AWOKE this morning in a brilliantly cheerful mood. The gulls, for once, were relatively quiet, the sun was casting summer rays though light, fluffy clouds, and the smell of freshly-brewed coffee was wafting up the stairs (I’m loving my new Prestige filter machine with its built-in timer).
I then turned on the iMac and learned I was depressed. Eh?
Well that’s the diagnosis I received from “Doctor” Tom Estes, the US Baptist minister who claimed at the weekend that atheists were infesting the internet, and needed “bringing down”.
Responding to the .. er …robust reactions he received on this blog for bad-mouthing godless folk – 850-million of us on the planet, and rapidly rising – Estes concluded that we are all living under a black dog of depression:
Is any group in the world more miserable than atheists? It never ceases to amaze me just how angry and militant most atheists seem to be. Now I can already envision all the comments that will immediately be made by the atheistic army explaining how filled with joy their lives are, but with only a little examination we can see that is not the case.
And he offers me as one example:
Barry Duke, a blogger for www.freethinker.uk.co [Estes’ link to the FT isn’t actually working] devoted one of his posts to bashing me, calling my words “squawks” and me, “loopy.” And the comments on his blog were some of the most hateful I’ve ever seen. Yet all of them will say I’m the horrible person.
No, Tom, no-one suggested you were “horrible”. Deluded yes, crazy, yes, paranoid, yes, homophobic, yes, grossly misinformed, yes … but “horrible”, no.
Anyway, Estes then asks:
Why are these people so genuinely angry? Why would they rather spend time on the internet searching for anything that puts God in a positive light so they can quickly join together and attempt to crush it?
And he offers this explanation:
Whenever one’s life is devoted to negativity, one’s life will inevitably be negative. And before you atheists go berserk you must remember the prefix of the cause you are so wholly devoted to, atheism, is ‘a’ meaning ‘no’.
Saying “No” is not necessarily negative or a bad thing. Sensible people say “No” to drugs, morris dancing, racism, homophobia, homeopathy, mullet haircuts, binge drinking, bull-fighting, burquas, reckless driving, fatty foods, facial tattoos, flying planes into tower blocks, smoking, wasting energy resources, paedophila, wearing flared corduroy jeans … and, of course, religion.
Estes goes on:
Not only are they devoted to their negative cause, they are equally devoted to converting as many people as they possibly can to said cause. This cannot be denied, especially when considering the tainted love and adoration that atheists have for men like Richard Dawkins who has devoted his life to disproving God …
They don’t have the love of God in their hearts like Christians do. Think about it, when a tragedy strikes us, we can rely on God. No matter how bad a situation gets, we know that God will either fix it, or give us the grace to endure it. Now, imagine life without that peace that passes understanding, and you’ll know how an atheist feels every single day.
Here’s the HardTruth. Atheists are truly the most depressing people in our world today. They are mostly incapable of seeing the good in people, or seeing anything in a positive light. And while I know atheists laugh at us stupid, idiotic Christians, do you think they laugh at anything else? Probably, but I don’t know for sure. We as Christians need to be more willing so show our anti-God friends how much better life is when God is at the centre of it, and that’s the HardTruth.
Now I would have let Estes’ latest trip to La-La Land pass, but for the fact that Premier Christian Radio has just invited me to debate on a programme being recorded in August. The topic is:
Does Religion Make People Unhappy?
I gleefully accepted, knowing full well that I could spend hours, if not days, providing examples of how religion impacts negatively on the lives of not only NON-believers, but on believers themselves, who are, let’s face it, only ever at their happiest when given the opportunity of telling us “depressed atheists” how we will all fry when we die.
If I’m ever feeling low – and it does happen occasionally – I’ll turn to an ATHEIST comedian to lift the gloom – and boy, there are enough out there to choose from:
And here’s the joyless, “depressed’ Billy Connolly, who’s having a pop at Islam.
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:47 am
Priceless.
Hear those axes being ground against a nation that refuses to persecute homosexuals, criminalize literature, art and plays not to everybody's taste and allow people to cherry pick rules in the workplace?
Yep, that sounds like angry, negative, militant atheists…
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:31 am
I really like this one from Billy Connoly. It's the one about the cardinal's visit to the primary school.
