What Perkins advocates is known as the "tyranny of the majority" but in our democracy the rights of the minority are protected. See women's suffrage and the civil rights act, just to name a couple.
In the 80s I went to a small rural high school and there was once a manditory viewing in the auditorium of a film on The Rapture, today that would be unheard of, as it should be. That school was abt 99% Christian and believe me there were no free thinkers. The Christians were bullies and if you even thought of questioning them you just kept your mouth shut. The librarian use to censure our books with a black marker. This is not where I would ever allow my child to go to school.
I'm an atheist but this type of crap coming from other atheists is fucked up and totally unnecessary. What the fuck do you care if other kids choose to pray in school? This had nothing to do with government and as the pastor said it was not school sanctioned nor mandatory. If it were school sanctioned then I'd be upset as an atheist but it looks like Barker got his facts wrong about the situation before filing his complaint.
@VitalSigns1 I think the point is that the principle is promoting his personal religion as a government employee. If a Muslim principle were to promote his religion then Christians would be outraged.
Tony Perkins and all his Liars for Jesus want to poison America with the God Virus, corrupt the minds of children with the worst book of fiction ever written, the Holy Bible. That book of slaughter and debauchery should be classified Horror/Fiction. NOT SUITABLE FOR UNDER 18.
This was so not a big deal. A principle INVITED (not forced) a group of people to pray for that school on a WEEKEND. SO WHAT? We had "meet you at the pole" days at our high school where students would get together to pray for our country. I think Dan Barker should stop wasting his time with praying principles and should work on preventing real crimes in the name of religion instead. ie: terrorism, wife beating, murderous cults, etc.
@XugaXuga88 Instead of wasting your time with writing comments on YouTube, why don't YOU work on preventing "terrorism, wife beating, murderous cults, etc." I'm sure Dan Barker is against those crimes. AND I'm sure you're against them too! However, keeping our government out of religion (and vice versa) is not a waste of time for FFRF or any other American organization.
Unlike you, I actually am involved in various organizations that work on preventing those crimes. Most people of faith do believe in separation of church and state. But it is entirely possible to become too extreme on either side of this issue. Just as many countries get too extreme in their religiousty (ie: the middle east), some countries take political correctness and suppressing religion in public places way too far. A group of volunteers praying for a school is not worth a lawsuit.
@indignant99 Maybe you should "get involved" with remedial debate tactics. Because you can't attack the logic, you're attacking the person. I think I did that in high school.
Also, we do not have the right of protection from offense. Just because I take offense at a comment, belief, lifestyle, form of expression, etc., I do not have any right or authority to infringe upon that expression. This is well-established legally, and it must be applied equally to all sides in any argument. Keep this in mind when you are taking sides on this issue - just because you "don't like" something, doesn't mean the government is required to stop it. You may have to get over it...
Non-belief and belief are both 'belief systems'. The government is supposed to be prohibited from establishing one form of belief over another; it neither has the power to 'allow' nor to 'prohibit' the free exercise of either - including among it's employees, who are also citizens and have the same rights. In addition, the government has a similar prohibition from taking sides on the argument relative to free speech - as long as speech is neither libelous nor causes harm, it cannot take sides.
Thank you God that you are my Friend in the sky and in my heart. I stand behind Principal Sparkman, this is the only way to begin a day, a week and a school year. As the previous poster said, there is hope for even the most lost. I hope you will not wait until it is too late.
I will take my beliefs any day over what you seem to think is real and not real. I am thankful that no one else is responsible for me, that I have free will to choose the decisions I make and that is Jesus Christ, my Savior.
@squatty55 Good for you. Imaginary friend, or not, you have every right to love jesus. Just don't expect the rest of us to think you are anything but crazy, nor expect the gov't to promote your imaginary friend.
There are tons of people who hate what they don't understand. Consider Saul, who was a hater until he became an advocate for Jesus Christ. Yes Dan, considering what my Lord did for Saul, there is hope for you too. I'll include you in my prayers to my Friend in the sky.
@ChickinDaddy Your prayers are useless, or do you stick pins in a voodoo doll as prayer? Maybe those prayers work. No one is asking that you stop practicing your faith, as the liar perkins suggested. Just don't use the gov't to promote it.
Why the hell would you have these two guys on to debate an issue like this and then give them 3 fucking minutes in which to do it? What's the point? There's barely enough time to even explain what the issue is, let alone discuss it in a meaningful way.
