The broader Christian church has a long sordid history of racism that is so well-known that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “The most segregated hour of Christian America is 11 o’clock on Sunday morning.”
Christians didn’t cause racism but they’ve historically been part of the problem.
None of that got through to Texas Bishop Joseph E. Strickland, though, because yesterday he claimed atheism was far worse than racism — before blaming atheists for all of society’s problems.
We are worried about the wrong “ism”. Racism is immoral & should be shunned but the root of our problems is ATHEISM. Let us repent of our sins & humbly return to God. It we do this racism & every other ill that plagues our society will fall into dust. We must address this root!
— Bishop J. Strickland (@Bishopoftyler) February 24, 2021
Racism won’t be solved with repentance because many of the most prominent racists today (and yesterday) are conservative Christians.
It’s also clear that nations where religion plays a minimal role are better off on just about every measure of health and happiness. Rejecting religion is good for your well-being.
More to the point, it’s insane to blame atheists for society’s problems when atheists have always had very little political power… in large part because we’re routinely demonized by the religious to the point where we’re effectively unelectable in many parts of the country.
Atheist groups lashed out against the head of the Diocese of Tyler:
This is an absolute lie that has no basis in fact. Millions of Americans live moral and ethical lives, including fighting racism, without a belief in a god. It is obvious this is no more than a deflection from the deep failings of white religious Americans.
— Secular Coalition for America (@seculardotorg) February 24, 2021
Maybe get your own house in order before trying to blame us for all of society's problems.
— American Atheists (@AmericanAtheist) February 24, 2021
Strickland has a habit of saying the dumbest possible things. Last September, he supported the idea that True Catholics™ couldn’t possibly vote for a Democrat. He also thinks climate change is a hoax. Last year, he also signed a “manifesto” claiming the pandemic was a plot to create a “world government.”
Honestly, we should really be thanking him for pushing more people away from the Catholic Church and toward atheism.
(Screenshot via YouTube)
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