Discussing racists comments allegedly made by Los Angeles Clippers owner Don Sterling, yesterday Denver radio host, Dan Caplis, of KNUS-AM, came to the conclusion that since Sterling is a racist, he must therefore also be an Atheist.
During the first hour of the show he says:
The roots of this kind of racism, this kind of attitude where somebody really thinks they’re superior to somebody, just because of the color of the other person’s skin? First, what it tells me — you know, my constitutionally-protected opinion about that person — is they don’t believe in God.
In fact, Caplis goes on to say that he doesn't think it is even possible for Christians to be racist:
“Nobody who believes in God can be a racist, in my view, because once you believe God made us, you mean, God made junk?” Caplis continued. “God made somebody lesser just by virtue of the color of their skin? So my starting point is always: All racists must be atheists. They can’t possibly believe in God.”
After getting some feedback, Don backtracked a little with:
I also managed to anger some atheists this morning, because I took the position, and I think this is true… that you cannot believe in God and be a racist. Because if you believe in God, then you cannot possibly believe that God made somebody inferior just because of the color of their skin. But then I’ll read you the email from our racist friend who says that’s an insult to atheists.
No, I never said that all atheists are racists. In fact, I’ve never had that impression whatsoever, that any sort of big number of atheists were racist. My point is the opposite, or a different point, I should say. That I think, probably, all racists are, at the end of the day, atheists.
Unfortunately, my brand new babykos skills do not include embedding audio at the present time. However, while I am acquiring that handy skill, the full audio and transcript of the show can he found at The Friendly Atheists Blog.
Self described as a "well respected legal analyst and attorney bringing a strong local voice to Denver radio," Calis claims on his website that:
[...] His legal analysis has been quoted by many prominent media outlets, including the Washington Post, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, Associated Press, Time Magazine, U.S. News and World Report, CNN, and NBC News. Dan has also been a regular guest on national interview shows such as Larry King Live and The O’Reilly Factor.
Dan is frequently invited to speak to professional groups, Church organizations, and schools. His work on behalf of the disadvantaged has been recognized by numerous organizations, and honors include the Humanitarian of The Year Award from the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Pro Vitae Award from the Archdiocese of Denver. In connection with his media work, 5280 magazine named Dan among the “25 Most Powerful” people in Denver, and a Rocky Mountain News columnist labeled Dan “A Colorado Treasure."
Emphasis mine.
Wow! For an idiot, Dan seems to be quite accomplished.
Hemant Mehta, The Friendly Atheist:
If Caplis — or any of the right-wing blowhards he’s trying to emulate — had said those words about any group besides atheists (“All racists are Jews!”) — there would be hell to pay and he’d be fighting for his job.
But, for now, he’s getting away with this without the slightest bit of punishment.
You may complain to KNUS-AM about these comments your leisure:
:
E-Mail
710KNUS@710KNUS.com
Brian Taylor
Vice President/General Manager
303-750-5687
or
The Law Offices of Dan Caplis, PC
4601 DTC Boulevard Suite 950
Denver, Colorado 80237
Toll Free: 800-204-1110
Phone: 303-770-5551
Fax: 303-770-5552