Fox News asks: Is Air America engaged in a "War on God?"
During the 9 a.m. ET hour of the October 9 edition of Fox News' America's Newsroom, co-anchor Bill Hemmer teased a segment about Air America Radio's decision to broadcast the atheist program, FreeThought Radio, by asking, "Is this the new war on religion?" His question was accompanied by an image of former Air America hosts Al Franken and Katherine Lanpher* with the on-screen text reading: "War on God?"
During the next hour of the program, Hemmer teased the same segment by asserting: "Also, do you think religion is a sickness? If you think so, the radio guys at Air America have ... got one heck of a show for you. Straight ahead: on the air and godless." Hemmer's statement was paired with an image of Franken and the words "Godless Programming."
During the 9 a.m. hour, Fox News religion correspondent Lauren Green noted that Franken is "not actually -- not really working for Air America anymore." According to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, Franken left Air America Radio on February 14, 2007, the same day he announced his bid for as a Democratic candidate for one of Minnesota's U.S. Senate seats. According to her website, Lanpher* left Air America Radio in the fall of 2005.
Later that day, on the noon ET hour of Fox News Live, co-anchor Jon Scott also spoke with Green about the FreeThought Radio program. While teasing the segment, the on-screen text read: "Shocking Show?"
During the segment itself, Fox News showed an image of Air America's logo and website above on-screen text reading: "Godless Radio: Air America Radio Launches New Show on Atheism."
From the October 9 edition of Fox News' America's Newsroom:
HEMMER: In a moment here, a liberal radio network launching a new show aimed at folks who do not believe in God -- Air America, promoting a nationwide show focusing on atheism. Is this the new war on religion? We'll check that out.
[...]
HEMMER: Also, do you think religion is a sickness? If you think so, the radio guys at Air America have -- they've got one heck of a show for you. Straight ahead: on the air and godless.
[...]
MEGYN KELLY (co-host): Well, if you don't believe in God, or if you have a problem with organized religion, there's a new radio show just for you. The liberal radio network Air America has a new show called FreeThought Radio. The promoters say the show is for people who reject, quote, "the illness" of religion. So, what exactly is this all about? Well, Fox religion correspondent Lauren Green joins us with more on this story. Hi, Lauren.
GREEN: Hey, Megyn. Well, you know, it's not exactly a war yet, but it is the atheist movement fighting back against the wealth of conservative and religious radio programming that now dominates the airwaves. The first national atheist radio broadcast kicked off last weekend. The one-hour program is hosted by co-presidents of the Freedom From Religion Foundation -- that's Al Franken, who's not actually -- not really working for Air America anymore -- but the atheist radio program now is airing on 15 markets across the country, and liberal talk radio Air America is giving voice to the group, which says the program offers irreverent views, news, music, and interviews, including a feature called "Theocracy Alert."
Now, the atheist radio show won't exactly be preaching to a large choir, though. A Fox News poll -- results show that about 90 percent of Americans believe in God and 56 percent of Americans say they pray every day. Atheists make up about 3 to 7 percent of the general population, but it hasn't stopped the rise of popularity of authors like Christopher Hitchens, who wrote God is Not Great and was the first guest on the show, and also author Richard Dawkins of God Delusion fame, who, just last week, sparred with Christian scholar John Lennox in a debate sponsored by a Christian organization.
DAWKINS [video clip]: Religion teaches us to be satisfied with not really understanding. Every one of these difficult questions that comes up, science says, "Right, let's roll up our sleeves and work on it. Religion says, "Oh, God did it."
GREEN: Well, now, Christians argue that science has limits because it can't answer the elementary questions of a child, like, "Who am I, and what is the purpose of my existence?" And also, science can tell you what will happen if you put strychnine in someone's tea, but it can't tell you if it's morally wrong. And those interested in listening to the program for themselves can tune in every Saturday at 1 Eastern on Air America.
KELLY: Hmm. Well, I'll look forward to that.
GREEN: Sure.
KELLY: Lauren Green, thank you.
From the noon ET hour of the October 9 edition of Fox News Live:
SCOTT: New show hitting the radio airwaves courtesy of Air America. Just wait 'til you hear who it's aimed at -- we have details.
[...]
SCOTT: If you don't believe in God, or if you have a problem with organized religion, there is a new radio show just for you. The liberal radio network Air America has a new program called Free Thought Radio. Promoters say the show is for people who reject the quote-unquote "illness" of religion. So, what is this all about? Our Fox religion correspondent Lauren Green joins us with more on the story. That's -- that's the topic.
GREEN: Absolutely, absolutely. Well, you know, the idea is, will they have a big audience? And of course, no, because the atheist population is about 3 to 7 percent, so they'll be preaching to a very small choir. But, remember, the audience is actually growing. And one of the reasons you can point to probably are that atheists occupy very elitist positions -- in college -- positions, professors make up about 24 percent of atheists, so they're in influential positions as well.
SCOTT: But are they expecting that they're actually going to be able to draw an audience with a show like this?
GREEN: Well, they're only on once a week, and they are creating this program to compete with the sort of programming of conservative and Christian radio broadcasts that are out there. They are filling the airwaves -- I mean, Focus on the Family, Al Mohler, Christian radio, they're all -- Christian radio stations and religious radio stations that are out there. So, their feeling is like, "Well, we just want one hour a week so far," and they're hoping to gain an audience, but whether or not they're going to get an audience is another question. They're not really in any serious competition with the Christian or religious radio stations that are out there.
SCOTT: No, clearly. And Air America, in and of itself, has had trouble finding an audience. It would seem that this --
GREEN: Exactly.
SCOTT: -- would be kind of, I mean, a stab in the dark at getting people to tune in.
GREEN: And they say that the radio program will be irreverent, it will have all of these ideas, so of course they're going to go against the grain of any kind of conservative value kind of radio stations that are out there. Right now, they don't have a big audience, but who's to say in the future, but right now, they are no competition for anyone.