I'm an atheist and I agree with Dan, but for god's sake, why can't people speaking on behalf of atheist groups just stick to the separation of church and state thing without antagonizing religious people?! We'd get a lot further if we'd stop using terms like "imaginary friend" and "magical sky daddy." We are equal in our freedom from/of religion and I, for one, do not give two shits if someone wants to believe in god.
@ltgnerd Same place as "Son of a bitch!". No one really believes that someone had a female dog for a mother. It is just something young people grew up hearing and started using. Same with "Hot as hell" and kin. It is actually hard to stop once it becomes integrated into your vocabulary. That is really the reason why the principal wants the prayers in the first place. "Get them young," indoctrination is, by far, the most successful way of building your religious/political/sports fans ranks.
@animegirl12182 Actually, I *LOVE* that Dan Barker came out so strong right from the start. The gods are imaginary friends, and we should avoid considering it taboo to call them as such. If I believed I was speaking to the spirit of Elvis Presley, and wanted to base your laws on my delusions, you would tell me it was just an imaginary friend. Avoiding giving religious delusions a free pass is part of "breaking the spell" that religions have over so many people (even over many atheists).
@online4videos Except that what he said shuts people out. It doesn't matter whether or not he thinks that gods are imaginary friends. It was completely irrelevant to the case. If he were speaking just for himself, that's one thing, but he is representing a group of people and his comment about gods being imaginary is unprofessional. I want very much for atheists to protect the separation of church and state, but at the same time, I can accept I have the same rights as theists.
@online4videos And on a side note, you aren't convincing anyone to not be Christian by saying that their god is an imaginary friend. In fact, you're doing quite the opposite. If an atheist claims to have been swayed by that statement, they were already atheist, whether they admit it or not. It's the same situation when Christians claim to have been atheist but were born again because they found Jesus suddenly. No, they weren't.
The vast majority of believers will *never* be swayed. Breaking down the taboo against mocking religion makes it all the more likely that the *next* generation will be less religious. And the one after that, and so on.
@jursamaj While I agree that most true believers will never be swayed, the reputation we have because of comments like that keep some people from ever admitting they are atheist. I've had friends tell me that themselves. There's also the issue of shutting out theists who actually agree with us. What's the point of that? Some Christians are very socially progressive and want secular government. It does us no good to shut them out since they're our allies in cases like these.
Your friends are incoherent. If the only reason they won't admit (publicly) they are atheists is because of the reputation, they are still atheists, and they've admitted it (to you). Atheists *already* have a reputation as immoral beasts, merely for saying they don't believe. How can it get worse? Being polite about it never convinced anybody either.
@jursamaj It's not a matter of them being atheist, it's that they don't want to be associated with assholery. There's a big difference in being pro-atheist or pro-secularism and being anti-Christian. We'll get a lot more done if we put our energy and focus into promoting secularism than in taking cheap shots at religion. This whole "well, they aren't nice, so why should we be" stuff is childish. We should be better than them, not just like them.
Pro-secularism is automatically anti-Christian. That's unavoidable.
And how is it a "cheap shot" to point out the truth: that gods *are* imaginary friends.
In any case, did women and blacks get their rights by sitting quietly and politely? No, they had to stand up, and be loud and defiant, and many had to go to jail. Nobody has ever overcome the status quo without ruffling a lot of feathers.
@animegirl12182 I agree with you that Dan Barker probably isn't convincing anyone to not be Christian by saying their god is an imaginary friend. BUT... he is removing that the TABOO by which we calmly, openly call delusions as being delusions. There are MANY folks who are on the fence. I was for decades. Once I heard open-atheists blatantly point out the insanity of it all, I gave myself permission to consider whether it was all fairy tales. Reality just needs a crack to slip in and take hold.
@online4videos My problem with it is that he was talking about a lawsuit and instead of sticking to the case, he said something that was both unprofessional and unnecessary. It's not what he said, but where he said it. It's the same situation with the president of American Atheists talking about the WTC cross. Instead of sticking to the issue of separation of church and state, he said something completely unnecessary that, in the end, hurts our cause more than helps it.
@animegirl12182 Well, I guess we agree that gods are make-believe, but disagree about whether to candidly, openly, publicly say that gods are make-believe. I think that I understand your point: that it's best to focus JUST on church/state violations, or human rights violations, or whatever other harm religions are causing, and seek to limit those harms. But I think that a good strategy is to point out that their is no logical basis for the religions in the first place. We differ. Peace.
