Sadly, this is what happens when 1) people don't take State / Church separation seriously and 2) those same people bring their own beliefs into the government and attempt to codify them as law.
And that doesn't even mention the wild card that is Donald John Trump.
As I understand it, Vance actually met with one of the Pope's subordinates. Apparently, Frankie didn't want to meet with him. Gee whiz, why would that be?
The people who would break down the barriers between church and state always seem to operate under the assumption it will be their tribe calling the shots for everyone else. They should be imagining the tribe they dislike most having control over their lives. Mixing religion and government is the same terrible idea it has always been.
It's also sad that so many people seem totally fine with the way things are going, which is headlong off a cliff. They might care one day, when it's too late.
Baby steps. Judging by how they respond, it's pretty clear the religious right is becoming increasingly desperate to get government to backstop their sense of Christian privilege. They know they're losing the long game. They do what they can to conflate the word atheist with evil, and use it as a pejorative. All the while ignoring the countless horrors perpetrated by religious people in the name of their religion.
One would assume that the religious would welcome free thought. After all, they tend to claim that their beliefs are so obviously true that all one must do is seriously think about them for a short period of time and one would accept them. The fact that they avoid any freedom of thought here is telling. It reveals how absolutely full of shit they really are.
Probably not a safe assumption. There are a LOT of people build their lives around their religious beliefs, to the point where they utterly identify with those beliefs. Freethinkers QUESTION those belief, examine and poke holes in them, which makes the believers VERY UNCOMFORTABLE.
I mean, where do you think the concept of blasphemy came from? 😁
When the first priest had his first follower try to convert the first skeptic and got laughter and mocking for their effort. Oh, and shout out to Judas for the long weekend!
I've yet to hear ANY form of deity say ANYTHING, regardless of approval or disapproval. I HAVE heard a number of said deity's putative representatives make ALL SORTS OF CLAIMS, regarding their client, all of which go unsubstantiated.
Suffice to say, I have as much use for either of them as a snake has for shoes.
"Doo-Dah-DEE! The number you have reached is not a working number. Please check the number and dial again. Doo-Dah-DEE! The number you have reached is ..."
So many challenges against the progress our society has achieved that now require repelling the power games playing zealots from tearing down the walls built to keep them from coming to power. The essence of power games is those who have the power can use it to do whatever they want. The nature of zealots is their wants are all that matter and their wants are the only solution. Power games and zealotry are the nature of Western culture, government, and society before the Enlightenment.
Every empire fell because their people lost the will to maintain it.
The Congressional Freethought Caucus should create and disseminate a platform based on reason, logic, science, Western philosophy,…, the essence of the Enlightenment and use it to convince the people that as Steven Pinker wrote in ‘Enlightenment Now’ - “Life is better than death, health better than sickness, abundance is better than want, freedom is better than coercion, happiness is better than suffering, and knowledge is better than superstition and ignorance.” Affirm the Enlightenment myth that unites and emboldens the tribe against a zealot driven power game.
Yet another morsel of good news amidst all the crap that's been spewing from the White House. I've seen and heard Nadler in the past, and it's clear to me that he has his head screwed on straight and knows of what he speaks. As for Ms. Ansari, I particularly like that she was sworn into the Phoenix city council with her hand, NOT on a bible but on the Arizona Constitution. That by itself speaks volumes to me. Still, I can't help but notice that not one member of the CFC has an (R) next to their name. Not surprised, just disappointed.
I noticed the lack or Rs as well. I don't doubt that there are functional Atheists among the congressional rethugs, but they could never reveal their lack of faith. They have a deep-seated need to appear religious to their base.
Now that Macron has become the "Leader of the Free World," (supplanting the Terrorist-In-Chief), perhaps we should follow the French version of separation. Not even a HINT of religion is allowed throughout society. They would consider our Christo-fascist Agenda to be ludicrous, not threatening, because they wouldn't believe anyone with a brain would follow it.
Yes, of course, if you're devout in ANY religion (not just Catholicism), you're welcome to spend your life that way, BUT (critically), you won't get any support from the State to do so. Therefore, their political battles are over "culture," not dogma. A recent one I remember is a national discussion whether a hijab is a religious symbol or a cultural one. I don't remember how it finally shook out, but I do know at one point they were forbidden in an educational environment.
