I like the way you phrased that, MTL.
But it does make me realize I need to add a disclaimer:
In case it's not obvious to all, I don't actually mean I think any atheist should show religious bigotry toward any believer in their official capacity as agents of the government. Were I an attorney, and I saw an atheist doing what she did in return, I would take the case of the theist who was harmed by the bigotry.
In another other instance besides official and/or public capacity, I do agree that we have a long list of actual grievances against the religious in this country (and far more, if you open the history books), whereas most of theirs against us are just invented slanders based mostly on the fact that they imagine we must be pretty terrible, since we don't get our morals from a book (that condones/encourages slavery and treats rape against women as a property crime against her father/husband/fiancee).
But it does make me realize I need to add a disclaimer:
In case it's not obvious to all, I don't actually mean I think any atheist should show religious bigotry toward any believer in their official capacity as agents of the government. Were I an attorney, and I saw an atheist doing what she did in return, I would take the case of the theist who was harmed by the bigotry.
In another other instance besides official and/or public capacity, I do agree that we have a long list of actual grievances against the religious in this country (and far more, if you open the history books), whereas most of theirs against us are just invented slanders based mostly on the fact that they imagine we must be pretty terrible, since we don't get our morals from a book (that condones/encourages slavery and treats rape against women as a property crime against her father/husband/fiancee).
A Christian told me: if you were saved you cant lose your salvation. you're sealed with the Holy Ghost
I replied: Can I refuse? Because I find the entire concept of vicarious blood sacrifice atonement to be morally abhorrent, the concept of holding flawed creatures permanently accountable for social misbehaviors and thought crimes to be morally abhorrent, and the concept of calling something "free" when it comes with the strings of subjugation and obedience perhaps the most morally abhorrent of all... and that's without even going into the history of justifying genocide, slavery, rape, misogyny, religious intolerance, and suppression of free speech which has been attributed by your own scriptures to your deity. I want a refund. I would burn happily rather than serve the monster you profess to love.
I replied: Can I refuse? Because I find the entire concept of vicarious blood sacrifice atonement to be morally abhorrent, the concept of holding flawed creatures permanently accountable for social misbehaviors and thought crimes to be morally abhorrent, and the concept of calling something "free" when it comes with the strings of subjugation and obedience perhaps the most morally abhorrent of all... and that's without even going into the history of justifying genocide, slavery, rape, misogyny, religious intolerance, and suppression of free speech which has been attributed by your own scriptures to your deity. I want a refund. I would burn happily rather than serve the monster you profess to love.
