en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/292589 Comments by anton_kozlik http://www.atheistrev.com/2015/06/time-for-god-we-trust-to-go.html#IDComment980761164 Most Americans pay little heed to the "WE" and assume it must mean them and anyone who "counts".. A fitting example is that the citizens often repeat the phrase that starts off "We the People" without realizing that when it was first authored, the "WE the people" meant "White, male, landowner of at least xxx acres' ( can't remember how many acres it had to be but "140 acres" comes to mind. Thu, 25 Jun 2015 16:32:33 +0000 http://www.atheistrev.com/2015/06/time-for-god-we-trust-to-go.html#IDComment980761164 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/06/when-disputes-become-toxic.html#IDComment383438182 It also protects commentors from being ravaged by some from the atheist community. Good move, VJack! Mon, 18 Jun 2012 01:00:46 +0000 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/06/when-disputes-become-toxic.html#IDComment383438182 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/05/flawed-defense-of-catholic-church.html#IDComment361169075 "wonder what Catholics are waiting for?" A good question but one that will go wanting for an answer. Tue, 15 May 2012 23:42:12 +0000 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/05/flawed-defense-of-catholic-church.html#IDComment361169075 http://mojoey.blogspot.ca/2012/05/is-praying-in-public-christian.html#IDComment356148495 I have been using those quotes from Matthew for more than forty years and every time it goes right over their heads as if I didn't say a thing. It is just one more thing that the Christians prefer to ignore in their "book", like stoning, killing, wealth, slavery, etc. etc. Tue, 8 May 2012 01:10:32 +0000 http://mojoey.blogspot.ca/2012/05/is-praying-in-public-christian.html#IDComment356148495 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/05/respect-people-not-beliefs.html#IDComment355977277 Try being a Roma AND an atheist!. Mon, 7 May 2012 18:51:03 +0000 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/05/respect-people-not-beliefs.html#IDComment355977277 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/05/how-to-complain-about-church-state.html#IDComment354092459 If you are asking me, yes I have -- dozens of times -- and with a success rate of more than 90%. Before I adopted this approach, I used to record conversations or get their identity. That didn't work well. Getting them to put it in writing means that they know their answer may "see the light of day" in the print or broadcast media -- with no wiggle room. Taking note of the date, time and name still leaves one exposed to the "you said -- we said" situation or being neutralized by a "sweet talker" whose mission is to deflect complaints. The rank and file are used to make life more comfortable for upper-management. Also, if unsuccessful, the poor member of the rank and file puts their job at risk if you take the matter to the media. Try for the top. This is one of the things they get paid for. Make them earn their money. Fri, 4 May 2012 16:37:10 +0000 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/05/how-to-complain-about-church-state.html#IDComment354092459 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/05/how-to-complain-about-church-state.html#IDComment352945308 I agree with practically everything you advise except one. I recommend your well worded complaint, in writing, should go high as you possibly can. It is more likely that you will get more favorable results if the "top dog" passes your complaint down to another level for handling, than that same "top dog" getting involved when his underlings have already said "no" and his decision is not whether you are right or not, but whether he will experience a problem in the ranks by not supporting their decisions. Of course, a "paper trail" is mandatory. An attempt to communicate with you by telephone is to be avoided at all costs. Make them put there decision in writing! It also gives them a cooling off period as they consider whether you could really be correct. If this process appears like it is too much trouble, then you most likely don't have a complaint in the first place, at least not one that amounts to more than satisfying yourself that you "told them a thing or two". . Wed, 2 May 2012 22:33:52 +0000 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/05/how-to-complain-about-church-state.html#IDComment352945308 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/why-national-day-of-prayer-must-end.html#IDComment351488341 Hi Gang, I think Matthew 6:5 - 7 covers the situation, if only the Christians knew how to read and heed their own bible. . Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:03:54 +0000 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/why-national-day-of-prayer-must-end.html#IDComment351488341 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/big-tent-atheism.html#IDComment348143346 You most likely do not know anything about metaphors. The comment was a metaphor. Definition of a Metaphor -- Similarity in some respects between things that are otherwise dissimilar. I even used quotation marks to help the less educated understand that those words are not meant to be taken literally. As far as making you look bad, it would appear that you are doing quite well all by yourself. P.S. "they're" should be "their". Also, "atheist" should be "atheists". Also, I admit that I have no knowledge what you mean by "breitbarts". Thu, 26 Apr 2012 02:29:03 +0000 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/big-tent-atheism.html#IDComment348143346 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/big-tent-atheism.html#IDComment346892287 Hi Gang, As one who has alienated atheists much more than Christians, I concur totally with this conclusion of what is needed for a "revolution". Understandably, Groups 2 through 6 tend to distance themselves from Group 1. Its like the people who enjoy a great steak or roasted chicken but do not wish to know that some of us may have to work in a "slaughter house" where the object is to provide the "meat". They wouldn't know how to effectively "butcher a steer" but they don't like how we are doing it or would "prefer not to know what it takes". I can appreciate it that Groups 2 through 6 do not wish to get their clothes or hands "bloodied", but they may consider climbing down from their pedestals and join us in the "trenches" on occasion. We would enjoy the company and would most likely welcome the advice from experienced revolutionists, especially ones who have "blood on their hands". . Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:54:17 +0000 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/big-tent-atheism.html#IDComment346892287 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/cohesion-comes-at-price.html#IDComment345384950 I certainly endorse avoiding the "wingnuts" . . . that is why I discontinued attending more than one Humanist group's meetings. They were not rational. Unfortunately, I then run into a number of atheists who refused to get involved in any activity that "resembled" a church activity. All they wanted to do was bitch and complain about the Christians. Consequently, I am presently not a part of any community although there are a number of Christian groups would willingly accept my "membership". I don't need community that much either. Mon, 23 Apr 2012 03:10:21 +0000 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/cohesion-comes-at-price.html#IDComment345384950 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/cohesion-comes-at-price.html#IDComment345075415 We are not advocating community for the sake of community. A cohesive, functional, intelligent community can be a great contributor to the human experience. Perhaps the problem is that since we witness so many bad examples, we tend to tarnish anything that looks like community -- or a religion. For example, atheists often resist any organization that looks too much like a church and forget that the church, especially the Christian church, is known for copying what works well. Why do you think they copied the established December Solstice celebration for their Christ's birth date -- because it had already been established as the most important celebration of the year! It worked and resonated well with society. In their rush to dismiss anything that the religious do, atheists rob themselves of many opportunities for good experiences. Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:24:01 +0000 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/cohesion-comes-at-price.html#IDComment345075415 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/cohesion-comes-at-price.html#IDComment344963878 Have any kids? . Sun, 22 Apr 2012 15:09:11 +0000 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/cohesion-comes-at-price.html#IDComment344963878 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/atheist-movement-needs-calendar.html#IDComment344318835 P.S. And in Canada and just to make sure that June Solstice is obliterated as a special event for atheists, we now celebrate "National Aboriginal Day" on June 21st. Changes to the calendar year over the last 1,000 years has made June 24th ineffective as a substitute for blanking out atheist celebrations. The Freemasons also do the June 24th bit by honoring John the Baptist. Sat, 21 Apr 2012 16:57:12 +0000 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/atheist-movement-needs-calendar.html#IDComment344318835 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/atheist-movement-needs-calendar.html#IDComment344298802 "Are we to stop celebrating Christmas?" No, but wouldn't it be great if we celebrated its true beginning as December Solstice. There can be no recognition and acceptance of an atheist community if it is only known for what it is against. Its not a matter of hating Christianity or its events, its recognizing the only truly original Christian celebration is Halloween -- everything else was "appropriated" from our so-called "pagan" practices. What I am afraid is that the atheism community you refer to is the US American interpretation which fails to recognize that many good ideas and events took place before the American revolution. We came up with holidays that were worth celebrating. The problem is that the religious appropriated them. A case in point is that the Catholic church made June Solstice a saints day -- St. John the Baptist -- in order to discourage atheists in Catholic countries and others from celebrating the solstice -- a real event. The problem is this. If