Atheism is Treason

Kthulhut Fhtagn · 23rd December 2008, 02:04 PM

Don't convert to save your soul! Do it for 'merica

Normally stuff like this doesn't even register on my radar; I'm free speech to the bone and just shrug off statements like this as patently inaccurate. Actually this one caught my eye because, according to what I'm reading, this sign could be a hoax. Now the sign itself is being attributed to one Reverend E.F. Briggs who, assuming my research is correct, the good reverend appears to have died back in 2006. This particular page was added about a week ago and links to another forum with similar pictures. Now it'd make sense for it to pop-up now considering the ongoing controversy of the atheist sign posted across the street from a nativity scene, particularly if you read the part at the top which reads "Attention: Lunatic Atheists & Their Lawyers". It also appears as if the good Reverend has made other signs bashing atheism so this sign wouldn't be out of character; save for his apparently irreversible case of deadness.

Hoax: Yay or Nay?

the PC apeman · 23rd December 2008, 02:51 PM

I wonder where and when the photo was taken. The address mentioned (Monongah, WV) is a small community most notable for a historic coal mining disaster. The town is about two hours from me here in the state's capital. News here tends to cover our entire small state. I don't recall seeing anything on this. It's the sort of thing that would catch my notice.

Radrook · 24th December 2008, 11:11 AM

Insubordination

Upchurch · 24th December 2008, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by Radrook

Insubordination

bokonon · 24th December 2008, 11:50 AM

I think that's what passes for a joke in Radrook's neck of the woods. Atheism isn't treason (betrayal of country), it's insubordination (refusal to be subordinate to God). LOL, right?

Darth Rotor · 24th December 2008, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by bokonon

I think that's what passes for a joke in Radrook's neck of the woods. Atheism isn't treason (betrayal of country), it's insubordination (refusal to be subordinate to God). LOL, right?

Hmmm. A bit of a Scriptural thought on this:

Render unto Caesar that which is Ceasar's.

That's where treason fits, in the world of taxes, kings and laws.

Render unto God that which is God's.

This would be prayer, worship, and striving to live right by God's laws.

No, Atheism is Treason doesn't wash in America.

IF one actually lived in a theocracy, then maybe. Depends.

DR

Lonewulf · 24th December 2008, 01:32 PM

I'd rather be a traitor to these people, than a traitor to my reason or my own heart.

I Ratant · 24th December 2008, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Darth Rotor

Hmmm. A bit of a Scriptural thought on this:

Render unto Caesar that which is Ceasar's.

That's where treason fits, in the world of taxes, kings and laws.

Render unto God that which is God's.

This would be prayer, worship, and striving to live right by God's laws.

No, Atheism is Treason doesn't wash in America.

IF one actually lived in a theocracy, then maybe. Depends.

DR

.
As Bernard Lewis points out in "What Went Wrong, the "render unto Ceasar..." phrase doesn't exist in the Koran, and -that- is the primary difference between Islam and the West.
EVERYTHING belongs to Allah, so atheism is treason in Islam.
A few more decades of capitalistic hedonism might have the effect of softening the hard line on unbelief, in Islam.

Frozenwolf150 · 24th December 2008, 01:48 PM

According to the Snopes message board, the billboard is real, but Snopes itself has not done an article on it:
http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=3755

Originally Posted by Radrook

Insubordination

^Bigotry.

(Durr, hurr, hurr, one word responses, hurr.)

bokonon · 24th December 2008, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Darth Rotor

No, Atheism is Treason doesn't wash in America.

IF one actually lived in a theocracy, then maybe. Depends.

Yeah, the thing kind of breaks down right out of the gate. Anti-God does not equal anti-American.

Unfortunately, there are some people who think it does. They're generally the same people who say things like "Katrina was sent to punish the sinful people of New Orleans." They think God rewards the devout and punishes those who stray from "the way." In their minds, it actually stands to "reason" that the more people go godless, the more likely it is that God's wrath will descend upon us all.

It is almost impossible to convince such people that they're mistaken.

Ron_Tomkins · 24th December 2008, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by Lonewulf

I'd rather be a traitor to these people, than a traitor to my reason or my own heart.

Beautiful. Worthy of adding it to a signature.

Lonewulf · 24th December 2008, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by Ron_Tomkins

Beautiful. Worthy of adding it to a signature.

Wowbagger · 25th December 2008, 07:30 PM

"Traitors lead to Civil War"

If there is such a war, I think it is less likely that the atheists are going to be the ones to start it. It seems to me that the fundamentalists (of any religion) are the ones gearing up for a fight. And, that is what we must be wary of.

23rd December 2008, 02:04 PM	#1
Kthulhut Fhtagn Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Somewhere in time and space... Posts: 1,939	Atheism is Treason Don't convert to save your soul! Do it for 'merica Normally stuff like this doesn't even register on my radar; I'm free speech to the bone and just shrug off statements like this as patently inaccurate. Actually this one caught my eye because, according to what I'm reading, this sign could be a hoax. Now the sign itself is being attributed to one Reverend E.F. Briggs who, assuming my research is correct, the good reverend appears to have died back in 2006. This particular page was added about a week ago and links to another forum with similar pictures. Now it'd make sense for it to pop-up now considering the ongoing controversy of the atheist sign posted across the street from a nativity scene, particularly if you read the part at the top which reads "Attention: Lunatic Atheists & Their Lawyers". It also appears as if the good Reverend has made other signs bashing atheism so this sign wouldn't be out of character; save for his apparently irreversible case of deadness. Hoax: Yay or Nay?

