Comments on: No Prayers at This Senior Center http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/09/04/no-prayers-at-this-senior-center/ Atheism with Positivity Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:36:26 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: TXatheist http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/09/04/no-prayers-at-this-senior-center/comment-page-1/#comment-226258 TXatheist Sat, 06 Sep 2008 11:00:08 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=4381#comment-226258 Thanks Polly, I truly believe deep down the Republican elite know religion is a political tool and that's why they use it. The longer they have a large group to rally based on emotion the longer the GOP remains in power in TX. While not politics but similar when Enron went under an executive memo said if we can get the evangelicals to support us we can get out of this. I'll print the TX GOP thing out and read later but I really appreciate it. :) Thanks Polly, I truly believe deep down the Republican elite know religion is a political tool and that’s why they use it. The longer they have a large group to rally based on emotion the longer the GOP remains in power in TX. While not politics but similar when Enron went under an executive memo said if we can get the evangelicals to support us we can get out of this. I’ll print the TX GOP thing out and read later but I really appreciate it. :)

]]> By: martymankins http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/09/04/no-prayers-at-this-senior-center/comment-page-1/#comment-226201 martymankins Sat, 06 Sep 2008 02:50:38 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=4381#comment-226201 "Individuals can pray if they’d like (or play religious music if they’d like) but it won’t be sponsored by the center itself." Completely agree with this. It's the assumption that if the majority is Christian, then everyone should be subjected to the prayers. Glad to see some action works in favor of the non-religious. “Individuals can pray if they’d like (or play religious music if they’d like) but it won’t be sponsored by the center itself.”

Completely agree with this. It’s the assumption that if the majority is Christian, then everyone should be subjected to the prayers. Glad to see some action works in favor of the non-religious.

]]> By: ubi dubius http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/09/04/no-prayers-at-this-senior-center/comment-page-1/#comment-226113 ubi dubius Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:48:36 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=4381#comment-226113 Well, of course, they're establishing a theocracy, but it will be a <em><strong>nice</strong></em> theocracy. At least that's what my fundamentalist friend told me. Well, of course, they’re establishing a theocracy, but it will be a nice theocracy. At least that’s what my fundamentalist friend told me.

]]> By: Polly http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/09/04/no-prayers-at-this-senior-center/comment-page-1/#comment-226043 Polly Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:03:05 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=4381#comment-226043 <strong>@TXatheist</strong>, Since we're on the topic of gov't and religion, you might be interested in this (or you probably already know all about it)I just stumbled upon this, this very morning, from the <a href="http://www.texasgop.org/site/DocServer/FINAL_2008_PLATFORM.pdf" rel="nofollow">TX GOP platform</a>: <blockquote>Our policy is based on God’s biblical promise to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel and we further invite other nations and organizations to enjoy the benefits of that promise." </blockquote> Check out page 12 - it talks about marriage and homosexuality. "God" is mentioned in the very first sentence. Can anyone doubt that the GOP is bent on establishing a theocracy? @TXatheist,

Since we’re on the topic of gov’t and religion, you might be interested in this (or you probably already know all about it)I just stumbled upon this, this very morning, from the TX GOP platform:

Our policy is based on God’s biblical promise to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel and we further invite other nations and organizations to enjoy the benefits of that promise.”

Check out page 12 – it talks about marriage and homosexuality. “God” is mentioned in the very first sentence.

Can anyone doubt that the GOP is bent on establishing a theocracy?

]]> By: SarahH http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/09/04/no-prayers-at-this-senior-center/comment-page-1/#comment-226030 SarahH Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:09:16 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=4381#comment-226030 I'm glad something was achieved here. Religion needs the most protection and separation from government in situations where people are the least able to defend their rights. Our youngest and oldest citizens - at elementary schools and senior centers - need those in power to make sure their beliefs are being treated with respect and equality. I’m glad something was achieved here. Religion needs the most protection and separation from government in situations where people are the least able to defend their rights. Our youngest and oldest citizens – at elementary schools and senior centers – need those in power to make sure their beliefs are being treated with respect and equality.

]]> By: cipher http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/09/04/no-prayers-at-this-senior-center/comment-page-1/#comment-226020 cipher Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:40:32 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=4381#comment-226020 Kate, you know the answer to that one - it's because you don't think everyone else is going to hell. How monstrous of you! Kate, you know the answer to that one – it’s because you don’t think everyone else is going to hell. How monstrous of you!

]]> By: Kate http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/09/04/no-prayers-at-this-senior-center/comment-page-1/#comment-226018 Kate Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:01:45 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=4381#comment-226018 TXatheist - Just curious (I'm a UU myself), what was she saying about UUs? I never get why people criticize us. TXatheist – Just curious (I’m a UU myself), what was she saying about UUs? I never get why people criticize us.

]]> By: TXatheist http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/09/04/no-prayers-at-this-senior-center/comment-page-1/#comment-226017 TXatheist Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:48:27 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=4381#comment-226017 On a similar note I went to visit my Grandma at a private center and a service was going on so I walked by until I heard her start bashing UU folks. So I stopped, listened, waited for 20 minutes and then went over and introduced myself as a UU. She was beat red from embarrassment and I said it's a shame she has to knock people like me. On a similar note I went to visit my Grandma at a private center and a service was going on so I walked by until I heard her start bashing UU folks. So I stopped, listened, waited for 20 minutes and then went over and introduced myself as a UU. She was beat red from embarrassment and I said it’s a shame she has to knock people like me.

]]> By: hoverFrog http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/09/04/no-prayers-at-this-senior-center/comment-page-1/#comment-225986 hoverFrog Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:32:28 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=4381#comment-225986 I think it would be a good idea to put forward some reasons why Christians (or Jews, Muslims, Hindus, etc) should support a distinct separation of church and state. The same law that prevents Christian proselytizing to the elderly during government sponsored meals also prevents the state mandating the form of religious worship. Freedom goes both ways. It is less adversarial but, I think, should go alongside this kind of legal action. The FFRF are acting to protect the centre as much as they are protecting the elderly. If they can understand this then they won't think that it's those evil atheists trying to oppress free religious worship. I think it would be a good idea to put forward some reasons why Christians (or Jews, Muslims, Hindus, etc) should support a distinct separation of church and state. The same law that prevents Christian proselytizing to the elderly during government sponsored meals also prevents the state mandating the form of religious worship. Freedom goes both ways.

It is less adversarial but, I think, should go alongside this kind of legal action. The FFRF are acting to protect the centre as much as they are protecting the elderly. If they can understand this then they won’t think that it’s those evil atheists trying to oppress free religious worship.

]]> By: Hemant Mehta http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/09/04/no-prayers-at-this-senior-center/comment-page-1/#comment-225949 Hemant Mehta Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:49:54 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=4381#comment-225949 Kate -- I added a line in the posting, but I think the center stopped what they were doing. Kate — I added a line in the posting, but I think the center stopped what they were doing.

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