The maker of the videos has received emails from religious groups telling him that they have been rallying the troops to collectively vote down his videos. Don't let him down people, he is doing this for you so spare him 2 minutes of your time and vote for his videos so that these important questions can be put to the presidential candidates.
PLEASE VOTE
While I agree completely with this premise, it's worth noting that our case would be better made if our questions made sense. You only give two alternatives in your first question: either the candidate will impose his or her religion on the people, or America is a theocracy. There's no way in there to avoid theocracy (since the salient feature of a theocracy is religion being imposed on the people). I'd much prefer for a president not to impose religion on the people, nor for America to be unofficially a theocracy.
ReplyDeleteThe same point was made on the Ricard Dawkins forum. While i agree there are probably better questions we could ask it's a start and it at least sends the message that not only are some people concerned about the link between religion and politics, But enough people agree with them to vote the video in to the top 10.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the first poster.
ReplyDeleteFirst let me say I am Christian (protestant to be exact), but I agree completely with the idea behind what you are trying to do.
The problem I see is that the questions will lead too easily to the candidates snaking their way around answering it; especially when you are using words like "impose", etc.
I will happily vote to help get this question asked (if it is truly the one you would like asked).
I find it horrible that politics and religion have become so meshed together.
If a person is truly religious--be it Christian, Muslim, etc.--then they should ask themselves if their profit would have wanted people to find their path to the religion... or have it forced upon them.
When religion meets politics and law... it becomes philosophical rape; forcing people to allow certain mentalities to enter their minds, regardless of their feelings .
That's my rant. I guess I just wanted to let you know that not all religious people are against you.
"...philosophical rape..."
ReplyDeleteWow, love it. I completely agree.
thank you so much anonymous for your rant. I completely agree. I am not an american, but I feel that many americans expect things to come too easily, and they will retire their priveledges, to be released from their responsibilities.
ReplyDelete"When religion meets politics and law... it becomes philosophical rape; forcing people to allow certain mentalities to enter their minds, regardless of their feelings."
ReplyDeleteYou make a very enlightened point and I ask you to further consider your sentence when applied to the hundreds of millions of children who are forced to believe as well.
It's not when religion meets politics when this Philosophical and Psycological rape occurs.............it happens much sooner when people take their children to sunday school where the church takes a young child's budding sense of logic and reason and crushes it with the supernatural which is based on providing no proof, AKA The concept of Faith.
We are all victims of this philosophical rape; it's only that some of us are survivors. The rest are still continueing the cycle due to the powerful effects of their own childhood brainwashing and thus they pass it on to their own children.
I say, to teach our children lies is child abuse.
This is becoming more and more a hot topic in this country. Here is another opinion poll you can pariticpate in.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.floort.com/?fid=4
With all due respect, do you actually understand what a theocracy is?
ReplyDeleteThis is an increasing hot topic the the forum of bigblackconnect.com , there are various opinions, but personnally, I agree with the first post
ReplyDeleteFirst, like everyone else said, your options in the question are stupid.
ReplyDeleteNext, please understand what God is. God is something people individualy worship, it is different, quite literally, for everyone. It is not some ghost flying around in the air telling people what to think and do. Personally, at this point in my life, I don't have a God, but that is different than saying I don't believe in God. I neither believe nor disbelieve (which is to say I believe in my dreams or disbelieve in my dreams), because I don't have one to believe in or not.
-Rob of RobWilkens.com
First let me say that I am a Christian and I believe in God. You realize that by posting this online for all the world to see you are damning yourself for all time and you will never go to heaven?
ReplyDeleteDear anonymous christian,
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly do people do in heaven? I'm curious why it is I want to go there? It's been my impression that it's just a story they tell little kids to make them behave.
-Non-theistic Rob
"With all due respect, do you actually understand what a theocracy is?" - When your president says God told him to invade Afghanistan and Iraq ... and no-one (especially in the governing circles, among the religious officials and the intellectual celebrities) cries out: "That man is totally mad!" ...?
ReplyDeleteYeah, interesting topic. It seems to me that the official, state promoted religion is "Atheism". So, I guess what goes around, comes around, eh. Soon Atheist will be the target due the consistent and unrelenting censorship. I can hardly wait!
ReplyDeleteThis is the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen.....
ReplyDeleteAn "unofficial theocracy"?????
You make it sound like there's a conspiracy going on, which simple observational skills will immediately tell you is false.
Has anyone been put in jail for not practicing religion? No. Therefore the government is not trying to rule America and impose religion on people.
You are free to do as you choose despite politics being what they are: trying to cater to the MAJORITY of people who DO practice religion.
So unless political appeasement = dictatorial religious impressment, you are being alarmist.
