Why do you think atheists put up billboards and bumper stickers?

I can only comment on the bumper sticker thing. A few years ago I was living in a semi-rural town in MA. I had put 2 bumper stickers on my car (“church/state – keep them separate”, and a small “atheist” sticker) with one goal only: to come out and hope that someone else would see them and think that maybe they weren’t completely alone.

One day I drove to a friend’s house and pulled in the driveway. A car pulled up right behind me and a guy got out. He started to tell me how happy it made him feel to know that he was not alone out there. He thanked me profusely and shook my hand, then wished me a good day and was off. I suppose that made it worth it for me.

Atheist. Would never put up a sign/billboard/bumper sticker. Mostly because I don’t care what anyone else believes, and don’t care what anyone else assumes about my beliefs.

I will, however, take a very strong stand when someone uses their religion as a basis for infringing on other people’s rights (gay marriage, forced prayer in school, etc).

I think they might have any or all of the reasons you’ve listed. I remember when I first heard about the bus campaign in the UK, my reaction was, “Hah! About time.” Mainly, this is because I’ve had Christian evangelicals trying to convert me my entire life, yet I know that these friends would be repulsed by a similar effort by atheists. I’ve never felt the desire to do anything so large-scale myself, but am generally inclined to argue the case when it is someone I know, and for the same reason that they do: I care about them and think they could be leading happier, freer lives. With strangers, I tend not to bother, because I expect the effort will be misunderstood, and because it’s a damned difficult argument to have without it devolving into insults and personal attacks.

I’m not upset if atheists put up stuff, I’m not upset if religious people put up stuff, seeing stuff will not affect my belief system. Deist/theist here. When persons come to my door to proselytize I say “no thank you” and close the door. So far no one has held a loaded gun to my head and demanded that I listen, convert, etc. I don’t need to advertise my own belief system, nor do I feel “alone out there” because I don’t know others who feel the way I do.

@JilltheTooth The question was why do you think atheists do it? Their motives?

I have had the weekend visits from Jehovah Witnesses. At first I was polite turning them away because many times they had children with them and I didn’t want them to see their parents disrespected. They, however kept coming until I would interrupt their patter with the question, “Are you a Jehovah Witness?” When they answered “yes” I answered “I’m sorry, I’ll pray for you”, and closed the door. They soon stopped calling.

I feel that overt Atheist billboards are beneath our dignity unless the town becomes plastered with Evangelical ones, then it is only right to answer in kind less people think that fundamentalism is the norm and drink the Cool-Aide.

@JLeslie : Oh! I’m sorry! I’m usually better at that, please forgive me. Just a little foggy this AM. I flagged it as off topic.

@JilltheTooth Oh, no problem, you didn’t have to flag it, I was just interested in your opinion if you had one about it.

Atheists don’t need to advertise. People are pretty good at getting rid of God on their own.

As we’ve addressed many times in this very forum, many atheists feel persecuted for their beliefs or lack thereof. Because of this perceived persecution they may be reluctant to share their beliefs out loud with the general public. Perhaps these are messages from non-believers to fellow non-believers to remind them that, no matter what, it is ok not to believe in God and that they don’t have to stay in the closet. Either that or they are bucking for the toaster that comes with recruiting 40 new atheists.

I would think they do it for the same reason(s) anyone else does it. Which means probably all of the reasons you listed and more in varying combinations.

Atheist; I’m generally ambivalent towards any such displays I can see the good in them from certain perspectives.

People feel free in America to express their religious views… as long as they’re Christians. Somehow (in some areas) it’s less acceptable to express different views, despite guaranteed “freedom of religion.” I would guess the athiests that do publicly display their views are doing it on the principle that they should be allowed to do so with no repercussions.

I would never have an athiest bumper sticker, partially because I just don’t feel the need to shout it to the world, but also because I think in my area it could well result in my car getting keyed, which is a sad state of affairs.

“To make atheists who are in the closet come out,” David Silverman, president of American Atheists.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4QfSp5neoU

Atheist, and all of the above. I believe some are intended to help nonbelievers feel less alone in the world, that some are to promote tolerance, and that some may be to combat religious messages.
Also, as @bkcunningham mentioned, the Out Campaign specifically wants atheists to feel like they can “come out of the closet.”
Yes, I think it is a good idea to post these things. I’m an atheist, and I’m also a loudmouthed atheist.. I think it’s important that people talk about this. I think it is important that people learn that atheists are part of their communities, their work force, their families… and we are not as scary as many think we are.