@ksthebest - Not surprised at all... actually a big fan of Dan's for many years. I've heard of Perkins but never seen him before, not had I ever listened to anything he had to say. I try not to pre-judge anyone and was just calling out that Perkins was rude....
Dan is absolutely correct.. If it had been an Islamic prayer, wow, the Christians would have been all over this principle to not only stop, but leave his post, sell his house, and get out the vicinity immediately!
They should avoid public prayer on school property, not only on Constitutional grounds, but out of respect for any Christians who still respect that Jesus taught to pray in private. Matthew 6
Dan Barker was awesome as always, telling it like it is. As for Perkins, why in the world does Fox News give his hate group a soapbox on national TV?? The Family Research Council is listed by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a hate group for their leadership's position that gays and lesbians should be imprisoned for their sexual orientation. Shame on Fox for helping to propagate this right wing hate!!
@LotsaPixels Fox News is a jewel in the crown of Rupert Murdoch. His entire empire is built for the purpose of spreading right-wing hate. Just look at his front line goons on Fox: O'Rielly, Hanity, Beck, Palin, and the occasional dose of Ann Coulter. Quite a quagmire of corpse-temperature IQs and intellect there. His worldwide holdings in Australia, Europe & Asia have like track records. The real surprise here is that Barker got to speak his piece without being ganged up on.
Yes, they must check their faith at the door of public service. We have too many theocrats in office now as it is, and they make our laws. If Tony says public service allows faith and pushing back will make them bolder, well Tony, what do you think legislating from the pulpit will do? It will make the non-theists bolder too.
I think that if this principal wants to hold some kind of prayer meeting with students that want to participate, then he needs to do it off of school property, off of school time, and as a private citizen. It's not appropriate to hold it on school grounds. As usual, the christian was the first to get upset and start interrupting. I love the way Dan keeps his cool and always cuts right to the chase.
Tony Perkins also lied about children not being present. I watched the news coverage of this event on WLOX & live in the Pascagoula School district. It's very alienating to anyone who isn't a christian. Kids have enough to deal with without adults openly advocating tribalism.
Thanks Dan for articulating what so many of us believe. America is a secular nation with religious freedom for all. As private citizens we are free to practice whatever faith we follow without interference by the government. Likewise, the government, in this case the government run schools have no right to endorse or support religious practices. This is clear in the interpretations of the Establishment clause of the Constitution since the founding of the country. Bravo Dan.
Why is it Christians are unable to have empathy for others. Even when they admit that they would have issues if a Muslim or Atheist had done this. Tony continues to hold his position.
Can we please just have a little bit of intellectual honesty when it comes to empathy for others from the religious?
"Fair and balanced debate", where the moderator is expounding on the efficacy and "power of prayer" and does nothing to diffuse what the Xtian says...whatevs Fox.
I guess this is one reason why conservatives want to get rid of public schools. They want more control over how they brainwash the children into being unthinking wage slaves. Religion makes it so much easier to manufacture people's perceptions for them. If there were no religion, we never would have had to go through George W Bush Tyranny.
It is pretty clear who is in favor of individual freedom and who is anti-american and trying to assert the right to marginalize citizens who choose to be free of superstition.
I love how Perkins outright lies about how prayer is handled in public schools right after Barker lists the court cases that outlawed prayer in public schools. I'm surprised Fox had Barker on there but I'm glad he showed why FFRF has a case and why the school in Mississippi violated the Constitution.
@MRMikeStrummer85 Perkins is just another Faux News liar, and you are right; can't believe Fox put Barker on as that IS being truly fair and balanced which they usually are not. Maybe the chopping block is in their sights for News Corp and they are starting to try to clean up their propaganda act and make it a real news network before murdoch gets the axe, and them along with him.
Interesting how Tony Perkins, the supposed christian, is the ignorant one who begins interrupting. Barker comes off as the calm and reasonable one here.
What's the average IQ of the citizens of Mississippi? About 40?
thegreatatheismo 1 month ago
What Perkins advocates is known as the "tyranny of the majority" but in our democracy the rights of the minority are protected. See women's suffrage and the civil rights act, just to name a couple.
jackie111078 1 month ago
I guess his Christianity didn't teach him correct etiquette to allow the other person to speak. I hate the stupid Tony Perkins bigot.
