| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"" |
| Date: |
29 Sep 2006 04:32:26 PM |
| Object: |
Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government? What
are the criteria for a group of people to be considered an official
religion?
We should unite and become a religion to enjoy the benefits the US
already provides to all of the other religions....
Dave
.
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| User: "Robibnikoff" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
02 Oct 2006 04:28:18 PM |
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<vazqued2@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1159547546.527564.118700@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government?
Hopefully not.
What
are the criteria for a group of people to be considered an official
religion?
I have no idea and don't really care.
We should unite and become a religion to enjoy the benefits the US
already provides to all of the other religions....
Really? Such as?
--
Robyn
Resident Witchypoo
#1557
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| User: "Steve O" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
02 Oct 2006 04:26:21 PM |
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"Robibnikoff" <witchypoo@broomstick.com> wrote in message
news:4ocspfFdvefiU1@individual.net...
<vazqued2@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1159547546.527564.118700@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government?
Hopefully not.
Hey, why not Robyn?
Let's try and get some tax breaks here!
Instead of trying to get the tax man to drop tax concessions on religious
groups, let's go for them ourselves!!!
--
Steve O
a.a. #2240
"Faith doesn't move mountains - it levels buildings."
.
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| User: "Robibnikoff" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
03 Oct 2006 12:34:48 AM |
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"Steve O" <sendspam@here.com> wrote in message
news:4ocstiFdv5acU1@individual.net...
"Robibnikoff" <witchypoo@broomstick.com> wrote in message
news:4ocspfFdvefiU1@individual.net...
<vazqued2@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1159547546.527564.118700@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government?
Hopefully not.
Hey, why not Robyn?
Let's try and get some tax breaks here!
Instead of trying to get the tax man to drop tax concessions on religious
groups, let's go for them ourselves!!!
Yeah, but how does just being a member of a religion give you any tax
breaks? None of my Catholic in-laws get tax breaks for being freakin'
Catholic.
--
Robyn
Resident Witchypoo
Atheist ***** Extraordinaire
#1557
.
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| User: "johac" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
03 Oct 2006 06:42:07 AM |
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In article <4odph9Fduap7U1@individual.net>,
"Robibnikoff" <witchypoo@broomstick.com> wrote:
"Steve O" <sendspam@here.com> wrote in message
news:4ocstiFdv5acU1@individual.net...
"Robibnikoff" <witchypoo@broomstick.com> wrote in message
news:4ocspfFdvefiU1@individual.net...
<vazqued2@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1159547546.527564.118700@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government?
Hopefully not.
Hey, why not Robyn?
Let's try and get some tax breaks here!
Instead of trying to get the tax man to drop tax concessions on religious
groups, let's go for them ourselves!!!
Yeah, but how does just being a member of a religion give you any tax
breaks? None of my Catholic in-laws get tax breaks for being freakin'
Catholic.
The lay people don't get breaks, but the churches do. for example, they
get out of paying property taxes on their facilities. They don't have to
pay tax on what they collect in donations. Since they still have access
to police and fire protection, etc, we, the taxpayers, end up
subsidizing them.
--
John Hachmann aa #1782
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities"
-Voltaire
Contact - Throw a .net over the .com
.
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| User: "Steve O" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
03 Oct 2006 07:46:00 AM |
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"johac" <jhachmann@sbcglobal.com> wrote in message
news:jhachmann-89A981.23420702102006@news.giganews.com...
In article <4odph9Fduap7U1@individual.net>,
"Robibnikoff" <witchypoo@broomstick.com> wrote:
"Steve O" <sendspam@here.com> wrote in message
news:4ocstiFdv5acU1@individual.net...
"Robibnikoff" <witchypoo@broomstick.com> wrote in message
news:4ocspfFdvefiU1@individual.net...
<vazqued2@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1159547546.527564.118700@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government?
Hopefully not.
Hey, why not Robyn?
Let's try and get some tax breaks here!
Instead of trying to get the tax man to drop tax concessions on
religious
groups, let's go for them ourselves!!!
Yeah, but how does just being a member of a religion give you any tax
breaks? None of my Catholic in-laws get tax breaks for being freakin'
Catholic.
The lay people don't get breaks, but the churches do. for example, they
get out of paying property taxes on their facilities. They don't have to
pay tax on what they collect in donations. Since they still have access
to police and fire protection, etc, we, the taxpayers, end up
subsidizing them.
So perhaps groups like the Richard Dawkins Foundation should be looking for
tax concessions?