Have a nice day :)
First religious views effect how people act on a daily basis. A true discussion of morality will eventually lead to a discussion God, if you are a religious person. To ask a presidential candidate to ignore his own beliefs on good and evil, right and wrong, would be ignorant of how these ideas originally formed.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe you should force your religious views upon others, but you can't ask someone to not to look to their God for answers from time to time.
When Law and religion come together we establish that it is not man who has defined what is good or lawful but some higher source, not some sort of "theological" raping.
So the questions are
1. Will you impose your religion on others?
2. Is America a unofficial theocracy?
3. What will you do for the 30 million non religious voters?
Yeah thats three questions your first one was really two questions loaded with the answers you wanted.
The candidates answer (my guess :))
1.No absolutely not
2. I don't believe that in America there is any federal agency that forces religion on anyone (or some other BullSh**), so no America is not a theocracy.
3. Changes from health care, SS, the War etc...
Anonymous wrote:
ReplyDelete"It's not when religion meets politics when this Philosophical and Psycological rape occurs.............it happens much sooner when people take their children to sunday school where the church takes a young child's budding sense of logic and reason and crushes it with the supernatural which is based on providing no proof, AKA The concept of Faith.
We are all victims of this philosophical rape; it's only that some of us are survivors. The rest are still continueing the cycle due to the powerful effects of their own childhood brainwashing and thus they pass it on to their own children.
I say, to teach our children lies is child abuse.'
Hmmm? Biased much towards your worldview? So to be totally "objective" with the raising of children we should allow them to decide what is right and wrong for themselves? I am sure you'll say yes at this point, but what if little Tommy thinks that killing little cats and dogs is ok, WHO ARE WE TO TELL HIM ITS Wrong ACCORDING TO YOUR WORLDVIEW?
Maybe we should just stick our children in sensory depravation vats until they're 18 and hope for the best.
As a Christian, I think the greater problem is the state, itself. All Americans have lost the right to believe as they wish, or not believe, secondary to the massive intrusion of government in our lives. The "religious right" or the those with a "homosexual agenda" should not be able to dictate to the masses what shall be law. What right does the government have to grant who may be "married" or not? (George Washington didn't have a marriage license.) As with marriage, we have given over to the government the right to run our lives, from the public schools (i.e., indoctrination camps) to Social Security and an tax system that takes almost one half of our money. I would suggest that one should fear populist democracy more than anything, for it is glorified mob rule. I am not suggesting that people's moral beliefs (be they based upon religion, or otherwise) will not influence law, but that our law must be minimized to that which preserves liberty. All men should be free to own themselves and their property, completely. As a Christian, I detest the attempts by some Christians to use the government as a tool to shape society in their image and it is clearly un-Biblical. Indeed, the use of government by groups is what makes the state, and democracy, the greatest threat to life and liberty. Atheist or religious person, alike, we all should remove our children from the public school and raise them to be able to think for themselves. I would conclude by stating that America is indeed a theocracy because we have made politics a god.
ReplyDeletewhat you stated in this story is absolutely right. It was worth reading. thanks.
ReplyDeleteAngelina Mina
http://www.happy-funtime.blogspot.com
To anonymous who wrote that we are all victims of psychological rape, and to all others who think like him/her, when parents teach their children religion, it is, usually, not to force religion onto them. The parents are doing what they think is best for the child. A child cannot make decisions, like religion, for themselves. They are influenced by their parents. I was raised Catholic, but it was never forced upon me. My parents gave me ample opportunities to leave. I never felt pressured to stay Catholic.
ReplyDeleteA parent's job is to protect their child. If they think brining them to Church in order to teach good morals is a way to protect them, so be it. They are not harming anyone. Also, to be 'completely objective' is a terrible idea. When you see your child about to touch a hot stove, you stop them. Why? because you don't want them to be hurt. That's subjective.
Being a parent is being subjective. If you are an objective parent you don't take an active part in your child's life, which is wrong and could seriously mess up a child
The issue I have with this line of questioning, is that it gives the impression that any decision made under the counsel of God is to be completely disregarded. That is the underlying issue you want to get at isn't it? You don't want any person to take office that has strong religious beliefs, or believes in God, because those beliefs will conflict your atheism. Or, if someone does proclaim to be Christian, you don't want them to impose those beliefs on others by they way they vote on issues like same-sex marriage and abortion. Do you understand how naive that is in a democracy? If you feel that way, then simply get the word out, and swing others to "vote your way".
ReplyDeleteYet, to believe we are in a theocracy simply because the president votes based upon his faith is ludicrous. How about asking an intelligent question instead, like, "How will your (xyz) religion affect your vote on (xyz) issue?" Allow them to answer honestly, and then vote how you please. However, to say that no president should "force his beliefs" on the public is laughable. The truth is, the majority, who obviously have some belief in a higher power, voted him into office. When that majority decides it is time to vote into office an agnostic or atheist, I will accept that as a part of our system. I might try to bring attention to issues in line with my Christian beliefs, and vote next term for a candidate who is not an atheist, but that is my right as an American citizen.
