I'm not claiming I adhere perfectly to these principles but it's my goal anyway. Like everyone else, I’m a work in-progress and have developed this code over the years. These are in no particular order.
Don't hurt people or bother their stuff.
Do not initiate violence but protect yourself, your loved ones, and any other living being that needs it by whatever means is available.
Be kind to animals. Even if you eat them, give them a good life and a peaceful death.
Tell the truth.
Keep your word.
Be kind and help people.
Stand up for what is right.
Fulfill your responsibilities.
Some of those may be redundant. Everything else that comes to mind is covered by one or more of the above.
Who, what, where, how, and whether a person worships;
What other people think about;
What a person chooses to read or watch on TV;
What consenting adults do sexually;
How a person medicates and recreates;
What a person eats or drinks;
What words a person chooses to use;
...those things are personal preferences and have nothing to do with morality.
Earthchild has spoken. As always, I welcome your comments.
20 December 2012
19 December 2012
School shootings
I’m reading a lot of opinions and suggestions—even demands—for what to do to prevent these school shootings. I've seen a lot of finger-pointing and name-calling, and too many knee-jerk reactions. We need to stop that and focus on finding a solution. In order to find a solution, we need to identify the problem. Too many people think they have the answer without even thinking of the other possibilities or other facts. So let's discuss this. These are my opinions and some facts on which they are based about some of the statements I've seen so far about this topic. Feel free to add yours.
It's not lack of religion; there are countries where the majority of the population is atheist that don't have this kind of violence. I know many atheists, agnostics... who are way more moral than some Christians I know and some Christians who are way more moral than some non-religious folk that I know. It's just not a factor. Of course, I suppose that depends on your definition of morality. I’ll address that in a separate post.
Along those lines, the problem is not because we "kicked God out of the schools". Many countries do not allow religion in their schools and they don’t have this problem. Add to that the fact that saying your god stood by and watched those children being violently murdered and terrorized and could have saved them... could have prevented it... and would have prevented it but he allowed it because some adults decided to keep the government free from religion so that everyone could have freewill in their religious decisions... THAT doesn't sound like a god I'd like very much or who is deserving of any worship. That is certainly not a loving and caring god. [I know not all Christians believe that--probably not even a majority--but it has been said and, therefore, should be addressed.]
Guns are not the problem; there are countries where there is a high percentage of gun ownership that don't have the violence that happens in the United States. Violence wasn't even a problem historically in the United States. I've actually been told--but have no reference for it--that boys in rural areas used to take their guns to school so they could go hunting afterwards so it’s not about gun ownership or even taking a gun out in public. I need to look that up but, if anyone here is old enough to remember this or has any documentation for the validity or lack thereof, please speak up.
My question is this: Could there be a factor that we've only had in recent years that is causing people to be more violent?
It is a fact that anyone who wants to get a gun will have a gun just like anyone who wants to smoke pot or use drugs will get what they want. More laws won't help in either situation. Disarming responsible people will not disarm criminals. Putting responsible people in a position to protect people is what will help.
Also witness the recent stabbing incident in China. Violence doesn't require a gun. A person can be hurt or killed without a gun. Anyone who wants to hurt someone will find a way. Sure some weapons allow for more damage than others but the problem isn't how many people are hurt; the problem is that it happens at all.
It's not a lack of mental health care but I think the type and quality of mental health care is an issue. As a person who is receiving said mental health care, I can tell you that at least my doctor is just a pill pusher who has no idea and doesn't care about helping me. He cannot be the only one. At any rate, a huge number of these shooters have been people who are on psych drugs so obviously they have access to treatment. It could be that they're being given the wrong treatment. I also question whether they did it because of their mental condition and the drugs weren't helping or if the drugs caused it. Perhaps the drug was just what they needed to push them over the edge. Lyrica turned me into a raging bitch. I know another person who is one of the kindest and most easy-going people I've ever known and Lyrica caused him to become disagreeable and angry. I live on the edge of raging bitch so it was easy for the drug to push me over so I can see how that could happen to a person who already has mental problems.
