Long time no post; Less religious America yet still a strong observant demographic

What can I say? I always feel as if Facebook conveys a good enough idea of what most of us atheist bloggers are getting at - there is no god or supernatural forces in the universe. Only boring old physics and the INFINITE UNIVERSE. Man, we're unbearable.

That's actually why I felt like writing. Although some of the posts I make, or memes I re-post (I think that constitutes a fair portion of the majority of any timeline) still make it abundantly clear, I'm not as emphatic about going headfirst into arguments with people who are fixed in their beliefs. I notice this when I comment in public media outlets, especially dealing with individuals I'd roughly estimate to be between 45-67 There is a consistent thread among that particular demographic - they are seemingly as idealistic as ever.

Which should come as no surprise. Evangelicals are flocking to Donald Trump despite the fact that he is the opposite of Christ without all the dark, mischievous flair of Satan. I'm someone somewhere in the grey areas that is the "left" of center of the duopoly on Capitol Hill. The drivel of evangelicals is of the most fervent, absent minded supernatural tribalism we've seen. Well, forgive me, excluding Scientology.

"I'm an ENFJ, thanks for asking!

Of course my beloved Pew Polls back me up on this, Polling and Analysis November 3, 2015 U.S. Public Becoming Less Religious Modest Drop in Overall Rates of Belief and Practice, but Religiously Affiliated Americans Are as Observant as Before but you get glimpses of hope from analysis such as " The Landscape Study shows, for example, that nearly all major religious groups have become significantly more accepting of homosexuality in recent years – even groups, such as evangelicals and Mormons, that traditionally have expressed strong opposition to same-sex relationships."

I can only hope this acceptance is based out of the same loving God they worship, rather than being terrified of being left behind in history as so many religions have before our civilization began. A relic of an already archaic pass, long overdue to expire.

Gay Marriage Legal - So What's YOUR problem?

First and foremost, congratulations to the LGBTQ community in this landmark victory. It is not the final battle, but it is an important win in a tumultuous era of bigotry and intense political lobbying.

Let me start off with the ever-so-awful Mike Huckabee. Here are his pre-SCOTUS decision remarks on the matter of same-sex marriage (the law of the land now you uppity bitch!):

"For a lot of believers, the question comes, do we have civil disobedience, or do we have Biblical disobedience? For many of us, civil disobedience—when we believe that the civil government has acted outside of nature, and nature's god, outside of the bounds of the law, outside of the bounds of the Constitution—we believe that it's the right and the moral thing to do. Now I understand that's a very controversial thing to say. But Todd, what if no one had acted in disobedience to the Dred Scott decision of 1857? What if the entire country had capitulated to judicial tyranny and we just said that because the Supreme Court said in 1857 said that a black person wasn’t fully human—suppose we had accepted that, suppose Abraham Lincoln, our president, had accepted that, would that have been the right course of action? And I don't know of anyone, I mean seriously, I don't know of anyone who believes that the Supreme Court made the right decision in Dred Scott." - Mike Huckabee, June 2016

Yes, he went there. To slavery. To Dred Scott, which has part of it's opinion on the decision reading as such: 

"It would give to persons of the negro race, ...the right to enter every other State whenever they pleased, ...to sojourn there as long as they pleased, to go where they pleased ...the full liberty of speech in public and in private upon all subjects upon which its own citizens might speak; to hold public meetings upon political affairs, and to keep and carry arms wherever they went."

I actually am familiar with the case, and this was one in a slew where even the phrase "Separate but Equal" (Plessy v. Ferguson) were common.



Shuddering yet? Now, this is one of the main contentions I have with the average Christian. And no, I don't find Huckabee to be an exceptional one, he's rather awful and pious in his devotion.  The propensity to resort to other awful periods of American history to try to draw a parallel where one clearly does not exist. It's a common practice, deflection.

Now, onto the dissent of the average Christian. I know, you've all heard it by now but let's just have it in print here. This is crazy-ass Leviticus (the Book of) and his bat shit rationalization condemning same sex "relations".

"Leviticus 18:21 -22"- "And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through [the fire] to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I [am] the LORD. Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it [is] abomination."



