Question135

Should we discuss politics in alt.atheism?

• Yes as long as it is vaguely on topic. 8-)

  Politics effects all aspects of life including religious freedom and the religious institutions are often a political force.

  The roman catholic church is one of the oldest political entities in continuous existence in the world, if not the oldest. (Mark Richardson #1095)

• Sure, but preferable when it relates to the rights of atheists and the antics of the RR or other religious groups.

  I don't think AA is the place to argue gun control, for example. (The Central Scrutinizer)

• Yes, since creationisnt, and christians, are in politics, trying to force their views to people who don't believe in them. (The Bored Guy #1775)

• Why not? Such, unfortunately, does have an effect on our lives. (Stoney #9)

• Absolutely. Religion and politics are so commingled that I think it is impossible to discuss one without dragging in the other, however peripherally.

  Beside, those of us who are not political inclined can learn something from those who -are- into it. (Erikc #2)

• Sure, why not. It is happening all around anyway, much of it directly related to secularity, which would be on topic in my opinion. Of course there is some off-topic stuff too, but that isn't all bad. (DJ Nozem #1465)

• There are plenty of issues that relate to politics which have a reasonable place in alt.atheism. Separation of Church and State issues, for example, are prominent among them. There are plenty of others.

  A purely political argument, though, such as I will vote for such-and-such because of his economic agenda, etc., are probably off topic. As such, they ought to be moved to a more adequate forum, or at the very list marked as off-topic by the posters. (Arturo Magidin #257)

• These two topics are often intertwined. Especially here in the U.S.A.

  You can't discuss issues like: public display of the 10 Commandments or Creationists attacking the teaching of evolution in schools, without getting into politics (pan #1432)

• Well politics and religion often cross, especially where a religion adopts a political agenda. So it can't really by avoided. For example the 700 Club is both politics and religion. (Meteorite Debris #1417)

• Actually, I was hoping we could. For those of us in the U.S., the two subjects often go hand in hand.

  The current crop of presidential candidates pander shamelessly to the religious establishment. Worse, more than one is openly hostile to the atheist population. I'd be interested in what other atheists are going to do come November.

  Someone here (can't remember who) has a sig: "I'm the EAC and I Vote!" I'm thinking of having a similar bumper sticker made because it definitely affects my choices at the polls. (chibiabos)

• Yes, definitely, since so much of politics is mired in the religious nowadays. There are religious groups out there with strong political clout, particularly in the US, but also in Israel and many other countries (no need to mention the theocracies of the Middle East), who wish to impose their will onto the rest of the citizens through legislation, and that should be of great concern to all atheists. (Chris Nelson #135)