An Atheist-First Amendment public policy group charged [last week] that NASA is violating the separation of church and state by permitting a "space missionary" memento on the latest Discovery space shuttle mission.
On board the shuttle is a piece of an airplane that crashed in Ecuador in 1956 that carried members of the Missionary Aviation Fellowship. One of the shuttle astronaut contacted the Idaho-based group proposing that the item be taken into space as part of a government-funded exploration project. The event has re-ignited enthusiasm by religious groups for "space missionary" proselytizing.
"This is an inappropriate and unconstitutional use of resources, "charged Dr. Ed Buckner, President of American Atheists. NASA is a scientific and exploratory agency that is funded by taxpayers. Its
mission should not include religious grandstanding, or efforts to use outer space as a pulpit for religion."
Coincidentally, Dr. Buckner's late father, Rev. James C. Buckner of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in League City, Texas, collaborated with Apollo 8 astronaut Cdr. Frank Borman to insert religion on the first lunar orbital mission in 1968. That mission included a Christmas Eve religious service as the spacecraft circled the Moon -- and prompted an unsuccessful lawsuit by American Atheists founder Madalyn Murray O'Hair. Ed Buckner stressed that "I loved my father, though I disagreed with him then and of course now. I did not reject my father when I rejected theism nor became an Atheist out of rebellion. I became an Atheist because theism ceased to make any sense to me."
Dave Silverman, Vice President and Communications Director for American Atheists said that in addition to being inappropriate and illegal, using NASA to promote sectarian religion "could fuel international tensions and resurrect images of American-sponsored proselytizing in the Middle
East and elsewhere."
"This is supposed to be a 'new era' for international respect and cooperation," said Mr. Silverman. How do you think the non-Christian peoples of the world react when they see Americans pushing Christianity even in outer space?"
AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for Atheists; works for the total separation of church and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.
Comments
Your article doesn't state whether the astronaut is bring the memento as part of his personal belongings (I presume they are permitted the equivalent of a 'carry on bag'). Nor does it say whether mission operations will be at all impacted by whatever this astronaut might do in his free time (they are alloted a tiny bit of personal time).
From what I can tell from your article, there is a good chance that this will not impact the taxpayer at all. Assuming NASA is uninvolved with any ceremonies, I don't see that there could be any grounds to interfere.
If NASA (as an organization) is involved....well that is another story.
There was a very fine documentary done in 1999 which spells out the dangers of Christian proselytization in outer space...
www.southparkstudios.com/episodes/103587
The God-haters have evolved from rejecting religion to suppressing religion. From silencing church bells to driving religion into the catacombs. This nation was founded as a God-fearing Christian nation. The Haters and Devil-worshippers are using apostate judges to advance their cause.
Despite lies to the contrary. The Constitution does not forbid religion. It actually intends to foster religion. It only forbids the Government from creating or recognizing a single religion. No state-sponsored 'official' church. But now the Haters intend to outlaw all but their church--The American Church of Atheists Worldwide...
Larry... that's a pretty whacked-out viewpoint you've got there. I'd like to know where you came by such nonsense, because I'd like to focus some attention on the source. Was it the Christian World Nut Weekly perhaps? A particular church? Surely, you did not dream up such drivel all by yourself. I mean... what sane person could think that atheists hate something that they do not even believe exists? That's not even possible! Do you hate the Bogey Man?... the monster-under-your-bed? Get a grip!
By the way... your posts have a prodigious lie-ratio: 8.636
That means that on average, for every 8.636 words you have typed, you have produced one lie. The only question is whether these are lies that you have dreamed up all by yourself, or whether you are merely regurgitating the lies of some professional LFJ™ (Liar For Jesus).
What a spectacular waste of time and money on the part of NASA, the atheists and whoever gets involved in the court case. The only people that will benefit are the lawyers and the knee jerk commentaries that will no doubt continue to spount hate on both sides until the case is forgotten and the lawyers are back in their multi-million dollar country club houses frolicking in vats of 100 dollar bills put there by the taxpayer.
