so don't ask if you don't want to know
Posts tagged atheist
Baby Baptismals
Jan 3rd
Well, apparently my grandson was baptized over the weekend. My daughter asked me weeks ago if I was okay with it. Sure, it doesn’t mean anything to me. She’s mentioned it a couple of times since but I thought it was later in the month.
Her boyfriend’s family is very Catholic and she’s been living with them, so it was a given. If it makes them all happy it’s fine by me. I’m sure Jack won’t be any different when I go see him tomorrow.
I had my kids baptized Episcopalian back in the day, even though I never actually joined the church and never went back. Maybe I thought it was a fail-safe at the time.
But even now I still don’t get it. What’s the point again? The child won’t remember, the child may or may not ever decide to follow that or any other religion. Baptized babies aren’t any healthier or happier.
There is that godparent thing. So Tyler’s brother and his wife? girlfriend? I can’t remember are now Jack’s godparents. That means they’re in charge of his spiritual upbringing (whatever that is) and supposedly take custody if anything happens to Tyler and Ginnie right?
Let me tell you now, if anything happens to my daughter and that child needs care that family is in for a big awakening. None of us may have been invited to attend his baptismal or even invited to visit him (only me) but when push comes to shove we’ll be fighting to keep him. It’s her choice now to go along with their religiosity in order to keep the peace where she lives, but so far deep down inside she’s still an atheist just like the rest of my family. We’ll share, but we won’t give up.
And when he gets big enough to question I’ll make damned sure he does. Just like Kira, when she asks me questions I tell her what I think and that other people think differently and she needs to make up her own mind.
FFRF Valley of the Sun meeting
Oct 30th
I’m the first to admit I’m a cynical bitch but this morning was a… a… complete waste of my time. I’m kind of looking for new groups to check out. Looking for new opportunities to meet like-minded people.
So today I show up at the location of the local Freedom From Religion Foundation group. The majority of the attendees – 90%? – were retirees. Nobody spoke to me. There was some eye contact, but no greeting or anything.
I’m used to welcoming and being welcomed into groups like at our evfn and PodcampAZ events. Not even a hello.
The actual meeting started out fine. Sort of introductions of the #1 and #2 people. We were told about the upcoming placement of the FFRF billboards (and she promised to send out exact locations) a couple of which I jotted down. They talked about a couple of books we should check out. Then the special guest started…
Bob McWhirter, “Baby Don’t Be Cruel: Origins of Punishment, The Eighth Amendment, and Religion”
Oh. My. Gawd. This had to have been the most boring and painful 1:45 minutes of my life. Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up.
- this guy needs serious help in putting together a power point presentation.
- we don’t need 100+ slides of quotes from old greeks and bible stories tied in with Elvis and The Princess Bride references.
- his points could have been made with 1/3 of the slides and in 30 minutes or less
I’m pretty sure he was shooting for why the death penalty is wrong. And though I disagree with him I might have been swayed had his presentation been better.
The thing is, almost everyone in the audience was all for him and his presentation. Forgive the expression, but he was preaching to the choir. There was no discussion, no Q&A or any chance to ask for citations – and believe me he pulled some of his information out of his ass.
This is so not the group for me. I’m for conversation. Discussion. Points and checks. Questions and answers. Oh well, I tried something new and it failed. Moving on.
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.
Memory Dumping
Jan 12th
My friend Ruthie - taken by MrAnathema
So Sunday was our 3rd Annual NoPantsAZ Day on the light rail. There are some pictures on flickr tagged #nopantsaz if you want to go wander through them. It was a bit chilly but I managed to keep up when the whole group strutted down Mill Ave to Robbie Fox’s for drinks and then back to the light rail. Good fun… such good fun I just spent the rest of the day pantless.
Also, I managed to get approved for my new apartment so I finished the day making arrangements for utilities and stuff.
Monday night I had Kira and for some stupid reason we decided to pincurl her hair. She sat still for me to do the front and top, but there was no way in hell she’d let me do her whole head.
As you can see, she wasn’t pleased. I think it’s adorable but she complained all day. I’m pretty sure as soon as her Daddy saw it (and more than likely laughed) she showered it out. Oh well.
Speaking of hair, for some reason I have sores all over my scalp. Maybe it’s a side effect from something I’m taking or more likely, it’s an allergic reaction to something I’ve eaten. I’m beginning to think my fondness for pistachios is causing that and possibly the difficulty with breathing I have periodically and coincidentally after ingesting more than my fair share. I’m really gonna hate giving up pistachios.
