Tom Flynn
Executive director, Council for Secular Humanism

Tom Flynn

executive director of the Council for Secular Humanism and editor of its magazine Free Inquiry.

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Let's rally for reason and secularism

This weekend, Jon Stewart is holding "a rally to restore sanity" on the mall, two months after Glenn Beck's religion-infused "Restoring Honor" rally. Beck said he was called by God to hold the rally. Now atheist groups are planning to use Stewart's event to promote "reason."  Are "reason" and "sanity" the opposite of religious belief? Is taking religion out of the political debate the answer for restoring reason? Or do we need more faith?

The Comedy Central "Rally for Reason" has become a lightning-rod for all sorts of reformist causes the currently feel on the outs, from greens to atheists. I wish Jon Stewart good luck keeping his crowd on message next Saturday! That said, let's take the three questions in turn. Are 'reason' and 'sanity' the opposite of religious belief? Speaking as an atheist, I offer a conditional yes. From my perspective, reason can work as a powerful acid on faith (i.e. belief unsupported by evidence). And a faith that is zealous enough to ignore hard realities in favor of dogma is inarguably a form of insanity. Still, I realize believers may see things differently.

Next question: Is taking religion out of the political debate the answer for restoring reason? No, but it's the answer for restoring secularism. And restoring secularism is an eminently reasonable thing to do. Secularism entails that there be a forum in which parts of our public life can be transacted in which we can interact as free individuals and as citizens, without our sectarian identities getting in the way. It means that it's healthy to have areas of public discourse that are deliberately managed as religion-free zones, where sectarians of all stripes agree in advance that advocacy based solely in a particular confessional group's dogma will be unwelcome. It's a wonderful recipe for building a multi-religious democracy that really works, and conservatives have enjoyed far too much success in disassembling that.

Final question. Do we need more faith? Well I don't. And I imagine millions of nonreligious Americans would agree. Again, believers may disagree, and for them there is plenty of room in private life and in congregational life for all the faith they might wish to indulge in. But I think the more important principle is this: We don't need any more faith in public life. In fact, there's way too much faith clogging up contemporary public discourse. Public life would benefit greatly from re-instituting a few "religion-free zones."

By Tom Flynn  |  October 25, 2010; 4:49 PM ET Save & Share:  Send E-mail   Facebook   Twitter   Digg   Yahoo Buzz   Del.icio.us   StumbleUpon   Technorati  
Previous: What was Ginni Thomas thinking? | Next: God bless sanity in religion and in politics

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OyeVazemeer! eye givolt!

Amazing, NO Grace!

As Predicted & Expected via "iNSIGHT & PATTERN RECOGNITION" abilities (power), THAT

The "Pre-Apocalyptic Run "JPOST", aka the "JERUsalem Post" [NOt The Original Secular 1] played into US hands and is once again 'falsley' creating artificial [intel] News or Stretching the TRUTH (opposite Myth) by attempting to COUNTER the REVEALATION (opposite Secret or Hidden Manna, aka Hidden UMMAH or Hidden Karma..) contrary to thee Fact THAT: Satanic VersUS Lover & Gods player OSAMA BIN LADEN IS TRULY DEAD!

Pleazza see This

'France says Bin Laden tape appears authentic??? .. in a new tape, al Qaida leader threatens to kill French citizens because of their support for war in Afghanistan and new law banning burkas.

http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=193123

OYEVAY(O' Lordy)! FarVoos(Why)? FarVoos "IT" (G_D, Not A HE nor a SHE)?

SEcret (opposite Revelation) Note: This is the 4th Time or 5th that some Syndicate (can't Mention now) who've Responded with some 'Bin Laden's Message (not Messenger) within a 24/72 hour period!

Talkin about Counter INTELi, Pleazzza!

Note: This NOt a 'wicked-Leak' copycat (un)kinda thing.

THE WORLD WILL KNOW THE TRUTH [About the Death Of Bin Laden & how He Died with PROOF, beyond a Reasonable Doubt!!!) So Help me/i EKLAHt-i!

As a Duty; It's A SCOUTS PROMISE (of the Dispensation) Especially to me/my/OUR Dear Fellow sweet sweet AMERICAN(s) et al!

Dear Governments:

STOP THE LiE's, REVEAL THE TRUTH!

STOP THE LiE's, REVEAL THE TRUTH!

STOP THE LiE's, REVEAL THE TRUTH!.....

