C.H. Spurgeon

Sinners, let me address you with words of life; Jesus wants nothing from you, nothing whatsoever, nothing done, nothing felt; he gives both work and feeling. Ragged, penniless, just as you are, lost, forsaken, desolate, with no good feelings, and no good hopes, still Jesus comes to you, and in these words of pity he addresses you, "Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out."

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Thursday, January 24, 2008

Oh, the Bigotry of Bigotry

Looking in the blog world of Atheism, again we have the use of the term bigotry. Dictionary.com defines bigotry as “stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own.”

Coming from the title “Bigotry Should Disqualify a Presidential Candidate” we have a discussion of:

“Try to imagine what would happen if video got out in which one of the Presidential candidates used the dreaded "n-word." That campaign would be over in an instant. Why? Because that type of bigotry would not be tolerated and would be accepted by an overwhelming majority of the American people as grounds for disqualification. Unfortunately, other types of bigotry are not only accepted but are actually an important strategic component of many Republican campaigns. I long for the day when anti-gay and anti-atheist bigotry will disqualify a candidate as quickly as racism.”

First off, I would like to note the simple fact of the comparison made by the writer: Race (whether African American, Caucasian, Hispanic, etc.) is not the same type of issue as homosexuality and atheism. A person does not choose what race they are born into, whereas a person does make a spiritual decision to embrace atheism and a moral decision to embrace homosexuality.

Now, I would agree that each of these groups can be dealt blows by hate speech and ungodly actions from without, but even this issue remains different concerning each. For a person to use the “n-word” (as noted by the writer) is a derogatory word used against the entire race or directly to the individual it is said to, whereas stating that Biblically speaking homosexuality is wrong and immoral and atheism makes one a sinner or lost is not the same type of speech.

Why do I say this? Because skin color is not something someone can change or needs to be repented of, whereas homosexuality and atheism is a rejection of the truth, thereby sin, and needs to be repented of to the holy, almighty God.

Now, back to the topic of the writer, they write, “And yet, bigotry directed at the secular and GLBT communities is not only acceptable but appears to be an intentional part (some would even say a central part) in the campaign strategies of many Republicans.”

The hype of the article seems to be that of “anti-atheist bigotry” mostly, but I believe I have discussed the topic of bigotry concerning theist/atheist belief concerning homosexuality before where I note, “Do we not notice that both sides (Christian and Atheist) hold strict contradicting views, which are intolerant of the other? It all comes down to faith vs. unbelief, and that is where our security lies.”

Let’s face it, the atheist cry of bigotry is due to the idea that the presidential candidates wish to claim or promote their theistic beliefs. But, would they not be willing to embrace the candidate which claimed atheism over theism, and desired to rid the country of the “Pledge of Allegiance”, “In God We Trust”, “Moment of Silence”, and any other objectives atheists have presented to the courts of America?

Simple facts:

Theism says there is a God, therefore denies atheism.
Atheism says there is no God, therefore denies theism.

Christianity believes Scripture declares homosexuality a sin, therefore denies it is moral.
Atheism believes Scripture is not authoritative, therefore denies homosexuality is a sin.

Although Christianity and Atheism agree to a certain degree on some moral issues, the morality of Christianity and Atheism varies based on the authority given such, and to the ideas which pertain to each thought.

Again, “Dictionary.com defines bigotry as “stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own.”

I agree one should not be abused, hurt, etc. simply because of race, religion, or sexual choice, but the fact remains that each person is laced within their being with ideas which are “stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own.”

Trying to say “Bigotry Should Disqualify a Presidential Candidate” would be simply removing every candidate from ever running for office.

An atheist candidate could be no less a bigot than a theist one. For the atheist is “stubborn and complete intoler[ant of the] creed, belief, or opinion” of the theist. Just as the Christian tells the atheist they may not believe in God and the homosexual they may live in sin unto themselves, though calling on them to repent, but do not try to have the world accept your lifestyle, so does the atheist tell the Christian to keep their beliefs of God, against non-belief and immorality in their churches and homes, but do not try to have the world accept your lifestyle.