So why is it that these shootings are happening so much in the United States? Are they happening in other countries? What are other countries doing that is working and not working for them?
Another question comes to mind: There have been shootings in other places but why are they mostly happening in public schools?
Well, I've typed that off the top of my head but will find documentation to present if requested. Whether you agree with me or not, your well-thought-out and reasoned comments are welcome. Indeed; they are requested. We'll never find a solution if we can't have well-reasoned discussions.
It's not lack of religion; there are countries where the majority of the population is atheist that don't have this kind of violence. I know many atheists, agnostics... who are way more moral than some Christians I know and some Christians who are way more moral than some non-religious folk that I know. It's just not a factor. Of course, I suppose that depends on your definition of morality. I’ll address that in a separate post.
Along those lines, the problem is not because we "kicked God out of the schools". Many countries do not allow religion in their schools and they don’t have this problem. Add to that the fact that saying your god stood by and watched those children being violently murdered and terrorized and could have saved them... could have prevented it... and would have prevented it but he allowed it because some adults decided to keep the government free from religion so that everyone could have freewill in their religious decisions... THAT doesn't sound like a god I'd like very much or who is deserving of any worship. That is certainly not a loving and caring god. [I know not all Christians believe that--probably not even a majority--but it has been said and, therefore, should be addressed.]
Guns are not the problem; there are countries where there is a high percentage of gun ownership that don't have the violence that happens in the United States. Violence wasn't even a problem historically in the United States. I've actually been told--but have no reference for it--that boys in rural areas used to take their guns to school so they could go hunting afterwards so it’s not about gun ownership or even taking a gun out in public. I need to look that up but, if anyone here is old enough to remember this or has any documentation for the validity or lack thereof, please speak up.
My question is this: Could there be a factor that we've only had in recent years that is causing people to be more violent?
It is a fact that anyone who wants to get a gun will have a gun just like anyone who wants to smoke pot or use drugs will get what they want. More laws won't help in either situation. Disarming responsible people will not disarm criminals. Putting responsible people in a position to protect people is what will help.
Also witness the recent stabbing incident in China. Violence doesn't require a gun. A person can be hurt or killed without a gun. Anyone who wants to hurt someone will find a way. Sure some weapons allow for more damage than others but the problem isn't how many people are hurt; the problem is that it happens at all.
It's not a lack of mental health care but I think the type and quality of mental health care is an issue. As a person who is receiving said mental health care, I can tell you that at least my doctor is just a pill pusher who has no idea and doesn't care about helping me. He cannot be the only one. At any rate, a huge number of these shooters have been people who are on psych drugs so obviously they have access to treatment. It could be that they're being given the wrong treatment. I also question whether they did it because of their mental condition and the drugs weren't helping or if the drugs caused it. Perhaps the drug was just what they needed to push them over the edge. Lyrica turned me into a raging bitch. I know another person who is one of the kindest and most easy-going people I've ever known and Lyrica caused him to become disagreeable and angry. I live on the edge of raging bitch so it was easy for the drug to push me over so I can see how that could happen to a person who already has mental problems.
So why is it that these shootings are happening so much in the United States? Are they happening in other countries? What are other countries doing that is working and not working for them?
Another question comes to mind: There have been shootings in other places but why are they mostly happening in public schools?
Well, I've typed that off the top of my head but will find documentation to present if requested. Whether you agree with me or not, your well-thought-out and reasoned comments are welcome. Indeed; they are requested. We'll never find a solution if we can't have well-reasoned discussions.
10 December 2012
18 September 2012
social experiment
Oh, man...I completely forgot to tell y'all what happened today. I ran out of gas. Well, my car ran out of gas. Again.
I had just exited 19 and was at the stop sign at the end of the exit when The Dragon just up and stopped running. I put on my hazard lights and called Clyde to bring me some gas. I put it in neutral thinking to roll back onto shoulder but it wasn't budging and no way I was going to try to move it because that would have been pointless and painful. So I was in the road but there was plenty of room to go around.
