I don't think there is anything wrong with that message. I think we should "be kind to each other and do what we can for other people" no matter what our religious beliefs (or lack there of) are.

Really, Ann Coulter? Really?

Coulter's interview on CBS was awful and she made no sense at all. She also claimed that Sean Hannity had a greater chance of being assassinated than Obama.

I think Barack having SS in May of '07 really makes a point.

Love those signs. Also the one they did for Christmas about just being good for goodness' sake.

The ads don't bother me at all. And the message is universally accepted regardless of spiritual beliefs.
I don't pay attention to Coulter. She spouts nonsense often enough for me to learn to block her out.

HF, I am in agreement with you. I think that message is relevant to anyone.

I see nothing wrong with that message and if you notice it even contains a very key ingredient and that is humility. "There (probably) isn't a God"

I think the Senate made a huge mistake blocking Appointed Senator Burris from taking his seat. This guilt by association crap has got to stop already.

Maybe several months ago Bush & Obama were at equal risk but Bush's saving grace is that he's out in a matter of days so his danger level actually lessens.

As for the House of Rep. freshman seems pretty typical watch your back, if a door is open walk through it and if an ass is exposed kiss it.

Thinking that there is no God makes me, personally, really depressed. I don't think I could do anything worth doing if I believed someday I would just die and that would be it. Kinda like, what's the point? To help people, who will also just be dead at some point?

Disclaimer: I'm not trying to spark an attack, I just honestly, can't see that for myself.

I find the ads rather humorous. I think they have a good message and don't insult any religion.

I should clarify. Any one religion... unless you count atheism vs. non-atheism(?), but that's a can of worms I don't want to get into.

I love that Katharine Hepburn quote.

I have no problem with the ads - they're not trying to take anything away from anyone else.

I think the ads are great. It can always be argued that an assertion of one belief is an "attack" on others, but I don't think it has to be taken that way, nor should it.

As for Ann Coulter, she's nothing but a useless artificial-controversy machine.

I like the Hepburn quote too because she simply states what she is what she believes and that's it. It doesn't try to put anyone down.

'I would just die and that would be it. Kinda like, what's the point? To help people, who will also just be dead at some point? '

I understand where you are coming from Krae, but I think that helping others makes me feel good and causes a ripple effect in the universe that could impact generations. Being good for goodness sake is my own reward, and I don't do anything because I think God is watching me or judging me. And for me not caring so much about what religion defines as God, or at least his wrath etc. for everything little thing you do, helps you live more in the moment.

Well put, Mydiadem.

I don't have a firm belief one way or the other about an afterlife or eternal soul, but personally I think living a good life and contributing positively to society in this lifetime is reward enough for me.

I like the ads. I don't find them insulting in the least.

I'm going to have to look for that Coulter interview. I can't fault her on her opinions...

I also think the adds are meant to be humorous, and they are not insulting. I always considered myself an agnostic though. Sometimes I think some atheists believe so hard in the non-existence of God that they are almost as in they were religious.

I don't understand the idea that without the promise of an afterlife this life seems like a moot point to some. I am living the life that is happening now. And being a good person and helping others now is all the reward I need. It seems like common sense that we should be kind to others.

I don't pay attention to Ann Coulter. She says unintelligent, hateful things just for the sake of controversy.

I don't understand the idea that without the promise of an afterlife this life seems like a moot point to some. I am living the life that is happening now. And being a good person and helping others now is all the reward I need. It seems like common sense that we should be kind to others.

I don't pay attention to Ann Coulter. She says unintelligent, hateful things just for the sake of controversy.

Loved Colmes on Colbert. I've also just really, really missed Colbert.

I think it's about time people stopped paying attention to Ann Coulter.

Pequena every time i see your avatar, I almost die of cuteness overload.

"I don't understand the idea that without the promise of an afterlife this life seems like a moot point to some. I am living the life that is happening now. And being a good person and helping others now is all the reward I need. It seems like common sense that we should be kind to others."

I agree roarman although I also believe that we have an everlasting soul that learns and grows through multiple experiences I believe that living in the here and now and being happy about my mortal life is just as important.

You know I think the master in Kung Foo Panda was right "yesterday is history tomorrow is a mystery and today is present, that's why it's a gift".

I'm almost afraid to get into the religion topic as some people tend to be quite sensitive. But I find the ad to be quite humorous. I saw an ad about Islam on the city bus yesterday and on about God last week. Everyone should be able to talk about their religious or lack of religious beliefs freely.

Those animanted movies can be quite profound at times.

I think I've been misunderstood, I don't view Heaven as a reward, and I don't think of God as having any wrath toward me. Heaven is where I'll live when this world is done with me, because I don't believe my soul will just stop.

