Blasphemy

[tulc]

I'll certainly admit to that - it's possible that a god exists - I simply think it's very unlikely. On top of that, I think the likelihood of it being the Christian deity is even smaller. And, finally, I don't think that a possible god could ever be exactly as presented in the bible - too many internal inconsistencies.

But I certainly don't know everything and thus would never presume to say that god abstractly couldn't exist.

Hey have you ever been here?
So you think you want to try Christianity? | Real Live Preacher
tulc(don't worry, it's not scary)

 

[DeathMagus]

Hey have you ever been here?
So you think you want to try Christianity? | Real Live Preacher
tulc(don't worry, it's not scary)

Haven't before now. But I'm actually going in the other direction than the people he's talking about - I was Christian for most of my life until a couple years ago.

 

[tulc]

Haven't before now. But I'm actually going in the other direction than the people he's talking about - I was Christian for most of my life until a couple years ago.

That's cool, I just really enjoy RLP and thought you might also!
tulc(is one of those Christians, the kind pastors warn members about!)

 

[jayem]

You complained that laws against slander and libel deny free speech. I'm just asking you where you got the idea that slander and libel are protected under the right to free speech.

Strictly speaking, this thread is about blasphemy as a crime. I'm not a lawyer, but in the US to my knowledge, criminal slander and libel are virtually nonexistent. They are matters of civil law--tortious, but not criminal. So in a sense, you do have freedom to libel someone. The state won't charge you with a crime, though you could be sued for damages by your target.

 

[Maren]

Strictly speaking, this thread is about blasphemy as a crime. I'm not a lawyer, but in the US to my knowledge, criminal slander and libel are virtually nonexistent. They are matters of civil law--tortious, but not criminal. So in a sense, you do have freedom to libel someone. The state won't charge you with a crime, though you could be sued for damages by your target.

Sounds like a plan. We just need to get God to file suit for libel against blasphemers.

Oh, and the states that have laws (or in their constitution) that atheists cannot hold public office cannot enforce those laws. The US Constitution (which overrides both state laws and state constitutions) clearly states, "The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States." (Article 4, Section 3)

 

[DeathMagus]

Strictly speaking, this thread is about blasphemy as a crime. I'm not a lawyer, but in the US to my knowledge, criminal slander and libel are virtually nonexistent. They are matters of civil law--tortious, but not criminal. So in a sense, you do have freedom to libel someone. The state won't charge you with a crime, though you could be sued for damages by your target.

You are correct about that. After all, there's no good way for the state to prove libel/slander without the victim onboard to demonstrate litmus #1.

 

[LittleNipper]

Really? He seems to be failing in that department given the popularity of atheist comedians.

Are they popular? There are so few I even see on television anymore. Maybe it is linked to their very limited vocabulary. It takes more brains to construct a funny clean joke than it does to string together four letter expletives...

But that doesn't say much for those who like that sort of thing, either...

 

[LittleNipper]

The burden of proof lies on the one making the positive claim.

Who made up that rule? The burden of proof lies with the one interested enough to concern himself with the information received... I can lead you to the water, but you are going to have to taste it for yourself.

 

[LittleNipper]

That's true. It would probably be best all around, however, for those of both camps just to say and MEAN ..."I don't KNOW whether or not God exists. Perhaps He does, perhaps He doesn't."

I think it's the arrogance behind the assertiveness of those who claim that God DOES exist (without offering any proof) that irks so many agnostics.

It is arrogance to expect someone who doesn't believe in dumb luck to consider that all his answered prayers were just that...

 

[DeathMagus]

Who made up that rule? The burden of proof lies with the one interested enough to concern himself with the information received... I can lead you to the water, but you are going to have to taste it for yourself.

It's one of the major underpinnings of western world rationalism, and acts as the foundation for such concepts as "innocent until proven guilty", Ockham's Razor, reasonable cause, reasonable doubt, and the scientific model.

 

[roflcopter101]

Are they popular? There are so few I even see on television anymore. Maybe it is linked to their very limited vocabulary. It takes more brains to construct a funny clean joke than it does to string together four letter expletives...

Care to link us to a good Christian comedian?

 

[roflcopter101]

Who made up that rule? The burden of proof lies with the one interested enough to concern himself with the information received... I can lead you to the water, but you are going to have to taste it for yourself.

Burden of proof - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There is no water.

 

[Mling]

Are they popular? There are so few I even see on television anymore. Maybe it is linked to their very limited vocabulary. It takes more brains to construct a funny clean joke than it does to string together four letter expletives...

Very true.

Also completely irrelevant since the qualifier there was "atheist" and not "idiot."

We're talking about people like Tim Minchin, not those good ol' boys who like to write to him with messages like "haha ur goin 2 burn in hll!"

Example: YouTube - Tim Minchin - White Wine In The Sun (Christmas Song)

Though he's a comedian, that's not a funny song, really. It's more of sentimental lullaby for his baby, than anything else, but it speaks directly about his atheism and is clean.

 

[ReverendDG]

Care to link us to a good Christian comedian?

can't say i've ever heard of a "christian comic", then again i really haven't heard of a really religious jewish comic either. i can't say i've heard of a comic that really takes religion seriously

the best satirical comic of religion i've seen in a while is edward current, he's awesome and poe-riffic

 

[DeathMagus]

can't say i've ever heard of a "christian comic", then again i really haven't heard of a really religious jewish comic either. i can't say i've heard of a comic that really takes religion seriously

the best satirical comic of religion i've seen in a while is edward current, he's awesome and poe-riffic

And, really, I can't remember ever hearing of anyone billed as an "atheist comedian."

 

[Bro_Sam]

can't say i've ever heard of a "christian comic", then again i really haven't heard of a really religious jewish comic either. i can't say i've heard of a comic that really takes religion seriously

Jeff Allen, Steve Geyser, Brad Stine, Brian Regan, etc. There are quite a few Christian comics.

In addition, there are Christian satire sources such as The Door, Slice of Laodicea, Blog and Mablog, etc.

 

[tulc]

And, really, I can't remember ever hearing of anyone billed as an "atheist comedian."

Been here?
THE COEXIST COMEDY TOUR
tulc(suspects George Carlin might fit the bill also)

 

[Nathan Poe]

It is arrogance to expect someone who doesn't believe in dumb luck to consider that all his answered prayers were just that...

What about all his unanswered prayers?

 

[DeathMagus]

Been here?
THE COEXIST COMEDY TOUR
tulc(suspects George Carlin might fit the bill also)

Huh - that's interesting. I might have to check out their stuff later.

Carlin was against pretty much every establishment that ever existed. Religion was just the tip of the iceberg, not his selling point.

 

[Isambard]

Are they popular? There are so few I even see on television anymore. Maybe it is linked to their very limited vocabulary. It takes more brains to construct a funny clean joke than it does to string together four letter expletives...

But that doesn't say much for those who like that sort of thing, either...

Why yes, yes they are. More-or-less everyone with a tv. knows who George Carlin is, and Bill Maher is so popular he has his own tv show and released a movie
YouTube - Religulous - Trailer

PS. I see Edward Current mentioned. He is awsome, and also quite popular online
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkhQLt1vbWU&feature=channel