had put a bad taste in my client’s mouth, and was not surprised when I did not hear back from them.Well, he called me back this weekend, and we are getting ready to march forward. Turns out, he thinks God put us together to sell his business, and he is ready to rock. Not once during our hour-long conversation did he mention what I am sure he saw and remembers. He doesn’t appear to care.So perhaps the moral of the story is that religious Christians have a very bad reputation of being bigots, and perhaps it is OUR bigotry against THEIR stereotypes that sometimes gets in our way. Maybe if we spoke out a little more, we’d be pleasantly surprised a little more often.
alexatheist – I tend to agree about Canada. The people are real nice and there’s a lot less crime, but I can’t deal with too much winter and no summer.
If I were to abandon the USA, I’d move to Mexico. They actually have a strong state/church separation there. Plus if I want to avoid a draft, I don’t think there will be a draft in Mexico. That would funny…lol
But mostly the weather…I love the heat. It brings up the value of a good swimming hole.
Joe Zamecki
Austin
All countries have their faults. For example: The USA let you in didn’t they?
Kosher meat firm cited for multiple child labor violations:
http://my.att.net/s/editorial.dll?fromspage=all/home.htm&categoryid=&bfromind=7401&eeid=6021809&_sitecat=1522&dcatid=0&eetype=article&render=y&ac=-2&ck=&ch=ne&rg=blsadstrgt
Greedy jews trying to cut operating costs.
Of course all countries have their faults, I never said otherwise. America isnt perfect but its the best we have and I contribute as much as I can to that greatness by obeying the law and working hard and trying to be a responsible citizen. Please head North so that you can see for yourself just how much Canada sucks compared to here. Id love to hear your report after six months up there.
Alex,
I have lived in Canada most of my life with a few years in England and Italy.
The majority of Canadians live fairly close to the border so we are exposed to so much that is America, we often know more about their country than do Americans.
America has a diverse population. The general culture of Texas bears little resemblance to that of California or that of New York. This ‘America’s Number One’ crap, is hyperbole at it’s worst. You would have specify which America you were talking about.
Every country has something to recommend itself. Sweden and Denmark seem to be doing extremely well right now.
At the moment, I prefer Canada because we have more freedoms than the US. If the next government restores the Constitution, that may change.
PS
‘Rights commission dismisses complaint against MacLean’s’
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/story/2008/06/28/macleans-steyn.html
Also watch CBC.
Mr.Steyn on The Hour
http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/videos.html?id=734669921
Fucking Commie Canadians.
To all of you,
I was impressed by the spirit of the threat creator’s comment. Kinda like, “Can’t we just get along?”. Sometimes you can. His client qualified his decision to continue the transaction because he thought god had brought them together. That is really how the religious mind works, god is of course interested in making him materially prosperous and making his family secure and comfortable. A sugar daddy. When things go south he’s testing your faith.
I was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, and having long since been disfellowshipped, shunned, I find myself working with a partner who is caught up in the same brainwash. We never discuss it openly, but, you have to know, when it comes to fundamentalist christian brainwash, it bleeds into every subject in some degree, but, he knows where I stand, and I understand his brainwash and his will to cling to it.
The thing that amazes me the most is that some of the most intelligent and well meaning people I have met in my life cling to their religion to death. They cannot go into their mind and face that shadowy creature which is the survival instinct nature puts in every form of life, and conceive of a point in time when their life is over forever. Religion sells them an afterlife and they buy it with their time and money, and to the exclusion of all else.
But, they ARE no different from you and me, we are afraid of dying too. We face our demons, they choose not to. They love their family and children and hope that tragedy doesn’t rip through their peace.
But, in clinging to their crutches with vise like grip, they let their minds and their money and their time and their resources be used by those who have discovered how to use them.
NeoWolfe
All,
As I see it, there are a million and one reasons to explain why the client continued with the transaction. Some of them were mentioned above:
* The client was unable to find a Xtian Broker
* Client is just good people
* Maybe the client truly believed God was involved somehow.
