Merry Xmas from our Secular Government!!!

[TheAdultChild101]

Go live in North Korea if you don't like it, whiney bitch.

[Vexx00]

@TheAdultChild101 i take it you live in NK since you are not complaining.

[TheAdultChild101]

@Vexx00 No. I live right here. Suck on that.

[Vexx00]

@TheAdultChild101 no no, keep your dirty vagina away from me! you dirty, dirty North Korean.

[TheAdultChild101]

@Vexx00 I'm not a North Korean and I don't have a vagina.

[Vexx00]

@TheAdultChild101 ehhh, alright then

[Kalahridudex]

question. why is this a big deal? i understand why atheists hate blue laws, but that resolution seems harmless. it does not deny atheists any rights or anything. Norway recognizes an official religion and it is extremely secular, they have one of the freest countries in the world. i want to keep an open mind, so may i ask why is this a big deal?

[imrational]

Kalahridudex,

It's not a big deal any longer, it died in the senate.

The problem with recognizing an official religion is that it gives credence to one religion over others. It's a slippery slope. What about when your kids ask you why your religion isn't the state recognized one?

[Kalahridudex]

i know it could escalate to people getting persecuted for their beliefs,, but it usually does not happen in democracies, like again, Norway, Iceland, and Argentina(all of which recognize an official religion, but are still secular).

[imrational]

Kala,

In the US, christian groups maintain (falsely) that the US is and always was a christian nation. They use that belief to try and justify pushing christian beliefs onto everyone else. If christianity was (again falsely) recognized as the official religion, that would just give them more justification.

[DCLugi]

Perhaps we could do without the state. Our tax dollars are taken by force so it doesn't surprise me that a little religion might be shoved down our throats:)

[imrational]

DCLugi,

If we didn't have a state, how would corporations get their welfare and protective legislation passed?

[DCLugi]

Yes, a huge can of worms. Worth pondering in the ol noggin. Stefan Molyneux has some interesting ideas. I just can't get past the concept of a monoply taking my money by force and then offering protection. Sounds a bit goodfella's.

[nogogma]

imrational,

That is a great video and it is so true. Great stuff! This should be a wake up call for all our fellow free thinkers and rationalists. If we as atheists don't challenge fundamentalism in this country, then superstition will win by default. Wake up atheists.

[SeenAndNotSeen]

What happened to your eyse! Damn blue screen.

[SeenAndNotSeen]

Of course, that should say "eyes." I'll just leave now...

[tuoice]

BULLSHIT ok the only reason xtianity is so popular is becasuse its passed 1 generation to the next.. they dont let theyre own children choose theyre own faith/ religion which is pure stupidity ..

[limpdogg]

OH GOD IT HURTS SO BAD!

By the way, I you have been much clearer in your videos lately :)

[sapperbloggs]

It's kind of like the new racism, don't you think? This puts xtians on a pedestal, above all others. The scariest bit is where it says 'rejecting persecution and bigotry directed at christians...'. Isn't persecution against ANY person, regardless of faith, wrong? Why do christians get special treatment over all other groups? Does this mean that persecuting jews is okay now? It's almost as if atheism, especially that which questions xtianity, is banned

[imrational]

sapperbloggs, this resolution is NOTHING! Google "House Resolution 888"!!!!!

House Resolution is blatant revisionism and an attempt to integrate christianity into the American government even more... before Michael Newdow's lawsuit reaches the Supreme Court.

[sapperbloggs]

My apologies... not to big on how the US govt works. I figured if they were going to the effort, it would be because it actually means something.

The second half of my comment was taking the piss, a bit of an extreme take on what a resolution like this could mean. I just don't understand how/why a democratic govt can pick any group and put them up above all others.

[RonaldDumbsfeld]

This resolution is typical political pandering.

[safedawn]

Unfucking real! There is no wonder I am beginning to hate Christians, they can't keep their religion out of my government! Then they can't even get it straight what 34,000 different cults of Christianity?