--
Steve O
a.a. #2240
"Faith doesn't move mountains - it levels buildings."
.
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| User: "" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
03 Oct 2006 08:09:03 AM |
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Steve O wrote:
"johac" <jhachmann@sbcglobal.com> wrote in message
news:jhachmann-89A981.23420702102006@news.giganews.com...
In article <4odph9Fduap7U1@individual.net>,
"Robibnikoff" <witchypoo@broomstick.com> wrote:
"Steve O" <sendspam@here.com> wrote in message
news:4ocstiFdv5acU1@individual.net...
"Robibnikoff" <witchypoo@broomstick.com> wrote in message
news:4ocspfFdvefiU1@individual.net...
<vazqued2@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1159547546.527564.118700@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government?
Hopefully not.
Hey, why not Robyn?
Let's try and get some tax breaks here!
Instead of trying to get the tax man to drop tax concessions on
religious
groups, let's go for them ourselves!!!
Yeah, but how does just being a member of a religion give you any tax
breaks? None of my Catholic in-laws get tax breaks for being freakin'
Catholic.
The lay people don't get breaks, but the churches do. for example, they
get out of paying property taxes on their facilities. They don't have to
pay tax on what they collect in donations. Since they still have access
to police and fire protection, etc, we, the taxpayers, end up
subsidizing them.
So perhaps groups like the Richard Dawkins Foundation should be looking for
tax concessions?
That would be nice. OTOH, I've always worried that if we get the
deadbeats (churches, etc.) to start paying up, they'll start whining
that they don't have *enough* say over where the money goes. I'd rather
keep `em tax-free, and start denying them public services (put out your
own fires, xians! Pray for rain! Where's your faith now?).
-Panama Floyd, Atl.
aa#2015, Member Knights of BAAWA!
EAC Martian Commander
Plonked by Kadaitcha Man Sept 06
"..the prayer cloth of one aeon is the doormat of the next."
-Mark Twain
Religious societies are *less* moral than secular ones:
http://moses.creighton.edu/JRS/2005/2005-11.html
.
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| User: "johac" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
04 Oct 2006 05:21:50 AM |
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In article <1159862943.546760.149400@e3g2000cwe.googlegroups.com>,
wrote:
Steve O wrote:
"johac" <jhachmann@sbcglobal.com> wrote in message
news:jhachmann-89A981.23420702102006@news.giganews.com...
In article <4odph9Fduap7U1@individual.net>,
"Robibnikoff" <witchypoo@broomstick.com> wrote:
"Steve O" <sendspam@here.com> wrote in message
news:4ocstiFdv5acU1@individual.net...
"Robibnikoff" <witchypoo@broomstick.com> wrote in message
news:4ocspfFdvefiU1@individual.net...
<vazqued2@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1159547546.527564.118700@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government?
Hopefully not.
Hey, why not Robyn?
Let's try and get some tax breaks here!
Instead of trying to get the tax man to drop tax concessions on
religious
groups, let's go for them ourselves!!!
Yeah, but how does just being a member of a religion give you any tax
breaks? None of my Catholic in-laws get tax breaks for being freakin'
Catholic.
The lay people don't get breaks, but the churches do. for example, they
get out of paying property taxes on their facilities. They don't have to
pay tax on what they collect in donations. Since they still have access
to police and fire protection, etc, we, the taxpayers, end up
subsidizing them.
So perhaps groups like the Richard Dawkins Foundation should be looking for
tax concessions?
That would be nice. OTOH, I've always worried that if we get the
deadbeats (churches, etc.) to start paying up, they'll start whining
that they don't have *enough* say over where the money goes. I'd rather
keep `em tax-free, and start denying them public services (put out your
own fires, xians! Pray for rain! Where's your faith now?).
I agree especially for those who break the law by getting into politics.
Let then 'Trust in god'.
--
John Hachmann aa #1782
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities"
-Voltaire
Contact - Throw a .net over the .com
.
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| User: "stoney" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
05 Oct 2006 03:18:02 PM |
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On 3 Oct 2006 01:09:03 -0700, wrote in
alt.atheism
Steve O wrote:
"johac" <jhachmann@sbcglobal.com> wrote in message
news:jhachmann-89A981.23420702102006@news.giganews.com...
In article <4odph9Fduap7U1@individual.net>,
"Robibnikoff" <witchypoo@broomstick.com> wrote:
"Steve O" <sendspam@here.com> wrote in message
news:4ocstiFdv5acU1@individual.net...