* The client wasn’t going to let a little difference in religious beliefs come between financial gain.
* The client believed that he was of a similar faith, or competing faith, but not an atheist.
That fact that the client completed the transaction suggest that we can get along if we put aside our differences. However, its on those few occasions when Xtians try to enforce their beliefs on others that cause the problems.
well said NeoWolfe
David with economic conditions being what they are i’m happy for you.which brings me to my question for you and the others which candidate is strongest on economic policy.obama,mccain,baldwin,barr.these four represent the four largest parties in US.two major and two minor candidates but all 4 have seperate views for future economic policy.
Comment from: Cynic
OK…how many died?
Comment from: TXatheist
Thanks TX…you don’t even realize that you’ve just slammed Spanders…
Comment from: Tarma
Now that’s funny…needless to say that speaks volumes…
Comment from: neowolfe
How many times have I heard a non-believer make this claim? There is a reason…the question is, will you take the time to search for the answer…
I really like that statement. It is so succinct. May I add that this complete sale of afterlife does actually do humanity a great deal of harm. Death is a fact; denying it does not impact this fact at all whatsoever; therefore, perpetuating our blatent death-denying culture. We can’t even be honest with children about death. And what about the people on their deathbeds. Does denying the inevitable make it easier? Wouldn’t complete, open, honest education and learning to face our mortality be healthier?
When I’m on my last breath I don’t want to hear panic and fear in the voices around me. A little grief I would understand, but I want to hear comforting words like, “We’ll be fine. You did well in life. You’ll live on in our hearts and in your writing…” etc. Only this way will I be able to embrace my death, and maybe even enjoy the experience like Hobson from Arthur.
“It’s not so bad, you know.”
Until we quit denying death, few people will hear these words. The last thing to enter their ears will include to an inability accept the unchangable, fear, and lies. What good is that?
Phreedom:
More than zero.
Speaking of bigotry, here is a clip from a local conservative evangelicals:
http://christianactionleague.org/news/of-christians-bigotry-and-public-policy/
thank you neowolfe and cry4turtles
I so concur
and I will refrain from entertaining bullshit
Dave,
Thank you for your encouraging post. I love reading atheist publications, blogs and books. Although I hold a biblical worldview, I feel that we can learn a lot from each other. I am glad that your client respected your beliefs and did not force his faith on you. But don’t be surprised if he is praying for you, for your business, for your family.
There are many professing Christians who do not live a life even remotely resembling Christ. Some atheists I know live far more moral lives. But I have also been on the receiving end of atheists verbal attacks as well.
Please do not judge us all by the poor behavior of a few as I have committed to doing the same for you.
http://www.womenintheword.wordpress.com
Keep reading. There is much to learn. I started out just reading the blogs. It bestowed upon me the enlightenment to finally admit to myself what I knew when I was a tender five year old:
God is just pretend.
I have been on free thinker sites before. Stated my case. Sometimes sniped from every side. I cannot express my degree of surprise to find a couple of like minded individuals.
But, will you stand with me when I talk about over population, that modern medicine is reverse eugenics? Will you stand with me when I expose Al Gore and climate change as an idiots explanation why we are no longer in the ice age? Either way, lol, thank you for recognizing merit in my logic.
If I put something out as an idea, I promise to back it with fact. That should make it easier.
NeoWolfe
NeoWolfe,
Yup.
Please explain.
Sounds vaguely like the ranting of a conspiracy theorist. You’ll certainly have your hands full countering the mountains of data and evidence favoring the concept that climate change is happening and that the unnatural release of carbon-based emissions by human activity is having a measurable effect on the speed and degree of said change. But, I’m all ears (or at least, eyes in this case) ? expose away.
I am curious though, how is standing with you on any of the issues in your above post a requisite for being a free thinker. Or is that not what you meant?