Then I conducted an interesting social experiment. I wish I'd actually taken notes but I'll just have to do it from memory.
I'd say that about three dozen cars passed me. At first I would stick my arm out the window and wave them around me but I got tired of holding my arm out in the rain and decided if they were that dumb, let them sit there.
Some people--let's say about a third--saw the flashing hazard lights from a distance and just drove around me.
The rest pulled up behind me and stopped like they thought I was going to move. Let's say that about half of those quickly realized that I wasn't going anywhere and went around me. Perhaps they noticed the flashing hazard lights. I even got out at one point to see if they were flashing.
Anywho, at least half of the people who pulled up behind me sat there for more than a minute before it dawned on them to go around.
Then SUV pulled up and sat there...and sat there...and sat there... I watched three minutes go by once I started watching so it had to be five or more but then I was distracted from keeping the time by the ramming of The Dragon's backside by said SUV!!!
I got out of the car and walked back to the SUV.
To the woman sitting in the SUV I said, "What was THAT about?!"
She replied, "Oh, Honey, I'm sorry. I thought you'd went."
So I looked and there really wasn't any damage so I just got back in my car. But she didn't leave so I just ignored her.
A few minutes later, a couple shows up. I didn't realize at first but I guess she'd called them. The guy asked me was I okay and should he call the police. Then it dawned on me that she was still sitting there thinking I'd called the police and she was afraid to leave the "scene of the crime" so to speak.
I told him there was no harm done and it wasn't a big deal so he looked and said he didn't see any damage either so they all left right as Clyde showed up with the gas can.
Through all the time I sat there and had three dozen cars pass me along with a lot of cars going by on the road that I was facing, ONE man stopped to see if I needed help. ONE man. Count him. ONE. smh. Well, I hope something really nice happened for him today.
Results of social study:
1-Most people are stupid.
2-Very few people will even offer assistance to a stranded stranger.
3-I really need a gas gauge that works.
I had just exited 19 and was at the stop sign at the end of the exit when The Dragon just up and stopped running. I put on my hazard lights and called Clyde to bring me some gas. I put it in neutral thinking to roll back onto shoulder but it wasn't budging and no way I was going to try to move it because that would have been pointless and painful. So I was in the road but there was plenty of room to go around.
Then I conducted an interesting social experiment. I wish I'd actually taken notes but I'll just have to do it from memory.
I'd say that about three dozen cars passed me. At first I would stick my arm out the window and wave them around me but I got tired of holding my arm out in the rain and decided if they were that dumb, let them sit there.
Some people--let's say about a third--saw the flashing hazard lights from a distance and just drove around me.
The rest pulled up behind me and stopped like they thought I was going to move. Let's say that about half of those quickly realized that I wasn't going anywhere and went around me. Perhaps they noticed the flashing hazard lights. I even got out at one point to see if they were flashing.
Anywho, at least half of the people who pulled up behind me sat there for more than a minute before it dawned on them to go around.
Then SUV pulled up and sat there...and sat there...and sat there... I watched three minutes go by once I started watching so it had to be five or more but then I was distracted from keeping the time by the ramming of The Dragon's backside by said SUV!!!
I got out of the car and walked back to the SUV.
To the woman sitting in the SUV I said, "What was THAT about?!"
She replied, "Oh, Honey, I'm sorry. I thought you'd went."
So I looked and there really wasn't any damage so I just got back in my car. But she didn't leave so I just ignored her.
A few minutes later, a couple shows up. I didn't realize at first but I guess she'd called them. The guy asked me was I okay and should he call the police. Then it dawned on me that she was still sitting there thinking I'd called the police and she was afraid to leave the "scene of the crime" so to speak.
I told him there was no harm done and it wasn't a big deal so he looked and said he didn't see any damage either so they all left right as Clyde showed up with the gas can.