One of my favorite LIES they spew is "we were founded as a Christian nation." It's my favorite, because it's so easy to refute. With the exception of the Calverts & (arguably) Adams, there were FEW Christians around. Ofc, MAGAts don't understand the concept of "Deism," or that "Jefferson's Bible" cut out most of the stuff they preach. The Founders would be appalled with what this country has done with "freedom of religion." And, unfortunately, because of this SCOTUS it's gonna get a whole lot worse.
I take strength in the annual Pew poll on American religiosity -- those numbers get smaller & smaller every year. If I'm sure of one thing, it's that politicians read polls. Once that tipping point is reached, we can all lean back & let out a sigh of relief. That ain't happening anytime soon, though, so we continue our efforts to fight this Anti-constitutional Agenda.
French woman here, it's more subtil but christianity is still deeply imbued in our culture.
School menus in the early 2000's were still based on christian dogma (eggs and fish on Fridays). And only abrahamic religions are recognised by the state.
The veil is a complicated problem, when a law forbidding the covering of the face in public was adopted a few years before the pandemic, everyone knew it was intended to target Muslims women even if it was formulated as secular. Some women were attacked by mobs (one case not far from where I live). Others had or chose to stay confined at home. Funny, how my government didn't worry about these women when they feared abused women would be easier preys when enforcing confinement during the beginning of the pandemic*.
* It's not a denonciation of this procedure, just to illustrate the double dtandard.
Religion has always led society down a path of marginalization and damnation of those who are considered "other" for some superstitious reason. We Gays were forced into shadows, never showing our true faces in the open. I lived through alcoholism and suicide attempts over guilt inculcated within me by religion and society. I tried marriage to make myself straight. and it ended in Disaster. SKKKOTUS made Gay marriage legal in the US a few years ago. Now religious superstition is trying to get that reversed. Religious superstition has always stood at the forefront of opposition to human advancement. It was pope Gregory XVI that opposed streetlights, railroads and telegraph among other advancements. It was J.P. Morgan who claimed electricity was the work of the devil.
I’ve got daffodils and hyacinth blooming, plus some early tulips. Im so glad to see the pretty colorful flowers. Winter is such a drag once everyone shuts off their Christmas lights.
This is fantastic news. Like the protests and defiance of Harvard & others…the more this happens, the more people feel compelled to join. We need an atheist in the White House and a far larger group in Congress to represent the growing presence of atheists within our population. Thank you for this encouraging news.
I'm proud to say that my own Congressperson, Mark Pocan of Wisconsin's 2nd District, is a long-time member of the caucus. Of course, it's not as if he's going to pay any penalty for it, coming as he does from liberal Madison, home to state government, a thriving tech culture, and the University of Wisconsin. But it really helps that he's a totally good guy, friendly, helpful, publicly available, and responsive to his constituents. It defangs the satanic image some people have of dedicated church/state separationists.
What about gay male porn where the actors are engaging in consensual sex? Oh, that's right. You're a believer who thinks gay people should be put to death according to your bible. That's an unhealthy mindset, pookie.
Beating women, sex with underage girls, rape and incest. Those are just fine with the GQP. Particularly when it comes to Rethuglikkkans who claim to be "pro-life" and the pregnant one is an underage girl who was a raped by her father.
Many people are saying eggs are very cheap now. Just this morning a big strapping man with tears in his eyes came up to me and said “Sir, the orange fuhrer has made eggs so cheap that they are practically free.”
That whole business is reflective of this new attitude which says that empathy and compassion are weaknesses or flaws, not to be tolerated. The Trump administration has clearly made a new virtue of such a mindset, and they are actively putting it into practice.
If Jesus ever existed (and I don't think for a second that he did), I'd LOVE to hear his thoughts on the topic!
It's sad that in a democracy based on separation of church and state
1) A Free Thought caucus is needed
2) There is only 26 members
Sadly, this is what happens when 1) people don't take State / Church separation seriously and 2) those same people bring their own beliefs into the government and attempt to codify them as law.
And that doesn't even mention the wild card that is Donald John Trump.
Donald Trump is a wild card and an atheist. I've never had an atheist disagree with that assumption, though I've never heard Trump assert it either.
