Comments on: Prisoner Receives Atheist Books… Read What Happens Next

By: David Bunker

David Bunker — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:39:10 +0000

As someone who works in prisons and does so out of my faith commitment, I understand the repressive nature some prisons can have when it comes to literature, lifestyles, and beliefs they deem as threatening. It is unfortunate that anyone would be punished or have their concerns disregarded because of their beliefs. With that being said, the stories one embraces to navigate this life are myriad. Atheism is one narrative that many have espoused down through the ages so it need not be so threatening to those who say they are believers. My response to strident atheists (those who espouse their unbelief with the same zeal as other faiths who proselytize, …go for it! May the best story win. I have yet to see any atheists in prisons, however, walking arm in arm with the suffering disenfranchised men & women who have been thrown out of our cultural systems by in large. My point: I get just as upset with Christians who see their “ministry” or calling as articulating the superior rationality behind their faith (paradoxical as it sounds), and yet seldom if ever, living out their beliefs within proximity to those who are “the least of these.” Just an observation. You may be the one exception so please inform me. with all respect to anyone willing to walk their talk.

By: Freethought Books Project Media « Reed Secular Alliance

Freethought Books Project Media « Reed Secular Alliance — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 05:18:10 +0000

[...] Friendly Atheist Coverage http://friendlyatheist.com/4817/letter-from-a-prisoner/ http://friendlyatheist.com/2695/prisoner-receives-atheist-books-read-what-happens-next/ http://friendlyatheist.com/1441/freethought-books-to-prisoners/ Humanist Network News Article [...]

By: Nick

Nick — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:25:44 +0000

Let’s not forget why these criminals are in prison. Because they are criminals. They are not there to be entertained by literature and such, they are there to pay a debt to society. Some of these inmates have actually hurt people. Some have also hurt children. You know what, maybe you’re right. Let’s give these inmates as much as we can. In fact, give them all internet access as well. Why not let child molestors and murders chat with all of our children. wake up!

By: cipher

cipher — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:04:24 +0000

Secular Dignity said,

I think the drug policy in this country is really about putting as many people in jail as possible, and not about reducing drug use at all. Looking and feeling tough has a higher priority that actually preventing or solving problems.

Absolutely. One of the many, many reasons we are the disgrace of the industrialized nations. Honestly, Europe is looking better and better to me. Canada too, but I don’t know that it’s far enough away – and it’s cold!

By: Secular Dignity

Secular Dignity — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:53:30 +0000

Regarding Joe’s comment:
1. I do not have a problem with people believing in God. I have a problem with people using a concept that they cannot prove as justification for control and bad policy.

2. Yes, I suppose some of the conclusions of the theory of evolution that are strange and illogical. But isn’t religion illogical? Isn’t saying “God did it” just a nice little black box? I suppose the Big Bang is odd too. But I know that there is a repeatable process that led to those conclusions.

A lot of people here have been to church, and that is no guarantee of revelation.

cipher said,

She’s also told me that prison conditions in Australia and Great Britain, where she also teaches, are much more humane, and the guards have a much more compassionate attitude toward the inmates.

It seems like a lot of policy in this country is about punishing people and looking tough. I think the drug policy in this country is really about putting as many people in jail as possible, and not about reducing drug use at all. Looking and feeling tough has a higher priority that actually preventing or solving problems.

By: NYCatheist

NYCatheist — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:52:40 +0000

I was going to type out a long reply to Joe but there is a lot of raping and pillaging to be done. Good times! Thank God I’m an atheist!

Thanks to those who put the effort in.

I’m actually just replying so that I can subscribe and see if Joe actually responds. I assume there is no way to subscribe without commenting? Some other blogs have RSS feeds to the comment sections which is useful at times if you want to follow future comments.

By: BZ

BZ — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:24:46 +0000

Joe, there is a forum for these type of discussions, you don’t need to knock the thread off-topic to get your view heard.

http://www.friendlyatheist.com/phpBB3/index.php

By: Vincent

Vincent — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:57:28 +0000

Joe, I don’t give a crap what other people believe, so your first sentence is pointless.
I do care about what people do, and here a person is being treated differently for an unjust reason.
And yes, it’s ironic that someone in jail for who knows what (let’s just say armed robbery for speculation sake) is considered an unsavory person, not because he committed the crime, but because he’s not a christian. His beliefs are considered more significant than his actions, and that’s just ass backwards.

By: QrazyQat

QrazyQat — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:25:16 +0000

He now ignores me in the hallways!

Extra benefits!

By: HappyNat

HappyNat — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:52:33 +0000

rocks do not turn into lifeforms

Clearly you have never seen the proof.

but there is a God and he doesn’t believe in atheists.

Allright, we'll call it a draw.