Who is modding this Q?

When I read that ad with the words, “Not believing. It’s ok.” What I felt was an offer of relief for those who maybe are struggling with having faith, those who doubt, those who are terrified of going to hell. It has less to do with an anti-organized religion campaign but more about the psychology of liberating a conditioned mind.

I just read the other responses, and I’m a little bit surprised. I feel like… most people know what a Christian is. The descriptions vary from person to person, no doubt, but we all get the general idea. However, I have met so many people in my lifetime who have said either: “atheist? what is that?” or who assume that atheists are scary, immoral, dangerous heathens without a care in the world for the well being of those around us.
I don’t think that religious billboards and atheist billboards have the same goal. Atheism is widely misunderstood, or sometimes not understood at all. (Fluther has taught me that this varies widely by location, but it still rings true for many places.) I feel like religious billboards are meant to reaffirm people’s faith, in almost every case I’ve ever personally seen. Atheist billboards seem to be about promoting tolerance and encouraging people who feel very alone in a world where believers outnumber us by quite a large margin.
I don’t think one is better than the other, but I do think they are different.

@ANef_is_Enuf I have never thought of religious billboards as being there to reaffirm a person’s faith. Interesting.

@JLeslie really? What do you get from them?

@ANef_is_Enuf Spread the word or recruit. Actually, your idea of reaffirmation would be similar to thinking atheists are letting other atheists know there are people like them out there. Letting the atheists reaffirm their belief or lack thereof. Wouldn’t it?

@ANef_is_Enuf Refresh my memory, are you an atheist? Christian?

Well, I think that religious billboards do that, as well. Spread the word and recruit. I don’t think you’re wrong about that. I just notice that most of the ones I’ve seen around here are meant to be inspirational messages, they seem to have the goal of reaffirming, more than recruiting. But I have seen some that do look like recruiting messages.
I don’t feel that atheist billboards are reaffirming beliefs, I think they are trying to make people feel comfortable with admitting those beliefs. I think that is different from strengthening what you already believe. There are a lot of people who are afraid to even admit that they don’t believe in god(s). A lot of the ones I’ve seen also appear to be encouraging people to explore the possibility that atheists are good people, too. The “good without god” graphics, for example.

I’m a Dawkins’ level 6 atheist. I am a staunch non-believer.

@ANef_is_Enuf The Christian billboards around me may have a reaffirming message, but they are all tagged with the specific church that is paying for the add. I have seen sky writers with a message of God and Jesus, with no mention of who is behind it. I don’t think I ever have seen any advertising in person, where I have lived, put up by atheists, I have only seen stories about them. Probably I have seen a bumper sticker, but I think of bumper stickers as being more about the person driving than a message to the masses.

I see the subtle difference you are talking about. I’m going to think about what you said. Part of the reason I asked the question was because I wondered if the intent is misperceived. Or, even how varied the intent of these messages might be.

@JLeslie I think it’s a good question. I had to think about it for a moment, myself, but it also made me wonder what other people think.
Part of it, for me, is that I know many people feel that atheists try to recruit just as much as certain religious groups do. Where, many religious texts include recruitment or spreading the word as part of practicing the actual religion, of course atheism does not. On a very personal level, though, I think that most believers and nonbelievers alike.. couldn’t give a shit less what anyone else believes, as long as they don’t stomp on our toes.

@ANef_is_Enuf People feel many atheists try to recruit. That sentence draws all sorts of reactions from. That is one reason I don’t like atheiest “advertisements.” I don’t want atheists accused of recruiting. I also think Christians who believe this are projecting. They recruit. The majority of the atheists I know are Jewish, and so they have the added thing about Jews don’t proseltyze, and so the whole concept of recruiting is very foreign and some might go as far to say offensive.

I agree most people are not trying to recruit others, and just want the freedom to practice their own beliefs without any interference.

I don’t do bumper stickers, and I don’t pay much attention to billboards unless they’re clever or funny, but if I were to do a bumper sticker, this is the one I’d get, or something like it. (I don’t care about ‘promoting’ atheism. I’d be happy if the various religions could get along with each other, and then we could all get along okay.)