SHAME on 'JPOST" & CO.! (Sorry WAPO & CO's.)

Posted by: woodstock-41 | October 28, 2010 12:01 PM
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Quite a tantrum, Secular. You refuted nothing. You indulged in false arguments and ad hominem attacks. Is this the extend of your infinite secular intellect?

Posted by: BlueIguana | October 27, 2010 3:06 PM
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That sure sounds a lot like religious suppression or oppression. Thomas Jefferson said, "The clash of ideas is the sound of Freedom."

Posted by: jonswitzer | October 27, 2010 12:17 PM
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Forgot: Something On "BLOOD TITHES" in our Governments, not only 'Blood Diamond's or 'Blood Mineral's.

Those ReLIGIONics within the White-House and in Congress & the Senate who slip & grease their 'Constituents?' via their their Mega-Churches moneys or Congregation's [Tithes] BLOOD-MONEY , aka UNCLE-SAM EXEMPT Money should be ARRESTED & Tried FOR "Corrupting many of Our Government Officials. And The Officials should be "Impeached" Not Censured!

The ELECTION SHOULD BE STOPPED by the CIA or FBI or the NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, or Even the PENTAGON; now!

America Needs a Serious FIX!

Note: Since AMERICANS are beating-up each other this campaign, and since Americans are Mistrusting Of both their FEDERAL & STATE Politicians & Government; Then It is Time For ISOLATION! WHY?

How can the so-called Beacon of Democracy [WE are a REPUBLIC, not a Democracy by the way] be respected when they "LOST RESPECT FOR GOVERNMENT & THEIR FORE-FATHERS"are fighting each other; as the World watches in both Mistrust of America & in Laughter [a Joke]!??????????????

___

Theory: IF The N.Y.C. BLOOMBURG ADMIN & His TAMMANY CRONY's Can Usurp & Wave The N.Y. State Constitution & Bend the Federal (includes Senator Hillary Clinton quiting her senate job, "INSTEAD OF CONSTITUTION"; Who Usurped the U.S. Constitution to become SEC of State??) and then audaciously got to be a MAYOR for a THIRD-Term (w/out VOTERS O.K. 1st)

THEN; IT's Time to STOP THE RACE. And Like The COMMY Scare; Bring Forth The USURPERS & NEPOTIST & ROBBER BARRONS Before OUR (not Their) COURT SYSTEM based on "RULE OF LAW"??? Oye..., Oye...
___

Dear Fellow Americans; HARK!

DO NOT BE DISTRACTED by this Admins "TERRORIST" or PHOBIA Card!

This Government and their Co-Crony in Public Crimes, are guilty of "INSTEAD OF CONSTITUTION" & INSTEAD OF TRUTH" & OPEN GOVERNMENT!


Grasp the Underlying Great Anti-American Conspiracy! EXAMPLE:

FACT: "BIN LADEN IS DEAD"! [Since Summer of 2007]

DO-NOT Believe Otherwise!

VOTE: STOP The ELECTION (After a National Investigation of our incumbents & their Constituents) NOW! ELSE

DO NOT VOTE! DO NOT SHOW-UP AT THE VOTING STATIONS/BOOTHS! IF Anything

PROTEST For a 1-Year [Mid-Term Election] DELAY//FREEZE now!
___

AND besides Not Trusting most Politicians, Do NOT TRust The {rigged] NEW 'TOUCH SCREEN COMPUTERS"!

[i]m not talking about "Chads", please see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chad_(paper)

But [WE] are talking about: DANGER//DANGER, THEFT OF GOVERNMENT, HIJACKING OUR NATION!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_voting


BETTER NOT-TO-VOTE & BETTER TO BE SAFE, by DELAYING THE Midterm Elections, Instead of Being Sorry [again] Later"!

NOTE: CONSTITUTIONALLY, VOTiNG AMERICANs have a right To POSTPONE THIS Mid-Term Election" Under a NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT & other viable Reasons that the Electorate can fathom & ride-out!

Posted by: woodstock-41 | October 26, 2010 10:00 PM
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D A V I D6

".. ATHEiSM Has no doctrine.." You Sure? Oye...!

Behold: ALL 'Atheists' [Old or NEW] have Religion. But they do-NOt believe in someone-Else's Pre-Apocalyptic [man-made] Religio Systems.

