so don't ask if you don't want to know
Archive for March, 2011
Nonfiction. Right.
Mar 30th
Not sure I can type this with my eyes rolling the way they are…
New York Times Number One for 18 weeks in a row in paperback NONFICTION:
HEAVEN IS FOR REAL, by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent. (Thomas Nelson, $16.99.) A boy’s encounter with Jesus and the angels.
Seriously? Check this out.
Written by an evangelical minister father after his not-quite-4-year-old started telling the story of what he “saw” after he died for a few minutes.
This is the part that cracks me up:
When the Burpos questioned him, he asked his mother, “You had a baby die in your tummy, didn’t you?” While his wife had suffered a miscarriage years before, Mr. Burpo said, they had not told Colton about it. “There’s just no way he could have known,” Mr. Burpo said.
And the Burpos said that Colton painstakingly described images that he said he saw in heaven — like the bloody wounds on Jesus’ palms — that he had not been shown before.
The kid is four and not deaf, dumb or blind, right? Then it’s perfectly plausible he’d seen and understood bloody Jesus pictures especially since his father is an evangelical minister. Just because they’d never sat him down specifically to teach him their doctrine, that doesn’t mean a reasonably intelligent child wouldn’t pick up on it. The same thing about the miscarriage. My four-year-old granddaughter makes comments all the time about stuff people have discussed over her head. There’s a reason for the idiom “little pitchers have big ears.”
My actual question is how can the New York Times categorize a book as nonfiction when written by a third party based on the story from a small child and recalling heavenly people?
Seriously? And 18 weeks at number 1? What is wrong with people? Oh no, its not about the money.
Right.
What is Patriotism?
Mar 29th
I’m not sure people can identify it accurately. Dictionary.com says simply:
But I can’t begin to tell you how many people associate Christian with patriotism, especially when discussing the use of IN GOD WE TRUST on our money or UNDER GOD in our pledge. And then there’s those American as apple pie, or if you dislike hot dogs that’s downright un-American!
Believe it or not, this isn’t another atheist post. I’m more interested in what people really feel one needs to do to prove their love, support and defense of their country.
I think serving in the military proves patriotism, though not everyone can/will do that.
I think serving your community proves patriotism, though few people do that.
I think standing proudly, hand over heart and reciting the Pledge of Alliegance (with or without “under god”) proves your patriotism.
I think challenging your politicians to make changes when laws are out-dated and unfair proves your patriotism.
Standing up for those less able, less fortunate, or weaker proves you’re American.
It’s not pushing your agenda on everyone else. It’s not forcing people to abide by your rules. It’s not zero tolerance. It’s not gun control (which I’m actually somewhat in favor of) or anti-choice ( which I can’t abide) or immigration reform (which I’m actually on both sides of the fence about.)
Freedom of speech – but please have something positive to say. (I know, I know, coming from the ultimate negativian)
Freedom of religion – but also freedom from religion.
Should every adult American have to read the Constitution and Bill of Rights, then pledge their allegiance to America? Maybe. Maybe that would solve a lot of arguments. Oh sure we learn about these documents in elementary school along with everything else we learn. I don’t think kids fully understand the importance of these documents to our country when it’s just another boring chapter in their social studies class. Saying words by rote every morning tends to make them less effective and important, doesn’t it? Maybe if we established some timeline where you hit adulthood and you have to take a single class, read and understand these documents/rights and swear yourself to America, THEN and only THEN do you have the right to vote or run for office or even have a valid opinion.
I distinctly remember my swearing in ceremony when I enlisted in the Air Force in friggin’ 1979. I remember how serious they, and therefore I, took the whole ceremony.
I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
So help me God.
And yes, I distinctly remember being instructed that I did NOT have to say so help me god if chose not to, and I didn’t. But what it did, what the whole ceremonial swearing did, was show me the importance of pledging and honoring my word. Up til then nothing had made me stop and think about my country and my freedoms. Maybe everyone should have to have a moment like that.
So… I don’t know. I think it would be a really good and useful thing. I think it would be like a pay-attention slap on the face to everyone – in a good way. Or maybe just printing out and hand-delivering a copy of the constitution and bill of rights to every doorstep in America would help. They can do it with useless phone books, why not something infinitely more useful?
And maybe throw in what’s written at the Statue of Liberty while we’re at it.