Molech (Moloch) worship was actually a relatively insane, child sacrifice by fire practice in African tribal practices,  as well as used by the Caananites, and Phoeinicians. So ok, no burning kids. How thoughtful of you there, Levi. Now the other half of this verse is the basis, whether they know it or not for the Christian outrage and counter-argument. Jesus Christ himself never mentions anything regarding homosexuality. This is the old Testament where presumably God is just yelling shit from the sky and hoping the one literate guy is taking dictation and take it well. God's secretaries were not allowed room for error. Oh wait, that free will thing would allow for it. Aww, fuck it.


Now, what the hell is the specific need for concern here? The logical fallacies, the simplistic and obvious to ones are likely related to procreation, piety and purity.

At the end of the day, same-sex marriage is now the law of the land. The whines, cries, and wails of the evangelical community, the average dissenter and the vehemently venomous will all wain into history no different than those who opposed de-segregation in schools in the South.


I want to thank all of my friends, readers and family who are on the right side of history. And I want to an extend an olive branch of diplomacy, tolerance and agreement to those who are, or were on the wrong side of it. There is no line in the sand to stand across any longer. We're now all on the same beach, and if you still have quarrel with that then your faith, as I always say, is a toxic one and no one has any good reason other than to justify hate to cling to this principle of it. Let the tide take you then. Progress does not look backward to see whom was left behind. But it travels at a pace that allows you to join it at your will, should you rescind your former biased and cherry-picked from the Bible feelings on this LAW you had.

Evolution is fake, says preacher in passenger seat on Iphone

Sigh. Yet another evangelist spewing nonsense. Blogger isn't letting me embed the video properly, so visit this link and then come back, or just read below the ensuing conversation of the person who I had the conversation with. I've known this woman since high school, got along with her fantastically and still remain civil as I can when things get extremely controversial.

I'll warn you, this one is intellectually insulting and painful. This man is a preacher, an evangelical. The worst kind. I'd say Westboro Baptists are worse but, they are just lawyers who litigate their own contrived free speech lawsuits. They aren't Christians nor Baptists.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=460320387403982

It's a public video, all should be able to see it. In the video, the essence of Father Bullshit's argument is that since we didn't "observe" evolution, it didn't occur. Yes. That's what he said. Since we don't see species make a drastic and improbable leap via one generation or live birth or just *POOF* right in front of our eyes, it simply isn't true.

We all know evolution is a process that has occurred since the first bacteria began to form on the only habitable planet in our solar system. So, when I confronted this person about the claims made, this is the discussion.

By the way, I enjoy this format because I find it redundant to re-type an argument I've already made and I don't want to screen cap and re-size.

I reply first.

Me - " I can't even dignify this absurd unfounded response. I am fucking amazed at the anti evolution movement. This man is a flat out idiot. Evolution is as debatable as "is the sun hot?""

C - "  Is the cussing necessary Scott? I'm sorry you feel this way." - Well, that's simply my south side foul mouth. No harm.

Me - " Yes this man is spreading a blatant falsehood. It has been observed for thousands of years. Your child will have evolutionary traits that are passed on and so forth. It is utterly disgusting, unfounded and unscientific. 

He attempted to use a semantic maneuver to disprove what is proven in reality. I have an incredibly high IQ and incredibly low tolerance for liars and charlatans"

Me - "This man IS stupid for believing in God but it is because he is in fact, stupid. 

I have a Ph.D in my family and he is a Christian. He is a scientist at Abbott. He has much better reasoning than this blathering no-neck, so maybe post something that had substance as opposed to an angry hypocritical liar?"

C - "Evaluation is theory Scott. That is truth. If he's "stupid for believing in God," then so am I. He doesn't sound angry to me. In fact, you sound angry. Again, I am sorry you feel this way. (Forgive the typo, probably on their phone. I do it often.)

I have a few follow up statements in reply to this particular claim, as follows:Me- "A theory that can't become a law because of passenger seat evangelical nonsense is believed to be truth."

