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I’m also an organizer for the Houston Atheists | @emilyhasbooks
Two weeks ago in an interview with Reap Paden, he asked if I get angry. Calmly, I stated that while I’m angry about a lot of issues, in conversation I find ways to make for healthy disagreements, despite frustrations. Well, if a bigot* from North Carolina engaged me in conversation right now, I’m not sure that would hold true.
The amount of lies, hate, and religious fervor spewing from ‘Amendment One‘ supporters there is vile. This referendum doesn’t even seem necessary, since gay marriage has been banned in NC since 1996, but the “religious right” felt the need to strong-arm everyone into submission anyways.
I think it sends a message to the rest of the country that marriage is between one man and one woman. The whole point is simply that you don’t rewrite the nature of God’s design based on the demands of a group of adults. -Tami Fitzgerald, Vote FOR Marriage NC
Now, I’m sure you’ve heard Republicans droning on with their mantra about “unintended consequences,” well- where are their concerns with this referendum? What of people who chose to remain unmarried, children of unmarried/gay families, health decisions, domestic violence and property rights issues? There are a lot of “unintended consequences” with this filthy referendum- and a few intended ones, too- like making life difficult for a minority that they have been “instructed by god” to hate and discriminate against.
Hey, but despite a few “minor problems” it must be the right way- I mean, even Billy Graham chimed in his support! (by running full page ads across NC newspapers) Also, since “majority rules,” that must mean that the National Organization for Marriage’s $428,000 in support of Amendment One speaks for us all. On that note, I really wish Louis Marinelli had quit NOM earlier- but I’m glad he’s reformed now.
At 93, I never thought we would have to debate the definition of marriage. The Bible is clear – God’s definition of marriage is between a man and a woman. -Billy Graham
Note the following, North Carolinians: The State’s definition of marriage does not affect the definition of marriage within your church, as the two realms are separate. It is not okay to treat people differently just because your “holy book” tells you to, and its not okay to make laws based solely on your religious preferences. When you figure that out, let’s talk. Also, your landslide 60%+ “win” doesn’t mean that “majority rules,” it means that a bunch of bigots were manipulated by big donors to head to the polls.
There’s an effort by radicals at every level to change who we are, to change what America is and to change for our children into a future that I think will be much worse. -Newt Gingrich
Keeping religion out of political policy is vital, and it protects us all- including religious groups…and when religious people begin to understand the consequences of penetrating government with religion, we’ll all be better off.
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*Bigot- I’m not arguing about this anymore. I’m not being bigoted by calling out and hammering away at actual bigots. What’s a bigot? Read this: “Bigotry is the state of mind of a “bigot”, a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one who exhibits intolerance or animosity toward members of a group.”
The central theme of the article was to encourage us to move away from bashing religion while building up the humanist movement. The part of the article that got me thinking was in the first paragraph. Dvorsky said, “I’m getting annoyed by all the anti-religious propaganda that litters my Facebook newsfeed […]. What are you hoping to achieve by posting such facile and inflammatory material?”
