Facebook posting
Hey everyone! Tonight, my cousin, who is a devout Christian (my Dad's side of the family is largely Catholic/Episcopalian, but this cousin is far more fervent. She gets it from her mother) posted this on Facebook:
"I am a Christian and proud to say it! Let's see how many people on FB aren't afraid to show their love for Jesus! Repost this as your status. Each time you see this on someone's status, say a quick prayer for that person. Let's get God back in this country like He should be!! If you agree post this in your status update. Just copy and paste"
Naturally, as an atheist, this stuck in my craw. At first I thought to just let it pass, like normal. Then, I decided that instead of letting it pass, I'd stir the fire a little bit. I say I'm an atheist, I might as well start acting like one. So, I tweaked the message a little bit, and reposted it:
"I am an Atheist & proud to say it! Let's see how many people on Facebook aren't afraid to show their love for Reason! Repost this as your status if you want. Each time you see this on someone's status, start a debate, one-sided discussions don't do anything! Let's keep church & state separate in this country, like... it says in our Constitution!! If you agree, post this in your status update or don't, you choose!"
So, what do you think? Should I have just kept it to myself? I've received no responses yet, but I'll keep you all posted.
-Bob
"I am a Christian and proud to say it! Let's see how many people on FB aren't afraid to show their love for Jesus! Repost this as your status. Each time you see this on someone's status, say a quick prayer for that person. Let's get God back in this country like He should be!! If you agree post this in your status update. Just copy and paste"
Naturally, as an atheist, this stuck in my craw. At first I thought to just let it pass, like normal. Then, I decided that instead of letting it pass, I'd stir the fire a little bit. I say I'm an atheist, I might as well start acting like one. So, I tweaked the message a little bit, and reposted it:
"I am an Atheist & proud to say it! Let's see how many people on Facebook aren't afraid to show their love for Reason! Repost this as your status if you want. Each time you see this on someone's status, start a debate, one-sided discussions don't do anything! Let's keep church & state separate in this country, like... it says in our Constitution!! If you agree, post this in your status update or don't, you choose!"
So, what do you think? Should I have just kept it to myself? I've received no responses yet, but I'll keep you all posted.
-Bob
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Johnny on -
I like it!
Although technically...Let's keep church & state separate in this country, like... it says in our Constitution!!
It doesn't...Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
But overall, I like it. If I see the Jeebus post from any of my friends/family I'll be using (a variation of) your version.
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Permalink Reply by Frink on -
Right, but it was Thomas Jefferson, an influence on the Bill of Rights, who coined the phrase "wall of separation." That, and forbidding a law which establishes a religion or one which prohibits free exercise directly implies separation. "Like it says in our Constitution" is a fair summary.
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Permalink Reply by Aric on -
He could say, "Like our founding fathers wanted." instead of,"Like it says in our Constitution."
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Permalink Reply by Bob on -
I think I see what the difference is. While Congress can't say "Worship this way" or "Stop worshipping this religion," all of Congress can be Christian and base their political decisions on their religious leanings. Is that what you're getting at?
Honestly though, it still sounds like separation of church and state, at least to a certain degree.
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Permalink Reply by Johnny on
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Frink and Bob, you're both exactly right; I just know I have a few friends who wouldn't hesitate to pounce with "the Constitution doesn't say that" or "those words don't appear in the Constitution." Of course I've also got some who don't know that exact phrase isn't in there either.
Which is why I said "technically..."
:P
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Permalink Reply by Bob on
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Well technically I have no reading comprehension, so there!
Thanks for the clarification!
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Permalink Reply by Frink on
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Heh, the same thing came to mind when I saw what you had written. "Welllllllllll, the constitution doesn't say separation of church and state..." I hear this from creationist bullshitters all the time.
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Permalink Reply by Wendy on -
Beautifully said! It isn't too bashy, which is what usually gets us atheists looked down upon. If you'd said "If you're smarter than those Christian retards" it would've gone too far ;)
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