In Light of Recent Events
Posted 8 years agoFirst off, apologies for the lack of updates. So much for my one-journal-every-two-weeks goal. I'll try to be more prompt about checking in on this group.
Second, I'm sure all of you have heard by now of the events that transpired in Paris and Beirut. It is times like these that the horrors of religious beliefs are outlined most clearly; and I find myself nothing short of irritated that the hashtags #PrayForParis and #PrayForTheWorld have become the most popular to show support for the victims. I'm sure everyone in this group can agree with me when I say that praying will accomplish nothing.
However, we must also remember that such a tragedy should not be used as a platform to put religion down. Now is not the time to be pointing fingers at Muslims, many of whom are just as upset by these attacks as the rest of us. I have seen comments--not necessarily from atheists--saying things like "Kill all Muslims" or "Fight fire with fire." Terrorism is meant to cause divide, and that mentality will only further that cause. To read more, check out this article, 'What ISIS Really Wants.'
In the meantime, there are things you can do to help the victims. Here is an article with a short list of websites you can donate to to help Paris specifically; I haven't seen other resources for Beirut, but if you do, please post them in the comments.
As for what actually happened during these attacks, check out this timeline from the NY Times chronicling the events of Paris; here's what happened in Beirut just days before; and here's one specifically about the media ignoring Beirut in favor of Paris.
There have been multiple different reactions from around the world--I'm sure all of you know by now of Facebook's option to put a filter over your profile picture to look like the French flag; many have voiced their opinions (good and bad) over this feature, though I personally think it's mostly harmless. There's also this tidbit from one of the cartoonists at Charlie Hebdo. I also think this tumblr post is worth a read. And, for something to turn your stomach, here are some of the worse reactions.
Onto a lighter note, someone made a mosaic of Donald Trump's face out of dick pics.
There's also these progressive Christmas carols.
This study shows that religious children are more harsh and less generous than atheist ones, and this poll finds that Millenials are moving further away from religion.
And, to reach a little further back in the news, Josh Feuerstein stirred up more crap by claiming that Starbucks's new solid red minimalist cups are an "attack against Christianity." You can see his interview on CNN here. Here are some of the best responses to the supposed "controversy" (though my personal favorite is Olan Rogers' reaction video). I'm sure, with the incoming holiday season, I'll have plenty more material regarding the infamous "War on Christmas."
If you have anything else I missed, feel free to mention it in the comments!
For a final question, I received a note from malcomthebear with a question for the group, and we'd both appreciate your feedback:
What secular lessons does religion teach well? Is there anything about religion that makes you think, "I see them sometimes teaching [X]. I wish they would focus more on that," with the possible addendum, "...and focus less on [Y]." Is there anything that religion teaches in our society better than any other institution that you wish could be taught on its own instead of through the dogma of the church?
Second, I'm sure all of you have heard by now of the events that transpired in Paris and Beirut. It is times like these that the horrors of religious beliefs are outlined most clearly; and I find myself nothing short of irritated that the hashtags #PrayForParis and #PrayForTheWorld have become the most popular to show support for the victims. I'm sure everyone in this group can agree with me when I say that praying will accomplish nothing.
However, we must also remember that such a tragedy should not be used as a platform to put religion down. Now is not the time to be pointing fingers at Muslims, many of whom are just as upset by these attacks as the rest of us. I have seen comments--not necessarily from atheists--saying things like "Kill all Muslims" or "Fight fire with fire." Terrorism is meant to cause divide, and that mentality will only further that cause. To read more, check out this article, 'What ISIS Really Wants.'
In the meantime, there are things you can do to help the victims. Here is an article with a short list of websites you can donate to to help Paris specifically; I haven't seen other resources for Beirut, but if you do, please post them in the comments.
As for what actually happened during these attacks, check out this timeline from the NY Times chronicling the events of Paris; here's what happened in Beirut just days before; and here's one specifically about the media ignoring Beirut in favor of Paris.
There have been multiple different reactions from around the world--I'm sure all of you know by now of Facebook's option to put a filter over your profile picture to look like the French flag; many have voiced their opinions (good and bad) over this feature, though I personally think it's mostly harmless. There's also this tidbit from one of the cartoonists at Charlie Hebdo. I also think this tumblr post is worth a read. And, for something to turn your stomach, here are some of the worse reactions.
Onto a lighter note, someone made a mosaic of Donald Trump's face out of dick pics.
There's also these progressive Christmas carols.
This study shows that religious children are more harsh and less generous than atheist ones, and this poll finds that Millenials are moving further away from religion.
And, to reach a little further back in the news, Josh Feuerstein stirred up more crap by claiming that Starbucks's new solid red minimalist cups are an "attack against Christianity." You can see his interview on CNN here. Here are some of the best responses to the supposed "controversy" (though my personal favorite is Olan Rogers' reaction video). I'm sure, with the incoming holiday season, I'll have plenty more material regarding the infamous "War on Christmas."
If you have anything else I missed, feel free to mention it in the comments!
For a final question, I received a note from malcomthebear with a question for the group, and we'd both appreciate your feedback:
What secular lessons does religion teach well? Is there anything about religion that makes you think, "I see them sometimes teaching [X]. I wish they would focus more on that," with the possible addendum, "...and focus less on [Y]." Is there anything that religion teaches in our society better than any other institution that you wish could be taught on its own instead of through the dogma of the church?
#KimDavis
Posted 8 years agoI'm sure many of you have been following the nonsense surrounding county clerk Kim Davis, who believes that religious freedom overrides civic duty. In case you haven't, though, here's a run-down:
On September 3rd, Kim Davis was found in contempt for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and was jailed until she agreed to start issuing licenses again. Judge David Bunning--who made the ruling--said succinctly, "If you give people the opportunity to choose which orders they follow, that’s what potentially causes problems.” Meanwhile, Kim Davis' lawyer compared her punishment to being Jewish during World War II. Predictably, the most outstandingly conservative Christians began crying persecution and haven't really shut up since. Thankfully, GoFundMe's new policy prevents them from raising a fortune for her like it did for Indiana's "Memories Pizza." To everyone's surprise, however, Westboro Baptist Church didn't have anything nice to say for her anti-gay stance and instead focused on her divorce and re-marriage, which is apparently "just as bad" as gay marriage.
I really wish I could say that that's where it ended, but unfortunately, Mike Huckabee got involved. Just this past Tuesday, Davis was released from jail and, unfortunately, allowed to speak. Standing next to Huckabee, her husband, and her lawyer, Davis addressed a cheering religious crowd, praising God while Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" played in the background. Yes, sadly, you did read that right. She said she plans to return to work and keep pressing her agenda--basically, she's going to continue to not do her job.
However, some good things did come out of this; for one, Survivor isn't happy with the use of their song. There were rumors of a lawsuit against Davis and Huckabee for using the song, but they were originally posted on a satirical website. Also, George Takei, as ever, had some excellent things to say about the situation. Also, check out this hilarious spoof Twitter claiming to be the person who sits next to Davis.
In other, cooler news, fossilized remnants of not one but fifteen individuals of a new species of early human ancestor was discovered in South Africa. Its name is Homo Naledi and it sheds profound new light on the origins of our own species. Also, a wooden carving was just dated and determined to be twice as old as the pyramids. Staying on the theme of ancient discoveries, scientists also just detected the oldest, most distant galaxy known so far.
From the blog of the Friendly Atheist, "Carbon-Dated Qur’an May Be Older Than Muhammad, Challenging Islam’s Most Basic Tenets"; also, "Five Muslim Extremists Charged with Murder of Bangladeshi Atheist Blogger."
For some laughs, check out "Nihilisa Frank", Key and Peele's marvelous spoof of Neil deGrasse Tyson, and "A Woman's Job Description."
On September 3rd, Kim Davis was found in contempt for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and was jailed until she agreed to start issuing licenses again. Judge David Bunning--who made the ruling--said succinctly, "If you give people the opportunity to choose which orders they follow, that’s what potentially causes problems.” Meanwhile, Kim Davis' lawyer compared her punishment to being Jewish during World War II. Predictably, the most outstandingly conservative Christians began crying persecution and haven't really shut up since. Thankfully, GoFundMe's new policy prevents them from raising a fortune for her like it did for Indiana's "Memories Pizza." To everyone's surprise, however, Westboro Baptist Church didn't have anything nice to say for her anti-gay stance and instead focused on her divorce and re-marriage, which is apparently "just as bad" as gay marriage.
I really wish I could say that that's where it ended, but unfortunately, Mike Huckabee got involved. Just this past Tuesday, Davis was released from jail and, unfortunately, allowed to speak. Standing next to Huckabee, her husband, and her lawyer, Davis addressed a cheering religious crowd, praising God while Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" played in the background. Yes, sadly, you did read that right. She said she plans to return to work and keep pressing her agenda--basically, she's going to continue to not do her job.
However, some good things did come out of this; for one, Survivor isn't happy with the use of their song. There were rumors of a lawsuit against Davis and Huckabee for using the song, but they were originally posted on a satirical website. Also, George Takei, as ever, had some excellent things to say about the situation. Also, check out this hilarious spoof Twitter claiming to be the person who sits next to Davis.
In other, cooler news, fossilized remnants of not one but fifteen individuals of a new species of early human ancestor was discovered in South Africa. Its name is Homo Naledi and it sheds profound new light on the origins of our own species. Also, a wooden carving was just dated and determined to be twice as old as the pyramids. Staying on the theme of ancient discoveries, scientists also just detected the oldest, most distant galaxy known so far.
