Religion
In reply to the discussion: Rising atheism in America puts 'religious right on the defensive' [View all]GodlessHeathen
(6 posts)I just joined this group, essentially to talk to you humblebum. I am guessing your a vietnam vet as was my brother (ist marine division) as am I (Army Engineer). I am not a democrat or a republican. I am an atheist, that is my political party. I am a member of the National Atheist Party, we are a 512 and growing.
Let me define myself so you and I are clear at the outset. I do not deny the existance of God. I cannot prove God nor can anyone else, niether can God be disproven. I am a militant Agnostic (I do not know and niether do you although you may well believe you do) and an anti-theist. I have no problem with moderate religious people who worship as they choose. I do have issue with people who want to enforce thier religious mores on others, who want to incorporate religion into school and government, and on christian military groups who deny promotion to soldiers who won't convert.
I have been silent about my beliefs and just lived my life for 25 years. One day a couple of years ago my 18 year old son, who is interested in politics went to a new politcal groups meeting, the Tea party. They were new and he wanted to hear what they were about. Having grown up with a veteran father who is also a history buff he knew what the original Tea partiers did. They wore Mohawks to disguise themselves in case they were seen, so he did the same.
When he went into my local town hall an 80 year old, self defined "good christian" woman spat in his face. The people there surrounded him pointing, calling him "infiltrator!" and "Spy!"
For me this was "the shot heard round the world" and since then I have become a public Atheist and an outspoken one as well.
Too long have I remained silent but no longer.