I live in a small, ultra-conservative community in the heart of the Southern Bible Belt. There's a Baptist church every three blocks, and roads are nearly desolate on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Typical white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant community.

At my school, a group called the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) has recently started to pass out a daily Bible verse on a slip of paper to everyone they see in the halls or in the classroom, most of the time not even asking for consent as the majority of students identify themselves as Christians.

In response to this, I and a few of my friends created and distributed daily Qur'an verses to both students and faculty.

Our goal was to promote a little religious awareness into this podunk redneck mountain town, and surprisingly enough, have gained as many supporters as we did critics. We actually got hold of the schedule for the daily Bible verses, and selected similar Qur'anic ones (to the best of our ability).

The ignorance and bigotry was downright shocking. Witnessing the reaction of my classmates was a real eye-opener. Questions like "Oh. That's cool. Who's Allah?" and statements like "Bite me. That stuff doesn't mean a thing" (actually said by one of my former math teachers) really revealed the ludicrous narrow-mindedness that plagues my community, and many others in the area.

Some tore up the verses on the spot; I recall an individual accusing me of blasphemy and "supporting the Devil's religion." I also overheard that by the end of the day, a few people had been saying that a group of people had started passing out verses from the Satanic Bible.

Everyone involved has been cursed at and even physically threatened, and the administrative staff told us that they were positive that angry parents would flood the lines tomorrow in complaint.

We don't plan on stopping any time soon. This exercise in First Amendment rights won't be limited to Islam. The Vedic Texts and many other religious writings are already planned to be printed and distributed. Our goal is to promote awareness, not spite the Christians. In fact, a few of our distributors identify themselves as Christians.

We realize that most people won't realize that all salvationist religions share many fundamental traits, but we know some will. The fact that it has been the conversation in nearly every class today also makes us feel a sense of accomplishment.

Just thought I'd share this story with the Totse community.

Suggestions? Comments? Hate? Love?

That's a good idea.

I have a suggestion, though I don't know how one would go about doing it. I was thinkng something along the lines of printing a positive verse from a non-Christian holy book (like one that says to be compassionate, or to show respect, etc), but not show its source.

Then you could, I don't know, go up to people (preferably hardcore Christians), show them the verse, ask them what they think, then tell them where it's from.

You: What do you think of this verse "<insert positive-sounding holy quote>" ?

Them: I like it. I think everyone should follow it.

You: It's from the Quran.

Them: I hate that quote.

Something to that effect.

If you have enough people, you should pass out Hindu and Sikh verses too.

Those people may say they're Christian but they don't exactly sound like they're following Jesus' examples... although maybe they are. We'll just have to wait and see if they turn over any tables.

quote:roads are nearly desolate on Sunday mornings

Doesn't that ever tempt you to do an Omega Man?

quote:Originally posted by Einhander:

I live in a small, ultra-conservative community in the heart of the Southern Bible Belt. There's a Baptist church every three blocks, and roads are nearly desolate on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Typical white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant community.

At my school, a group called the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) has recently started to pass out a daily Bible verse on a slip of paper to everyone they see in the halls or in the classroom, most of the time not even asking for consent as the majority of students identify themselves as Christians.

In response to this, I and a few of my friends created and distributed daily Qur'an verses to both students and faculty.

Our goal was to promote a little religious awareness into this podunk redneck mountain town, and surprisingly enough, have gained as many supporters as we did critics. We actually got hold of the schedule for the daily Bible verses, and selected similar Qur'anic ones (to the best of our ability).

The ignorance and bigotry was downright shocking. Witnessing the reaction of my classmates was a real eye-opener. Questions like "Oh. That's cool. Who's Allah?" and statements like "Bite me. That stuff doesn't mean a thing" (actually said by one of my former math teachers) really revealed the ludicrous narrow-mindedness that plagues my community, and many others in the area.

Some tore up the verses on the spot; I recall an individual accusing me of blasphemy and "supporting the Devil's religion." I also overheard that by the end of the day, a few people had been saying that a group of people had started passing out verses from the Satanic Bible.

Everyone involved has been cursed at and even physically threatened, and the administrative staff told us that they were positive that angry parents would flood the lines tomorrow in complaint.

We don't plan on stopping any time soon. This exercise in First Amendment rights won't be limited to Islam. The Vedic Texts and many other religious writings are already planned to be printed and distributed. Our goal is to promote awareness, not spite the Christians. In fact, a few of our distributors identify themselves as Christians.