we were to come up with a unique, meaningful atheist celebration, it would most likely be appropriated or outlawed by the Christians and since the atheists do not protect their heritage, the atheists would join the Christians in celebrating the "new version". There is room on the calendar for Christmas -- right beside the entry for December solstice. Ever wonder where the term yuletime came from? It was an atheist term referring to December solstice. Now it has been appropriated by the Christians. Sat, 21 Apr 2012 16:16:32 +0000 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/atheist-movement-needs-calendar.html#IDComment344298802 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/atheist-movement-needs-calendar.html#IDComment344235164 "I celebrate regular, established holidays in a secular way with my children and extended family." Okay. So, maybe you are not an asshole even if your calendar is so full of Christian events you have no time for atheist ones. You sound like so many other atheists I have encountered . . . comfortably closeted! Sat, 21 Apr 2012 14:10:56 +0000 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/atheist-movement-needs-calendar.html#IDComment344235164 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/atheist-movement-needs-calendar.html#IDComment344210581 In most cases, man is a social animal and has kids and friends who are proud that they are a part of something believable and can look forward to celebrating events like December Solstice. (Atheists have been doing it for more than 3,000 years.) I get the thought by this comment, and others over the years, that GM doesn't have a joyful family life and uses his/her comments to assert the stance that if others come up with something fun that doesn't require any effort on his/her part, he/she might just possibly join in. In the meantime, he/she will continue to be a bitter member of the atheist society. We invite our Christian friends to our celebrations and accept their invitations to join them in theirs. I have found that more of the Christian element understand and appreciate atheists when they get to break bread with us. And kids of all persuasions enjoy a fun-filled celebration and get to learn that "we aren't so bad, despite what their priest or pastor says!" Do me a favor and stay away from any of our holiday celebrations . . . we don't need a bitter, lazy, condescending a**hole at any of our events. Sat, 21 Apr 2012 13:27:14 +0000 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/atheist-movement-needs-calendar.html#IDComment344210581 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/atheist-movement-needs-calendar.html#IDComment343463263 Hi Gang, Several years ago in response to complaints from friends and relatives that they couldn't keep track of important days for atheists , I provided each of them with a calendar of atheist "celebrations" and significant days. Included were the times of the solar events with December solstice marked as a "big deal". Also, there were the birthdays of atheist "heroes". I still got Christmas cards and Easter greetings. Two of my friends send me non-religious greeting cards for December solstice -- one of them still signs the card with their wish for a "Merry Christmas". Oh, well! Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:22:22 +0000 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/atheist-movement-needs-calendar.html#IDComment343463263 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/what-is-post-atheism.html#IDComment329655971 I don't think they have "non-religious reputations". They have reputations outside the religious spectrum. The point I am making is that the only so-called targets in the "revolution" are the less than successful because "accumulation of wealth" is more revered among the religious than "beliefs". Also, those that are insulated by their wealth aren't about to risk losing that insulation. Perhaps they should be the targets of the atheist component of society as they are "pressured" into taking a more active role in asserting "non-belief" as a non-threatening attribute to society. They could even state how their "non-belief" left them the time and the freedom of thought to be successful. Correct me if I am wrong, but I think the last non-believer to openly and willingly PAY for his non-beliefs was Galileo. Mon, 2 Apr 2012 02:36:19 +0000 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/what-is-post-atheism.html#IDComment329655971 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/what-is-post-atheism.html#IDComment329357713 Hi Gang, Most of the so-called "post atheists" are really atheists who see no need to confront the religious because they thrive and survive quite well in spite of theists. Show me a very successful atheist and I will show you a "post atheist" -- like Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Noam Chomsky, and the late Steve Jobs to name just a few. Most high profile atheists are only "out" because being "out" is an essential part of their "schtick" -- like the late George Carlin, Bill Maher, etc. or on a more serious note, the likes of Sam Harris and the other members of the "Four Horsemen". Sun, 1 Apr 2012 17:04:28 +0000 http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/04/what-is-post-atheism.html#IDComment329357713