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Glenn Beck Calls ALL Americans to Action (as long as you are a theist).
Jump to Update 1: March 11, 2009.
Continue Original Post: March 1, 2009.
Our buddy Glenn Beck is at it again.
In an attempt to start another “Boston Tea Party,” he is calling those who love America to action. He is asking that everyone join a local MeetUp group and meet together on Friday March 13th at 5pm ET to watch his program on the Fox News Channel.
He’s calling on ALL, Republicans and Democrats.
He wants to return to “We The People.”
He wants to stop America from becoming a socialist country.
If you, my fellow nontheist, agree and want to “restore” your country, don’t bother. Atheists are not welcome.
Below are Beck’s Nine Principles he wants you to agree on:
1. America is good.
2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.
And here is his 12 Values:
• Honesty
• Reverence
• Hope
• Thrift
• Humility
• Charity
• Sincerity
• Moderation
• Hard Work
• Courage
• Personal Responsibility
• Friendship
Beck goes on to say that you have to agree with at least 7 of the principles to participate. But why is number 2 even on the list? What does believing in a god(s) have to do with anything? Can atheists not be concerned citizens? Are we not a part of "We The People?"
Beck wants us to send a digital version of your picture to: wesurroundthem@foxnews.com to show our support.
Please join me in emailing Beck and letting him know that his continued bigotry will not be tolerated. Also, feel free to send him a picture of you with something added to make it clear you are an nontheist.
Some ideas:
• Send him a picture of you holding copy of Dawkins's "God Delusion."
• Send him a picture holding the American Flag and wearing an atheist t-shirt.
• Send him a picture of you holding an "Atheist Nexus" sign.
If you do any of these things, please send a copy of the picture to me, and I will post it on the front page.
Thanks,
Brother Richard
UPDATE: It looks like Glenn Beck has responded to Atheist Nexus Members!
This evening I received an anonymous email stating that Glenn Beck was going to respond to the multitude of emails he received from atheists.
Watching his show, I was amazed that he didn't mention Atheist Nexus by name. He obviously has received our message. Unfortunately, he has made it clear, that nontheists are not welcome in his view of America.
When the video is available, I will post it here.
Below is a letter I have sent him, please excuse the length, and feel free to send him your comments: me@glennbeck.com
Mr. Beck,
I am outraged by your continual bigoted reference to the non-religious in America. If you would have said similar things about Catholics or Jews, you would be kicked off the air faster than Don Imus. In fact, if you called us nappy-haired hoes, it would have been less detestable.
Based on today's show, you need to amend your website to now say Principle Number 2 is not optional. American nontheists, who may have wanted to participate in Friday’s event, might be mislead by your statement that one only needs to agree with 7 of your Principles.
Why did your expert panel not include at least one secular historian? Did you feel there religious men were sufficient to provide a “fair and balanced” accounting of American history? How can you with one breath cry about the godless forcing their views down your throat, and then with the other shove your views down theirs? How can you call yourself a Libertarian? Possibly you should no longer invite atheists like Penn Jillette to be a guest of your program.
Do you really believe the Golden Rule implies that an individual must believe in God and that he be the center of their life? Really? I would recommend doing a simple internet search. You will find that the Golden Rule was a treasured principle long before it was uttered by Jesus. One of the oldest forms was attributed to Confucius, “Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself.” Believe me when I tell you the majority of atheists live by, and cherish this principle. In fact, we would love it if all religious people would actually live by it as well.
It is quite sad that nontheists are not welcome to participate in your event. I guess we interested nonbelievers will have to settle for our own version of the Boston Tea Party, and include bigots like yourself to our protest. Since the Sons of Liberty dressed as Native Americans during the dissent, we should choose some form of garb that would heap upon you the same respect you give us (magic underwear maybe?).
Whether you like it or not, many Americans are realizing they can be good moral people, and can raise ethical children, without the superstitions of religion. They are finding new ways to appreciate the great traditions and rituals that were once provided by their churches, and incorporating them into a wonderful, fulfilling, and beautiful life. One based in reality.
How dare you sir. You owe an apology to me and the millions of nontheist Americans. To borrow a phrase from another minority, “We’re here. We’re godless. Get used to it!”
Brother Richard
http://atheistnexus.org
As an addendum, I thought I would add to your quotes of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. I'll also include Presidents 2-4 to round out the founders of our great Country.
Benjamin Franklin
"Lighthouses are more helpful than churches."
"He (the Rev. Mr. Whitefield) used, indeed, sometimes to pray for my conversion, but never had the satisfaction of believing that his prayers were heard."
"In the affairs of the world, men are saved, not by faith, but by the want of it."
"I have found Christian dogma unintelligible. Early in life, I absenteed myself from Christian assemblies."
George Washington
“Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause. I had hoped that liberal and enlightened thought would have reconciled the Christians so that their [not our?] religious fights would not endanger the peace of Society.”