@JLeslie I agree with you. I hate that people accuse me of trying to recruit, because that isn’t my goal and it never has been. Your not believing in a higher power has zero effect on me, I gain absolutely nothing from it, and so I do not seek to achieve it. But, the accusations are always there.
But, I am just from the school of thought that this needs to be discussed. I think that tolerance comes with exposure, and I think it is really important that people be made aware that atheists are here, that we are not evil or dangerous or immoral, and that there are issues we will fight for. Although those issues may sometimes clash with the ideals and/or goals of some religious groups, I think the majority of us just don’t want to be brushed under the rug and ignored.

@CWOTUS I’ve always liked that “coexist” bumper sticker. I see that one far more often than anything blatantly athiest.

Well, a bumper sticker is hardly a billboard.
I don’t know why someone would go to the trouble and expense of buying billboard space to proclaim their preferences.

Me on the other hand, being the bohemian gal that lives in redneck land, well..I do get a kick when I’m behind the local dudes in their pick up trucks with gun racks and NRA stickers proclaiming they will give up their guns when they are pryed from their cold dead hands and I’m peacefully sitting in my car in zen mode with my ” Shed light not blood” and my peace sign.

Of course, sex has no political leanings, and I am often flirtatiously solicited inspite of my make love not war proclamations. I guess getting a little piece of my peaceful ass would trump a lot of these dudes distaste for happy brownie baking, hippie, liberally apolitical gals.

Talk about the lamb lying down with the lion. lolol

@ANef_is_Enuf Yes, I agree, I think coming out is important so people see atheists are all around them and that we are not to be feared. I’m sure there is a minority of atheists who want to spread the word, but I think most who are vocal just want to be accepted and not prejudged. While I think most very vocal Christians, also a minority, are trying to change laws and affect others.

@ANef_is_Enuf There are levels to atheism now? This amuses me beyond belief.

@dappled_leaves – Amuses you? Really?

For your amusement: I consider myself a 6.

I don’t see why it is funny, although I didn’t mean anything by using it in my response to the question above, I was actually being a little bit silly because I think I have a reputation for being a hardcore atheist.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectrum_of_theistic_probability

Oh, come on now. I don’t think @dappled_leaves was saying anything except that the concept was both new and interesting in a good way.

@tom_g I don’t understand what your last question means. If you are trying to understand my amusement, the notion of having “levels of atheism” strikes me as being similar to having “levels of pregnancy”, for example.

@SavoirFaire Thank you, that is about right.

@dappled_leaves it isn’t actually levels of atheism, but now I understand why you thought it was funny.

@ANef_is_Enuf I wanted to be fair, as an after thought, and say that some theists feel the loud atheist are trying to change laws. Especially down here in the south. My perception is the Christians have been breaking the laws, but their perception is atheists are coming along and changing how things always have been. Their experience was growing up with prayer in school and they believe under God has always been in the pledge.

Can one be a little bit atheist? lol

Wouldn’t that then become agnostic?

Okay gang, don’t force me to cram a happy brownie down your throats as an act of assertive peacekeeping. haha

@Coloma that’s the point of the spectrum, to lay it out on a scale from staunch believer to staunch non-believer, and that which falls in between. Not how atheist you are… because, that is a silly concept.
JLeslie, I’m inclined to agree with your perception, but I have heard that argument.

I think they might be making a point about how offensive they find the “in your face” religious propaganda out there. Maybe it’s just a little push back.

I am an apatheist: I believe the question of God’s existence does not matter. I think the billboards and bumper stickers are a way of saying “we’re here, we’re sincere, get used to it.” They break the silence that lets people pretend atheists don’t exist or are very few and very far away.

How about they are working for the devil?

I’m an atheist and I think they are doing it for a number of reasons, all of which are valid. This isn’t a theocracy, but some people sure as hell think it is. These people have the same rights as anyone else.

Same reason religious people think its ok to have bumper stickers and posters. Whatever that is.

Of course it is ok. If a theist can wear a shirt representing their religion, then an atheist can do the same. Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing.
When I was in high school, there were many kids who would wear shirts with things such as: “Where are you going? (With arrows pointing up and down, then having some crazy thing about god on the back)”, or “There is only one way (with a cross under it)”. Now me, being the most out-spoken, “rebelious” person in the school wore a shirt that simply said “Atheist” (I am not a true atheist, I just wore it to make a point, don’t attack me on it). I was suspended for two days from this school. How is that ok? So it is accepted when people wear Jesus shirts, but the minute someone breaks the “norm”, and speaks of a belief that isn’t all for Jesus and God, its a horrible thing. Awesome, good to know that the people who are God-loving can exercise their First ammendment rights, but those who don’t have to bite thier tounges.