Through all the time I sat there and had three dozen cars pass me along with a lot of cars going by on the road that I was facing, ONE man stopped to see if I needed help. ONE man. Count him. ONE. smh. Well, I hope something really nice happened for him today.
Results of social study:
1-Most people are stupid.
2-Very few people will even offer assistance to a stranded stranger.
3-I really need a gas gauge that works.
28 July 2012
Willful ignorance abounds.
::sigh::
It's always the same thing over and over and over. I wish they'd come up with something new. Here are some examples. [Except my version is spelled correctly and has good grammar.]
Go back where you came from. Stay out of my state. Mind your own business.
[They like to assume that we all come from somewhere else so they can go on in blissful ignorance believing they speak for all West Virginians. The real outsiders are the coal companies. They make big profits and spend them in other states so we don't even benefit from it.]
If you don't like coal, turn off your lights. [My personal favorite.]
Coal keeps your lights on.
Go sit in the dark.
[They seem to have no idea that electricity can be generated by things other than coal.] [And this isn't about coal; this is about a method of extracting coal that is detrimental to West Virginia and Appalachia. Personally, I respect coal miners; they have a hard job going underground to get the coal.]
Why don't you go protest something that really matters?
[Because *this* really matters plus it's here where I live so I can be better involved in it.]
You're trying to take jobs away.
How will the miners feed their children once you take their jobs away?
[Sadly, they don't know that mountaintop removal is what took away the jobs. Regulations have actually caused an increase in mining jobs because the companies have had to go back underground.] [And why they don't know that is a mystery since I've posted the link to the data at the MSHA website all over the place. Even here. WV Office of Mine and Health Safety ]
Dirty treehuggers.
Get a job.
Never worked a day in your life.
Go back to your air-conditioned office job.
Take a bath.
Get a life.
[Ah, yes...the personal attacks. Personal attacks are what people do when they have no evidence or documentation to support their views. As I always say: Whoever first resorts to a personal attack is automatically the loser of the debate. This also goes for violence or threats thereof and name-calling which is a form of personal attack.]
After I posted some documented facts with sources, one woman posted that they should go look at my "religious beliefs" and they'll understand why we're doing this. So my not believing in a god somehow explains what other people are doing? I'm not so sure it even explains what I do. I don't believe in any gods. That doesn't change the fact that I'm a decent, caring person. Which *is* why I do what I do. OTOH, could she mean that I am posting intelligent information and documented facts because of my lack of belief in a god?
Willful ignorance abounds.
It's always the same thing over and over and over. I wish they'd come up with something new. Here are some examples. [Except my version is spelled correctly and has good grammar.]
Go back where you came from. Stay out of my state. Mind your own business.
[They like to assume that we all come from somewhere else so they can go on in blissful ignorance believing they speak for all West Virginians. The real outsiders are the coal companies. They make big profits and spend them in other states so we don't even benefit from it.]
If you don't like coal, turn off your lights. [My personal favorite.]
Coal keeps your lights on.
Go sit in the dark.
[They seem to have no idea that electricity can be generated by things other than coal.] [And this isn't about coal; this is about a method of extracting coal that is detrimental to West Virginia and Appalachia. Personally, I respect coal miners; they have a hard job going underground to get the coal.]
Why don't you go protest something that really matters?
[Because *this* really matters plus it's here where I live so I can be better involved in it.]
You're trying to take jobs away.
How will the miners feed their children once you take their jobs away?
[Sadly, they don't know that mountaintop removal is what took away the jobs. Regulations have actually caused an increase in mining jobs because the companies have had to go back underground.] [And why they don't know that is a mystery since I've posted the link to the data at the MSHA website all over the place. Even here. WV Office of Mine and Health Safety ]
Dirty treehuggers.
Get a job.
Never worked a day in your life.
Go back to your air-conditioned office job.
Take a bath.
Get a life.
[Ah, yes...the personal attacks. Personal attacks are what people do when they have no evidence or documentation to support their views. As I always say: Whoever first resorts to a personal attack is automatically the loser of the debate. This also goes for violence or threats thereof and name-calling which is a form of personal attack.]