[BigAtheist]

House Resolution are by nature not binding as law and tend to be mere proclomation in nature. My impression is that they tend to directored as special interest and voters. More over House Resolution 635 and 757 did a simular although less grandious for muslim snd hindu repsectively. the problem is not congress as the people who elected them. One of the problem with a democracy is that it tends to coddle to the biggest group of voter (imagine that).

[imrational]

BigAtheist,

I understand that they are not binding as law... however, resolutions seem to be pointed at as examples of how certain religions are favored over others, i.e. "this is a christian nation".

It's a slippery slope.

[BigAtheist]

Agreed. but more scary H.R. 888 is much worse

[imrational]

Damn straight. I think it is an attempt to rally against Michael Newdow trying to remove the religious intrusions in the Pledge of Allegiance and on our currency.

[TheThomaswastaken]

What positive effect has christianity had on western culture? The Dark Times? I sure am glad they helped us out by suppressing knowledge for hundreds of years.

[TheThomaswastaken]

I disagree with so many comments in that resolution. It's a great religion of the world? By what standard?

[TheLand3001]

In light of the huge issues facing the US, the fact that the house spent any time on this obviously partisan bill is terrifying.

When I look at the situation in Pakistan (nukes in the hands of a government threatened with loss of control to islamo-fascists) the parallel with the US is scary (nukes in the hands of a government threatened with loss of control to christian-fascists).

I am glad folks like Imrational are still free to protest these dangerous developments.

[derbilmotion]

Thanks for sharing this information.

[LeprechaunEater]

Doesn't Congress have important things to do?

[loveallanime]

Thanks for the news!

[theresejo]

There you go again. ;)

[imrational]

eh, everyone needs a windmill to tilt at :)

Hope you had good holidays. I've been working all the holidays this year and have been getting over a bad cold. Amanda (from Vegas) is still in the hospital :(

[getonwithitgawd]

I've got to say, I really don't take too big of an issue with this.

I would rather that this be repeated ad nauseum for all major religions/faiths, including athiesm- all of which are historically significant worldwide AND in the development of this country.

That could become a genuinly positive message- which is rare in politics.

[emofacez]

The thing is that it wont get repeated for any other religion. And just so you know, atheism isn't a religion....

[getonwithitgawd]

It could be if people put in the effort to make it happen. They won't though, they'd rather have the entire thing shot down. The opposition to this are as much to blame for that as the power who had it done in the first place.

As to the second part of your response- athiesm is a faith, regardless of weither or not it is more psyochologicly satisfying. Athiesm purports to know with absolute certainty that there is no god. Those who "just don't know" are agnostic- like me. =P

[imrational]

getonwithitgawd,

You are incorrect.  There is "strong atheism" which absolutely denies the existence of a god, usually reserved for new-age cults and other atheistic religions. Then there is "weak atheism" or "agnostic atheism", where people lack belief in gods due to lack of evidence or testable theory. Most atheists are agnostic atheists.

As to just being an "agnostic", it is awfully hard to ride that fence. Most people tend to either be an agnostic theist or an agnostic atheist

[getonwithitgawd]

This is true, and of course I was refering to strong athiests in my post. I tend to only refer to someone as an athiest if that is the definition they fall under, as that is the most exact defenition of the term, and I'm big on consice definitions.

Others I refer to as agnostic with whatever leaning.

Personally, I am content to admit to myself that I have virtually no insight into the metaphysical whatsoever- and so I ride said fence. =)

[imrational]

I can respect that, although most agnostics I've met tended to be agnostic deists in reality. anyway... good luck with your fence riding. hope you don't too many splinters! :D

[Dalbert342]

This sooo fucking wrong,dude

[waltermh111]

the fact is this resolution is unconstitutional, period, as our government is not supposed to support one religion over another.

nor does this country have judeo christian roots, as most founding fathers were not christian or jewish.

post links of direct quotes from them proving me wrong.

[TheBigHo111]

I am completely disgusted by this!!!

[hollyhoodjoe123]

The phrase "express continue support for Christians in the U.S. and worldwide" and "reject bigotry and persercution directed against Christians" bothers me the most.

