Atheist hate-speech in the Washington State capitol

Apparently the capitol traditionally included a Christmas tree and a nativity scene. There has been all sorts of grumbing about that from the Left in recent years, however, so this year an atheist group was allowed to put up a sign as well. Fair enough.

What is chiefly in contention is the hate-filled content of the atheist group's sign. They sure will not create much respect for the atheist viewpoint. The sign reads: "Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."

Why insult the vast majority of the population so egregiously? Most people have some religious beliefs even if they don't go to church. And they are going to be very unimpressed to be told that they have hard hearts and enslaved minds. The atheist group could have put up many other more thoughtful and less insulting messages -- such as (say) "If God exists how come nobody can say where he is?" or "If there is a God why does he permit so much suffering?"

Committed Christians do of course have answers to challenges like that but even they do get troubled by such questions at times. And for less religious people, such questions might be decisive.

Clearly, the atheists concerned are just Leftist haters and spewing their hate against Christians is the only thing that really matters to them. They clearly have no interest in "winning friends and influencing people". But not all atheists are Leftist haters. We read:

"On Friday, some nonbelievers said they had very mixed feelings about the sign. Michael Amini, a University of Washington student and president of the Secular Student Union, says he's glad to see nonbelievers represented among the Capitol displays. But he doesn't like the sign's wording, saying it's inflammatory and divisive.

"Right now, the atheists are the least trusted minority in the United States," said Amini, who believes the foundation should spend its time and money trying to show people that atheists are "decent people, rational and sane, with legitimate world views. This sign does not send that message."

Source

Posted by John Ray. For a daily critique of Leftist activities, see DISSECTING LEFTISM. For a daily survey of Australian politics, see AUSTRALIAN POLITICS Also, don't forget your daily roundup of pro-environment but anti-Greenie news and commentary at GREENIE WATCH . Email me (John Ray) here