23rd December 2008, 02:51 PM	#2
the PC apeman Muse Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 649	I wonder where and when the photo was taken. The address mentioned (Monongah, WV) is a small community most notable for a historic coal mining disaster. The town is about two hours from me here in the state's capital. News here tends to cover our entire small state. I don't recall seeing anything on this. It's the sort of thing that would catch my notice.
the PC apeman Muse Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 649	Last edited by the PC apeman; 23rd December 2008 at 02:58 PM. Reason: poor driving time estimate

24th December 2008, 11:11 AM	#3
Radrook Banned Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 4,834	Insubordination
Radrook Banned Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 4,834

24th December 2008, 11:50 AM	#5
bokonon Illuminator Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,444	I think that's what passes for a joke in Radrook's neck of the woods. Atheism isn't treason (betrayal of country), it's insubordination (refusal to be subordinate to God). LOL, right?
bokonon Illuminator Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,444

24th December 2008, 12:35 PM	#6
Darth Rotor Salted Sith Cynic Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rat cheer Posts: 34,370	Originally Posted by bokonon I think that's what passes for a joke in Radrook's neck of the woods. Atheism isn't treason (betrayal of country), it's insubordination (refusal to be subordinate to God). LOL, right? Hmmm. A bit of a Scriptural thought on this: Render unto Caesar that which is Ceasar's. That's where treason fits, in the world of taxes, kings and laws. Render unto God that which is God's. This would be prayer, worship, and striving to live right by God's laws. No, Atheism is Treason doesn't wash in America. IF one actually lived in a theocracy, then maybe. Depends. DR
	__________________ Helicopters don't so much fly as beat the air into submission. "Jesus wept, but did He laugh?"--F.H. Buckley____"There is one thing that was too great for God to show us when He walked upon our earth ... His mirth." --Chesterton__"If the barbarian in us is excised, so is our humanity."--D'rok__ "I only use my gun whenever kindness fails."-- Robert Earl Keen__"Sturgeon spares none.". -- The Marquis

24th December 2008, 11:48 AM	#4
Upchurch Papa Funkosophy Join Date: May 2002 Location: Funky Town (STL, MO) Posts: 23,472	Originally Posted by Radrook Insubordination

24th December 2008, 01:32 PM	#7
Lonewulf Humanistic Cyborg Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 10,380	I'd rather be a traitor to these people, than a traitor to my reason or my own heart.
	__________________ Writing.com Account

24th December 2008, 01:41 PM	#8
I Ratant Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 15,305	Originally Posted by Darth Rotor Hmmm. A bit of a Scriptural thought on this: Render unto Caesar that which is Ceasar's. That's where treason fits, in the world of taxes, kings and laws. Render unto God that which is God's. This would be prayer, worship, and striving to live right by God's laws. No, Atheism is Treason doesn't wash in America. IF one actually lived in a theocracy, then maybe. Depends. DR . As Bernard Lewis points out in "*What Went Wrong*, the "render unto Ceasar..." phrase doesn't exist in the Koran, and -that- is the primary difference between Islam and the West. EVERYTHING belongs to Allah, so atheism is treason in Islam. A few more decades of capitalistic hedonism might have the effect of softening the hard line on unbelief, in Islam.

24th December 2008, 01:48 PM	#9
Frozenwolf150 Formerly SilentKnight Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Under cold, moonlit skies Posts: 1,806	According to the Snopes message board, the billboard is real, but Snopes itself has not done an article on it: http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=3755 Originally Posted by Radrook Insubordination ^Bigotry. (Durr, hurr, hurr, one word responses, hurr.)
	__________________ A clogged toilet a day keeps the Daleks at bay.

24th December 2008, 01:49 PM	#10
bokonon Illuminator Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,444	Originally Posted by Darth Rotor No, Atheism is Treason doesn't wash in America. IF one actually lived in a theocracy, then maybe. Depends. Yeah, the thing kind of breaks down right out of the gate. Anti-God does not equal anti-American. Unfortunately, there are some people who think it does. They're generally the same people who say things like "Katrina was sent to punish the sinful people of New Orleans." They think God rewards the devout and punishes those who stray from "the way." In their minds, it actually stands to "reason" that the more people go godless, the more likely it is that God's wrath will descend upon us all. It is almost impossible to convince such people that they're mistaken.
bokonon Illuminator Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,444

24th December 2008, 01:50 PM	#11
Ron_Tomkins Satan's Helper Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 32,196	Originally Posted by Lonewulf I'd rather be a traitor to these people, than a traitor to my reason or my own heart. Beautiful. Worthy of adding it to a signature.

24th December 2008, 02:14 PM	#12
Lonewulf Humanistic Cyborg Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 10,380	Originally Posted by Ron_Tomkins Beautiful. Worthy of adding it to a signature.
	__________________ Writing.com Account

25th December 2008, 07:30 PM	#13
Wowbagger The Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Westchester County, NY (when not in space) Posts: 13,660	"Traitors lead to Civil War" If there is such a war, I think it is less likely that the atheists are going to be the ones to start it. It seems to me that the fundamentalists (of any religion) are the ones gearing up for a fight. And, that is what we must be wary of.
	__________________ WARNING: Phrases in this post may sound meaner than they were intended to be. SkeptiCamp NYC: http://www.skepticampnyc.org/ An open conference on science and skepticism, where *you* could be a presenter! By the way, my first name is NOT Bowerick!!!!