2007 Texas State/Church Separation Rally-Michael Clarkson

Here's Michael Clarkson of the Corpus Christi Texas Atheists giving his speech at the 2007 Texas State/Church Separation Rally. That happened on the steps of the Texas State Capitol Building, here in beautiful Austin, Texas.
For more info: http://www.Atheists.org/Texas_State_Page

Category:

Education

Tags:

• joe
• zamecki
• michael
• clarkson
• texas
• american
• atheists
• state
• church
• separation
• religion
• corpus
• christi

[nofalltoofar]

"We're gathered here for something we believe in...."

Erm....that's wrong. You're gathered for something you *don't* believe in. Actually, the assertion that Atheism cannot be blamed for any actions done by Atheists rests solely on the fact that Atheism is a reactionary movement that illustrates a lack of belief.

[aajoeyjo]

Atheism is a lack of a certain belief, not a lack of any beliefs at all.

We have beliefs...and one of them is that government should treat all citizens equally, without regard to religion. Anyone's religion.

The idea that Atheism is only negative or empty in essense is silly. Living without religion involves living too.

[xXLairXx]

LOL, this is halarious. eternally damned unless you don't change. i'll pray for you..

[aajoeyjo]

xXLairXx - Why? Please explain all that. Exactly what's funny about this?

I mean we did have a lot of fun...No need to damn people for having fun though. Be more specific please.

[DeusExMichael]

@falconflyer34 CC Atheists RULE! Sorry, frat boy moment there. :-)

[falconflyer34]

Go Michael! CC Atheists in the house!

[aajoeyjo]

nofalltoofar - I agree that we shouldn't unnecessarily restrict cultural and ideological traditions of the majority of this country. Except when it becomes a problem, or creeps into government.

Keeping religion out of government isn't about restricting culture or tradition or the expressions of the majority. It's about keeping the government out of the religion business. We're not trying to address anything outside of government when we speak out like this for separation.

[nofalltoofar]

Separation of church and state was the idea of trying to keep politics out of the pulpit and to keep people from feeling that their spiritual health was in jeopardy. Read the letter from Jefferson to a church that the actual clause appears in.

Restricting the cultural and ideological traditions of the majority of this country because it makes people uncomfortable is just obstruction of liberty.

Despite what you would like to believe, this nation was not founded in a vacuum.

[DeusExMichael]

We were gathered that day for the purpose of rallying for the separation of church and state. Add to that the shared belief that it is ok not to believe in a mystical sky being. And finally the shared belief that laws should be based on something we can all agree on.

1. Thou shalt not kill. I am good with that.

2. Thou shalt not steal. I am good with that.

3. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Not even Christians can agree on which God that is...

[DeusExMichael]

Thats ok. I'll think for both of us. ;-)

In all reality, I don't ask people to think like me. I just ask them to think.

[DeusExMichael]

Well thank you. Instead of praying for me, could you do something else on my behalf? Take a cue from Jesus and go out and help someone in need. And not with the message of Jesus but actual, physical help. I know there are charities that could use someone who cares enough to pray for a lost cause like me.

[mcdoodad60]

We have the same name, but we don't think the same.