Fishqueen1972 2 months ago
In the 80s I went to a small rural high school and there was once a manditory viewing in the auditorium of a film on The Rapture, today that would be unheard of, as it should be. That school was abt 99% Christian and believe me there were no free thinkers. The Christians were bullies and if you even thought of questioning them you just kept your mouth shut. The librarian use to censure our books with a black marker. This is not where I would ever allow my child to go to school.
Roxxy52266 2 months ago
I'm an atheist but this type of crap coming from other atheists is fucked up and totally unnecessary. What the fuck do you care if other kids choose to pray in school? This had nothing to do with government and as the pastor said it was not school sanctioned nor mandatory. If it were school sanctioned then I'd be upset as an atheist but it looks like Barker got his facts wrong about the situation before filing his complaint.
VitalSigns1 4 months ago
@VitalSigns1 I think the point is that the principle is promoting his personal religion as a government employee. If a Muslim principle were to promote his religion then Christians would be outraged.
Fishqueen1972 2 months ago
This is the intellectual equivalent of a fistfight between Mike Tyson and a toddler.
mikedamat 5 months ago
Tony Perkins and all his Liars for Jesus want to poison America with the God Virus, corrupt the minds of children with the worst book of fiction ever written, the Holy Bible. That book of slaughter and debauchery should be classified Horror/Fiction. NOT SUITABLE FOR UNDER 18.
YMNTWTANKH 5 months ago
This was so not a big deal. A principle INVITED (not forced) a group of people to pray for that school on a WEEKEND. SO WHAT? We had "meet you at the pole" days at our high school where students would get together to pray for our country. I think Dan Barker should stop wasting his time with praying principles and should work on preventing real crimes in the name of religion instead. ie: terrorism, wife beating, murderous cults, etc.
XugaXuga88 6 months ago
@XugaXuga88 Instead of wasting your time with writing comments on YouTube, why don't YOU work on preventing "terrorism, wife beating, murderous cults, etc." I'm sure Dan Barker is against those crimes. AND I'm sure you're against them too! However, keeping our government out of religion (and vice versa) is not a waste of time for FFRF or any other American organization.
smedleylt 5 months ago
Unlike you, I actually am involved in various organizations that work on preventing those crimes. Most people of faith do believe in separation of church and state. But it is entirely possible to become too extreme on either side of this issue. Just as many countries get too extreme in their religiousty (ie: the middle east), some countries take political correctness and suppressing religion in public places way too far. A group of volunteers praying for a school is not worth a lawsuit.
XugaXuga88 5 months ago
@XugaXuga88 How about you "get involved" with remedial spelling? PRINCIPAL. RELIGIOSITY.
indignant99 4 months ago
@indignant99 Maybe you should "get involved" with remedial debate tactics. Because you can't attack the logic, you're attacking the person. I think I did that in high school.
XugaXuga88 3 months ago
Are they *still* using the "Fair and Balanced" slogan over at FAUX? It's such an hilarious Orwellian running gag.
OolTube02 6 months ago 4
Also, we do not have the right of protection from offense. Just because I take offense at a comment, belief, lifestyle, form of expression, etc., I do not have any right or authority to infringe upon that expression. This is well-established legally, and it must be applied equally to all sides in any argument. Keep this in mind when you are taking sides on this issue - just because you "don't like" something, doesn't mean the government is required to stop it. You may have to get over it...
acuny 6 months ago
Non-belief and belief are both 'belief systems'. The government is supposed to be prohibited from establishing one form of belief over another; it neither has the power to 'allow' nor to 'prohibit' the free exercise of either - including among it's employees, who are also citizens and have the same rights. In addition, the government has a similar prohibition from taking sides on the argument relative to free speech - as long as speech is neither libelous nor causes harm, it cannot take sides.
acuny 6 months ago
Barker IS the reasonable one, here. Reason will prevail over superstition. Thanks to ffrf.
dfree2008 6 months ago
Thank you God that you are my Friend in the sky and in my heart. I stand behind Principal Sparkman, this is the only way to begin a day, a week and a school year. As the previous poster said, there is hope for even the most lost. I hope you will not wait until it is too late.
squatty55 6 months ago
@squatty55 Sparkman only demonstrates that this country still has a long way to go to get out from under the voodoo you think is real.
