What’s the best way to respond to critics who claim you teach hate?
Threaten them!! (Read more . . .)
Slab a little butter on Jesus and you got yourself a fine piece of toast. Speaking of which, does the jumping-jack Mormon kid look like he’s about to pee on my breakfast?
This past week, the above sign had to be taken down due to countless threats made not only against the American Atheists, but against the company that leased the billboard to them.
‘Hate’ likes to cover all its bases.
While I can’t imagine the billboard being the best recruitment strategy for the AA, perhaps, if nothing else, the placement of such signs allows Mormons and Christians the opportunity to clarify what it is they believe and why the believe it. After all, many of these pious souls run the nation-state. Personally, I think it may actually matter if people who make decisions that affect, oh, pretty much the whole world (she’s an empire) believe in magic underwear and/or that some people can walk on water. I think it may matter that those who determine the content of public education may also believe in the existence of gold streets leading to mansions in some ‘realm’ beyond death, or that, after resurrection, Jesus came over to the Americas and spent some quality time chilling with the natives.
Indeed. I think it matters a lot. (I just wonder if peyote was involved.)
What matters more, however, is how such questions are answered. If you believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet (and not a swindler), then rock on for you. I imagine your parents trained you well to entertain such a belief (just like others are trained to not entertain such a belief). So, show these atheists that they are wrong.
Note, I say show it as opposed to just saying it.
Can I get an ‘Amen’ from the Wittgensteinians? How about the Paulinians?
And stop baptizing dead people (especially Jews), stop impinging on the civil rights of others, and, more importantly, please stop it with your so-called Christian punk rock (it’s embarrassing). Rather, show how these religions are about love (if that’s truly the case) and not simply your own personal prejudices endorsed by your self-fulfilling interpretation of that which you’ve been taught to believe.
Otherwise, it just may be the case that these critics are right.
[PS. Okay, okay, okay. So, in an effort at full disclosure . . . maybe, just maybe . . . I’ve listened to a few so-called Christian punk rock and hard-core bands. But only a few. I probably can’t even name but one or two, max–that’s how rare the occasion. Like, for instance, Ghoti Hook and, you know, Zao. Saw then in Nashville once. Got kicked in the face by the guitarist. It was kind of awesome. Then there’s Strongarm, of course. Oh, and Focused and No Innocent Victim. Um . . . early Blindside stuff, maybe? Plus, I guess Norma Jean, August Burns Red (their version of ‘Little Drummer Boy’ wounds), Underoath, oh, and can’t forget about Overcome and Figure Four. Maybe I listened to MxPx once or twice in college. Maybe. But that’s it! I mean, maybe there are a few others. But, probably not. I really don’t know about such things. Just a few bands. That barely counts, right? I’ve only seen about half of them live–a couple of times. Okay, I’m done. Confession sucks.]