My suspicion is that Trump thinks that HE IS A GOD. He sure has enough people worshiping him to qualify! 🤢🤮
Andy Borowitz said “It’s surprising Vance wanted to meet with the pope since he spends every day with someone who regards himself as infallible.”
As I understand it, Vance actually met with one of the Pope's subordinates. Apparently, Frankie didn't want to meet with him. Gee whiz, why would that be?
I sure hope Frankie denies the “honor” to the Melon Felon should that opportunity ever come to pass.
That's what is so terrifying.
First he claimed to be Presbyterian due to his family. Now he says he's non-denominational.
Trump, like Kim Jong Un, is a Juche. A situation where worship of a deity is transferred to worship of the state/leader.
Meaning he’s the Pharaoh from the Bible stories.
Anyone remember how those end?
The people who would break down the barriers between church and state always seem to operate under the assumption it will be their tribe calling the shots for everyone else. They should be imagining the tribe they dislike most having control over their lives. Mixing religion and government is the same terrible idea it has always been.
*sigh* Tell me about it.
It's also sad that so many people seem totally fine with the way things are going, which is headlong off a cliff. They might care one day, when it's too late.
They will only start caring when they are less than four inches from hitting the ground.
Baby steps. Judging by how they respond, it's pretty clear the religious right is becoming increasingly desperate to get government to backstop their sense of Christian privilege. They know they're losing the long game. They do what they can to conflate the word atheist with evil, and use it as a pejorative. All the while ignoring the countless horrors perpetrated by religious people in the name of their religion.
They're in their death throes.
From your lips to God's ear :)
One would assume that the religious would welcome free thought. After all, they tend to claim that their beliefs are so obviously true that all one must do is seriously think about them for a short period of time and one would accept them. The fact that they avoid any freedom of thought here is telling. It reveals how absolutely full of shit they really are.
Probably not a safe assumption. There are a LOT of people build their lives around their religious beliefs, to the point where they utterly identify with those beliefs. Freethinkers QUESTION those belief, examine and poke holes in them, which makes the believers VERY UNCOMFORTABLE.
I mean, where do you think the concept of blasphemy came from? 😁
When the first priest had his first follower try to convert the first skeptic and got laughter and mocking for their effort. Oh, and shout out to Judas for the long weekend!
I do build my life around my beliefs, the difference is that I don't try to impose them on others.
I would also rather suspect that, as Matt Dillahunty is wont to say, you want to believe as many true things and as few false things as possible.
I worship a Goddess of knowledge and wisdom, make your own conclusion :)
Hey, if you're going to worship SOMETHING, you could do a LOT WORSE!
DITTO!!! 👍👍👍
'DITTO!!!" is the mating cry of obese consewertives. Made famous by Lush Limpbaugh.
Then, it's up to liberals to take this word back.
Why would we want to?
😝😝😝😝😝
The Dittoheads. I remember those.
Truly a collective delusion.
As long as omniscient, omnipotent God approves the speech, anything is fair game.
I've yet to hear ANY form of deity say ANYTHING, regardless of approval or disapproval. I HAVE heard a number of said deity's putative representatives make ALL SORTS OF CLAIMS, regarding their client, all of which go unsubstantiated.
Suffice to say, I have as much use for either of them as a snake has for shoes.
Oh, Re-pub-li-caaaaans, where arrrre youuuu? Libertarians? Indies? Hello-ooooo...
"Doo-Dah-DEE! The number you have reached is not a working number. Please check the number and dial again. Doo-Dah-DEE! The number you have reached is ..."
So many challenges against the progress our society has achieved that now require repelling the power games playing zealots from tearing down the walls built to keep them from coming to power. The essence of power games is those who have the power can use it to do whatever they want. The nature of zealots is their wants are all that matter and their wants are the only solution. Power games and zealotry are the nature of Western culture, government, and society before the Enlightenment.
Every empire fell because their people lost the will to maintain it.
The Congressional Freethought Caucus should create and disseminate a platform based on reason, logic, science, Western philosophy,…, the essence of the Enlightenment and use it to convince the people that as Steven Pinker wrote in ‘Enlightenment Now’ - “Life is better than death, health better than sickness, abundance is better than want, freedom is better than coercion, happiness is better than suffering, and knowledge is better than superstition and ignorance.” Affirm the Enlightenment myth that unites and emboldens the tribe against a zealot driven power game.
