This story has been in the press a few days. I was going to let the story pass, but the press keeps emphasizing that they are a Christian biker gang. So what the heck. The Set Free Soldiers (video) are locals. I sometime see members on the streets in Anaheim.
Five members of a Christian motorcycle gang were charged Friday with a variety of felony weapons and gang crimes after high-profile raids this week targeting the Anaheim-based group.
The charges marked a retreat from Wednesday, when authorities arrested seven members of the Set Free Soldiers, including founder and pastor Phillip Aguilar, on charges of conspiracy to commit murder. An eighth member was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The charges were in connection with a double stabbing during a bar brawl with the Hells Angels late last month.
On Friday, the Orange County district attorney's filed just one attempted murder charge, against Jose Quinones, 42, and charged Glenn Schoeman, 56, with being an accessory after the fact. They were being held on $1-million and $100,000 bail, respectively.
I am not sure why they emphasize these guys as being a Christian biker gang. It must have something to do with Phillip Aguilar calling himself a pastor, or that fact they the attend church services. It think its closer to a Christian Identity thing though.
"They cannot believe that we're Christians because we have tattoos and ride motorcycles," she said. "It's sheep in wolf's clothing." - Sandra Aguilar
I'm not sure I understand this quote either. Putting a tattoo of a cross on your chest does not make you a good person. Attending church does not make you a good person. Calling yourself a Christian does not make you a good person. It comes down to what you do with your time on earth. If you choose to murder, steal, and sell illegal drugs, then you are not a good person. It really is that simple.
19 comments:
Where does it say that Christian = good person. Saying that is all too frequently a non-sequitur.
Heh, heh, I got my fingers to work OK that time.
John said EXACTLY what I was going to say. so..lemme expand on it ...
There is zero reason to equate goodness with theism, much less christianity.
Probably what makes them different from other outlaw criminal biker gangs is when they rape your wife, crush your cranium, and kill your dog they praise Jesus that they weren't caught.
Lets remeber...christians make up 78% of the US population, and 81% of the prison inmates. These bikers are as christian as the next deluded cross wearer.
A Christian Biker is just another member of society practicing the "looking good while being bad" philosophy that permeates our world. The "Christian" moniker is just a "flag of convenience". An entire segment of society has their dissent disabled because they won't speak out against any form of Christianity. Unfortunately, most Atheists won't speak out against "Atheist Bikers" because Atheists are prone to reject their "flag of convenience" as well.
Correction:
Should be "not prone to reject their flag of convenience as well.
sorry folks!
Are the Atheist biker gangs?
I mean wtf. I speak out against nutballs. I don't care if they are atheists or not.
Hi there,
As a former member of Set Free, now completely recovered I'm happy to report, I can address your questions. When the articles refer to him and his gang as 'christian biker gang' they are referring to the fact that Phil Aguilar is and has been the head pastor of his own church called Set Free since 1990 or thereabouts. His church nowadays seems to be more of a front for a bunch of biker thugs into chicks, sex, drinking, partying and whatever. I'm not against any of that... but resent the use of the christian moniker in front of that behavior.
a christian biker is a person who spreads the word of god to anyone and everone.who has also been born again and well tell u where he done wrong in his life and dont care what his road dogs pookie and ray-ray thank.it says ya should not judge.not all biker ministries are a front for sex, drugs, and all that goes along with it.these r people who yes most have survered time for this or that but they also woke -up and heard god talking to them and they r trying to be the person god wants them to be bye teaching his word.
Rebalred
Uh...wait a fricken second: lets read this from the original post again, shall we?
" Five members of a Christian motorcycle gang were charged Friday with a variety of felony weapons and gang crimes after high-profile raids this week targeting the Anaheim-based group."
Now... exactly how does that fit in with what YOU have declared a "Chrstian biker group"? Hmmm?
Or are you now going to pull the old "Not True Christian" routine because these criminal christian bikers don't fit YOUR description?
Sorry, but along with YOUR preferred definition, Xtian biker groups include any bunch of low life anti-social misfits with a propensity toward violence who just happen to have Jesus tattooed on their bodies and thus profess to be forgiven for any hiddeous act they committed in the past, now, or in the future.
Anton:
I googled "atheist biker gang" and got these results:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=atheist+biker+gang
All of them are about xtian biker gangs who have been creating havoc on homosexuals, atheists, and just about anyone they damn well please.
