americanatheists

The Winter Solstice Celebration was a smashing success. Over seventy-five people attended to hear eloquent and rousing talks by Ed Buckner (Prez), Edwin Kagin, and Frank Zindler, Margaret Downey, Fred Edwords, Woody Kaplan, and of course, Eddie Tabash. Thanks to everyone who attended and gave a RECORD amount in donations and charge-brigades (fixed amounts every month charged to a credit card). Comics Mike Weiss and Reno left us all with smiles on our faces.An awesome time. I’ll post pictures on the Winter Solstice Page soon. Right now, I am going to bed.

George W. Bush’s recent statement that he believes the Bible is “probably not” literally true has apparently left many Christian conservatives reeling in shock.David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network told CNN”s John Roberts on Thursday, “I think a lot of social conservative evangelicals were surprised — probably grabbing the smelling salts as we speak.”Bush made the controversial statement during a Monday interview on ABC’s Nightline. When asked whether he thinks the Bible is literally true, he replied, “Probably not. No, I’m not a literalist, but I think you can learn a lot from it.”One blogger at the conservative Washington Times, commented the next morning, “I already have an e-mail from a former Bush administration official who writes, ‘This just completely alienated his evangelical supporters.’”Bush further stated in the interview, “I think that God created the Earth … and I don’t think it’s incompatible with the scientific proof that there is evolution.”Brody suggested that Bush may have merely been referring to what creationists call “microevolution” — small-scale changes that do not rise to the level of creating new species. However, he didn’t appear altogether confident, telling Roberts, “The problem was, the president didn’t seem all that — if you want to use the word — coherent on the subject.”

What we have learned is very simple. Bush was not so much a moron, and he was a whore to morons. The Faith-Based initiatives, the Terry Schiavo case, the god sent us to Iraq thing, all lies to please another group with money. Like a whore. A whore who did things that he knew were not in the best interest of the country, in porder to benefit himself instead. There’s a word for that: Treason, and it’s why every political candidate should acknowledge that this duty is first to his country, then to his god.PS can anyone login yet? The link is in the upper right…

Exempting churches from taxes is simply illegal and unAmerican. Nearly everyone in this country is being pinched right now, and the government is in a deep deficit. How then, is it fair to say that a club, which serves NO PURPOSE to non-members, should not pay taxes because they believe in an invisible magic man in the sky?”Recruitment” and “outreach” are just other words for “Sales and marketing”, and very few synagogues, churches, or mosques do anything at all for their community. And yet, because they say they believe in a deity, they skip out on taxes.And remember, the federal, state, and local governments have a budget — a finite amount of income that must be met. So when that huge megachurch pays no taxes, the rest of us make up for it. In other words, the government is forcing every citizen to fund religion against their will. It’s not fair, and it should stop. If a church actually performs a good civil service, then that’s a different story. But it’s not my business, nor is it my intent, to fund religious buildings and services out of my tax dollars. If having to pay taxes means the church fails, this is not my problem, because it means the government was keeping the church alive by force all this time. Churches are the responsibility of the membership, not the whole community at-large.American Atheists, for example, is not a religious organization. We declare our income, file taxes, work (mostly) for free, and have an open public library that anyone can use. Moreover, we volunteer to help people understand the plight of the nonreligious people in this country. We are TRULY non-profit. THIS is community service. BUT, if we did none of that, and we called ourselves religious, we’d get MORE of a tax break. That’s wrong.So TAX THE CHURCH (and the synagogue, the mosque, and the Moonies and Scientologists), and give the money back to the rest of us. Church members can donate the savings back to their churches, and I can pay my bills.

Christianity does not own this season, and it never did. Indeed, Christianity is only the latest in a long line of mythologies that have adopted the Solstice for their religion and called it their own. Mythras, Zarathustra, and of course the Pagan holiday of Yule (as in Yuletide, and Yule logs) come to mind. Indeed, nothing about Christmas is Christian at all..I love celebrating the shortest day of the year — a celestial event that affects all life on the planet, and is of course the source of all these holidays. I’m not much for the Jesus songs, but I like the lights, and the eggnog. I really like the eggnog.

