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Category Archives: Freedom

Freedom From Religion? How About Freedom From Atheism?

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May 8, 2014|12:22 pm

This Easter the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) posted another offensive, and historically inaccurate, sign touting Jesus as "a myth." However, did you know an organization exists to counter the FFRF and other intolerant atheists? If you or someone you know has been the victim of militant, confrontational atheism then the place to turn is the Freedom From Atheism Foundation (FFAF).

Created in 2012 as a response to intolerant atheists seeking the removal of a Veterans Memorial that displayed religious symbols, the FFAF has grown leaps and bounds and boasts over 120,000 followers on their Facebook page as of this writing. The Freedom From Atheism Foundation was created as a grassroots civil rights Facebook group to help protect the rights of religious believers, address the rising tide of intolerant atheism across the world, and be a beacon of hope and support for victims of atheist hate.

The group currently has eight administrators, two of which I recently corresponded with for an interview. As they receive daily hate filled messages from atheists who dislike the group, they chose to use pseudonyms for this interview. Full disclosure, I am a member of the group and this interview was completely my idea.

1. Some readers may dismiss your idea that we need "Freedom From Atheism." How would you respond and convince them otherwise?

Jonathan Gill: In the nominally or officially Christian states of the Western World, atheistic organizations have begun a quest to remove religion from the public sphere, despite the fact that it is an integral part of the foundation of these nations. Since the Cult of Reason in the French Revolution, organized movements of atheism have persecuted those who do not share their vision of a godless world. We at FFAF are a response to the intolerance exhibited by militant atheists, historically and in the present.

Dr. Jim Ryan: History has demonstrated that atheists, especially once they get into positions of power, have been brutally repressive toward those who do not share their faith. While many atheists in the West, especially the New Atheists, claim to be promoting science and reason, it should be noted that they have repeatedly stated that their goal is to eradicate those religions and religious beliefs that differ from their own. They are working to restrict freedom of religious expression and freedom of speech. There is every reason to suspect that if the intolerant atheists of today get into power they will be just as oppressive, if not more so, that the previous generations of atheists.

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2. What examples do you have of atheist intolerance towards you or believers in God?

Jonathan Gill: We're now taking screenshots of intolerant and hate filled atheists who contact us and posting them on our website to raise public awareness of the issue. All of the quotes I'm going to share with you can be found on our Facebook page, Freedom From Atheism Foundation. Here are a few examples: One atheist contacted us saying "Wow you guys are literally so (expletive) stupid you should really consider killing yourselves." The atheist merchandise corporation Evolve Fish responded to a pastor of a Church being murdered during Church service by stating "It sure would be nice if more church services ended like this one." One atheist created a Facebook group called Virgin Mary Should've Aborted. Another atheist who contacted us said "American Christians should be labeled a hate group." The atheist Facebook group Exposing the Insanity of the Religious Right said "I wish we could torch the churches." Another atheist contacted us stating "Holy (expletive expletive), you are all retarded and need to be executed." This is but a small sample of the rising atheist hate towards religious believers in America.

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Freedom From Religion? How About Freedom From Atheism?

Emmaus High sets new record with 19 Freddy Award nominations

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Emmaus High School's production of "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" nabbed 19 Freddy nominations Thursday, setting a new record.

The previous record of 17 nominations had been held by Freedom High School for its production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" in 2012 and Easton High School for "Ragtime" in 2010.

Emmaus' nominations included for best production, best actor and best actress.

Freedom High School's "Crazy for You" and Parkland's "The Wizard of Oz" were next in line, with 14 nominations each.

Other schools with double-digit nominations were Dieruff's "Chicago" with 12 and Bangor's "Seussical" with 11. Notre Dame led the smaller schools with 10 nominations for "Sweeney Todd."

Freedom's Daniel Youngelman, who plays Bobby Childs in "Crazy for You," set a record for most career nominations by one performer. He got three today, bringing his high school total to 10. He won last year for vocal solo for "Bring Him Home" from "Les Miserables." The previous record was eight, held by Parkland's Morgan Reilly since 2011.

