What is Digg?378 Comments
- Cyrack, on 10/12/2007, -22/+136Yet another reason why politics and religion should be separated.
Religion is fine, but it's a private matter and should by no mean influence how a country, state, corporation or any other organization is run.
When a politician makes a statement like this he ask for trouble, discriminating those who don't believe in a religion or another religion than his, and as far as I know, discrimination is still illegal in most of the civilized world (and I believe USA want to stay a member of the civilized world?).
Making a harsh statement like this probably just a sick way to get PR. Or he is seriously FUBAR.
Btw. sorry about my spelling/grammar, English isn't my native language. - MioTheGreat, on 10/12/2007, -6/+88"I believe atheists already aren't allowed to hold office in Texas."
Texas Constitution:
"nor shall any one be excluded from holding office on account of his religious sentiments, provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being."
Pretty sad, isn't it? I thought we lived in a mildly rational society, and if you don't acknowledge the existence of a god, flying spaghetti monster, etc. you can't hold office in Texas. - Rikkochet, on 10/12/2007, -6/+67I can:
Rape a thousand babies
Skin people alive
Eat the flesh of the living
Live a life of horror, debauchery, and crime
And then, on my death bed, be absolved of all my crimes by a priest and get a ticket into heaven.
Or, I can live a moral, decent life, reject the concept of magical dieties and an afterlife, and be condemned to an eternity of torture?
Does anyone actually believe in that anymore? - wozley, on 10/12/2007, -12/+56Somewhat true, but maybe not. I am not a Christian, though I do believe in similar ethics, God and the moral agendas and such. But too many Christians today are fanatical, apprehensive, even violent.
I've seen some of the protest they hold, and if you look at the Christian religion logically, there fanaticism is totally hypocritical.
These sort of statements can actually help a candidate such as Perry gain votes from these crazy people. There are a lot of fire and brimstone, old time religion Christians out there who go to many extremes.
It's a scary thing, really.
p.s. Your spelling and grammar is actually better than most native speakers. - wingnut21, on 10/12/2007, -3/+47"Oh well, I won't be there to see it."
Since when did God give you a golden ticket to heaven? - puck, on 10/12/2007, -2/+39I always find it hard to understand why statements like this are such a surprise. Its a fairly basic tenet of Christianity that the only way to heaven is through Jesus. If you don't go to heaven you go to hell (well, catholics complicate the whole situation with purgatory, but I believe that's only a temporary place if I remember, eventually, you end up in heaven or hell). So it stands to reason if someone is Christan, they believe that if you have not accepted Jesus as your savior you probably will go to hell. That's not for them to judge...God will ultimately do that, but it doesn't mean they wouldn't believe that. Its laid out fairly clearly in the Bible.
I'm personally not Christian or religious at all for that matter, but I do respect others beliefs, including those that believe I'll go to hell. Why should I find that offensive? Who cares? Ultimately its not up to them, it'll be up to God if he exists. I personally think they're wrong but who really knows? If I'm wrong and I end up in hell....well then my bad. - guytoronto, on 10/12/2007, -3/+37We atheists are going to burn in hell. Meth-smoking, gay-ass-pounding reverends are welcome at the Pearly Gates though.
P.S. Nothing against gay people. I just love making fun of people like Ted Haggard who are so anti-homosexual and stray to the "dark side". - zeeeej, on 10/12/2007, -4/+35I'm not worried about it because there is no hell.
~ Avoids gratuitous joke about Texas ~ - jgeorgeson, on 10/12/2007, -7/+38@Coffeedemon
I believe atheists already aren't allowed to hold office in Texas.
I voted for Kinky, it's not like the governor in Texas has a whole lot of executive power anyway. - mornif, on 10/12/2007, -8/+38Would rather be stuck in hell than be stuck anywhere else with people like you
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -10/+37Um, The Muslims think the same thing of Christians? Circular Logic. Yes.
- mkoby, on 10/12/2007, -35/+57He wasn't discriminating, but rather stating a belief. He did not say "I hate non-Christians", if he had then that would be discriminating.
- ahsen74, on 10/12/2007, -9/+30I honestly don't understand what is wrong with his statement. When a person is elected into a political office, does that mean he leaves all his personal convictions at home? The arguments being made in these comments sections are basically stating that "Separation of Church and State" means only atheists can be elected into public office. I certainly don't think this was the idea of our founding fathers.
I am not a Christian, And I do not agree with the Governor's opinion. However, he is entitled to it, and when asked about it, he is entitled to state it. As long as he does not not legislate it, we have "Seperation of Church and State". - xJudahx, on 10/12/2007, -12/+32A comment made at a sermon is not mixing church and state.
I disagree with him, but what is the big deal?
Vote him out, the people have that choice.
Being tolerant is the right thing to do. - Coffeedemon, on 10/12/2007, -30/+50"He wasn't discriminating, but rather stating a belief. He did not say "I hate non-Christians", if he had then that would be discriminating"
Do you not think that an attitude like that could lead to discrimination later on when it comes time to make some laws here in the REAL world?