Atheist Believe in "HISTORY" aka their JURY (judge & Witness)! And [NEW or OLD] Atheist or even Agnostics art not afraid of "NiHILISM! Only Those who Push some-one else's POLY-THEO religions in their faces are!

An [NEW or OLD] Atheists/Agnostician is Not afraid of "ANOMIEISM"! Only those who compete for a name for gods hide behind or profess someone else's competing Dogma/Deity religion SYSTEM based on Jealous!

i.e. Rabbi Moses, Rabbi Jehovah , Rabbi Muhammad, Rabbi Smith /// Rabbi VYASA, Rabbi GAUTAMA, Rabbi NANAK et al!

Holy 'REALITY' [aka OUR HOLYi TRANSF{iNITY] is a miracle (zero Sin, Zero Curse; Appearing) in Cosmic Motion.

[NEW or old] Atheists do not have "RELiGIOUS JEALOUSY PSYCHOSIS" nor do [NEW] Atheists hath "PRE-APOCALYPTIC SiNDROME". And [NEW] Atheists do not have "DOUBLE/TRIPLE STANDARDS PSYCHOSIS" either!

[NEW or old] Atheists are "Born-Free", Jealous gods free, "Home-Free" & Pre-Apocalyptic GOD(s) Free!

TRUTH (opposite MYTH): ALL, EVERY & ANY of the ABRAHAMiC religion 'flavor's in sweet sweet America AND any VEDiC religion flavours in good ole U.S. of A.'s; are in Fact; ALL-iMPORTED [here]; NOT MADE IN AMERICA! NOT MADE IN U.S.A.! Includes most PAGANISTS & WICCAN's & WiTCHES Religions!

AND best of all; [New or Old] ATHEiSTS besides having History, within Them as a Religion, That In Sweet Sweet U.S. A [Not Sour/Bitter U.S.A.] that it has been SEcularly established in a Court Of LAW [here] & Aknowledged & Recognised [here] THAT;

ATHEISM IS A [Recognized] RELIGION here. Same Like PAGANiSM, or WiCCAN/WiTCHISM or SCiEN{TOLOGY et al!!!!

If Ye/Yo Don't Believe Me Then Please research:

TORCASE v. WATKINS 367 U.S. 488 (1961)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torcaso_v._Watkins

LEMON v. KURTZMAN 403 U.S. 602 (1971)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemon_v._Kurtzman
___

SUGGESTION: The RELIGIONics Fundamentalist , dressed in Secular{GARB & compromising OUR SECULAR/PUBLIC GOVernment, by offering GOD + MONEY; must be Kicked-Out of Dodge [all OUR, Not Theirs, 'Capital', not only D.C.] once and For Ever!

The NEW CONGRESS, THe NEW Future President & Vice & New Governors must End The B. GRAHAM Sleeping in Bed with the REAGAN/Bush's & CLINTON/Gore's , Bush/CHANEY's & Now the OBAMA/Biden CHURCH'S IN OUR holyi (not their) WHITE HOUSE & Other Public Property that Belongs to SECULARS, AGNOSTICS and Others alike!

Just because the U.S. $1.00 Bill says, IN GOD WE TRUST does not imply that the 'God of the Eviljealousicals oops, Evangelicals, Baptists/Methodists & Catholics, Episcopal etc; Does'nt make U.S.A. a Christian-Nation! Nor a JU-Nation, Ishlami-Nation, Hindu, Buddha...

VOTE: ABOLISH CHURCH'S in OUR/GOV'T NOW!!!

"IN 'IT' WE TRUST"! aye?

Posted by: woodstock-41 | October 26, 2010 8:58 PM
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Since it is anti-logical to argue that the finite can fully comprehend the infinite
What is this drivel. What does it even mean finite comprehending infinite. These are mathematical constructs and they are quite well comprehended by the human brain. This kind of nonsensical horse manure is what you get when you try to somehow or the other try to rationalize the silly myths of the sky-daddy.
atheist, like people of faith, reach a point in their thinking where logic and reason ends and belief/faith begin.

Is this your prediction? Tell me how long will hold your breath?

Posted by: Secular | October 26, 2010 8:45 PM
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Valuing reason over faith
The Washington Coalition of Reason have put up advertisements on bus shelters around the DC area just in time for Jon Stewart’s rally to “restore sanity” and Stephen Colbert’s rally to keep fear alive.