@MacBatman31 So are you saying most atheists do these things just to retaliate against religious messages?

No, you missed the point @JLeslie. I am saying that it is freedom of speech and if one group is allowed to do it, then the other group can without being heckeled by it. I never once said, “oh, atheist do it to get back at theist”. I am saying if someone can put up a bumpersticker talking about God and Jesus, an atheist is allowed to do the same damn thing for their beliefs.

@MacBatman31 No you missed the point, the question asks why do you think atheists do it? Not whether they should be allowed to.

@Johnpennington, unfortunately, I think “Christians” do more to advance the devils agenda than atheists. :-(

@JLeslie FREEDOM OF SPEECH. You, my friend missed the point. Why do they do it? FREEDOM OF SPEECH. Did you see that in my answers a few times?

@MacBatman31 – Stop yelling. You did miss the point. Now you’re just yelling. Repeat it a few more times. If we misunderstood you, repeating it in all caps a few more times isn’t going to help. I have read your answers a few times now and have yet to see you answer the question. “Freedom of speech” doesn’t answer the question. (Or at least, @JLeslie – the person who asked – didn’t understand your answer.) Also – you’re not even an atheist. Are you just guessing at the motivations of atheists?

@tom_g Yelling would involve ”!”. All caps is a way to point it out, and if you really want me to repeat it, I can. I did answer the question. Why do atheists do it? Answer: Because there is a thing called Freedom of Speech and atheists are exercising their rights to it. How on this earth is that not answering the question. Please, tell me how my answer of “freedom of speech” is not seeing the point.

Because bumper stickers and billboards are a way of advertising your opinions. I’d assume that an atheist would put up something like that to show A) what their beliefs are, B) that it’s okay to have those beliefs, C) people are not alone in those beliefs. In other words, it’s really the same reason a religious person would put a pro-religious bumper sticker or billboard up. I am an atheist and I think it’s absolutely alright to put up such stickers/billboards providing that it is also okay for religious people to put up the same such stickers/billboards. Would I do it? Probably not. I have a pro-LGBT bumper sticker on my car but I feel more passionately about that than I do my atheism. However, in the Bay Area I’m not really worried about my car getting keyed or anything for having an atheist bumper sticker; it’s just not that type of place. However, that would just prove the point of some people who think the stickers are necessary, especially in regard to reason B I pointed out above..

@MacBatman31 in other words your saying “they do it because they can”.

@MacBatman31 – Is @wonderingwhy correct in interpreting your position here?

@tom_g if you did read them, you would have noticed that I did in fact say “First ammendmen” in my first answer. In my second I did in fact say “freedom of speech”, so you are wrong when you say that I didn’t say anything about freedom of speech. And yes if that happens to be a better way to put it for you.

Actually, “Because they can” is the punchline answer to the old joke about “Why do dogs lick their balls?”

For what it’s worth, I enjoy freedom of speech, but I’ve never even put up a bumper sticker, much less a billboard. That’s not a motivating reason to erect such a billboard, though it could be considered an enabling reason… in case anyone cares about nuance any more in this regard.

Popcorn, anyone? I made extra.

Because I’m working for the devil. Duh.

Actually, like with anything else, it’s because people need to know that being religious shouldn’t be the default they assume all people are.

I guess maybe it is possible @MacBatman31 did do it just because he can. I’m ok with that. I think it is more likely to prove a point. To prove a first amendment point when he knew the atheist t-shirt might get a rise out of people.

I had no idea non theists felt this marginalized. I always thought those without belief in the hereafter allowed no provision for anything apart from their chosen focus.

@smilingheart1 I wouldn’t say people put bumper stickers ‘cause they feel marginalized or because they have allowed a provision for religion.

@smilingheart1 That’s a little vague, care to elaborate? What are we labeling as the chosen focus?

I just mean @Blackberry, the quick and tidily summed up responses you make from thread to thread indicate you have a direction or focus for your life without any qualms. It is as though you’ve sifted through the big issues and are settled in your mind. Surely that would constitute focus.

