tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17732427.post6948598793854878629..comments2023-06-23T10:26:21.277+02:00Comments on Memoirs of an ex-Christian: An atheist on the bench?Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16752824290056143050noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17732427.post-26812053817380544282011-01-31T23:53:24.585+02:002011-01-31T23:53:24.585+02:00I find Sarah’s comment, that she knows for sure th...I find Sarah’s comment, that she knows for sure that an Atheist would have better judgment than anyone else, extremely naïve. The only thing you know for sure about an Atheist is that they do not believe in God. Other than that, you have absolutely no idea what they do believe in. <br /><br />Since Mr. Paterson was in the Priesthood, hopefully he absorbed a proper grounding in morality. So how do his beliefs impact his judgment now? <br /><br />I do agree with Laughing boy’s conclusion… and ask what is Mr. Paterson’s track record to prove that he is qualified for making rulings that would follow the law of the land?BC500https://www.blogger.com/profile/04757993868975106375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17732427.post-86954960137302299442009-07-26T17:35:39.600+02:002009-07-26T17:35:39.600+02:00I also agree with LB, in a secular state it should...I also agree with LB, in a secular state it shouldn't really make any difference. In a secular state like South Africa, the primary role of a judge is to uphold the Constitution and Bill of Rights. And I think theist and atheist judges can do this quite effectively.<br /><br />The reason, I think, that this particular case caused a stir is that South Africa has only been a democracy for 14 years. Before 1994 Christianity was a state religion, and I think many still believe that Christianity should have some sort of preference in the realm of state, and within the judiciary, and people of influence and power should be theists of a sort.Kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16752824290056143050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17732427.post-90918076480512570642009-07-24T17:18:24.672+02:002009-07-24T17:18:24.672+02:00I agree with LB, religion (or lack of) should not ...I agree with LB, religion (or lack of) should not matter at all in a secular system. <br /><br />I never understood why a Christian would ever want to become a judge, prosecutor, or lawmaking...as their belief system is based on God being the judge and maker of all rules. Jehovah's Witnesses are the only ones I've heard of that do not involve themselves in government, nor do they exercise their voting rights.<br /><br />I'm interested in hearing how the polls turn out. Keep us posted!<br />~DarAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17732427.post-55191222076934369592009-07-23T20:19:07.043+02:002009-07-23T20:19:07.043+02:00Interesting that it caused a stir. But I suppose i...Interesting that it caused a stir. But I suppose it's understandable, even though I don't know personally the politics of South Africa at all. If that happened here, you might as well call yourself a Muslim. You won't get voted in. <br /><br />I know for certain an Atheist has better judgement than anyone else. I believe firmly that there are morals engrained into humanity. Whether that's by "God" or by evolutionary process itself, it doesn't really matter. In a theological perspective as well as a evolutionary one (not sure which I take!) we have human ethics which we follow.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09495471405157553752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17732427.post-45018608352268078912009-07-23T04:44:49.512+02:002009-07-23T04:44:49.512+02:00Does it really take guts to admit unbelief or is t...Does it really take guts to admit unbelief or is that just something atheists say to stroke their own egos? Oh, well, who am I to say? I'm just a gutless born-again Calvinist-type Christian who believes the Bible is the inerrant Word of God.<br /><br />As for the judge, I don't see how being an atheist would make him unfit to judge matters of law in a secular state. A judge is supposed to make rulings based on existing law, to keep society from straying from the ideas in their constitution. South Africa isn't a theocracy is it?Laughing Boyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00577758021496425133noreply@blogger.com