Atheist or Humanist - what's in a name?

[naomi24]

A comment from someone that they had no problem with humanists (or words to that effect), and the “Why are atheists so mistrusted (despised?) by those who believe?” thread got me thinking. Would the religious see atheists as less of a threat if they dropped the word ‘atheist’ and adopted the term ‘humanist’ instead?

http://www.humanism.org.uk/humanism

[naomi24]

LG, I've read about this. Pity I'm busy that day. I would liked to have been there.

[modeller]

Today's news, a woman has just died in Ireland following a miscarriage because the RC refused her an abortion. That's religion for you.

[naomi24]

Have you got a link to that modeller?

[LazyGun]

Its a sad story that modeller mentions, Naomi, if the allegations are true. A combination of religious belief getting in the way of necessary health care, coupled with a bureaucracy that dragged its feet on legislation designed to allow abortions where the mothers life was in danger.

http://www.independen...hospital-8315609.html

[modeller]

No it was on Radio 4 at 1pm . It said she was taken into hospital with severe back pains but because the medics thought they detected a heart beat they refused to consider an abortion. She miscarried the baby died and the mother died two days later.

An example where religious dogma takes preference over humanity.

[naomi24]

Thanks LG. That is absolutely appalling - but it doesn't make sense. This poor lady can't possibly be the first taken into hospital in those circumstances - and I'm wondering what happens in other cases. I hate to say it - but I can't help thinking that to actually state 'This is a Catholic country' would indicate that her ethnicity/religion could have played some part in the decision the doctors made. Or am I being unfair to them?

[modeller]

It's now reported online in BBC News but no more information than what I've just written.

[LazyGun]

Very difficult to say - but it does sem that those directly responsible for her treatment actually denied her medical interventions that would have ensured her to survival, purely because of their own religious convictions, and that is shameful for any health service.

[naomi24]

Shameful in any society!!!

[modeller]

#http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-irelan
d-20321741#


Here's a link for those who want it. Judging by the response from the theists
not many of those will.

[modeller]

#http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-irelan
d-20321741#


Here it is again as it looks as though someone is blocking it

[modeller]

Now isn't that strange it comes up in Google but not in AB

The Vatican censors must be working overtime.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...hern-ireland-20321741

[modeller]

Seventy three posts and not one from the theist world of fantasy !

[naomi24]

We’ve had contributions from only three believers. A poor turn-out and a disappointingly indecisive result up to now. Perhaps we’ll get a few more before the thread disappears off the page.

[modeller]

They can't face reality !