Simone, I agree with you but I was endeavoring to say that non theists seem so settled in their thinking, why would billboards or stickers on either side of the issue even matter?

@smilingheart1 Just in case others aren’t settled in theirs.

@smilingheart1 Oh ok, gotcha. I still struggle with things, but it’s difficult to change certain beliefs because they make too much sense to me, yes. But I’ll change my beliefs accordingly with more time and exoperience, if needed.

@smilingheart1 But why would atheists be any more settled in their beliefs than theists? I guess I see the motivation for both theists and atheists putting up bumper stickers/billboards to be the same, just on different ends of the spectrum.

Judi, I rarely answer a question about religion. It only causes hard feeling amongst friends.

Now, I wish I had not answered this question, for the same reason.

Thanks, anyway.

[mod says] This is our Question of the Day!

TL:DR

Why do Theists get bumper stickers advertising their faith? I think that a lot of it is done as a result of all the “Jesus fish” and other religious decorations that adorn the cars of many Christians.

A small part of it may have to do with non-conformity or advertising affiliation with their own type as well. For instance, how many people know The Sacred Chao? Those who get it will appreciate seeing another of of their kind while those that don’t will still know that there is something that sets the owner of said car apart.

@jerv Oh, no, website/image is forbidden. Sad panda.

Had my response moderated, but since the post that inspired my response has not been moderated, I’m left to at least defend myself…

@MacBatman31: ”@tom_g if you did read them, you would have noticed that I did in fact say “First ammendmen” in my first answer. In my second I did in fact say “freedom of speech”, so you are wrong when you say that I didn’t say anything about freedom of speech.”

I never said such a thing. Moderators – if this isn’t a personal attack, I’m not sure what is. He’s intentionally attributing a statement to me he knows I did not make.

@tom_g “You are wrong” is not a personal attack. A personal attack would be “you’re an idiot”. Not to speak for the mods, but I’m pretty sure that’s right, right?

@DominicX – nope. I’m not saying “You are wrong” is a personal attack. Wait – are you playing this game too? @MacBatman31 baited me into this nonsense by saying “so you are wrong when you say that I didn’t say anything about freedom of speech.” Note: I never said such a thing – in fact I said quite the opposite. There is no way to interpret or twist what I said into what he attributed to me without intentionally making that “error”.

Example @DominicX – you are wrong when you said that my real name is Charlie Brown.

lol, okay, then that would be more along the lines of a straw man fallacy, or something similar. I still wouldn’t consider that a personal attack. Bad arguing, for sure, but not a personal attack and not really grounds for modding.

@DominicX – Got the explanation in pm. (@tom_g puts on his cranky hat and mumbles as he stomps out of the room…)

I am atheist & I think that atheist billboards are simply a statement to counteract all of the ‘religious messages’ that we get bombarded with on a daily basis. Our politicians seem to be bound & determined to combine government with ‘Christian’ theology (even though church & state are supposed to be separate). Our former president, Bush, stated that he did not think that atheists could even be considered to be citizens! Religion has done its best to corrupt even our education systems with their ‘Devine Design’ to be taught along with Science.

@Aethelflaed I wonder how that happened. I have no problems loading it.

Last winter ads ran on DC buses that said, “Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness sake.” It seems like a quick, catchy way to make a thoughtful point, that it’s possible to lead a moral and ethical life without following rules set by a god or a religion. I think that’s actually a very hopeful message, because it says to me that humans are innately moral beings and that we don’t need outside structure and rules to be good people.

It’s a simple statement, but I think it’s very effective. It sends a message that atheism and humanism go hand-in-hand, and maybe that gets people thinking about what it means to be an atheist and to see the positive side of it.

I think this would make a good billboard statement: “There are still passages that I read in the bible where I say, ‘Well, this doesn’t make any sense’” – Barack Obama. 2012.

I’m not bringing anything new to this conversation, but I agree it’s a way of helping atheists feel comfortable being more open about their views, as well as raising awareness to “doubters.”

There are some communities where atheism is viewed as really bad. I met an atheist in Huntsville, AL. He was convinced he was the only guy in the state that voted for Obama. He was a great guy, but had to whisper to me about his religious views lest his co-workers hear him. That sucks.

I am curious, as a relatively new Flutherite… why do I keep seeing responses modded as Off-Topic if this question is in Social?