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free;
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless,
Tempest-tossed to me
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
I believe America should take in the huddled masses from everywhere else, BUT there needs to be an organized system, taking in the neediest of the neediest, and those that can contribute, while stopping the unregulated flow of resource-sucking illegal… nevermind, ‘nother post. Something I need to work on in myself.
Would you be offended if you were asked to officially swear yourself to your country? Okay, so I know most of my readers already have a decent grasp of the constitution, but think about the average person. Or do you think your freedoms include not being asked to officially affirm your love, support, and defense to your country?
Sleeping is overrated, right?
Mar 27th
First I went through my “I can sleep and stay up whenever I want cuz I’m a grown-up” stage a couple of weeks ago. Up til 3:30 am and taking multiple naps during the day. Turns out I completely screwed up my medication schedule so I had to drop that. I still stay up way too late – out of choice – but wake up way too early – NOT by choice. I’m pretty sure I’m a night owl but I think there’s a conspiracy to wake me up at seven every morning, whether I want to or not. And I don’t sleep well when I DO sleep.
There’s a metal track under the gate in front of my building that I don’t really hear during the day when the TV is on or I’m working, but at night when I’m trying to sleep? EVERY car that drives over it thunks REALLY LOUD… twice! And because this is a huge apartment complex and I’m in the front that’s alotta traffic.
Then there’s the school bus stop right outside my front door. Four different buses running between 7 and 7:45ish – kids making kid noise, air brakes, roaring take-off noise. Arrrrrrrgh.
And so finally I get used to all this and had a couple of good nights of sleep and sleeping in as late as I want! Yay.
Then for the last two nights they’ve been doing road work out on Gilbert Rd. All night. Multiple trucks backing up with their multiple back-up beeping. I’m exhausted. Every time I try to sleep something keeps me from getting there. I went to bed at 10 last night and still didn’t sleep until well after one.
Next payday I’m getting one of those sound machines I’ve always laughed at.
I could sooooo use a nap right now, but Casey’s on his way over to drop of Kira for the night and I’m certain SHE won’t be in the mood to nap.
Grrr. Arrrg, Shit. Shaddup, lack of sleep makes me whiny.
A week. No, “A” Week!
Mar 22nd
(Didja ever notice the more you type week the more wrong it looks?)
This week is “A” Week. Raising
awareness of how many are ‘Good without God’. I’ve seen comments from Atheists disparaging this effort, calling it slactivism. I don’t agree. Just like any other quiet minority, people need to know they’re not the only ones so advertising your non-belief makes the group stronger. And a strong base will make those changes we want to make even easier. People are less likely to stand up for themselves if they think they’re alone. So I’m using this as my avatar on Facebook this week.
Speaking of Facebook, I’ve been posting more and more atheism links there, probably making my christian and other religious friends feel like I’m attacking them. Kind of like WE feel every time we’re expected to say “under god” in the pledge, every time we’re expected to bow our heads in prayer when we’re not in church, every time some politician/sports star/actor tells us god is providing them with bonuses like they’re better than everyone else.
One of my favorite atheism sites is Friendly Atheist. It’s pretty passive and low-key, just pointing out interesting stuff. Not like r/atheism where they’re mean and spiteful and seem to be in attack mode all the time, except when they organized a charity fund raiser last December beating out the r/christians and r/islam members by a long shot. The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) often calls atheists to action, either writing your politician or signing petitions. I also love Skepchick, of which atheism is just a small part, and my friend George Hrab’s podcast where he calls out the Religious Moron of the Week.
It seems atheism is on the rise, or at least people are feeling stronger about admitting it. There is a way to do it without attacking those who decide to stay with the invisible sky monster of their choice.
Just so you know:
- Atheists don’t eat babies. If they did, there wouldn’t be any babies around.
- Atheists aren’t trying to change your mind, they just want you to use it.
- Atheists don’t want to stop you from your worship of choice, we just want you to keep it to yourself. Keep it out of our public schools, our government and our military.
- Atheists are decent, caring, moral, generous, loving human beings, because it’s RIGHT to be so, not because we expect some reward in the next life. THIS is the only life you have.
I honestly don’t understand why people believe in a deity. If you read the bible, you’ll see so many things wrong with it! Try this site. And if you don’t believe in the bible, why do you believe in god? You almost can’t have god without the bible and the bible is bullshit written by power hungry leadership x-amount of years ago to keep the sheeple in line.
Think. Use your brain. Question. Don’t just go along because that’s what mommy and daddy expect, what you’ve always done. Really research WHY you are willing to put your life in the hands of something that can’t be bothered to prove itself.
