How Much Freedom Do You Want?
By debrakcarey
@debrakcarey (19887)
United States
January 11, 2013 3:14pm CST
An atheist and a devout Christian AGREE?
Take a look at the video and see it for yourself;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3LnVa7zXgc
1 response
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
11 Jan 13
For me, this isn't something that's shocking. But I realize that "Christian" and "atheist" are major identifying labels for others. So much so that if you're an atheist going on Fox News, they won't call you "Doctor" or "Author" or "Professor" or anything else; they'll just label you "Atheist" like that's the only thing in the world that defines you.
Penn and Glenn's agreement doesn't seem to have anything at all to do with religion vs. non-religion. It seems to be libertarianesque agreement. It's about freedom. Wanting freedom and individual rights isn't necessarily religion/non-religion whatsoever. A religious person and an atheist can both be communists too.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
11 Jan 13
I've heard atheists on Fox treated respectfully, in fact Penn Jillett himself went on FOX and that is what sparked the friendship Glenn Beck and he enjoy to this day.
Do you even watch FoxNews?
My point in posting this was that something HAS to be DONE to end the polarization in this country. We must come together on freedom and liberty and stop the identity politics.
Most of us are FOR freedom and liberty, are we not? Those atheists who think and speak as Penn Jillette does, that do not speak 'against' Christianity per se, have my respect. I can relate to them as someone I can trust to have MY back and protect MY rights as a believer, because he REALLY believes in the power of the Constitution, not to keep HIM free from religion, but rather to keep us BOTH free to believe as our conscience dictates.
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
11 Jan 13
For 90% of what you wrote, per usual, I have no idea how that pertains to my comment. So I'll leave that bit alone.
But for the Fox News: Beck isn't on Fox. When's the last time you watched it? 
I've seen with my own eyes people going on Fox and being labeled "Atheist" in that little identifier box.
If you were going to take your time to intelligently discuss a range of topics on a show, you might be a little peeved if they labeled you "Christian" above all other things. And while it's one thing to think "Well, I'm proud of that," it's another thing to realize that it's being done in a wholly negative context by a group of people who do not share your beliefs.
I see that Fox will put something like "Economist" or "Author" when Ben Stein comes on. But what if they put "Jew" there? It's intentionally offensive, not because Stein's Jewish, but because it's meant to belittle.
Penn specifically is treated at Fox like Wayne Brady is treated at CBS. He's been on Red Eye, Stossel, Cavuto, and a lot of other Fox shows. He's a tolerated atheist because he espouses quite a few right-wing principles. So while they still always point out that he's an atheist, they do manage to include things like magician and comedian and libertarian as well.
I've seen with my own eyes people going on Fox and being labeled "Atheist" in that little identifier box.
If you were going to take your time to intelligently discuss a range of topics on a show, you might be a little peeved if they labeled you "Christian" above all other things. And while it's one thing to think "Well, I'm proud of that," it's another thing to realize that it's being done in a wholly negative context by a group of people who do not share your beliefs.
I see that Fox will put something like "Economist" or "Author" when Ben Stein comes on. But what if they put "Jew" there? It's intentionally offensive, not because Stein's Jewish, but because it's meant to belittle.
Penn specifically is treated at Fox like Wayne Brady is treated at CBS. He's been on Red Eye, Stossel, Cavuto, and a lot of other Fox shows. He's a tolerated atheist because he espouses quite a few right-wing principles. So while they still always point out that he's an atheist, they do manage to include things like magician and comedian and libertarian as well.@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
12 Jan 13
You have sucessfully turned what might have been a discussion on where we agree, into a negative discussion on FoxNews.
Identiy politics is the result of labeling people and assigning them a 'box', as you described.
Congratulations, but I'm not going to go along with it.
btw, Beck's old Fox shows are on youtube. And his Blaze program is as well, the video I posted is from those. When was the last time I watched FoxNews, about four months ago, why that is necessary for you to know, I cannot imagine.