Will another president in the near future use these phases to start a war against a country that bans Christianity?

[rowsdowersavesus]

This is fucking insane. It's like my nightmare.

[gunnyranger]

america needs this resolution because christians are under attack from every direction.dont forget we founded this nation and made it great withth gods help.now everyone wants to come in from other countrys and take over.for some reason in dont think you would be complaining if it were a bill to protect gays or atheist.

[Knews2Me]

True, Atheists/Muslims/Jews/Buddhist­s/Shintoists/Taoists/agnostics would likely not complain if the bill was passed to help protect their religion... why would they? But what they MIGHT do is understand why such a thing wouldn't, or shouldn't pass. They may even frown a little and whisper to their concern to a peer, "Isn't that unconstitutional?

[gunnyranger]

do you agree that special rights for gays and minoritys is unconstitutional or are you just worried about the christians?

[Knews2Me]

Special? No. Equal? Yes

It IS up to churches etc if they want allow a couple to wed... a religion can believe what they want. It's their right as a free religion, homosexuals have to take that beef up with that religion, nothing government can do for them there

BUT civil union as a GOVERNMENT INSTITUTION granting a couple liberties should NOT keep exclusive to the church... we're back to Christians thinking they're "under attack" because laws don't just roll over let Christian views rule

[gunnyranger]

thats what i thought youd say

[Knews2Me]

Thank you, I thought I was right too :)

[Knews2Me]

p.s. Christians only feel like they're under attack because they keep quack to hear an echo but get a correct answer instead.

It's true that most of the for-fathers were some form of Christian, but not all. They were deliberate when calling this a nation of liberty/freedom/justice, NOT religion/Christian. Besides, why does a majority need protection? We're a republic for the very purpose of keeping the majority of gaining all the power.

[imrational]

gunnyranger,

If there was a bill that singled out atheists for protection over and above all other philosophies or religions... I would still be pissed off. They should all be protected.

I want our government to support our RIGHTS and FREEDOMS.

[gunnyranger]

you just dont understand if it wasnt for god we wouldnt have freedom. the bible is the instruction manual if confused break glass and read.

[Knews2Me]

As I recall from high school history years ago our independence came when we parted from Britain. Then our freedom/liberty came from our fore-fathers created a government with the mind to keep the people out from under the thumb of government.  My common sense tells me that they weren't fluffy about god at the time... they were pissed at their unjust previous government (which was also believed in god btw) and aiming to keep the unjust from happening again.

[Shadrach76]

"...if confused break glass and read."

- gunnyranger

to promote confusion and ignorance.

[gunnyranger]

do tou believe that koran causes confusion and ignorance also.

[Shadrach76]

i believe all religions cause confusion and ignorance.

especially if they are based in magic and supernatural hocus pocus.

[norsef]

F*cking... boo!

[chunkylimey]

The US Constitution is one of the greatest ANTI- religious documents ever made and yet Christians are so Anti-American they are still trying to destroy the nation and it's constitution.

Benjamin Franklin/Thomas Paine/Jefferson etc would be disgusted with this.

[blayzebright]

Our forefathers would vomit if they had to hear that resolution.

[8journey8]

If this country officially became a "christian" nation, and there was no division between church and state, there could be another civil war..there are hundreds of sects calling themselves christian at odds with one another. The national question would become "who is a REAL christian", no one would be safe..

[8journey8]

The "christians" themselves would hate the day they ever started their campaign to force government and laws to reflect their bias. This country could not call itself "land of the free", and borders would have to be patrolled to keep citizens IN, not keep others out. Religionists have become dangerous.

[me1513]

theist

[gu88766]

oh man... that is lame.

[unclexbob]

hmmm....I guess with this resolution, they can now take legal action against the evil secularists that are engaged in the war against christmas!

[atheismislogic65]

"bigotry against christians"? BIGOTRY AGAINST CHRISTIANS!?!?!?!

GODDAMN THE GOVERNMENT!!!

The problem we have is that 52% of Americans are not only christian but protestant christians compared to less than half that percentage in most other countries.

So depressing.

