From Brother Richard at Atheist Nexus
Last week, I brought to your attention the rumor circulating about atheist Michael Middlebrooks and his alleged confrontation with Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. In a special report of Atheist News, Joe and I had the opportunity to interview Middlebrooks to get his side of the story. We attempted to contact Governor Crist several times, but were unable to obtain a comment.
You can stream the episode here. Or listen to the two part YouTube version below:
I’ll try and remember to give him a call tomorrow and see what they say. A bit of pressure might force something out of him that mainstream media can pick up on.
The woman I talked to told me the whole story is just one big rumor and that Crist never infringed on any religious minority rights. Wish I had the recorder going on my computer >_<
Maybe enough pressure against Crist, especially if the FL atheists can get some local news coverage about it, it'll force a reaction from him and we can compare the story he gives there to others.
I’m surprised nobody’s said anything, but look @ the schmo’s name. Likelihood is strong he thinks there some ‘mystical connection’.
Crist = christ.
Maybe I should give him a call. When you guys call, and you should, it’ll be shrugged off. I am so sorry for this sort of stupidity. I think the reformationist Martin Luther said it best “better to be governed by a wise turk, than a stupid Christian”. Tired of half-witted politicians giving voice to a faith they know very little about. But this is our fault. If we hadn’t taken our eye off the ball none of this crap would be happening. We’re the reason that “evangelicals” has become a political distinction.
I am baffled by my people at times. If we really believe that Christ was the divine God incarnate and that the method of fixing the culture was through the government than why wouldn’t He have said something to Pilate or Herod. Not to mention the fact that if we believe him to be all powerful than why not Ceasar if government is the method of change. Hmmm…
Anyway. Maybe this is an opportunity for a Christian to become vocal about the mistreatment of one of his constituents based on religous descriminaiton. I don’t need Crist ripping off stickers and pitchiing hissy fits on my behalf. I need him legislating freedom for all so that we can continue these debates in the public square…where they belong. Ehhhh…
I point the finger at the media they aren’t doing their job if this had been a jew,black,homosexual it would be all over the news. No cameras doesn’t mean no reporters haven’t heard about this .
Crist is losing 2 to 1 in the polls unless you can bring a bunch of votes or money he isn’t going to listen.
This is the third thread Dave has devoted to an “assault” that consisted of ripping of a campaign button, get this, for CRIST????????? While I feel sorry for him, being an evangelical idiot, I think it’s unfair that he can’t say he feels sorry for us. This is spoiled meat, Dave, and needs to be tossed.
NeoWolfe
Anyone can say anything they like, whenever they like, as long as they are willing to pay the consequences. In this case Crist insulted a large group of people when he made the statement “I feel sorry for you”. Ripping the button off was also a major statement that Crist feels non-believers are substandard citizens.
Dw,
Live with it, we are a minority.
NeoWolfe
Neo, I’m surprised you offered this advice. I thought you had more fight in you than that. I never figured you’d be a roll over and take it kinda guy. C’mon, put up yer dukes!
If Crist was some random douche and not a governor running for senate, no one would have really cared. What makes this matter is that he’s supposed to stand for the constitution, and that he would pull this without regret and without remorse and without apology means he’s not fit to hold any job that demands the acknowledgment of the constitution.
Blithely accept? No, I don’t think so, that time has come and gone.
Hey NeoWolf you fascist teabagger motherfucker. I will not accept discrimination from anybody and if you don’t like it you can go fucking die you nazi scum.
What should we do, pray and pretend that we are americans. You can but I REFUSE!!
Uh, what exactly did Neo do to prompt that outburst? Not too crazy about him either, but I think those epithets are unnecessary.
Report on lehman brothers bank failure paints a very ugly picture of geithner,bernanke and big bank conduct.The people can’t tust Gov’t,Business,Religious leaders sooner or later the hammer&sickle or swastika will have to be raised again.Our country is being destroyed by traitors and economic vampires.
