Atheists responsible for current state of the nation?

January 9, 5:42 PMAtheism ExaminerTrina Hoaks

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Betty McCoy wrote to The Herald Dispatch and her commentary was included in their Voice of the People column. Although I am quoting the entire piece, I have split it into sections to allow for my “commentary.” (So that there is no misunderstanding, all that she said is in blue blockquote boxes in the order she said it.)

I read an article in the Voice of the People, and the writer was right. I, too, am tired of the atheists trying to run everything.

They do this because we don't have anyone to stand up for what's right and wrong and tell the atheists enough is enough. Everything the atheists want, this government lets them have their way. They didn't want prayer in school, the Nativity displayed in some places, the Ten Commandments out so anyone could see them, don't want the word of God in anything. This doesn't seem to be a Christian nation anymore. No wonder this nation has gone to hell in a handbasket.

Some of us would argue that it is Christianity that  dominates "everything" and the fact that certain Christians have forced their way into the political arena is more likely the reason that the "nation has gone to hell in a handbasket."

Really, though, when it comes down to it, all the finger pointing in the world will not right wrongs. What is important is that injustices be identified so that as we go forward, we can not only correct them but take steps to prevent them from happening in the future as well.

Atheists are not responsible for running this country into the ground. Atheists are not in charge. Christians are. That is exactly why atheists are speaking up. 
 

Between Bush and the atheists, God is getting tired of people denouncing him. Look what shape this nation is in. Do you think that God will help any nation that lets the atheists run everything? I don't think so. There's only one unforgivable sin, and I think that's not believing in God.
 

Okay, to be clear, I had nothing to do with that Bush fellow.

It is interesting to me that in addition to all of Ms. McCoy's stunning written communication skills, she seems to have a special ability that allows her to know what God is thinking. I want to know if he called her on the phone to tell her that? Did he text her? Maybe it was in an e-mail. But, really, it was so good of her to pass his message along.

So I say if the atheists are so disturbed by the word of God and the Nativity displays, just put them all on an island by themselves because the Christian people are tired of hearing all the garbage the atheists have to say.

Has she really heard “all” of the garbage of “all” atheists? If she paid attention and studied up rather than depending on hearsay and fantastical stories, she might find that not “all” that comes from “all” of atheists' mouths is garbage.

I wonder when the last time was that she knowingly “condescended” to sit with an atheists to have a conversation about... anything. Of course, judging by the tone of her submission, I imagine she wouldn’t dare associate herself with an atheist even long enough to listen to anything they had to say. I could be wrong.

I know that all Christians aren’t as angry and as hateful as she comes across, though there are many, so I would never think to use her as the example for all of Christianity. But, her bitterness is characteristic of the blind intolerance and lack of understanding that is prevalent in so many sects of this society.

So keep your mouths shut. I'd rather people think I'm a fool than to open my mouth with all the garbage you atheists say; then people know you are a fool.
 

Guess, what, she opened her mouth and her greatest fear was realized… she seems foolish. That is made abundantly clear by her next statement.

 All you have to do is to listen to an atheist and you can tell they are uneducated.
 

"Uneducated," she said. Let me just say this one thing, though I could go on and on. Many scientists are atheists. That profession typically requires a high level of education.

I'm not judging them. God will do that in due time, but I'm afraid the atheists are in for a rude awakening.
 

I really have nothing to say to that last bit. I think it speaks for itself.

For years, we have had politicians selling their religion to the masses to get re-elected. It seems that as long as they wrap their politics in a religious bow, people will believe that they are being motivated by some divine power. Politicians understand how to play the games. And because they play their games so well this casts the illusion that this is a Christian nation.

If she thinks that religion is good for politics, she is wrong. Religious dogma is oppressive as well as dangerous. It is proven every day the world over. Yes, even Christianity falls into this category. Don’t believe me? Read your Bible… cover to cover. (And, before you ask… yes, I have.) It is rife with inequality and injustice. Pick up a newspaper and read what atrocities supposed Christians are committing in the name of their religion. Of course, I realize that this does not apply to every Christian. I know many Christians who are lovely people.

Our founding fathers did not set this nation forth as a Christian nation. Not by any stretch of the imagination. They understood then what is evidenced in our political arena today; that all religion does when it is comingled with politics is pervert governmental policy and practice.

Religion has done nothing good in regard to politics thus far and as far as I can tell there is no reason to imagine that it ever will. The more we allow a comingling of church and state, the more this country will continue to deteriorate.

Considering that atheists only make up an estimated 10% (estimates vary) of the American population, it is unreasonable to place the responsibility of this country’s ills solely upon their shoulders. I do not think that atheists have the power to affect the well-being of this nation to the extent that Ms. McCoy “credits” them.

Moreover, considering that the majority of those in power in this country claim to be Christian, I really think she’s barking up the wrong tree. At the very least, if she wants to point an accusatory finger without bringing Christianity into it, perhaps she could just blame the individual people who are responsible.

Atheist cannot be held accountable for the state of this nation. In fact. it could be said that they are trying to repair the damage. And, if Ms. McCoy thinks that bringing prayer back into schools and having plastic Jesuses on government lawns will save this nation or restore it, she is very sorely mistaken.