"ban the ability of non-christians to assemble in public? Sure - they are going to hell anyway so this won't be any worse"... - Antialias, on 10/12/2007, -0/+18I dunno if I could stand an eternity of "Whats the deal with..." jokes. :)
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+19Eh. All the cool people will be in Hell. Who would you rather spend your afterlife with: Jerry Falwell or Jerry Seinfeld?
- SimianSamurai, on 10/12/2007, -27/+43You're right, Mkoby, but this man chooses his religion, so he chooses the circumstances of his religion. He believes, as a result, that all non-christians belong in hell.
his statement does, in fact, mean that HE BELIEVES ALL NON-CHRISTIANS BELONG IN HELL. There is no defending him for this attitude, it is a truly hideous thing to say that his constituents do not deserve heaven as he does.
Why are we sympathetic to ***** like this? Why do we allow people who say these types of things to run our government? Shame on all of you who vote for a man like this. - mazerrackham, on 10/12/2007, -4/+20He's supposed to be unbiased, but that doesn't mean he has to recuse his religion. Christianity (at its base) says non-believers go to hell. He's not DAMNING anyone, he's just saying he's a Christian and that's what he believes.
- *blu*, on 10/12/2007, -3/+16I live in Texas and I will be voting for Rick Perry today. He's not the best, but you should see other kooks we have running for office here.
Anyway, although I'm not a christian, I can't believe what some of you guys are saying here. Christianity teaches that non-christians go to hell. He's not discriminating against anyone, he's just stating his beliefs. He has freedom of speech just like anybody else. Feel free to complain once his ACTIONS start showing prejudice against non-christians.
For people who are so adament about "free speech", some of you sure are hypocritical. - xJudahx, on 10/12/2007, -2/+15He's a Christian, they all pretty much believe the same thing.
What is the news here?
He has his right to his opinion, I think it's idiotic, but he does none the less. - norsurfit, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12I'm going to hell? How awful!!
Oh wait, I don't believe in hell...never mind, I don't care... - signal15, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11I would love to see someone get elected and then reveal they are an atheist. The whole country would literally go *****, which is very very sad.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12Satan throws kickass Super Sweet parties with Ferrari cakes. Cant wait!
- tms870705, on 10/12/2007, -4/+15"He wasn't discriminating, but rather stating a belief. He did not say "I hate non-Christians", if he had then that would be discriminating."
Hate is NOT discrimination. When a person acts on their hate is when discrimination happens. Even then it is only discrimination if the actions are against an entire group of people. Even if he said he hated non-Christians he would not have discriminated against them unless he refused to treat them as equals. - Nougat, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10The interesting thing is that no politician that I know of would ever EVER be caught saying, "I'm an athiest. I don't believe in any higher power," because the US electorate does not elect athiests.
- bigstinky, on 10/12/2007, -3/+13I'll bring the beer and potato chips.
- mazerrackham, on 10/12/2007, -2/+12In my very-Christian upbringing we were taught that "the only path to salvation is Jesus". I don't agree with that, but everyone has the right to believe whatever the hell they want. Putting yourself in an elected position doesn't mean you're not allowed to practice religion, or that you're expected not to express what you believe.
As has been said before, the real issue is whether or not he discriminates based on his beliefs. - stupidDilbert, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9As Sara Siverman describes how she will explain to her childern that she is Jewish and their father is Christian:
"Mommy is one of the Chosen People, and Daddy believes Jesus is Magic!" - NinjAlt, on 10/12/2007, -2/+11@xJudahx
He never had a point. He's what we call a troll. His only purpose is to be an *****. - xJudahx, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10Too bad your point is lost with your namecalling.
- mdc777, on 10/12/2007, -7/+16You won't be in hell to see it, and you won't be in heaven to see it, your ashes or your bio-degraded atoms will be around to see what really happens, but your conciouse will cease to exsist when you die, so you are correct, you won't be there to see it.
- Fracture98, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10As an atheist, all I can say is... yawn.
Not believing in a non-existent deity is going to condemn me to a non-existent location for my non-existent afterlife. Somehow, I'm not worried. Go figure. - musicbear, on 10/12/2007, -2/+11@rikkochet
And you left out that the burning in hell is for all eternity... forever and ever ... non stop... Your upstanding ethical life that didn't happen to involve your local fundamentalist church will be followed by unending torture forever and ever and ever - millennium after millennium after millennium after millennium after millennium after millennium after millennium after millennium after millennium... forever. You'd also be alongside Hitler... assuming he didn't pull some last minute pre suicide conversion... as an equal... along with all the folks from around the world living in tribes and other ignorant living arrangements... pretty much everyone ever born that didn't have access to or belief in this religion - burning and tortured - for all eternity.
Does anyone else find it just a bit wacko?
Well... it does it explain why they want to save everyone if they actually believe that. - Gorlof75, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8Koros8 - "If humans are fallible, then that would mean the "founding fathers" were fallible, which means the U.S Constitution is flawed. The Seperation of Church and State has been a monumental failure"
Sure humans are fallible and the consitution is flawed. Thats why it is a living document and we can make changes or get rid of it completely. However, if their is one thing that has cannot be seen in any way, shape, or form as a failure it is the seperation of church and state. Point in fact, I do not know of to many countries in the world where people that are Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu (? correct phrase?), atheists, and every other religion known to man live together without trying to kill each other on a daily basis. Without seperation of church and state this would not be possible. - harmlessinc, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9mornif - the line is "Heaven for the weather, Hell for the company."
