Apparently they do. Did you know that it isn’t only religious zealots who live in a chronic state of twisted panties? Even some atheists have hair-trigger offense mechanisms that one would normally associate with Fox news people. It is a mental state in which some ignorant bastard’s offhand comments will cause the hearer to spew bile like a Westboro Baptist Church member at a soldier’s funeral.
During a recent Super Soul Sunday interview with The Great and Mighty O, Diana Nyad’s self-professed atheism was dismissed and now atheists are pissed.
Oprah: (interrupting) Well, I don’t call you an atheist then. I think that if you believe in the awe and the wonder and the mystery that that is what God is.
Atheist activist: What the fuck?! What do you mean, “I don’t see you as an atheist”?! Did Diana suddenly turn invisible? Was Oprah in effect telling this brave woman that she is willfully ignoring her very existence? “La la la I’m not listening!” Do you think that we will go away if you ignore us? We’re here, and and God isn’t so deal with it lady! “Ooh, ooh, I’m Oprah, I know all there is to know about spirituality and God and what God means to everybody.” Blah blah blah! Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find a non-religion affiliated corporation-produced holiday card? Didn’t think so. I’m Oprah, I have my own cards printed and in them I’m God.
Apathetic Atheist: Jesus Christ. Calm the fuck down. I’m pretty sure Oprah wasn’t brushing aside Diana’s atheism as if it couldn’t possibly warrant the same respect as a legitimate belief. She probably thought she was doing Diana a solid by putting a spiritual spin on her atheism so people wouldn’t hate her more than they already do for being gay. Oprah knows how the game is played, “Act spiritual and then do whatever you want. It’s what I do and I’m Oprah“.
CNN’s Faces of Faith really helped clear up some of the misconceptions about atheists by talking to faitheist Chris Stedman:
Super Soul Sunday? Faitheist? Spare me.