SCOTT: It -- you know, I think about a guy like Rush Limbaugh. Rush -- a significant part of Rush's audience is liberals who like to listen to get mad at him. Are they thinking that maybe they'll get a bunch of, I don't know, Christian conservatives or other people of faith --
GREEN: It's possible.
SCOTT: -- to listen to this show?
GREEN: It's possible. You've got people like Christopher Hitchens, you've got Richard Dawkins, who are very popular and have many Christians come out, even having them sign their books because they're curious about them, because they want to know if their arguments are sound.
And usually people come away with thinking what they already thought before -- their beliefs were affirmed. If they believe in God, then their beliefs are affirmed by, you know, their arguments. If they don't believe in God, they think, "Oh, yes, you know, Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens really told them." So, the idea is that they're not going to be changing their minds.
SCOTT: What about, you know, organized religious response to this? Anything from -- I don't know -- Focus on the Family or any of those groups?
GREEN: No response yet, I mean, because the arguments against atheism have been the same for pretty much decades, if not centuries. The arguments have really not changed. Most people who don't believe in God believe that science proves that there is no God. People who believe in God say science actually does prove that there is a God -- that is evidence there is God. So, the arguments have remained the same, the players have just changed.
SCOTT: Lauren Green, gonna be fun to watch --
GREEN: Sure.
SCOTT: -- or listen. I won't be, anyway -- thanks.
*sigh*
But no, really - it's the christians who are mocked and persecuted on a daily basis in the "Liberal Media." It's certainly not the right-wingers trying to forge a social war between Judeo-Christians and whatever else is convenient.
Let's all have a moment of silence for the brave Majority who have fallen in these wars on Christianity and Christmas.
Considering the impotency and irrelvancy of Air America Radio, God doesn't have anything to worry about. - - By Tom - -
Well considering the potency and relevancy of Fox News and Republicans, the true God has plenty to worry about.
When Republicans go before the Pearly Gates of Heaven they'll be in for a rude awakening. Why? They worship a false god. The real God will order them to proceed straight to hell.
Fox News or Air America doesn't worry God as much as Republicans do. The Republican God supports Wars and Crusades. The Republican God supports mans dominion over the opposite sex. Etc. Etc.
But don't worry, because the real God is very forgiving! Ask and you shall recieve.
what i want to know is how dare they use footage of Al Franken?
He's not on Air America anymore....hello!?!?
I wonder if his opponent in the Senate race in MN is glad they put this image of Franken with the cap "war on God"?
That was my first thought watching this, they did this just to tar Franken. I understand that on occasion there can be stock footage problem, but come on Franken hasn't worked there for an eon.
That was deliberate, disclaimer be damned. I suggest when other networks are doing a feature on Rupert, they roll a head shot of Goebbels then cut to street scenes of Kristalnacht. Then blandly announce: oops, I dont think thats Murdock, maybe thats the news staff at Fox.
SAVE DEMOCRACY, VOTE FOR A DEMOCRAT!!
I confess!!
I'm an Agnostic Jimmy Carter/Mo Udall Democrat!
I know I'm not Christian, though my values are well founded in the Judeo-Christian model of the Ten Commandments, and the Charity and Love promoted by Jesus Christ.
The Evangelical Christians devisive influenance in American Politics have made them far less Christian than when the respected others beliefs and refrained from politics from the pulpit!
"Walk the Walk, then Talk the Talk" is what I would say to Christians today, as they seem intent on creating an Armagedeon, destroying our enviroment, and living as though this is the last generation.
Happy Thoughts;
Dan Grady
Considering the impotency and irrelvancy of Air America radio, God doesn't have anything to worry about.
I would say pretty much by definition God doesnt have anything to worry about regardless
If you listen to the righties, you would think God is a fragile thing. I get the feeling they think God will cease to exist if God isn't acknowledged by the government for everything.
This is also kind of exemplary of the bloated sense of entitlement that many Christians apparently feel. Sure us Christians can have tons of crappy shows like the 700 Club or Touched by an Angel, but one freaking Atheist program is now a "War on God". Gimme a break.
So very true. Good post
When's the last time you heard some one win a sporting event and say something like "I'd just like to say, I'm an agnostic, and don't believe any supernatural beings had anything at all to do with my awesome victory here today, no sireee, I beat all these religious nuts on my own, with hard work and rational, scientific processes, the WorldChem Monte Carlo and my team back at the engine shop really pulled one off today, yahoo eeee!!" Huh? Ring any bells?
Spot on.
The arrongance and stupidity of framing ONE atheist show as a WAR ON GOD.
Hello, atheists don't believe in god, so why would they wage a war on something they don't believe in?
Besides, it's George Bush's job to wage wars against imaginary things, like Saddam's MASSIVE WMD arsenal.
Randy
Tommy,
Ed Schultz (I know he isn't affiliated with AirAmerica) says it best when he says that 'ownership of radio stations has it priviledges'
Meaning that even though Randi Rhodes, Tom Hartman, and Stepahnie Miller continuously beat (name any conservative or right-wing chatterbox) if the given station that was running AirAmerica and isn't anymore due to being bought by a new owner, doesn't mean that AirAmerica isn't or wasn't working.....
It also means that those that buy the stations decided to stop running AirAmerica for say Country music or what have you!
Like with Imus, it is almost always a business decision by someone, in the case of most of the radio stations that no longer run AirAmerica, as many right-wingers like to claim, it isn't about AirAmerica being bad or unlistened too, it is an appearent bias or hatered of 'liberal' talk by the new owners
Speaking of Ed Schultz, this has gotta be a problem for the right!
But the Republans love a good, or should I say God, war. Breakout the crosspins for your lapels or you may also be considered an atheist.
Right. The bashing of this Air America program ought to tide the right-wingers over until this year's War On Christmas begins.
Bashing? You call this bashing? Wow, I would say your sensibilities are a little out of whack.
Right, we haven't heard any real bashing from the Right but it will come. Wonder what those Islamofacists are going to say about this?
No, I didn't.
Bashing? You call this bashing? Wow, I would say your sensibilities are a little out of whack.
I'd say you've been out of whack all your life, Tommy.
