Eddie Tabash: Speech and Q&A at AAI 07

http://www.rationalresponders.com
Eddie Tabash's talk at AAI 07 titled "The Present Threat of the Religious Right to Our Modern Freedoms."

Margaret Downey at:
http://www.Margaretdowney.com

Visit the AAI website at:
http://atheistalliance.org

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and http://video.rationalresponders.com

Video by
The Richard Dawkins Foundation

Camera:
Wayne Marsala
Josh Timonen

Edited by
Josh Timonen

• Category

  News & Politics

[MattressGallery]

Everything in America pretty much went to hell when the Republican party allied itself with fundamentalist Christian fascists. It'll take more than a few decades before we can undo all of the havoc they have wrought since the seventies.

[Domzdream]

I hope Americans sort this problem out because other wise you guys are fucked! I really hope this doesn't happen. On the weekend I saw that Jesus camp. Scary stuff. Going in the same direction as the muslims are. Good luck guys! Honestly.

[TabletsOfDestiny]

I'm pretty sure gays are persecuted more than atheists. Otherwise good speech. Tabash is also one of the few people to take down WLC in a debate.

[twooffour]

Are atheists "really" that despised in America (I'm not talking about the deepest south here, btw), especially more than homosexuals or whoever else, or is it just persecution complex / exaggeration?

I mean, I know about the political elections and stuff, but in everyday life? In business? In pop culture (how many movies, shows and internet satires make fun of religion??)?

Somehow wouldn't think so...

[Aaron Crandall]

"If one is a true conservative....one should oppose the religious right because if you are a true conservative you believe in limited government, and the religious right are state totalitarians"

I couldn't agree more. As a fiscal conservative it is very distressing to see the Republican party becoming so intertwined with the religious right.

[hazydavey]

When it comes to attitudes about religion, John Jay was clearly in the minority among the Founders. That's a very good thing. Jay believed that Catholics should be denied the right to vote and right to own property - a view clearly at odds with our First Amendment and secular Constitution. So yes, we are and were a nation with a Christian majority, but not "Christian" in any legal our foundational sense.

Incidentally, abortion wasn't prohibitted in the U.S. until the late 1800s.

[1CountryIndivisible]

Have you been out of the country for the past eight years? You do not appear well informed about the conservative christian political agenda. Your lack of concern is not a good sign for the future health of our county.

You are taking for granted the strength of our democracy. It's foundation and the protection of the individual has truly been under threat since the religious have pushed their agenda.

[keithlogan365]

I'm an atheist, but I find alot of his comments off the mark. Simply because some religious conservatives desire some policy is no guarantee that they could get a majority and get the policy through the legislature - birth control, for instance, is probably far too popular to ever be outlawed again in any state. Likewise, many of the more extreme religious positions would find little popular support and have no chance of being put into law.

[capitalist88]

Excellent point on 24:21 GBanville. I grimaced at that point too.

[scottious]

Chilling. He's a little dry, but spot on.

[Faysal Ahmed]

Okay... so it wasn't a bad speech... but dear god was it dry... I mean drink some water and loosen up a little. maybe have some tequila instead of water.

Yeah it was serious and I agreed with 97% of it, but a smile now an then wouldn't hurt.

[John Clavis]

I'm afraid that Mr. Tabash drops the ball at 30:00 or so, with talk of "Rabbi Lieberman"... his 100% NARAL rating is worthless. Joe was part of the Gang of 14 who prevented any filibuster of Alito in the name of bipartisanship; then voted against holding up the nomination; *then*, technically, voted not to confirm him, after it was clear his vote wouldn't count.

Joe's legislative activity allowed these anti-abortion judges onto the Supreme Court. He's a fink.