Yet another morsel of good news amidst all the crap that's been spewing from the White House. I've seen and heard Nadler in the past, and it's clear to me that he has his head screwed on straight and knows of what he speaks. As for Ms. Ansari, I particularly like that she was sworn into the Phoenix city council with her hand, NOT on a bible but on the Arizona Constitution. That by itself speaks volumes to me. Still, I can't help but notice that not one member of the CFC has an (R) next to their name. Not surprised, just disappointed.
But these two are fine additions. WELCOME!
I noticed the lack or Rs as well. I don't doubt that there are functional Atheists among the congressional rethugs, but they could never reveal their lack of faith. They have a deep-seated need to appear religious to their base.
There is an open Republicsn Atheist but he is in a state legislature, not federal.
And he likely would not join a Freethought Caucus anyway, lest he be branded a traitor to the cause, instead of being the useful idiot he is.
Now that Macron has become the "Leader of the Free World," (supplanting the Terrorist-In-Chief), perhaps we should follow the French version of separation. Not even a HINT of religion is allowed throughout society. They would consider our Christo-fascist Agenda to be ludicrous, not threatening, because they wouldn't believe anyone with a brain would follow it.
Yes, of course, if you're devout in ANY religion (not just Catholicism), you're welcome to spend your life that way, BUT (critically), you won't get any support from the State to do so. Therefore, their political battles are over "culture," not dogma. A recent one I remember is a national discussion whether a hijab is a religious symbol or a cultural one. I don't remember how it finally shook out, but I do know at one point they were forbidden in an educational environment.
One of my favorite LIES they spew is "we were founded as a Christian nation." It's my favorite, because it's so easy to refute. With the exception of the Calverts & (arguably) Adams, there were FEW Christians around. Ofc, MAGAts don't understand the concept of "Deism," or that "Jefferson's Bible" cut out most of the stuff they preach. The Founders would be appalled with what this country has done with "freedom of religion." And, unfortunately, because of this SCOTUS it's gonna get a whole lot worse.
I take strength in the annual Pew poll on American religiosity -- those numbers get smaller & smaller every year. If I'm sure of one thing, it's that politicians read polls. Once that tipping point is reached, we can all lean back & let out a sigh of relief. That ain't happening anytime soon, though, so we continue our efforts to fight this Anti-constitutional Agenda.
French woman here, it's more subtil but christianity is still deeply imbued in our culture.
School menus in the early 2000's were still based on christian dogma (eggs and fish on Fridays). And only abrahamic religions are recognised by the state.
The veil is a complicated problem, when a law forbidding the covering of the face in public was adopted a few years before the pandemic, everyone knew it was intended to target Muslims women even if it was formulated as secular. Some women were attacked by mobs (one case not far from where I live). Others had or chose to stay confined at home. Funny, how my government didn't worry about these women when they feared abused women would be easier preys when enforcing confinement during the beginning of the pandemic*.
* It's not a denonciation of this procedure, just to illustrate the double dtandard.
Religion has always led society down a path of marginalization and damnation of those who are considered "other" for some superstitious reason. We Gays were forced into shadows, never showing our true faces in the open. I lived through alcoholism and suicide attempts over guilt inculcated within me by religion and society. I tried marriage to make myself straight. and it ended in Disaster. SKKKOTUS made Gay marriage legal in the US a few years ago. Now religious superstition is trying to get that reversed. Religious superstition has always stood at the forefront of opposition to human advancement. It was pope Gregory XVI that opposed streetlights, railroads and telegraph among other advancements. It was J.P. Morgan who claimed electricity was the work of the devil.
OT: My daffodils have been resurrected.
To celebrate...
youtu.be/cv1L-8f2erg
Is that what the kids are calling 𝐢𝐭 these days?
How do you do, fellow kid.
I’ve got daffodils and hyacinth blooming, plus some early tulips. Im so glad to see the pretty colorful flowers. Winter is such a drag once everyone shuts off their Christmas lights.
My daffs are past their prime.