I also think a question that speaks to atheism should be carefully worded. Suggesting that a candidate should simply know what all atheists desire in a government is also immature. Ask questions that are extremely specific regarding issues that are personal, but to simply ask what a candidate will do to meet the needs of atheists sounds hostile in nature.
I'm an atheist and I'd vote for the videos if the guy in the videos didn't seem like a jackass. Perhaps if he didn't make jabs at "George", wasn't a sarcastic schmuck and actually asked his questions in a professional manner, people would take him seriously.
ReplyDeleteNick said...
ReplyDeleteHmmm? Biased much towards your worldview? So to be totally "objective" with the raising of children we should allow them to decide what is right and wrong for themselves? I am sure you'll say yes at this point, but what if little Tommy thinks that killing little cats and dogs is ok, WHO ARE WE TO TELL HIM ITS Wrong ACCORDING TO YOUR WORLDVIEW?
Maybe we should just stick our children in sensory depravation vats until they're 18 and hope for the best.
First off, everyones view is biased, that is why we are who we are. To be baise is to have an opinion, and to have an opinion is to be alive. And yes, we should let our children decide what is wright and wrong, we should also teach them consiquences other than, "you will go to hell" If a child believes killing a cat or dog is good, then they dont need church, they -needed- a better parent and/or psychiatric help. I get so tired of hearing about free will when evidently we dont have it until we are 18. besides wtfu with free will. I dont think its free will when if you dont do what one mind wants you too then you suffer eternaly, sounds more like a douchbag with to much power giving you an alta-madum
Again, let us see through the fog that this question throws at us. Liberty is the answer. Were it not for a cancerous government that has far exceeded any constitutional restraints, we might not be needing to discuss this. I am a devout, reformed Christian, as were many of our founding fathers. As such, I despise any government which would presume which set of beliefs that we must adhere to, be they religious or anti-religion. If a society cannot restrict its government to issues of liberty then liberty will be lost. So is the situation, today. I would appeal to the atheists on this board to please consider that there are Christians who do not see the role of government as religious. As a Christian, I am repulsed that so many Christians support war in the Middle East and seem to have only three issues that consume them: abortion, homosexuality and, less so, prayer in school. The Christian "church" in America is sadly anemic and uneducated in the truths of the Bible. Were they adherents to the teachings of Christ, they would know that government is not a tool for Christians, and war is an evil that must be avoided at all costs and only entered when it is a last resort, and then, only morally.
ReplyDeleteThe problem in this nation is not religion versus atheism . . the problem is an oppressive government that seeks to tell us all what to think. Just consider the 'hate crimes" legislation movement. Is murder made worse when discrimination is involved? Of course not. Murder is a horrible crime in any form .
As a former atheist, I appeal to all of you to stay the course of liberty and personal freedom. Many of our forefathers were Christians; others weren't. Yet they established a nation of liberty. To Christians, I appeal to you to consider your sin--making a god of government and turning to it for your answers in spite of Biblical teachings that our enemies are spiritual (not of this world) and that our weapons are not of this world.
The evil man seeks to foist and force his beliefs upon others, regardless of what they may be or not be. Whatever colors that man wears, be they "christian", "muslim', "secular, or "atheist", let us not allow him to use them to bludgeon his fellow man.
NO MATCH FOUND for "lunch4lyfe"
ReplyDeleteThe 2 video's appear to be down. Also, a search on the 10questions.com website shows ZERO results for videos with the word "religion"... WTF!
"As president will you impose your religion on people, Or is America unofficially a theocracy?"
ReplyDeleteThis question means:
"As president will you impose your religion on people? In other words, is America unofficially a theocracy?"
You retards.
If onli u cud spel. Officialy that is.
ReplyDeleteHow many "openly" atheist office holders are there in the US? How many anti-choice laws are there? What about the obscenity Colorado is try to foist on its citizens with their nonsensence with the legal rights of the fertilized egg? Since 1/2 of all fertilized eggs are rinsed out with normal menstrual flow, that would make all sexually females to be murderers if they have their menstrual flow.
ReplyDeleteOf course there's a theocracy.
I didn't know Atheists had an official position on 'pro-choice' versus 'anti-choice'. I suppose if I'm "anti-choice" as you call it, I can't be an atheist and I have to believe in some God, eh? Interesting twist.
ReplyDelete"First let me say that I am a Christian and I believe in God. You realize that by posting this online for all the world to see you are damning yourself for all time and you will never go to heaven?"
ReplyDeleteOK I am a christian too and I just wanted to tell whoever this message was for that posting something on a website is not going to damn you forever.. that is ridiculous and completely against anything Jesus would have taught. No one has the right to tell you whether or not you're going to heaven. (even if you dont want to)