Twenty-seven of the 31 participating schools from Lehigh, Northampton and Warren counties received at least one nomination.

The Freddy Awards, in their 12th year, recognize outstanding high school musical theater. Awards will be presented live in a Tony Awards-style ceremony 7 p.m. May 22 at Easton's State Theatre. The show will be broadcast live on WFMZ-Channel 69.

State Theatre Executive Director Shelley Brown and Ed Hanna, WFMZ meteorologist, announced the nominees during the station's noon broadcast Thursday.

There are 21 categories, including acting, dancing, scenery and lighting.

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Emmaus High sets new record with 19 Freddy Award nominations

Do not exploit or criminalise religious freedom

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FMT LETTER: From JD Lovrenciear, via e-mail

Malaysia must not exploit or criminalise religious freedom which is rooted in the history of human civilisation. Whichever way you may review the matter or whichever camp you swear to belong to, the state of affairs in Malaysia relating to the subject matter called religion is reaching a perilous point.

Can regional leaders remain unconcerned? Can global players dismiss it as a storm in a tea cup? Can Malaysians sit back and just watch? The unending surge of statements, events and decrees as well as episodes involving religion that is punctuating the political landscape of Malaysia is no more a strictly domestic matter.

As long as religious freedom, its independence and sanctity as well as its moderateness is being threatened by the politics and leadership of a nation, it will have irreversible impact in the region and in world politics too.

In Malaysia, there is every reason to be concerned as extremists and right-wing politicians keep pushing religion and its related strife to the forefront of governance, society, economics and environment, especially in a global climate where war and peace are premium concerns.

Lately, there has been far too much of energy, publicity, stunts and demands being bulldozed through the human space seemingly fighting for one religion against another. In Malaysias context, it seems very much an Islamic war on Christianity, or what pro-Islamists will ascribe as Christianitys affront on Islam.

Whether it is Islams war on Christianity or Islams protection against Christianity, the truth of the matter is Malaysia is under very serious threat affecting the practice of religious freedom, religious rights and religious democracy.

The pieces of the jigsaw are indeed drawing a very frightening mosaic of man-against-man battle brew.

The latest incident where an established and government funded institution of higher learning approved, convened and conducted a religious seminar in its premises seemingly in defense of Islam, is already setting the cauldron of religious sentiments to bubble-boil.

By bringing in religious speakers from a neighbouring country, there is already a seeming or perceived intent to now extend the battle beyond Malaysias shores. The other is a political partys determined efforts to institute the Islamic penal code (hudud) in the country.

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Do not exploit or criminalise religious freedom

Hungary’s 2014 Economic Freedom and the Rise of Antisemitism – Video

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Hungary #39;s 2014 Economic Freedom and the Rise of Antisemitism
Zoltan Kesz presents Hungary #39;s Economic Freedom and the Rise of Antisemitism. In 2014 the political environment of Hungary is changing as Cronyism, Collectivism, Nationalism and the Rise of...

By: Szabad Piac Alapitvany

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Hungary's 2014 Economic Freedom and the Rise of Antisemitism - Video

They're Back: Freedom Industries Execs Return to West Virginia

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In January, 300,000 residents of the Charleston, W.Va., area lost access to drinking water when 10,000 gallons of a coal-cleaning chemical leaked into the Elk River. The little-known company behind the disaster, Freedom Industries, was swiftly besieged by dozens of lawsuits and then hustled into bankruptcy court for legally sanctioned dismemberment. So much for Freedom Industries.Or so one might have thought.

A week ago, the Charleston Gazette published ascoopthat can only be described as mind-blowing: Some of the executives who once managed Freedom Industries have been involved in forming a new West Virginia corporation with an equally anodyne name, Lexycon, whose characteristics, the local paper reported, are strikingly similar to Freedom Industries.They wouldnt dare, one might think.