:-)
He's not only out of whack, he also claimed to be "touched" , too.
Move along, no bashing to see here
"irrelevancy"
"impotency"
"Godless"
"ridiculous network"
"Radical Radio Fest is propped up by far left millionaires"
"The FEC should investigate because it is not viable and exists only to promote liberal candidates."
"The vile Air America Radio network [helps the enemy]"
"So, all those clowns over at the liberal radio network, we could incarcerate them immediately."
I would say just calling a single program a "War" on God is definitely bashing. Of course maybe righties don't view "Wars" as such bad things considering many of their attitudes regarding war lately.
If they don't want to be charged with bashing, they should avoid hypebole and use of words like "War".
Adding to the above post:
I hope my fellow progressives will enlist. After all, we have two wars to wage now: on God and on Christmas. Don't forget to buy your War Bonds and save scrap paper.
If I get my hands on God I'm gonna punch him in the face!
if so impotent and irrelevent...why comment on it and do such a long piece?
guess they arent as irrelevent as you think
You would have to ask Fox News for you apparently agree with the stature given Air America.
Tommy,
Get it through your head Air America is a viable comapny with a huge chunk of a market they had none of 4 years ago. Saying other wise is not only a lie but it is "bashing."
Facts are facts and mythss are myths. AirAmeirca as a failure is a myth, it is succesful. Like it or not that IS the reality.
Its viable? really? Have proof?
It's still on the air and making money Sue. It's pretty simple. It's not being funded by secret, it's turning a profit.
It's still has people who listen everyday, unless they are hiring people to call in, maybe it's just a giant scheme by George Soros to fool the handful of people who actually listen OR it's actually a succesful business. Hmmm. I wonder which is more likely. Get a grip on yourself. There are things you are obviously unaware of but willing to try and sound like an expert.
Ok and you have seen the Air America books? And the ratings? People call in to the local college radio but that does not mean it is successful. I think you want to believe it is a success, however it is not.
I think your a stubborn person who can't accept for some unknown reason that it's fairly succesful. I remember now why I stayed away from this blog for so long. You are still as mindless and arrogant as you were months ago. Sorry to see you haven't learned anything. How is it up on your throne looking down on all of us idiots who have no insight to offer you your highness?
Maybe you should have stayed away, if you do not want to have a civil debate do not say anything at all. I never personally insulted you. I would wish you would stay above the childish games.
Bing, I certainly hope you won't leave just because of the select argumentative few. Stay! Chat! Share! We appreciate you!
Exactly, please do not leave, your opinions and views are welcomed (and respected).
Apparently, just not by you.
They are broadcasting. Why don't you prove that they aren't viable.
Which is really the ONLY THING this feature was meant to transmit.God forbid(eh? get it?)the show should prompt any kind of open minded inquiry into the true nature of things.
So, this open minded inquiry is aimed at those who might possibly want to reevaluate and reconsider their faith? Perhaps give atheism a try?
Not hardly, it's to satisfy and placate the miniscule number of the hanging-on-by-thread listeners Air America has left.
Now that isn't very nice of you. Do you know how many of us are left? The answer is ALL of us. Why should a Con try to get another stance on any position? They have seen the light of total correctness. They hear it from Fox and then decide. Sounds fair.
Yes, silly me. People's deeply held faith that they have firmly held for centuries in this country is because of Fox News.....wow, they had that much influence even before there was electricity, who knew?
Those nice people that burned people to death were of what faith? Probably doesn't matter. They heard their crap from someone...probably the "liberal" media.
you know what he is talking about Tommy. Fox News is a outlet for the cult, it doesn't matter how old the cult is. But you like to get people wrong on purpose so you can squeeze out a couple more postfulls of attention.
Never forget, Tommy: 9/11 was a faith-based initiative.
devoid of reality as usual Tommy. they reach millions each week. Sorry to dissapoint but no amount of your false belly aching changes the fact that there is a market for liberal talk and there is also a market for people who don't believe in the tooth fairy or god and like to hear other people talk about it.
Okey dokey and surely since Fox has mega ratings they are indeed relevant and have great influence on the electorate so we should be greatly concerned about the hyperbolic rhetoric that is generated from such a relevant entity. I'll remember that the next time you say Fox, Limbaugh, and Coulter should be ignored.
I'm sure you were also not concerned about the relevancy of Fox News when they were losing millions and millions in their first five years on the air (Rush also lost money in the beginning I believe). I am also certain that you are aware of the fact that Air America is the most streamed program on the web. I actually subscribe to XM because I can't always stream the station and I'm sure I'm not alone in doing so. On the actual topic of this post, not only is Air America not waging a War On God, but they actually have a very good program that runs on the weekend called State Of Belief. Many christians probably wouldn't like it, though, because the host (Reverend Welton Gaddy) talks often about the importance of the separation of church and state and the importance of the Constitution (which many christians think is subservient to the Bible). Thom Hartmann, one of my personal favorite hosts, is a Christian and often talks about the original liberal thinker - Jesus!
"Considering the impotency and irrelvancy of Air America radio, God doesn't have anything to worry about."--tommy
Would God have something to worry about if the show were on a powerful network? Do you really think God worries about challenges to belief in Him. You realize it's freaking God don't you? I would posit that God doesn't worry about anything because he is freaking God. Would you worry? I mean, He already knows how everything is going to play out anyway if you subscribe to Christianity. Something tells me He is gonna be just fine no matter what you or Fox "news" thinks about his ability to cope.
Tommy seesm to be sliding into the "Ratings Queen" camp, where quality and relevance is only measured by mass appeal.
They meet at the best restaurant in the world, McDonald's, every week, to trade Top 40 pop hits downloads and watch reality TV shows.
Tommy the flip-flopper
Considering the impotency and irrelvancy [sic] of Air America radio, God doesn't have anything to worry about.
Maybe I'm asking too much, Tommy, but you should really be consistent here. If Fox News had announced a similar program, you would have defended them with some of your typical "it's a business decision, it's their right to do what they want" apologia. So, do you defend Air America's right to make their own business decisions? Obviously not--you ridicule them, instead. Why is that?