<a linkindex="158" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubRuI7TvkNI&feature=related"
" And while I know atheists laugh at us stupid, idiotic Christians, do you think they laugh at anything else? Probably, but I don’t know for sure."
What the fuck is that about? "Probably, but I don’t know for sure." Isn't he supposed to be making a case for his belief here? Not a very strong argument.
Tosser!
Godless not gormless
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:18 pm
"the prefix of the cause you are so wholly devoted to, atheism, is ‘a’ meaning ‘no’."
Erm, actually the "a" means "without". Atheism isn't a negative belief, it's the lack of a belief – it's not a belief at all.
In any case, there's more to atheists than atheism, so even if the absence of a belief (or the presence of a negative belief) is taken as a bad thing, the concusion that atheists must be bad or miserable doesn't follow.
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:26 pm
That Billy Connolly clip is hilarious; I expect there is now a load of suicide bombers chasing him.
As for Mr Estes: We non-theists do have a sense of humour, but this is tested daily by the amount of inane, brainless, bigoted, ignorant crap spouted by the like of Estes; and the fact he and his chums interfere in the lives of the rational rather than keep their delusions to themselves.
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:50 pm
I've maintained for some time now that we don't even need professional comics to laugh at religion. As Barry's proved admirably this week, you only need to quote their lunatic ramblings verbatim to get a laugh.
The only times I'm depressed is (a) when I'm reading about the damage they do to others or (b) stuck in a small place with such loons and they're between me and the exit. The rest of the time I'm tempted to say it would almost be a pity if they became extinct. They're such an unintentional source of joy -at least when they're not actually killing people or screwing innocent lives up.
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Morris Dancing! Yes, that`s something that I REALLY get worked up about!!
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:01 pm
There`s a feature about the "new-look non-religious Thought For The Day" in this week`s Private Eye. Richard Dawkins`s contribution: "God – what a bastard ! And he doesn`t even exist." Of course, being an atheist myself I don`t find that joke in the least bit amusing!!
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:24 pm
"Now, imagine life without that peace that passes understanding, and you’ll know how an atheist feels every single day."
Could somebody please explain what this means. I know how an atheist feels every day cos I am one, I'm pretty content, enjoy my work, and enjoy my life. The only thing that really pisses me off is religion, its adherents, and its negative effect on society. It is the peace that passes understanding that I don't understand.
Btw, saw a great quote the other day,
Religion brings hope to a world torn apart by religion!
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:48 pm
"And before you atheists go berserk…"
We won't.
We tend to use reason and act reasonably. I would love to see someone like Dawkins loose his rag with some ecclesiastical tosspot, I dream of Daniel Dennett rolling up his sleeves and saying "Come on then you fuckers, let's sort this out now", but it won't happen.
Going berserk seems to be the preserve of the religious rather than the sensible.
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Great Post Barry–When you get the date please inform us all when your debate on "La La" radio will be broadcast
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Anyone catch Dara O'Briain on TV a
few nights ago? – absolutely brilliant!
Dara O'Briain
Homeopathy & Nutritionists vs Real Science!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIaV8swc-fo
&BTW Barriejohn – think you'll find the
stroph-under-the-@ more felicitous, far
less disintegrative than the grave accent.
[@/']
_____
July 22nd, 2009 at 4:02 pm
That Billy Connolly clip is fucking awesome it's one of his finest moments I think "Everytime there's a bang the worlds a wanker short" LMAO
I find it ironic that we the atheists are supposed to be the miserable ones but most faith heads are the most insufferable miserable bores on the planet, wether it's the wee frees in scotland chaining up swing parks so kids can't play on swings or the taleban banning everything from dancing to nusic and everything else.
I think Billy connolly's idea of give these people more than one book is genious as well, maybe give them some video games and action films too
July 22nd, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Let me AGAIN quote the source of an accurate evaluation of opinion poll statistics on religious belief. It is "Living Without God" by Ronald Aronson. There are not 850 million nontheists on this planet. There are 2.2 billion nontheists, more than Christians, Muslims and Jews combined.
July 22nd, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Great link, Adam – and Tom, get in the sack now!
July 22nd, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Thanks for that correction, William. Obviously the source I linked to was way off-beam.
July 22nd, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Will do – the recording is on Aug 18, but I don't know when it will be broadcast. As soon as I do, I will alert readers.