After I posted some documented facts with sources, one woman posted that they should go look at my "religious beliefs" and they'll understand why we're doing this. So my not believing in a god somehow explains what other people are doing? I'm not so sure it even explains what I do. I don't believe in any gods. That doesn't change the fact that I'm a decent, caring person. Which *is* why I do what I do. OTOH, could she mean that I am posting intelligent information and documented facts because of my lack of belief in a god?
Willful ignorance abounds.
16 June 2012
ATTENTION FRIENDS WHO ARE NORTH, EAST, SOUTH, AND WEST OF THE APPALACHIANS:
FACT: Due to mountaintop removal and fracking, the water in the Appalachian Mountains is being poisoned. This is a fact and no matter how much the government and the extractive industries deny it, well, facts are pesky little things in that they remain true in the face of denial.
Right now, you may think, "So what, it's just those ignorant, inbred hillbillies that are dying." but may I remind you that—as my daddy used to say—“shit runs downhill” and you are all downhill from these mountains.
If you sit back and let us fight this battle on our own and we lose because we needed the help you refused us, then you lose, too, and you deserve what happens when the water gets to where you live. Sorry but that's the truth and, if I’m still living, I won’t be able to come up with any sympathy for you.
If you don't care because it's *just* hurting us here in the mountains, well… I don't think much of you as a human being but still...Help us fight this for the sake of your children and grandchildren. If you won't even do it for them, then you are not much of a human being at all but consider doing it for your own self.
I hate to sound harsh but this is serious. We're fighting for our lives. This is no exaggeration and certainly no joke. WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Maybe you can't go to DC. Maybe you aren't willing or able to do anything drastic such as get arrested or shave your head. Maybe you can't go to Charleston or Frankfort or Nashville or Richmond. There are many other things that you *can* do.
You can learn the facts and then write your state and federal representatives. You can write our representatives. You can write letters-to-the-editor in your local newspapers. You can stage protests in your areas to publicize the issue and do other things to educate your local friends and neighbors of their impending danger.
You can limit your use of electricity to lower the demand. You can find out the source of your local electricity and demand that your local electricity company not use coal from mountaintop removal. You can consider switching to renewable energy such as solar.
If you can at all afford it, you can donate to any of the various groups such as Keepers of the Mountains who are fighting in the thick of the battle. http://mountainkeeper.blogspot.com/ There is always *something* you can do. If you are doing something, I appreciate it and I'd love to hear about it.
And, to my friends who do live in the mountains, you should already be doing this stuff. I’m talking about your life and the lives of your children, grandchildren, and neighbors.
Go here for further information: http://ilovemountains.org/
Right now, you may think, "So what, it's just those ignorant, inbred hillbillies that are dying." but may I remind you that—as my daddy used to say—“shit runs downhill” and you are all downhill from these mountains.
If you sit back and let us fight this battle on our own and we lose because we needed the help you refused us, then you lose, too, and you deserve what happens when the water gets to where you live. Sorry but that's the truth and, if I’m still living, I won’t be able to come up with any sympathy for you.
If you don't care because it's *just* hurting us here in the mountains, well… I don't think much of you as a human being but still...Help us fight this for the sake of your children and grandchildren. If you won't even do it for them, then you are not much of a human being at all but consider doing it for your own self.
I hate to sound harsh but this is serious. We're fighting for our lives. This is no exaggeration and certainly no joke. WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Maybe you can't go to DC. Maybe you aren't willing or able to do anything drastic such as get arrested or shave your head. Maybe you can't go to Charleston or Frankfort or Nashville or Richmond. There are many other things that you *can* do.
You can learn the facts and then write your state and federal representatives. You can write our representatives. You can write letters-to-the-editor in your local newspapers. You can stage protests in your areas to publicize the issue and do other things to educate your local friends and neighbors of their impending danger.
You can limit your use of electricity to lower the demand. You can find out the source of your local electricity and demand that your local electricity company not use coal from mountaintop removal. You can consider switching to renewable energy such as solar.