OT - 🤣
𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬
Some are NSFW
https://www.meidasplus.com/p/top-signs-at-hands-off-protests-42025
My favs' are the granny's in her wheelchair and the little girl's.
They're eating the checks.
They're eating the balances.
Not here but I liked the ones that said “You know things are bad when the introverts show up.”
😂 thanks for the morning laughter. I have to share that one with my adult children!
This is fantastic news. Like the protests and defiance of Harvard & others…the more this happens, the more people feel compelled to join. We need an atheist in the White House and a far larger group in Congress to represent the growing presence of atheists within our population. Thank you for this encouraging news.
I’m reasonably certain we have an atheist in the White House right now. Atheism isn’t enough.
He calls himself a believer, so...
How long would an atheist in the WH last?
OT
Just remembered: Happy 88th BDay to George Takei.
When I was born he was starring in my 3 sons and voyage to the bottom of the sea.
My 3 sons? Sends me scurrying.
17 minutes too late 🤬
Not in 'Murica. 😄
😝
And Bill Shatner still going strong in his 90's. Talk about living long and prospering.
OT: pope Francis has dropped dead (BBC News), another one bites the dust.
MY ONLY REGRET? Not having enough money to go to italy and shit in his coffin.
I bet seeing VP JDivans' butthair face made him lose the will to live.
I'm proud to say that my own Congressperson, Mark Pocan of Wisconsin's 2nd District, is a long-time member of the caucus. Of course, it's not as if he's going to pay any penalty for it, coming as he does from liberal Madison, home to state government, a thriving tech culture, and the University of Wisconsin. But it really helps that he's a totally good guy, friendly, helpful, publicly available, and responsive to his constituents. It defangs the satanic image some people have of dedicated church/state separationists.
My ham sandwich at 1PM Friday was a one finger salute to 3 gods in one act.
Truth
https://ibb.co/cc2v5Zp2
Hey, Noah...
What about gay male porn where the actors are engaging in consensual sex? Oh, that's right. You're a believer who thinks gay people should be put to death according to your bible. That's an unhealthy mindset, pookie.
There's actually porn that doesn't involve any of those things Noah mentioned (or, uh, so I've heard).
A good sceptic should always check their sources.
Off to do some research.
He’s another hypocrite who will probably be caught doing exactly what he is whining about.
Beating women, sex with underage girls, rape and incest. Those are just fine with the GQP. Particularly when it comes to Rethuglikkkans who claim to be "pro-life" and the pregnant one is an underage girl who was a raped by her father.
Ah come on – it's always the STEP mother right?
On Pornhub, yes.
https://ibb.co/VYHvgsQX
So THAT's who was in the tomb all along!
Don't worry – be hoppy.
🎵He's got eggs.
He knows how to use them....🎵
Ohhhhhh, that was BAAAAAAAAAD! 🤣🤣🤣
First thing that came to mind. 😀
Teach the controversy!
Leporidaens 4:20
HOW can the bunny afford eggs? Eggs trumpy was going to make cheap...
Many people are saying eggs are very cheap now. Just this morning a big strapping man with tears in his eyes came up to me and said “Sir, the orange fuhrer has made eggs so cheap that they are practically free.”
Meanwhile, on the other side of Capitol Hill:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/republicans-serve-up-piety-and-hypocrisy-for-easter/ar-AA1Dg1Ea?
That whole business is reflective of this new attitude which says that empathy and compassion are weaknesses or flaws, not to be tolerated. The Trump administration has clearly made a new virtue of such a mindset, and they are actively putting it into practice.
If Jesus ever existed (and I don't think for a second that he did), I'd LOVE to hear his thoughts on the topic!
I'd like to see Trump lead a prayer some time.
Servi chaud !
The moment I wake up
Before I put on fox to cheer me up
I say a meanie prayer for you,
While combing my hair, now,
And wondering who I will get to swear at, now,
I say a meanie prayer for you
Forever, and ever,
(I'll steal your money in my heart and I will hate you)
(Forever) Forever, and ever,
(I'll never will part with it, how I hate you)
(Together) Together, forever,
(that's how it must be to trample you)
Would only mean joy and laugh for me, ooh 🎶
I am celebrating Easter by watching movies and documentaries about the saloperies made by christians.