And Prof. Richard Dawkins, you owe me a pool membership. :’)

“We’re not saying we’re going to exclude you from our friendship, we’re just going to exclude you from our membership”

,and out the other they tell an 80-year-old woman that she can’t even be a guest? Umm… clearly theists have a different definition of friend.

Y’know I often see articles lamenting how these older community organizations are dying out. And then you see things like this that show how bigoted and discriminatory they are, and how slow they’ve been to change even on racial and gender policies.

If that’s what they are like, they deserve to die out.

Underlying the issue is the question of why atheists are excluded. Is someone worried atheism is contagious? Or dangerous?

I can see the ad now:

[queue some beautiful setting somewhere you wish you were] “Do you feel like you’re missing something in life? Or do you love life, and simply want to make it even better? If so, non-prescription CredereDeumEsse (powracrystcompelzya HCl) may be able to help….” [cut to fun & relaxation clip] “Only your theologian can tell you if non-prescription CDE is right for you. Why wait? Speak with yours today.” Narrator: “Side effects may include nondisillusion and tithes. In rare cases, hemorrhoids occured in adolescent males. These claims have not been verified by the FDA, FFRF, or any sane person.”

Er, back to the issue at hand…

Billie has not threatened a lawsuit. She actually feels bad for her friends who sponsored her application . . . . Still, she’s glad she didn’t lie. “I’m not ashamed of my atheism,” she says. “In fact, I think people need to know we don’t have two heads. We’re good people. We have ethics.” We know right from wrong, Billie says. And this feels wrong. “I don’t want to cause them trouble.

A lot of “us” are friendly! In my experience, it’s the norm.

“. . . the Elks should get rid of the required belief in God.

But if they do that, they’ll have to change their name to the Benevolent & Protective Suggestion of Elks.” Wait. I’ve got a better idea! Let’s form a new club and call it the Benevolent & Protective Order of Wapiti! B-POW!

Isn’t it legal for private organizations to discriminate? I’m not clear on the law here.

There’s some tension between the right to freedom of association (the ability to discriminate) and public accomodations. For example, a restaurant can be a private organization but it would be against the law for them to deny service to black people. IANAL, though.

http://www.saldef.org/content.aspx?a=1461&title=Know%20Your%20Rights–Public%20Accommodation

What is Public Accommodation?

A private entity that owns or operates a place of business to which the public is invited. The place where the entity conducts its activities is referred to as the place of public accommodation. Typical examples of such places include restaurants, retail stores, hotels and doctors’ offices.

The first lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of Some of America went against them on this consideration, IIRC, but was turned over on appeal.

Billie could file a lawsuit in Oregon. She has a chance of winning.

Isn’t it legal for private organizations to discriminate? I’m not clear on the law here.