"Robibnikoff" <witchypoo@broomstick.com> wrote in message
news:4ocspfFdvefiU1@individual.net...
<vazqued2@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1159547546.527564.118700@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government?
Hopefully not.
Hey, why not Robyn?
Let's try and get some tax breaks here!
Instead of trying to get the tax man to drop tax concessions on
religious
groups, let's go for them ourselves!!!
Yeah, but how does just being a member of a religion give you any tax
breaks? None of my Catholic in-laws get tax breaks for being freakin'
Catholic.
The lay people don't get breaks, but the churches do. for example, they
get out of paying property taxes on their facilities. They don't have to
pay tax on what they collect in donations. Since they still have access
to police and fire protection, etc, we, the taxpayers, end up
subsidizing them.
So perhaps groups like the Richard Dawkins Foundation should be looking for
tax concessions?
That would be nice. OTOH, I've always worried that if we get the
deadbeats (churches, etc.) to start paying up, they'll start whining
that they don't have *enough* say over where the money goes. I'd rather
keep `em tax-free, and start denying them public services (put out your
own fires, xians! Pray for rain! Where's your faith now?).
/Xtain
Thank you Lord for burning our church to the ground with most of the
congregation in it.
--
Fundies and trolls are cordially invited to
shove a wooden cross up their arses and rotate
at a high rate of speed. I trust you'll
be 'blessed' with a plethora of splinters.
.
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| User: "Geoff" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
29 Sep 2006 04:55:48 PM |
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<vazqued2@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1159547546.527564.118700@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government? What
are the criteria for a group of people to be considered an official
religion?
We should unite and become a religion to enjoy the benefits the US
already provides to all of the other religions....
Benefits? I think the benefits are nothing compared to the drawbacks. If I
have to sit through an atheist Sunday picnic and listen to some atheist
soccer-mom go on and on about how her housekeeper is stealing soap and her
kid isn't getting playing time, I will shoot myself.
And then there's Bingo.
.
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| User: "stoney" |
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| Title: AQOTM Nomination Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
03 Oct 2006 02:55:34 PM |
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On Fri, 29 Sep 2006 12:55:48 -0400, "Geoff" <gebobs@yahoo.nospam.com>
wrote in alt.atheism
<vazqued2@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1159547546.527564.118700@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government? What
are the criteria for a group of people to be considered an official
religion?
We should unite and become a religion to enjoy the benefits the US
already provides to all of the other religions....
Benefits? I think the benefits are nothing compared to the drawbacks. If I
have to sit through an atheist Sunday picnic and listen to some atheist
soccer-mom go on and on about how her housekeeper is stealing soap and her
kid isn't getting playing time, I will shoot myself.
And then there's Bingo.
Seconds? [chuckling]
--
Fundies and trolls are cordially invited to
shove a wooden cross up their arses and rotate
at a high rate of speed. I trust you'll
be 'blessed' with a plethora of splinters.
.
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| User: "Jon Stoll" |
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| Title: Re: AQOTM Nomination Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
03 Oct 2006 02:57:13 PM |
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"stoney" <stoney@the.net> wrote in message
news:5du4i21i9ol9rpcr6edkbqhlr55nmu5thj@4ax.com...
On Fri, 29 Sep 2006 12:55:48 -0400, "Geoff" <gebobs@yahoo.nospam.com>
wrote in alt.atheism
<vazqued2@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1159547546.527564.118700@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government? What
are the criteria for a group of people to be considered an official
religion?
We should unite and become a religion to enjoy the benefits the US
already provides to all of the other religions....
Benefits? I think the benefits are nothing compared to the drawbacks. If I
have to sit through an atheist Sunday picnic and listen to some atheist
soccer-mom go on and on about how her housekeeper is stealing soap and her
kid isn't getting playing time, I will shoot myself.
And then there's Bingo.
Seconds? [chuckling]
Seconded. This one is quite good.
--
Fundies and trolls are cordially invited to
shove a wooden cross up their arses and rotate
at a high rate of speed. I trust you'll
be 'blessed' with a plethora of splinters.
.
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| User: "*nemo*" |
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| Title: Re: AQOTM Nomination Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
04 Oct 2006 08:48:50 AM |
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In article <dTuUg.29123$8_5.19198@tornado.rdc-kc.rr.com>,
"Jon Stoll" <jstoll1@wi.rr.com> wrote:
"stoney" <stoney@the.net> wrote in message
news:5du4i21i9ol9rpcr6edkbqhlr55nmu5thj@4ax.com...