John Adams
"The divinity of Jesus is made a convenient cover for absurdity."
"The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion."
“It will never be pretended that any persons employed in that service [formation of the American governments] had interviews with the gods, or were in any degree under the influence of Heaven...”
Thomas Jefferson
"Question with boldness even the existence of God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear."
"I do not find in orthodox Christianity one redeeming feature."
"Religions are all alike - founded upon fables and mythologies."
"Where the preamble declares, that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed by inserting "Jesus Christ," so that it would read "A departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion;" the insertion was rejected by the great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mohammedan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination."
James Madison
"In no instance have . . . the churches been guardians of the liberties of the people."
"...the number, the industry, and the morality of the priesthood, and the devotion of the people, have been manifestly increased by the total separation of the church from the State"
"During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What has been its fruits? More or less, in all places, pride and indolence in the clergy; ignorance and servility in the laity; in both, superstition, bigotry, and persecution."
Continue Original Post: March 1, 2009.
Our buddy Glenn Beck is at it again.
In an attempt to start another “Boston Tea Party,” he is calling those who love America to action. He is asking that everyone join a local MeetUp group and meet together on Friday March 13th at 5pm ET to watch his program on the Fox News Channel.
He’s calling on ALL, Republicans and Democrats.
He wants to return to “We The People.”
He wants to stop America from becoming a socialist country.
If you, my fellow nontheist, agree and want to “restore” your country, don’t bother. Atheists are not welcome.
Below are Beck’s Nine Principles he wants you to agree on:
1. America is good.
2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.
And here is his 12 Values:
• Honesty
• Reverence
• Hope
• Thrift
• Humility
• Charity
• Sincerity
• Moderation
• Hard Work
• Courage
• Personal Responsibility
• Friendship
Beck goes on to say that you have to agree with at least 7 of the principles to participate. But why is number 2 even on the list? What does believing in a god(s) have to do with anything? Can atheists not be concerned citizens? Are we not a part of "We The People?"
Beck wants us to send a digital version of your picture to: wesurroundthem@foxnews.com to show our support.
Please join me in emailing Beck and letting him know that his continued bigotry will not be tolerated. Also, feel free to send him a picture of you with something added to make it clear you are an nontheist.
Some ideas:
• Send him a picture of you holding copy of Dawkins's "God Delusion."
• Send him a picture holding the American Flag and wearing an atheist t-shirt.
• Send him a picture of you holding an "Atheist Nexus" sign.
If you do any of these things, please send a copy of the picture to me, and I will post it on the front page.
Thanks,
Brother Richard
UPDATE: It looks like Glenn Beck has responded to Atheist Nexus Members!
This evening I received an anonymous email stating that Glenn Beck was going to respond to the multitude of emails he received from atheists.
Watching his show, I was amazed that he didn't mention Atheist Nexus by name. He obviously has received our message. Unfortunately, he has made it clear, that nontheists are not welcome in his view of America.
When the video is available, I will post it here.
Below is a letter I have sent him, please excuse the length, and feel free to send him your comments: me@glennbeck.com
Mr. Beck,
I am outraged by your continual bigoted reference to the non-religious in America. If you would have said similar things about Catholics or Jews, you would be kicked off the air faster than Don Imus. In fact, if you called us nappy-haired hoes, it would have been less detestable.
Based on today's show, you need to amend your website to now say Principle Number 2 is not optional. American nontheists, who may have wanted to participate in Friday’s event, might be mislead by your statement that one only needs to agree with 7 of your Principles.
Why did your expert panel not include at least one secular historian? Did you feel there religious men were sufficient to provide a “fair and balanced” accounting of American history? How can you with one breath cry about the godless forcing their views down your throat, and then with the other shove your views down theirs? How can you call yourself a Libertarian? Possibly you should no longer invite atheists like Penn Jillette to be a guest of your program.
Do you really believe the Golden Rule implies that an individual must believe in God and that he be the center of their life? Really? I would recommend doing a simple internet search. You will find that the Golden Rule was a treasured principle long before it was uttered by Jesus. One of the oldest forms was attributed to Confucius, “Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself.” Believe me when I tell you the majority of atheists live by, and cherish this principle. In fact, we would love it if all religious people would actually live by it as well.
It is quite sad that nontheists are not welcome to participate in your event. I guess we interested nonbelievers will have to settle for our own version of the Boston Tea Party, and include bigots like yourself to our protest. Since the Sons of Liberty dressed as Native Americans during the dissent, we should choose some form of garb that would heap upon you the same respect you give us (magic underwear maybe?).
Whether you like it or not, many Americans are realizing they can be good moral people, and can raise ethical children, without the superstitions of religion. They are finding new ways to appreciate the great traditions and rituals that were once provided by their churches, and incorporating them into a wonderful, fulfilling, and beautiful life. One based in reality.