July 22nd, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Yes, it doesn't seem that god believers can quite get their heads around the fact that atheists actually believe that he doesn't actually exist. Jesus and Mo have actually covered this problem recently.
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:19 pm
On the subject of only reading one book, the Bible is actually a collection of 66. OK so most of it is cack but you can find the odd gem such as Ecclesiastes Ch. 9 Vs. 4-10 (Omitting verse eight 'cause it's rubbish:
But he who is joined with the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward; but the memory of them is lost. Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and they have no more for ever any share in all that is done under the sun. Go, eat your bread with enjoyment, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has already approved what you do. Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life which he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:23 pm
So there you are Mr. Estes, the Bible says that there is no afterlife and that you should do everything in your power to enjoy this life as it is the only one you are going to get. This is what most of us atheists do anyway. Oh and you didn't come back to me on the fish symbol and the number153, have a clue, they stole the symbol from Pythagorus.
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Go on Stonyground, put us out of our misery. I know that when the digits of 153 are cubed they add up to 153, but the fish symbolism alludes me.
Did Pythagorus enjoy a rather tasty bit of halibut one day and say "Cor that were a nice bit o' halibut, I'll give that 153 outa 160".
Do tell!
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Of course. It's a triangular number. Doh!
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:57 pm
And if you try angling you might catch a fish.
Bingo!
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:14 pm
I have absolutely no idea what you are on about, Adam!
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:26 pm
He means your uppy-comma thingy is pointing the wrong way!
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:32 pm
I'm a simple Christian here, so help me out; why am I the bad guy? I'm just curious because I don't say one hateful comment in my blog, yet all you atheists claim that I'm this horrible oppressive person. It doesn't make any sense to me.
But changing the subject, all this atheism talk has shown me what a powerful religion you all really are. You guys should check out my latest post, "Atheism = Counterfeit Christianity". You won't be able to rationally deny anything I say, but I'm sure you all will try. I hope God blesses your day!
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:55 pm
I'd never noticed it before, and no one has ever mentioned it either – how odd!
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Mr Esticles. I have read your blog.
You are wrong on just about every level. I wish an imaginary superbeing had given me the patience to even try to respond to such drivel.
But he/she didn't.
So I won't!
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:05 pm
So now Mr Estes is using a pseudonym to disguise his identity. Apparently he got the message that trespassing on a site populated with people who disagree with him draws attention to the embarrassing reality that people who share his belief in an all-powerful Sky Fuhrer regard him as an embarrassment and will have nothing to do with him. So like Robert Turkel (real name of "J P Holding") he is obliged to peddle his snake oil on a website of his own creation.
George W. Bush, Karol Wojtyla, Billy Graham, and Rush Limbaugh have the legitimate excuse that they were born with diminished responsibility. But Estes, Turkel, Ian Paisley and Joseph Ratzinazi are self-made brain amputees.
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:10 pm
The correct way to draw the fish is to take a pair of compasses and draw an arc. You then place the point of the compasses on the arc and draw a second arc. If you set your compasses at 153 of whatever units of measurement that you choose to use, the distance between the nose of the fish and the cross at the rear between the body and the tail will be 265. 265 over 153 is the square root of three, accurate to four decimal places. 153 is the smallest number that gives a reasonable level of accuracy. I could explain why this is so but it is a bit complicated, it has to do with Pythagorus' theorum, you know the one about triangles. The point of all this is that the stories in the Gospels have hidden meanings that Christians are completely unaware of.
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Yeah. Ok. Whatever.
I'll stick with the fish supper analogy!
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:19 pm
You don`t make "one hateful comment" on your blog? Which blog would that be then Mr Goody-Two-Shoes? It couldn`t possibly be the one that states that homosexuality is a greater threat to America than terrorism or Islam, could it? (And why Islam itself, as another widely-held religious belief should be a "threat" to America I aso fail to see!).
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Tom, you really are hysterical. You were one who went on the offensive against atheists, clearly ignorant of the fact that people who poke sticks into hornets' nets are liable to be stung. Yet you're the one who's now playing the victim card. Come on, get real. You can't spout tosh about a subject you clearly no nothing about, and expect to get an easy ride. I mean, calling atheism a religion is like calling bald a hairstyle.
