Here is a video of the Starke monument protest. In case you are unaware of this controversy, here is the history of it: Last year, a Christian group called Community Men’s Fellowship erected a five-foot tall depiction of the Ten Commandments outside the courthouse in Bradford County, Florida. American Atheists, along with Daniel Cooney who lives in Starke, sued Bradford County saying it endorsed a religion. Bradford County considered American Atheists’ case, and asked Community Men’s Fellowship (the organization which donated the monument) to take it down, but they refused. These jackasses threatened legal action if the monument was removed citing that it would hinder free speech. The county was facing legal action if the monument remained or if it was removed. Dave Muscato, head of Public Relations at American Atheists says, through court-ordered mediation, all parties were able to reach a conclusion. The decision was to grant permission to American Atheists to place a monument nearby in the courthouse square. The video here, is of a protest against that monument, from local atheist groups, including Tallahassee atheists. I reviewed it the other day and I urge you to take a look at it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb5YCednONk. Notice the fat guy arguing with the protestors. He has drunk the kool aid totally. He has every Christian argument down pat. After viewing that, I realized that some of our newbies might want to know the retorts to his crap. So, I decided to list them and refute. Here’s what he claims:
1. This is a christian nation.
2. The Constitution and this nation are based upon the 10 commandments and/or the principles of the “word of god”.
3. First Amendment allows religion in government., just can’t “establish” it.
4. They (Christians) would allow other religions to put up monuments.
5. Our founders believed in god/Jesus.
6. Judges “legislate from the bench”.
7. Constitution was “written by Christian people.”
8. Establishing a religion is “starting a religion and forcing people to be in it”.
9. “We don’t force nobody to become Christians.”
10. “This monument is a monument for all people.”
11. “All law is based upon the 10 commandments.”
Wow! Where does one start with such stupidity?… Let’s take ‘em in order:
1. This is a christian nation. True, most citizens of America are “christian” however; I defy you to find the REQUIREMENT that you BE christian, or the establishment of a “christian church” in any of our founding documents. (Here’s a hint: Ain’t none.)
2. The Constitution and this nation are based upon the 10 commandments and/or the principles of the “word of god”. Where the hell do you get that idea? Well, let’s examine: First, what ARE the ten commandments? Hmm, seems to be some controversy, even among xians about that, but, far as I can tell here they are: 1. You shall have no other Gods but me. 2. You shall not make any idol, nor bow down to it or worship it. 3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. 4. You shall keep the Sabbath day holy. 5. Respect your father and mother. 6. You must not kill. 7. You must not commit adultery. 8. You must not steal. 9. You must not give false evidence against your neighbor. 10. You must not be envious of your neighbor’s house, nor his wife, nor anything that belongs to your neighbor. OK… NONE of these admonitions appear in the Constitution nor in the Declaration… So, checkmate, Christians!
3. First Amendment allows religion in government, just can’t “establish” it. Obviously, Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptists was not covered in his home schooling. Jefferson’s famous “wall of separation” concept derives from that letter.
4. They (Christians) would allow other religions to put up monuments. Oh reeeeeely? That’s damned nice of you to “allow” others. OK Satanists, Muslims, step right up! Let’s see how long THAT promise lasts. In the first place, oh clueless one, we don’t NEED your damned permission… YOU don’t HAVE permission. YOU have broken the highest law of the land, the Constitution.
5. Our founders believed in god/Jesus. YES! Wow, you got something right… but, wait.. SO DID HITLER! DID YOU KNOW THAT?! What the founders believed (most were deists) and what they WROTE are two different things. I am soooo tired of hearing this ridiculous argument.
6. Judges “legislate from the bench”. Yeah, I guess they do sometimes… So the ruling allowing religious tax deductions, legislative chaplains, or prayer before public meetings is NOT legislating from the bench? PS, Mr. “I know my Christian rights”, can’t have it both ways.
7. Constitution was “written by Christian people.” See number 5. What they believed is irrelevant. What they WROTE (the Constitution, silly rabbit) is what we FOLLOW.
8. Establishing a religion is “starting a religion and forcing people to be in it”. Yeah, but so is condoning the placement of 5 ton monuments to fairy gods on public property, thus FORCING every citizen to pass by it on their way to the entrance. This “establishes” the concept of a god over non-belief and of YOUR particular fairy tale leader over the THOUSANDS of other superstitions.
9. “We don’t force nobody to become Christians.” That’s correct, Jeb Bobby Bubba Billy Jim… That’s because the CONSTITUTION says you CAN’T. Betcha if it didn’t, YOU WOULD!
10. “This monument is a monument for all people.” Except for those who don’t believe, Mr. Philosopher. Do you NOT get it? (Obviously not.) The point is: Not everyone believes! And there are about 51 million of us right here in the good ole’ USA… and growing who don’t ascribe to superstition and we prefer NOT to have it shoved down our throats at every turn.
11. “All law is based upon the 10 commandments.” Nah… MAYBE numbers 6,7,8, and 9, but all of them had been in effect long before the Bronze Age, when your commandments were “revealed”! Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5… << find me a country that has all of those written into a law (except for a christian/Jewish theocracy) and I’ll eat my words. Until then, take your damned piece of crap and get off of my lawn!
I am sooo tired of this crap…