"I am indeed angry, this anti science sentiment only exists because it can't Co exist with creationism WHICH WAS ALSO NEVER OBSERVED"

"But enjoy becoming an obscure minority that only people who possess no critical thinking ability can buy. 

You're literally taking the word of a YouTube video against over one hundred years of conclusive research. That is sticking your head in the sand."
"What sect of Christianity do you belong to? I'm pretty well studied in them so share and I'll passenger seat your religion like the clueless bloat on this video. You're presenting this opinion as valid, I have a counter." - To this, I'm confident it's evangelical, as they are immovable in their stance no matter what the counter-argument or statement is and their polite damning of anyone disagreeing. At least Catholics have some vitriol. 
After stating she'd love to debate over lunch when I am less hostile, there was this. I want to denote, I am a HUGE fan of Ricky Gervais. Without the benefit of hearing my voice's inflection, I can assure you I say it more with sarcastic and comedic tone than anger. Just, without the awesome accent and career. Le sigh.

C - It's only difficult to those that have no education to back up what they believe. And only makes claims based on a feeling. I don't need to prove God is real. He Himself proves that through creation and His word and world events that were written long ago in the bible that are taking place now. The debate is only difficult when people are angry and/or close minded. Instead of questions, they question. And a debate is only difficult if the person(s) debating the subject is only informed on their argument and not the other person(s) "disagreement." 
Scott, if you don't believe--I respect your belief and you as a person. However, if you don't believe and have this angry built up...part of me assumes that at one time you did believe and down thing happened and it hurt you and you became mad at God or those who put their faith in Him. If you don't believe, then why are you so angry with Him? 
Leanne Gabriel, I'm glad you like my friends "great points." But if your truly curious, I encourage you to not take any of what he or I says as face value and do your own studies so you can have a voice formed by your own educated knowledge. 

I love you both. Scott, I promise you--when and if ever you want to talk about this....I am opened and only will invest my time if your willing to sincerely listen and NOT IGNORE FACTUAL statements. I don't argue truths. I defend them until it turns into an irrational discussion--I am not interested."

Me -  Here are a few difficulties with your rebuttal. 

1 - "He Himself proves that through creation and His word and world events that were written long ago in the bible that are taking place now"

There is no factual evidence to that claim. The sheep and goat herders who wrote the Bible were rationalizing natural occurrences in observable nature and attributing them to acts of God. That's actually still a term used by insurance companies which, as an atheist, I find hilarious. 

2 - --"I respect your belief and you as a person. However, if you don't believe and have this angry built up...part of me assumes that at one time you did believe and down thing happened and it hurt you and you became mad at God or those who put their faith in Him. If you don't believe, then why are you so angry with Him?" 

I can't be mad at Santa or the Easter Bunny and here Jesus Christ the ever-living MIddle Eastern man of local legend, is absolutely no different than the stories of the aforementioned Holiday representatives. I was never able to rationalize my belief. I felt ashamed that I couldn't believe because I enjoyed Greek Mythology as a young child (I learned to read at 2 years old) so it's suffice to say I couldn't justify that one set of gods were false and one wasn't. 

3 - Back to the "word of God". Why has every single prediction for the return of Jesus been false? What the heck is he waiting for exactly? It's been 2,000 years. Now, if you think this it the end-times and you rejoice at the thought of the world ending and your career, life and everything else being exalted into some other unfathomable plain of existence, be my guest. Why are there NO observable miracles in the age of modern technology? They seem to have all CONVENIENTLY occurred when there was nothing but word of mouth and a (this is a fact) less than 5% literacy rate in the civilized world when the books were finally transcribed, over 300 years later after the original "events" took place. 

I mean look, if you have a spouse or lover and they cheat and give an elaborate story, and you weren't there to corroborate the events told, you're going to use EMOTION to make the decision about the events that may or may not have occurred?

The "predictions" in the Bible are nothing that isn't within the boundary of natural law. We humans are destroying the planet but not by any means mentioned in the Bible. An all seeing, all knowing God would have predicted technology, CFC's, a lot of other things. His very disposition of omnipotence and omnipresence makes him either A - Unwilling to change the status quo, B - Doesn't care to, or C - being omnipotent and knowing all possible outcomes, disregards it's own supreme intelligence and let's us kill ourselves. 

