Comments on: Some Words on Exploiting Tragedy http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/some-words-on-exploiting-tragedy.html NIGHTTIME IS FOR DREAMING. DAYLIGHT IS FOR ACTION. Mon, 1 Dec 2008 16:12:15 +0000 By: Jim Baerg http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/some-words-on-exploiting-tragedy.html#comment-24531 Jim Baerg Sat, 09 Jun 2007 03:21:48 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/some-words-on-exploiting-tragedy.html#comment-24531 Hi Tommykey: I think you missed the point of Arthur C. Clarke's story. In the written version the astronomer who is IIRC a Jesuit priest determines that the light of the nova would have been visible on earth at the time of Christ's birth & is appalled that god didn't use some star with no planets rather than destroy such wonderful people. Hardly a 'hopeful' ending. Hi Tommykey:

I think you missed the point of Arthur C. Clarke's story. In the written version the astronomer who is IIRC a Jesuit priest determines that the light of the nova would have been visible on earth at the time of Christ's birth & is appalled that god didn't use some star with no planets rather than destroy such wonderful people. Hardly a 'hopeful' ending.

]]> By: Dookers http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/some-words-on-exploiting-tragedy.html#comment-24504 Dookers Fri, 08 Jun 2007 13:42:39 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/some-words-on-exploiting-tragedy.html#comment-24504 That's why FSTDT has a Vulture of the Month Award. Some fundies just swarm whatever the tragedy <i>du jour</i> is and try and use it to convert people to their god. Shameful, really, but I guess it's convenient for them in a sickish way. That's why FSTDT has a Vulture of the Month Award. Some fundies just swarm whatever the tragedy du jour is and try and use it to convert people to their god. Shameful, really, but I guess it's convenient for them in a sickish way.

]]> By: Tommykey http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/some-words-on-exploiting-tragedy.html#comment-23199 Tommykey Wed, 25 Apr 2007 02:26:00 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/some-words-on-exploiting-tragedy.html#comment-23199 You know, that Arthur C. Clarke story "The Star" was adapted into an episode of "The Outer Limits" (the newer version of the series, not the 1950's version). I just realized it when I clicked on the link for "The Star" and after reading the synopsis was like "Hey, I saw that!" I did not see the entire episode actually, just the last few minutes, but I remember one of the characters lamenting what a terrible thing it was that such an advanced race of beings was allowed to be extinguished, and then another crew member tells him that the supernova happened around the time of the birth of Christ, thus ending the episode on a hopeful note, which was a rarity for "The Outer Limits". You know, that Arthur C. Clarke story "The Star" was adapted into an episode of "The Outer Limits" (the newer version of the series, not the 1950's version). I just realized it when I clicked on the link for "The Star" and after reading the synopsis was like "Hey, I saw that!"

I did not see the entire episode actually, just the last few minutes, but I remember one of the characters lamenting what a terrible thing it was that such an advanced race of beings was allowed to be extinguished, and then another crew member tells him that the supernova happened around the time of the birth of Christ, thus ending the episode on a hopeful note, which was a rarity for "The Outer Limits".

]]> By: Eric http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/some-words-on-exploiting-tragedy.html#comment-23181 Eric Tue, 24 Apr 2007 00:28:11 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/some-words-on-exploiting-tragedy.html#comment-23181 I tried to find a news item substantiating my earlier statement that Librescu was a non-religious Jew. Unfortunately I couldn't find anything. I based that statement on a statement that I think his doughter-in-law made that he was non-religious. However, I have been unable to find a transcript of that interview anywhere. I suppose under the circumstances I should withdraw my comment until such a time as supporting documentation can be produced. I tried to find a news item substantiating my earlier statement that Librescu was a non-religious Jew. Unfortunately I couldn't find anything. I based that statement on a statement that I think his doughter-in-law made that he was non-religious. However, I have been unable to find a transcript of that interview anywhere. I suppose under the circumstances I should withdraw my comment until such a time as supporting documentation can be produced.

]]> By: Ric http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/some-words-on-exploiting-tragedy.html#comment-23177 Ric Mon, 23 Apr 2007 23:24:40 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/some-words-on-exploiting-tragedy.html#comment-23177 yeah, I read D'Souza's rants. He is truly subhuman to exploit the tragedy like this. yeah, I read D'Souza's rants. He is truly subhuman to exploit the tragedy like this.

]]> By: OMGF http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/some-words-on-exploiting-tragedy.html#comment-23176 OMGF Mon, 23 Apr 2007 22:36:15 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/some-words-on-exploiting-tragedy.html#comment-23176 I hear that Fred Phelps was planning on protesting at the funerals, but decided not to when a local radio station offered to give him free air time. What a scumbag. I hear that Fred Phelps was planning on protesting at the funerals, but decided not to when a local radio station offered to give him free air time. What a scumbag.

