E-mail Spammers Should Rot in Hell (Which Doesn’t Actually Exist)
September 30th, 2005 by JJ
An insulting e-mail was forwarded to me from someone I care about. I’m going to attack this e-mail, but keep in mind, I’m addressing the person who wrote it and not the person who forwarded it to me.
This very strange e-mail attempts to prove that Christianity belongs in the US government. It goes a little further, suggesting that Christians make better elected officials. And then it crosses the line entirely, suggesting that Atheists, Muslims, Buddhists, etc should “sit down and shut up.”
I have not confirmed the validity of any of the e-mail’s claims, but I assume most are true. However, I do not by any means believe that the “facts” prove Christianity should be mandated - quite the opposite. I say this e-mail proves that some Christians, especially the ones who buy into this shit, are bigoted awful people.
Drum roll please…. here’s the e-mail:
DID YOU KNOW? As you walk up the steps to the building which houses the U.S. Supreme Court you can see near the top of the building a row of the world’s law givers and each one is facing one in the middle who is facing forward with a full frontal view … it is Moses and he is holding the Ten Commandments!
DID YOU KNOW? As you enter the Supreme Court courtroom, the two huge oak doors have the Ten Commandments engraved on each lower portion of each door.
DID YOU KNOW? As you sit inside the courtroom, you can see the wall, right above where the Supreme Court judges sit, a display of the Ten Commandments!
DID YOU KNOW? There are Bible verses etched in stone all over the Federal Buildings and Monuments in Washington, D.C.
DID YOU KNOW? James Madison, the fourth president, known as “The Father of Our Constitution” made the following statement: “We have staked the whole of all our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.”
DID YOU KNOW? Patrick Henry, that patriot and Founding Father of our country said: “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religions but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
DID YOU KNOW? Every session of Congress begins with a prayer by a paid preacher, whose salary has been paid by the taxpayer since 1777.
DID YOU KNOW? Fifty-two of the 55 founders of the Constitution were members of the established orthodox churches in the colonies.
DID YOU KNOW? Thomas Jefferson worried that the Courts would overstep their authority and instead of interpreting the law would begin making law an oligarchy the rule of few over many.
DID YOU KNOW? The very first Supreme Court Justice, John Jay, said: “Americans should select and prefer Christians as their rulers.”
How, then, have we gotten to the point that everything we have done for 220 years in this country is now suddenly wrong and unconstitutional?
Lets put it around the world and let the world see and remember what this great country was built on. I was asked to send this on if I agreed or delete if I didn’t. Now it is your turn… It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore, it is very hard to understand why there is such a mess about having the Ten Commandments on display or “In God We Trust” on our money and having God in the Pledge of Allegiance. Why don’t we just tell the other 14% to Sit Down and SHUT UP!!!
If you agree, pass this on, I second that! In God we Trust
For argument’s sake, let’s say these “facts” are accurate. What this tells me:
- This country was founded by a group of white men who believed that a magical ghost created the universe.
- These men were bigots who believed there is one valid religion - and anyone who does not believe in God is not welcome in this country.
- Beyond that, anyone who believes in a different God does not belong here either.
- The founding fathers actually did not support the first Amendment of the US Constitution, which states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
- Thomas Jefferson must have been an oddball, suggesting there should be a separation of Church and State.
- The United States is not actually a “melting pot” as many have suggested. The “poor huddled masses” are in fact not welcome here… unless they’re Christians.
- Our laws should be based on a set of ten rules that were written down more than three thousand years ago. Because things don’t change over time. Rules like “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image” make perfect sense in 2005.
Okay… back to reality. Here’s my take:
- I do not believe in God.
- Even so, I should feel welcome in my own country.
- Laws written to govern me should not be based on religion.
- I should have the freedom to believe what I want to believe without being told to “sit down and shut up.”
I support the freedom of speech. And as all of you know, I do not “shut up” for anyone. So, to the author of this e-mail, I say “Fuck you.”
RSS
I hold a special place in my heart for Christian Zealots, who think non-believers are “infidels”.
Incidently, that special place is also where I store my knowledge on the various ways to kill zealots with my bare hands.
America’s History cannot be erased by a small minority that would have done it differently. You are welcome to your views, and people right now are fighting so that you retain them, but the majority is getting tired of being pushed around by the minority. We never try to tear down your beliefs. I just wish we all we tolerant of each other, myself included of course. I don’t think I am right about everything, I have an openmind but there are things I will not tolerate. If you hate America, please do it inwardly and let it consume you, it will.
The facts are probably correct, but the conclusions are false, and bigoted. There are bigots of all races, creeds and sexes. I had not seen the email, and I personally wouldn’t forward it to anyone else.
There is a line of decency, some can see it plainly, some can’t.
Okay, because I’m in the minority, I should accept your views and be content with the fact that your religion to a certain extent dicatates the laws I must abide by? I should accept “in God we trust” on my money? I should not scoff at the idea of having the Ten Commandments of your bible posted on my state government facilities at taxpayer expense?