Their going after the history textbooks now:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts1253
Apparently Texas prints most of the nation’s textbooks. So now the school board has voted in favor of very conservative history textbooks. They want to downplay Thomas Jefferson’s role as a founding father and stress that the founders were influenced by their strict christian faith or something to that effect.
I especially despise crist for the fact that he is a shame based closeted gay coward who is in a sham marriage with a woman and has an anti gay voting record. The people of Fl should be ashamed to have him as their governor.
http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=3689&MediaType=1&Category=26
http://www.outragethemovie.com/
http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/2008-02-28/news/the-talk-of-the-green-iguana/
http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=3689&MediaType=1&Category=26
Ummmm…hey since we can’t seem to land on a topic how about you help me out. I have to teach 1 Thess chapter 2 tomorrow night, so if someone could go ahead and exposit that for me it would really be appreciated. WHAT’S THE TOPIC?!?
The topic is that they pretended to pull their weight while preaching brainwash. My favorite quote is:
“You accepted what we said as the very word of God — which, of course, it was.”
That’s really convenient isn’t it? If god said “suck their dicks” there would have been more fire and sulfer, but everyone would get their nut.
NeoWolfe
I was referring to the fact that we seem to be jumping arond a bit on this post. However; I will talk to God about your suggestion for change in worship style the next time I speak to Him. If He decides to give your idea a thumbs up I’ll bet worship attendance will see a bit of a spike.
I appreciat the input on Thess. though neowolfe. I may however take it a different direction…no offense.
“The bible as a complete waste of time.”
I appreciate the suggestions for the topic of my study tonight, but once again when I was said “what’s the topic” I was reffering to this post…not 1 Thess. I think I got that pretty well sown up. I was trying to be witty. Like…if we can’t stay on one or even two topics why not get on a topic that would be ludicrous for this site…see? That’s what I was going for.
None the less…ran neowolfes idea by the wife before approaching God with it, and gave it a dry run. Gotta say, it beats the hell outta shakin’ hands!
So…neo-cub’s advice helped you score? Guess he is good for something.
What is the author trying to say and has it been lost in translation from greek or aramic to english.What was the purpose of this book because that is the context in which to understand this chapter.context is important, people forget the books for example in OT weren’t just suggestions or myths for hebrews they were the actual legal codes for daily life.
Correction: context is everything.
http://www.thebricktestament.com/
Here you go, I’m sure it’s in there somewhere. I used this to give my kids a general idea of the christian fairy tale. They got a kick out of it.
Senate bill 3081 allows indefinite detention of US citizens.No charges,no miranda rights,no trial.
Effort also underway to allow president to shutdown internet[in emergency] and allow gov’t to shutdown websites it doesn’t like.USA home of the free land of the brave-yeah right.
Operation Northwind, early 1960′s for the kids.The mindset hasn’t changed like the song said new boss same as the old boss.The economy is tanking expect anything from our gov’t, China has been quietly dumping US bonds its going to get ugly from here on out, i wouldn’t vacation in Iran this year.
reports are bunker busting bombs on the way to our indian ocean base.can’t help but smile that obama got the nobel peace prize.
will democrats pass healthcare bill? are you getting the change you voted for?
conformnolonger,
I like you, for what it’s worth. You are hilarious. Have you and your wife ever experimented with something other than shaking hands?
NeoWolfe
Neo,
Like you too. You have a great sense of humor and sound reasoning in the majority of your posts. Have the wife and tried something besides shaking hands? Dude…I got four kids and a rap sheet. Spent more of my life as a thug than I have as a pastor so we still throw down in a way that would make most of my congregation cry. I am absolutely positive we’ve broken laws here in the great state of Alabama! When she gets uber randy we may have even done things that would make “godlesssodomite” blush…I’m not sayin’…I’m just sayin’!
conformnolonger, are you really a pastor? Why? And why are you here?