[rambo26]

celebrate freedom, productivity and family :)

[saminmit]

it's a true shame, what motivated our founding fathers was the SEPERATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.. ie govt should stay away from any religion and vice a versa... this is the beginning of the decline of what truly made america great nation... and the sad thing is that very few people can see the truth.

[applestar132]

"grand-standing to look good"... yeah, it's not working for me. ;)

[jynxotik]

Applestar You can't argue that singling out one belief making it the universal belief of all under the law of the United States government and promising to persecute "bigotry" directed towards that religion is not wrong just because you don't agree with one of his opinions.

[applestar132]

I was saying that if these politicians are grandstanding to look good that it was an ineffective measure.

Of course I wasn't effectively conveying that in my original comment, but I'm sure he got my point. =)

[sky5564]

one religion

one government

one way of life

one state of mind

NEW WORLD ORDER!!!!!!!!

[beccajeanbean]

wow, did not know that. this is ridiculous. shame, and ecspecially on number 5.

[Elaina43]

THIS IS TERRIBLE!!! Thank you for posting.  (But this vid makes me want to tear down my beautiful Christmas Tree!

[arlopickens]

Elaina43, your christmas tree is not a christian symbol. It predates christianity. It is a symbol of life during the dead months of winter and the lighting of it symbolizes the lengthening of days after solstice in anticipation of spring. I hope this helps you decide to keep it up.

[Elaina43]

THAT'S RIGHT!! Thanks, arlopickens!!!!

Happy Yule! Merry Solstice!

[arlopickens]

Same to you! Let's not forget the reason for the season, which seems to have something to do with the position of the earth in space-time relative to the position of the sun in space-time!

[Elaina43]

LMAO!

[BGenerous]

"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion" - Treaty of Tripoli, 1796

[ekid2k]

I like christmas, but wow, what a gay resolution

[ReligionIsACrutch]

"rejects bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHA!

Mmmm, that's good irony...

[YOURGOD78]

I still wonder how many would've signed it in its original form....Scary.

[CadicusTheDamned]

That resolution was blatant pandering.

[RabidApe]

should read "STAGNATES the development of civilization..."

[thequestionmarkofGod]

yes, that was indeed a tad disturbing I certainly don't think that would wash up here.

[happyjesus123]

There was some limited opposition to the bill. Nineteen member present did not vote for the bill 9 voted against it (all Democrats and primarily from New York and California) and 10 including 1 Republican voted present. Forty members did not attend the vote.

One Jesus reference and the Bible reference were also removed from the final resolution and the word Judeo-Christian was added.

[healthyaddict]

I've heard about this... it's sad.

[Edweird2w1]

I wish we could get a refund on our time being represented and request our representatives to stay longer to make some real social impact for the better.

where are our intelligent leaders? obviously not in politics. I think its time we run for office ourselves and finally bring some rationality to the house and senate.

[happyjesus123]

It is sad that Congress doesn't understand the true reason for Christmas. This is what happens when you let asantaist take Santa out of the public schools.

[CousinoMacul]

[Bangs head against the wall!]

#5 is the biggest joke in that joke of a resolution. Aaarrrggghhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SpookyFan]

Next thing you know $ci€ntology will have a similar resolution.

[billpg]

Thanks for keeping us all informed of events over in Americaland.

[ILYIAB]

It cracks me up (being Swedish) that a government spends time on an invisible space daddy.

The US seems more and more like Iran. The only difference is the choice of mythology book.

I think the US Constitution is one of Man's greatest accomplishments. Defend it!

[bpabbott1st]

pathetic political pandering ... I hope Christians recognize they being patronized

[DeletedDelusion]

This is not only a matter for atheists, but for all the people outside the christian faith, and even the people who are christians.

If the government get´s involved into religion, it destroys the the freedom of religion. Do people realy want the government to tell them what to believe?

[lisamariefan]

Fucking dammit.

Seriously, what is up with this shit. Seriously, this is fucking unconstitutional as shit.

I'm tired of politicians endorsing Christianity so heavily and giving Christians special rights.