Wow! All these hours later and the beat goes on. ;-)

@dappled_leaves Even in the Social Section, the rule says your responses should be on topic. I’m still getting used to it myself.

@DominicX, hi….you make an interesting statement and as I have thought hard on it, I have to admit that there are a number of supposed theists who have renounced their faith, usually after some kind of a hard personal hit or after hitting some kind of a slippery slope. But, and I speak from my own experience, once you do have a true spiritual encounter, the recognitions produce a depth that goes beyond an intellectual place so much so that this could not be blasted out of you with mustard gas :)

Considering what nonsense that many nontheists have gone through in what I thought was supposed to be a free country where no laws were suppossed to be made supporting the establishment of any religion (First Amendment is pretty clear on this) I guess I can’t blame their frustration.

Personally I don’t believe that either theism or atheism in themselves would be better for society since in the end it is how we are brought up and behave that matters the most regardless. There is one thing that is clear to me however, theocracies never work.

The attention seekers do this because they want everyone to hear what is important to them.

I’m a little bit atheist. aka agnostic.

The religious fanatics started it with that fish.

There are a range of atheist groups that put up billboards, and sell bumperstickers, and the messages vary widely. So accordingly, there are a range of reasons behind their use, as other’s have mentioned. When I think back on these different messages that I have read from the UK, USA and elsewhere, and the explanations from those organizations that fund them, it seems to me that the reasons include:
1) to let nontheists know that their not alone
2) to let nontheists know about organizations where they can socialize with/ get support/legal advice from other non-theists
2) to let theists who are having doubts know that their is an alternative
3) to challenge the nonsense that you need religion to be a good person
4) to highlight famous people who have been atheists (and thereby to make atheism less unfamiliar or scary)
5) to challenge specific acts of legislation that infringes on the separation of church and state, or people’s individual rights
http://ffrf.org/news/releases/freethought-will-be-on-atlantas-mind/

6) to challenge the religious indoctrination of children
http://www.humanism.org.uk/billboards/images

7) to assertively challenge theism (see the bumper stickers below)

here are some from Brazil
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2011/08/10/the-brazilian-atheist-billboards-in-english/
and Sweden (God probably does not exist)
http://www.dn.se/kultur-noje/debatt-essa/hakan-lindgren-vi-klarar-oss-utan-gud

New Zealand
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2010/07/01/atheist-billboards-appear-in-new-zealand/

Here’s the biggest range of bumperstickers I’ve seen, which gives some idea as to the range of messages that are being promoted.
http://www.evolvefish.com/fish/stickers.html

Lots of reason s

@prioritymail – This is the badge on my car

I also have the Darwin fish. I put it on simply because I could. :P

Also, meanwhile…...Here is another religious bill
board.

Apparently only atheists kill their parents.

@Blackberry That billboard is bazaar? Who does that appeal to? Who is the market for it?

@JLeslie: “Who is the market for it?”

Parents whose kids are pointing guns at them.

@Blackberry WTF.

@ANef_is_Enuf While other countries are electing atheist politicians, we’re still afraid of them. :/

Sigh.

the last time I saw something like this, it was called nazi propaganda against Jews

relevant?

@tom_g I love how they’re making a special one for the people of Florida lol. “We’re gonna need some more concentrated logic down here, guys.”

@Blackberry – These billboards must be slightly embarrassing for educated Americans.

@Mat74UK , Welcome to America, where everyone has an equal right to be an idiot.

@Mat74UK On another website, we had people from other countries asking why American atheists seem so angry (on the website). Needless to say, there were a lot of reasons we presented to explain why it seems that way lol. And not that I’m suggesting atheists are smarter, it’s an example of completely rational people being made to look like bad guys by the crazy people.

As an Agnostic I do not oppose religion. I do oppose any religion telling us we must live according do their beliefs. That we can not do research based on Scientific documentation because a small Minority opposes it. That is fascism.
I have many religionists friends. I wish I believed and I respect my friends.
Some people are angered by the desire of the small religionists Minority who attempt to control America.
We all have the right to believe as we wish. No one speaks for God, if, he, she it exists.

@Blackberry
Why aren’t the ones who claim they are extremely religionists embarrassed by their behavior?
Some behave like the Iranian rulers. That is Fascist behavior.
I prefer to live in a society that bases all important decisions on Scientific documentation but; tolerates any religion. As long as the Religion tolerates other religions or view points.