We realize that most people won't realize that all salvationist religions share many fundamental traits, but we know some will. The fact that it has been the conversation in nearly every class today also makes us feel a sense of accomplishment.

Just thought I'd share this story with the Totse community.

Suggestions? Comments? Hate? Love?

Well all i got to say is you got bigger balls than me!!! To piss of people like that can get you shot! although i dont agree for your reasoning seeing as its simply childish revenge of sorts considering your not muslim! but of course those people will be ignorant they live off wellfare, which if they are christians they shouldnt be doing, i know these people i've been to tennesse! But Satinism should not be allowed to be spread through the school because of what it really is! It teaches horrible disgusting things aswell as hate and was created by some headcase in the 60's or something. basicaly to them being a satist would be perfectly ok! which is A-fucked up B- against the law. although i dont agree with your actions i would die to allow you that right!(actually for all your freedoms but if they said you could only say this if i died then ya you wouldnt be saying it lol)

pass out some atheist quotes

quote:Originally posted by boozehound420:

pass out some atheist quotes



WHAT THE HELL? why? then you'll definatly get your ass kicked, and most athiest quotes would be making fun of religion which wouldnt make sense when you also pass out scripts from the quran!?! Athiest are spreading hate towards religion FUCK THEM!!! that goes for the op too cause i bet hes one! and if hes not my bad!

Masta Thief, you never fail to soil every thread you visit with your typed-out verbal vomit.

Nevermind him, OP. He's the village idiot 'round these parts.

http://www.totse.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif)

quote:Originally posted by AngryFemme:

Masta Thief, you never fail to soil every thread you visit with your typed-out verbal vomit.

Nevermind him, OP. He's the village idiot 'round these parts.

http://www.totse.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif)

What evry thing i said was true!?! he would get his ass kicked do you know where he lives? those people dont take that shit right, they get pissed and are mainly vigilantes!

[This message has been edited by Masta Thief (edited 03-16-2007).]

I believe that Hindu and Sikh verses would make a nice addition. I also posed the question "Pretend it has nothing to do with Islam. Or any religion. Still makes great advice, doesn't it?" The lack of an intelligent reply or rebuttal from the majority of students put a smile on my face but a pit in my stomach.

quote:



Those people may say they're Christian but they don't exactly sound like they're following Jesus' examples...





Another point I was trying to prove. Religious hypocrisy. Those that seemed to be the most devout also, coincidentally, had the least intelligent responses. Not saying that those strong in faith are weak-minded, (at least not directly) but the correlation is still there.

quote:



although i dont agree for your reasoning seeing as its simply childish revenge of sorts considering your not muslim!





No, I am not a Muslim. I don't claim affiliation to any organized religion. However, I don't believe you have to be a Christian to realize that the Bible has many good principles. Likewise, appreciation of the Qur'an does not require one to be Muslim.

Many of the FCA members have claimed that our motives were purely for spite. However, we have maintained respect, while many of them were quick to point the finger, but couldn't quite come up with any valid accusations. I'm aware of the fact that since none of us are Muslim, much of our sincerity will be disputed.

I also don't understand the accusations of blasphemy, when none of us have made any inflammatory or derogatory remark towards anyone of any religion. Like I said, we've made respect a top priority.

It's just funny to see those who hand out Bible verses avoid tables where any of us sit at lunch, while those of us who hand out Qur'an verses don't show any signs of discrimination regarding who we hand them out to (everyone we see. we ask first, of course).

What's so childish about pointing out hypocrisy?

quote:



basicaly to them being a satist would be perfectly ok! which is A-fucked up B- against the law.





quote:



and most athiest quotes would be making fun of religion





Masta Theif, you may want to do a little more research on:

A: First Amendment rights

B: Satanism

I know all of us are guilty of the occasional unfounded statement, but thankfully there are many more people out there to point out our mistakes http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif)

As to the vigilante nature of my community, I don't believe that the general bigotry is to that level just yet. As I've previously mentioned, I've been threatened, and it hasn't nor will it stop me. Let's just hope the KKK doesn't decide to take action (that's the only real "threat" around here anyway. not much of one, at that.)

quote:



Doesn't that ever tempt you to do an Omega Man?





No, but I'll definitely have to think about that the next time. http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif)

[This message has been edited by Einhander (edited 03-16-2007).]

They are all bigots. The next al-Qaida equivalent is coming from the Bible Belt.

watch those pitchforks.

quote:Originally posted by shitty wok:

They are all bigots. The next al-Qaida equivalent is coming from the Bible Belt.