Dave Silverman, Vice President and Communications Director for American Atheists said WHAT!
"This is supposed to be a 'new era' for international respect and cooperation," said Mr. Silverman. How do you think the non-Christian peoples of the world react when they see Americans pushing Christianity even in outer space?"
Mr Silverman doesn't sound like an atheists...his issue seems to be that the Nasa Plaque was not paying homage to HIS god!
Trina, I read the "original" source for this article, and it's unfortunate that you've cut-and-pasted without any context or true "examination" of this story. Shuttle astronauts are quite legally allowed to take some personal mementos with them on shuttle flights, with limits for size and weight. Since this was a personal request by one of the astronauts, we should assume that figures into his personal allowance - meaning he can take whatever he wants. I'm quite sure that many other astronauts have taken crucifixes, Stars of David, bibles, or other religious "artifacts" without atheists or anyone else getting bent out of shape for proselytizing in space. We know other astronauts have taken NASCAR hats, sheet music, and paper weights. Does this mean NASCAR should become the official US sport? I don't see how the inclusion of a small piece of an airplane in an astronaut's personal allowance is construed as a NASA endorsement of an official state religion.
Ummm, Church and State? NASA is an agency not the Government, go find some Christians to offend.
@larry
thats right we are going to ban all religions and you will only be allowed to be atheist. why? cause your religions are false and fake. your atheist leader has already been elected, shouldnt you be follwing him down the atheist path???
Sometimes I wonder if we Atheists should pick our battles just a little better.
Missionaries in space. Bwa-ha-ha-ha. So anybody think if an actual alien species is found is wants some inferior earth god forced on it. You then X'Tak'ree from Alpha Centauri wants some God-fear'n evangelical to be forcing God down his throat, that his planet's deity is false. Missionaries in space, the overzealous god squad is crazier than a sack of rabid weasels.
Maybe he should read the first amendment. There is nothing about the separation of church and state. It reads:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
It says that people are free to worship however they please. It doesn't say that we must be free of religion. I'm an ashiest but I'm respectful of others beliefs.
point #1: Nasa is not promoting anything here beyond basic human individuality. If a man/woman wants to take a momento that is comforting to them, so be it; Religious afilliation does not matter in this case. Would you be screaming like this if a muslim took a prayer mat up into space with him?
Point 2: atheists complain about christian proselytizing. Here's the thing though: with every lawsuit, with every insult, with every irrational rant, atheists are effectively doing the same thing. You are proselytizing your unbelief upon a nation, trying to force those who believe differently than you over your litigated bended knee and threatining to break them if they don't yeild. Athiests have turned into the very thing they hate and complain about: The Catholic church circa the middle ages. You do it their way, or suffer the consequences. This isn't about free thought or individual rights. This is about assimilation.
As an Atheist it concerns me that other Atheists are behaving this poorly and are pulling the same crap that religious organizations do. Being an Atheist doesn't mean we should be denying other people their beliefs and this just proves that any organized beleif is no better than the next.
@spooky926
The Jeeeews are in spaaaace!
We're flying around, protecting the Hebrew race!
For a group of people who fancy calling themselves "brights," this is hilariously dumb. Surely these people have something of value they could be doing.
@ D:
maybe you didnt read the first part: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion"
Good for the atheists. Every time there's a controversial art exhibit the fundies crawl out of the woodwork complaining about how their precious taxmoney is being wasted. Well, I don't want my tax money wasted on sending myths of the invisible sky wizard and his zombie child into space.
Maybe it's time for some Christian groups to sue American Atheists for attempting to deny them their rights?
Me, I'd like to see them sued for wasting taxpayer money.
As an Atheist it concerns me that other Atheists are behaving this poorly and are pulling the same crap that religious organizations do. Being an Atheist doesn't mean we should be denying other people their beliefs and this just proves that any organized beleif is no better than the next.
Why not send up a big ol' statue of Buddha? How about the noodley appendages of the Flying Spaghetti Monster?
Oh, wait... Xtians would get their undies in a bunch about that.
