February 2011
58 posts
15 day challenge for atheists
Day 13
Would you ever date/marry somebody who follows a religion? Be honest.
Date, yes and I have. Marry, that depends on whether or not they can respect my life as an atheist. It has been my experience in dating that the problem arises from the theist’s concern for my heathen soul. Someone who cares for you won’t want to see you burn in hell. But, can a marriage survive the...
January 2011
54 posts
15 day challenge for atheists
Day 12
What happens when we die? Do you fear death?
When we die our body decays and eventually ceases to be anything resembling a human body. Unless we are preserved via embalming or mummification. Oh you mean is there life after death? I don’t think there is any evidence for the claim of yes. I don’t see the point in it even if there was. I don’t fear death. Perhaps...
15 day challenge for atheists
Day 11
Do you have/plan on having a career in the sciences? Alternatively: which branch of science intrigues you most?
Yes I do plan to get my degree in anthropology. I love cultural and bio anthropology. Most like I will get my degree in cultural though. I plan on doing some science writing and maybe teach.
3 tags
The one god more argument
A popular argument these days among atheists goes something like this. ”A theist is an atheist to every god but their own. An atheist just goes one god further.’ I understand the intent behind it. To point out the absurdity of belief based on faith of one god while reject belief of other gods because they can’t be proven. It is absurd but so is saying that a theist is an...
15 day challenge for atheists
Day 10
Are you spiritual, or are your feet always on the ground?
I am not really sure what anyone really means when they say “spiritual” any more. It seems to me to be nothing more than an ambiguous statement about supernatural things. I looked at the definition on an online dictionary and conclude that I am not nor have I ever been spiritual. I don’t see any evidence for...
Governor Rick Perry Urges Republican Voters to... →
robotghost:
giftedboi:
taniada:
jonathan-cunningham:
damekatharsis:
My rage-o-meter reading is officially on imminent meltdown:
Well, there is a lot of fat to cut from our public schools, especially those in our biggest urban areas like Houston and Dallas. I am concerned that some the highly diverse Magnet public schools in this city are becoming hotbeds for liberalism. Do we really...
Utah GOP Trying To Strip Contracts Between Gay... →
Salt Lake City, Utah – BREAKING: State Representative LaVar Christensen (R, HD48) has reintroduced a bill he tried to run in 2006 which prohibits same sex couples from making contractual arrangements such as wills and financial arrangements. […] LaVar Christensen Email: lavarchristensen@utah.gov Home Phone: 801-571-8603 Work Phone: 801-572-9878 Cell Phone: 801-550-1040
Anyone who...
“Live a good life. If there are gods & they are just, then they will not care...”
– Marcus Aurelius (via radtumblr)
15 day challenge for atheists
Day 9
Even though you’re an atheist, have you ever experienced a moment that could be called “religious?” Like an epiphany about the world or complete peace?
I take issue with saying that these things are “religious.” I’ve had moments of clarity and moments of bliss just like everyone else but epiphanies only after I have formally rejected faith as the source....
“We have people who think you should throw battery acid in the faces of little...”
– Sam Harris (via corruptpolitics)
15 day challenge for atheists
Day 8
What’s your political alignment? Does your atheism influence how you vote and how you feel on issues?
I’m a registered Democrat, though I’m not really a party person, so I guess I’m more of an independent voter. I’m a progressive, therefore pretty liberal. And, of course my being an atheist influences my vote and opinion on issues. If I see anything on the...
15 day challenge for atheists
Day 7
Except for God, do you believe in anything supernatural or pseudoscientific? (Ghosts, alien abductions, spirits, souls, demons, psychics, magic, Harry Potter, etc.)
I don’t believe in any of those things. I’ve never seen or heard tell of anything that was even remotely convincing. I’ve seen a lot of tricksters and charlatans, and some pretty good magicians, but a...
: The Slanted Playing Field →
squashed:
Monopoly is a good game for libertarians. Everybody starts out in the same spot. The rules are clear and understandable. There’s a lot of luck—but enough skill that you can feel good about winning. And it’s just a game. We don’t need to shed any tears for the losers.
To succinctly…
15 day challenge for atheists
Day 6
How do you feel about so-called “militant atheists” such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris?
Militant has two definitions for both it’s role as a noun and an adjective. They are as an adjective “vigorously active and aggressive especially in support of a cause” or “engaged in warfare.” As a noun it means “a militant...
15 day challenge for atheists
Day 5
Did you lose any friends because you decided to be an atheist? Did your family flip out?
I don’t believe I’ve lost any friends and my family didn’t really care. I’ve had a very fortunate experience as compared to some. I think it’s because my family was always willing to let me think for myself and weren’t the most pious in the community. As for my...
15 day challenge for atheists
Day 4
Do you think religion is obsolete and should be wiped completely off the face of the Earth, or does some good come out of it?