Why shouldn’t he be here? While some Theists (like jcc and phreedom) come here just to be contrary, some actually want a discussion on reasons why we think like we do. At the very least we can civilly converse. It’s just when one or both sides are too stubborn to accept information when things get nasty (again, look at at jcc and phreedom. And several others).
Con, I hope you do stick around. From what I’ve seen, you could contribute a great deal to the board and spark a good deal of intellectual debates (emphasis on intellectual and not degenerative). I in no way agree with Christianity (I would probably go as far as to say I hate it. I’m don’t hide that fact, but I have my reasons), but that shouldn’t stop us from having a good discussion.
cry4turtles,
Yes I’m a pastor. A southern baptist pastor to be exact. Why? That’s hard to explain. Cliff notes version is I used to be a very violent man that had a great deal of run in’s with the law for drugs and violence (not a ground breaking story in Christianity). After hitting bottom at age 27 Jesus Christ saved my life in the practical and spiritual.
My devotion to the One who saved me came to a crossroads about 4 years ago when I believe He called me into the pastorate. I do what I do that the name of God might be glorified. That is my singular purpose with every breath. In doing so I get to help a great many peole struggling with things that are killing them. That’s a benefit, not the pupose.
I come here because I believe it sharpens the mind to have discussion/ debate. I come here because I believe that atheist’s are discriminated against through legislation and I don’t need the government legislating my faith…as a matter of fact I want them as far away from my faith as possible. Most of all I come here because my Saviour spent the majority of His eartly ministry with the groups that everyone else discriminated against, and I believe that following in His footsteps glorifies the Father. I also hope that someone, even one, may see the love of the Father recripricated through my behavior.
So…in a nutshell…this is why I live. To glorifie God, in all things…including my awesome comedic timing, which neowolfe is a fan of. Actually neo and I are a comedy team and this is how we decided to create a “buzz” before going live. Tossin’ a couple of names around “Atheist and Anal”, or “The Thinker and the Theist”…wadda’ ya’ think. The last ones an alagorical ventriliquist act!
I cant stay away….f u jcc….
great post Tarma….conformnolonger says “but there has to be a starting point”
yes there has…it starts with the beginning of your stupid bible…your personal god did not create the heaven and earth…you are poisoning young minds with very harmful made up bullshit…
and please dont try to tell us about how you are for separation of church and state when you quote the us declaration of independence…many things have been observed in great detail spreading across the scientific community since 1776….the declaration, which has nothing to do with governing people, did not state the christian god….its clearly used as a deity and your missing the important point that all are to treated equally…no special group treatment…your personal god will not insure compliance…the courts will…
leave the declaration of independence alone stupid religion
Yep, if there’s one thing that can’t be said about you it’s that you’re not a man of your word…
And if one characteristic stands out in defining your intelligence, it’s your knack for turning an original phrase…
bite me jcc…go f yourself
You’re how old?
12, which is old enough to realize that you and your religion is bullshit…
leave the children alone religion
conformnolonger,
We are not amused. In the words of the great Joe Wilson, YOU LIE!
***
conformnolonger says:
March 14, 2010 at 10:14 pm
I promise to never evangelize here as it’s not this sites purpose.
conformnolonger says:
March 18, 2010 at 11:56 am
Jesus Christ saved my life in the practical and spiritual.
I do what I do that the name of God might be glorified. That is my singular purpose with every breath.
Most of all I come here because my Saviour spent the majority of His eartly ministry with the groups that everyone else discriminated against, and I believe that following in His footsteps glorifies the Father. I also hope that someone, even one, may see the love of the Father recripricated through my behavior.
So…in a nutshell…this is why I live. To glorifie God, in all things
***
Seriously, dude?! It didn’t take long for your true colors to bleed through, eh?
And, since you haven’t been sniffing around here for very long, I’ll grant you a little slack regarding NeoWolfe. However, considering that he is absolutely, positively one of the most vile, mean-spirited, hate-filled, and repugnant individuals that I have ever come across, the fact that you “like” him is not a recommendation in my book. I’m just sayin….