Atheists are scared of the judgment Christianity may bring upon them, just as the Christians are scared of the judgment Atheism will bring upon them.

I just find it interesting that most of the time the one that uses the word bigot can be found to be one themselves if one would simply observe and listen to their message long enough.

6 comments:

BEAST FCD said...

A few things first:

1. The "In God We Trust" phrase was the result of sneaky campaigning by the Catholic group, "Knights of Columbus" to make America sound uniquely "christian" in 1956. Taking it out and replacing it with the original latin words E Pluribus Unum, ("from many, one") is the prudent thing to do.

2. The emphasis on religion has always baffled me: How do Americans choose their President? Via the religiosity of the candidates? Does piety equate to being good presidential material? Compare Clinton with Bush: Obviously we know Bush is more pious, but there again we know he is just as inept and useless as his simian cousin, the chimpanzee.

3. As for being judgmental and bigoted, most atheists don't give two hoots to your beliefs. Just leave the presidency, the govt, the public schools alone. You guys already have tax-free perks to run your morbidly stupid religious organizations. Why turn the entire nation into another Iran?

Beast

Pvblivs said...

     Actually, I think that adding the words "under god" to the pledge of allegience is rather like China calling itself "the people's republic of China." The claim would not be made if it were actually believed.

BEAST FCD said...

"A person does not choose what race they are born into, whereas a person does make a spiritual decision to embrace atheism and a moral decision to embrace homosexuality."

Is embracing homosexuality a moral decision? I don't think so.

People make decisions all the time, and it doesn't necessarily have to be moral: A woman wearing a pair of bikini thongs on the beach isn't making a moral decision, even if bigots like yourself are apt to think of them in the company of street whores and the like.

I think that bigotry isn't necessarily narrowed down to issues that people can't choose, like race for example. You can be a bigot against teachers, judges, school principals and other people who choose the particular creed or profession that you don't like, and it would still be bigotry even if they can choose not to be the people you hate.

Beast

Uriel Apeiron said...

A person does not choose what race they are born into, whereas a person does make a spiritual decision to embrace atheism and a moral decision to embrace homosexuality.

This is bigotry and a lie. People don't choose to be gay or atheist. i'd love to be a kool aid drinker like the rest of you sheep. The bliss of willful ignorance and being accepted/not being the target for inane bigotry like this, is mighty appealing. Sexuality is innate. People's beliefs are shaped by experience. i didn't choose to not believe in gods, ghosts, leprechauns and unicorns. My experiences, reflections upon them etc led me to the conclusion that there is no evidence for the existence of these mythical beings. i'd love to think that if i see a rainbow and run to the end of it that i'll get a pot of gold, but it would be an irrational thing to believe given the evidence (or to be precise, the total lack of evidence). Our beliefs choose us.

Splinters of Silver said...

Uriel,

"People don't choose to be gay or atheist." -- "Our beliefs choose us."

You are saying a person does not choose (or want) to be a homosexual or atheist, they are simply forced against their will (or do they not have one) to do so by their "beliefs".

So what you are saying is you have no ability to change your view or choices, for you are merely a vessel whereby they control you to do as they please?

Therefore, you are not responsible for your actions, for it is merely your "beliefs" (which are neither in your control or are you able to change) that move you to do such?

Interesting...

"The bliss of willful ignorance and being accepted/not being the target for inane bigotry like this, is mighty appealing."

But, by your words, are you not ignorant of that which your "beliefs" do not allow you to know or chose?

Tim

Anonymous said...

Why is bigotry wrong?

In other words, from whence does this morality originate and if it does exist, is it a good survival traith to have or does it hinder survival?

Could you point me to the data, including all graphs and math, showing that bigotry hinders the development of a species?

John Bunyan

To be saved is to be preserved in the faith to the end. 'He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.' (Mt. 24:13) Not that perseverance is an accident in Christianity, or a thing performed by human industry; they that are saved 'are kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation.' (1 Pet. 1: 3-6) But perseverance is absolutely necessary to the complete saving of the soul…. He that goeth to sea with a purpose to arrive at Spain, cannot arrive there if he be drowned by the way; wherefore perseverance is absolutely necessary to the saving of the soul.