THERE IS NOT ONE REFERENCE to an actual "atheist biker gang"... much less one involved in criminal activity
Now, if you have evidence of a criminal atheist biker gang, post it here and now.
If not, Why TF are you proffering such a thing, and WhyTF are you even talking?
Unless you're a Christian, then the answer is self explanitory.
dromedaryhump:
I used quotation marks around "atheist bikers" to identify my reference to any group of Atheists who take advantage of a perceived defence for their actions by other Atheists, even if most clear-thinking, moral Atheists would not accept their actions. I personally have not run across any "atheist" groups in over 60 years, let alone a "biker" group, but I have certainly run across Atheists whom I would not invite into my home under any circumstances. I would, however, open my door to a lot of Atheists. But to really know an Atheist you must really know the person because Atheists are not accountable for their actions, good or bad, as Atheists!
anton,
Look..i dont want to get in a pissing contest with you...but you're making no sense.
You said: "... any group of Atheists who take advantage of a perceived defence for their actions by other Atheists, even if most clear-thinking, moral Atheists would not accept their actions."
WHAT GROUP OF ATHEISTS and WHAT ACTIONS are you inferring they are taking that are immoral?
Then you say: " I personally have not run across any "atheist" groups in over 60 years, let alone a "biker" group,"
WELL, if you havnt run across any atheist groups in 60 years, what are you introducing the concept of immoral "atheist groups" for in the first place? Do you even KNOW of any immoral atheist groups??
Finally this: ".. but I have certainly run across Atheists whom I would not invite into my home under any circumstances."
Because they are atheists, or because they are just assholes? If the latter, why bother to even mention their atheism? If the former, then you simply make your decisions on friendships based on belief or lack of belief?
I'm gonna go out on a limb and declare you at worst Xtian and disingenuous; or at best confused.
Dromedaryhump:
"immoral athiest groups" are your words, not mine.
I have enountered activites where the "so-called" activists proclaim that they speak for all Atheists. Yes, they are assholes! They also expect that they won't encounter any criticism from other Atheists. In this way, they are like the Christian extremists who expect little criticism from other Christians.
There actions make it difficult for many Atheists to "come out". Who wants to be known to keep company with "assholes"? As you "perch" on your limb, you may wish to view my newsletter. www.withoutgods.net
I agree that I may be confused but I will stand by my 60-year-record as an activist Atheiest.
Perhaps you may want to suppress some of your "anger" and get constructive. If you wish to help me with the errors of my ways, visit my sites (I also have www.milesians.net) and then comment all you want!
I met a few "Christian Bikers" on my little jaunt. They were all members of the "Christian Motorcyclists Association". And they were all really nice people.
We didn't chat about religion - we chatted about bikes, roads, camping and anything bike related.
I'm not sure if I met any atheists on the road; it's not something "we" tend to advertise. (I didn't, for one simple reason: me plus bike + luggage, about 450 pounds. Potentially Angry Christian + 3,000lb SUV = Probably not a good day for me.
But I digress.
Carolyn Ann
anton,
damn... when you introduced the "anger" thing, I coulda sworn you were going to ask "why are you angry at god." at least i know youre saying youre not a Xtian, but thats about all you've resolved.
Can you show me an example of:
" ... activists [who] proclaim that they speak for all Atheists."
I am unaware of any public atheist who has made that "proclamation". Who exactly made the proclamation you are ranting against in this "Christian Biker" thread"? Please give us a link.
But, you know what...nevermind.
Having gone back and read this:
"Atheists are not accountable for their actions, good or bad, as Atheists!"
I have decided not even YOU know what you're saying. And if there is more of the same on your Blog, thanks..I'll pass.
Have a nice evening.
DromedaryHump:
Maybe you are practicing cognitive dissonance. At least I gave you an opporunity to display your "superiour" intelligence. Good night!
Anton,
based on what i've gleaned from your observations and comments, I'd proffer that you'd provide an inbred Southern snake handling Christian an opportunity to display their superior intelligence.
A Christian biker gang doesn't sound very fun or very tough, no?
I prefer gay biker gangs--maybe we're not so tough but we sure can rock the leather!
Being a Christian does not make you a good person, Being a good person makes you a good person, Being a Christian makes you Delusional, it also shows how un-original you are at coming up with imaginary friends!
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