For crying out loud.
The man was asked why he is here, and why he’s a pastor. His story explained both. Yes, he said hopefully someone ‘sees the light.’ But through his actions. That’s a helluva lot different that preaching like some others on the site do. He’s not going “Thou shalt all burn in a pit of brimstone and fire! Repent Sinners, for the day might be thine last!”
*eye roll*
And this is why we don’t have a good reputation – we tend to attack the person, not the problem. Firing off like this against an otherwise pretty decent fellow (from what I’ve seen so far) is not getting anyone anywhere.
Trust me, I hate the Abrahamic religions. But this is not a good way to get anything accomplished.
Your opinion is duly noted.
When someone says he isn’t going to evangelize here and then proceeds to go off on a jesus-fueled orgasm, I’m going to call bullshit.
Tamra,
I apologize if I over stepped my explanation. I was sincerely just trying to answer the two questions that were posed…”Why are you a pastor, and why are you here?” I didn’t come up with the questions, but when asked I answered them as truthfully as possible.
As far as neowolfe goes; ok…he can be a tad rough around the edges at times and has faults…who doesn’t? Alot of what he says that’s harsh is half tongue and cheek and half meant to stir the pot. He’s funny…in a kick ya’ in the nuts kinda’ way.
My true colors? You didn’t mention how I felt about atheist’s being discriminated against due to their rejection of social legislation being forced down their throats via a Christian worldview. I believe in freedom…freedom. Freedom is dangerous. It lacks control and can spin out of control. I believe that a person in this country should be allowed to live and think according to what suits them. I believe they should be able to practice, or not practice, their beliefs however they see fit as long as it doesn’t cause anyone physical harm. I believe we should seekn to raise the level of debate and thought in this country, and that you should be free to support your point of view as loud as possible without discrimination legislated from the government or the culture…as should I.
Tarma; I really do hope that my presence and my beliefs don’t continue to anger you. I’m not a scary or abusive person, and believe that their is not reason to be alarmed by me.
I do have one verys serious question for you though Tarma. How is it that my faith has been linked twice in the same post to some sort of sexual fracus? Maybe you think Jesus is a little sexy…there’s alot of freudian play there…don’t ya’ think?
conformnolonger,
Sexy jewish zombie? Wow, you are just too clever by half.
Good for you that you overcame drugs and violence, though I find it truly regretable and sad that you required the crutch (drug?) of religion to accomplish this. So, now you support yourself by pandering to the fears of others. A different sort of thuggery, indeed. Young man, I am not capable of the mental gymnastics required to condone what you do and what you believe. We will have to agree to disagree.
Tarma,
A crutch? No way. More like a gurney. I didn’t have anything left when I got to bottom, He did all the lifting.
Other peoples fears? I assume this has something to do with the theology of hell. Christ spoke alot about it, but that was to a group of people who had a history with and understanding of God. I spend much more time focusing on the life in front of us not the death to come.
Thuggary? I don’t attempt to beg or shove anyone to this life. As a matter of fact before someone decides to follow my belief system I almost try to talk them out of it. I don’t want anyone making a half hearted decision. For me it’s an “all in” life, not a political alignment.
I hate that you see me the way that you do, but I understand it. I hope that despite our differences we can still be friends, or at least civil. If I were to say that your words didn’t sting a little I would be lying. However I can understand the anger in your words as you are the one who has had darts thrown at you, probably for years, from those who would call themselves “believers”. I guess I would have some anxst towards people like me too, if I were you.
If nothing else I hope that we can understand one another better and learn to live side by side in relative harmony despite our vastly different worldviews and life focus. I appreciate your devotion, effort, and education towards your cause. I envy that there are not more who believe with the same ferver on my side of the court. Thanks Tarma.
conformnolonger, I hope that someday you can see YOU are the hero of YOUR story. YOU saved YOURSELF from “thuggery”. Unless you realize this, your risk of falling back into “thuggery” may be increased. Dieties are as fallable as the humans who created them, and there will be times when your Jesus Christ will be noticibly absent. If this hasn’t happened yet, give it a few more decades:) Who will you rely on then?