Environmentalists, democrats, independents, Libertarians are more often than not, non-religious. We're worrying about the planet and you guys are worrying about what happens after you leave it. Republicans, tyrannical leaders and Fundamentalists WANT the world to burn and they pass legislation and mine for fossil fuels to insure it does."
C- "And the problem with yours is the fact that you believe in a theory. Big Bang."

Me- "The Big Bang has been proven, did you not catch that news? We found the radiation waves that mathematically lined up correctly to the beginning of time as we know it." 

I then provided a link to the video of when Prof. Andre Linde receives the news his theory is confirmed.

So, when do we stop ignoring reality? And why does this particular sect of Evangelicals so vehemently protest science, to the point where a 5 minute diatribe from another Joel Osteen fraud is validation enough to dismiss every piece of scientific data since Charles Darwin began his research? Why all the anti-scientific sentiment? Please, comment below. 

Ancient Confession Found - "We Invented Christ"

Just a little food for thought, and what I've been thinking all along. 

Ancient Confession found: "We Invented Christ"
More to come soon, I am accumulating some thoughts.

Rationalizing the irrational

These were some of my replies to a Facebook conversation (obviously where the greatest minds meet for discourse) this morning, I had to share my replies to the claims of finding God a self-made journey as well as the validity of the Holy Bible (lulz) and other amazingly self-deceiving rebuttals. Below are my replies to the stronger of the believers replying:

 I don't understand how you find truth in something (Islam is a bigger offender) in a religion that subjugates women and condones slavery. Ignore the Old Testament all you want, it's there and if you don't follow the Bible you're simply a diet-Christian looking to cut and paste the parts of the Bible you find unsettling. 

And what 'truth' and 'way' were the half million people who died in the storm in the Philippines missing out on? I see only a planet Earth with two major plagues : humans, and their concocted beliefs to rationalize their fear of death. 

Then you believers say that you'll "pray for the victims" as if that is of ANY benefit. It's just a lazy way of showing little compassion. I'm sorry but the only real Christians in this world do good without expectations for eternal reward and go get their fucking hands dirty instead of preaching to their own choirs of the even less intelligent who rely on more formulated opinions of this perpetuated 2000 year old myth.

 It's a tax exempt, woman hating and oppressing male dominated scam. The answer to the creation of the universe is in a book written by sheep herders from 2000 years ago when only 2 percent of the population could read or write? There are currently over 5,700 religions or gods but Yea, the one Americans believe is the truth. Bullshit.

 I won't accept any of this spiritual journey self redemption nonsense on behalf of my dear friend Hannah who died from stage IV soft cell sarcoma within 3 months of diagnosis, the millions of children who starve daily and the Joel Osteen evangelical scum avoiding taxes and stealing from the poor under the guise of prosperity through prayer. Human action, not telepathy is the only way to take care of one another.


When implied that I am not "enlightened" -


 I have quite easily the most formulated and well-thought responses so to imply that I am less enlightened than someone who is again, using a book written by sheep-herding peasants who knew nothing of the world outside their tiny village as the reason for existing is utterly, utterly absurd and I doubt you'd listen to a sheep-herder nowadays give you very much advice on anything beyond sheep-herding. We all grew up in a DOMINANTLY Catholic neighorhood, dissent of the church is really something some of you have read for the frst time from me, and I know that for a fact. You were born into it no different than I was. Indoctrination in itself is evil and abusive. By the time I was reading at a 10th grade level in 4th grade I already knew there was no coherency and an abundance of similarity to the previous civilizations gods and goddesses. 

So tell me this, south side oppressed Catholics..what makes your religion different from the Mythology of the Greeks and Romans early on? As one of my favorite quotes says, 

"The religion of one age is the literary entertainment of the next". To imply that Christianity, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, God are all one and that every other religion is wrong and will have to answer to your god is 100% completely a SUPREMACIST attitude.