dfree2008 6 months ago 2
@dfree2008
I will take my beliefs any day over what you seem to think is real and not real. I am thankful that no one else is responsible for me, that I have free will to choose the decisions I make and that is Jesus Christ, my Savior.
squatty55 6 months ago
@squatty55 Good for you. Imaginary friend, or not, you have every right to love jesus. Just don't expect the rest of us to think you are anything but crazy, nor expect the gov't to promote your imaginary friend.
dfree2008 6 months ago
There are tons of people who hate what they don't understand. Consider Saul, who was a hater until he became an advocate for Jesus Christ. Yes Dan, considering what my Lord did for Saul, there is hope for you too. I'll include you in my prayers to my Friend in the sky.
ChickinDaddy 6 months ago
@ChickinDaddy Your prayers are useless, or do you stick pins in a voodoo doll as prayer? Maybe those prayers work. No one is asking that you stop practicing your faith, as the liar perkins suggested. Just don't use the gov't to promote it.
dfree2008 6 months ago 2
@ChickinDaddy What a dumb ass! Saul is just as FICTIONAL as jesus. No "authority" there!
indignant99 4 months ago
Why the hell would you have these two guys on to debate an issue like this and then give them 3 fucking minutes in which to do it? What's the point? There's barely enough time to even explain what the issue is, let alone discuss it in a meaningful way.
doctorphantasm 6 months ago
Wow, but Perkins is a smug, arrogant bastard.
FreePlay 6 months ago
I'm an atheist and I agree with Dan, but for god's sake, why can't people speaking on behalf of atheist groups just stick to the separation of church and state thing without antagonizing religious people?! We'd get a lot further if we'd stop using terms like "imaginary friend" and "magical sky daddy." We are equal in our freedom from/of religion and I, for one, do not give two shits if someone wants to believe in god.
animegirl12182 6 months ago
@animegirl12182 if you're an atheist, then please explain the use of "for god's sake"
ltgnerd 6 months ago
@ltgnerd Same place as "Son of a bitch!". No one really believes that someone had a female dog for a mother. It is just something young people grew up hearing and started using. Same with "Hot as hell" and kin. It is actually hard to stop once it becomes integrated into your vocabulary. That is really the reason why the principal wants the prayers in the first place. "Get them young," indoctrination is, by far, the most successful way of building your religious/political/sports fans ranks.
Utmoon 6 months ago 3
@ltgnerd It's called colloquial language. It's a saying. If using the word "god" is all it takes to make one a theist, then we're all in trouble.
animegirl12182 6 months ago
@animegirl12182 Actually, I *LOVE* that Dan Barker came out so strong right from the start. The gods are imaginary friends, and we should avoid considering it taboo to call them as such. If I believed I was speaking to the spirit of Elvis Presley, and wanted to base your laws on my delusions, you would tell me it was just an imaginary friend. Avoiding giving religious delusions a free pass is part of "breaking the spell" that religions have over so many people (even over many atheists).
online4videos 6 months ago
@online4videos Except that what he said shuts people out. It doesn't matter whether or not he thinks that gods are imaginary friends. It was completely irrelevant to the case. If he were speaking just for himself, that's one thing, but he is representing a group of people and his comment about gods being imaginary is unprofessional. I want very much for atheists to protect the separation of church and state, but at the same time, I can accept I have the same rights as theists.
animegirl12182 6 months ago
@animegirl12182
Of course, pretty much every theist insists that 99.99%+ of gods *are* imaginary friends... just not *their* god/gods. :P
jursamaj 6 months ago
@animegirl12182 Speak for yourself. I LOVE the insulting terms and insulting tone. I want a shitload more of it.
indignant99 4 months ago
@indignant99 Well, then, congratulations on being part of the problem and hindering any progress that will actually benefit you.
animegirl12182 4 months ago
@online4videos And on a side note, you aren't convincing anyone to not be Christian by saying that their god is an imaginary friend. In fact, you're doing quite the opposite. If an atheist claims to have been swayed by that statement, they were already atheist, whether they admit it or not. It's the same situation when Christians claim to have been atheist but were born again because they found Jesus suddenly. No, they weren't.
animegirl12182 6 months ago
@animegirl12182
The vast majority of believers will *never* be swayed. Breaking down the taboo against mocking religion makes it all the more likely that the *next* generation will be less religious. And the one after that, and so on.