I think it should be pointed out that the Washington Coalition of Reason is not promoting reason with these advertisements. They are promoting their organizations… which promote reason. The distinction is that these ads are not designed to get religious people to think rationally about there religion. That might take more then a few words on words on a bus shelter.

You can read the rest of my response to this topic:
http://exm.nr/cAYuVB

I will be responding to every issue posted in the 'On Faith' section. If you would like to be notified when my new response is up, please subscribe.

Posted by: dangeroustalk | October 26, 2010 8:36 PM
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Rongoklunk

You wrote, "As for Jesus - if he existed - he was a good guy."

I don't know but I suppose that you get the "if he existed" part about Jesus from the bible, is that so?

Take care, be ready.

Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.

Posted by: ThomasBaum | October 26, 2010 7:31 PM
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Blasmaic;

You write that Stewart's attack on Beck...

"gets an extra lift by pandering to the hatred people hold toward the mentally ill".

Speak for yourself. Nobody ever mocks the mentally ill in modern society.

You're thinking of the olden days when religion ruled; Christendom they called it. In those days the mentally ill were often tortured and/or burned for being possessed by the Devil. We live in a kinder world right now - than ever they did in Christendom.

Stewart is clearly mocking the insanity of religious thinking, and he's good at it.

Posted by: Rongoklunk | October 26, 2010 5:22 PM
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Since it is anti-logical to argue that the finite can fully comprehend the infinite, atheist, like people of faith, reach a point in their thinking where logic and reason ends and belief/faith begin.

Posted by: BlueIguana | October 26, 2010 4:52 PM
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Stewart doesn't use sanity as a antonym to reason.

He uses it to imply that Beck and his followers are insane, as in mentally deranged. Stewart's humorous attack against Beck gets an extra lift by pandering to the hatred people hold toward the mentally ill.

Posted by: blasmaic | October 26, 2010 3:10 PM
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joe_allen_doty -

I don't believe your claim that "Every atheist whom I have met during my almost 68 years of living are VERY RELIGIOUS and DOGMATIC about their atheist DOCTRINES."

I doubt that you have any idea which people were atheists when you met them. I would be surprised if you could say so. Atheism has no doctrines, so your allegation that those who do not believe in any gods were dogmatic makes no sense.

Posted by: david6 | October 26, 2010 2:54 PM
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: joe_allen_doty

I would just add that atheists are atheists because they seek truth.

Religion is not about truth. It is about mythology.

Posted by: Rongoklunk | October 26, 2010 1:40 PM
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joe_allen_doty;

Hi. I'm an atheist - maybe I can help you.

What atheists have in common is the simple reality that as far as we know there are no gods and never were.

All the gods of the ancient world were mythological. Atheists believe the current God is equally mythological, and will change that opinion when evidence shows up that proves that there really is a God.
As for Jesus - if he existed - he was a good guy. But so was Socrates, and Aristotle, and many others. Various writers have questioned whether Jesus actually existed. I'm thinking of Tom Harpur's book "The Pagan Christ" which claims that there were many Jesus characters long before Jesus's time. Many were 'born of virgin mothers', and had other things in common with J.Christ.

The truth of the wonder of existence is not in the Bible. For that you should look to science. I would recommend anything by Carl Sagan.

Posted by: Rongoklunk | October 26, 2010 1:33 PM
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Correction:

"... at the "WORLD FAiTH EXCHANGE" school while on "TRANSF{iNITY MOUNTAIN" aka MT. TRANSF{NITY near "MT. HOPE" , N.Y., U.S.A.

Posted by: woodstock-41 | October 26, 2010 12:26 PM
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Every atheist whom I have met during my almost 68 years of living are VERY RELIGIOUS and DOGMATIC about their atheist DOCTRINES.

I have met a few people who didn't believe in any kind of god; but, they were not anti-christ like the atheists. They were good people, too.

I would like to some freedom from the religious atheists.

Posted by: joe_allen_doty | October 26, 2010 12:23 PM
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PS: Only 8 of US [1st EKLAHt-iONs aka Apocalyptarians] on this Earth received their "CRUXOLOGY" (aka BIOMENTALIST) degrees. Meaning in both 1:APOCALYPTIC Faith and in 2:All 5-Major Religions on SpaceShip Earth {Chumash//Bible, Quran//Koran, Geeta//Tripitaka, Kangyurs//Tangyurs ...} So,

Compliments & credits goes to MARIST COLLEGE (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; where our miraculous U.S. Constitution was Built) via Professor's Dr. Dennis Hand (Mentor of RISEPMG) & via Dr. Harry W. Theriault (Mentor of TRANS{FINITY) from TRANS{FINITY University {at PA. Now forever Closed) at the "WORLD FAiTH EXCHANGE" school.