Never forget that Muhammad is an asshole

Never forget...that Islamist extremists believe just as strongly in their god as you do yours, they were unfortunately more willing to prove it than the Christian nutjobs who kill abortion doctors, or who spent millions lobbying against gay marriage, against gays in the military. Never forget religion is the single most destructive force known to man. And don't give me that "charity" bullshit, any decent human being who is collecting tax free dollars praising a mythical ghost-jew should be feeding the homeless, as well as the jobless. Some of you even quote idiots like Joel Osteen, who is a liar and thief, so do not forget that it was RELIGION once more that killed innocent Americans, some of whom I am sure were atheists and felt nothing but pure fury as they realized their lives were coming to an end at the hands of uneducated fundamentalists. Never forget Islam subjugates women to near slavery. Never forget Christianity promotes an all-loving God that loves you enough to send you to hell if you don't believe in him even when the "proof" is an errant pile of literary garbage (the Holy Bible) either.

The New Testament is just bad as the old one so stop acting like your Christ is any better than the pedophile Muhammad, kids still die from cancer needlessly and starve all over the world. Your loving God sure is powerless when it comes to people dying in the most horrific manner possible, yet you have the audacity to thank him when something goes YOUR way while people's lives as well as families were annihilated thanks to the a slightly different version of the same almighty being from a different book instructed his followers to do so.

Once more, religion is the single greatest cause of bloodshed and mania in human history. Stop contributing to it, keep your delusions and cast your judgements aside. I'm only judging your critical thinking skills and daring you to not fear death or nothingness, you won't know of either when you pass on.

The Amazing Racists, coincidentally, also Conservative

I came across this amazing racist blog that ties the African-American urban community's struggle with violence as somehow to atheism. Yes, I can recall all the wailing family members shouting "oh Satan, why?!" and "Life has no meaning anyhow!" at crime scenes as family members are held back by police officers and tape amidst the flashes of sirens and the sight of blood stained pavement.

http://nikitas3.com/5164/atheist-monument-quotes-a-shocking-source/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=atheist-monument-quotes-a-shocking-source

"And the more they love Obama and reject Christianity – in the black inner cities – the more murderous is the neighborhood"

Yes, this person actually said that.

My reply went something like this,

"Yes, all the Baptist Churches in the Englewood neighborhood here in Chicago are atheist covens, as well as all the Christian burials for the slain sons and daughters of economic oppression. We have a Jewish mayor, you know. If you rode through these areas you'd see there ARE NO JOBS, NO PLACES TO WORK, a broken transit system and an overall societal view that black people are lesser than we white folks.

I am going to post this, and expose you and I hope that you're flooded with black, white, latino Christians as well as the growing number of atheists out there to let you know you are a blatant racist, probably toiling in a haze of Rush Limbaugh soundbites in your heavily-armed fortress to keep out Obama's Gun Collection Agency. You are a blind, racist bigot using an errant pile of Iron Age literary garbage (Holy Bible) as a shield to protect you from those you are FORBIDDEN TO JUDGE ACCORDING TO THE SAME BOOK."

Scott Duke
(because Hajduk would be too hard to pronounce or read, I'm sure)

Other gems from this post include assertions like "Atheism is a rejection of any type of spiritual life in favor of only a material existence. Atheists are the ultimate materialists and they tout this, that we must live only for today and to heck with tomorrow. That is why atheism thrives in the world’s socialistic cities, which are the global home of unfettered materialism – jewelry, clothes, expensive cars, sumptuous residences, luxurious living, love of money etc. Atheist materialists are perpetually obsessed with more “things” and having more fun and pleasure."
I'm sorry but, if you even at a quick glance observe the super-rich of the Conservative, say, the Koch Bros. for instance, would they not be the absolute most gluttonous, materialistic scum of the Earth? That question is of course easily answered with a resounding "Yes.", just by their assumption that their wealth was so vast and powerful they could buy a campaign with Grover Norquist at the helm. But to further my counter-point I point you to another interesting fact about these uber-wealthy domineering maniacs, below.