If you can at all afford it, you can donate to any of the various groups such as Keepers of the Mountains who are fighting in the thick of the battle. http://mountainkeeper.blogspot.com/ There is always *something* you can do. If you are doing something, I appreciate it and I'd love to hear about it.
And, to my friends who do live in the mountains, you should already be doing this stuff. I’m talking about your life and the lives of your children, grandchildren, and neighbors.
Go here for further information: http://ilovemountains.org/
18 March 2012
Unpleasant truths for today
http://youtu.be/-LEZA8_hOFw
In Phnom Pench, a city of 1 million, there are 10,000 to 20,000 women and children in prostitution.
35% of prostitutes in Cambodia are under the age of 18. [3500 to 7000]
40 to 50% of prostitutes in Cambodia are HIV positive.
Brothel owners pay traffickers $350 to $450 for each attractive Vietnamese VIRGIN *16 years or younger*.
For $500, a customer can keep a virgin for a week in his hotel room.
The presence of UN soldiers in Cambodia increased demand and caused the number of prostitutes to rise.
Yeah, I know you didn't want to know that but now you do. What can we do about it? Don't tell me "nothing." If enough people can get together and drive Rush Limbaugh off the air, we can do something to save these girls. What if it were you? What if it were your daughter?
https://www.freetheslaves.net/SSLPage.aspx
21 January 2012
Greta Christina: Why are atheists so angry?
http://youtu.be/GUI_ML1qkQE
It was good to hear her put this into words and it was good timing for my needs. I’m accused of being angry and negative and, of course, the blame is put on my lack of faith. Well, sure... if I closed my eyes to the things that are happening and focused on the idea that everything will be okay and there is a reason for all of the horror and tragedy in the world, I’d definitely feel better. It’s also true that I’d feel better if I got drunk or smoked some pot. If I focused on making myself feel better, I probably would and then my friends and family would be happy to not have to listen to me pointing out the bad things. But I cannot close my eyes. As they say, “What has been seen cannot be unseen.”
No, things are wrong and I won’t apologize for noticing and pointing them out. I refuse to delude myself into thinking it’s okay for anyone, especially children, to be hungry and homeless or to be poisoned by industries who contaminate the environment by such actions as blowing up mountains and releasing toxins into the air, land, and water.
When little girls and boys are strapped down and their genitals cut because of their parents’ religion, am I supposed to keep quiet? I can’t. In my mind, I see that little baby boy—too little to fight back—strapped to the board screaming for help that doesn’t come. I see that little girl held down by those from whom she has a right to expect protection and I cannot even fathom the extent of her pain both physical and emotional as her clitoris is cut off. Tell me: How can you *not* be angry?
I also refuse to ignore the fact that people here in the “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave” are not free to express their own thoughts if they disagree with the majority religion and are not free from having their tax money spent on promoting said religion and are not free from being subjected to it in public places and that those who are brave enough to speak up are tormented with hate and threats of violence and death.
I’m angry that every winter like clockwork the bitching and moaning begins about the supposed “war on Christmas.” I guess I’ll just never understand how other people celebrating their own holidays can be construed to be an attack on yours. Why can’t people be joyful that it’s Christmas and leave others to celebrate their own beliefs? The worst part of it, for me, is that I make a point to be cheerful and wish everyone a happy holiday. That is to say: If I know you celebrate Christmas, I specifically wish you a Merry Christmas. If I know you do Hanukkah, I wish you a happy Hanukkah. And so on. I also send out a general “Happy Holidays” to those I don’t know or may have missed. I’m also very open about the fact that I celebrate the winter solstice. How many of those people—my friends, family, and loved ones—do you think wished me a happy solstice last year? Three. Yep. That’s it. Three. Yes, most of my friends, family, and loved ones couldn’t be bothered to offer me a quick wish that my holiday be as happy as I'd wished theirs to be. That really hurt my feelings but... yes... yes, I’d have to say it also makes me angry.