If it's just a personal item brought on by a specific astronaut, I don't have an issue with it. I do, however, take issue with airing any religious items while filming the astronauts. Having a christmas celebration in space and broadcasting that sends the message that in order to be a successful astronaut you need to be a christian. That's not the message I want sent to my children interested in science and logical thought.
h, and believe in a god? You're probably stupid -w w w.buzzfeed.c o m/timb/iq-vs-religious-importance-6q8
"Having a christmas celebration in space and broadcasting that sends the message that in order to be a successful astronaut you need to be a christian."
What? How?
Do you know how much it costs to carry things to space? It not like throwing an extra gallon of milk in your car. It costs $1.8 million to carry a gallon of milk into space. That is taxpayer money. I don't really care to foot the bill for some crappy Christian remembrance circle jerk.
@aelfheld
Right on, I'm sick of the atheists tying up the courts over nonsense. Big waste of taxpayer money probably more then it cost to send this thing into space 20 times over.
Jeebus clearly has no idea how much it costs per pound to send stuff into space on these missions.
So, I guess that either the xtians believe in "little green men from Mars" and want to teach them about their imaginary friends, (the bible doesn't mention god terraforming other planets, though) or they don't believe in aliens and are just wasting taxpayers dollars on purpose.
If you truly, truly had faith in your religion, you wouldn't have to proselytize, you would gain converts by them witnessing all the great things god gives you, unfortunately, you ignore christ and his teachings and instead of seeing the log in your own eye, you complain and complain about the sty in everyone else's eyes.
Now that Atheists have become vocal (something that would have gotten them beat up repeatedly just a decade ago), shut up and deal with it like we have had to deal with it all our lives. Not everyone has the same opinions, we have heard the xtian opinions over and over, now it is time for you to be quiet and listen to someone else's opinions.
The antics of American Atheists is hardly newsworthy. The organization has been attention-seeking and reactionary since its inception. I really wish these folks would let atheists with a modicum of common sense look over their press releases prior to publication. They're making the rest of us look bad with this tripe.
Astronauts have carted all sorts of non-essentials into orbit, including Bibles, Torahs, and Korans. Buzz Aldrin had communion on the moon. Given that all astronauts are allowed to bring some personal items with them, restricting them to only bringing secular items would be a clear violation of their religious rights.
This is the biggest bunch of nonsense I've ever heard. Why do people have to make big issues out of absolutely nothing? Nobody asked for the item to be carried into space by the astronaut. The astronaut suggested it. C'mon, dont we have more important things, earthbound things, to be concerned about?
Ding, Stick the fork in, Countries done
It just annoys me that they can't get in any trouble over talking about their disbelief ANYWHERE and at any time. Double. freaking. standard. I don't understand, seriously, why it bothers them so much if they truly don't believe. Stupid. How about be consistent. If you don't believe, shut up and leave us to our own beliefs. You can hold any office (teacher, etc.) and say that you have no religion and that's fine, nobody can do a darn thing about it... Why don't I have the right as an American to talk about my beliefs like you talk about your disbelief? -- Oh, because you are not about fairness and equality, just about shutting people down. It's getting old.
You can't use federal funds AND promote religion while doing so.
End of story.
Furthermore, why are we to respect and tolerate your disbelief when we are treated with such disrespect and intoleration over our beliefs. It's like you are waging war against yourselves.
come on atheists! Change your pull-ups and get on with your lives! Lot bigger problems to deal with here on earth. If it bothers you that much, become an astronaut and do what ever atheist would do in space. Be careful, a trip like that might make you religious.
"Lot bigger problems to deal with here on earth."
If you have no respect for the Constitution, then this statement makes total sense.
Allowing an astronaut to take a safe personal item along on a mission that will demand more continuous personal time than these critics have ever devoted to anything is not a misuse of federal funds.
Every Christmas those blood vessels in your temple pulsate feverishly. And the rest of us just laugh and laugh. Now we laugh even more. I'm not poking at all atheists, just the ones that have a problem me and my life.
"Lot bigger problems to deal with here on earth."