It worked (this time)! Look around and check it out. You may need to reset your password. If there are problems let me know!

Statement by Ed Buckner:American Atheists–by which I really mean our national legal director, Edwin Kagin–has today filed a lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Kentucky over the illegal and unAmerican actions of the Commonwealth, and we fully expect to prevail. The actions of the Commonwealth of Kentucky are unconstitutional on their face and, I’m happy to report, Kagin had no trouble persuading a number of courageous Kentuckians–and one Canadian who is a permanent resident of KY–to sign on as plaintiffs.There are several things readers of this blog or others can do to help, and any and all will be appreciated:1. Send money. Though Kagin serves for free, lawsuits cost money. We will always give top priority to protecting the rights and reputations of Atheists and to defending the absolute separation of church and state, but invariably choices have to be made, because there is never enough money to do everything we want and need to do. Contributions are welcome and are deductible. See our web-site for details on contributing.2. Join American Atheists if you’re not already member(s)–numbers matter, more voices can make more noise, and besides, life is short (and we each only get one), so linking arms with fellow Atheists is satisfying and just plain fun.3. Speak up–tell your coworkers when you’re on a break, “I just can’t believe how foolish, unAmerican, and short-sighted some political leaders are. Did you hear that in Kentucky, for example, they’re actually requiring the head of the Kentucky Homeland Security, by law, to push religion? Don’t they realize how wrong, how dangerous that is?”4. Write letters to the editor–find e-mail addresses for Kentucky newspapers on the Internet and write to them; write as well to your own local papers and spotlight the backward ways of these folks, warn against similar such foolish incursions in your own state, etc.Our strong thanks to Kagin and the plaintiffs in KentuckyRegards,Ed B.Ed BucknerPresidentAmerican Atheists www.atheists.orgebuckner@atheists.org

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008812020431http://www.atheists.org/Kentucky_Homeland_Security_LawsuitLaw’s use of God challengedSecurity bill subject of suitBy Peter Smith • psmith@courier-journal.com • December 2, 2008Ten Kentucky residents and the national American Atheists Inc. are suing to overturn Kentucky legislation “stressing the dependence on Almighty God as being vital to the security of the Commonwealth.”The suit says the legislation, passed with little notice in 2006 to create the Kentucky Office ofHomeland Security, is “grossly, and outrageously, at variance with” with Kentucky and U.S. constitutional bans on government-sponsored religion.In addition to seeking to have the legislation overturned, the plaintiffs are seeking financial damages, saying they “suffer anxiety from the belief that the existence of these unconstitutional laws suggest that their very safety as residents of Kentucky may be in the hands of fanatics, traitors, or fools.”At issue are two clauses inserted in a floor amendment by state Rep. Tom Riner, D-Louisville, and approved by lawmakers.One clause says the “safety and security of the Commonwealth cannot be achieved apart from reliance upon Almighty God” and cites statements to that effect by Presidents Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy.A permanent plaque quoting that text is posted at the state’s Emergency Operations Center, as required by the clause.The other clause, listing the executive director’s duties, begins with a requirement to publicize “the dependence on Almighty God as being vital to the security of the Commonwealth.”Edwin Kagin — an attorney in Union, Ky., who also is the national legal director of American Atheists — said he mailed the lawsuit to Franklin Circuit Court overnight and expects it to be filed today.