Let me end with this:
OMD! I forgot the latest Mr. Deity! Enjoy:
If you want to you can comment why you’re an atheist or why you believe in some sky daddy. Let me know. I’m up for conversation as long as it doesn’t swing too far towards conversion.
I thought we had this figured out already?
Mar 21st
I’m talking about this:
Arizona lawmakers give abortion restrictions sharper teeth
As far as this article is concerned, both sides are using made-up and/or beefed up information to make their argument.
Sen. Don Shooter, R-Yuma, cited figures from the Frederick Douglass Foundation which said that 30 percent of all abortions in Arizona are to black women. The latest census figures show people who identify themselves as black at 4.1 percent of the population.
But the Arizona Department of Health Services reports that in 1999, the most recent year available, 7.3 percent of all abortions were to black women.
Shooter said he was got the press release from Rep. Steve Montenegro, R-Litchfield Park, the sponsor of the legislation. Montenegro, in turn, said he was relying on the foundation, which describes itself as Christian and pro-life; the foundation’s founder, Timothy Johnson, said he got the Arizona statistics from a researcher on his staff.
But Montenegro said any discrepancy in the data is irrelevant.
I’m pretty sure the Frederick Douglass Foundation has a vested interest in exaggerating the discrimination against black people.
And it’s irrelevant that it might not be a problem in Arizona anyway? They can’t even cite cite their resources! They’re made up! Some idiot pulls numbers out of their ass and we’re passing legislation on it? Legislation that can PUT PEOPLE IN JAIL if someone determines they acted on a pregnant women’s request for help and she happens to be black, or was impregnated by a black, or might not want a girl?
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Phoenix, said there is no evidence of gender-based abortion in this country. She said the problem is confined to countries like China where parents generally are limited to a single child, and India where parents worry about the cost of a dowry to marry off a girl.
But Sen. Nancy Barto, R-Phoenix, cited a study based on 2000 census figures from U.S. families of Asian ancestry. It found that when a family already had two girls, the chances of the third child being male was 50 percent higher.
That, Barto said, shows evidence that parents are using abortion for gender selection.
How exactly is that evidence? I can’t remember what that type of argument is called (besides bullshit) when you jump to a conclusion based on not enough information.
Sen. Gail Griffin, R-Hereford, said the issue is money.
She read a release from Day Gardner, president of the National Black Pro-Life Union which said Planned Parenthood is willing to accept “racist donations, even to the point of being excited at possibility of taking money specifically to kill a black baby.” That release also said Planned Parenthood puts its facilities “strategically in minority and urban neighborhood.”
Excited. Right. Pro-choice people are targeting minorities, according to the NATIONAL BLACK PRO-LIFE UNION. Gee, their “proof” won’t be biased at all!
The reason Planned Parenthood puts its facilities in minority and urban neighborhoods is that’s where the poor people live. The ones who don’t want a/another child, the ones who can’t afford REAL health care and need those facilities for MORE than abortions, like mammograms, birth control, STD testing, etc. There’s going to be one in just about every college town, because that’s the major age group of women who need their services. They go where the need is; they don’t create the need.
Why are republicans so stupid? Why are they so determined to enforce their will upon everyone else?
Why can’t they just mind their own business?
I pissed HER off?
Mar 12th
I was at this comedy club with friends last night having a great time. I’d asked for water and they bring it in a bottle I guess so they can charge you for it, right? So when the show was over and everyone was being directed out the side door I took my half-full bottle of water with me.
Squishing through the door… girl at the door says “oh you can’t take that with you” and I’m stunned. It’s water! Whatever, so I look around for a trash can or something… nope. I can’t go back into the venue as there’s like 20 people behind me trying to get out! So I wedged the bottle between her folded arms and say, “if you want it, here it is” and keep walking.
As I’m filing down the steps she says snarkily, “Thanks for being so understanding and polite. I’m just doin’ my JOB!” Louder and louder to be sure I and everyone else hears her.
Fine, sure, do your job. But when you don’t have a receptacle for people to toss things in what are they supposed to do with them? What did she want me to do? Really? Suckit bitch. She’s lucky I didn’t march back up those steps and shove it up her ass.
Fucking ridiculous over a bottle of water. It’s Arizona, people carry water everywhere.
Treated Equal?
Mar 7th
I don’t care if you’re super Christian or Atheist like me, this situation is completely wrong in so many ways.