From the blog of the Friendly Atheist, "Carbon-Dated Qur’an May Be Older Than Muhammad, Challenging Islam’s Most Basic Tenets"; also, "Five Muslim Extremists Charged with Murder of Bangladeshi Atheist Blogger."
For some laughs, check out "Nihilisa Frank", Key and Peele's marvelous spoof of Neil deGrasse Tyson, and "A Woman's Job Description."
Aron Ra in Michigan
Posted 8 years agoJust found out yesterday that Aron Ra is going to be in Michigan next Wednesday--specifically, in the Dragonmead Brewery in Warren, MI. Since I live in Michigan, I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to go hang out with one of my favorite atheists. I don't know how the set-up is going to work, but so far there's only going to be about fifteen people attending which means I might be able to talk to him one-on-one.
So I thought I'd ask: Are there any questions you guys would like me to ask him for you? I can't guarantee I'll be able to ask him, but I'll at least write out a list in case I get lucky.
Also, if any of you guys live in Michigan and you're free Wednesday night, I'd love to meet you there! The event isn't public but I can give you the information you need.
So I thought I'd ask: Are there any questions you guys would like me to ask him for you? I can't guarantee I'll be able to ask him, but I'll at least write out a list in case I get lucky.
Also, if any of you guys live in Michigan and you're free Wednesday night, I'd love to meet you there! The event isn't public but I can give you the information you need.
The "No True Scotsman" Fallacy
Posted 8 years agoRationalWiki defines the No True Scotsman Fallacy as "a logical fallacy that occurs when (1) someone changes the definition of a word to make a claim true by default or (2) a term is defined biasedly to allow easier use of the first form. Instead of acknowledging that some members of a group have undesirable characteristics, the fallacy tries to redefine the group to exclude them."
This fallacy takes many forms, from fans of Marvel claiming you're not a "real fan" unless you've read the comics to country artists singing about how you're not a "real man" unless you know how to bait a hook. The particular variant I'd like to discuss here however is of course the religious aspect--specifically, Christianity, since that's what most of us have experience with. Go to any news article about something Westboro or any other equally hateful group did and you'll doubtlessly find comments from other Christians claiming that "They're not true Christians, because they don't love one another like Jesus told us to." Likewise, however, if you talk to a fundamentalist, they will probably claim that the more liberal Christians aren't 'true Christians' because they don't adhere to the Bible strictly enough. Many Christians, to get around the cognitive dissonance of dealing with an atheist who used to be a believer, will try to make the infuriating claim that they never really believed. I've even heard it said that gay Christians aren't really Christians since they aren't truly repentant of their "sins."
A few weeks ago I was discussing my former belief with a Christian and they insisted that I was "taught wrong." The problem is, there are over forty thousand different denominations of Christianity, with each one claiming that they're right, and the rest are wrong. How am I to know if I've been "taught wrong" if no one knows how to teach it right? How is anyone supposed to know what really defines a True Christian™ if everyone is shouting a different answer?
At the church I went to, it was believed that once you were saved, you could never be "un-saved"--basically, that once you were a Christian, you would remain faithful for your whole life. I believe the scripture they often quoted was John 10:28: "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." Confronted with atheists who were formerly believers, Christians will often claim, as mentioned above, that they never really believed--that they didn't seek God deeply enough, didn't read their Bibles enough, didn't pray enough, weren't taught under the right denomination, etc. However, this becomes an undeniable contradiction when you consider the histories of prominent atheists like Seth Andrews, who was invested in the faith for over thirty years before de-converting, and Dan Barker, founder of the Clergy Project.
If you're having a discussion with someone and they try to pull the No True Scotsman card, have them stop and first define what they mean by "true Christian." From there, you can ask them to prove how they know that that is the definition. You can also offer examples of atheists who have been involved in the faith to varying degrees and yet still de-converted.
-x-
Onto some news!
To (almost) no one's surprise, teen pregnancy and abortion rates have gone down in Hawaii after abandoning abstinence-only education. On a related note, studies have revealed that women don't regret abortions, despite what many pro-lifers will claim.
I'm sure many of you by now have heard of the upcoming movie based on the Stonewall Riots due to the immense controversy over the lengths Hollywood is evidently willing to go to write white, cisgender men into every significant historical event. Though the first brick at Stonewall was thrown by black trans woman Marsha P. Johnson, the writers of Stonewall saw fit to create a fictional cisgender white male character to replace her. In other LGBT news,John Corvino addresses the slippery slope argument against gay marriage equality. Also, if you like, you can read up on how the rainbow flag became the symbol of LGBT pride.
Recently, pro-lifers once again raised a ruckus about Planned Parenthood in regard to them selling remains of aborted fetuses to organizations for stem cell research. Thankfully, a vote in the Senate to defund Planned Parenthood failed.
I realized a few days after posting the SCOTUS journal that I had totally missed an important news story, so it's rather old, but worth including anyway: a Satanic statue was unveiled about a month ago in Detroit in what is described as the largest Satanic public event in history. The statue was intended to be erected next to the Ten Commandments monument on Oklahoma capitol grounds, but after religious monuments were successfully banned there, they've moved their target now to Arkansas, where a Ten Commandments monument on state grounds is currently in the works.
Related to this topic, and also slightly to furries, is an illustrated book of bad arguments, which you can read online for free!
Also, Neil DeGrasse Tyson explains everything in eight minutes.
This isn't really news, but I was sent two gallery submissions that are excellent, but unfortunately are text-only images. If you'd like to read them though (and I really recommend it!) you can see them here and here.
For the comments, have you ever encountered the No True Scotsman fallacy when dealing with theists of any kind? Or perhaps have other examples you'd like to share? As always, other news articles that I've missed are always appreciated!
This fallacy takes many forms, from fans of Marvel claiming you're not a "real fan" unless you've read the comics to country artists singing about how you're not a "real man" unless you know how to bait a hook. The particular variant I'd like to discuss here however is of course the religious aspect--specifically, Christianity, since that's what most of us have experience with. Go to any news article about something Westboro or any other equally hateful group did and you'll doubtlessly find comments from other Christians claiming that "They're not true Christians, because they don't love one another like Jesus told us to." Likewise, however, if you talk to a fundamentalist, they will probably claim that the more liberal Christians aren't 'true Christians' because they don't adhere to the Bible strictly enough. Many Christians, to get around the cognitive dissonance of dealing with an atheist who used to be a believer, will try to make the infuriating claim that they never really believed. I've even heard it said that gay Christians aren't really Christians since they aren't truly repentant of their "sins."
A few weeks ago I was discussing my former belief with a Christian and they insisted that I was "taught wrong." The problem is, there are over forty thousand different denominations of Christianity, with each one claiming that they're right, and the rest are wrong. How am I to know if I've been "taught wrong" if no one knows how to teach it right? How is anyone supposed to know what really defines a True Christian™ if everyone is shouting a different answer?
At the church I went to, it was believed that once you were saved, you could never be "un-saved"--basically, that once you were a Christian, you would remain faithful for your whole life. I believe the scripture they often quoted was John 10:28: "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." Confronted with atheists who were formerly believers, Christians will often claim, as mentioned above, that they never really believed--that they didn't seek God deeply enough, didn't read their Bibles enough, didn't pray enough, weren't taught under the right denomination, etc. However, this becomes an undeniable contradiction when you consider the histories of prominent atheists like Seth Andrews, who was invested in the faith for over thirty years before de-converting, and Dan Barker, founder of the Clergy Project.
If you're having a discussion with someone and they try to pull the No True Scotsman card, have them stop and first define what they mean by "true Christian." From there, you can ask them to prove how they know that that is the definition. You can also offer examples of atheists who have been involved in the faith to varying degrees and yet still de-converted.
-x-
Onto some news!
To (almost) no one's surprise, teen pregnancy and abortion rates have gone down in Hawaii after abandoning abstinence-only education. On a related note, studies have revealed that women don't regret abortions, despite what many pro-lifers will claim.
I'm sure many of you by now have heard of the upcoming movie based on the Stonewall Riots due to the immense controversy over the lengths Hollywood is evidently willing to go to write white, cisgender men into every significant historical event. Though the first brick at Stonewall was thrown by black trans woman Marsha P. Johnson, the writers of Stonewall saw fit to create a fictional cisgender white male character to replace her. In other LGBT news,John Corvino addresses the slippery slope argument against gay marriage equality. Also, if you like, you can read up on how the rainbow flag became the symbol of LGBT pride.
Recently, pro-lifers once again raised a ruckus about Planned Parenthood in regard to them selling remains of aborted fetuses to organizations for stem cell research. Thankfully, a vote in the Senate to defund Planned Parenthood failed.
I realized a few days after posting the SCOTUS journal that I had totally missed an important news story, so it's rather old, but worth including anyway: a Satanic statue was unveiled about a month ago in Detroit in what is described as the largest Satanic public event in history. The statue was intended to be erected next to the Ten Commandments monument on Oklahoma capitol grounds, but after religious monuments were successfully banned there, they've moved their target now to Arkansas, where a Ten Commandments monument on state grounds is currently in the works.
Related to this topic, and also slightly to furries, is an illustrated book of bad arguments, which you can read online for free!
Also, Neil DeGrasse Tyson explains everything in eight minutes.