SAVE DEMOCRACY, VOTE FOR A DEMOCRAT!!
tommy / Wednesday October 10, 2007 03:05:34 PM EST
Tommy, you make it too easy!
Why does Fox Noise find it so important that they would flog a show that will appear in only 15 markets, compared to the thousands of Christian Broadcasts 24/7 in every market in America?? If this was not worth the time to discuss, why are they??
I wonder why you make these comments that you must know are distorted, that you must know that the obsession is from the Christian Evangelical worried somebody else may have their voice heard.
I wonder why a person completely confident in their beliefs would be so offended, and threatened by even the smallest voice speaking out opposition??
Wouldn't the true believer welcome discourse, debate, the opportunity to face the opposing voice on a even footing. Wouldn't a fair debate make the belief appear even stronger??
Happy Thoughts;
Dan Grady
Air America is as relevant as Duncan Hunter.
Sue,
Do you ever have anything intelligent to say?
You seem to always attack the messenger or take the easy route of a smack down instead of giving info on an issue or giving examples to back the claim.......
Besides what Fixed News says to you, what proof do you have that AirAmerica is irrelevant?
Because from where I stand, here in Chicago AM850 WCPT is doing quite well!
What are we too comment on about FOX News? They are a talking piece of the GOP, every reasonable person know this. But to claim Air America is relevant is a joke. Good for them doing well in Chicago, I know in the NY area they are no where in the ratings war. They get killed by Sports Radio ESPN 1050 and WFAN and Rush and News radio.
Personally, I think that is more a commentary on New Yorkers than on Air America.
I do not disagree with you on that one.
But I believe we see that commentary differently, Sue.
How Robo?
Well, based on your comments about Air America, I imagine you hold New Yorkers in high regard because AAR does not rate higher than the sports talk radion or Rush Limbaugh. I, however, hold them in a lower regard because a liberal radio station can't get enough people to listen to it. This is also helped by the fact I'm a Red Sox fan!
Sue's study of the ratings system is admirable. She probably was looking for signs of Olbermann's decline and accidently saw a opening for disdain re: Air America.
What exactly is your point ?
that you are a biased troll who comes here to pick a fight. You're another poster who should be ignored. Did you not get enough attention from Daddy?
Well I also am a Red Sox fan. So we have something in common. As far as NY , I also agree, that marketplace tends to place sports and other things ahead of real issues. Air America is a good concept, but when people make statemements that it is viable and helped the Dems win in 06 that is where I draw the line. Sox in 4 over Cleveland ;-)
I admire your confidence, Sue, but I think it will be a little more of a grind. Red Sox in 6 games.
Oh, and I don't know if AAR helped the Dems win in 2006, but I do think it has been viable (what is your definition?) in some markets. Whether a correlation can be made between Al Franken's support for his Senate run and his time at AAR has yet to be seen, but I imagine the Twin Cities has been a successful market, too.
They also have a strong presence in South Florida. It helps that they are on a radio station with a signal that actually covers the entire metro area.
Wrong Robo - Tribe in 5
I hope not, I think Red Sox nation deserves a easy post season.
It's doing great in Denver too. I think you may be talking about something you really know nothing about Sue. If you think it's irrelevant, fine. But you can't deny that AirAmerica helped propel Democrats into office in 2006 and have ignited liberal political activism. Well you cuold deny it but you'd be a fool.
What lifted Democrats in 2006 was a horrible President in Bush who lied to the American people about Iraq. Air America had nothing to do with it.
You don't listen so how would you know?
They most certainly did help mobilize Democrats even reporting on voter problems all day long. People called in from all over the country to describe any issues they had and to describe the turn out.
Or maybe it was just a vast conspiracy and George Soros planted all these people or AirAmerica pays people to pretend to be callers. OR MAYBE IT WORKS!
I do listen to Air America on occasion, I have XM. But you are being silly if you think Air America was the reason the Democrats won in 2006.
I said helped propel perhaps that's your problem. You refuse to comprehend.
Ok and Air America also helped the Colts win the Super Bowl.
Air America cleaned the soap scum from my tub.
Air America cured my AIDS.
prove that it didn't, SUEELD.
"But you are being silly if you think Air America was the reason the Democrats won in 2006."
He didn't say it was the reason. He said it was a reason.
A reason means it is only just one reason of several.
Most people know these things already.
"a horrible President in Bush who lied to the American people about Iraq" Sueeld.
And how did these people become aware of the lies? Fox New?
SUE:
What helped FOX NEWS was a conservative billionaire who could afford to lose tens of millions of dollars in the first three "establishment" years or so. That three years enabled those who sell advertisement to sign on corporate backing, NOT for "ratings", but instead to support the message the corporate owners wished to have favored.
That said, I also agree with you, Sue, that what helps the Democratic Party ALWAYS is that Republicans in general and Bush in particular are TERRIBLE at governing, make decisions that do infinitely more harm than good for America, and that the more the public gets to see what the GOP DOES, rather than what it SAYS in rhetoric, the more the Republican Party is REJECTED by the general public.
The Republican Party is like a restaurant that does everything right ... location, atmosphere, advertising ... but the FOOD is AWFUL. Many will be drawn in by the trappings and APPEARANCE (image), but there will be almost no "repeat business."
I honestly do not believe anything the GOP says . I also do not believe that FOX or any other outlet will change the fact that Bush and his party have almost destroyed our nation. I have faith that Americans have learned the lesson of 2004, Katrina and Iraq.
I'm from Denver and I was on the verge of turning off talk radio and the constant drone of right-wing drivel when Air America came to town. I've been a devoted listener ever since. In fact, I'm traveling for my job and had to get XM so I could listen no matter my locale. Besides, what people like Tommy and his ilk don't seem to get is that at least half of the country (and I personally believe much more) do not agree with the right-wings stated agenda so, of course there is a market for liberal talk. I think many more would not agree either with the conservative's unstated agenda which is the eradication of the middle class and the repeal of anything resembling the New Deal. It may take another Republican Great Depression to wake up the rest of Middle-America to the foolish notions of so-called free trade. I sure hope not.