On Fri, 29 Sep 2006 12:55:48 -0400, "Geoff" <gebobs@yahoo.nospam.com>
wrote in alt.atheism
<vazqued2@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1159547546.527564.118700@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government? What
are the criteria for a group of people to be considered an official
religion?
We should unite and become a religion to enjoy the benefits the US
already provides to all of the other religions....
Benefits? I think the benefits are nothing compared to the drawbacks. If I
have to sit through an atheist Sunday picnic and listen to some atheist
soccer-mom go on and on about how her housekeeper is stealing soap and her
kid isn't getting playing time, I will shoot myself.
And then there's Bingo.
Seconds? [chuckling]
Seconded. This one is quite good.
Recorded
--
Fundies and trolls are cordially invited to
shove a wooden cross up their arses and rotate
at a high rate of speed. I trust you'll
be 'blessed' with a plethora of splinters.
--
Nemo - EAC Commissioner for Bible Belt Underwater Operations.
Atheist #1331 (the Palindrome of doom!)
BAAWA Knight! - One of those warm Southern Knights, y'all!
Charter member, SMASH!!
http://home.earthlink.net/~jehdjh/Relpg.html
Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus
Quotemeister since March 2002
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| User: "Uncle Vic" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
29 Sep 2006 06:26:48 PM |
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wrote in news:1159547546.527564.118700
@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government? What
are the criteria for a group of people to be considered an official
religion?
Atheism is the lack of a religion, but Bush seems to think it is a
religion. At least for today.
We should unite and become a religion to enjoy the benefits the US
already provides to all of the other religions....
We need to unite and force all the tax-exempt religions to pay their fair
share, actually.
--
Uncle Vic
aa Atheist #2011
Supervisor, EAC Department of little adhesive-backed "L" shaped
chrome-plastic doo-dads to add feet to Jesus fish department
Member: Intensional misspellingg club
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| User: "Geoff" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
29 Sep 2006 10:50:47 PM |
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"Uncle Vic" <address@withheld.com> wrote in message
news:Xns984D74800B799vicman@216.196.97.142...
vazqued2@gmail.com wrote in news:1159547546.527564.118700
@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government? What
are the criteria for a group of people to be considered an official
religion?
Atheism is the lack of a religion, but Bush seems to think it is a
religion. At least for today.
We should unite and become a religion to enjoy the benefits the US
already provides to all of the other religions....
We need to unite and force all the tax-exempt religions to pay their fair
share, actually.
Amen...since they're getting so political, it only stands to reason. I bet
it's trillion dollar industry.
.
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| User: "Uncle Vic" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
29 Sep 2006 11:06:37 PM |
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Once upon a time in alt.atheism, dear sweet Geoff
(gebobs@yahoo.nospam.com) made the light shine upon us with this:
"Uncle Vic" <address@withheld.com> wrote in message
news:Xns984D74800B799vicman@216.196.97.142...
vazqued2@gmail.com wrote in news:1159547546.527564.118700
@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government?
What are the criteria for a group of people to be considered an
official religion?
Atheism is the lack of a religion, but Bush seems to think it is a
religion. At least for today.
We should unite and become a religion to enjoy the benefits the US
already provides to all of the other religions....
We need to unite and force all the tax-exempt religions to pay their
fair share, actually.
Amen...since they're getting so political, it only stands to reason. I
bet it's trillion dollar industry.
Can you imagine the homeless shelter one years' taxes on this thing would
buy?
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/medny/stpat1.html
--
Uncle Vic
aa Atheist #2011
Supervisor, EAC Department of little adhesive-backed "L" shaped
chrome-plastic doo-dads to add feet to Jesus fish department.
Plonked by Kadaitcha Man
.
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| User: "Tuco Ramirez" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
03 Oct 2006 01:35:39 AM |
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Uncle Vic wrote:
Once upon a time in alt.atheism, dear sweet Geoff
(gebobs@yahoo.nospam.com) made the light shine upon us with this:
"Uncle Vic" <address@withheld.com> wrote in message
news:Xns984D74800B799vicman@216.196.97.142...
vazqued2@gmail.com wrote in news:1159547546.527564.118700
@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government?
What are the criteria for a group of people to be considered an
official religion?
Atheism is the lack of a religion, but Bush seems to think it is a
religion. At least for today.
We should unite and become a religion to enjoy the benefits the US
already provides to all of the other religions....
We need to unite and force all the tax-exempt religions to pay their
fair share, actually.