I do feel that religion is obsolete both morally and as a means of describing our world. Should it be wiped out? I’m not sure. Some religions are harmless at worst so I don’t see how wiping them out would be needed. But, there are some that are...
7 tags
Should we censor NPR or say fuck off Project 21?
There has been a lot of different news stories in the media about the Arizona shooting. Some about real topics, others simply about talking points, and some even made up controversies. I heard about one such fabricated news event on The Young Turks just the other day. They didn’t fabricate anything themselves but they brought the bullshit to attention. While TYT may be an opinionated...
15 day challenge for atheists
Day 3
Are you a more outspoken or more apathetic atheist? Why?
I would say that I’m a bit more outspoken then most. I have little reservations about speaking my mind in most situations. Though I do try to be considerate about it, if I have something to say I am happy to say it, even if those listening won’t like it. I think that everyone should feel secure enough to speak their...
15 day challenge for atheists
Day 2
What religion did you grow up with? Did you have positive or negative experiences with religion?
I was raised in the Mormon church. I have very few positive experiences there. Most were negative, or at least uncomfortable. The ones that were good were centered around friends but had nothing to do with the church itself. I remember being bored, uneasy, and treated as an after thought...
15 day challenge for atheists
Day 1
At what point did you know you were an atheist? Why did you become one, what were the factors leading up to the decision, if you weren’t always one?
The day I was exposed to what an atheist is. I was raised Mormon but never felt comfortable there, and I always thought I had more explanations for things that the authority figures in the church didn’t provide or think of. For...
Can Atheists Do Anything right? →
Why do theists tend to frame atheism as bitter and angry? Greta says it pretty well I think.
But I think there’s another reason so many believers reflexively frame atheism as bitter and nihilistic.
It’s because they have to.
It’s because accepting the existence of good, happy atheists undercuts so many of the rationalizations for their beliefs.
When you believe you can...
it's okay to be alone
mad-to-live:
I think our generation is so afraid to be alone. Everyone is constantly going on facebook and twitter and tumblr to maintain an illusion of human interaction. We need to discover that sometimes it’s alright to spend time in solitude; sometimes it’s okay to shut off the phone and computer and not go out on a friday night. Sometimes it’s better to just stay in and read a book.
When...
3 tags
5 tags
3 tags
Watchageofreason:
Richard Dawkins - Laryngeal Nerve Causes Problems for Intelligent Design
We are not designed which is why we are amazing.
“When people say freedom is not free they in general mean that some sacrifice...”
– Pink Crusader
Muslims Defending Christians →
I think everyone who bickers over religion in the U.S. should read this. Put’s a little perspective on things. We tend to get caught up in our own debates but we don’t know what real religious conflict is like. We have it pretty easy here. I really appreciate that even though there is still room for improvement. Learning about what other places go through makes me want to do better....
Climate of Hate →
kileyrae:
“The point is that there’s room in a democracy for people who ridicule and denounce those who disagree with them; there isn’t any place for eliminationist rhetoric, for suggestions that those on the other side of a debate must be removed from that debate by whatever means necessary.”
“insults aren’t the same as incitement.” Indeed Paul Krugman. Indeed.
7 tags
Changing the face of Christianity
I read an email correspondence today posted on Friendly Atheist about a Texas based organization called “Changing the face of Christianity.” It is an organization that is aimed at trying to address the stereotypes one thinks of when we think of Christianity. Not to simply diffuse them but to address them and fix them. This is in my opinion a really great thing. While I feel that Christianity...
4 tags
Accountable Rhetoric
In the political arena it is common to use violent imagery. They want to take down the competition, or put them in their cross hairs, they beat , kick, destroy and devastate their opponent. I get it. It’s a competition that politicians are trying to win. However, in a field as emotionally charged as politics it is important to remember that there will always be nut jobs who hang on a...
Angry at god?
A recent post on friendlyatheist.com brought a topic to mind today. It is a sentiment that I have had told to me by people I know that I reject as absurd. It has to do with atheists being angry at god. The subject was brought up due to a CNN story about a “study” that claims atheists and agnostics show more anger toward god than do theists. This strikes me as highly suspect. Why...
On Quoting
The use of quotes in any writing or argument is a very common and effective tool. It should however, be used as emphasis to a point you intend to make not as the way in which you make a point. A quote should be thought of as someone else articulating an idea that you agree with. The use of quotes should be in moderation to the content one provides not the meat of it. Basically, a quote should...
“Quoting tells nothing of intellect, only of interests. But still says more than...”
– Pinkcrusader
“Martyrdom is the only way a man can become famous without ability.”
– Arthur Schopenhauer
“A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects...”
– Aristotle
“Collective fear stimulates herd instinct, and tends to produce ferocity toward...”
– Bertrand Russell
“A sense of duty is useful in work but offensive in personal relations. People...”
– Bertrand Russell 