ricks college welcome

[pooratheist]

hello, monday morning i heard of your bus arriving in Rexburg, Idaho. Home of Ricks college. For those of you who do not know, Ricks is a Mormon college. I expected that there would be trouble for you guys [and gals]. As expected some of you were arrested for trespassing. I feel that this is wrong. I support what you guys are doing. I too have felt discriminated against by the people of the college and surrounding area. I am not gay, or transgendered. I am [to the church] a different kind of monster. I am an atheist who live 15 miles from school grounds.
That being said, I wish to tell you all that I think what you are doing is a worthwhile cause. I think that standing up for your rights as a person is one of the things that truly makes things better.
I am just passing through this site to offer my sympathy to those arrested, to tell you all of my support, and to let you know a little secret. Just like you atheists are people too, and whats more we [atheists, and gays] are working for the same thing. Equality. I would suspect that most atheists would and do support your rights, simply because not to is the same as saying that atheists have no rights either.

this last part is an atheists advice, it comes from the heart and you can take it or leave it as you see fit. I couldnt help but notice that many of the gay community take the stand that being gay is not a choice, and many of the religious leaders of today say that it is a choice. I myself am not gay so I realy cant answer that question. However it did occur to me that it realy does not matter if it is a choice or not. here is why. If it is not a choice, then you have a strong stance with biology. If it is a choice then you have a strong stance with the constitution. [freedom of choice]. I [if I were gay or transgendered] would ,when told that being gay is a choice, agree with the narrowminded person and then point out the bill of rights to them.

once again, good luck with your tour, and may your futures bee filled with equality, and free from bigotry.

signed, Pooratheist.

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by pooratheist

. I couldnt help but notice that many of the gay community take the stand that being gay is not a choice, and many of the religious leaders of today say that it is a choice. I myself am not gay so I realy cant answer that question. However it did occur to me that it realy does not matter if it is a choice or not. here is why. If it is not a choice, then you have a strong stance with biology. If it is a choice then you have a strong stance with the constitution. [freedom of choice].
signed, Pooratheist.

Exactly.

Thanks for visiting. I hope the Riders get to see your message of support (once they have time to sit down and read.)

Thanks again.

[ladyinred]

Kewl, an atheist, yes I agree with you , you are a much maligned and misunderstood group.And yes it is true that many in the atheist community are the staunchest supporters of GLBT rights, many of them are heterosexuals. Trust me I've been on the forums where I see the blasts aimed at atheists. They are going to hell,they are evil ,anti-christ, they don't believe in God,
much of the same blah, blah, blah and contempt aimed at GLBT people. (so I know where you are coming from)

Anyway thanks for your support..

[Emproph]

We need more atheists on this forum.

Originally Posted by pooratheist

I am [to the church] a different kind of monster. I am an atheist who live 15 miles from school grounds.

Sometimes I think they dismiss people who are a-theist more than they dismiss gay people. I notice it and it's infuriating. They play the same hackneyed card, that without a belief in (a) God or the Bible, somehow you don't know that it's wrong to hurt people.

If it's any consolation, I consider people like that to be atheist generators.

I am just passing through this site to offer my sympathy to those arrested, to tell you all of my support, and to let you know a little secret. Just like you, atheists are people too, and whats more we [atheists, and gays] are working for the same thing. Equality. I would suspect that most atheists would and do support your rights, simply because not to is the same as saying that atheists have no rights either.

Well said and I agree. I wish the liberal Christian community could openly encompass your cause as well (the cause to exist of course), I think it would lend a lot of support and much needed advice.

I'm often reminded that atheists have been fighting the same exact battle (at least openly) for far longer than we GLBT's.

this last part is an atheists advice, it comes from the heart and you can take it or leave it as you see fit... I myself am not gay so I realy cant answer that question. However it did occur to me that it realy does not matter if it is a choice or not. here is why. If it is not a choice, then you have a strong stance with biology.

Done,

If it is a choice then you have a strong stance with the constitution. [freedom of choice]. I [if I were gay or transgendered] would ,when told that being gay is a choice, agree with the narrowminded person and then point out the bill of rights to them.

and done.

They're already preparing for the possibility of biological proof by explaining that it is the result of original sin, and therefore still just as much of a sin.

And the equal rights of the Constitution is their greatest hurdle yet, which is why they are also training their followers to believe there never was any separation of church and state. Ensuring that their position is seen not as anti-American, but that the Constitution (as is) is anti-God.

once again, good luck with your tour, and may your futures bee filled with equality, and free from bigotry.

God ble... I mean, love bless you, from me.

Thanks for your support.

-Patrick

[ladyinred]

Hey if it is any consolation I may not be atheist but I would often chat with people who were, and sometimes they made more sense than the other people there. What was a bummer is other people were down on them telling them they needed Jesus in their life and trying to coonvert them into Christians. I got along with them and we would chat about different things but I was not out to convert them. I even go to atheist websites and read alot of their stuff. The positive atheism website is one and they have their list of scary quotes( They poke fun at the religious right too, and show just how ridiculous they can be) So I get a few laughs there.

[Vanessa White]

I agree with what was said, that I think we need my atheists posting here, to remind me, and maybe us, that we have allies in many sectors of the human race, not just religiously based per se. I know that I am helped by being gently reminded of all of the different observations of religion/spirituality besides Christianity. It helps to hear different perspectives, yet all working toward a similar cause of equality. THanks for your contribution and hope to see more of you. Vanessa

[Daniel]

Atheist- As someone who's read both Dawkins and Harris this past year, you have my full attention. Welcome to the forum! I hope you don't just pass through- and will pull up a virtual chair and stay awhile.

Yes. Atheists are even more reviled than gay people- at least- that's been my observation.

I have a friend who grew up southern Baptist and is gay. He has found liberation in atheism- and I support him fully. It's enabled him to throw off all that has oppressed him- and that's a good thing in my book.

And from a staunch and reductive Christian point of view, I qualify as an atheist too: I'm a closet Buddhist. And Buddhists do not have a conception of an ultimate being.

[suzer1013]

Hi Poorathiest, and welcome!

The atheists I have known, and there are a few, have generally acted with more kindness and charity and, dare I say, "Christian" love than many Christians I have known. It's as if atheists can embrace the message of treating our neighbor as ourselves solely for the goodness of humankind -- without being wrapped up in layers of belief, unbelief, dogma and exclusion.

Glad that you are here, and thanks for your input and support!

Susan

[Chaska]

I live in Rexburg, and I had the opportunity to hang out with the Equality Riders when they had a picnic at the park. I found it such a blessing! Rexburg is a very closed minded place! And I am personally sick of it.

That was a bit random... I love it!