"Air America is as relevant as Duncan Hunter."
Oh yeah. Not "relevant" like mentioning Keith Olbermann in a thread that has nothing whatsoever to do with Keith Olbermann.
Dave
Where did I mention Keith in this thread? If you want to turn this into the school yard be my guest but I wont bite .
"Where did I mention Keith in this thread?" (emphasis mine)
Where did I say you did?
Oh yeah. Not "relevant" like mentioning Keith Olbermann in a thread that has nothing whatsoever to do with Keith Olbermann.
Are you for some reason unable to distinguish a difference between a thread and this thread?
Making it as clear as I possibly can for you: you have previously in a non-Olbermann thread name-dropped Olbermann in a thread that had nothing to do with and was not relevant to-- Olbermann.
Well I was trying to give you the benefit of doubt, i never assumed you would violate our rules and take this thread off topic. Apparently you feel the need to . Sad, but I will not flag you.
Oh, no, really. It's all my fault. My expectation of getting something approaching an meaningful, intelligent response from you was misplaced.
Oh, no, really. It's all my fault. My expectation of getting something approaching an meaningful, intelligent response from you was misplaced.
Dave, my hat's off to you for hanging in there as long as you did without yelling, screaming or cursing. ;-)
I see another thread has been commandeer yet again.
It's like talking to a six year old.
I'm sorry--at least you know a six year old will someday grow out of it.
No one is as irrelevant as Duncan Hunter! Well...Maybe Larry Craig!
For F**ks sake.
Why not. Atheist are mock non stop by Religious groups. Why shouoldn't they be able to have their own show?
Because they're not christians, remember? Just because those airwaves are owned by all americans doesn't mean just any ol' american can broadcast on them.
Maybe because Fox News' "You Decide" is only a meaningless, empty slogan and nothing more?
Monk,
For F*ck sakes
You aren't by chance Lewis Black! Or related to him?
=)
For a second I thought Fox' "Shocking Show" might be a Fox News show hosted by...... a progressive.
For only a second.
Looks like the Forces Of Good will have to fight the WAR ON GOD and the WAR ON CHRISTMAS. At least the F.O.G. forces only have to fight the WOG once the WOC ends, usually around December 26. But for now, the Con mouthpieces will start the call for a SURGE.
Look the Atheists are Americans too. As the DittoHeads say, "If you don't want to listen to Rush, turn the dial." I would also guess that within two(2) days, the war chant of the Atheists will be Sen. Clintons' laugh, their hair style will be that of Edwards and they won't be wearing any lapels pins at all. Also, none of them will recieve phone calls from their wives during battle.
I find it impossible to believe that college professors account for 25% of all athiests. Or is Green saying that 25% of all college professors are atheists. I know about 30-40 professors and can't name one athiest. It just never comes up. They must be stealth atheists. Everything is a war to these folks.
only if there are 27,300,000 professors in the country. Atheists are only 7% of 300 million, professors are 30 % atheists, thus there must me 27,300,000 professors.
Let's face it...this is the beginning of the WOAF..the War On Al Franken. Before long, he will be morphed into Al being the leader of this godless show.
Signed, Annie Coulter
You highlight the most important aspect of this: that Al Franken is highlighted with these ridiculous banners under his image when they know full well that he hasn't been associated with the network for 8 months now. They are laying the groundwork for more of the same to come in 2008. They know that Coleman will get his *ss handed to him by Al, and they will pull out all the stops to help Coleman, all the while pretending that they are a legitimate news service.
I can tell you that only the backwash* are supportive of Norm Coleman here in Minnesota.
* Backwash reference from Colbert's White House Correspondents describing the 36% wh0 still rated Bush favorably. "Sir, pay no attention to the people who say the glass is half empty, because 32% means it's two-thirds empty. There's still some liquid in that glass, is my point. But I wouldn't drink it. The last third is usually backwash."
I'm going to hold my breath until a religious braodcast is called a "war against atheism" or a "war against reason". . . . starting now . . . hmmmmm
ah, forget it! one last point:
"Our Fox religion correspondent Lauren Green joins us with more on the story."
Yes, yes, I'm sure that position requires an objective view of religion. Green, by the way, said in a profile on her that her Christian faith is the main influence on her life. (not that there's anything wrong with that!)
There may be something wrong with that...I am going to wait to those Atheists tell me about her. Since everyone here is honest about themselves( pause ), I will admit as I have many times, I AM AN ATHEIST, Thank GOD.
And you've a perfect right to be, and Air America has a perfect right to broadcast a show that reflects this viewpoint.
We can talk more about this next lifetime!
:-)
Mary, Not really an Atheist...Thought the Thank God was a clue.
oops. Caught me on that one. Thank God for a sense of humor!
To be fair, I thought that she was pretty fair and balanced. The anchors were trying to make a big deal about it without shouting and it was a low move to show the on-screen Fox Facts about how uncommercially viable Air America was.
I never realised that religion was really that important in the US. The UK moved to being a secular society decades ago.
SI, the UK and the rest of Europe sent all of its religious fruitcakes HERE a few hundred years ago. How did you expect us to turn out?
I love this quote: "And also, science can tell you what will happen if you put strychnine in someone's tea, but it can't tell you if it's morally wrong."
Because of course without religion, nobody would know that poisoning someone is morally wrong.
From my strict Asatru upbringing, I can tell you that my religion has taught me that poisoning a person is morally reprehensible, which I'd never have known without my gods.
Now I know that if I'm going to kill with honor, I need to do so with either a large broadsword or a very, very, very large hammer. Praise the All-father!
You Asatru? I'm Freyan, meself.
I think I remember you mentioning that at some point. It's odd - for a female, I'm unstereotypically uninterested in all the love and family crap. Give me vengeance and bloodletting over loving divinity any day - although you have to respect a goddess that unabashedly whores herself out for what she wants. Well, I certainly do.
