Sociopathic Atheists

[william]

Crittendon had written to the Board of Parole Hearings on those inmates' behalf because each met his five criteria: being responsible while at San Quentin; pursuing an education; serving as a volunteer; having a solid support system on the outside; and a belief in God or a higher power. He asked Jerry Dean Stipe, a bearded Vietnam veteran known as Wolf, to be a co-founder of Real Choices - yet he didn't write a letter for Stipe, he told me, "because hew as an atheist." Crittendon said, "Without a belief in something larger than yourself, you backslide. I don't help the men to be a nice guy or to make them into nice guys. The inmate's going to benefit from being rehabilitated, but it's realy about protecting the decent people out in our society who he'd victimize."

---

Vernell Crittendon is the recently retired spokesman for San Quentin State Prison and the prison’s public face for all thirteen executions since California resumed capital punishment in 1992.

Crittendon, who retired in December, always sought to navigate a clean line through the confusion surrounding the death penalty. He wrote most of the prison’s lethal-injection manual, dealt with the Attorney General’s office regarding last-minute appeals, and escorted the victims’ families to and from the prison.
- The New Yorker, July 30th 2007

This is a man whose good word the parole board takes seriously, and yet because of his bias, he would deny a rehabilitated Atheist a chance at a new life.

When I first read this, I was incensed.

Gods once again being seen as the only means theists can see as the root of one's moral code.

And then I took a step back and cast aside my indignation and though about it. Now, I don't know if I'm incensed or tend to agree with Crittendon.

It’s impossible to see into the heart of a man's moral soul. Only through unprompted actions and much discussion can one glimpse what lies beneath.

For these men, who for the most part are probably former sociopath, to have the intellect to transcend their theistic upbringing and truly come to know Atheism - not as a result of casting off or rejecting one's Gods because of a distaste or un-satisfaction, but as the end-product of hours of contemplation and self effacing thinking – is probably a rare thing.

Most of them (and this is based on the one's I've known) lack the theological understanding or desire to comprehend the true essence of Atheism. I'm not saying that they're dumb. Well, the one's I've known haven't been the brightest of the lot. Only one was quite bright, and he is a true sociopath. The dude should have never fuckin' been paroled (and I think he was a fellow Atheist too! Fuckin' giving us a bad name!)

I would say that the ones who would call themselves Atheists would be the byproduct of subjective personal experience rather than objective contemplation.

Most, were they to claim to be an Atheist, I would presume would do so with the same level of contemplation that a basic theist believes in their god - as a matter of fact and nothing more. They would not dwell on their mortality, the beauty of consciousness, or the glory of live. For them, live for today and then as for what happens tomorrow, well, they'll wait and see. Living for today. I would doubt any of them being Secular Humanists. Once again, this is based on the ones I know.

Thoughts?

Would you parole a sociopath who’s supposedly reformed and yet is an avid Atheist, a person who doesn’t believe in eternal damnation – one who believes that in the end, good or bad, we all fall into a perpetual sleep?

[MTE]

Who is to say that the men who say they are religious, are? That is, they actually live by the set of moral standards their religion supports? Most religious people I've known don't.

I don't think it should have any bearing on a parole hearing.
Wether or not a person is an athiest can be as simple as wether or not their parents are and does not necessarily have anything to do with how they think or live their lives.

[MalcolmSmith]

Now, I'm not going to execute anyone, but I don't think I would be inclined to grant a sociopath, one who is extremely antisocial and wholly lacking in conscience, parole. I would most likely, based on the crimes of which they have been convicted, recommend they be remanded to the custody of a suitable mental health care facility/detention center, regardless of their stated religious and/or non-religious affiliations.

[Bigroger]

Having a belief in GOD is just one of that man's point for his vote on parole. The man has his right to have his opinion. If you were on the parole board thought that only people who wear nose rings should be paroled then you would only vote on the ones with a nose ring. Having a belief in a Superior Being should be taken into acount. It does have everything to do with it. People who think they are the Superior Being have the tendenancy to treat others as weak or slaves or not worthy of living. Charles Manson is a prime example of this. Everybody but him were fodder for his killing.

[Bebe]

Originally Posted by Bigroger

Having a belief in GOD is just one of that man's point for his vote on parole. The man has his right to have his opinion. If you were on the parole board thought that only people who wear nose rings should be paroled then you would only vote on the ones with a nose ring. Having a belief in a Superior Being should be taken into acount. It does have everything to do with it. People who think they are the Superior Being have the tendenancy to treat others as weak or slaves or not worthy of living. Charles Manson is a prime example of this. Everybody but him were fodder for his killing.

Why do you shout the word GOD. Isn't the capitalisation enough?

BTW, that isn't a criticism, I am genuinely interested in why you do this...

[Jacks_Colon]

The problem is that there is a perception that atheists lack a moral code because they do not adhere to a higher power. Not everyone needs an ancient text to determine their morality.

[Bigroger]

Originally Posted by Bebe

Why do you shout the word GOD. Isn't the capitalisation enough?

BTW, that isn't a criticism, I am genuinely interested in why you do this...

I use all Caps for all the letters of GOD because I think GOD deserves it. I use it also to distinguish GOD from the Gods like Zeus or Kali. No offense taken.

[Bigroger]

Originally Posted by Jacks_Colon

The problem is that there is a perception that atheists lack a moral code because they do not adhere to a higher power. Not everyone needs an ancient text to determine their morality.

True enough, perception is just what the majority of people think about people. Just like Christians are not allowed to sin.. News Flash... Everybody sins. You don't need ancient text. Well, not if you call the over 200 year old Constitution an ancient text. Everybody with morals will follow the law. That is what morality is about ie:http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/moral. The thing about a Higher Power is wanting to do right by all men and to know that you can be a better person than what your primal urges cause you to do.

[Bebe]

Originally Posted by Jacks_Colon

The problem is that there is a perception that atheists lack a moral code because they do not adhere to a higher power. Not everyone needs an ancient text to determine their morality.

Fuuuuuuucckkkkkk yoooooooouuuuuuu and welcome to the forums!!

[Rye]

Religion is for the weak minded, sheep that need to be tend to.(isnt that exactly how the bible puts it "you are my flock..")

Its like the need to feel part of something, regardless of any religion. I went to catholic scool and all it did for me is fuck up my education for the first 12 years of my life....cant teach you kids about the most basic function and what drives us as a race cause its dirty....ooo none of that dinosaur stuff its all hocus pocus. give me a fuckin break.

I trust an athiest over a brain washed religous nut any day...dont see to many athiest blowin themselves up now do you?