johac <jhachmann@sbcglobal.com> wrote in
news:jhachmann-FE7305.23014001062006@news.giganews.com:

In article <Xns97D5260F81FC9mc2500183316chgoill@10.232.1.1>,
"R. Pierce Butler" <spamsucks@google.com> wrote:

The issue of the BSA discriminating is probably wrong given the grand
scheme of things but since they are a private organization, they can
make whatever rules they want.

Sure they can, but if they want to act like a religious institution and
exclude those who don't believe the same they should be treated as one
in the eyes of the law.

Turn it around. What if the Atheists of America started an organization
and the bylaws required all members to denounce all gods or else they could
not be a member. Would it be fair or right if the org were forced into
being allowing theists into the organization? Would if be fair to treat
the Atheists of America as a church or religion?

johac <jhachmann@sbcglobal.com> wrote in
news:jhachmann-FE7305.23014001062006@news.giganews.com:

In article <Xns97D5260F81FC9mc2500183316chgoill@10.232.1.1>,
"R. Pierce Butler" <spamsucks@google.com> wrote:

johac <jhachmann@sbcglobal.com> wrote in news:jhachmann-
448EDB.23302431052006@news.giganews.com:

http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/news.aspx?id=16955
I think that this sadly shows which way the wind is blowing in the
new Bush Court.

I disagree.

This has nothing to do with Bush.

In my opinion Bush chose the last two justices for their ideology,
rather than their judicial qualifications, mainly to appease the
religious right. This will be only one of the first of many church state
cases that will appear before them. I don't know how O'Connor would have
voted on this one but I see it as a bad sign.

You are cetainly entitled to your opinion and in a way I agree but oon the
same token, no appointments by Bush were involved. Has Bush enabled the
radical religous right in this country? Certainly but it is a stretch to
include this latest BSA trial.

It is clear that Scalise has been trying to bust the balls of the BSA
for years. One prior suit was deemed frivalous and this one had no
merit either. If he really wanted to go after religion why didn't he
go after the Baptist Church which was also at the school?

As an atheist, one must choose one's battles carefully. I feel that
Scalise chose poorly.

There is likely an underlying issue of prejudice and bigotry that the
Scalise family is enduring but to try taking on the BSA singlehandedly
is just plain stupid.

The issue of the BSA discriminating is probably wrong given the grand
scheme of things but since they are a private organization, they can
make whatever rules they want.

Sure they can, but if they want to act like a religious institution and
exclude those who don't believe the same they should be treated as one
in the eyes of the law.

Turn it around. What if the Atheists of America started an organization
and the bylaws required all members to denounce all gods or else they could
not be a member. Would it be fair or right if the org were forced into
being allowing theists into the organization? Would if be fair to treat
the Atheists of America as a church or religion?

Exclusive clubs have been around for years. Their rules are their rules
and so far the decision is if you don't like their rules, tough.

Freedom is a funny thing. It can work in your favor and NOT in your
favor. It is all a matter of relativity.

Pierce

On Thu, 01 Jun 2006 17:01:20 -0500, Uncle Vic <address@withheld.com>
wrote:

Once upon a time in alt.atheism, dear sweet R. Pierce Butler
(spamsucks@google.com) made the light shine upon us with this:

As an atheist, one must choose one's battles carefully. I feel that
Scalise chose poorly.

I dispise the BSA, personally. I fight them by walking right past their n
cookie sales tables (or whatever it is they sell, maybe jeebus crackers?)
issuing a curt no thank you. If someone decides to challenge me, then I'll
explain why...

It's amazing how many of them try to justify it to those they
discriminate against, by telling them just how unfit they are to be
ordinary decent people. As though they suddenly lost all common sense
and courtesy.

On Thu, 01 Jun 2006 17:01:20 -0500, Uncle Vic wrote:

Once upon a time in alt.atheism, dear sweet R. Pierce Butler
(spamsucks@google.com) made the light shine upon us with this:

As an atheist, one must choose one's battles carefully. I feel that
Scalise chose poorly.

I dispise the BSA, personally. I fight them by walking right past
their cookie sales tables (or whatever it is they sell, maybe jeebus
crackers?) issuing a curt no thank you. If someone decides to
challenge me, then I'll explain why...

You are such an activist! If you ever need someone to come and bail
you out of jail, just send me a postcard. ;)

Uncle Vic <address@withheld.com> writes:

Once upon a time in alt.atheism, dear sweet R. Pierce Butler
(spamsucks@google.com) made the light shine upon us with this:

As an atheist, one must choose one's battles carefully. I feel that
Scalise chose poorly.

I dispise the BSA, personally. I fight them by walking right past
their cookie sales tables (or whatever it is they sell, maybe jeebus
crackers?)

Boy Scouts sell popcorn; Girl Scouts (a completely separate
organization that does not exclude gays or atheists) sells cookies.

Uncle Vic wrote:

Once upon a time in alt.atheism, dear sweet R. Pierce Butler
(spamsucks@google.com) made the light shine upon us with this:

As an atheist, one must choose one's battles carefully. I feel
that Scalise chose poorly.

I dispise the BSA, personally. I fight them by walking right past
their cookie sales tables (or whatever it is they sell, maybe jeebus
crackers?) issuing a curt no thank you. If someone decides to
challenge me, then I'll explain why...

What irked me about them most when I was in Canada and they were
whoring for sales and donations at shopping malls was how they
encouraged kids to walk in front of people and prevent people
from ignoring them. If I politely told the parents that its
illegal to do that, there would be a (usually) profanity filled
response. I complained politely to the mall management and most
malls wouldn't enforce it, even if it's in their own rules of
behaviour.

Conversely, most malls in my old town would not give permission
for college students to conduct surveys on their property,
despite the surveys being conducted solely for statitistics or
business classes and not for commercial reasons.

The firefighters collecting for the March of Dimes or other such
groups wouldn't pull this *****. What makes the Boy Scunts think
they're above common courtesy?