How dare you sir. You owe an apology to me and the millions of nontheist Americans. To borrow a phrase from another minority, “We’re here. We’re godless. Get used to it!”
Brother Richard
http://atheistnexus.org
As an addendum, I thought I would add to your quotes of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. I'll also include Presidents 2-4 to round out the founders of our great Country.
Benjamin Franklin
"Lighthouses are more helpful than churches."
"He (the Rev. Mr. Whitefield) used, indeed, sometimes to pray for my conversion, but never had the satisfaction of believing that his prayers were heard."
"In the affairs of the world, men are saved, not by faith, but by the want of it."
"I have found Christian dogma unintelligible. Early in life, I absenteed myself from Christian assemblies."
George Washington
“Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause. I had hoped that liberal and enlightened thought would have reconciled the Christians so that their [not our?] religious fights would not endanger the peace of Society.”
John Adams
"The divinity of Jesus is made a convenient cover for absurdity."
"The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion."
“It will never be pretended that any persons employed in that service [formation of the American governments] had interviews with the gods, or were in any degree under the influence of Heaven...”
Thomas Jefferson
"Question with boldness even the existence of God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear."
"I do not find in orthodox Christianity one redeeming feature."
"Religions are all alike - founded upon fables and mythologies."
"Where the preamble declares, that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed by inserting "Jesus Christ," so that it would read "A departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion;" the insertion was rejected by the great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mohammedan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination."
James Madison
"In no instance have . . . the churches been guardians of the liberties of the people."
"...the number, the industry, and the morality of the priesthood, and the devotion of the people, have been manifestly increased by the total separation of the church from the State"
"During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What has been its fruits? More or less, in all places, pride and indolence in the clergy; ignorance and servility in the laity; in both, superstition, bigotry, and persecution."
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by joseph f logston on -
thank you rosemary, the right wing goal is to kill the public schools that are a socialize program,
they want to privatize every thing the military,police,fire department,social security,medicare,social services, see they cant make a huge profit unless they do this, the corps and religion are taking over the the USA. if not stopped it will turn into lock step fascist right wing government, capitalism dose not work if not regulated (one) will own all. they will call it ?od
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Permalink Reply by Derek Colanduno on -
I send a long e-mail and attached a picture of myself and the FSM together.... :)
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Permalink Reply by Atheist Insurgency on -
Glenn Beck thrives on recognition, does he deserve to know he has atheists in his audience? Talk show hosts can say what ever they want because their business is misdirection. They are misdirecting the audience away from their bread and butter, namely their sponsors. Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity and others are merely the torch. We should go after the hand holding the torch.
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Permalink Reply by Chrys Stevenson on -
I agree completely. Telling the advertisers on Beck's programme that there is a campaign to stop the non-religious from buying their products while they support bigots is a much more effective strategy than attacking Beck directly.
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Permalink Reply by Friar-Zero on -
I've written my own thoughts on each of beck's "principles" over at my blog.
A Few Thoughts on Beck’s 9 Principles
http://appleofdoubt.com/?p=120
Essentially I can sum up my criticism by saying that these principles are vaguely worded generic ideas used to trump up populist emotional responses.
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Permalink Reply by Rosemary LYNDALL WEMM on -
I submitted Friar-Zero's blog to Stumble-Upon.
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Permalink Reply by Friar-Zero on
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Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
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Permalink Reply by Dre Smith on -
I think its a complete crock of shit that "GOD" is at the center of anyone's life, lest you count the monks in a monestary or people actually in the profession...*snickers "profession"*. But seriously, family is at the center of people's lives, their girlfriends, wives, kids, job, friends, husbands, boyfriends, pets for some people. GOD may come into some peoples lives but to suggest most Americans live encompass GOD completely is a complete crock. Since when did it become okay that only "Christians" can be American...let's also be clear about that little disclaimer no one is mentioning in his little list. All other faiths are also UN-AMERICAN. To not be able to be UN-AMERICAN is in of itself UN-AMERICAN. I'm just waiting for the day when American slogan goes from the "Home of the Brave" to "Praise Jesus or Else". It's getting there. Eventhough our numbers are increasing but I'm not sure if that is accurate so as long as people are just being simply being more vocal about being an atheist. Then again he is a Republican.....so how much can we really expect from him?
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Permalink Reply by Фелч Гроган on -
Dre Smith: To not be able to be UN-AMERICAN is in of itself UN-AMERICAN.
That's going in the quote file. That is an excellent point to throw back in the face of nutjobs.
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Permalink Reply by Фелч Гроган on
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This is comic relief innit ? Chuck Norris - I may run for president of Texas. I mean it is a joke I don't get ? Innit ?
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Permalink Reply by Rosemary LYNDALL WEMM on
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It seems to me that Chuck Norris is a joke all by his unaided self.
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Permalink Reply by Фелч Гроган on
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Contextual note: Chuck's article was about being on Beck's radio show.
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