As a Lebanese Atheist, I'm glad to see such a secular movement taking place in my country. I have contacted the organizers of the goup and we spoke about a starting coalition between all Atheists/Agnostics/Seculars. The union between religion and state in Lebanon is stopping us from advancing as a society, I posted an article about the issue here: http://freethinkinglebanon.blogspot.com/2010/05/church-state-similar-story-from.html
Good job @FTL. This is a very serious and needed goal. I wish for the best in the country. This effort is where it starts. More people will join/participate/think once they realize that there is a large contingent of people with similar feelings and attitudes and they are not alone.
This is a huge first step and it is so good to see.
All of this is wonderful news, but I am perturbed that at one point, Lebanan had "sectarian affiliations" on their ID cards. That's just ridiculous. Imagine if here in the United States everyone's Driver's License stated what their "religion" and "denomination" was. Let's say for instance a cop pulls you over for speeding... you're both Christians, but he's a Catholic and you're a Methodist... he gives you the ticket. Later, he pulls over a Catholic and says "go confess your sins to the local priest and drive safely." I'm glad to see Lebanan has moved past such silliness.
Very encouraging. And to the young Lebanese man bemoaning the lack of understanding of secularism among his countrymen: do not despair, despite a place of prominence in our Constitution, most Americans apparently don't understand the concept either.
S.E. Cupp, what I and many others think is a fake atheist was on Bill Maher's show this week. Here she is on overtime: http://www.hbo.com/real-time-with-bill-maher/index.html
/ To comment on the topic. Yes please on secularim :)
In this respect, Lebanon is more progressive than Israel, where religious or ethnic affiliation is still noted in the ID. (and under 'Nationality', of all places)
James: What I said was valid. The "silliness" I was referring to was specifically the "sectarian affiliations on ID cards. They have done away with it. I do agree with you though that there is more "silliness" to overcome.
I wish them the best of luck. Secularization of government is a necessary first step toward tolerating atheists.
ReplyDeleteA secular government should be the goal. Tolerating people without faith in a god, a nice benefit.
ReplyDeleteAs a Lebanese Atheist, I'm glad to see such a secular movement taking place in my country. I have contacted the organizers of the goup and we spoke about a starting coalition between all Atheists/Agnostics/Seculars. The union between religion and state in Lebanon is stopping us from advancing as a society, I posted an article about the issue here: http://freethinkinglebanon.blogspot.com/2010/05/church-state-similar-story-from.html
ReplyDeleteGood job @FTL. This is a very serious and needed goal. I wish for the best in the country. This effort is where it starts. More people will join/participate/think once they realize that there is a large contingent of people with similar feelings and attitudes and they are not alone.
ReplyDeleteThis is a huge first step and it is so good to see.
All of this is wonderful news, but I am perturbed that at one point, Lebanan had "sectarian affiliations" on their ID cards. That's just ridiculous. Imagine if here in the United States everyone's Driver's License stated what their "religion" and "denomination" was. Let's say for instance a cop pulls you over for speeding... you're both Christians, but he's a Catholic and you're a Methodist... he gives you the ticket. Later, he pulls over a Catholic and says "go confess your sins to the local priest and drive safely." I'm glad to see Lebanan has moved past such silliness.
ReplyDeleteJust as a correction, they are 'trying' to move past such silliness. But at the moment, I would say they're still in the middle of the silliness.
ReplyDeleteThere is no way you can take a country or politician seriously if they are professing their sill belief in a non-being
Imagine a presidential hopefully running on a right wing ticket and professing belief in the 'tooth fairy'.
Seems ridiculous, but it's not any different than what they have during every election in the US.
Very encouraging. And to the young Lebanese man bemoaning the lack of understanding of secularism among his countrymen: do not despair, despite a place of prominence in our Constitution, most Americans apparently don't understand the concept either.
ReplyDeleteS.E. Cupp, what I and many others think is a fake atheist was on Bill Maher's show this week. Here she is on overtime:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hbo.com/real-time-with-bill-maher/index.html
/ To comment on the topic. Yes please on secularim :)
Bill btw says something like "I predict the next book will be called Finding religion.." :)
ReplyDeleteGreat intiative FTL, get organized, perhaps you get funding from other atheist Arabs living on the peninsula.
ReplyDeletePlease come and protest this ridiculous Shia mosque that we are having built in Copenhagen. It has Hizbollah written all over it.
<span>Brave and courageous people, these protest´s are not without real risk´s.
ReplyDeleteRemember Christopher Hitchens´ run in with Hizbollah in Beirut.
I really wish Lebanon so much luck and I hope it becomes the beacon of light and sanity in the Middle East.</span>
In this respect, Lebanon is more progressive than Israel, where religious or ethnic affiliation is still noted in the ID. (and under 'Nationality', of all places)
ReplyDeleteJames: What I said was valid. The "silliness" I was referring to was specifically the "sectarian affiliations on ID cards. They have done away with it. I do agree with you though that there is more "silliness" to overcome.
ReplyDelete