This isn't really news, but I was sent two gallery submissions that are excellent, but unfortunately are text-only images. If you'd like to read them though (and I really recommend it!) you can see them here and here.
For the comments, have you ever encountered the No True Scotsman fallacy when dealing with theists of any kind? Or perhaps have other examples you'd like to share? As always, other news articles that I've missed are always appreciated!
Gallery Submissions
Posted 8 years agoThis is a guide to submitting images to the group gallery.
That's right folks, the gallery is completely open to your submissions! At the time this is being posted we only have four images, two of which are icons, and I'd like to build it up to have a nice healthy amount of all your beautiful godless art!
Rules:
1. The image must be related to atheism.
2. The image doesn't have to relate to furry, but bonus points if it does!
3. Please only submit art/images that you have done, unless you have express permission from the original artist.
4. Graphic art--whether pornographic, violent/gory, etc--is allowed and will be filtered as such.
5. I will allow questionably offensive images to be posted, however if an image gets too much negative feedback or multiple people request that it be taken down, I may remove it.
6. You may also submit art/images critical of atheism, or specifically some of the people involved.
How to Submit:
Simply send a note titled "Gallery Submission" with a link to your image! It's perfectly alright if it's not posted on FurAffinity. In fact, it's alright even if it's not posted anywhere at all; just upload it to an image-hosting site like Photobucket or Imgur and send a direct link.
Include any other information such as what inspired the image or where else your art can be found or anything else that might be relevant.
Images may be submitted anonymously. Simply ask and there will be nothing in the caption to link back to you.
This journal will be linked on the front page so that future members may be able to access it. In the meantime, I'll be posting another journal this weekend. Sorry it's been so long since an update folks!
That's right folks, the gallery is completely open to your submissions! At the time this is being posted we only have four images, two of which are icons, and I'd like to build it up to have a nice healthy amount of all your beautiful godless art!
Rules:
1. The image must be related to atheism.
2. The image doesn't have to relate to furry, but bonus points if it does!
3. Please only submit art/images that you have done, unless you have express permission from the original artist.
4. Graphic art--whether pornographic, violent/gory, etc--is allowed and will be filtered as such.
5. I will allow questionably offensive images to be posted, however if an image gets too much negative feedback or multiple people request that it be taken down, I may remove it.
6. You may also submit art/images critical of atheism, or specifically some of the people involved.
How to Submit:
Simply send a note titled "Gallery Submission" with a link to your image! It's perfectly alright if it's not posted on FurAffinity. In fact, it's alright even if it's not posted anywhere at all; just upload it to an image-hosting site like Photobucket or Imgur and send a direct link.
Include any other information such as what inspired the image or where else your art can be found or anything else that might be relevant.
Images may be submitted anonymously. Simply ask and there will be nothing in the caption to link back to you.
This journal will be linked on the front page so that future members may be able to access it. In the meantime, I'll be posting another journal this weekend. Sorry it's been so long since an update folks!
SCOTUS' Decision + General Update
Posted 8 years agoLooks like we never posted a journal about the recent SCOTUS decision to legalize gay marriage across the United States--better late than never, I suppose.
The decision was met with raucous celebration. On Twitter, corporations showed their support by posting pride-inspired logos or slogans; the White House displayed rainbow-colored lights; Steven Colbert posted a video saying "Congratulations, gays," and there are, of course, these photos from outside the Supreme Court at the time the decision was announced. This landmark in the LGBTQ+ rights movement has been a long time coming.
Unforunately, however, and to no one's surprise, there has been a lot of opposition.
I'm sure most of you remember the Texas pastor who threatened to light himself on fire if gay marriage was legalized--funny how awfully quiet he's been as of late. There's also been an enormous fuss going on amidst the county clerks in various states including Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Most recently, a Kentucky county clerk named Kim Davis was taken to court by the ACLU after refusing a marriage license to a same-sex couple. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, who asked the state that they "treat everyone with the respect and dignity they deserve," signed a controversial adoption bill only days after the SCOTUS decision which would allow religious adoption agencies to discriminate against same-sex couples.
Then, of course, there's this gem from Fox News.
Also, this guy.
And finally, after nearly a month, Pat Robertson decided to open his ugly maw and let the usual bile spew from his mouth, warning that gay marriage being legalized has opened the door to polygamy, pedophilia, and bestiality, just to name a few. He warned on the most recent episode of "The 700 Club" that the streets will be filled with men having sex with animals. Something tells me good ol' Pat might just have an aneurysm if he found out what goes on in the hotel rooms at AnthroCon.
Of course, there's still a long way to go; many states don't protect members of the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination in the workplace, the housing market, adoption agencies, insurance agencies, etc., but there's no mistaking that this is a landmark in history. The extreme rapidity with which the majority of the nation has changed its mind on its opinion of gay rights is encouraging, and I think we can expect to see the gaps in those rights closed over the next few decades.
-x-
In other news, I'm sure most of you by now have seen the stunning photos sent back to us by the New Horizons Pluto Flyby, but in case you haven't, here's a link. And, before you get too excited about science, here's another infuriating display of just how ignorant creationists can be.
-x-
Hey guys! This is the first time I've written something like this, so let me know if you guys enjoyed it or if I got anything wrong--it's important to me to make sure this stuff is factual (and grammatically correct), but also entertaining. In relation to this group and some other updates you can expect to see in the future, I've been thinking of publishing some journals as resources to list various atheist sources in media like music, podcasts, Youtube videos/channels, books, etc, separated by category if necessary, and I'll need your help to flesh it out! I'll give you more on that as it progresses. I'll also be posting something soon about submitting atheist-related images or artwork for our (currently) tiny gallery.
Did I miss any fun news stories related to the SCOTUS decision (or not, I'm flexible) that you'd like to share? Had any first-hand experience with religious friends or family who are outraged by the recognition of equal civil rights? Got any related news from other countries? Let us know in the comments!
The decision was met with raucous celebration. On Twitter, corporations showed their support by posting pride-inspired logos or slogans; the White House displayed rainbow-colored lights; Steven Colbert posted a video saying "Congratulations, gays," and there are, of course, these photos from outside the Supreme Court at the time the decision was announced. This landmark in the LGBTQ+ rights movement has been a long time coming.
Unforunately, however, and to no one's surprise, there has been a lot of opposition.
I'm sure most of you remember the Texas pastor who threatened to light himself on fire if gay marriage was legalized--funny how awfully quiet he's been as of late. There's also been an enormous fuss going on amidst the county clerks in various states including Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Most recently, a Kentucky county clerk named Kim Davis was taken to court by the ACLU after refusing a marriage license to a same-sex couple. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, who asked the state that they "treat everyone with the respect and dignity they deserve," signed a controversial adoption bill only days after the SCOTUS decision which would allow religious adoption agencies to discriminate against same-sex couples.
Then, of course, there's this gem from Fox News.
Also, this guy.
And finally, after nearly a month, Pat Robertson decided to open his ugly maw and let the usual bile spew from his mouth, warning that gay marriage being legalized has opened the door to polygamy, pedophilia, and bestiality, just to name a few. He warned on the most recent episode of "The 700 Club" that the streets will be filled with men having sex with animals. Something tells me good ol' Pat might just have an aneurysm if he found out what goes on in the hotel rooms at AnthroCon.
Of course, there's still a long way to go; many states don't protect members of the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination in the workplace, the housing market, adoption agencies, insurance agencies, etc., but there's no mistaking that this is a landmark in history. The extreme rapidity with which the majority of the nation has changed its mind on its opinion of gay rights is encouraging, and I think we can expect to see the gaps in those rights closed over the next few decades.
-x-
In other news, I'm sure most of you by now have seen the stunning photos sent back to us by the New Horizons Pluto Flyby, but in case you haven't, here's a link. And, before you get too excited about science, here's another infuriating display of just how ignorant creationists can be.
-x-
Hey guys! This is the first time I've written something like this, so let me know if you guys enjoyed it or if I got anything wrong--it's important to me to make sure this stuff is factual (and grammatically correct), but also entertaining. In relation to this group and some other updates you can expect to see in the future, I've been thinking of publishing some journals as resources to list various atheist sources in media like music, podcasts, Youtube videos/channels, books, etc, separated by category if necessary, and I'll need your help to flesh it out! I'll give you more on that as it progresses. I'll also be posting something soon about submitting atheist-related images or artwork for our (currently) tiny gallery.
Did I miss any fun news stories related to the SCOTUS decision (or not, I'm flexible) that you'd like to share? Had any first-hand experience with religious friends or family who are outraged by the recognition of equal civil rights? Got any related news from other countries? Let us know in the comments!
Hello everyone!
Posted 8 years agoThis is Raigr here, the new admin!
I wasn't expecting to be handed the reins on this group so suddenly, but since the atheist community is so important to me, I decided I had to step up. I've never handled a group like this before, so please be gentle with me for the first few months haha. I've got a few ideas for journals and I like to keep up with the news in regards to religion and civil rights, so hopefully I'll be able to update this group more frequently. I've set my goal for at least one new journal every two weeks.
