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American Atheists president David Silverman appearance at the CT Mark Twain House, Jan. 21st
As promised: My notes taken during David's appearance this thursday at the Hartford Mark Twain house.
(DU Juries: These are all my words, and are not copyrighted. There is no violation of copyright, so, do not lock.)
David Silverman appearance at the Mark Twain house and museum on January 21st, 2016.
Dennis Heims, the regional chapter president of Connecticut atheists, introduced Mr. Silverman.
From the Mark Twain Site:
Fighting God is a firebrand manifesto from one of the most recognizable faces of atheism. In his book, David Silverman--a walking, talking atheist billboard known for his appearances on Fox News--discusses the effectiveness, ethics and impact of the in-your-face-atheist who refuses to be silent.
Silverman argues that religion is more than just wrong: it is malevolent and does not deserve our respect. It is our duty to be outspoken and do what we can to bring religion down. Examining the mentality, methods and issues facing the firebrand atheist, Silverman presents an argument for firebrand atheism and reveals his theory that:
All religion is cafeteria religion and almost all agnostics are atheists.
American society grants religion a privileged status, despite the intentions of the Founding Fathers.
Christian politicians have adversely (and un-Constitutionally) affected our society with regard to science, health, women's rights, and gay rights.
It is not "Islamophobia" to observe dangerous teachings and disproportionate violence in Islam.
Atheists are slowly but surely winning the battle.
Fighting God is a provocative, unapologetic book that takes religion to task and will give inspiration to non-believers and serve as the ultimate answer to apologists.
Before David was introduced, they made the following announcements for upcoming events:
8th Annual Darwin Day Dinner
On February 13th, 2016 Yale Medical School Professor Dr. Meir Kryger will present a lecture called “The Mystery of Sleep”. At the Norwalk Inn and Conference Center at 99 East Ave (Just off exit 16 on I95). Cost of the dinner and lecture is $68. Registration information here: http://darwindayct.org/
This event is sponsored by several local groups: Norwalk Public Schools Science Department, Norwalk Maritime Aquarium, Bartlett Arboretum, Earthplace, Congregation of Humanistic Judaism, Wilton Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Unitarian Church in Westport and Humanists and Freethinkers of Fairfield County (HFFC).
These are the notes I took as David spoke:
“We’re going to open with a prayer.” (Laugh.) He thanked us for the invitation to speak for the first time at Mark Twain house.
He asked for a show of hands: Who are the identified atheists: The vast majority of audience members raised their hands.
He shared with us his personal story: He was born Jewish and stopped believing in god at 6 years old. At 6 he doubted the reality of Santa, and devised a test: He told his mother he asked santa for a train set, but didn't really ask santa, By doing this, he knew that if he got the trainset, then his mother was being santa. He was bar mitzvahed even though his mother knew he was not a believer. He felt like a liar. He looked out into the congregation and started to wonder how many others were lying. His father was a closeted atheist jew, but never told him until he was 30 years old.
He stated that European atheists are freer than American atheists. American religions have made atheists their common enemy. He discusses american religious privileges enjoyed by certain Christian groups. Because of that americans are afraid to use the label atheist. All of the labels like agnostic and humanist and freethinkers divide the real percentage of atheists. Because of that, the true number of atheists is much higher than any number cited in polls.
He views religious people as victims of scams. They're not objects of derision: the religion is. Feel badly for the religious person, don't attack them.
We asked him about the candidates for president. Bernie Sanders calls himself a non-religious jew: aka atheist. He doesn't know about Hillary Clinton.
He discusses the religious right's silence in the face of candidates who are clearly religious fakers.
This book, Fighting God, is different because it tells the truth proactively. David recommends asserting your atheism as often as you can. For instance, speak up whenever someone assumes you are religious. It's all a myth, it's all a lie a scam. Ghostbusters has been on tv for 9 seasons, and they've never caught a ghost yet. We need to own our certainty that there are no gods. He claims he'll quit his job if anyone can prove any miracle was ever true. (Gets applause.)
He recommends firebrand atheism rather than diplomatic atheism. The problem with diplomatic atheism is that it won't cause real change. Firebrands move the limits of acceptability in religious discourse.
David often appears as a guest on Fox news when religion is discussed. He said that everyone who works on set at fox news are atheists. He says that his voice is useful even when speaking to theists because the believers help spread his work because of their disgust with him.
David refers to a youtube debate (there are many) where he gets a pastor to admit he was looking for religious privilege above other religions. In his experience, if they cannot get a privileged status they will leave. They refuse to be equals to anyone.
The host asked what the difference was between other politically incorrect stances and anti-religious stances. David stated that atheist stances are fact-based, and religious people are supporting fantasy. We need to own our atheism because it's supported by fact.
100% of his death threats have come from christians, not jews or muslims. Most angry emails are also from christians. They've had to put up a security fence around the American atheists building because of the death threats.
Challenge local religious infractions of the 2nd amendment because they will become more prevalent as believers get away with imposing their rules on everyone. Beware of "secular" religious symbols because if accepted, they will become ubiquitous. Many local governments are putting up religious symbols in violation of the first amendment, and get away with it by declaring that the religious symbols (crosses) are not religious.
He discussed the muslim imposition of their rules on the world in regards to violating their ban on the dislay of their deity Muhammad. He had to yield to terrorism and place a label "not Muhammad" on the smiley face in his book. The publisher wouldn’t go ahead with it without the word “not” next to the drawing.
He suggested we attend the Reason Rally in .D.C. on June 4th 2016 at the Lincoln memorial. Information at www.reasonrally.org. They’ll have a big budget and great speakers.
When asked why we organize, he said we organize for our civil rights against the religious oppressors. 0% of congress will consider our voting block as significant unless we’re organized. Religion hurts everyone because it creates hatred. We all pay more taxes because churches pay none. We want an equal place at the table in government. Even though he hates religion, as an american patriot, he believes in freedom of religion. Religion is dying because of the internet because we’re right. Religion is declining and atheism is the largest growing religious demographic in america now. Religions have to create out groups in order to wedge their members into supporting positions. All other American religions agree that we, the atheists, are their common enemy.
Someone in the audience asked how atheists can have morality without God. His response was that morality never came from religion in the first place. Religion took credit for human morality.
Someone else asked how fame has impacted him. He said he’s been doing this for 20 years and he enjoys the signs of success. He used to get alot of abuse, but now most of his comments are positive. That is a change.
American atheists has challenged local school violations of the 1st amendment but right now, the supreme court of the united states finds in favor of religions, so we are not attempting any more lawsuits until the members change or change their opinions.
When asked how to minimize or eliminate religious violence, he stated that all objective morality is really subjective, especially when violence is concerned. That's how you reduce religious aggression, by making people recognize that their moral reasons for aggression are not actually provable. Violent individuals have chosen to be religious for subjective reasons.
Someone asked if Bill O'Reilly is different offstage. Before the cameras were rolling, David said he was smart and informed. Onstage, he plays to the ignorant. Sean Hannity is the same on and off camera.
When asked his favorite books on atheism, he suggested Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens. He also said he often dares believers to read their bible. If they do, that's the best way to make an atheist.
My personal opinion: David is a wonderful spokesman for American atheists. He has a natural sense of humor, his speaking style is quite engaging, and he makes the audience feel that they are just friends and neighbors having a friendly chat. I highly recommend catching him at live appearances whenever possible.
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