Amen...since they're getting so political, it only stands to reason. I
bet it's trillion dollar industry.
Can you imagine the homeless shelter one years' taxes on this thing would
buy?
Uncle Vic allways looking out for those less fortunate. Or maybe he is
looking for an upgrade to his surroundings?
.
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| User: "Tuco Ramirez" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
03 Oct 2006 12:46:27 AM |
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Uncle Vic wrote:
vazqued2@gmail.com wrote in news:1159547546.527564.118700
@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government? What
are the criteria for a group of people to be considered an official
religion?
Atheism is the lack of a religion, but Bush seems to think it is a
religion. At least for today.
We should unite and become a religion to enjoy the benefits the US
already provides to all of the other religions....
We need to unite and force all the tax-exempt religions to pay their fair
share, actually.
Uncle Vic, you are my hero. I'll be right behind you when you start
the Revolution.
You are a born leader.
.
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| User: "Richo" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
03 Oct 2006 01:24:22 AM |
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wrote:
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government?
There are no official religions in the US - except to the extent that
some groups get recognition as far as tax law is involved. Scientology
strived for a very long time to get recognition for tax purposes - and
it succeeded - that doesnt make it an "official" religion.
Although atheism is not a religion - an atheist *organisation* could
get the same tax free status if it met certian criteria.
I dont know what the criteria are - but you could probably find out on
the internet.
We should unite and become a religion to enjoy the benefits the US
already provides to all of the other religions....
A religion is not a single belief - its a whole system of belief and
practice that defines your attitude to "life the universe and
everything".
Atheism cannot be a religion - but you could make a religion that was
godless - that atheists could follow..
Mark.
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| User: "Rev. Karl E. Taylor" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
29 Sep 2006 06:45:55 PM |
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wrote:
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government? What
are the criteria for a group of people to be considered an official
religion?
We should unite and become a religion to enjoy the benefits the US
already provides to all of the other religions....
Dave
Depends on who you talk to, fundy or someone rational. But in a word, no.
--
There are none more ignorant and useless,
than they that seek answers on their knees,
with their eyes closed.
____________________________________________________________________
Rev. Karl E. Taylor
A.A #1143 PLONKED by Bob
Apostle of Dr. Lao EAC: Virgin Conversion Unit Director
____________________________________________________________________
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| User: "Mike" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
03 Oct 2006 08:28:49 AM |
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wrote:
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government? What
are the criteria for a group of people to be considered an official
religion?
We should unite and become a religion to enjoy the benefits the US
already provides to all of the other religions....
Dave
It might be accurate to say that atheism is a religious status, but
certainly not a religion. No we should not unite and become a
religion. We should work towards the day when there is genuine
separation of church (or non-church) and state and then we will all be
equal.
.
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| User: "Nosterill" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
29 Sep 2006 07:47:05 PM |
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wrote:
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government? What
are the criteria for a group of people to be considered an official
religion?
We should unite and become a religion to enjoy the benefits the US
already provides to all of the other religions....
I really hope that we never have to unite. Nothing personal - I'm sure
you are all lovely fellows - but atheism is an individual thing, and
one small non-issue to a independant person. The only reason that we
would ever have to unite would be if we were under serious attack.
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| User: "DaveinNJ" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
29 Sep 2006 08:06:13 PM |
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Nosterill wrote:
vazqued2@gmail.com wrote:
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government? What
are the criteria for a group of people to be considered an official
religion?
We should unite and become a religion to enjoy the benefits the US
already provides to all of the other religions....
I really hope that we never have to unite. Nothing personal - I'm sure
you are all lovely fellows - but atheism is an individual thing, and
one small non-issue to a independant person. The only reason that we
would ever have to unite would be if we were under serious attack.
I don't really mean it literally. I really do think that the mass
delusion that the world is experiencing in regards to the belief in
God(s) may lead to WW3.
While i do acknowledge that many religious organizations actually do a
lot to benefit humanity, such efforts can also be undertaken by
non-theistic organizations. It would be good PR for heathens to do
something positive for people.
I agree with the previous poster that we should force religious
organizations to contribute their fair share of the tax burden.
Dave
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| User: "George Ricker" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
29 Sep 2006 10:51:46 PM |
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In article <1159547546.527564.118700@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
wrote:
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government? What
are the criteria for a group of people to be considered an official
religion?
We should unite and become a religion to enjoy the benefits the US
already provides to all of the other religions....