As a matter of fact, I'm working on a comic with a friend and convinced him to throw her in at some point, and her avatar will be prominent in the series.
My dirty little secret: I'm not Asatru, because I'm not anything. If I were something, however, I'd be Asatru. Runes like me.
Better to worship a goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and peace, than a war god. War gods just make people hate and fight and destroy things. Freya to me is the counter-religion to the Hebrew war god, Yahweh. In fact, Yahweh's cult has been trying to stamp out goddess worship for the last two millenia. The female "witch" with the cat....that's Freya.
I'm not Asatru in that I do not believe in the other Norse gods, and I'm not Wiccan, they think the gods obey their commands. Just Freya, just the Goddess. May she bless us all.
Your approach is certainly understandable, and even expected, given what you've said here in the past. It's respectable to be a devotee of love and peace. I should note, however, that even Freya is a goddess of war, and claims - what? half? - the dead as her own on the battleground, so there really is a balance to everything. War has its place, but it seems impossible for us as humans to treat it with the severity, sobreity, and honor it deserves.
The dead that go to Folkvang are unlike those that go to Valhalla. They live in peace, and are joined by their families.
So if an atheist poisons somebody, they cannot be held morally responsible and since our LAWS have this Christian morality premise, HEY, wait a minute, a new defense for poisoners...unless God appears and explains what is morally coorect an atheist has done nothing wrong. That is the same as an ACT OF GOD concerning Insurance payments/claims.....IF there is a God, then there must be a DEVIL so maybe it was an act of the DEVIL. Any lawyers out there, try it in court. They will either laugh at you or make you the religious correspondent at Fox.
I thought Air America was on its deathbed a year and a half ago. If its doing so poorly, why is it still broadcasting?
Christians argue that science has limits because it can't answer the elementary questions of a child, like, "Who am I, and what is the purpose of my existence?"
Haven't philosophers been debating these questions PRIOR to the birth of Christ? How is this a religious issue? This is a philosophical debate.
Science can tell you what will happen if you put strychnine in someone's tea, but it can't tell you if it's morally wrong.
Again, this is a philosophical issue. Atheists have as strong a moral fiber as religious people do. Then there are some of both types that are immoral.
Funny how Fox didn't bring anyone who hosts or was a guest on the show to offer thier side of the issue.
"Haven't philosophers been debating these questions PRIOR to the birth of Christ? How is this a religious issue? This is a philosophical debate."
Well, Robo, if I'm not mistaken (it has happened), Christianity is the second youngest of the world's major religions. Both philosophers and priests had been considering the meaning of life for thousands of years prior to the birth of Christ.
You have to love a "news" station that puts up a picture that's supposed to be related to a story then tells you it's really not related.
Isn't this like putting up a picture of Dan Rather when you're running a story about the current CBS?
The Fox News playbook
Republicans -- Pro-God
Democrats -- Atheists
Al Franken - Atheist. See picture of Al? Told you so. Gee I am, Sam I am. Democrats bad. No like God. See picture of Al? Sam I am; Green Eggs and Ham.
My God! Are people so brain dead that they watch this sludge?
"Its gonna be fun to watch..or listen..I WON'T BE".
Ugh. What a drip.
Hey I don't care what AirAmerica does. I don't listen. Not sure many do. BUT this is a great way for Dem/Libs to endear themselves to folks who already think they are all GodLess ;-)
Shouldn't that be a small "g"?
Proudly godless thank you. And I abandoned belief inthe tooth fairy and santa claus as well. And for the umpteenth time Air America is STILL alive and well and thriving taking more market share from the conservative blow hards every day. We've been discussing this for 4 years for christ's sake. O'Reilly has predicted their demise more often than he tells his huests to shut up. It's not a debate, it's a fact. Maybe you should listen, you might learn somehting about it's viability and it's fan base.
Air America, Media Matters, and Olbermann is about all we have. I think I'll call this the Axis of Truth
Jeter2...
It's also a great way for brain-dead people to hoist up another stupid strawman.
"BUT this is a great way for Dem/Libs to endear themselves to folks who already think they are all GodLess."
And FOX's response is a great way for Rep/Cons to frighten people into thinking if they don't follow a preferred religion, the will be persecuted.
I am quite Godfull and all but one of the Liberals I personally know is. Thankfully my Atheist friend isn't a militant judgmental type of Atheist if she was I couldn't be friends with her. So Jeter when the right wing propagandists engages in perpetuating stereotypes and lies by portraying all Liberals as judgmental militant Atheists I always wonder how will God judge them for their continual false witness bearing against strangers.
I'm non-religious, Lynn, and consider the term "atheist" a slur. Please stop persecuting me.
(just kidding, I don't like "atheist", but since I don't have a better word to define myself in the context of something I don't believe in, it works OK)
SCOTT: Lauren Green, gonna be fun to watch --
-- or listen. I won't be, anyway -- thanks.
Yes, as a journalist it would be wrong for him to form his views based on listening to the program. It might contradict the Fox official line, or piss off the fundie viewership of the network.
either this god they speak of is not especially powerful or the faith of the believers is not especially firm if a little radio show can cause such panic!
and yeah, I agree with the comment about what a drip this guy is. It's like he's warding off evil spirits with his last words ("don't worry god, I will not listen to this show, so don't send a thunderbolt into the Fox studio")
it's funny how an 2000 year operation like christianity is so easily threatened.
Sounds like more of the usual fearmongering from Fox. I guess they're thinking that this new AA show will actually threaten those Christian Fox viewers. Quick - cover up your ears!
More liberal double standard evidenced here......Oh how fragile Christianity must be that they feel threatened by this free expression of atheism on the airwaves.
Yet, when that free expression on the airwaves is uttered with an insult directed at Democrats by some talk show host, then the world stops in it's tracks and the fragileness of the Democratic party is shaken to it's core.
(funny)
Tommy...
If I'm not mistaken, Rush has appeared quite fragile of late; and VERY THREATENED.
In your dreams ;-)
If anything, Limbaugh has not only weathered MMFA's campaign against him...he's loaded for bear.