A little bit about me: I was raised in a fundamentalist Christian home (ugh) and de-converted from the faith just a couple years ago. Since then I've immersed myself in atheist literature and media--in particular, podcasts, since I'm able to listen to my iPod at work. My favorite currently is Dogma Debate, with The Atheist Experience as a close second. I have a lot of fascination with evolutionary biology and paleontology. I'm also an artist and an aspiring fursuit-maker; my FA username is simply raigr if you're interested in some of my work. c:
I want to try to end journals with a question for you guys to answer in the comments, whether it be in regard to your experiences or your opinions or even unrelated topics. So I guess to start, tell me a little about yourselves! Where're you from? What species are you? Were you raised in religion? Why are you a free-thinker? What's your favorite ice cream flavor? :D
I wasn't expecting to be handed the reins on this group so suddenly, but since the atheist community is so important to me, I decided I had to step up. I've never handled a group like this before, so please be gentle with me for the first few months haha. I've got a few ideas for journals and I like to keep up with the news in regards to religion and civil rights, so hopefully I'll be able to update this group more frequently. I've set my goal for at least one new journal every two weeks.
A little bit about me: I was raised in a fundamentalist Christian home (ugh) and de-converted from the faith just a couple years ago. Since then I've immersed myself in atheist literature and media--in particular, podcasts, since I'm able to listen to my iPod at work. My favorite currently is Dogma Debate, with The Atheist Experience as a close second. I have a lot of fascination with evolutionary biology and paleontology. I'm also an artist and an aspiring fursuit-maker; my FA username is simply raigr if you're interested in some of my work. c:
I want to try to end journals with a question for you guys to answer in the comments, whether it be in regard to your experiences or your opinions or even unrelated topics. So I guess to start, tell me a little about yourselves! Where're you from? What species are you? Were you raised in religion? Why are you a free-thinker? What's your favorite ice cream flavor? :D
Leaving
Posted 8 years agoI'm leaving the site for personal reasons. raigr has asked to mod the site, so I've given them the reins. Whether they bring in someone else is up to them.
Goodbye everyone, and thanks for the support.
Goodbye everyone, and thanks for the support.
The 'Goddamnit, I keep dropping the ball' Update
Posted 9 years agoMan, I really suck at maintaining profiles. I could have sworn I did a journal for May, but them's the breaks.
Anyway, first order of business: Interview with The Fluffy Atheist. We talked a bit about his beginnings and his goals, as well as his inspirations.
AF: When did you join the furry community, and what drew you in?
FA: Well, that’s an interesting story. I first heard about “furry” when I was pretty young, and didn’t have much interest at the time, to me it was just another taboo genre/fetish on the internet. However, it wasn’t too long after that that I discovered furry webcomics. Eventually I fell in love with them, DMFA is still one of my favourites.
At the time, I didn’t know that furry actually had a community, I was young and still trying to figureout the internet. But this is where it gets a bit strange. Around January 2012, I had gone on holiday with my family, and my brother had stayed behind. When we returned, he told us about something he went to called “MIDFur,” a furcon in Melbourne, I was really surprised to discover he was also a furry. From him, I learned all about things like Fur Affinity, conventions, fursonas and everything else that was a part of the community. Ever since I had begun reading webcomics, I had called myself a furry (though not openly), I guess the best way to describe me at the time is “closeted and ignorant.”
AF: Where you always an atheist, or did you deconvert and if so, when?
FA: I was a Christian for a number of years, I had gone to a Catholic primary school and had moved on to a Catholic high school. I was actually quite the believer, as children tend to be when an authority figure tells them something, I was even an alter server for a time. The idea of not believing wasn’t something that was ever really mentioned, nor had it crossed my mind.
Despite this, my natural scepticism caused me to think about the lack of proof, but I still had no reason to think it wasn’t true, after all the bible said it was. Then, I started reading webcomics. While having my daily dose of furry (at this time still closeted), the topic of atheism came up, and that put it on my mind. Eventually I lost what little faith I had. I had no reason to believe other than a handful of teachers telling me it was true way back when I was really young. I had been a Christian for as long as I could remember, and wasn’t sure about ‘becoming’ an atheist, until a friend of mine pointed out that because I didn’t believe I was one anyway. This would have been somewhere around mid-2011.
I probably wouldn’t have gone much past that if it wasn’t for my brother (does this sound familiar to you?), who had also independently found his way to atheism, who introduced me to atheist podcasts like The Thinking Atheist, Dogma Debate and Cognitive Dissonance just to name a few. From there I got the debate bug, and changed a lot of my morals and viewpoints of the world.
AF: Do you have any specific goals with The Fluffy Atheist, or is it simply a way to vent thoughts and frustrations?
FA: To be honest I can’t remember exactly why I started The Fluffy Atheist. I got the desire to do it fromwatching one video in particular, “Nut at the museum” by Armoured Skeptic. This was really my first experience of someone just pointing out problems with people’s arguments, and I loved it.
After that, the idea of debunking was stuck in my head. Be it religious debunking or just scepticism in general, I wanted to just write about it, mostly for myself but if anyone wanted to read it, it would be there. Turns out that it got found by a few people on wordpress, I was rather surprised, but it seemed to be well received for the most part.
I hadn’t intended it to be a place to vent, but often I’ll write about things that cause serious problems, and get a bit heated (listening to Tenacious D at the same time doesn’t help). I often find myself getting obsessive to some extent for a time afterwards, especially when the problem is something like causing disease in children as was the case with vaccines, and I still haven’t gotten over that.
For the future though, I can’t really say. Odds are it’ll stay the same for a long while, but you never know. I’d like to be able to do more, but right now I’m way too busy to put too much time into it. Getting a Sinornithosaurus Fursuit would be pretty awesome though....
AF: Do you credit anyone in particular with your being/becoming an atheist?
FA: Any existent gods for making their existence both unknowable and extremely improbable. Being serious though, that one friend who pointed out that I was already an atheist, “pushed me over the edge” in a manner of speaking.
AF: Do you use any 'labels' to describe your views further on religion? (i.e. Secularist, Anti-theist, Agnostic Atheist, etc.)
FA: First and foremost, I’m an agnostic atheist, or a weak atheist, or atheist of the second kind, etc.
After that, I’m a secularist. I don’t really care what people believe nor should I, except when it becomes a problem. Normally, I’m mostly passive towards religion as a thing. Sure I’ll have a debate about whether or not a deity does exist, but in the end, it doesn’t bother me what they believe.
But when another woman is murdered in an “Honour Killing,” a person is killed for the colour of their skin, when a child is bullied in to suicide for being gay, when the truth about the world is kept from people and is replaced with lies, all because of religion, then I am anti-theist.
AF: Do you have any other interests/passions that you'd like to pursue?
FA: I’ve always had a bit of a thing for physics and astronomy. University is getting closer and closer, if I don’t end up doing either of those, I’ll likely end up going for computer science. I’d love to be able to science communication, ignorance is something I like to correct especially when it’s on topics that matter. That and teaching people about amazing things is a whole lot of fun.
AF: Any people/sites you recommend to people interested in learning more about religion and atheism?
FA:
Sites:
Rational Wiki – It’s really good for checking out how arguments are flawed, and often has the history associated with them. My main use for it is when making sure I’m stating the right logical fallacies.
Iron Chariots – Good for a lot of different common apologist arguments. If someone gives you an argument that sounds really strong, odds are it’s on here.
YouTube – Filled with all the magical goodness of atheists and believers alike. There is a lot of material for anyone on here, on nearly any subject.
Google – Or any search engine really. If you’re wondering something, chuck it in and you’ll have everything you need. I’d have nothing if it wasn’t for Google.
People:
AronRa: He’s basically an encyclopaedia in human form. He’s done a number of presentations which can be found on YouTube covering things like biblical origins or his infamous “Foundational Falsehoods of Creationism” series. On top of all that, he’s also Texan and a really nice guy.
James Randi: (More for scepticism in general) Who else can challenge tricksters and frauds if not a trickster and a fraud? James “The Amazing” Randi is an amazing conjurer and escapist. He’s exposed all sorts of people using simple tricks to make money, from “psychic” Uri Geller to faith “healer” Peter Popoff. The man is a legend. I’d recommend reading about Project alpha, it’s a great story of using a couple of other illusionists to show how easily researchers can be fooled by anyone with enough skill.
Christopher Hitchens: Born in England and died in Texas, he was a hell of a writer and journalist. With both an amazing voice and an exceptional vocabulary, his books are great for learning about many different things. From politics to religion and even his own mortality, Hitchens wasn’t afraid to speak his mind
The Friendly Atheist, Hemant Mehta: Author and ex math teacher, Hemant Mehta is the author of “The Young Atheist’s Survival Guide.” As well as appearing on a number of shows, he is a major contributor for Patheos. For a bit of a lightread covering various religious based topics, his blog is excellent.
Time for the news. I'm discovering that I actually kind of like Pope Francis. Or at least, news about keeps leading me to that conclusion. He agrees that humans are causing climate change, ( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/.....p_ref=religion ) he's doing something about corruption with the Catholic community, ( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/.....p_ref=religion , http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/.....p_ref=religion ) and he's getting his possies into a discussion about how to help the poor. ( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/.....p_ref=religion ) Not to mention he's got a hilarious trailer about climate change. ( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/.....p_ref=religion )
In other news, Salon posted an article about the 10 most common misconceptions about atheists and atheism.
http://www.salon.com/2015/04/21/10_.....unked_partner/
What other misconceptions have you run across? Also, have a study on how the brain works processing faith vs. processing facts:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/19/o.....-vs-facts.html
Whaddya guys think? Your opinions, give them to me.
Anyway, first order of business: Interview with The Fluffy Atheist. We talked a bit about his beginnings and his goals, as well as his inspirations.