I'm not offended by the signs, I just find them depressing.

Just an odd question that popped into my head over this ad. I thought it might make for an interesting discussion.

I realize atheist aren't really a religion, but in a small way, aren't they? I mean, they are a group of people who collectively believe that there is no God or higher power... so wouldn't that make them kind of like a non-believing denomination of religion?

Meh, I'm probably off my rocker here, but I tend to have strange and random thoughts sometimes. Just thought I'd throw this one out there.

Dang, there should be an edit button. That should read, I realize atheists aren't really a part of any religion or religious...

starangel, that is a really interesting thought, actually!

Starangel, interesting indeed. I think the main difference is the lack of organization around a central doctrine/moral code/deity story.

I think of atheists as people who choose to ignore religion, so i don't think they could be considered to have their own non-believing religion. ?? I dunno.

I don't think it's so much about "ignoring" religion in a disparaging sense, as it is having a rational, humanistic belief system which does not include a belief in or worship of some unseen and intangible higher power.

*When I say "rational," I don't mean that religious believers are irrational, just that an atheist's belief system would tend to be centered around provable and physical facts rather than in the faith of something which can't be proven to exist.

lol Frank, I found the picture on a Manilyn Monroe website under the title "a very young fan" ; )

But do atheists ignore religion or do they actively participate in not believing in a higher power? (Does that questions even make sense?) I mean, someone says they are an atheist... something at some point in their life had to make them come to that conclusion... either they were raised that way (which leads me to believe it is slightly organized) or something in their life happened that made them stop believing in God or Allah or whomever (a conscious choice). I just find it to be an interesting topic... especially since I grew up in the Bible belt and wouldn't know an atheist if they walked up and slapped me.

I see what your saying starangel82 but I think the difference is in the nuances. They each may be a group that shares an ideology with many others but then not every ideological group is a religion either.

Jude - either way, we can't prove or deny God (I am using God for all higher beings) exists. I mean religious people have their tokens of faith and written stories. So what does an atheist use to prove God doesn't exist? Other than maybe all religious artifacts can't be proven or disproved?

I really hope ya'll can understand my train wreck of thought here.

Atheists don't gather in shared worship (or whatever would be the equivalent) or share a commonly accepted set of values and teachings, so I think those are some other differences, Starangel.

I don't know if one can actively participate in atheism, beyond, I suppose, spreading one's non-belief, but even that isn't the same as, say, someone actively participating in Judaism by eating kosher, you know?

That's a good point hypnotic.

There is a great two part South Park about atheism and how it becomes a 'religion' (or really multiple sects of religion) of sorts in the future. Its the one with Cartman freezes himself so he doesn't have to wait to get a Nintendo Wii. Its epic.

No, I understand, Starangel

"So what does an atheist use to prove God doesn't exist? Other than maybe all religious artifacts can't be proven or disproved?"

Yes, that would be a large part of it, I think; the lack of factual or scientific evidence for religious artifacts and stories, while it wouldn't prove that God doesn't exist, does tend to serve to disprove various religions' specific beliefs (for instance, the large body of fossil and geological data proving--as far as science can--that the world is, in fact, way older than 5769 years). Natural and scientific explanations for various natural phenomena would also tend to disprove the idea of a divine creator, etc.

I don't believe in any organized religion, though I'm too undecided about the existence of a higher power to consider myself an atheist, but that's my understanding and how I approach it, anyway.

I see what you are saying Jude. Just to play devil's advocate, you Google atheism and look at the sites. The article on Wikipedia alone is very detailed. And there is an AtheistWiki too. My point, there are several, several, several sites out there dedicated to the practice (for lack of a better word) of atheism. So there again... that leads back to do they actively practice? Sure, they don't get together in a building, but are atheists organized?

mydiadem - I'd love to see that South Park episode... just cause I love South Park!

I think that, more than atheism, secularism can become almost religious. Like in France, when they prohibited to bring religious signs at school. The school needs to be secular, not the children in it. To force the children not to wear those signs is imposing something to them, the same way religion can be imposed. I don't think atheism itslef can be considered a religion though.

Yeah, I see your point as well. And I'm sure there are organizations of atheists who meet and come together because of their shared atheism. I guess I just wouldn't go so far as to call that a religion, since there's no deity or higher power being worshiped or propitiated or whatever. Atheism is a belief system, just like religious faith, but the specific lack of faith in a higher power seems to make a big difference to me.

By the way, this is the most fun discussion I've had on here all day Thanks for that!

I dont like the ads, personally, but thats because of my faith.

Great point, Pequena!

You're making sense Star - some atheists don't bother with religion, others actively promote atheism (like the lawsuit to take 'so help me God' out of the inauguration).