"Limbaugh ...he's loaded for bear"
Are you implying that he's given up on young Dominican Boys?
He's loaded alright
Since Rush just luvz to harp on gays and preach about 'morality' and 'family values' he should come clean about his 'Jeff Christie' days and why he was arrested in Pittsburgh back in '73 and why he was fired from his gig at KQV.
care to back that absurd statement up with anything factual?
Back it up? You've been around here awhile, look around........plenty of backup in the comments section.
Considering the Democratic Party is obviously more fragile than the Almighty, I think I can understand the defense of the Democrats. But thanks again for sharing yet another stunningly obvious and pointless observation.
I find it amusing that some Christians apparently think God is so fragile as to need a bunch of doofs like them to come to His defence and smite disbelief for Him. I mean it isn't like he is the most powerful thing in the universe or anything like that.
Tommy, how is a show geared to Atheists the counterpart to somebody insulting liberals? Is the simple expression of a different viewpoint an insult to conservatives?
EXACTLY the point HBL.
Hm. So fearmongering about a show that - if I understand correctly - isn't even on the air yet is the equivalent of calling out a lie when you see it?
Please explain how this works in your alternate reality, Tommy. Parallel universes utterly fascinate me.
Fragileness?
Let's try this, Tommy...
More conservative double standard evidenced here......Oh how fragile conservatism must be that they feel threatened by this free expression of dissent in the New York Times.
Yet, when that free expression in the paper is uttered with a play on a General's name who is being used as a political shill directed at Republicans and their failed war policy by some 'dot org' liberal activist group, then the world stops in it's tracks and the fragileness of the Republican party is shaken to it's core.
**********
Works both ways so get off your indignant high horse. Politics is politics so if you do not want to get dirty then stay out of the mudpit.
I think by what they refer to by the "illness of religion", would be the way it is currently being used. I myself am A Christian and on the left - yes there are many of us. However, I do not attend church regularly. Why? because I have a problem with organized religion. They have gotten into politcs, education, and are screwing with science in schools. Yet, they don't pay taxes. The last time I attended church I was preached to about "spare the rod, spoil the child" which the minister took literally - in other words, smack your kids with a cane (I always took it to mean "spare the discipline"). He said is you don't it leads to things like sexual preference and the like - now that parishiner with the gay son won't go to his minister for guidance because it is his fault for not whacking his kid with a stick. then a woman from an anti-choice group got up and told us all to march on washington because Abortion was murder.
That was the last time I attended that church. I do not bring religion into my politics - keep politics out of my religion.
The last I saw we are free to speak and believe what we like. We should celebrate a radio show that gets to voice these views and celebrate our diversity and the freedom it represents - whether we agree with it or not.
Agree Biwierenga...
But Fox News is not going to celebrate anything except its success at dividing the country, building up petty strawman arguments, and preaching the "Good News" of the Re-puke-lican party to an ever narrowing slice of America.
Tommy, and all of those who believe that AAR isn't relevent, I'll remind you that in many of AAR's markets, they are beating Limbaugh, and O'Reilly bloody in the ratings. And while it's a fact that the oposite is true in even more markets, AAR is taking hold, and, most importantly, MAKING MONEY. At this moment, I'm angry as hell at right wing misinformers, including our resident apologists, and particularly FOX "News."
I just got off the phone with my Mother (who's in her 70's, very religious, and very conservative) after a long talk in which I had to assure her that I'm not going to hell. Why, you ask? Well, let me tell you why. She had heard on FOX about AirAmerica's war against God. Knowing that I often listen to AAR, she was concerned.
She also explained that I had to start watching FOX and get away from that Liberal crap that we've been watching. She then mentioned that the surge is working, Michigan needs to get rid of Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm, we can't leave Iraq because the terrorists will be right over here, etc, etc, blah blah blah. Now, my Mom isn't one who enjoys a good debate, and whenever I gave her facts that contradicted the way she prefered to believe, her answer was; "That's not what I see on the news."
So, FOX "News" is in control of my Mother's mind. It's like a poorly scripted movie, but it's real, and I'm getting sick of it.
Get her the movie "Outfoxed" and buy her a copy of Brock's "Republican Noise Machine."
Sit down and watch it with her. Maybe you can do an intervention.
I'll have to catch her at a weak moment, because she (and her husband) refuse to view data that contradicts her present state of mind. However, she did say that she would get online to check out MMFA. I'm praying for her. ;-)
Good luck, man, and HI RICK'S MOM!!!!!! if she sees this :D
Hi TheMom!
God is in no danger.
RICKS MOM, I will have a coven of our best atheists say a prayer for you. And maybe they will read it on this new show.
Air America is engaged in a war on Morons, not a war on God. But, being Morons, the Morons at Fox News apparently can't tell the difference.
Janeane Garofalo is an atheist; however, Al Franken is not. He states in his book The Truth (with Jokes) that he believes in God (though he's not overly religious). Also, Air America has a progressive religion show called State of Belief with Rev. Welton Gaddy. Rev. James Forbes used to have an Air America show called The Time is Now. Michael Papantonio and RFK's site, goleft.tv, has a section on progressive religion that features Gaddy and Larry Morris (I'd rather listen to these guys than right-wing nuts like Bill Donahue or James Dobson.) So just because AAR now has an atheist show doesn't mean the station hates religion. We just are more excepting of differences than those on the Far Right.
Al Franken is Jewish, so he believes in God, but doesn't worship Jesus. To the wingnuts, that's just as bad.
What is interesting to me is that most Christians I talk to around here seem to have stopped worshiping Christ long ago in favor of Paul. The name should have been officially changed to Paulianity in some churches a while back.
by "the Christians around here" I mean many of the local Christians here in Georgia.