Ft. Bragg. Not only did they provide space and access to the Billy Graham Evangelical Association, they co-sponsored, advertised, and pretty much ran Rock the Fort. Spent over 100k and had soldiers working on the event both building and protecting. Every poster and ad had the Army printed on it. Paid over 50k in expenses for the event.
When the Freedom From Religion Foundation objected to the Army (government) being so involved in a Christian event:
In a response to the original letter FFRF sent objecting to Army involvement in “Rock the Fort,” Commanding General Helmick wrote that he is “willing to provide similar support to comparable events sponsored by similar non-Federal entities that address the needs of the Soldiers on this Installation.”
Swell, seems fair… right? Nope.
So began the organizing of Rock Beyond Belief, a secular event with fun and entertainment for everyone else and right up until last week, they were led to believe that General Helmick would be true to his word. Months of planning and hard work, going through all the hassles, jumping through the right hoops, all on the assumption the Army would step up and be fair and equal. Even the Army base’s legal department recommended the plan.
When BAM! out of the blue the decision comes down. They can have the event but they can’t use the same space, they can’t use the Army or base name and they aren’t getting a dime.
Wow, that’s so similar isn’t it?
Without the Army’s help the event organizers had to cancel. And now they’re asking for everyone’s support. If you have free time you should go back and read all the posts about this. I’ve barely skimmed it here. Maybe they figure if enough people are vocal (or click) in support the Commander will change his decision. Who knows, public pressure has been working a lot more lately.
Isn’t our Army supposed to support the Constitution? You know, separation of church and state, freedom from religion and all that? The Army isn’t supposed to support ONE denomination (or the lack thereof) over another. Aren’t Army Chaplains non-denominational? The first concert should never have went on in the first place and certainly not with that much Army support. But because it did, they should provide equal support to any other denomination (or lack thereof) that chooses to put on a similar event.
This is bullshit. If you’re able, you should support the Rock Beyond Belief event just out of sheer fairness. No matter what you do or don’t believe deity-wise, you have to believe this isn’t right.
About Choice
Mar 1st
I’m fairly sure any argument you pose against choice, I have a counter-argument.
Life begins at conception. I don’t believe that, but if you do how about this? Women miscarriage every day. I’ve had two miscarriages myself. Doctors call miscarriages spontaneous abortions. The only difference is chance vs. choice.
They could grow up to be President or cure cancer. Seriously? Look around you. See those children whose “parent” screams at them or talks to them like dogs? The kids who have nobody paying attention to their behavior? Victims of child abuse or neglect? Jails and drug programs are full of miserable grown-up unwanted children. Sure, not all unwanted fetuses are mistreated after birth, but chances are if Mom didn’t want to have it in the first place, she’s not going to be too involved in it’s raising. Some people just shouldn’t have kids. Then why do they?
You could put it up for adoption. Well, maybe. There’s still a stigma to putting your child up for adoption. I’d say it’s more acceptable to most people to abort or keep and mistreat than to give your child away. A woman has two kids and gets pregnant again, she’s going to be pressured into keeping that child, keep the family intact. You’re an idiot 15-year-old and it happens? I’ve seen an unwanted pregnancy destroy families, destroy the girl’s future. What if you’re a drug addict? Is it better to birth what will likely be a special-needs child? I’m sure there are enough special-needs children out there looking for homes.
You should take responsibility for your actions. How responsible is it to bring an unwanted child into the world? How responsible is it to force your beliefs onto other people? How responsible is it to force women you don’t even know into situations they’re not equipped to handle?
Well they shouldn’t have unprotected sex in the first place. Sure. Right. And you’ve never had unprotected sex. You’ve never once chanced it? Liar. So you make a mistake and the punishment is… responsibility for a child for the rest of their life? Seems fair…not. To either the mother or the child.
Imagine a world where every child was wanted and cherished. Sounds marvelous doesn’t it? The only way that’s ever going to happen is when we stop coercing women into having children against their own better judgment.
As far as I’m concerned, it’s not a baby – a real life – until it’s born. Until it lives on it’s own. Or at least until it’s big enough in vitro to possibly live on it’s own. Then it has the rights all humans should have. Before that, it’s just a growth. And the woman who doesn’t want it ought to be able to choose to get rid of it without strangers making a difficult decision even harder.
Why do people keep sticking their noses into other people’s business? It seems to me that life is being wanted and loved. Being pro-life means you expect and berate women into having babies they don’t want. How is that a life for anyone? Isn’t it better to have 100 wanted and loved children than have 300 unwanted and mistreated ones?