Oh, yes they would.In a May 5 bankruptcy-court filing, lawyers representing the remains of what was once Freedom Industriesthe debtor, in Chapter 11 lingoconfirmed that Lexycon would provide employment to former Freedom executives. Those lawyers also asked the bankruptcy judge overseeing the case for permission to sell whats left of a Freedom-owned facility in Nitro, W.Va., to the former Freedom execs now operating under the Lexycon banner. In other words, Freedom lives!

The Nitro coal industry chemical facility, also known as Poca Blending, is irrevocably tainted due to the incident, the Freedom Industries motion observed in something of an understatement. The media attention associated with the debtor and the underlying nature of the assets comprising the Nitro facility force the conclusion that on a net-net basis, these assets were actually a liability to the debtor and its bankruptcy estate, the motion added. Demolishing the Nitro plant, the motion estimated, would cost Freedom Industries about $400,000.

So rather than tear it down, the lawyers in charge of shutting Freedom asked the judge to allow a sale of Poca Blending for $575,000. The proposed buyer: Lexycon.

Mark Welch, the chief restructuring officer hired to dispose of Freedom Industries, filed a declaration in which he explained that he was introduced to Lexycon by Gary Southern, Freedoms former president. Lexycons principal, a man named David Carson, is a personal friend of Gary Southern, Welch told the court. Moreover, he added, the president of Lexycon, Kevin Skiles, is the former vice president for research and technology and Dennis Farrell, a former Freedom Industries owner and ex-executive, will serve as a consultant to Lexycon.

I strongly advocate the proposed transaction as being in the best interests of Freedom, its bankruptcy estate, and creditors, Welch concluded. He did not say whether hed sought the opinion of the many Charleston residents who might be skeptical of having the Freedom Industries boys continuing to do business in their midst. The judges ruling is expected shortly.

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They're Back: Freedom Industries Execs Return to West Virginia

Press Freedom and The Media: Why the Suspicion and Disdain?

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May 6, 2014

Freedom of expression may be enshrined in the constitution, but the harsh truth is that this right seemed to be only accorded to certain sections of the populace.

Those who appear to have friends in high places can say anything and everything they want even if it is seditious.They can use the most racist language, litter it with threats real and innuendo and be applauded for their brevity.

Yet, the law comes down hard on lesser mortals who only choose to interpret the law or put the facts on the table.Lets accept that press freedom does exist in this country only for selected people and selected organisations.Citizen Nades

by R. Nadeswaran@http://www.thesundaily.my

ON Saturday (May 4), World Press Freedom Day was observed and celebrated in various degrees of importance befitting its status in the respective countries. For many years now, I have turned down invitations to speak at seminars to commemorate the event. I have come to the conclusion that such an effort would be an exercise in futility.

Year in and year out, people take the stage, moan and groan, lament and bitch about freedom for one day and forget about it for the next 364 days before a new cycle begins. Its the same tune, same lyrics perhaps performed by different singers like an annual ritual.

But then, one has to keep asking oneself: What can press freedom bring about when the media is always treated with suspicion and disdain? On examining the issues that have been raised in this newspaper over the years, you wonder what can freedom (if any) exactly do or to what extent would it bring about change.

Many a time when contentious issues that need to be debated are raised, they are shouted down by a coterie of self-appointed do-gooders who, like maggots climbing out of the woodwork, become apologists and defenders of the offenders.

Freedom of expression may be enshrined in the constitution, but the harsh truth is that this right seemed to be only accorded to certain sections of the populace.

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Press Freedom and The Media: Why the Suspicion and Disdain?

Billings Freedom Church – Pastor Gail Craig – Kingdom Atmosphere-Part 10 – Video

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Billings Freedom Church - Pastor Gail Craig - Kingdom Atmosphere-Part 10
May 4th, 2014 - Learn how God #39;s Kingdom Atmosphere surrounds us as we trust in His blessings that never cease as Pastor Gail Craig continues with Part 10 of this message series.

By: Freedom Church

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Billings Freedom Church - Pastor Gail Craig - Kingdom Atmosphere-Part 10 - Video


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