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January 07, 2012

Save me Facebook

Sure, freedom of religion. Freedom of the press. But in some warped and twisted way this has become freedom to become annoying as all crap on Facebook. And, before anyone gets ranty, or at least rantier then me, I understand that I don't have to watch/read/listen. I get that and I fully support everyone's right to say something that makes me want to scream and beat them with a science textbook.
But every once in a great while I actually click on the videos that are posted by friends or friends of friends. And I sit with my neck sore from vigorous head shaking in wonder. How can you not see propaganda for what it is? Why is it ok for you to declare that you are in a war with me? Why do you think it is your right to go out and seek to convert me? And why do you not see through this?
If I promoted a video that said that we, as atheists, have a responsibility to go out and show all the foolish that they are in danger living their lives the way that they do. That their blind faith will cause them to suffer needlessly when rational thought is so close to their grasp, people would hunt me down and drag me straight onto Fox News. And yet how is that different? I watch the videos, and I'm not going to link to them or spread them any further but they're easy enough to find, and I worry that people I really respect will fall victim to this propaganda. And yes, I've used that word repeatedly but what else would you call it? Let's look at the definition:
from Mirriam-Webster-
2. the spreading of ideas, information or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause or a person.
3. ideas, facts or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause; also a public action having such an effect.

The problem with propaganda is that it's rarely truth. Unfortunately, it's often Truth. So I will gnash my teeth and stomp my feet and remember that Freedom of Speech isn't predicated on common sense. But I wonder if I started spreading such propaganda on my social feeds, not just my opinion but information saying that there was a war and it was my job to make sure that religious people were converted, I wonder just how long it would before my friend list dwindled to a small few. Seems slightly unbalanced for a group decrying how maligned they are.
And on a shallower note--Wow! That was some cheesy ass, heavy handed, over the top video. Really? The dramatic music, the costumes, the battle scenes? I need to be saved from the video.

Posted by michelle at January 7, 2012 09:21 AM

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