AF: When did you join the furry community, and what drew you in?
FA: Well, that’s an interesting story. I first heard about “furry” when I was pretty young, and didn’t have much interest at the time, to me it was just another taboo genre/fetish on the internet. However, it wasn’t too long after that that I discovered furry webcomics. Eventually I fell in love with them, DMFA is still one of my favourites.
At the time, I didn’t know that furry actually had a community, I was young and still trying to figureout the internet. But this is where it gets a bit strange. Around January 2012, I had gone on holiday with my family, and my brother had stayed behind. When we returned, he told us about something he went to called “MIDFur,” a furcon in Melbourne, I was really surprised to discover he was also a furry. From him, I learned all about things like Fur Affinity, conventions, fursonas and everything else that was a part of the community. Ever since I had begun reading webcomics, I had called myself a furry (though not openly), I guess the best way to describe me at the time is “closeted and ignorant.”
AF: Where you always an atheist, or did you deconvert and if so, when?
FA: I was a Christian for a number of years, I had gone to a Catholic primary school and had moved on to a Catholic high school. I was actually quite the believer, as children tend to be when an authority figure tells them something, I was even an alter server for a time. The idea of not believing wasn’t something that was ever really mentioned, nor had it crossed my mind.
Despite this, my natural scepticism caused me to think about the lack of proof, but I still had no reason to think it wasn’t true, after all the bible said it was. Then, I started reading webcomics. While having my daily dose of furry (at this time still closeted), the topic of atheism came up, and that put it on my mind. Eventually I lost what little faith I had. I had no reason to believe other than a handful of teachers telling me it was true way back when I was really young. I had been a Christian for as long as I could remember, and wasn’t sure about ‘becoming’ an atheist, until a friend of mine pointed out that because I didn’t believe I was one anyway. This would have been somewhere around mid-2011.
I probably wouldn’t have gone much past that if it wasn’t for my brother (does this sound familiar to you?), who had also independently found his way to atheism, who introduced me to atheist podcasts like The Thinking Atheist, Dogma Debate and Cognitive Dissonance just to name a few. From there I got the debate bug, and changed a lot of my morals and viewpoints of the world.
AF: Do you have any specific goals with The Fluffy Atheist, or is it simply a way to vent thoughts and frustrations?
FA: To be honest I can’t remember exactly why I started The Fluffy Atheist. I got the desire to do it fromwatching one video in particular, “Nut at the museum” by Armoured Skeptic. This was really my first experience of someone just pointing out problems with people’s arguments, and I loved it.
After that, the idea of debunking was stuck in my head. Be it religious debunking or just scepticism in general, I wanted to just write about it, mostly for myself but if anyone wanted to read it, it would be there. Turns out that it got found by a few people on wordpress, I was rather surprised, but it seemed to be well received for the most part.
I hadn’t intended it to be a place to vent, but often I’ll write about things that cause serious problems, and get a bit heated (listening to Tenacious D at the same time doesn’t help). I often find myself getting obsessive to some extent for a time afterwards, especially when the problem is something like causing disease in children as was the case with vaccines, and I still haven’t gotten over that.
For the future though, I can’t really say. Odds are it’ll stay the same for a long while, but you never know. I’d like to be able to do more, but right now I’m way too busy to put too much time into it. Getting a Sinornithosaurus Fursuit would be pretty awesome though....
AF: Do you credit anyone in particular with your being/becoming an atheist?
FA: Any existent gods for making their existence both unknowable and extremely improbable. Being serious though, that one friend who pointed out that I was already an atheist, “pushed me over the edge” in a manner of speaking.
AF: Do you use any 'labels' to describe your views further on religion? (i.e. Secularist, Anti-theist, Agnostic Atheist, etc.)
FA: First and foremost, I’m an agnostic atheist, or a weak atheist, or atheist of the second kind, etc.
After that, I’m a secularist. I don’t really care what people believe nor should I, except when it becomes a problem. Normally, I’m mostly passive towards religion as a thing. Sure I’ll have a debate about whether or not a deity does exist, but in the end, it doesn’t bother me what they believe.
But when another woman is murdered in an “Honour Killing,” a person is killed for the colour of their skin, when a child is bullied in to suicide for being gay, when the truth about the world is kept from people and is replaced with lies, all because of religion, then I am anti-theist.
AF: Do you have any other interests/passions that you'd like to pursue?
FA: I’ve always had a bit of a thing for physics and astronomy. University is getting closer and closer, if I don’t end up doing either of those, I’ll likely end up going for computer science. I’d love to be able to science communication, ignorance is something I like to correct especially when it’s on topics that matter. That and teaching people about amazing things is a whole lot of fun.
AF: Any people/sites you recommend to people interested in learning more about religion and atheism?
FA:
Sites:
Rational Wiki – It’s really good for checking out how arguments are flawed, and often has the history associated with them. My main use for it is when making sure I’m stating the right logical fallacies.
Iron Chariots – Good for a lot of different common apologist arguments. If someone gives you an argument that sounds really strong, odds are it’s on here.
YouTube – Filled with all the magical goodness of atheists and believers alike. There is a lot of material for anyone on here, on nearly any subject.
Google – Or any search engine really. If you’re wondering something, chuck it in and you’ll have everything you need. I’d have nothing if it wasn’t for Google.
People:
AronRa: He’s basically an encyclopaedia in human form. He’s done a number of presentations which can be found on YouTube covering things like biblical origins or his infamous “Foundational Falsehoods of Creationism” series. On top of all that, he’s also Texan and a really nice guy.
James Randi: (More for scepticism in general) Who else can challenge tricksters and frauds if not a trickster and a fraud? James “The Amazing” Randi is an amazing conjurer and escapist. He’s exposed all sorts of people using simple tricks to make money, from “psychic” Uri Geller to faith “healer” Peter Popoff. The man is a legend. I’d recommend reading about Project alpha, it’s a great story of using a couple of other illusionists to show how easily researchers can be fooled by anyone with enough skill.
Christopher Hitchens: Born in England and died in Texas, he was a hell of a writer and journalist. With both an amazing voice and an exceptional vocabulary, his books are great for learning about many different things. From politics to religion and even his own mortality, Hitchens wasn’t afraid to speak his mind
The Friendly Atheist, Hemant Mehta: Author and ex math teacher, Hemant Mehta is the author of “The Young Atheist’s Survival Guide.” As well as appearing on a number of shows, he is a major contributor for Patheos. For a bit of a lightread covering various religious based topics, his blog is excellent.
Time for the news. I'm discovering that I actually kind of like Pope Francis. Or at least, news about keeps leading me to that conclusion. He agrees that humans are causing climate change, ( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/.....p_ref=religion ) he's doing something about corruption with the Catholic community, ( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/.....p_ref=religion , http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/.....p_ref=religion ) and he's getting his possies into a discussion about how to help the poor. ( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/.....p_ref=religion ) Not to mention he's got a hilarious trailer about climate change. ( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/.....p_ref=religion )
In other news, Salon posted an article about the 10 most common misconceptions about atheists and atheism.
http://www.salon.com/2015/04/21/10_.....unked_partner/
What other misconceptions have you run across? Also, have a study on how the brain works processing faith vs. processing facts:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/19/o.....-vs-facts.html
Whaddya guys think? Your opinions, give them to me.
How Christians Think They Can Convert Atheists
Posted 9 years agoThis is an article by Bo Gardiner, the pen name of a Virginia-based environmental professional, naturalist (in both senses of the word), writer and humanist activist. She blogs at Under the Greenwood Tree.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friend.....ng-to-wikihow/
Here is the page Bo is talking about: http://www.wikihow.com/Persuade-an-.....come-Christian
I read the original WikiHow article, and I find it interesting that they decided to focus on converting atheists only, rather than using a broader approach to all non-Christians. I guess they needed to change tactics when it came to us. Also, there were a lot of grammatical errors and even sentences that were cut off. All in all, I found both to be amusing reads.
Your thoughts, give them to me!
EDIT: Just added Friendly Atheist to the list of sites on the front page. Thought I had done that before, but apparently not. So there.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friend.....ng-to-wikihow/
Here is the page Bo is talking about: http://www.wikihow.com/Persuade-an-.....come-Christian
I read the original WikiHow article, and I find it interesting that they decided to focus on converting atheists only, rather than using a broader approach to all non-Christians. I guess they needed to change tactics when it came to us. Also, there were a lot of grammatical errors and even sentences that were cut off. All in all, I found both to be amusing reads.
Your thoughts, give them to me!
EDIT: Just added Friendly Atheist to the list of sites on the front page. Thought I had done that before, but apparently not. So there.
Coexist
Posted 9 years agoHey guys, long time no see... er, post. February was kind of an emotional roller coaster for me, and I didn't really have anything to talk about. Or rather, I thought I didn't. Turns out, I missed a rather prevalent piece of news that actually happened less than 150 miles from where I was going to be the next day of said incident. <--- Kinda freaky
Long story short, a guy who happened to be an anti-thesist shot and killed three of his neighbors who happened to be Muslim over a parking dispute. At least, that's all what has been confirmed so far. It appears from a quick glance at Google that the investigation is still ongoing and that no motive based on hate or religion has been ruled out at this point. But of course, the internet, news media and relevant communities are in a frenzy over the incident, calling it a hate crime anyway, despite the lack of evidence to support this claim.
