How much money do you have?
Do you think you live luxuriously?
I am asking because of this response (and I use that term charitably) to atheist author Sam Harris that depicts atheists as shallow, empty-headed elites with money to burn. You can fast-forward to the end if you like.
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/column.aspx?UrlTitle=letter_to_a_stupid_atheist&ns=MaryGrabar&dt=02/18/2007&page=full&comments=true
2007-02-24 05:49:23 · 15 answers · asked by GreenEyedLilo 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
End paragraph, about Sam Harris' fans. I wish this described my wife, who is atheist and purchased the book for the two of us to share. That way, I'd have money too, and we wouldn't have to cut coupons or do our own home repair work (not on an expensive condo, believe me) or make our own jewelry (not gold and diamonds, either) anymore. Stupid stereotypes ahead:
"These progressives proudly display their reading material as they serve canapés and tails to similarly correct-minded, nipped and Botox-ed activists, who only really just want what is good for us. Your slim, easy-to-read pamphlet is just right for trips to the salon, masseuse, and transcendental meditation retreat. Your fans cluck over the ignorance and benightedness of those like me—their gold and diamonds shining in the ambient light of their converted warehouse condos....For your book, they whipped out the credit cards from Louis Vuitton bags."
2007-02-24 05:52:27 · update #1
It's become quite the thing to cast certain groups in that light. These tactics are usually pseudo-populist crap (ironically enough) cooked up by well-paid right-wing gurus and pundits. For instance, you may hear it from "poor" Bill O'Reilly and his ilk.
As to "shallow" and "empty-headed," that's a charge that the National Academy of Science (and scientists in general) would have to take up - since the vast majority of their members are atheists.
And me? I still work 5 days a week my friend, and cannot afford to light my cigars with money.
2007-02-24 06:08:00 · answer #1 · answered by JAT 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
LOL!
Seriously, someone wrote that dribble? Do they perceive the reader as stupid? Such a blatant jab at a group of people by an association that has nothing to do with them is the litarary equivalent of writing "Jimmy is a tosser" on the bathroom wall.
I am a third year University student without a job (it's FULL time education, the work expects the equivalent of a full time job and that's what I try to give it) and there have been weeks where i've had less to live on than someone on jobseekers allowance gets.
2007-02-24 06:01:03 · answer #2 · answered by jleslie4585 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have enough to fulfill my needs and a few of my wants. But, having lived all over Asia in the past decade, I have had to get rid of so many things I thought I would miss - and don't.
I rent a small furnished apartment. I have not owned a car in 14 years. I have a bike, a telescope, a desk and a book shelf (chocked full of books - though most of the good ones i make a habit of passing along).
just to be clear here - i make better than an average american salary, but not that much better. i use whatever disposable income i have to travel.
2007-02-24 05:57:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh yeah, yeah, that's me... ROLLING in the dough. In fact...
Do you remember that cartoon from years ago? Duck Tales, I think it was? With Scrooge McDuck or whatever the name was? Well, he had this huge warehouse FULL of coins. He would literally dive into these coins and swim through them as though through water.
That's what I have as an atheist. I am THAT putrid, rotten, stinking rich!!!
Alright, alright, I'm lying. After all, I'm a heartless, immoral atheist... of COURSE I'm going to lie to you. Anyway, I'm not rich. In fact, I'm a little nervous about paying the bills this month. I guess I can't quite live up to the stereotype. Sorry, fellahs... looks like y'all will just have to pick up the slack for me.
2007-02-24 06:08:31 · answer #4 · answered by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Admittedly, I only skimmed this, but not once did I see her defending her faith. I only saw her lashing out at Sam Harris' beliefs. Not a very compelling counterpoint for the Christians.
Harris 2, God 0.
2007-02-24 05:54:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yeah. Drat. My car is over 10 years old. Stupid me, I forgot to pick up my Escalade at the Evil Atheist Conspiricy Club!
2007-02-24 05:53:32 · answer #6 · answered by Laptop Jesus 2.0 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'm sixteen, and I'm looking for a job--so suffice to say, I have no money to burn. But my parents (who are atheists/don't-care-ists), live luxuriously enough to buy what we need, and to buy what we want if we save up for it. For example, my dad worked some overtime to pay for the down payment on my car. But no overtime is needed for bills, groceries, etc.
2007-02-24 06:02:31 · answer #7 · answered by Stardust 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hilarious.
I don't think such people actually exist. I know they do in the movies, but I've never actually met one.
The closest I can come to such a person is Tammy Faye Baker.
2007-02-24 05:54:59 · answer #8 · answered by Samurai Jack 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am a poor college student who grew up teeter-tottering on the poverty line, and I still don't believe in God.
2007-02-24 05:54:24 · answer #9 · answered by Subconsciousless 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm not doing as well as Oral Roberts or Pat Robertson.
2007-02-24 05:53:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