- squison, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9Translation:
Gov: Hey, religious right, gimme your vote.
Religious right: k.
Everyone else: wtf? oh well, I'll forget out it in a minute. - DisposableRob, on 10/12/2007, -4/+12I'm all for freedom of religion, but when a politician says that I'm damned and going to hell, I cannot respect that person and cannot trust their ability to be fair to everyone in applying the law.
- geronimo, on 10/12/2007, -9/+15I would rather not be stuck in Texas.
- oxyrubber, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7I'm not sure what he says in church can be held against him all that much. He is affirming that he believes in the first commandment (which I believe to be the reason for many holy wars and the superiority complexes of Christianity and Judaism).
I am not against believing in a higher power, but to say that someone else is wrong because they don't believe in the same higher power as you is pretty egotistical. Most people don't pick their religions, they are born or coaxed into them.
I'm pretty disappointed that people can get votes simply by stating that they are Christian and live up to Christian values. I would think a true Christian would not need to say those things, but would be humble enough to not need to say them. Then again, in politics - the good guys always come in last. - dagonweb, on 10/12/2007, -7/+15If I make random assertions about a group other than my own, and those assertions are deemed offensive by that group, I am discriminating.
For instance I can assert that negroes or jews are created by iehova from the semen of monkeys and rats, because it says so in this or that bible verse. I can merrily claim this detail on the basis of my belief but once I bring it out in the open, I am being offensive - and in some countries I can be put in jail.
Religions do the same. By stating that a code of behavior that is incongruent with what their doctrine advocates implies that transressors against that code go and eternally stay in a private little concentration camp created by the deity of that faith, you are making bold statements that are offensive and can be deemed completely unacceptable by the people who not consider themselves part of that religion but are subjected to its projections and value judgements.
Apart from the fact it is damn offensive, it may have all sorts of side effects. Maybe members of that religion would like to give the sinners a little advance dose of hell to caution them? Maybe it it isn't as bad to punish these sinners because they go to hell anyway?
I would seek legislation in the country I am in that demands of any group, whether or not it is religious, that unproven speculation and projection be kept private and out of the public sphere. I know that is diffuclt because they would then deny large parts of scientific debate into the realm of fancy, but you gotta start somewhere. If it works, it works. - av4rice, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8Well that IS how christianity works isn't it? You join up to avoid hell. If you could get to heaven without doing all the Jesus stuff, there'd be little point.
What matters is how he intends to act on this (if at all) in the course of his job - oxyrubber, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10"If humans are fallible, then that would mean the "founding fathers" were fallible, which means the U.S Constitution is flawed."
And by externsion, the writers (scribes and prophets alike) of the Bible (and all other holy books) are fallible as well. The Leaders of every church are fallible. You aren't telling us anything we don't know already.
"The Seperation of Church and State has been a monumental failure."
Yes, mostly because Christians believe the political system is to be used to enforce their religious and social views on the general public when tradtitional forms of social "herding" fail to yield results. Examples: "dry" counties and liquor laws, Sunday work hours, the definition of pornography, etc.
"Hell is going to be crowded, it would seem. Oh well, I won't be there to see it."
Too bad bigots don't automatically get a first class seat on the way there. - wolferz, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8are you people stupid? Your talking about quashing free speech because some one says something offensive. The ability to say something offensive is EXACTLY what free speech is meant to protect. You know what happens right after we take away the government's right to say what they want? They take way out right to say something negative about the government. Followed by holding public demonstrations becoming illegal.
Huuuuraaaayy Fascism!
Personally I think the guy is a pig, but I'm not gona advocate taking his _inalienable_ rights away over it. If he makes policy decisions based on his religion, THEN something should be done. Primarily removal from office. That's exactly what would happen in a corporation if a manager was to discriminate. He would be fired. He still has the right to discriminate, but he cant do it as part of their organization. All the laws we need for such are already in place. So why do we need to advocate fascism? - aristotle1990, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Lesson: religious Christians who take the Bible seriously generally believe that non-Christians are going to Hell.
Therefore, since Rick Perry is a religious, Bible believing Christian, he probably believes that non-Christians are going to Hell.
How is this news? - FastZ, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5I think in the nerd-world, Christians are out-numbered by non-believers.
- Araya213, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7Yeah, that's why I voted for Kinky. If there is a hell, the devil has most certainly saved a spot for Rick Perry.
- mutatron, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8You're very confused. This man is saying he believes you are condemned to Hell. To me this statement is yet another an indication that Rick Perry is a bad person with poor judgement. He's free to believe whatever he wants, but I'm not going to vote for him, nor will I be compelled by people like you to think he is a good person.
- Rostin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Coffeedemon, SimianSamurai,
I'm responding to both of you with one comment b/c you both make the same mistake. Christians don't think that they deserve heaven while other people deserve hell. They believe that all people, including themselves, deserve hell. -
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