jursamaj 6 months ago
@jursamaj While I agree that most true believers will never be swayed, the reputation we have because of comments like that keep some people from ever admitting they are atheist. I've had friends tell me that themselves. There's also the issue of shutting out theists who actually agree with us. What's the point of that? Some Christians are very socially progressive and want secular government. It does us no good to shut them out since they're our allies in cases like these.
animegirl12182 6 months ago
@animegirl12182
Your friends are incoherent. If the only reason they won't admit (publicly) they are atheists is because of the reputation, they are still atheists, and they've admitted it (to you). Atheists *already* have a reputation as immoral beasts, merely for saying they don't believe. How can it get worse? Being polite about it never convinced anybody either.
jursamaj 6 months ago
@jursamaj It's not a matter of them being atheist, it's that they don't want to be associated with assholery. There's a big difference in being pro-atheist or pro-secularism and being anti-Christian. We'll get a lot more done if we put our energy and focus into promoting secularism than in taking cheap shots at religion. This whole "well, they aren't nice, so why should we be" stuff is childish. We should be better than them, not just like them.
animegirl12182 6 months ago
@animegirl12182
Pro-secularism is automatically anti-Christian. That's unavoidable.
And how is it a "cheap shot" to point out the truth: that gods *are* imaginary friends.
In any case, did women and blacks get their rights by sitting quietly and politely? No, they had to stand up, and be loud and defiant, and many had to go to jail. Nobody has ever overcome the status quo without ruffling a lot of feathers.
jursamaj 6 months ago
@animegirl12182 I agree with you that Dan Barker probably isn't convincing anyone to not be Christian by saying their god is an imaginary friend. BUT... he is removing that the TABOO by which we calmly, openly call delusions as being delusions. There are MANY folks who are on the fence. I was for decades. Once I heard open-atheists blatantly point out the insanity of it all, I gave myself permission to consider whether it was all fairy tales. Reality just needs a crack to slip in and take hold.
online4videos 6 months ago
@online4videos My problem with it is that he was talking about a lawsuit and instead of sticking to the case, he said something that was both unprofessional and unnecessary. It's not what he said, but where he said it. It's the same situation with the president of American Atheists talking about the WTC cross. Instead of sticking to the issue of separation of church and state, he said something completely unnecessary that, in the end, hurts our cause more than helps it.
animegirl12182 6 months ago
@animegirl12182 Well, I guess we agree that gods are make-believe, but disagree about whether to candidly, openly, publicly say that gods are make-believe. I think that I understand your point: that it's best to focus JUST on church/state violations, or human rights violations, or whatever other harm religions are causing, and seek to limit those harms. But I think that a good strategy is to point out that their is no logical basis for the religions in the first place. We differ. Peace.
online4videos 6 months ago
@ksthebest - Not surprised at all... actually a big fan of Dan's for many years. I've heard of Perkins but never seen him before, not had I ever listened to anything he had to say. I try not to pre-judge anyone and was just calling out that Perkins was rude....
craigsmullins 6 months ago
Great job as usual, Dan!
NickInDetroit 6 months ago
Dan is absolutely correct.. If it had been an Islamic prayer, wow, the Christians would have been all over this principle to not only stop, but leave his post, sell his house, and get out the vicinity immediately!
djdougdj 6 months ago 2
@djdougdj Yep, and the atheists would not care.
XugaXuga88 4 months ago
They should avoid public prayer on school property, not only on Constitutional grounds, but out of respect for any Christians who still respect that Jesus taught to pray in private. Matthew 6
1940ruth 6 months ago
Dan Barker was awesome as always, telling it like it is. As for Perkins, why in the world does Fox News give his hate group a soapbox on national TV?? The Family Research Council is listed by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a hate group for their leadership's position that gays and lesbians should be imprisoned for their sexual orientation. Shame on Fox for helping to propagate this right wing hate!!
LotsaPixels 6 months ago
@LotsaPixels Fox News is a jewel in the crown of Rupert Murdoch. His entire empire is built for the purpose of spreading right-wing hate. Just look at his front line goons on Fox: O'Rielly, Hanity, Beck, Palin, and the occasional dose of Ann Coulter. Quite a quagmire of corpse-temperature IQs and intellect there. His worldwide holdings in Australia, Europe & Asia have like track records. The real surprise here is that Barker got to speak his piece without being ganged up on.