If you have no respect for the Constitution, then this statement makes total sense.
"Every Christmas those blood vessels in your temple pulsate feverishly. And the rest of us just laugh and laugh. Now we laugh even more. I'm not poking at all atheists, just the ones that have a problem me and my life."
I have no idea if this is directed at me, but it seems to be. I'm a Christian. This is not about you and your life. This is about federal funds being used to promote religion. Sorry to see you're having trouble with the concept.
"Tony says:
Allowing an astronaut to take a safe personal item along on a mission that will demand more continuous personal time than these critics have ever devoted to anything is not a misuse of federal funds."
You can not promote religion with federal funds. It has no bearing on what the 'critics' have done. It has to do with the Constitution of the United States of America. If you have a problem with America and its Constitution, then leave America. I heard Tehran is beautiful this time of year.
"Every Christmas those blood vessels in your temple pulsate feverishly. And the rest of us just laugh and laugh. Now we laugh even more. I'm not poking at all atheists, just the ones that have a problem me and my life."
I have no idea if this is directed at me, but it seems to be. I'm a Christian. This is not about you and your life. This is about federal funds being used to promote religion. Sorry to see you're having trouble with the concept.
"Tony says:
Allowing an astronaut to take a safe personal item along on a mission that will demand more continuous personal time than these critics have ever devoted to anything is not a misuse of federal funds."
You can not promote religion with federal funds. It has no bearing on what the 'critics' have done. It has to do with the Constitution of the United States of America. If you have a problem with America and its Constitution, then leave America. I heard Tehran is beautiful this time of year.
"Maybe it's time for some Christian groups to sue American Atheists for attempting to deny them their rights?
Me, I'd like to see them sued for wasting taxpayer money."
I agree. If the atheists can do it, so can we. Maybe that will shut them up. Freedom OF religion and not FROM it and all that.
I can understand being irked at the, "You're all are going to hell if you don't believe!" religious nuts. As a Christian myself, that makes me mad that the rest of us suffer from the stereotype that we are intolerant.
I am not so understanding about making a fuss with an astronaut bringing a PERSONAL item into space. That only enforces the stereotype that atheists are JUST as intolerant as the Bible-thumpers.
Hypocrites.
NASA isn't promoting anything in regard to religion here. The real truth is one of the astronauts is taking it as a personal item which is allowed. He is also a member of the MAF which serves the desperately needy in 55 countries around the world with fleets of bush pilots.
Of course no "rational" atheist would complain about such a thing. Only those with massive amounts of anti-religious hate are complaining about this.
How do you think people of the world react when they see atheists over reacting about something trivial as this.
Maybe you should write about that instead.
NASA isn't promoting anything in regard to religion here. The real truth is one of the astronauts is taking it as a personal item which is allowed. He is also a member of the MAF which serves the desperately needy in 55 countries around the world with fleets of bush pilots.
Of course no "rational" atheist would complain about such a thing. Only those with massive amounts of anti-religious hate are complaining about this.
How do you think people of the world react when they see atheists over reacting about something trivial as this.
Maybe you should write about that instead.
If NASA could get a space ship just a little bit higher above just the right cloud, I am certain they would finally find God and then we all could finally have proof that He really does exist.
Some of these Atheist groups are acting just like the religious groups they often complain about.
Lighten up people.
Xenu says lighten up. that the wisest comment of all. I remember Buzz Aldrin serving "Holy Communion" on Apollo 11(oh I forgot that whole saga didn't really happen). Maybe we can petition that be struct from the history books. Or better still strip search each astronaught to see whether they have religious artifats or bibles hidden in their undies. Surely there has to be something thats needs more attention than this. lighten up
how come they never complained whenever President Bush mentioned God to justify the War for Oil...i mean the War on Terror
So in order to prove that I possess a superior intellect, I need to spend every waking moment of my life contemplating, protesting and working against concepts, principals and assertions that I believe to be totally imaginary and made up. In that case I this very day do form the Easter Bunny Liberation Front and the Santa Clause is a Fake coalition!!! Non-Believers unite!!!!
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