In a country that prides itself on freedom of religion, that does not seem fair. Must be nice being in the majority.
I am proud to live in this country. I am proud that this country openly supports religious freedom in the Constitution. I am proud that I have freedom of speech and can speak my mind without punishment. I love this country. I am glad that I am free to defend my views against bigoted spam that tells me I should “sit down and shut up.”
Decency is subjective. I found the Christian spam to be indecent. Perhaps you find my rant indecent. We must agree to disagree. Thank God I am free to voice my opinion.
This must be the week for religion to crop up in blogs. I received a comment on my blog telling me that I had offended someone because of my references to religion. I’d have to say though that the tone of Web Loafer’s and your e-mail’s complaints couldn’t be different. At least my complaintant was polite.
I don’t usually get too hung up over God’s name on the money or in a pledge of allegiance. I do, however, get a little exercised when I’m told that I hate my country, should leave it, or have religious concepts taught in public schools.
I believe in live and let live and believe anything you damn well want as long as you don’t intrude on me about it.
JJ, I’m with you on this one. Rant on.
And now a song for all the christian zealots:
I hate jesus, yes I do, Do dah do dah,
I hate the church and powerful magical ghosts too, do dah do dah,
Jesus is about as real as The Force, do dah do dah,
Probably would make a good movie, Jesus vs The Force do dah do dah
While we’re on the topic of Christianity… WWJD for a Klondike Bar?
But we have to accept what was originally planned for us! They are smarter than us! We shouldn’t change what was there in the begininning.
Along with slavery and no rights for women!!!
JJ
I’ve been lurking around your site for a while now, and only now am moved to respond. Like Omnipotent Poobah, I don’t get too worked up about certain features of christianity appearing in certain aspects of our culture - after all, this religion is a major part of western civilization, apparent in everything from art to, obviously, politics.
However, I also agree with you and O.P. that there is a line that is too often crossed, stepping on the toes of millions of people who don’t subscribe to some or all of this particular set of beliefs. The thoughts of the forwarded email are ludicrous and anyone who knows more than the basics of history (and christianity, for that matter) knows that the founding fathers set up the country with more than just christianity in mind - look into Jefferson’s ideas, for example - hell, look deeper into any of their ideas and you’ll find this is the case.
And another thing - too many citizens of this country have been hoodwinked by the puppet-gangster “in charge” into believing that we’re at war with Iraq to maintain our freedom. Please. Take a look at the big picture. And to add a Biblical reference, take a look at the story of David and Goliath - still think we’re going to “win?” (”winning”, by the way, is irrelevant, especially at this point…) There are so many stories in the bible that christians tend to forget about, or at least not apply to the world of today - and isn’t that the point of the bible/christianity??
Natalie
sorry for such a long post - i hope it’s somewhat coherent.
Loafer:
Thank you for your comments. I responded above, and I was possibly being a little too defensive. I just hate being accused of being unpatriotic because I’ve criticized my country. Oh.. and thank you for saying I’ve crossed the line of decency. I take that as a compliment. They’re just words. I have never posted nudity or graphic violence here. If I’ve crossed over into indecency with a view choice words, then I’d say I’ve accomplished something.
Poobah:
Thanks - I’ve noticed that recently as well. There’s been a lot of talk about religion lately in the blogosphere. I’ve been thinking about coming out of the Atheism closet for a while. I totally support your “live and let live” attitude. I just got a little bent out of shape when that e-mail was sent to me.
Ev:
And I thought I was being indecent!
Jillian:
Good point. Times change. Laws evolve.
Natalie:
I’m so glad you came out of hiding! You know what this means - now people will know you read The Churning and you’ll be shunned by red-staters everywhere.
I love your comment about “the point” of Christianity. I thought Christianity had a lot to do with “turn the other cheek,” but apparently I was wrong. Apparently it has more to do with telling non-believers to shut up and calling them un-American.
Great post! I agree with all your points. Seems the level of hipocrisy that Christian zealots will go to to feel comfortable in their country knows no bounds.
I might call myself a Christian, if only because I believe in most of the ideals, but I couldn’t fathom using my belief system (based on faith not fact) to run a government.
Seems to me the Christian fundies don’t know too much history. Like say, that any government based on religion is destined for war and failure. Right after the holy wars are over I mean.
JJ–I actually have that WWJD for a Klondike Bar shirt!
JJ — I agree with you wholeheartedly on this topic. I’m tired of people who say they are Christians doing little more than judging others who have differing beliefs. If I remember my Sunday School teachings of the past I believe there was a parable about those living in glass houses throwing stones… and I feel that by judging me, their glass homes are on the verge of shattering.
Great blog, I’ll definitely be back.
Mojotek:
I can only imagine what would happen if the US government were founded on my belief system. Christians surely wouldn’t want to live my my rules, and I wouldn’t want to live by their rules.
