General Discussion

Donald Ian Rankin

(13,598 posts)

70. That comparison is disingenuous and idiotic.

Fri Jan 16, 2015, 02:26 PM

Jan 2015

What you have there is a sufficient justification for *insulting* atheism being *legal*.

It's also, mutatis mutandis sufficient justification for insulting religion being legal.

To justify not merely *legalising* insulting a viewpoint but actually doing it, that viewpoint has to be wrong. So in this respect, there is no parallel between insulting atheism and insulting religion - the evidence shows that there is not a benevolent supreme being, and hence exercising your right to insult atheism is misguided, while exercising your right to insult religion is not. But the law and the state should not take that into account. The obvious parallel is that insulting religion is like voting for a Democrat, while insulting atheism is like voting for a Republican - both should be entirely legitimate and equal in the eyes of the state, everyone should be allowed to make their own choice, but one is right and one is wrong.

Secondly, and more importantly, of course, there is no parallel whatsoever between *insulting* a viewpoint and *criminalising* it.

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Saudi Arabia declares all atheists are terrorists in new law to crack down on political dissidents [View all] kpete Jan 2015 OP

Do we need their oil? randys1 Jan 2015 #1

How easily could you live without your car? N.T. Donald Ian Rankin Jan 2015 #11

That doesnt answer the question, at all randys1 Jan 2015 #15

No. Rex Jan 2015 #14

Not anymore nationalize the fed Jan 2015 #57

Saudi Arabia is a hell hole of religious idiocy. Warren Stupidity Jan 2015 #2

K&R! n/t RKP5637 Jan 2015 #27

Noteworthy exports: oil, Bin Laden, 9/11-terrorists, the ideology of ISIS... DetlefK Jan 2015 #35

One day their leaders will fall......the sooner the better. n/t Jefferson23 Jan 2015 #3

and who do you think would be the most likely force to replace the royal family if they fall? Douglas Carpenter Jan 2015 #17

Are you suggesting those in power now, can't ever be defeated by seculars in SA? Jefferson23 Jan 2015 #19

I would say - and I did live there for more than 20 years - for the forseeable future there is a Douglas Carpenter Jan 2015 #20

You have a greater perspective than I do then. I said, one day..yet I would not imagine that Jefferson23 Jan 2015 #21

I appreciate that - unfortunately some people cannot get nuances Douglas Carpenter Jan 2015 #24

For what it's worth, I appreciate your perspective. It is late evening here now, but I will try and Jefferson23 Jan 2015 #25

What about the Shiites and immigrants who do the actual work in SA? rogerashton Jan 2015 #56

Here is the article I mentioned last night, I had posted it some time ago. I felt it gave a Jefferson23 Jan 2015 #84

Calling the fundamentals of Islam into question is terrifying to Islamic authority Fumesucker Jan 2015 #4

So I'm a terrorist in the land of Saudi Politicalboi Jan 2015 #5

Sounds like the perfect place for the Neo-Christians. atreides1 Jan 2015 #6

We brought this on ourselves GummyBearz Jan 2015 #7

We DIDN'T start THIS fire. Yo_Mama Jan 2015 #10

Wahhabism is probably the only "religious" dogma hifiguy Jan 2015 #12

Given that religion has been an innate part of the human makeup since the beginning GliderGuider Jan 2015 #61

Excellent post +1 Pooka Fey Jan 2015 #73

Wow... PeaceNikki Jan 2015 #16

Are you kidding? Desert805 Jan 2015 #23

so they are punishing THEIR atheists m-lekktor Jan 2015 #30

I nominate this as perhaps the dumbest post of the past 2 days, anyone want to second it? n/t Humanist_Activist Jan 2015 #33

Done. beam me up scottie Jan 2015 #34

It is sad that you have to limit it to only two days... LostOne4Ever Jan 2015 #44

sigh. Codeine Jan 2015 #83

Oh bull. Warren DeMontague Jan 2015 #37

I think everyone is missing your sarcasm. nt RedCappedBandit Jan 2015 #53

thanks GummyBearz Jan 2015 #62

Uh,no, we did not bring this on ourselves. grossproffit Jan 2015 #63

NO. But the long line of reply posts refuting you, you brought THOSE on yourself Pooka Fey Jan 2015 #71