]]> By: KShep http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/some-words-on-exploiting-tragedy.html#comment-23170 KShep Mon, 23 Apr 2007 19:48:08 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/some-words-on-exploiting-tragedy.html#comment-23170 Nice comment, Jeff T, you are thinking the same thing I was, except for the question of what we, as atheists, can do in times like this to provide comfort to the grieving. When I heard the president say (I'm paraphrasing here), "We can all take comfort in the grace of a kind and loving god," I wanted to scream: "Grace? What grace? A kind and loving god wouldn't have let a tragedy like this happen!!" I agree that many people seek out religion to help alleviate some of their pain, and like you I hope to see a day when most people see these actions as those committed by people, and only people. The issue of providing comfort to the grieving need not be grounded in religion, no matter what the devout may claim. If you think about it, comfort words that religious people use are really not necessarily religious, with the exception of the "He's in a better place now" type of thing. So we only need do what anyone, religious or not, would do when we are needed for comfort. Listen. Cry. Reminisce. Laugh at the memories. Don't be afraid to use the words "died" or "dead," they are accurate (unlike "passed on"). In short, grieve with the grieving. It has always worked for me. Funny, my ultra-religious in-laws were glad I was there for them when the family matriarch died a few years ago. I think most people at the funeral would have been surprised to know of my atheism. Nice comment, Jeff T, you are thinking the same thing I was, except for the question of what we, as atheists, can do in times like this to provide comfort to the grieving.
When I heard the president say (I'm paraphrasing here), "We can all take comfort in the grace of a kind and loving god," I wanted to scream:
"Grace? What grace? A kind and loving god wouldn't have let a tragedy like this happen!!"
I agree that many people seek out religion to help alleviate some of their pain, and like you I hope to see a day when most people see these actions as those committed by people, and only people.
The issue of providing comfort to the grieving need not be grounded in religion, no matter what the devout may claim. If you think about it, comfort words that religious people use are really not necessarily religious, with the exception of the "He's in a better place now" type of thing.
So we only need do what anyone, religious or not, would do when we are needed for comfort. Listen. Cry. Reminisce. Laugh at the memories. Don't be afraid to use the words "died" or "dead," they are accurate (unlike "passed on"). In short, grieve with the grieving.

It has always worked for me. Funny, my ultra-religious in-laws were glad I was there for them when the family matriarch died a few years ago. I think most people at the funeral would have been surprised to know of my atheism.

]]> By: Jeff T. http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/some-words-on-exploiting-tragedy.html#comment-23167 Jeff T. Mon, 23 Apr 2007 17:33:14 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/some-words-on-exploiting-tragedy.html#comment-23167 What is the gift of prayer? It was offered over and over by countless politicians and others after this tragedy. It seems to provide comfort and a mutual bond between complete strangers. Regardless of the particular faith systems of those that give their thoughts and prayers to the victims, there is an honest attempt here to connect and alleviate some of the pain. I thought about this as I followed this story. I thought about what similar comfort that atheists may offer to may provide similar comfort. I am at a loss here, because for whatever reason, people are programmed socially, culturally, and behaviorally to seek answers from the religious. The truth of atheism does not change the pain of those affected by this tragedy and my hopes and wishes are that people one day understand that people are responsible for people’s actions, not imaginary beings that are created for every excuse under the sun. What is the gift of prayer? It was offered over and over by countless politicians and others after this tragedy. It seems to provide comfort and a mutual bond between complete strangers. Regardless of the particular faith systems of those that give their thoughts and prayers to the victims, there is an honest attempt here to connect and alleviate some of the pain.
I thought about this as I followed this story. I thought about what similar comfort that atheists may offer to may provide similar comfort. I am at a loss here, because for whatever reason, people are programmed socially, culturally, and behaviorally to seek answers from the religious.
The truth of atheism does not change the pain of those affected by this tragedy and my hopes and wishes are that people one day understand that people are responsible for people’s actions, not imaginary beings that are created for every excuse under the sun.

]]> By: Kevin Malone http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/some-words-on-exploiting-tragedy.html#comment-23162 Kevin Malone Mon, 23 Apr 2007 09:23:06 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/some-words-on-exploiting-tragedy.html#comment-23162 Eric: Where's your source material for the claim that he was "apparently an atheist Jew" and was "described as non-religious"? Eric: Where's your source material for the claim that he was "apparently an atheist Jew" and was "described as non-religious"?

]]> By: terrence http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/some-words-on-exploiting-tragedy.html#comment-23159 terrence Mon, 23 Apr 2007 02:21:55 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/some-words-on-exploiting-tragedy.html#comment-23159 Hey David, yes! And see also, www.MrDeity.com Hey David, yes! And see also, http://www.MrDeity.com

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