"His collection of maritime memorabilia includes model ships, antique nautical instruments, and paintings of ships and seascapes.[7] A 2005 show at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston featured his various collections, including both the America³ and the ship it defeated, Il Moro di Venezia, displayed on the front lawn. (Koch had bought Il Moro after the competition.) The show was also criticized, however, for glamorizing Koch at the expense of the museum's educational function. Koch had helped finance the show, including paying the cost to move the boats from Rhode Island.[15] He previously owned the former French Class America F1 - IACC F1 renamed later USA-2.


The boats were in Rhode Island because Koch had placed them with a small maritime museum there. Despite the considerable expense of building them, he said "they have absolutely no value" once their racing life is over.[16] Koch, a native of Wichita, Kansas, donated the ship he used in qualifying for the America's Cup races, The Jayhawk, to the Wichita Boathouse. He also supplied money for the city to use in repairing the yacht.[17]


On June 26, 2011, he purchased a 130-year-old photo of the legendary outlaw Billy the Kid for the amount of $2.1 million at a Denver auction. It is currently the only authenticated photo of the outlaw known to exist.[18]


At his Colorado ranch, Koch has a collection of military vehicles, including a M42 Duster antiaircraft gun."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Koch_(businessman)

Are any of you Conservatives reading wonder why you're ostensibly racist, bible-and-gun clinging hate-mongering, anti-choice, anti-gay, anti-science Fundamentalists? I find it strange that this collage of the rich and the "pulled up by the boot-straps" party has among it such insane writers. At the bottom of the blog there is a request for donation as well as a hope to making the blog the "#1 Conservative Blog" in the sphere.

Now, if this is just a very edgy staff member at The Onion toiling in ghost blogging as a Conservative racist demon then I will just ask that you read it objectively without judgement and again, assume safely this is a widespread mentality. Still reading out there, Oregon Paramilitary?

God, the Output Machine

A question I often pose to Christians is, why does this particular type of God have such an evident inability to  intervene in the matters of atrocity? I say "particular type" because it's easily observed such a God carries very specific traits. Pantheists are quick to point out it is only, and wholly love but if you examine the vengeful, and somewhat needy God of the Holy Bible you'll find outright anger, brutal punishment for seemingly benign activity and a blatant disregard for the suffering of children in particular.

This particular line of questioning and my own answers to said questions creates an interestingly-patterned God that is mostly capable of the materialization of something from nothing, creating intricate biological organisms (whether they function properly is of an entirely different line of discussion) and having a few instructions for the conveniently placed infamous couple Adam and Eve. It (I find calling god a "he" to be an absurd practice and incorrect term, strictly reserved for biological gender distinction) decides then in an entirely arbitrary manner, to then give birth to a son (that following this pattern of creation and logic, is also Adam and Eve's darker-skinned cousin) and send him off to eventually be killed for political reasons. Oh, and the very sin we were created with inherently. Why not just leave that part out and need cleansing? The world would probably be a better place if by this theological standard, there were no original sin. If you're reading by the way, God, please, impose your will somewhere on this madness in the Middle East, eh?

God then, after this wonderful line of miracles, psychotic and irreverent babbling, rampant disease, famine, superstition and fear, more or less disappears from the equation after the death of the Christ. Kind of God's way of saying "hey man, he said a few things here and there, that's allllll you on the listening department to catch that. I mean, I gotta listen to you guys all the time!" Well sure then, we'll go along with that line of thinking as absurd as that is for the moment being as some several million people do regularly in practice.

After the time of Christ then and the story of him becoming widespread through totally non-violent, polite, non-invasive, TOTALLY NO CRUSADING HERE INVOLVED we are left with a story about a God who created everything, including creation itself (I include that often to try to draw out someone who can explain why God is all output, with no reciprocation or further involvement) and then more or less stood back and watched his own creations do what they do, and still do to this day, based on literary instructions in a far, far less advanced times. Imagine going to read a wall in a cave in Peru to figure out how to get your espresso maker to work. That's it on, or around the area that the Christian-understood God that he operates. Non-interventionist, despite his most professed creations such as Israel and the United States are complete interventionists.

I am honestly left with again, no other conclusion other than there is no such being that exists, and the above example is just yet another reason the story and method of operation this particular god (of thousands) tends to express it's own existence.