NickInDetroit 6 months ago
Yes, they must check their faith at the door of public service. We have too many theocrats in office now as it is, and they make our laws. If Tony says public service allows faith and pushing back will make them bolder, well Tony, what do you think legislating from the pulpit will do? It will make the non-theists bolder too.
voyzovrezon 6 months ago
I think that if this principal wants to hold some kind of prayer meeting with students that want to participate, then he needs to do it off of school property, off of school time, and as a private citizen. It's not appropriate to hold it on school grounds. As usual, the christian was the first to get upset and start interrupting. I love the way Dan keeps his cool and always cuts right to the chase.
sabinaewbank 6 months ago
"you don't understand, tony."
priceless!
hiruc 6 months ago
Great job Dan. Always a pleasure to watch you cut to the facts.
DonkeySlammer 6 months ago
Tony Perkins also lied about children not being present. I watched the news coverage of this event on WLOX & live in the Pascagoula School district. It's very alienating to anyone who isn't a christian. Kids have enough to deal with without adults openly advocating tribalism.
beauxj82 6 months ago
Thanks Dan for articulating what so many of us believe. America is a secular nation with religious freedom for all. As private citizens we are free to practice whatever faith we follow without interference by the government. Likewise, the government, in this case the government run schools have no right to endorse or support religious practices. This is clear in the interpretations of the Establishment clause of the Constitution since the founding of the country. Bravo Dan.
richardvanmetter 6 months ago 7
Why is it Christians are unable to have empathy for others. Even when they admit that they would have issues if a Muslim or Atheist had done this. Tony continues to hold his position.
Can we please just have a little bit of intellectual honesty when it comes to empathy for others from the religious?
gamotter 6 months ago 7
"Fair and balanced debate", where the moderator is expounding on the efficacy and "power of prayer" and does nothing to diffuse what the Xtian says...whatevs Fox.
aaronaurzada 6 months ago 3
tony perkins believes the US is a christian theocracy.
420simpson 6 months ago 4
Every time I see Dan Barker I want to give him a big kiss. I love the man. "People are allowed to have their imaginary man in the sky." I love it.
sambricky 6 months ago 4
I am glad that Dan got in the last word--that this is a secular nation
TheKilgoretrout 6 months ago 2
am glad that Dan got in the last word, that this is a secular nation
TheKilgoretrout 6 months ago 2
I guess this is one reason why conservatives want to get rid of public schools. They want more control over how they brainwash the children into being unthinking wage slaves. Religion makes it so much easier to manufacture people's perceptions for them. If there were no religion, we never would have had to go through George W Bush Tyranny.
noxidereus 6 months ago 3
It is pretty clear who is in favor of individual freedom and who is anti-american and trying to assert the right to marginalize citizens who choose to be free of superstition.
ullrichfischer 6 months ago 4
I love how Perkins outright lies about how prayer is handled in public schools right after Barker lists the court cases that outlawed prayer in public schools. I'm surprised Fox had Barker on there but I'm glad he showed why FFRF has a case and why the school in Mississippi violated the Constitution.
MRMikeStrummer85 6 months ago 21
@MRMikeStrummer85 Perkins is just another Faux News liar, and you are right; can't believe Fox put Barker on as that IS being truly fair and balanced which they usually are not. Maybe the chopping block is in their sights for News Corp and they are starting to try to clean up their propaganda act and make it a real news network before murdoch gets the axe, and them along with him.
dfree2008 6 months ago
@MRMikeStrummer85 How did they violate the constitution? Please answer this!!!
yoursola 3 days ago
Interesting how Tony Perkins, the supposed christian, is the ignorant one who begins interrupting. Barker comes off as the calm and reasonable one here.
craigsmullins 6 months ago 28
@craigsmullins Why does that surprise you at all?
ksthebest 6 months ago
@craigsmullins
"Interesting how Tony Perkins, the supposed christian, is the ignorant one who begins interrupting. "
How is that interesting? Christians are like that.
MomoTheBellyDancer 4 months ago
Barker PWNS!!!!!
Perkins....Screw You.
RandomBS88 6 months ago
Dan won!!!....on fox no less. Very impressive Dan.:)
rednecktrucker1969 6 months ago 2
Replace "Family" with "Patriarchy", and you have all the information you need about these bigots.
blackwolf1200 6 months ago