Now, I initially started writing this journal when I watched Seth's latest podcast video, 'Coexist.' Basically, Seth ends up going into a rant for the entirety of the video pointing out the inherent flaw of the 'Coexist' mindset. While both he and I appreciate and would even strive to embrace this simple concept, at this point in time on our planet coexisting is simply impractical. Not because it's impossible period, but because the gesture would not be reciprocated back at us. The very nature of religion, no matter which one, is to spread itself to every single person on this planet until it is everywhere. It is to be on the offensive all the time because that is how it survives. It puts up no defense because it has none. And it knows this, or at least the people behind the curtain know this. So when we, free-thinkers, secularists, and the doubters, withdraw from the fight we leave the fundamentalists and extremists room to maneuver and do harm to others. By not being on the front lines with those who would do our loved ones harm, we are essentially giving them a free pass. It's all fine and dandy to 'take the high road' and put such conflicts beneath us or whatever, but all the same it leaves an opening, a weakness for others of such minds to exploits.
Now, don't get me wrong, I do coexist with believers. I have to, I see and interact with them almost everyday. Many of my friends are believers, and I get along with them just fine. But they are not the problem, they are not the ones to worry about. So it's not that coexistence is impossible, it's that coexistence is not possible on a planetary scale right now.
Now, how this all ties to the Chapel Hill incident: It goes for us, too. As Matt Dillahunty pointed out, no matter what the motivation is to end the life of another, it is extremely rare for that motive to be justified. It doesn't matter if religious motivations were involved or if it was a stupid parking dispute. Three people are dead because of one man's decision. That's not coexistence, it is murder, plain and simple no matter the reason. And it needs to stop.
I should think that if we are ever to achieve peace, much less continue advancing our race and exploring our potential, that we should strive to end violence with peace, rather than more violence. It makes no sense to me to resort to violence when alternative routes existence that avoid it all together. That, to me, is coexistence. Living with each other peacefully despite differences of opinion.
Anyway, that's just my one cent thrown in with a couple other people's two cents. What do you guys think?
Here's the relevant videos:
Seth's vid
Matt's vid
Long story short, a guy who happened to be an anti-thesist shot and killed three of his neighbors who happened to be Muslim over a parking dispute. At least, that's all what has been confirmed so far. It appears from a quick glance at Google that the investigation is still ongoing and that no motive based on hate or religion has been ruled out at this point. But of course, the internet, news media and relevant communities are in a frenzy over the incident, calling it a hate crime anyway, despite the lack of evidence to support this claim.
Now, I initially started writing this journal when I watched Seth's latest podcast video, 'Coexist.' Basically, Seth ends up going into a rant for the entirety of the video pointing out the inherent flaw of the 'Coexist' mindset. While both he and I appreciate and would even strive to embrace this simple concept, at this point in time on our planet coexisting is simply impractical. Not because it's impossible period, but because the gesture would not be reciprocated back at us. The very nature of religion, no matter which one, is to spread itself to every single person on this planet until it is everywhere. It is to be on the offensive all the time because that is how it survives. It puts up no defense because it has none. And it knows this, or at least the people behind the curtain know this. So when we, free-thinkers, secularists, and the doubters, withdraw from the fight we leave the fundamentalists and extremists room to maneuver and do harm to others. By not being on the front lines with those who would do our loved ones harm, we are essentially giving them a free pass. It's all fine and dandy to 'take the high road' and put such conflicts beneath us or whatever, but all the same it leaves an opening, a weakness for others of such minds to exploits.
Now, don't get me wrong, I do coexist with believers. I have to, I see and interact with them almost everyday. Many of my friends are believers, and I get along with them just fine. But they are not the problem, they are not the ones to worry about. So it's not that coexistence is impossible, it's that coexistence is not possible on a planetary scale right now.
Now, how this all ties to the Chapel Hill incident: It goes for us, too. As Matt Dillahunty pointed out, no matter what the motivation is to end the life of another, it is extremely rare for that motive to be justified. It doesn't matter if religious motivations were involved or if it was a stupid parking dispute. Three people are dead because of one man's decision. That's not coexistence, it is murder, plain and simple no matter the reason. And it needs to stop.
I should think that if we are ever to achieve peace, much less continue advancing our race and exploring our potential, that we should strive to end violence with peace, rather than more violence. It makes no sense to me to resort to violence when alternative routes existence that avoid it all together. That, to me, is coexistence. Living with each other peacefully despite differences of opinion.
Anyway, that's just my one cent thrown in with a couple other people's two cents. What do you guys think?
Here's the relevant videos:
Seth's vid
Matt's vid
Whoops! + Resolutions?
Posted 9 years agoWow, almost let January slip by there.
Anyway, new month, new year, and new chances and opportunities, right? I have goals and resolutions of my own, (read: two) so what about you guys? What are your views on New Year's and resolutions and stuff? Give me your thoughts and/or resolutions if you have any!
Anyway, new month, new year, and new chances and opportunities, right? I have goals and resolutions of my own, (read: two) so what about you guys? What are your views on New Year's and resolutions and stuff? Give me your thoughts and/or resolutions if you have any!
Dealing with Death
Posted 9 years agoI've been asked if we had a journal that talked about dealing with the loss of a loved one. We have a couple of journals that talk about death of the self and how death might affect others, but none that talk about how to move on from a personal loss as such.
I've held the view for a long time now that atheists are more likely to feel more strongly about things related to life and death than theists, because for us there is no safety net. I think the birth of a child is one of the most amazing things to witness and be a part of for an atheist because no deity was required to make this little bundle of life and wonder. It was all the universe's doing with no supernatural strings attached. To know that there's another little one waiting to experience life in ways we may not have been able to experience ourselves is a truly awe-inspiring thing.
But with that wonder, comes a hurt.
With no afterlife to believe in, atheists know that once someone dies, that's it. We won't be seeing or talking to them ever again, nor will anyone else. And we know that the same fate awaits us as well. It's an incredibly sobering and often devastating thing to know. There is no man behind the curtain to grant our wishes and make it all better. There is no going back, no matter how badly we want to.
So how does one grieve for a loved one with no god to pray to? I can't really answer that, because one: I'm not a counselor, and two: I don't think there is one right way to do it. All I do know is that time... well, it doesn't really make it better, but the pain does pass with time. It'll still hurt when you think of the person you knew, but it won't hurt quite as much.
I remember when my grandmother died how I felt at the time, and how I still feel. Knowing that I won't get to see her again just fills me with regret for all the things I didn't say to her. I wish I could have had more time with her when she was healthy. Unfortunately, the predominant memories I have of her are when she was sick and couldn't interact much with the family. And when she was healthy, I was too young to be interested in sharing her company. I miss her. But the fact that she isn't suffering any more gives me a little comfort whenever I think about her.
What about you guys? Have you had to deal with the loss of a friend, a family member whom you loved dearly? And how did you deal with that loss?
EDIT: T'was pointed out that just because you're an atheist does not mean you don't believe in an afterlife, and they are quite right. I apologize for the slip, though I would wager that most atheists - 'New Atheists,' anyway, whatever that means - do not hold a belief in anything supernatural anyway, therein lies my mistake.
Here is a video by The Thinking Atheist that discusses this further.
This'll probably be the last journal for 2014. I didn't exactly want to end the year on this note, but if it can help anyone, then I'm alright with it. Merry Christmas, everyone.
I've held the view for a long time now that atheists are more likely to feel more strongly about things related to life and death than theists, because for us there is no safety net. I think the birth of a child is one of the most amazing things to witness and be a part of for an atheist because no deity was required to make this little bundle of life and wonder. It was all the universe's doing with no supernatural strings attached. To know that there's another little one waiting to experience life in ways we may not have been able to experience ourselves is a truly awe-inspiring thing.
But with that wonder, comes a hurt.
With no afterlife to believe in, atheists know that once someone dies, that's it. We won't be seeing or talking to them ever again, nor will anyone else. And we know that the same fate awaits us as well. It's an incredibly sobering and often devastating thing to know. There is no man behind the curtain to grant our wishes and make it all better. There is no going back, no matter how badly we want to.
So how does one grieve for a loved one with no god to pray to? I can't really answer that, because one: I'm not a counselor, and two: I don't think there is one right way to do it. All I do know is that time... well, it doesn't really make it better, but the pain does pass with time. It'll still hurt when you think of the person you knew, but it won't hurt quite as much.
I remember when my grandmother died how I felt at the time, and how I still feel. Knowing that I won't get to see her again just fills me with regret for all the things I didn't say to her. I wish I could have had more time with her when she was healthy. Unfortunately, the predominant memories I have of her are when she was sick and couldn't interact much with the family. And when she was healthy, I was too young to be interested in sharing her company. I miss her. But the fact that she isn't suffering any more gives me a little comfort whenever I think about her.
What about you guys? Have you had to deal with the loss of a friend, a family member whom you loved dearly? And how did you deal with that loss?
EDIT: T'was pointed out that just because you're an atheist does not mean you don't believe in an afterlife, and they are quite right. I apologize for the slip, though I would wager that most atheists - 'New Atheists,' anyway, whatever that means - do not hold a belief in anything supernatural anyway, therein lies my mistake.
Here is a video by The Thinking Atheist that discusses this further.
This'll probably be the last journal for 2014. I didn't exactly want to end the year on this note, but if it can help anyone, then I'm alright with it. Merry Christmas, everyone.
Merry Christmas!
