Register of Atheists...

[DanaC]

Before anybody gets upset I am not posting this as an example of Christian thought. I realise more Christians are reasonable people than are not. But still, this really got my goat :p

Pastor Mike Stahl of the Living Water internet church has called in his blog for a register of admitted atheists.....kind of like the sex offender registers.

It's caused something of a stir (unsurprisingly) and his blog has now been changed to private access only.

Fortunately (?) one blogger cut and past large chunks of the original, so we can get a flavour of it.

First the news blog that alerted me to this story:

Sure, he's an angry, mentally-challenged American nobody, but Florida "pastor" Michael Stahl triggered a whirlwind of controversy after he compared atheists and free-thinkers to child rapists and terrorists, and suggested that America institute a national registry for atheists. This registry, which he referred to in his original blog essay as "The Christian National Registry of Atheists", would make public all the registrants' personal information.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/pu.../2011/sep/04/1

So I followed the links and got to this blog:

http://freethoughtblogs.com/dispatch...-for-atheists/

Which includes transcripts of parts of the original blog post:

Brothers and Sisters , I have been seriously considering forming a ( Christian ) grassroots type of organization to be named “The Christian National Registry of Atheists” or something similar . I mean , think about it . There are already National Registrys for convicted sex offenders , ex-convicts , terrorist cells , hate groups like the KKK , skinheads , radical Islamists , etc..

This type of “National Registry” would merely be for information purposes . To inform the public of KNOWN ( i.e., self-admitted) atheists . For example , let’s say you live in Colorado Springs , Colorado , you could simply scroll down ( from the I-Net site /Blog ) I would have , to the State of Colorado , and then when you see “Colorado Springs” , you will see the names of all the self-admitted atheist(s) who live there ( e.g., if an atheist’s name happened to be “Phil Small” ) . The individual’s physical address , and other known personal information would NOT be disclosed ( though , perhaps a photo could be ).

Now , many (especially the atheists ) , may ask “Why do this , what’s the purpose ?” Duhhh , Mr. Atheist , for the same purpose many States put the names and photos of convicted sex offenders and other ex-felons on the I-Net – to INFORM the public ! I mean , in the City of Miramar , Florida , where I live , the population is approx. 109,000 . My family and I would sure like to know how many of those 109,000 are ADMITTED atheists ! Perhaps we may actually know some . In which case we could begin to witness to them and warn them of the dangers of atheism . Or perhaps they are radical atheists , whose hearts are as hard as Pharaoh’s , in that case , if they are business owners , we would encourage all our Christian friends , as well as the various churches and their congregations NOT to patronize them as we would only be “feeding” Satan .

Frankly , I don’t see why anyone would oppose this idea – including the atheists themselves ( unless of course , they’re actually ashamed of their atheist religion , and would prefer to stay in the ‘closet.’ ).

[Spexxvet]

When you are insecure of your own principles, you feel the need to crush those who think unlike you.

[GunMaster357]

I'm not a US citizen and such a registry would be banned in France.

If I were a US citizen, as an atheist, I would ask for another registry: the one about Christian Fundamentalists.

After all, I would only express my own worries about the kind of nutballs my hypotetical kids might encounter.

[tw]

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

When you are insecure of your own principles, you feel the need to crush those who think unlike you.

And still I could not get on Nixon's hate list, George Jr's enemies list, or be excommunicated by the Pope. What does it take to get crushed?

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by DanaC

Pastor Mike Stahl of the Living Water internet church

The dude doesn't even have enough followers to have a church that meets in person--which really only requires, like, half a dozen people. I mean, it's okay that it got your goat, as long as a variety of other insane people on the internet get your goat equally.

[Pico and ME]

Is he like the one who wanted to burn the Koran? Seems like quite a few religious types make it to the 'other insane people' list.

I saw this a few day ago and it kinda got my goat, too. But really, I'm not worried. Atheist numbers are growing and we are getting a stronger voice too. Its a 100% better than when I was a kid. Then you didn't dare speak up about not believing in God. In fact, when I was a little tike, my mom sent me to Sunday School a few time just so I would 'fit in'.

[Clodfobble]

It's all about where you live. In my city, a well-known homeless atheist transvestite ran for mayor and did surprisingly well. 50 miles from here, it is still exactly as you describe, Pico.

I'm not sure that numbers are really growing. I think it's more that the percentage who used to demur as being agnostic are becoming more willing to draw the hard line. As recently as 2008, 53% of Americans would not vote for an atheist.

[DanaC]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

The dude doesn't even have enough followers to have a church that meets in person--which really only requires, like, half a dozen people. I mean, it's okay that it got your goat, as long as a variety of other insane people on the internet get your goat equally.

*chuckles*

Don't worry. I am not fearful that the list will come into effect or anything:P It was just the whole atheists being compared to paedophiles and sex offenders that irked me.

[Clodfobble]

Yeah, the gay folks feel the same way.

[DanaC]

Aheh. You're right at that.

I guess I am in good, and very well coordinated, company :P

[classicman]

.

[TheMercenary]

Very good...

[DanaC]

lol

[ZenGum]

This anti-atheism is probably related to denied/closet atheism in the same way homophobia is related to denied/closet homosexuality.


I know, you've pretty much said that already.

Meh, guy is a jerk.

[sexobon]

Take the guy to the zoo, shove him into the lion pit and say "Fooled you, I'm a polytheist!"