Comic RENO joins starcast of Solstice EventNEWS: Funny-lady RENO will be our special comic guest at the solstice event! This is going to be FUN and FUNNY! Reno has been seen (several times ) on her HBO Comedy tour, her TV show on Bravo, and in high-end laugh-houses around the world. http://www.citizenreno.com/COME TO THIS EVENT — it’s not to be missed!————————————————————-The 2008 AMERICAN ATHEISTSWinter Solstice Bash & Open HouseFriday Dec. 12 – Saturday Dec.13FeaturingED BUCKNER * EDDIE TABASH * MARGARET DOWNEY * EDWIN KAGIN * DAVE SILVERMAN * WOODY KAPLAN * FRANK ZINDLER * FRED EDWORDS, MIKE WEISS, and RENO http://www.citizenreno.com/Imagine an entire weekend when you can visit New York City, get together with fellow Atheists and other nonbelievers, see the largest private archive of Atheist/Freethought books, and stay in a magnificent hotel convenient to these sites and activities — and more! That’s what we’ve got for you at the 2008 Winter Solstice Bash weekend!* On Friday, Dec. 12, tour the American Atheist Center and the Charles E. Stevens American Atheist Library & Archives. This Open House event runs from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a special ribbon cutting event at 1:30 to dedicate the new Eddie Tabash Conference and Media Studio. Complimentary treats, beverages and more, with an opportunity to meet Eddie Tabash and the new President of American Atheists, Ed Buckner! The Center is located at 225 Cristiani St. in Cranford, NJ 07016, and is convenient to the Garden State Parkway and the host Crowne Plaza Hotel. Visit Mapquest for directions.* Saturday, Dec. 13, join us at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in nearby Clark, NJ for the annual Winter Solstice Gala featuring a lavish lunch buffet, open cash bar, talks and much more, hosted by AA Communications Director Dave Silverman. The fun begins at 11:30 AM. You can still sign up by visiting http://atheists.org/NJ_Solstice_Party_December_08 .* See New York City and regional attractions thanks to a special rate of only $109 plus tax at the Crowne Plaza. This special rate is in effect from Thursday through Tuesday. You must make your reservations directly with the hotel, by calling 732-574-0100; and be sure to mention that you are with the American Atheists celebration.* After the Winter Solstice Bash, join us at the American Atheist Center in nearby Cranford for a live taping of The Atheist Viewpoint television show, and more tours of the Eddie Tabash Conference and Media Studio and CESAALA.THE TIME IS NEAR — SO BE SURE TO JOIN US DEC. 12-13FOR THE 2008 AMERICAN ATHEISTS WINTER SOLSTICE BASHAND OPEN HOUSE!http://atheists.org/NJ_Solstice_Party_December_08

Rabbis Behaving Badly.OK now we will see what happens.The Jews have a real live sex scandal on their hands. Do they a) do the right, moral thing and hand everyone who has done anything wrong over to the authorities, or do they play Catholic and call it “religious freedom” to keep these pedophiles on the streets? Anyone taking bets?http://www.wpix.com/pages/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=3200236

It important for us to remember what a POS mythology Islam is, and how violent they can be, and how, while we can’t just assume every Moslem has terrorist leanings, we also can’t let political correctness color our judgment. These are bad, dangerous, sick people, and if you’re reading this blog, changes are they want you dead.

MUMBAI, India -It took just 10 young men armed with rifles and grenades to terrorize this city of 18 million and turn its postcard-perfect icons into battlefields until security forces ended one of the deadliest attacks in India’s history early Saturday.After the final siege at the luxury Taj Mahal hotel, adoring crowds surrounded six buses carrying weary, unshaven commandos dressed in black fatigues, shaking their hands and giving them flowers. One of the commandos said he had been awake for nearly 60 hours since the assault began Wednesday. Another sat sipping a bottle of water and holding a pink rose….The bloody rampage carried out by suspected Muslim militants at 10 sites across Mumbai, the nation’s financial capital formerly known as Bombay, killed at least 195 people and wounded 295. Among the dead were 18 foreigners, including six Americans….Suddenly no one feels safe or secure,” said Joe Sequeira, the manager of a popular restaurant near the Oberoi hotel, another site targeted in the attacks. “It will take time. People are scared but they will realize it’s no use being scared and sitting at home.”While soldiers scoured the massive 565-room Taj Mahal for any remaining captives and defused booby traps, a city known for its resilience in the face of tragedy began mourning and cremating its dead. At least 20 killed in the fighting were members of security forces.A previously unknown Muslim group called Deccan Mujahideen — a name suggesting origins inside India — has claimed responsibility. But Indian officials said the sole surviving gunman, now in custody, was from Pakistan and voiced suspicions of their volatile neighbor. Nine other attackers were killed, they said.