Celebrate YOUR own strength; be proud of YOUR accomplishments, for they are YOURS, and YOU will need them in the future, sans the supernatural, which is fickle, unstable, very unreliable, and VERY pretend.
cry4turtles,
Wise words, indeed. Well said!
conformnolonger,
I guess you don’t understand it, and perhaps you never will, but it was your own inner strength, no doubt coupled with the help of other, real, flesh and blood human beings that got you through your dark patch. No magic. No gods, unicorns, or fairies in the garden.
My problem with you (and pastors, priests, etc. in general) is that you make your living perpetuating mythology. And not harmless mythology for entertainment purposes (I enjoy a good fantasy novel, and make believe can be fun), but rather a mythology of the sort that causes people to fly planes into buildings and kill abortion providers. A mythology of the sort that had its purposes way back when people didn’t know any better and feared everything in the natural world around them that they didn’t understand. So they made up gods and spirits to comfort them. And they made up an afterlife because they were afraid of what would happen to them when they died.
Tell me, do you experience fear when you think about what the world was like before you were born? I sincerely doubt it. Then why would you be afraid of what it will be like after you die? I honestly don’t get it.
The only thing we know for certain is that we are here for a finite number of years, and that we are happier and more successful if we treat one another right. Nothing supernatural is necessary to live a wonderful and fulfilled life, and nothing supernatural is necessary to get through the tough times that life throws at you. I say this as a life-long atheist, one who has never believed in your sky daddy.
I’ve personally tried several times over the years to have conversations on this blog with theists who seem like they might possibly be reasonable (and I don’t include our resident trolls jcc and phreedumb in this category), but every time they just slink away into the ethernet when I open up to them. What is it that you folks are so afraid of? That a person can be happy without the god idea? Yeah, I get angry. But mostly I just feel pity.
Tarma,
You have asked me some questions that can only be answered, from my perspective/ worldview, with scripture and then applied experientially to my life. So it’s hard to answer in a way that makes sense to you because the idea of biblical literature is generally a non starter. So I’m not real sure what you want me say. I could share with you what scripture has revealed to me, but then you would just blast me for quoting scripture on an atheist website. If i don’t answer than you would say I’m “slinking away”. So I don’t know what kind of answer you would recieve from me. I would be glad to have a conversation about why I believe what I believe, but I don’t think my answer would do anything but anger you. So I don’t know exactly what you want me to say.
Give me a framework of the conversation you would like to have and i will have it, but there has to be a starting point. I don’t know what that would look like for you. I don’t want to offend, and the last time I answered a question along these lines you said that I went on an “Jesus-fueled orgasm”. So…I’m at a loss.
I don’t have an expectation that you would answer me with scripture if I asked you a question about truth becaue your an atheist. So how can you expect me to answer a question without it as I’m a theist. Help me out. I want to have productive dialouge, but I’m finding the perameters difficult to grasp.
If your “starting point” for any conversation whatsoever is your “scripture,” never mind. I just wondered what you’re so afraid of. You’re born, you live, and you die. No problemo.
Now that segregation is illegal and women can vote not much reason for us white guys to support southern baptist church anymore.
Lol! I really hope that’s meant for a giggle. Literalism is a hell of thang’ ain’t it?
conformnolonger,
I am certainly no christian, but, I am a freethinker, and I don’t know how I would describe you, but I do know that I think atheists take things for granted, assume facts not yet in evidence. I like you, and I want to communicate. I think we have ideas in common, but, while I admire the person to whom you attribute your salvation, I attribute your salvation to you!!!!! No one can save us from ourselves, but ourselves. Just like there are enablers for our addiction, there are enablers for our recovery, and neither one is doing us any favors.
Throw away your crutches. You don’t need them any more.
NeoWolfe