Atheism and freedom of speech

I know the feeling. I used to live in southwest virginia. onservative heartland and bible belt rolled into one (except for one county that still votes democrat--the union influence in a coal mining county)The only place that I was comfortable discussing my atheism was in my philosophy class in high school. It was kind off odd, being the only atheist, and the fact thta none of others wanted to kill me--I got the feeling they already suspected as much, or they just didn't care what I believed in. But outside of my school, ummm. let's put it this way--if you want to make eagle scout, you better not be an atheist. It's the only religion (or the lack therof)the BSA doesn't recognize.shh . . .don't tell anyone (the eagle part and me being atheist)

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All a man's knowledge comes from his experiences

why do you need social group discussion to come to your beliefs about God?after all, if it is up to the individual person to decide whether or not God exists, shouldn't he be left to come to that conclusion on his own?seems better to me like that. you've got no one telling you what is or isn't, just yourself and your own exploration.or is religion(faith, if yu don't like organized religion) so weak here in the US that it needs this social confirmation?

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All a man's knowledge comes from his experiences

social confirmation--the group concluding that God does (not) exist. in your case, leave the not out. and further, it means that the only way to conclude God's existence is by relying on the support of the group and it's decision. in that, you'll only accept his existence when the group concludes he exists because you are afraid to do the same without their backup. hope that makes more sense.what I meant with the whole--no one telling us . . . is that no one should tell us. that doesn't mean that someone won't try to tell us what to think (except, apparently, in britain, where everyone does stay out of your religious life).p.s. I always found that faith in the US tends to be weak in most people. evidenced by needing science to confirm their views. evidenced by needing others to confirm their views. very few people, in my experience, have directly claimed that God exists becuase he just does. most want proof. ah, the empiricist in the american life.

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All a man's knowledge comes from his experiences

shit.and double shit.when did the religous right make that a law?
(or did you perhaps mean "can" ).

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All a man's knowledge comes from his experiences

I never did learn the geogrpahy of that area when I lived in virginia.I grew up in bristol.the silly city on the state line (at least, the tennessee bristol is really silly)

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All a man's knowledge comes from his experiences

must we make the point, yet again, that english common law was established before the christians got to england?besides, how can a penal code have punishments if it's based off of the commandments--does it ever label a single punishment for breaking the code?no. so here we have a law without punishment--what a great system.

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All a man's knowledge comes from his experiences

why is it that you prisoners have to have good food?abe: and that we get crap?(except the black pudding--if it's what I think it is, it's really similar to blood pudding (swedish name, translated to english)Edited by kuresu, : No reason given.

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All a man's knowledge comes from his experiences

right. those are for bragging about your child's success, you're success, or for finding out how others are doing.now, walk into a debate, or a bar, and it'll be different.Or, you basic, everyday campaign. (not to be confused with the champagne of above party )

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All a man's knowledge comes from his experiences

get someone drunk enough--one of those who blabber when drunk.please note, my only experience is by knowing how drunks act, having never really been to a bar before, but the atmosphere there is sure to be different from the polite, (in)formal one of a cocktail party.

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All a man's knowledge comes from his experiences

I have--I used to like it. Then one summer, eww.you can eat it, but I'll stick to jello.

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All a man's knowledge comes from his experiences