Odd how people fake

I find it odd that the Republican party works so hard to make sure you don't have an abortion but, once your unwanted child is born into an unstable home they are absolutely ready and willing to cut any funding to any social program that aforementioned unwanted child will need. Not to mention, the government can't provide a stable home and economic well-being. Signed, a non pro-creator concerned for the unwanted and non-affordable.

The 12 year old atheist, or, how I became.

First, I'd like to apologize to absolutely no one for not writing in here for a while. I DO enjoy the medium of Facebook to express my views on atheism much better. For one, it allows me to address the theistic demographic more easily. Or as my younger brother so eloquently put it "marginalize my friends and family with a liberal atheist rant.", which I found to be a quite magical summary of my preferred tactic. Bravo, Mark.

I was raised on the south side of Chicago in what is considered the "East Side" neighborhood. To pinpoint an ethnic makeup in the late 80's would be difficult as the neighborhood had integrated to include Irish, Italian, Polish to Mexican, and Puerto Rican alongside the families that had originally settled in the area. The area was rife with Catholic churches. My brother, sister and I were raised geographically-conveniently Catholic. I was baptized at St. Francis DeSales, and confirmed at Annunciata. Now, before I proceed I want to point out that as a personality trait (or perhaps, flaw) I have inattentive-typed attention deficit disorder. Which quite obviously makes sitting through the unbearably lengthy and ritualistic ceremonies Catholics so seemingly adore that much more excruciating. It was in those pews that I began to understand that the sitting, standing, kneeling all felt relatively absurd when examined by even a 9 year old's curiosity. When I would actually pay attention long enough to the more critical and darker tones of some of the sermons such as immorality it shook deeply within me that this was yet another figure of authority with absolutely no terms of negotiation. All, or nothing. Believe, or burn. I went to CCD there, and at some point for whatever ever expense related reason, ended up at Annunciata about a mile and a half away around 6th grade.

It was in this CCD class that something happened for the first time - a usually annoying, inane question that children spew with shameless frivolity was absolute truth to me. It went something like this.

Student - "Teacher, what happens to babies who die before they are baptized?"(Perfectly logical line of questioning)

Teacher - LITERAL ANSWER - "They go to a place like purgatory, or limbo."



I cannot remember my specific line of inquiry following what turned out to be nearly the most insane thing I have ever heard a religious person say. Needless to say, my already deeply-seeded annoyance and lack of respect for absolute authority had shattered into absolute nothingness. The concept that not only such a God would have such systems in place, but that they had been taught for so long, to so many...and those beside me as well stood united in that belief.

I had already been quite fascinated by the mythology of Greece as a young child (thanks CPS for your limited library budget!), and always wondered to myself why their gods were no longer worshiped. After drawing the parallel between the cruelty of all of the considered gods in question it was just simple logical deduction, even at my age, that no such god could exist. The god we seem to all speak of, and know of seems to sound a LOT like the male authority figures who have shaped civilizations and destroyed them alike. There is no god, only us and our gods we need to hope for more than what we already have.

I prefer to enjoy exactly the here and now, hard as that may be sometimes. I'll get more into how heaven and hell are impractical and impossible in my next post, as well as the notion that dead souls would have to exist outside space and time and therefore technically not "waiting" for us anywhere.

Your quote of the post?

""We cannot say we know with certainty what will happen" to unbaptized babies, Father McPartlan said, "but we have good grounds to hope that God in his mercy and love looks after these children and brings them to salvation.""

http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=21542

You aren't really Christian

Nerdy Rapture Fail

*dies*..*meets Jesus*
Jesus glances at you.
>glance jesus
You glance at Jesus Christ, the Son of God (God)
Jesus says "23".
Jesus giggles.
Jesus disappears in a puff of smoke!
Jesus Christ left the room.

Brief, but to the point.

No one in their right mind would believe that the "Rapture" is coming tomorrow, Family Radio/Mr. Camping is a fraudulent organization and he should be jailed for bilking his followers of so much money for such a horrendous message. That is logical enough, hopefully even for Christians.

