The following commentary came from a friend of mine (Nancy Todd) in
response to a query about "Why" the nonbeliever, once
satisfied with his/her conclusions to that end, would bother expending
any further energy on the subject in countering the views of those
that do believe, even if that belief happens to be of a
fundamentalist nature? Here's a quote:
Is it to gain proselytes for humanism,
or agnosticism, or atheism? Why? To paraphrase the bard of Avon,
"Whoso stealeth my religion takes that which not enricheth him,
but makes me poor indeed." From a moral standpoint, that
doesn't seem much better than stealing wheelchairs.
Nancy's response to this is so on-target and so brutally efficient
that there is really nothing more I can think to add that wasn't
already expressed. One is left with an epiphany-like feeling
that you have just read words that reflect exactly how you feel, but
were never able to express. Once you read it you'll see what I
mean. . .
NANCY TODD RESPONDS:
So, when was the last time you had one of
these True Believers try to cram his religious beliefs down your
throat?
Does it bother you at all that the True
Believers are lobbying, with much success, I might add, to
increase the amount of federal tax money they receive in order to provide
"charity" while at the same time eliminating rules which are
meant to prevent them from proselytizing their
"clientele"?
Do you really want your government to turn
over its social welfare system to the Salvation Army and Catholic
Charities?
Do you want to be forced to pay to operate both
the public school system and parochial school systems?
Do you want school children forced to
participate in sectarian prayers?
Do you want biblical creationism taught as
fact in our public schools?
Do you want churches exempt from all zoning
laws?
Do you want the Vatican/Christian Coalition
dictating U.S. foreign policy?
Do you want the Vatican/Christian Coalition
dictating U.S. domestic policy?
Do you want the Vatican to take over all
the secular hospitals in your area and put an end to the performance
of vasectomies, tubal ligations, therapeutic abortions, and contraception?
Do you want the Vatican/Christian Coalition
deciding what pharmaceuticals can and cannot be made available in
this country?
Do you want the Vatican/Christian Coalition
determining what can be broadcast on television, shown in
cinemas, performed on stages, displayed in art galleries, or
published in print media? Do you want religious ministries running
our nation's penal institutions?
Do you want the Vatican/Christian Coalition
trying to determine when children and adults can play baseball or shop?
Do you want your own life or the life of a loved
one prolonged by extraordinary means, even though you have a
living will?
Do you want religions icon displayed on
government property?
Do you want scientific research to be
squelched because it runs counter to religious dogma or doctrine?
Well, Buster, many of these things are happening as we speak, and the
remainder will happen in the future if we are not vigilant.
It is not my intention to take away anyone's religious beliefs, as
long as those beliefs are not forced on me in any way. But the
True Believers are not satisfied to adhere to their own beliefs;
they seem to be compelled to force them on everyone. And they
want the taxpayers to foot the bill. They want to turn our
secular government into a religious (Christian) one and they want
the government to assist them in doing this, and pay for it, too.
It is not the majority of Christians in
this country who are trying to effect these changes, but rather
the extreme conservative elements. Otherwise, so-called Christian
candidate for public office would not have to run as stealth candidates,
hiding their real agenda from the voters, in order to get elected.
Look at how many overtly religious incumbents were defeated in elections
this year. Unfortunately, the Vatican, the Pat Robertsons, the James
Dobsons, have tons of money and fanatical followings and they don't give
up no matter how many times they are rebuffed.