Atheist asks Commission on Judicial Conduct to drop complaint

[rug]

By Michael V. Hannigan
The News Staff

The man who filed a complaint with the state against Henderson County Judge Richard Sanders in connection with the continuing nativity scene controversy has changed his mind.

San Antonio atheist Patrick Greene filed a complaint with the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct earlier this month, saying, “By refusing to take a neutral position in a sectarian issue, and to fail to publicly chastise Commissioner Hall in his comments as a standing county commissioner, which stated that ‘This is a Christian nation,’ Judge Sanders violated the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.”

This week, however, Greene sent a letter to Commission Chairman Tom Cunningham, writing, “I hereby request that you drop my complaint against Henderson County District Judge Richard Sanders. After due deliberation on this matter I reached this decision that a great deal of emotional upheaval was occurring at that time, due to the interference of an out of state organization. This created an atmosphere of bitterness and anger, which is natural given the circumstances.”

- snip -

Greene is now considering a move to Athens – with the help of area Christians. He’s even gone so far as to purchase a lighted star that he hopes will be displayed with the nativity scene next year.

http://www.malakoffnews.net/2012/03/29/atheist-asks-commission-on-judicial-conduct-to-drop-complaint/

[longship]

1. The FFRF does not interfere unless there's a complaint

This article is a whitewash.

And don't get me started about This is a Christian country rubbish.

Christians loonies! They are 3/4 of the country but they're so persecuted. Bah! Piffle!

We just want the Decalogue in every public school and courthouse. We want a Christian prayer to begin every government function. And don't get me started about want they want to do to women, minorities, and generally anybody who don't think like them. We are SO persecuted that we're not going to stop until the USA is 100% Christian. We already know what they want to do. History tells what that will likely be.

Fuck 'em.

[rug]

2. You think it's misquoting Greene?

[longship]

3. Totally irrelevant

The use of government to advance a religion is unconstitutional. Period! It does not matter who is in the majority, or minority. That's why under the Constitution a minority of one has the right to bring a complaint and if it's a Constitutional issue, the one could win.

Read your Jefferson and Madison. They wrote the thing.

But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.

Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia 1782

[rug]

4. Not at all.

The article is about an indidual's actions, not predigested extraneous talking points.

[longship]

5. Okay, you're correct

But it's still hideous to put a Christian nativity scene on gov't property, IMHO.
It's tacit endorsement of Christianity.

One could argue that atheists should pick their battles more strategically, and let the nativity scenes go, and I might agree with that sentiment. But there's also the counter slippery slope argument.

What I devoutly wish (so to speak) is for all religious people to stop trying to cram their beliefs down everybody's throat. Leave government secular. Let's all live in peace and tolerance.

But the fundies claim that there is a war on their religion when they not only have a vast majority but it seems they have been the only ones fighting the war. They've been doing it for decades. Well, now they've pissed off a lot of people, especially the atheists. We've sat on the sidelines for a long time but now we've had enough and are ready to take them on. We didn't want this, but apparently the Christians in this country do.

Also, nobody else has been willing to take them on. Religious taboos? Who knows? But we have the law on our side.

[rug]

6. It doesn't belong there but I wouldn't call it hideous.

The thing about Christmas displays is that many people have a nostalgia about them that resonates, often more than a religious message.

That said, I have no nostalgia for city halls or courthouse squares. They should be separated,

[longship]

7. I am very conflicted on these issues

As an atheist who sees how far down the theocratic rabbit hole the right wing has fallen I want to tighten my opposition against all forms of government religious expression. But I also recognize that there are heavy cultural barriers against this tactic. It's a tough needle to thread.

People here malign Dawkins all the time, but I think he may be right. But many still see him as too militant. What to do about this?

I think the solution is to give no ground to the theocrats. They've had their way for decades without any meaningful opposition. When a guy like Dawkins, or the other Horsemen (Hitchens, Harris, Dennett, Stenger, Myers, etc.) are soldiering on, being brash and open and calling these idiots out, I see that we can possibly make a difference.

If we all get together on this we all win, even the fucking theocrats who will share in the religious freedom. If they win, we're all fucked, even them.

Who's to know what's right until things start changing. The status quo is not an option from my perspective.

As always, best regards.