Posted 9 years agoWHHAAAAAAAT? What is this; why is an atheist wishing people Merry Christmas? Isn't that rather contradictory? Hypocritical? Or dare I say... blasphemous?
Nope, not at all.
I've already been asked if I was going to celebrate Christmas this year by a co-worker who knew I was an atheist. I told her of course I was, why wouldn't I? She wasn't sure because of my atheism and that I oppose religion in nearly every way and didn't want to assume I was.
As explained in another wonderful video by Mr. Seth Andrews, a.k.a. The Thinking Atheist, I very much doubt that there are very many people who celebrate Christmas solely by going to church and praising and worshipping the almighty Yahweh and his son Jeebus. Because honestly, how many people do you personally know who does that and only that without taking some time to be with family as well? Christmas has, apart from the over-commercialization and general mayhem that is Black Thursday, grown into something more than a solely Christian holiday. It is a time when people of all religious backgrounds can gather together and celebrate the friends and family they have and love in their lives. It does not have to be the soul-draining endeavour of going to church and singing psalms about a for-all-intents-and-purposes imaginary king and savior. But perhaps we should just let Seth explain.
Merry Christmas!
Nope, not at all.
I've already been asked if I was going to celebrate Christmas this year by a co-worker who knew I was an atheist. I told her of course I was, why wouldn't I? She wasn't sure because of my atheism and that I oppose religion in nearly every way and didn't want to assume I was.
As explained in another wonderful video by Mr. Seth Andrews, a.k.a. The Thinking Atheist, I very much doubt that there are very many people who celebrate Christmas solely by going to church and praising and worshipping the almighty Yahweh and his son Jeebus. Because honestly, how many people do you personally know who does that and only that without taking some time to be with family as well? Christmas has, apart from the over-commercialization and general mayhem that is Black Thursday, grown into something more than a solely Christian holiday. It is a time when people of all religious backgrounds can gather together and celebrate the friends and family they have and love in their lives. It does not have to be the soul-draining endeavour of going to church and singing psalms about a for-all-intents-and-purposes imaginary king and savior. But perhaps we should just let Seth explain.
Merry Christmas!
Revelation or Mindgasm?
Posted 9 years ago"There's no word for such experiences that come from scientific and not mystical revelation. The reason for that is that every time someone has such a 'mindgasm,' religion steals it..." - Philhellenes, Science Saved My Soul
I've not experienced very many realizations like that above in my lifetime. I could probably count them on one hand. I've had similar experiences when I didn't have a mindgasm or sorts, but rather I thought of a question that opened up new possibilities and new questions. But aside from the one where I learned with reasonable certainty that pretty much every religion on the planet was wrong, I think the one experience I cherish the most is when I realized that I'm made of the same stuff that planets, stars and galaxies are made of. And in turn, that I am not above or separate but rather a part of not just the earth, but the entire universe, and that I am a conduit for universe to speak, think, and love for itself.
Have you had any such experiences, where you had a 'revelation' or 'mindgasm,' or simply thought of a question that floored you in an instant? And if so, is there one that stands out in particular?
Also, may not have much time next week, so I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!
I've not experienced very many realizations like that above in my lifetime. I could probably count them on one hand. I've had similar experiences when I didn't have a mindgasm or sorts, but rather I thought of a question that opened up new possibilities and new questions. But aside from the one where I learned with reasonable certainty that pretty much every religion on the planet was wrong, I think the one experience I cherish the most is when I realized that I'm made of the same stuff that planets, stars and galaxies are made of. And in turn, that I am not above or separate but rather a part of not just the earth, but the entire universe, and that I am a conduit for universe to speak, think, and love for itself.
Have you had any such experiences, where you had a 'revelation' or 'mindgasm,' or simply thought of a question that floored you in an instant? And if so, is there one that stands out in particular?
Also, may not have much time next week, so I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!
RE: Don't you have anything better to do?
Posted 9 years agoSomeone thought they'd be funny, so I thought I'd post my response in a journal. Normally, I wouldn't bother, but my buttons were pushed and the hypocrisy and stupidity is so phenomenally high that I felt it warranted.
Listen buddy, if you don't like something, don't look at it. Don't look at it, don't read it, whatever. Why you came back after three years just reiterate an opinion that you've already expressed is beyond me, unless your ultimate goal was to goad a response out of me. Well, guess what: you succeeded.
Expressing your dislike of the submission in question was apparently not enough for you, so you had to come here and stir up trouble like an angry bully who's got nothing better to do than to make fun of the same kid over and over using the same stupid jab. What's more, after three years, the only piece of artwork you've posted that's by your own hand is arguably worse than the one you're criticizing. Criticizing a piece of artwork when yours is just as bad is just plain hypocritical.
Also, commenting on something and then blocking people from responding is just childish and cowardly. I won't block you yet, but if you come back here again, I will bring down the hammer.
Listen buddy, if you don't like something, don't look at it. Don't look at it, don't read it, whatever. Why you came back after three years just reiterate an opinion that you've already expressed is beyond me, unless your ultimate goal was to goad a response out of me. Well, guess what: you succeeded.
Expressing your dislike of the submission in question was apparently not enough for you, so you had to come here and stir up trouble like an angry bully who's got nothing better to do than to make fun of the same kid over and over using the same stupid jab. What's more, after three years, the only piece of artwork you've posted that's by your own hand is arguably worse than the one you're criticizing. Criticizing a piece of artwork when yours is just as bad is just plain hypocritical.
Also, commenting on something and then blocking people from responding is just childish and cowardly. I won't block you yet, but if you come back here again, I will bring down the hammer.
Stephen Hawking comes out as atheist
Posted 9 years agoNot too surprising, given his past statements on the subject and his field of work.
http://www.nbcnews.com/science/spac.....travel-n210076
Stephen Hawking, theoretical physicist and cosmologist, told Spanish newspaper El Mundo his views on the origins of the universe and concluded with his views on God in the following statement:
"Before we understand science, it is natural to believe that God created the universe. But now science offers a more convincing explanation. What I meant by 'we would know the mind of God' is, we would know everything that God would know, if there were a God, which there isn't. I'm an atheist."
What are some of your experiences when you came out as an atheist? Were your friends and family understanding? Was the experience painful for you because your family was not so accepting, and how are you doing in the wake of your coming out? Please share.
(Thinking I'm going to stick to a once a month schedule. It's getting harder to find new material to talk about, since this page has discussed so much already.)
http://www.nbcnews.com/science/spac.....travel-n210076
Stephen Hawking, theoretical physicist and cosmologist, told Spanish newspaper El Mundo his views on the origins of the universe and concluded with his views on God in the following statement:
"Before we understand science, it is natural to believe that God created the universe. But now science offers a more convincing explanation. What I meant by 'we would know the mind of God' is, we would know everything that God would know, if there were a God, which there isn't. I'm an atheist."
What are some of your experiences when you came out as an atheist? Were your friends and family understanding? Was the experience painful for you because your family was not so accepting, and how are you doing in the wake of your coming out? Please share.
(Thinking I'm going to stick to a once a month schedule. It's getting harder to find new material to talk about, since this page has discussed so much already.)
Sorry guys + Universal Consciousness
Posted 9 years agoI'm sorry guys. I know I said I was back and it's been a month, but.... yeah, this has been the shittiest month I've had since 2010. I got a rejection letter from GM, three friends of the family died all within a week (two of whom I knew well and one of those two was expecting a child) and I had to put my oldest cat down because she basically stopped eating. I was the farthest down I have ever been, and it's taken me awhile to come back up for air.
But I'm here now, and I've been pondering on for awhile that I'd like to hear your guys' thoughts and opinions on.
We live in a universe that is quantized and rational, made up of atoms, photons, electromagnetic radiation and all that other good stuff that makes life possible. It's taken nearly 14 billion years for life to appear (on our planet anyway) It's had to overcome cosmic radiation, nuclear-fusion level heat, subzero cold, lightning strikes, lava flows, hurricanes, and blizzards, and that was only what those single cell organisms had to overcome to thrive. Sentient life had to compete with itself in the form of predators and prey and other competing life-forms, and we've had to compete not just with all that, but ourselves as well.
Yet, despite all the obstacles, life has overcome them and has flourished on this little mote of dust drifting about in the galaxy. Entropy, for the moment anyway, appears to be kept at bay. And that got me thinking: what's the endgame here? Where is life as we know it headed?
Well, if the path that life has taken so far could be extrapolated, my thinking is this: We have established global networks that are capable of storing and sharing information almost anywhere on the planet. We work, we play, and we share our experiences on this network with other people. As much damage as we have done to this planet's ecosystem, our world still breathes. One could think of us as a single, global organism. One that supports the human consciousness of culture and morality.
Now by statistics alone, it must be true that life exists elsewhere in the galaxy, if not the universe. It's probably not like our life, nor is it likely that extraterrestrial life has visited our little blue dot. But assuming life exists elswhere, it would be reasonable to assume that any intelligent life out there would be making scientific progress and would have goals of interstellar travel. So assuming it's possible, life throughout the galaxies would eventually start to travel and connect with other intelligent species, including ours. Other worldly organisms would make connections to form a galactic network.
Now who's to say that such a network could not be advanced and fast enough to be comparable to our own global network, given enough time? Could there be a galactic organism in the distant future? And who's to say it won't stop there?