Anyway, If atheism was, indeed, a religion surely we'd be aping what religious folk do best: demonising homosexuals, railing against same sex-unions, damning Hollywood for "blasphemy", demanding tax-breaks and special privileges, burning books we disapprove of, picketing galleries exhibiting "offensive" art, and generally opposing free expression at every turn.
The very idea that those of us who have firmly turned our faces against religion would then establish one of our own is as objectionable as it laughable.
By the way, you neglected to post a link to your latest bit of half-wittery, so, for the benefit of other readers, here it is:
http://hardtruth.squarespace.c.....9/7/22/a...
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Hey, thanks Barry! Although I assumed no link was necessary considering it was right there in your post.
I do want to tell you that you are an excellent communicator, and your work is of the highest quality. But I don't understand why you say atheism can't be compared to a religion, especially considering the parallels are totally obvious. The fact that not one atheist has attempted a serious rebuttle tells me I've got you all thinking about this more than you would care to admit.
P.S. The point made on my blog was about the homosexual AGENDA, not homosexuals themselves. If they weren't trying to make the whole world accept and adopt their lifestyle, my only objection would be a Biblical one, and it would not be nearly as important to me as it is.
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Cont: Nor could it be that blog that equates homosexuality with sex-trafficking, child-abuse, and "debauchery" could it? Those WOULD be quite hateful remarks, and would only be held by some of the more extreme, uneducated, ignorant red-necks that inhabit parts of your country. It wouldn`t, either, be that blog that describes homosexual behaviour as "repulsive" and a "sin", that is likely to lead to the "demise" of your great nation, would it? Someone must have hijacked your blog, Mr Estes – look into it pronto!!
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:54 pm
He' s got ONE fact right, Barry. He says he is a "simple Christian"!!
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:02 pm
"The fact that not one atheist has attempted a serious rebuttle tells me I've got you all thinking about this more than you would care to admit."
Or…
Seen it. Done it. Can't be arsed to do again, and again, and again….
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Man, sucks to be a Christian. Still need a security blanket to feel special.
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:21 pm
"Cont: Nor could it be…"
Do I get points for spotting the typo?
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:22 pm
A person who claims that homosexuals are trying to make the whole world ADOPT their lifestyle, as opposed to demanding the EQUAL right to practise the victimless lifestyle of their choice, cannot be merely misinformed. He is a conscious, blatant, unmitigated, conscienceless liar. That does not mean that he is not so insane that he has myndphuqt himself into believing his own lies. But LIAR says it all.
It is probably only an urban legend that a numerologist once challenged Einstein to rebut his propaganda, but Einstein recognized that even acknowledging the existence of such an ignoramus would have granted him an undeserved dignity — as I am doing by acknowledging this brain amputee's existence.
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:38 pm
.. Getting rid of the "negative" from 'a theist' is easy! Start being a "Normal Person" instead with NO religious addiction! Religion = addiction 'to being lied to'. Anything that 'feels good', somebody somewhere is going to get ADDICTED to it. And, it feels good to be lied to! Also, addictions are based around a core of mental depression! At the lowest point of someone's life, they tend to get addicted to things, alcoholics climb into the bottle, religics get addicted to feel good lies, etc. Listen to testimonials on any religion station and you will hear them say they got religion at the low point of their life! So, it's RELIGION that is based in DEPRESSION! And, religion is also a PSYCHOSIS = belief in things that don't exist… such as demons, devils, gods, poltergeists, apparitions, spirits, ghosts, saints, satans, witches that fly on broomsticks, dragons that fly on tiny wings, etc. In other words: ALL RELIGION IS MENTAL ILLNESS !!
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Does this pathological homophobe condemn the gay author (probably Jeremiah) of Deuteronomy 13:6 who wrote favourably of "the male lover who means as much to you as your own breath"? Does he denounce David and Yahuwnathan who (1 Samuel 20:41), "kissed each other and wept with each other until David ejaculated"?
And since he sees the hunchbacked dwarf Jesus as a role model, does that mean that he endorses Jesus' sermon (Luke 16:1-9) that can be summarized, "Cheat those who are no longer useful to you, and use the stolen money to bribe those who are in a position to do you good?"
Anyone who does not recognize the bible and koran as the most obscene paeans to evil ever written, either has never read them or is insane.
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:48 pm
What agenda is that exactly? Equal rights?
01) Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning.
02) Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.
03) Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.
04) Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can't marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.
05) Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of Britney Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.
06) Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn't be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren't full yet, and the world needs more children.
07) Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.
08) Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That's why we have only one religion in America.
09) Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.
10) Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven't adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans.
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:52 pm
“An atheist is someone who does not believe in god. Period. Beyond that, things get a little murky. There are the dreaded secular humanists, there are logical empiricists, there are existentialists, there are skeptics, nihilists – you name it. Not all atheists believe in evolution or put their 'faith' in science. This is why no one term could positively describe the entirety of atheism. Atheists as a whole are bound by a common disbelief – and nothing else ….
“Atheism has no scripture or sacred text. Darwin's On Origin of the Species, while held in high regard by many atheists, doesn't count. The very fact that scientists are continually building on and even refuting Darwin's claims is proof that his version of the truth is not considered to be inerrant or divinely inspired.”
This is an extract from Pete Blackwell “Atheism is Not a Religion” which completely demolishes your lame argument. See the full piece here:
http://blogcritics.org/culture.....heism-is...
Now let me pick you up on a rather telling remark you made in your last comment. “…if they (homosexuals) weren't trying to make the whole world accept and adopt their lifestyle. ..” Being gay is not a “lifestyle”, and by using that term you are exposing another gaping hole in your education. It is, quite simply, a sexual orientation. People have it in the same way that some folk have red hair or left-handedness. In other words, it is not unnatural, it is unusual.
The pressure, in fact, is on gay people to adopt a heterosexual “lifestyle” by many Christians (and Muslims and Jews) who believe homosexuals can “pray away the gay”. This pressure is unacceptable, inhumane and a gross violation of people’s rights to live the lives that are right and natural for them – and anyone who denies them this right, and who promotes the “ex-gay” agenda should be given a bloody good slap!
I should point out that had a very good friend who fell in the clutches of an evangelical group who assured him they could turn him “straight”. Oh, they “cured” him in the end, alright – he committed suicide!
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:54 pm
What the fuck have I done wrong now?
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Oh – well said Brian Legover! I`m going to get that framed and hang it on my wall!!
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:07 pm
So this poor, deluded guy seriously thinks we are going to waste time rebutting his "argument" that in the "Atheist Religion" Charles Darwin is God, Prof. Dawkins is the Holy Spirit, and The Theory of Evolution is Jesus Christ? That was as far as I got, I`m afraid, as I have better things to do with my time than waste it reading such twaddle!!
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:13 pm
I might be wrong but I think he means you typed Cont instead of Cunt. If I am wrong, I still think you should have typed Cunt anyway.
Godless not gormless
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:42 am
I suppose if you're not standing at a pulpit frothing at the mouth about how evil homos, women who make decisions for themselves, "liberals", atheists and the like are–and how they're all going to burn in hell– that makes you angry and depressed.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:18 am
He didn't say it couldn't be compared to religion he said it isn't a religion. You did not compare it to religion you claimed it is a religion. Two very different things.
As to a homosexual agenda the only agenda I see from gay friends is the desire for equality.
July 23rd, 2009 at 6:44 am
This is true – it's all so childish! I was "converted" as a child by the Plymouth Brethren, and it was years before I was able to break free from their yoke. They literally ruined my life. Others were more sensible, and soon saw through it all. When I look back now on all the other young men and women who at the time were as keen as mustard (just like myself), I realize that without fail the only ones who still continue to profess any religious faith at all are those whose parents were members of the Brethren!! Fundamentalist certainties only appeal to the emotionally insecure and weak-minded.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:51 pm
GNG. And don't miss Connoly''s "Suicide bombers" : "53 virgins, for fuck sake, that tells me it must have been decided by a Committee."____"I wan't to see the instructor. How can you shag them when you are fucking mince meat flying through the air."
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Don't worry, Barrie… 'Cont' is Welsh for 'Cunt', so I forgive you (I have it in my power to do that).
July 23rd, 2009 at 6:13 pm
'Rebuttle'?
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:17 pm
"Now lads, I'm only gonna show you this once"
LOL I know. I had seen it before anyway. He's my favourite comedian actually. I things he's light years ahead of most. There a loads of very funny guys out there but he is a bit different as far as I'm concerned. I think he was pissed when he did that though.
Godless not gormless
July 26th, 2009 at 10:33 am
I see it was originally from Craigslist! I think you should acknowledge your sources!!