What else…
I’m planning – hoping – to get down to Tucson on Thursday to stand as silent guard at the funeral of Christina Green. There are a couple of groups getting together to stand silently arm-in-arm to block any possible hate-spewing by the Westboro Assholes. I want to go, but between the 5000 local residents and if the President or First Lady shows up, it might be better for us non-locals to stay out of the way. Still not sure.
Yes, I’m still slightly bitter about my failed attempt to get to the Jon Stewart Rally. My poor health and ability to walk distances might make the whole Tucson mission impossible for me. But I really want to, to stand against the WBC, to provide what little protection I can for a grieving family, and to show that Atheists have compassion and honor.
Isn't that speshal?
Dec 22nd
Wow. Seriously. Check this out. As if the Creation Museum wasn’t bad enough, now they’re seriously planning to build an Ark Park, a theme park with a replica ark. Complete with penned animals IN THE ARK TOGETHER.
No matter that there are recognized standards for space and relative location to predatory animals.
Let me say I’m no big huge fan of animals. I find PETA extremes laughable. But I think if man takes an animal out of the wild he has a responsibility to keep it in as close it’s environment as possible. Roaming animals need room to roam, cold animals need cold, etc. And I don’t approve of even house pets being penned up for any length of time. It’s inconceivable to me that these people are okay with penning LIVE animals up inside a wooden building for display. Just to show now Noah and his family would have handled the management of these animals.
You know, that Noah bible story from that book written by old guys a couple of thousand years ago? That book that so many base their lives on… their Christian ideals. Do unto others and all that bullshit?
And if that’s not bad enough, they want to use Government incentives to build it.
See? This is why Atheists are “attacking” Christians. Because they continue to change/break the rules of this country whenever they choose, and we’re supposed to suck it up and keep quiet. If they wanted to pay for the whole thing themselves and use animatronic animals, I’d have no problem with it. Oh, I’d still find it laughable and stupid, but to each his own. Go for it. But when you think you’re above or beyond the rules the rest of us live by, that’s where I get pissed.
And by the way, I’m hearing a lot about Atheists “attacking” Christians. Kind of like Christians have historically attacked everyone who doesn’t think just like them – and even amongst themselves – for centuries? No, Atheists haven’t killed or maimed or even penned up anyone. We’re smarter than that.
It feels to me that the atheist/skeptic/they’re overstepping their bounds group is getting stronger. Or is it just cuz I’m in it? And then “they” do something stupid like cover up the mass molestations of innocent children or build arks and I feel just that much… righter.
Come join me on the dark side.
It Was Fabulous!
Dec 5th
My friend Ruthie invited me to her Church’s Christmas concert, so Atheist that I am, I decided to go for it. I love Ruthie that much.
I’m so glad I did! I had a fabulous time! Let me start by saying this isn’t your normal church and it’s not your normal Christmas show. It’s a LGBT Church and the show was… almost secular.
Ruthie’s first song was Mary Did You Know, which is one of my favorite songs. I think of it as a song for any mother who’s child grows up to be extra-special or famous and it always gives me goosebumps. There was the dead-on Grinch song, some ladies singing the 12 Days After Christmas – which cracked me up – a nice violinist, an excellent piano player, and so much more.
I must say though, I thought drag singers you know, actually sang. This one lip-synched but did put on a show.
Thank you Ruthie for inviting me. I think I’m finally getting into the Christmas mood!
Are you stupid?
Oct 19th
*twank twank twank*
(That’s the sound of knocking on a metal security door)
INNER DOOR OPENS
“Yes?”
“Ma’am, I’d like to talk to you about…”
“Excuse me,” I interrupt because I see the pamphlet she’s about to shove at me. “Do you see this sign jammed in my door? Do you understand what it means?”
“Um yeah, but I’d like to just share this…”
“In a minute,” I interrupt again. “First let me share with you the joy of anal sex and how miraculous the climax can be. In fact if I close my eyes and pray I can almost cum just from the thought of shoving that pamphlet up your ass. Or… have a nice day somewhere else.”
SLAM!
Highlights of TAM8
Jul 12th
These are the panels I actually attended. Unfortunately I couldn’t physically sit through all the panels I wanted to see.