Eddie:
Sweet. That shirt rocks.
Barbara:
Thanks! I’m glad to know there are other sane people out there.
Perhaps %14 of Americans dont believe in God, but that doesn’t mean all %14 are the ones bitching about the pledge of allegiance and all this other meaningless shit. I’m an atheist, and I really dont care if the Ten Commandments are displayed in the Supreme Court.
William:
I was going to say, “I don’t care about the pledge or having the Ten Commandments on display - I was just pissed off at that insulting e-mail.” But I had to stop myself. I guess I do care.
In a society where religious freedom is celebrated, why would children in public schools recite a pledge to their country under God? I guess the pledge is optional, but if I disagree with it, it’s at the very least awkward.
Here are a couple of other examples of lines that could be added to the pledge that would make me uncomfortable, but perhaps would not bother the majority:
“I pledge allegienace to a country run by heterosexuals - and homosexual lawmakers should stay in the closet”
“I pledge allegienace to a commander in chief who says evolution is just a theory”
“I pledge allegienace to a country where strippers should be forced to wear bikini bottoms and pasties.”
Why beat around the bush? Let’s go ahead and add these phrases to the pledge.
JJ, what a mixup…..I in no way suggested you have crossed the line of decency….the one who wrote the comments you posted….to the email….was the bigot……I am very tolerant…….I know where the off/on switch is on radios, tv’s and computers. Pesonally we disagree about most things, but I read your writings when I get a chance. My comment was hurried and didn’t get my point across. The writer of that email you got, took facts and twisted them for an agenda…I don’t like adgenda’s, and doubt that you do. But I don’t want history to disappear….I don’t want us to sandblast the mention of God from every monument in America….
If and when athestist become the majority in this land, I hope they are less bigoted then some Christians are, but I doubt it.
Loafer:
Well put. Thank you for the clarification.
I thought I commented on this, but I just want to echo Mojotek.
Sure, it may sound spiffy and ethical to have a bit of religion and all-around-goodness in your government, but there has not been one (one!) single supported case in recorded world history of an empire-like state that wasn’t toppled shortly after religion and government crossed lines. I’m not going to list examples because… well, there are way too many. Pick an empire, any empire. They all fell for the exact same reasons:
1.) The leadership claimed divine right.
2.) They began to rule based on an abstract authority instead of the best interests of their people.
3.) They decided their way was better than the ways of others, and got taken down.
So… while things may seem like they’d be better if we just did them the way the Bible says to, history has shown that… no… they won’t be. I mean… have you seen the Gaza Strip?
Besides… only two Commandments are laws, you know. Two. Don’t kill and don’t steal. The others aren’t even remotely close to law. How does that argument make any sense? Any at all?
[…] I just found out that the original twelve-step program is based on religion. The steps include bullshit like turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, have God remove all these defects of character, and improve our conscious contact with God. What a pile of horseshit - well at least it’s horseshit for atheists like me. […]
I have to comment on this even though it is a little old at this point. Why? Because I to was forwarded this email just a couple weeks ago, by someone I care deeply for. That’s right folks, two years and some months later this close minded email is still floating out there, the scariest part - those passing is on are the ones that believe it. I have not commited myself to ANY religion, I have yet to decide if there is one great god in the sky that watches over all of us, the point is - it’s MY decision. No one else’s just MINE! For those that defend awful things like this perhaps you should read you bible again and go over that part again that talks about all men being created equal. Once you’ve done that, refresh yourself on the consitution itself and don’t persecute others for not believing what you do. In short, practice what you preach - forgivness and open heartedness.
If you can’t handle that then you are the one who should “sit down and shut up!”
Here they are: Deuteronomy 5:6–21
6 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery;
7 you shall have no other gods before me.
8 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
9 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and fourth generation of those who reject me,
10 but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.
11 You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.
12 Observe the sabbath day and keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you.
13 For six days you shall labour and do all your work.
14 But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, or your son or your daughter, or your male or female slave, or your ox or your donkey, or any of your livestock, or the resident alien in your towns, so that your male and female slave may rest as well as you.
15 Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the sabbath day.
16 Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
17 You shall not murder.
18 Neither shall you commit adultery.
19 Neither shall you steal.
20 Neither shall you bear false witness against your neighbour.
21 Neither shall you covet your neighbour’s wife. Neither shall you desire your neighbour’s house, or field, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.
HEHE! God really jealous, and he thinks male and female slaves are cool. He will totally punish up to four generations If he catches you warshiping American Idol.
Its ironic to me. Its along the same lines as a pro-lifer taking the life of a mother going in for an abortion. This has come to a society and christianity slam because one idiot wrote and email that offended. These freedoms this country allows us to have all to often protects the idiots. This is why atheism always makes me chuckle, IN MY EXPERIENCE athiests tend to be God’s biggest critics even though they stand by a belief that one doesn’t exist.