Indeed GummyBearz Jan 2015 #74

Poe's Law "Without a clear indication of the author's intent, it is difficult or impossible to tell Pooka Fey Jan 2015 #79

The sarcasm smily is your friend Pooka Fey Jan 2015 #72

Oh brother... tenderfoot Jan 2015 #75

Worst Country On Earth. Period. hifiguy Jan 2015 #8

And, unfortunately so filthy rich that they can buy compliance Surya Gayatri Jan 2015 #58

So much better than Cuba....Right????? Bandit Jan 2015 #9

I would expect such from a monarchy. Not like that form of governance respects human rights. Rex Jan 2015 #13

Religion was made up for this exact reason -- to keep people in line. Arugula Latte Jan 2015 #18

Exactly! Religion is all about political power and control over people. The rest of it, RKP5637 Jan 2015 #28

Saudi is doing what most christians in America WISH they could do. ChosenUnWisely Jan 2015 #22

Exactly! Some definitely would IMO. n/t RKP5637 Jan 2015 #31

^^^This!^^^ with a caveat... Surya Gayatri Jan 2015 #59

Saudi Arabia parades itself as a modern country in front of the world oldandhappy Jan 2015 #26

Those fuckers actually had the gall to participate in that march for bullwinkle428 Jan 2015 #29

The USA also conducts barbaric and outrageous behaviors against the citizens just like Saudi Arabia ChosenUnWisely Jan 2015 #39

death penalty, never ending war, for profit health care, US citizens dying from hunger, liberal_at_heart Jan 2015 #40

But they are bad becasue they are Muslims and da USA is good cuz of Jesus ChosenUnWisely Jan 2015 #42

Personally I would rather see more respect and tolerance for all people. I realize that is a long liberal_at_heart Jan 2015 #45

Well that would be nice but in my life experience ChosenUnWisely Jan 2015 #47

It is greed and power that are the root of the problem. liberal_at_heart Jan 2015 #49

Perhaps but religion makes it worse and a convenient excuse ChosenUnWisely Jan 2015 #52

And we're called intolerant because we mock religion. beam me up scottie Jan 2015 #32

That is how it breaks down. Behind the Aegis Jan 2015 #36

Ikr? beam me up scottie Jan 2015 #77

Peoples religious belief must be forever immune to criticism, remember. Warren DeMontague Jan 2015 #38

Yep. Religious beliefs are deeply personal and off limits. beam me up scottie Jan 2015 #78

Who funds and supports Saudi Arabia? redgreenandblue Jan 2015 #41

Atheists? Behind the Aegis Jan 2015 #43

Answer to my question: Many Western nations. redgreenandblue Jan 2015 #46

And "Saudi Arabia declares all atheists are terrorists " is okie dokie how? Behind the Aegis Jan 2015 #48

I'm not saying it is ok. I'm saying the US and many other Western nation share responsibility redgreenandblue Jan 2015 #50

But the US and other Western nations are not atheists. Behind the Aegis Jan 2015 #51

so the US giving money to leaders who outlaw atheism is okay? liberal_at_heart Jan 2015 #55

That isn't the same as saying atheists are responsible. Behind the Aegis Jan 2015 #65

Says the person who proudly supports the pope even though he calls gays 'disordered'. beam me up scottie Jan 2015 #81

You have a habit of misunderstanding people. elias49 Jan 2015 #60

I didn't misunderstand either of you. Behind the Aegis Jan 2015 #66

What else am I supposed to do with those extra millions I have laying around? beam me up scottie Jan 2015 #80

Not true Islam, of course. nt RedCappedBandit Jan 2015 #54

How many Christians will nod in agreement... Orsino Jan 2015 #64

Well, atheism isn't like your skin color. You can just change your belief� it's a choice >>> KittyWampus Jan 2015 #67

A-theism is the human default. Religion is taught. Lars39 Jan 2015 #68

If atheism is a religion, then barefoot is a shoe. wavesofeuphoria Jan 2015 #69

That comparison is disingenuous and idiotic. Donald Ian Rankin Jan 2015 #70

Apologists, please tell me again why I need to respect this...? n/t LadyHawkAZ Jan 2015 #76

They postponed the second public flogging of Raif Badawi today because he has not recovered from the Bluenorthwest Jan 2015 #82