Dave
Atheism is the absence of god-belief. It's a nonbelief, a single aspect
of one's view of things. It can't possibly be a religion. A religion,
whether it's a theistic religion or not, requires a hierarchy of
beliefs. Atheism might be a feature of a particular nontheistic religion
or a philosophy but by itself it is neither.
For that matter, theism, taken by itself, isn't a religion either‹though
it almost always leads to one. I have known people who claimed to
believe in some sort of deity but also claimed they had no religion.
If simple god-belief, in and of itself, is not a religion, how can its
lack be one?
--
George Ricker
"Godless in America" by George Ricker is now available at
online book sellers, like amazon.com, and most book retailers.
Go to http://www.godlessinamerica.com for more information.
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| User: "chibiabos" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
29 Sep 2006 06:34:16 PM |
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In article <1159547546.527564.118700@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
<vazqued2@gmail.com> wrote:
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government? What
are the criteria for a group of people to be considered an official
religion?
We should unite and become a religion to enjoy the benefits the US
already provides to all of the other religions....
Dave
But, I don't like little boys. (At least, not THAT way.)
-chib
--
Member of SMASH
Sarcastic Middla Aged Atheists with a Sense of Humor
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| User: "Emma Pease" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
30 Sep 2006 01:23:47 AM |
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In article <1159547546.527564.118700@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>, wrote:
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government? What
are the criteria for a group of people to be considered an official
religion?
No because it is a single belief and a single belief does not a
religion make.
Also what does 'official' mean in the eyes of the US government? For
IRS purposes certain religious organizations are exempt from certain
taxes (and from filing certain forms). The same holds true for State
governments. Some of these organizations have been atheistic in
nature (or might be). For instance
Ethical Culture groups (despite Texas's attempt to declare one not a
religion)
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Comptroller_of_Public_Accounts_v._Ethical_Society_of_Austin
Actually the reference is a good source for current court thinking on
religions. Apparently the current standard is to apply what is
called the Malnak test:
"The test requires that a set of beliefs:
(1) address fundamental and ultimate questions having to do with deep
and imponderable matters such as the meaning of life and death or
man's role in the universe;
(2) be broad in scope and comprehensive in nature; and
(3) be accompanied by the presence of certain formal and external signs."
Emma
--
\----
|\* | Emma Pease Net Spinster
|_\/ Die Luft der Freiheit weht
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| User: "stoney" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
03 Oct 2006 02:59:33 PM |
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On Sat, 30 Sep 2006 01:23:47 +0000 (UTC), Emma Pease
<emma@kanpai.stanford.edu> wrote in alt.atheism
In article <1159547546.527564.118700@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>, wrote:
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government? What
are the criteria for a group of people to be considered an official
religion?
No because it is a single [lack of] belief and a single [lack of] belief does not a
religion make.
Fixed it for you.
Also what does 'official' mean in the eyes of the US government? For
IRS purposes certain religious organizations are exempt from certain
taxes (and from filing certain forms). The same holds true for State
governments. Some of these organizations have been atheistic in
nature (or might be). For instance
Ethical Culture groups (despite Texas's attempt to declare one not a
religion)
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Comptroller_of_Public_Accounts_v._Ethical_Society_of_Austin
Actually the reference is a good source for current court thinking on
religions. Apparently the current standard is to apply what is
called the Malnak test:
"The test requires that a set of beliefs:
(1) address fundamental and ultimate questions having to do with deep
and imponderable matters such as the meaning of life and death or
man's role in the universe;
(2) be broad in scope and comprehensive in nature; and
(3) be accompanied by the presence of certain formal and external signs."
Emma
--
Fundies and trolls are cordially invited to
shove a wooden cross up their arses and rotate
at a high rate of speed. I trust you'll
be 'blessed' with a plethora of splinters.
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| User: "Christopher A. Lee" |
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| Title: Re: Is Atheism Considered an "Official" religion? |
29 Sep 2006 05:13:34 PM |
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On 29 Sep 2006 09:32:26 -0700, wrote:
Just curious:
Is atheism considered an official religion by the US government? What
are the criteria for a group of people to be considered an official
religion?
No.
At most a few places treat it as one, in he same way that a cat shows
rules say...
Rule 1 - no dogs
:
:
Rule 99. For the purposes of this cat show, a seeing eye dog assisting
a blind person shall be considered a cat.
It makes it easier than doing thousands of individual changes.
We should unite and become a religion to enjoy the benefits the US
already provides to all of the other religions....
Dave
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