What are you saying that there is no war on God?, to get God out of the USA? Just today the third highest ranking Democrat in America is supporting taking "IN GOD WE TRUST" off Americas Doucments what is next our money?, sand blast our GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS ?Its about time for Catholics and Jews to speak up in thisw Party, who the hell is Plosie doing bidding for , athiests?fringe?, Iam a Catholic Democrat and say its about time for us to look very hard at this Party it seems to have been hijacked by the fringe. How can the DEMOCRAT PARTY GO AGAINST GOD ? IT SOUNDS LIKE A BAD JOKE .It sounds like something the Republicans made up and atributede it to Plosie.It sounds like Polosie is a double agent Republican bent on the Republicans Winning on 2008.She is not slapping only Conservitives, but this Country is 76% Christian.
There will probably be a compromise in the issue over the Flag certificates. I am sure there will be a way to get personal opinions onto the certificates without it looking like government endorsement of personal beliefs.
The Democrats proposed letting the Congressmen fill out the personal part themselves, but the Republicans defeated that. It seems like a good compromise to me. You might ask them why they don't want that.
The pre-existing Capitol regulation forbade constituents' dedication certificates from containing religious and political statements.
It wasn't some edict from above handed-down by Pelosi. The rule was already in place.
Would you be ok with flag dedications of a political nature? Like "I hold George Bush responsible for my son's death in Iraq."?
This is a typical example of right-wingers using religion on a misinformed public to score political points.
Yes I am saying there is NO WAR on God or religion in the US. Keeping them out of government is NOT going to war on them.
NEWS FLASH: The WAR ON GOD is over. But do not get so excited, the Democrats have begun "THE WAR ON CUTE LITTLE PUPPIES AND KITTENS." But it won't affect any GOPer's they are fond of PitBulls.
Am I the only one who noticed they mispelled "programing"?
The worst is the first two clips are of Al Franken -- who hasn't been there for what, a year? And I always got the impression that he was an observant Jew, though he never talked much about it. Since Talker's Magazine shows Ed Schultz now tied with Bill O'Reilly, maybe progressive talk is kind of moving up, Tommy. He's on my Air America station.
Fox, crafty fox, you doth protest too much on all things BS. The real war in on atheists! You would ask: so, you admit to being an atheist? Answer: No, I acknowledge I am a proud atheist who believes in science and reason, not religious dogma.
His question was accompanied by an image of former Air America hosts Al Franken and Janeane Garofalo with the on-screen text reading: "War on God?"
Looks like Media Matters for America is WRONG on the above sentence.
The image shown in this article ACTUALLY shows Al Franken and KATHERINE LANPHER , not Janeane Garofalo.
Good catch. I noticed they printed a correction. Nice work.
Ignatov. God's mug has been pooped on so often an with such gusto by the fools from Fox who belittle Him with their pathetic and phony righteousness that you wouldn't want to touch it.
Where in the Bible does it say "thou shalt not put strychnine in someone's tea"? I must have missed that line.
Lauren Green said:
Most people who don't believe in God believe that science proves that there is no God.
I would like to see backup for that. Good reporters shouldn't inject annecdotal statements like that.
Most Atheists I know understand how foolish it is to try and prove a negative. In my experience they largely don't believe largely because they do not find the "evidence" to be compelling enough.
Hilarious! I'm an atheist and I think if Fox considers this a "war on religion" then to be fair, Fox needs to admit to waging a "war on atheism". Then again I don't get a hard-on by ascribing the word "war" to EVERYTHING the way Fox does...and our government.
I think only one person has mentioned it so far, but it is important, so it bears repeating: The Fox stories did not reveal that Air America already carries a show about religion, State of Belief with Reverend Welton Gaddy. To do so would have undermined Fox's narrative about the liberal war on God, but when has Faux News every let something pesky like facts or the truth get in their way?
Wow, Fixed Noise has sunk as low as it can possibly go.
Given that Rush Limbaugh, Ann Colter, our president, Osama, and pretty much all the warring factions in Iraq and the rest of the Middle East identify themselves as sincere members of one organized religion or another, I'd say darned near anyone with a brain would "have some problem with organized religion." Where I part company with some atheists is in condemning organized religion. I just think it needs to be thought out and practiced much, much better -- a process that a radio program on free thought just might help along.
Once again a missinformed leaning leftist attitude towards a good and heathy group of God loving and fearing people that built your fine Country in the first place and you all should remember your fedaral constitution and what it stands for.Go to and link up too Rediscovering God in America"@ http://wwwamericansolutions.com.
If the leftist God hateing would only read the Bible from front to back and give a honest effort too try and under stand what is being said in scripture they would then Understand what your forefathers were applaying in your constitution towards freedom to have faith in a loving and careing God that make up fair laws of the land for everone to follow and respect.
It would only take a few short months of determined and studied reading of the Greatest Book ever written the "Bible"before Guys like Higgins can spew out his hate mongering bashing towards a God fearing people.
Thanks from your cusin from the great white north.
You are trolling, yes? I hope so ...
Leftists are not God haters, nor are atheists. We atheists don't believe in god, so what's to hate?
Many atheists (like myself) have studied the bible at great depth, found it full of inconsistencies, contradictions, and gratuitous cruelty. It is a collection of anecdotes about how a society of primitive herders dealt with the stresses of their times; I'll never forget the OT passage where Lot gives his daughters to the crowd to rape and kill, to protect the "angels" visiting him. And how Lot's wife got turned to salt for lookin' where she shudna been" ... and nowadays we all know how dangerous salt is. No matter what you say, there is little useful in stories like that, to help anyone nowadays deal with modern life.
Our constitution provides atheists as well as believers the right to speak our minds, and it protects us from the establishment of a state-sponsored religion. There should be no conjoining of church and state; our English forefathers suffered under state-sponsored religion and rejected it when they got the chance. No do-overs, canuck.
My heroine is Madalyn Murray OHair, because she led the fight to cease prayer in public schools; I'd been subjected to the pressure by teachers, staff and the other children to pray at school as a little child, and I really appreciated it when the pressure was gone.
Of course Faux framing was bs, but I found Lauren Green to be quite reasonable and fair.
Atheism is not a religion. It is saying none of the above please. It is saying thanks but no thanks to missionaries. It is leave me alone please.
Atheists are appalled by the lies and hippocrits at FOX News.