And that is by no means a stretch of the imagination. I agree, wholeheartedly.

quote:Originally posted by Masta Thief:



WHAT THE HELL? why? then you'll definatly get your ass kicked, and most athiest quotes would be making fun of religion which wouldnt make sense when you also pass out scripts from the quran!?! Athiest are spreading hate towards religion FUCK THEM!!! that goes for the op too cause i bet hes one! and if hes not my bad!

your such a dumbass.



"The question before the human race is, whether the God of nature shall govern the world by his own laws, or whether priests and kings shall rule it by fictitious miracles." letter to Thomas Jefferson, June 20, 1815

John adams.



"A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death." Albert Einsten



"The idea of God was not a lie but a device of the unconscious which needed to be decoded by psychology. A personal god was nothing more than an exalted father-figure: desire for such a deity sprang from infantile yearnings for a powerful, protective father, for justice and fairness and for life to go on forever. God is simply a projection of these desires, feared and worshipped by human beings out of an abiding sense of helplessness. Religion belonged to the infancy of the human race; it had been a necessary stage in the transition from childhood to maturity. It had promoted ethical values which were essential to society. Now that humanity had come of age, however, it should be left behind." A History of God

Sigmund Freud



"We must question the story logic of having an all-knowing all-powerful God, who creates faulty Humans, and then blames them for his own mistakes."

Gene roddenberry

"If we crave some cosmic purpose, then let us find ourselves a worthy goal."

Carl Sagan

"I do not think it is necessary to believe that the same God who has given us our senses, reason, and intelligence wished us to abandon their use, giving us by some other means the information that we could gain through them."

Galileo Galilei

"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?"

Epicurus [341–270 B.C.]

Thats just a few i have saved. Theres a few websites you can google with shitloads of them

[This message has been edited by boozehound420 (edited 03-16-2007).]

Why are you leading souls away from their only hope for salvation, Jesus Christ?

Fair-play to the OP.

But, boozehound, why do all the atheist quotes have to be anti-god? Can't we just have some decent advice?

take ten sayings from jesus and 10 from buddha, put them on a piece of paper and ask people if they can indentify who said what.

quote:Originally posted by Rizzo in a box:

take ten sayings from jesus and 10 from buddha, put them on a piece of paper and ask people if they can indentify who said what.

We did something like that in religion class once. A sheet of paper with quotes from the Bible, Quran, and Hitler. Very interesting.

distribute hindu/sikh/buddhist sayings ... half of the quran is copied from the bible anyway. the rest is about jihad and killing "infidels".

quote:Originally posted by HideandSeek:

Why are you leading souls away from their only hope for salvation, Jesus Christ?

jesus christ was an arab slave trader ... same as mohammed or any of the other middle-eastern rascals u would like to believe as ur "messiah" .... fucker...

OP, what you are doing is awesome.

quote:Originally posted by Korvkpt123:

jesus christ was an arab slave trader ... same as mohammed or any of the other middle-eastern rascals u would like to believe as ur "messiah" .... fucker...

And you know this how?

Update:

We had some printer difficulty this morning, so we couldn't get the verse out today. However, we let everyone know that we decided to take a temporary hiatus in order to take a poll on different religions or philosophies that people wanted to see being passed out.

We also decided to do a weekly rotation of religions; 10 more for the 10 weeks of school left. Starting this late in the week wouldn't have done Islam much justice, anyway.

Much of the discussion has cooled down, but we're still getting dirty looks, along with the occasional "Muslim lover" or "fucking terrorist" remarks.

Typical.

It's because they're inbred redneck born and bred Bible thumping idiots who will go nowhere in life because they're too close minded to realize that the town they live in is nothing but a dot on a huge canvas.

"Religion is the opium of the masses"-

Karl Marx

ive always liked that quote

quote:Originally posted by LordoftheRingsandDrugs:

"Religion is the opium of the masses"-

Karl Marx

ive always liked that quote

I believe money is.

quote:Originally posted by Rizzo in a box:

I believe money is.

Marx wouldn't disagree with you either. He speaks of them both being opiates.

[This message has been edited by Hare_Geist (edited 03-17-2007).]

Heroin is an opiate

quote:Originally posted by AngryFemme:

And that is by no means a stretch of the imagination. I agree, wholeheartedly.



Me too. Let the babies have their bottle though. However, the moment anyone starts attacking my rights not to practice or to practice any religion I see fit there will be hell to pay.

wow, OP you're my hero.

What the OP is doing is commendable. May true freedom triumph over the ignorance and stupidity of those that oppose you. Good luck man.