Note: Jacques DERRIDA {pbuh} was one of US. He, like others fell in love with the "APOCALYPTIC RELIGION" [aka New Song born from ole] & with "APOCALYPTIC GOVERMENT" [aka GRIDARIAN-DEMOCRACY]. Hence, "OF SPiRIT" et al.

fe Fe la fem! Szchet-em!

Posted by: woodstock-41 | October 26, 2010 12:10 PM
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Before i start campaigning in me NABE;

Sir; i[WE] have a bag of insignias/medals.
And you get 5-STARS Man! On Questions

#1, YEA! #2, NAY! #3, NAY! (WE[i] agree. If ye will, please visit

http://onwapo.wordpress.com/2010/05/27/w-e-l-c-o-m-e/

Under:....P.M.G. (you will see that these "MAN-MADE" Institutions are all NOT-god-made Institutions, unlike like any "CHURCH". Meaning that [P.M.G.] proves what OUR, not their, founding-forefathers {pbu Them ALL} via rut-gut feelings 'intent'd; THAT

"RELIGIONics", is Not POLITics, thus proving they should stay out of NOne-religio Institutions [keep Religion/Dogma to Self/private; never public] built & payed for by an APOCALYPTIC Taxed-Public & Treasury/GOV but NOt built & payed for by some PRE-APOCALYPTIC thinking group/gang of religio mafiosos who are possessed with lots of free-time using such to infiltrate US & then wave their self serving "PH.D"s at US as truly? be a "Licensed God-Player" through their Tax-Exempt (NOt a Right, but a privilege) InstitutionS!

Note: APOCALYPTiCALLY SPEAKiNG the "R." component of "R.i.S.E.P.M.G." is a self evident truth. And today to US, "TRUTH" = opposite-Myth! TWO Examples:

1: The Jealous "RELiGIONic"s, whom are being left behind in these times more than ever before, can't understand, let alone see or admit, that [OUR, not their] S-C-i-E-N-C-E [method/approach/logic/reasoning] means: "TO-KNOW, TO-PREDICT = TO-CONTROL" Soo, their 'DOGMA-science' can never be like OUR-SCiENCE'. OUR-TRUE-SCIENCE, Not their Wannabe/weak-science.

i.e. There is a night & Day difference between an APOCALYPTIC thinking/believing SCIENTIST [US] and a PRE-APOCALYPTIC thinking/believing scientist [Them]. Like-wise, Politico's, Jurists, Teachers etc..

2: i As a "CRUXOLOGIST" and One who hath a 'real Divinity degree in ALL & EVERY of the 2-Major Religions [ABEics+ & VEDics+] on this S.pace-S.hip Earth that Upon further "INSiGHT & PATTERN RECOGNITION" abilities, plus via some "DEEPER-PROPHECY" (Analysis) THAT;

Mr. Rabbi JESUS & 'King of the Jew's & Now God, Flesh & Blood, of the Xrstians has a Brother. And His Brother's name is Called LUCIFER, aka SATAN. So this too Proves that the TRINITY is false. It should be called the "TETRAnity" or better yet, call it the XRiSToLUCifo. So "POLYTHEo" is what they are about. (God the SON(s); aka JESUS + LUCIFER and their other flying about Brethrens and Sisters [includes all Ishlami's, Hindu's, Buddhists, Sikh's, Shintoists..] & 'UN-KNOWN' others, or LOST?-ones).

Interestingly, their old time Melody, ".. Once I Was Lost.. But Now I am Found.." NEEDS A DEEPER Analysis + Reasoning.

YEA OUR-'TRUTH" Sets US-FREE! NOt their-truth? which is delusional-chains!

SUMMARY: ALL, EVERY & ANY "PRE-APOCALYPTARIAN" needs to face & Reason with their own 'inanlienable & endowed' REALITY [aka OUR Holyi "TRANS{FiNITY]" in a MIRACULOUS but also a Holyi Blessth, never Sin'th/Cur'th, Cosmic MOVE!.

Posted by: woodstock-41 | October 26, 2010 11:37 AM
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