I notice that Christians however, are quick to say that "only God knows when" the Rapture will occur. Does that not sound awfully convenient? Is that not phrased in such a manner that one will always be left guessing, trying to be on their best behavior for the ol' man in the sky and his "wrath"? I logically conclude this is but a means of control. I am going to enjoy my weekend, each day of it. I suggest you do too, and perhaps in the space below you can elaborate as to how your particular religion is any different from the previous civilizations and their absolute, living entities they worshiped, killed, and died for.

Do we really need it?

Question time. Anyone can reply, but it would be nice if you left your name since most of you are just Facebook friends. First names only, etc. Or you can PM me on Facebook if you want to discuss it at length. Anyone from the public can, and is welcome to do so.

Why do you think we "need God for a sense of moral purpose", or purpose at all, in life? This is not beautiful enough, the love you feel from those closest to you or the simple, yet constant flow of oxygen from the trees around you, or the mere fact that the Sun exists and regulates the constant state of life on Earth as we know it? There is more purpose to life than merely what we choose to assign to it?

I am not a fan of my every thought and action having infinite weight. I think that's a horrible concept to teach your children. I think it's an even worse trait to carry with you into adulthood. Why that is can't be answered simply. The main reason I am not comfortable with it reminds me something of Minority Report and has been also echoed by prominent atheists like Christopher Hitchens. The basic principle being God can also punish you by your mere thoughts. not just actions. Whether you can control them or not. The Catholic practice of confession early on made me immediately question the concept, and premise of it.

At what point does pre-disposition and free will's line blur? Where is God's plan and how precisely am I to somehow telepathically reach it or understand it? That is a question for believers. For non-believers or agnostics, do you "believe everything happens for a reason?" That goes for believers as well though. A child dying in the womb, or a 5 year old British Boy being murdered by Islamic Terrorists (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxor_massacre) would require a pretty elaborate sit down with the ol' creator to see how something so horrid fits into any kind of big picture. I know if I were that kid heaven had better have a pretty fucking serious ball-pit and all the Happy Meals I could eat.

The answer being in the Holy Bible as to how one can adapt to God's "plan for us all" is to immediately surrender to story, allegory, meander through word problem after word problem, and try to find hidden meanings. Have you ever had a discussion with the casual Christian? Or, a local music show? There is not exactly a culture of cryptology fanboys or critical thinkers in either. So to say that we are supposed to search with in ourselves to reach it and communicate with god is in the most practical of essence, to communicate nothing. Furthermore, those Bible experts had ought to start doing a better job of transcribing the Hebrew gibberish spewed upon it's controlling pages so that this hierarchy of the holy can properly organize in the afterlife because clearly someone is going to get it better than the other guy.

Hearing God's voice or feeling his presence to myself, only affirms that your body knows it exists and certain pleasure centers are functioning normally. To loosely quote, "that's not God talking, that's you, thinking".

Pirst Fost

Welcome to Unbelievable Beliefs, home of Atheism and open forum discussion on any other social matter. I just happen to have a preference for what some consider an extreme view on the concept and discussion of the existence of god, or many gods as some fallen societies have once idolized.

I am open to criticism and in the coming weeks will be posting provocative thoughts, statements and articles throughout my community of various friends both near and far on their reasons for not believing, what it is like to be an atheist in this era of Holy War and Fundamentalist Extremism, and similar topics. I implore you to sign up for a blogger, or similar Google or Yahoo! related account to reply. Thanks for reading all of my rants on Facebook or Twitter and if you've been with me a while, MySpace too. Though it should be said, MySpace was more often used to openly assail upon the bad, but still popular new school of death metal mixed with hardcore. The "deathcore" movement. I'll create a subcategory for shitty bands, songs, lyrics and band names as well I am sure. We all know how much I enjoy a good discussion there.

And for all of those who did well in high school, particularly English or Journalism, I have no formal training in either. I am typically a babbling maniac so how I put any of this together cohesively (if you view it as such) is a miracle. Oh wait, miracles don't exist. I am not sure how I do it. Thanks for reading and I hope to share a lot of thought with you all back and forth.