Man Asks To Name Omaha Street For Atheist

Newbie First Class Joined: Jul 28, 2007 Posts: 37

Courtesy: KETV (Omaha, NE)
An Omaha man said he wants to name a city street in honor of the founder of the American Atheist Movement.
Raymond Zbylut has submitted an application for a commemorative street sign on 108th Street between West Maple Road and Bedford Street. It would be named for Madeline Murray O'Hair.
Zbylut said that he believes O'Hair is a hero to those who don't believe in God.

Story continues @ Sourced Site

Master of Logic Joined: Oct 04, 2003 Posts: 9384

She certainly was the Malcom X of atheists.

I am not so sure I am for this. If it were a private street, I would be for it. But we atheists constantly bitch about God being plastered on everything governmental, and while technically the street is not named "Atheist ave", it is a representation of atheists. I have always held the position that religious issues should not be taken up by government. I think theists would have a valid argument, my only problem is that they dont use the same logic to understand why God should not be on the money or in the pledge.

But on the other hand, if theists insist on memorializing their religious heros with public monies, then they shouldnt complain about a street being named after an atheist.

I am torn on this issue.

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 6:45 pm

I said something about this on the other forum, but I'll (basically) say it again here, but in response to your more detailed objection, Brian37. If she were an Omaha native, or someone who's a hero to many, then it would be fine. As it stands though, She's neither of those things.

Furthermore, she's held up as an example of a nasty atheist by many evangelicals, and most atheists are not really a fan either. I could probably come up with a hundred other atheists I'd prefer to see memorialized before her.

Once again, I say go with Ernie Chambers instead. He's a non-theist, but he's also from Omaha, and he's one of the most important figures in the history of the Nebraska State Senate.

The Learned Joined: Nov 30, 2004 Posts: 122

ROFLMAO. Chambers will go down in Nebraska history as a crackpot. The guy is a master at getting the minority vote and filibustering not at actually trying to accomplish anything. You know the variation of the joke "He's a jerk, but he's our jerk!" ? Chambers is kind of like that, he's so out there people see him more as a balancing counterweight to all the other fuddy duddys, more of a comic relief.


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