Atheists are "disgraceful"

[fezzyfestoon]

In Florida and North Carolina there is a billboard campaign "raising awareness" that the pledge of allegiance isn't inclusive and should be restored to its original form.  In other words, take out "Under God".  The billboards simply have "One nation, indivisible" over a flag and the movement's website on them.  The vandalized one had the website removed and "Under God" spray painted on it.  Here is one reaction to it, seemingly expanding upon the views touched upon in most articles on the matter.  His basic point is that the billboards are part of a dangerous plot by atheists to marginalize Christians.  He calls atheists "disgraceful", "devastating", "far-removed", and in so many words, manipulative and conniving.

So the question is; Are all Christians this paranoid and delusional?  I personally don't have an inherent problem with Christians, but it seems all I hear from Christians is that they do have an inherent problem with atheists.  Why is religion one thing above most others where people refuse to acknowledge the legitimate presence of differing views?  The reaction reminds me of the race issue at the point where the "others" weren't even considered valid or significant.  To me the most important peoples' rights to respect are the smallest minorities.  It's bizarre to me to see such reminiscent discrimination.  In Florida, Charlie Crist personally ripped his own campaign sticker from the chest of a student for saying he didn't believe in God.

Personally it's shocking to see reactions like this being an atheist.  It's not something I even consider often at all so to hear that there's allegedly this massive movement to marginalize Christians by "my people" makes no sense to me.  When I somehow find out someone's atheist or they find out I am, we don't do like a secret handshake and compare Christian-destroying plots.  The only militantly atheist person I've ever encountered was on here.

Long story short; What are your views on atheism?  Do you find the billboards offensive?  Do you support removing "Under God" from the pledge?

[fezzyfestoon]

How is this movement being stupid?

[fezzyfestoon]

Yes atheism and atheists are disgraceful. I have yet to get a straight answer on how something can come from nothing. Whatever the root of existence, first cause, first essence, first mover, any of that is, is God.

How is that disgraceful?  Because I don't claim to know exactly what happened billions of years ago I am a disgrace?  Interesting perspective.

Where did God come from if something can't come from nothing?

[fezzyfestoon]

I'm very much a Christian and I've no issue with atheists or of other shades of the non-religious. The sort of behavior you mention is disgraceful and (to the way I was brought up and so the way I think) unchristian.

That's always good to hear.  It's a shame ignorance and hate is often shouted louder than tolerance and acceptance.

[fezzyfestoon]

You probably haven't realized how many atheists you've met because they're completely normal people.  I AM and atheist and I've never met one "like that".  But don't let that get in the way of your ignorance.

And my family of heathens can probably beat yours down in the Christmas decorations department.

[fezzyfestoon]

You probably haven't realized how many atheists you've met because they're completely normal people.  I AM and atheist and I've never met one "like that".  But don't let that get in the way of your ignorance.

And my family of heathens can probably beat yours down in the Christmas decorations department.

You're saying your family decorates for Christmas even though you're atheists? I think that's great. There's something in Christmas for everyone regardless of faith. Did you know that Dec.25 used to be Mithra's birthday in the Roman Empire?

That's the important part of my post for sure.