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Atheists Complaining about Bush's Request for Prayers
September 5 | © 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

Posted on 09/06/2005 5:38:28 PM PDT by Angelas

IN KATRINA'S WAKE Atheists: No prayer for disaster victims U.S. group says president violating Constitution by urging pleas to God

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted: September 5, 2005 9:15 p.m. Eastern

© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

Ellen Johnson

The American Atheists organization says President Bush should stop urging prayer for Hurricane Katrina victims because it violates the Constitution.

Ellen Johnson, president of the group said Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco and Bush "should not be violating the Constitution by telling people to pray for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. It's unconstitutional for government officials to be promoting religion; and besides, judging from the speed of some relief efforts, officials should be busy working instead of preaching."

In urging her own flock to support disaster relief efforts, Johnson said: "Contrary to some, charity and mutual aid are not the monopoly of religious organizations."

While some government officials are calling for prayer and trying to focus public attention on the work done by some religious groups, America's diverse community of nonbelievers – Atheists, Freethinkers, Humanists and others – are joining the effort to support relief operations in New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf Coast.

Johnson also expressed alarm about religious activities behind some relief efforts.

"We're getting reports of how some religion-based 'aid' groups are trying to fly evangelists into the stricken areas and how U.S. Army Chaplains are carrying Bibles – not food or water – to 'comfort' people at the New Orleans Superdome," she said. "People need material aid, medical care and economic support – not prayers and preaching."

Dave Silverman, communications director for American Atheists, went even further – blaming God for taking thousands of lives both in the Asian tsunami lat year and again in the Gulf Coast.

"It appears that despite all of the outbursts of public religiosity and prayer, 'God' was once again asleep at the wheel," he said. "Only human beings can deal with the calamities of the natural world. God doesn't seem to be much help when it comes to rushing food, water, or antibiotics when people are suffering."

Johnson said her group is trying to encourage atheists to contribute money to relief organizations that do not proselytize as part of their rescue efforts.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


TOPICS: Religion
KEYWORDS: atheists; katrina; religiousleft; voluntaryprayer

1 posted on 09/06/2005 5:38:30 PM PDT by Angelas
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To: Angelas
Too bad. In God we trust.
2 posted on 09/06/2005 5:39:09 PM PDT by Jeff Head (www.dragonsfuryseries.com)
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To: Angelas

The lunatics never sleep.


3 posted on 09/06/2005 5:39:49 PM PDT by jwalsh07
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To: Angelas
FR joke:

Q: What does the atheist say prior to learning he's going to die?

A: "Oh my God...er, I mean, oh my gosh!"

4 posted on 09/06/2005 5:40:05 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
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To: Angelas

I'd tell them all to go to hell ... but they don't believe in that either.


5 posted on 09/06/2005 5:40:57 PM PDT by airborne
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To: Angelas

The priorities of liberals during a time of such physical need.....


6 posted on 09/06/2005 5:40:59 PM PDT by uncitizen
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To: Jeff Head

"In God we trust."

Everyone else pays cash. :)


7 posted on 09/06/2005 5:41:18 PM PDT by BeHoldAPaleHorse
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To: Angelas

Wow. Mega-loathsome.


8 posted on 09/06/2005 5:41:56 PM PDT by FormerACLUmember
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

Q: What does the atheist say prior to learning he's going to die?
A: Hurricane? Good thing Nagin's in charge.


9 posted on 09/06/2005 5:42:32 PM PDT by jwalburg (If I have not seen as far as others, it is because of the giants standing on my shoulders.)
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To: Angelas
Dave Silverman, communications director for American Atheists, went even further – blaming God for taking thousands of lives both in the Asian tsunami lat year and again in the Gulf Coast.

Now, now, that's a bit intellectually dishonest, don't you think?

10 posted on 09/06/2005 5:42:56 PM PDT by wimpycat (Hyperbole is the opiate of the activist wacko.)
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To: Angelas

How long before they start demanding that Christian charities be removed from the disaster area?


11 posted on 09/06/2005 5:45:11 PM PDT by CFC__VRWC ("Anytime a liberal squeals in outrage, an angel gets its wings!" - gidget7)
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To: Angelas
The Sunday before Katrina made landfall in New Orleans, WWL(a talk radio station in New Orleans) had a priest on the air saying prayers. They also had musicians playing "Amazing Grace" in the French Quarter. I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't hear it!
12 posted on 09/06/2005 5:48:27 PM PDT by LA Woman3 (On election day, they were driven to the polls...On evacuation day, they had to fend for themselves)
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To: jwalsh07

too bad these people weren't all living in new orleans, along with the ACLU. I'm surprised they hadn't chimed in earlier.


13 posted on 09/06/2005 5:58:56 PM PDT by newfrpr04
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A friend of mine is a red cross responder-trainer, also evacuee from N.O., now in Baton Rouge.

Her latest email says 'we need everything, -- oh and if you could, include bibles and rosaries.'

so there.


14 posted on 09/06/2005 8:58:52 PM PDT by Syberyenta
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To: Angelas

"Johnson said her group is trying to encourage atheists to contribute money to relief organizations that do not proselytize as part of their rescue efforts."

"trying to encourage" ? Not exactly freely opening up one's heart to give ay? Ahhhhh..the great atheist outreach to fellow humans. God works through willing hearts and hands....


15 posted on 09/06/2005 9:00:12 PM PDT by tflabo (Take authority that's ours)
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To: Syberyenta; Hillarys nightmare; All

Marvel at the "Tolerance" and spirit of "Diversity" from the hypocritical Left....

http://www.michaelhyatt.com/workingsmart/2005/09/thomas_nelsons_.html


16 posted on 09/06/2005 9:06:06 PM PDT by JoJo Gunn (Help control the Leftist population. Have them spayed or neutered. ©)
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To: Angelas
Dave Silverman, communications director for American Atheists, went even further – blaming God for taking thousands of lives both in the Asian tsunami lat year and again in the Gulf Coast.

How could God possibly be responsible if He doesn't exist?

17 posted on 09/07/2005 2:09:54 PM PDT by Gay State Conservative
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