Religion: Get the *$#% out of my politics

[SecularMotion]

Can you trust me? Sure you can; I do have a beard, after all.

And that’s not just me talking. According to a 2010 study by the Journal of Marketing and Communications, people view those with facial hair as more trustworthy than those who are clean shaven. That’s right, I’ve got science on my side.

But my long-standing allegiance with science has a few major pitfalls. I’m not allowed to believe in cool things like dragons, unicorns and an omniscient being that watches our every movement from behind the clouds.

And, unfortunately for me, it is this world view that tosses me in with one of the most consistently untrusted groups in America … atheists.

http://www.thenorthwindonline.com/?p=3862576

[Boojatta]

1. There's a lot of facial hair visible in a photo of participants in the 1927 Solvay Conference

The participants were scientists.

Edited to add: there seems to be somewhat more facial hair in a photo of participants in the 1911 Solvay Conference.

[Kurmudgeon]

2. Just don't confuse the Religious Right with all people who believe.

If you do, you only make the Right stronger. It helps no one to force those not of the Right to have to defend themselves.
The problem with labels is it allows individuals and even groups to disappear behind them, while working their deeds with impunity.

[Bluenorthwest]

3. The non bigoted non right believers should themselves make sure they

Are not confused with evil. That is their job, defining themselves and where they stand is their duty and no one else's . A vocal opposition to the hate mongers would do it.

[humblebum]

6. It's not the religious right that is making atheists look bad,

it is atheists, period. The religious right are responsible for their own image.

[LeftishBrit]

14. No, but it is the religious right that whip up hatred against secularists

not all of whom are atheists as a matter of fact.

[humblebum]

17. That is a two way street. nt

[LeftishBrit]

4. I don't; and I don't think most do.

However, there *is* a significant problem with those who really are religious right-wingers.

[cleanhippie]

7. Interesting comment, considering you do more to get yourself confused with them.

Maybe you should ensure that you set yourself apart from them, then no one will confuse you with them.

[rrneck]

8. Liberal christians could

distinguish themselves and gain credibility by successfully policing the ranks of Christianity.

[humblebum]

9. The same could be said for the behavior of radical atheists.

They are every bit as extreme as the religious right.

[rrneck]

10. Who are these radical atheists you keep talking about? nt

[humblebum]

11. The ones who say things like "show ridicule, hatred, and contempt for Christianity." C. Hitchens

and those who seriusly listen to them.

[rrneck]

13. Meh. Hyperbole sells books.

There will always be religion. As long as people have feelings they will share them.

Atheists are like cultural anarchists. I guess it's theoretically possible to have some sort of atheist religion, but I don't see it happening anytime soon. Since atheism is a lack of belief in a deity, a lack of enthusiasm for authority goes along with it. It makes organizing problematic.

[humblebum]

16. "possible to have some sort of atheist religion" don't look now,

but it's here. Organized atheism is a religion without a god.

[rrneck]

18. Maybe.

Can you describe it's rituals And practices?

[NMMNG]

15. It's your house

You clean it up.

[Warpy]

5. Bankers, stock brokers, and hedge fund guys all have faces like a baby's butt

which is one reason we old hippie types gravitated to guys who had long hair and plenty of face spinach.

And it seems we were right about that, too.

[demigoddess]

12. what?

religion: get the *$%# out of my politics means one thing,
religion, get the *%$# out of my politics means another.

the first means religion is making the statement that follows
the second means religion is the person being addressed.