Everyone, Attack the Atheist! [Movie Transcript]

Jaimie: This one time I wore a pentacle, which is a star inside a circle, around my neck and two people who worked for my high school asked me if that meant I was Jewish! (laughter) And with derisive tones, as if because it meant I was Jewish, that was a bad thing. I'm like, "You're preparing to discriminate against me for being Jewish because I'm wearing a Wiccan pentacle?!"

And here, as an Atheist, I've felt things too. Every time I'll make a comment about--even trying to get religion on the table to discuss, especially religous affiliation in terms of Anti-Gay behavior/using The Bible for things--immediately, I'll be attacked for that. Without even saying anything negative, without even getting there, y'know? I wasn't even given the chance to say something negative! (laughter) So definitely, there is religous discrimination here.

DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL: Initially It Was A Progressive Step... Now It's A Joke (Katelin)

1: I would never join any branch of the military whether I were straight or gay. It’s just not my thing; I don't like war. But to comment on that “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy... its completely disgusting that such an act of discrimination has been in force for as many years as it has. At the time, it was a progressive step... but now it’s a joke. "they", whoever "they" are, say soldiers knowing that fellow members are gay will cause a break in unity. This being the case, I applaud any Gay or Lesbian person who is strong enough to withhold their preference, simply to appease the homophobes. That is true dedication to one's country.

2: I went to catholic school for 13 years and it’s not the reason I am an atheist. I was always taught that God is cool with the gays as long as we don't "act" on our urges. It just doesn't add up to me, not that much religion (especially catholic) does add up in my mind. I think if I were religious enough to want to devote my life to god, my sexuality would not hinder my decision. If I was devout, I would truly believe god loves me not for who I lay next to in bed, but the intentions I have of being a morally upstanding citizen staying true to commandments of God... and true ones, not the radical, misinterpreted passages many use against homosexuals.

RAISED CATHOLIC: I'm Now An Atheist (Katelin)

I grew up Catholic. From kindergarten to 12th grade, I went to Catholic school. Tell me that shit didn't mess with my head!

Today, I'm an atheist. I have a better time believing we are some alien science project than there is some dude looming over us watching and knowing everything we do. But of course, I don’t believe the alien thing either.

I hate religion. Religion was needed when fire couldn't be explained, and people needed to believe there is something out there after they died.

I've created my own spiritual views... do good and good will come to you. I don’t follow any one religion. I follow common sense.

REPRESSION IS UNNECESSARY: Paganism Celebrates Sexuality of All Kinds (DeLue)

I was baptized catholic and raised vaguely Christian. My father's side of the family is Christian, while my mother's side of the family is Athiest. I was raised believing in god in some vague and not very regimented sense until I started to question. Thus began the "research" phase of my religious life.

I started researching religion as a whole. Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Taoism, Paganism, Satanism and have discovered a great deal about organized religion. I've also learned that religion cannot be judged by texts, but by people.

I describe myself as a Buddhist/Pagan and am not much for organized religion. I am very happy with the philosophies of Paganism and Buddhism and they reaffirm not only my spirituality but my belief in the innate good of all men and women.

I'm a firm believer in a separation between church and state.

Religion to me is very important not really in the way of meditation prayer and ritual (though I want to make that a larger part of my life) but as a guide for the way I live. I used to listen to a podcast called Pagan Living, and she told you exactly that, how to live pagan. Not just do a ceremony on full moons or things like that but trying to be a good pagan every day through my actions. I'm happy I found a path that's as accepting as I did. Sexuality in paganism is not a dirty hidden disgusting part of us, but a celebrated and wonderful and magical and spiritual part of every one of our beings' no matter who it is with. Homosexuality is as celebrated and supported as heterosexuality.

In defense of Satanism, though it may seem like a "all for #1" philosophy, it's really about satisfaction and what people earn from you. A Satanist will be your best friend because you have earned trust and loyalty from them. This is hardly thinking only for yourself. Just playing devil's advocate. (Hehe, I made a funny...)

SEARCHING FOR SPIRITUALITY: Everything From Zen Buddhism to Voodoo (Jaimie)

I have a long religious history. I was born atheist, went through all of the requirements for Lutheranism, spent a year in Zen Buddhism, did a few years in Wicca, moved on to Voodoo, and am now back to atheist.

With that said, organized religion bothers me a lot. It seems to do a great deal against gays and gay rights, and extremely devoted people who utilize religion in that way disturb me. I am also disenchanted with the amount of religion-based war we have in this world and the amount of money thrown around. The more the cult-like devotion, the more I am turned away. I wouldn't mind if religion never existed, though I would never advocate taking it away from people.

I have trouble understanding the more accepting parts of religions like Christianity, such as the churches geared towards GLBT people, because of all the negativity I have seen from religion. As for the less mainstream spiritual paths, such as Wicca, I understand the attraction of a GLBT person to such things. However, I personally have trouble accepting any spiritual path in my own life.

The spirituality of my partner is partially important. I don't mind if my partner is spiritual, especially if it is one of the less mainstream, more accepting paths, but I would prefer if she wasn't. I might have a problem if she was VERY religious. I do not want to raise religious children, which would be a point of concern.

Most of my reason for being an atheist comes from the horrible things I see going on in this world, especially in Africa. I have trouble believing that a god would let that happen.

Overall, there is really no place for religion in my life, and the last thing I need is another addictive substance.