Posted on 05/18/2013 10:39:24 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
The American Atheists of Cranford, N.J., announced Friday they will be sending books on atheism to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to be placed next to Gideon Bibles inside every cabin and lodge at the state's parks.
On April 28, Ed Buchner, the former president of American Atheists, a nonprofit organization that was founded by Madalyn Murray O'Hair in 1963, complained to the Department after he found "nine Bibles" inside his cabin, according to American Atheists.
In a move to avoid controversy, and a potential lawsuit, the decision was made to remove all Bibles from the state's parks that had been donated by The Gideons International, an interdenominational Christian association.
On Wednesday, following a meeting with Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens, Gov. Nathan Deal instructed the Department to return every Bible to cabins at the state's parks.
"Out of an abundance of caution to avoid potential litigation, the commissioner removed the Bibles from rooms – though they were still available on site – after a complaint from a visitor. The attorney general and I agree that the state is on firm legal footing as we move to return the Bibles to the rooms."
He continued: "These Bibles are donated by outside groups, not paid for by the state, and I do not believe that a Bible in a bedside table drawer constitutes a state establishment of religion. In fact, any group is free to donate literature."
In response to the governor's statement, Amanda Knief, managing director of American Atheists, said, "We appreciate the governor's invitation to place atheist books in the cabins and look forward to providing visitors with the opportunity to learn more about atheism when they visit Georgia's beautiful state parks."
Francine Jarriel, a lodger at Mistletoe State Park in Appling, Ga., said she looks inside the drawers of hotel rooms to see if the Gideon Bible is there. "It's a source of comfort," she told WJBF-TV.
David Silverman, president of American Atheists, announced in a statement, "American Atheists does not believe the state of Georgia should be placing Bibles or atheist books in state park cabins; however, if the state is going to allow such distribution, we will happily provide our materials."
The list of books American Atheists is going to send to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources include: Why I Am Not A Muslim, Why I Am An Atheist, god is not Great, and The God Delusion.
Malcolm Arvin, a Gideons spokesman, said the group has provided Bibles for state lodges around the United States and said he knew of no other state where the religious books have been challenged, according to Reuters.
“But someday, somewhere, some troubled soul will read their garbage, and take his own life. “
Perhaps, but perhaps someone else will see the clear difference between good and evil and choose life.
One never knows.
When you call the number, nobody answers.
Gosh, I thought EVERY room in every lodging establishment had copies of the Atheist manual hanging on the bathroom wall. It’s called TOILET PAPER!
You say that as if that’s any different than any other prayer.
There are numerous stories about prisoners who became born again and turned their lives around. I’ve never heard anyone say “my life really changed for the better when I became an atheist.”
“American Atheists does not believe the state of Georgia should be placing Bibles or atheist books in state park cabins; however, if the state is going to allow such distribution, we will happily provide our materials.”~
We think it is wrong so we are going to do it.
WT??
The problem is that the anti_theists don’t have a belief. They simply Hate another belief. So anything they print is going to be a Hate piece. Why should we allow Hate literature to be distributed in a motel?
Do you feel a fatwah coming on?
Additionally, theirs is a list of texts AGAINST others' faiths, largely not in defense of their own.
The Unitarians sent empty envelopes.
Her son (who she battled the school systems over) reportedly converted to Christianity later in life. And you thought YOUR parents embarrassed you while you were in school???
I wonder what would happen if it got out that they’ve also been desecrating and burning any Korans that they find?
Or another person’s life...
Jeffrey Dahmer was the product of humanism, Atheism, and evolutionary theory.
What he did represents the logical conclusion of humanism and Atheism, just as Hitler, Mao, Stalin and Carl Marx also represent the logical conclusion of humanism and Atheism.
Atheists refuse to hold humanism and atheism accountable for the millions upon millions who were slaughtered, and are still being slaughter today, due to Darwin’s theory of evolution.
Dahmer’s testimony:
“Thanks to you [dad] for sending that creation/science material because I always believed the lie that evolution is truth, that the theory of evolution is truth, that we all just came from the slime, and when we died, you know, that was it, there was nothing. So, the whole theory cheapens life, and I started reading books that show how evolution is just a complete lie. There’s no basis in science to to uphold it, and I’ve since come to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the true Creator of the heavens and the earth. It didn’t just happen, and I have accepted Him as my personal Lord and Savior, and I believe that I as well as everyone else will be accountable to Him
…if a person doesn’t think that there is a God to be accountable to, then what’s the point of trying to modify your behavior, to keep it within acceptable ranges, that’s how I thought anyway. I’ve since come to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is truly God. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – they are the only true God.”
Suppressing the truth of the Creator leads to the devaluation of life, and Jeffrey Dahmer is one example of how evil a person can become. He is also an example that no sinner is outside the grace and mercy of a loving God.
With man nothing is possible, but with God all things are possible. God can save anybody he wants, including a mass murderer.
So, if atheists want to bring their satanic books, let them. Their books are no more than mere chaff in the wind to God. Mere nothings. God is all powerful and He can more than handle Satan, as well as save those who are under the spell of atheism. C.S. Lewis is one example.
“No philosophical theory which I have yet come across is a radical improvement on the words of Genesis, that ‘In the beginning God made Heaven and Earth’.”
- C.S. Lewis
I’ve never read that quote from Dahmer. Thanks.
If a Horrifying, Benighted Fundamentalist writes something to tell us that all other belief systems concerning religious matters are incorrect and should disappear for the sake of human progress, it is scorned, and we should all fling the proper contempt at it.
If a Logical, Enlightened Atheist writes something to tell us that all other belief systems concerning religious matters are incorrect and should disappear for the sake of human progress, it is intelligent, and we should all read it and recommend it to our friends.
Everything makes perfect sense!
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