Friday:
- Simon Singh talking about his libel court battle in London with the Chiropractics. Excellent.
- Joe Nickell talking about his interviews with sham paranormal practitioners. Okay
- Adam Savage talking about atheism and science. Great, but the best part was his response to the over-hostile moon landing conspiracy guy.
- Skeptics Guide to the Universe Dinner. Mr. Deity.’nuff said.
Saturday:
- James McGaha droning on and on about the improbability of aliens among us. And I mean drone.
- Paranormal Investigations panel was pretty good.
- Paul Provenza was funny. I may even spend a dime on his book Sataristas.
- Skepchick Wild Wild West Bordello party was the shit. A little hot and crowded but lots of fun.
Sunday:
Was a day of papers. I only went to a couple as my back had had quite enough of that sitting thing. One was Dr. Ryan Shaffer talking about his investigation of Sylvia Browne. Proof that in 115 televised specific “predictions” she got zero correct. Or even close. The other was Kevin Folta pointing out that EVERYTHING we eat has been genetically altered in one way or another. Science is NOT teh evil. Did you know bananas originally had lots of seeds?
When I wasn’t at the conference, I was either at the pool or at the bar. What I really want to know is how, in the same general hot-as-shit environment as we have here, they keep their pool freezing cold. It must be magic.
Do I LOOK woo-woo to you?
Jul 7th
I finally stopped in to my insurance broker’s office this morning to clear up their mistake. (Casey got his own insurance last FEBRUARY and somehow I’m still covering his car.) I’m sitting there with Della (the ditz) and she’s going on and on about this weekend, the full moon, some sort of eclipse and the power of writing out your life goals THIS VERY MINUTE while everything is aligned. Very important to write these goals in red. Dunno why. And then gushing about her new pink crystal something bracelet and the power of earth’s rocks…
“So what are you doing this weekend?” she bothers to ask.
Oh, I’m attending a skeptics conference in Vegas. You know, some of the top scientists and skeptics in the world get together and try very hard not to laugh at the woo-woo people.
But did I say that aloud? Nope. Not when she’s in control of my automobile insurance needs.
“Goin’ to Vegas!”
We'll never agree
Jun 10th
I wish people wouldn’t feel the need to beat you over the head with their opinion:
ME: Hot atheists and agnostics http://bit.ly/b37g57 Aren’t Agnostics just Atheists with a fear of commitment?
(Meant to be humorous)
Other Person: agnostics = there is a god! Athiests = there is no such thing as this god nonsense
To which I stupidly reply:
ME: Agnostics are just-in-case Atheists. You can’t have God without religion. Like believing in Huck Finn without Mark Twain.
Which in turn opens the angry floodgates:
OP: uhhhh… I’m agnostic. Yes, you can have spirituality without religion. You can’t be Christian without Christianity though.
OP: it’s more about abandoning religion than anything. Don’t tell me what I am.
OP: people don’t understand that spirituality and religion are two totally different things.
Oh, I had a reply but I refrained from comment there. I mean it’s twitter! Land of the quick comments not long discussions.
OP: that is like saying people of earthly (pagan) religions are athiests because they don’t believe in the Christian God.
My eyes are glazing over here…
OP: or that I am an athiest because I believe in and thank the universe for what I am blessed with. I am not Christian…
Fine, whatever you say dear. Go eat a cookie and calm down.
ag·nos·tic: (wishy-washy)
- One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God.
- One who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.
- One who is doubtful or noncommittal about something.
a·the·ist: (definitive)
- One who disbelieves or denies the existence of God or gods.
Somehow I think believing in a Mother Nature type energy (pagans?) or Lady Luck or any sort of mystical energy is different than believing in God or Muhammad or Buddha. There is no big giant head controlling the entire universe.
I believe in my parking angel. I have an angel on my visor that if I rub her tummy and ask nicely a great parking space will open up as if by magic. It works nine times out of ten. Do I think she’s getting her power though God? Shit no. But maybe she’s tapping into some karma-luck energy field. Or maybe it’s just coincidence. Who cares.
Oh right, the subject of this post. I learned a long time ago there’s just no arguing with people. You state your opinion and leave it at that. What’s the point of defending your position over and over again? You’re not going to change someone else’s mind.
Drives me nucking futs when people do that. But not as much as when they can’t spell Athiest.