And now, we come to the question I want to ask: Could the universe, given enough time, technology and effort amongst intelligent species, support a network so vast that it would span from one side to the other? Could there be a universal consciousness?
But I'm here now, and I've been pondering on for awhile that I'd like to hear your guys' thoughts and opinions on.
We live in a universe that is quantized and rational, made up of atoms, photons, electromagnetic radiation and all that other good stuff that makes life possible. It's taken nearly 14 billion years for life to appear (on our planet anyway) It's had to overcome cosmic radiation, nuclear-fusion level heat, subzero cold, lightning strikes, lava flows, hurricanes, and blizzards, and that was only what those single cell organisms had to overcome to thrive. Sentient life had to compete with itself in the form of predators and prey and other competing life-forms, and we've had to compete not just with all that, but ourselves as well.
Yet, despite all the obstacles, life has overcome them and has flourished on this little mote of dust drifting about in the galaxy. Entropy, for the moment anyway, appears to be kept at bay. And that got me thinking: what's the endgame here? Where is life as we know it headed?
Well, if the path that life has taken so far could be extrapolated, my thinking is this: We have established global networks that are capable of storing and sharing information almost anywhere on the planet. We work, we play, and we share our experiences on this network with other people. As much damage as we have done to this planet's ecosystem, our world still breathes. One could think of us as a single, global organism. One that supports the human consciousness of culture and morality.
Now by statistics alone, it must be true that life exists elsewhere in the galaxy, if not the universe. It's probably not like our life, nor is it likely that extraterrestrial life has visited our little blue dot. But assuming life exists elswhere, it would be reasonable to assume that any intelligent life out there would be making scientific progress and would have goals of interstellar travel. So assuming it's possible, life throughout the galaxies would eventually start to travel and connect with other intelligent species, including ours. Other worldly organisms would make connections to form a galactic network.
Now who's to say that such a network could not be advanced and fast enough to be comparable to our own global network, given enough time? Could there be a galactic organism in the distant future? And who's to say it won't stop there?
And now, we come to the question I want to ask: Could the universe, given enough time, technology and effort amongst intelligent species, support a network so vast that it would span from one side to the other? Could there be a universal consciousness?
*le gasp*
Posted 9 years agoWait.... Could it be?
Is it he?
Yep, I'm 'back.' My life has been roller coasting for the last few months, and I just haven't had the gumption to attend to this group. My life hasn't really settled down, but it has gotten a little more constant.
So, while I'm making a list of things I want to talk about and write journals about, I'd like to officially welcome all newcomers to the group. And while we're at it, how about we have some of the new members tell the rest of us a little about themselves. And list some ideas for future discussion topics.
And, for the cherry, here is a little video Esteban found for your viewing pleasure.
Is it he?
Yep, I'm 'back.' My life has been roller coasting for the last few months, and I just haven't had the gumption to attend to this group. My life hasn't really settled down, but it has gotten a little more constant.
So, while I'm making a list of things I want to talk about and write journals about, I'd like to officially welcome all newcomers to the group. And while we're at it, how about we have some of the new members tell the rest of us a little about themselves. And list some ideas for future discussion topics.
And, for the cherry, here is a little video Esteban found for your viewing pleasure.
I'm not dead...
Posted 10 years ago... "What'd he say?"
"Nothing. Go on, let's load him up."
"I'm not dead!"
"He said he's not dead."
"Oh, don't worry. He'll be along shortly. Come on help me load him up."
"Well I can't do that. 'S against regulations!"
"I think I'll go for a walk."
I'm dealing with life right now. There's really no other way to put it. So please bear with me a little longer while I try to get things sorted out. In the meantime, tell me what y'all thought about The Science Guy's 'debate' with Ken Ham.
"Nothing. Go on, let's load him up."
"I'm not dead!"
"He said he's not dead."
"Oh, don't worry. He'll be along shortly. Come on help me load him up."
"Well I can't do that. 'S against regulations!"
"I think I'll go for a walk."
I'm dealing with life right now. There's really no other way to put it. So please bear with me a little longer while I try to get things sorted out. In the meantime, tell me what y'all thought about The Science Guy's 'debate' with Ken Ham.
Woof...
Posted 10 years agoWell, this has been a hectic month for me. I apologize for not being very active recently.
So, my pretties, what news have you for me and your fellow heathens?
So, my pretties, what news have you for me and your fellow heathens?
Bill Nye vs. Ken Ham
Posted 10 years agohttp://www.bizjournals.com/cincinna.....um-debate.html
Yeah, it's true. Not only is The Science Guy going to debate the asshat who founded the Creation Museum, but he's going to do it deep in religious territory in Ken Ham's backyard.
I have no doubt that Bill will do a damn good job of pointing out the fallacies in Ken's argument, but shit. If Bill doesn't go batshit insane by the b.s. Ken will be spewing, the audience will drive him out. I'm not sure what, if any, good will come of this. Yeah, we need to keep pointing out and illuminating flawed arguments for God and the like, but the least Bill could have done was pick a more neutral environment.
What do you guys think?
Yeah, it's true. Not only is The Science Guy going to debate the asshat who founded the Creation Museum, but he's going to do it deep in religious territory in Ken Ham's backyard.
I have no doubt that Bill will do a damn good job of pointing out the fallacies in Ken's argument, but shit. If Bill doesn't go batshit insane by the b.s. Ken will be spewing, the audience will drive him out. I'm not sure what, if any, good will come of this. Yeah, we need to keep pointing out and illuminating flawed arguments for God and the like, but the least Bill could have done was pick a more neutral environment.
What do you guys think?
The Dogma Debate + The Thinking Atheist
Posted 10 years ago leccathufurvicael found this gem on YouTube, featuring Seth from TTA talking with David Smalley of The Dogma Debate website.
Here is Smalley's website: www.dogmadebate.com
Here is Smalley's website: www.dogmadebate.com
It's that time again!
Posted 10 years agoTime for 'the War on Christmas!'
No, not really. But the folks at Fox News *cough cough -bullshit- cough* seem to think they're under attack from godless filthy heathens and so must spread the word to their WWII era audience to 'keep Christ in Christmas' and that 'Jesus is the reason for the season!' and so on and so forth.
Well, it is time for the holidays, (though Hanukkah has already come and gone). So how will my fellow atheist furs be celebrating this year? Will you be celebrating this year? What are your thoughts on Christmas and how it can be observed in a secular manner? Talk about anything related to this season of mindless shopping and trampling of people.
No, not really. But the folks at Fox News *cough cough -bullshit- cough* seem to think they're under attack from godless filthy heathens and so must spread the word to their WWII era audience to 'keep Christ in Christmas' and that 'Jesus is the reason for the season!' and so on and so forth.
Well, it is time for the holidays, (though Hanukkah has already come and gone). So how will my fellow atheist furs be celebrating this year? Will you be celebrating this year? What are your thoughts on Christmas and how it can be observed in a secular manner? Talk about anything related to this season of mindless shopping and trampling of people.
Disentangling oneself from belief
Posted 10 years agoOnce again, death marks the beginning of a journal. As some of you may or may not be aware, Paul Walker died yesterday. He was one of the stars of the Fast and Furious franchise and he was working on filming for the seventh installment of the series. He was riding along with a friend in their new Porsche when his friend lost control and crashed into a light pole. The car presumably burst into flames upon impact and both Paul and his friend were killed.
I'm not usually one to follow what happens to celebrities, because most of the time it's all media coverage bullshit anyway. But the Fast & Furious is one of my favorite movie franchise and I was deeply saddened to hear of Paul's passing. The fact that his friends and co-workers poured out their hearts for him, describing him as a loving, caring individual, only makes the sadness I feel deepen. But I surprised myself when I found myself thinking, 'God, why?'
I understand why the religions of the world have severe flaws in their internal structure and scripture and why it is all but completely certain that there is no god as traditionally defined by theists. Yet, I cannot deny that train of thought formed in my head, and I'm having trouble understanding why it did. One theory I have is that while I thought of 'God,' it is entirely possible that I was simply brought up in a culture where the word 'god' is simply an exclamation and not a reference to a deity. I sincerely hope this is true. But another possibility is that the religious culture in America, particularly in the midwest in the heart of the Bible belt, is so ingrained in me that I'm not entirely free from it's influence. And that comes with the added possibility that I may never be fully free from religion.
Do any of you guys have similar thoughts? Do some of you wonder if you really are free from religion?
I'm not usually one to follow what happens to celebrities, because most of the time it's all media coverage bullshit anyway. But the Fast & Furious is one of my favorite movie franchise and I was deeply saddened to hear of Paul's passing. The fact that his friends and co-workers poured out their hearts for him, describing him as a loving, caring individual, only makes the sadness I feel deepen. But I surprised myself when I found myself thinking, 'God, why?'
I understand why the religions of the world have severe flaws in their internal structure and scripture and why it is all but completely certain that there is no god as traditionally defined by theists. Yet, I cannot deny that train of thought formed in my head, and I'm having trouble understanding why it did. One theory I have is that while I thought of 'God,' it is entirely possible that I was simply brought up in a culture where the word 'god' is simply an exclamation and not a reference to a deity. I sincerely hope this is true. But another possibility is that the religious culture in America, particularly in the midwest in the heart of the Bible belt, is so ingrained in me that I'm not entirely free from it's influence. And that comes with the added possibility that I may never be fully free from religion.
Do any of you guys have similar thoughts? Do some of you wonder if you really are free from religion?