So I do have a lot to fuel my anger. And those are just the highlights. I didn’t mention homeless veterans, unnecessary war, government representatives who do not represent, rich people who buy politicians so they can get richer and the politicians who are willing to be bought, the fact that more and more people are losing their jobs and homes, and the people who keep saying we need to cut welfare to the poor instead of corporate welfare, the alleged war on drugs, the fact that we’re losing the very freedoms that we claim we’re fighting to protect, and how my liberal and conservative and anarchist and libertarian and black and white and young and old and activists of different causes all think they are each other’s enemies instead of working together against our real enemy for the cause of freedom for all of us... along with all the personal bullshit I have to deal with including having a painful and debilitating health condition. Among other things.
So much of my anger seems to have nothing to do with atheism but it’s blamed on the fact that I lack faith so maybe it does. At any rate, I’ll keep my anger thank you very much because it’s justified and it exists because I care about important things like people and the environment and freedom and justice. I refuse to stop caring. I don’t even know how to stop caring. I may not be able to do much but I will continue sounding an alarm.
-earthchild. Once again she has spoken.
"...A lot of these people seem to have never considered the possibility that a lot of atheists are angry because we legitimately have things to be angry about." Greta Christina
It was good to hear her put this into words and it was good timing for my needs. I’m accused of being angry and negative and, of course, the blame is put on my lack of faith. Well, sure... if I closed my eyes to the things that are happening and focused on the idea that everything will be okay and there is a reason for all of the horror and tragedy in the world, I’d definitely feel better. It’s also true that I’d feel better if I got drunk or smoked some pot. If I focused on making myself feel better, I probably would and then my friends and family would be happy to not have to listen to me pointing out the bad things. But I cannot close my eyes. As they say, “What has been seen cannot be unseen.”
No, things are wrong and I won’t apologize for noticing and pointing them out. I refuse to delude myself into thinking it’s okay for anyone, especially children, to be hungry and homeless or to be poisoned by industries who contaminate the environment by such actions as blowing up mountains and releasing toxins into the air, land, and water.
When little girls and boys are strapped down and their genitals cut because of their parents’ religion, am I supposed to keep quiet? I can’t. In my mind, I see that little baby boy—too little to fight back—strapped to the board screaming for help that doesn’t come. I see that little girl held down by those from whom she has a right to expect protection and I cannot even fathom the extent of her pain both physical and emotional as her clitoris is cut off. Tell me: How can you *not* be angry?
I also refuse to ignore the fact that people here in the “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave” are not free to express their own thoughts if they disagree with the majority religion and are not free from having their tax money spent on promoting said religion and are not free from being subjected to it in public places and that those who are brave enough to speak up are tormented with hate and threats of violence and death.
I’m angry that every winter like clockwork the bitching and moaning begins about the supposed “war on Christmas.” I guess I’ll just never understand how other people celebrating their own holidays can be construed to be an attack on yours. Why can’t people be joyful that it’s Christmas and leave others to celebrate their own beliefs? The worst part of it, for me, is that I make a point to be cheerful and wish everyone a happy holiday. That is to say: If I know you celebrate Christmas, I specifically wish you a Merry Christmas. If I know you do Hanukkah, I wish you a happy Hanukkah. And so on. I also send out a general “Happy Holidays” to those I don’t know or may have missed. I’m also very open about the fact that I celebrate the winter solstice. How many of those people—my friends, family, and loved ones—do you think wished me a happy solstice last year? Three. Yep. That’s it. Three. Yes, most of my friends, family, and loved ones couldn’t be bothered to offer me a quick wish that my holiday be as happy as I'd wished theirs to be. That really hurt my feelings but... yes... yes, I’d have to say it also makes me angry.
So I do have a lot to fuel my anger. And those are just the highlights. I didn’t mention homeless veterans, unnecessary war, government representatives who do not represent, rich people who buy politicians so they can get richer and the politicians who are willing to be bought, the fact that more and more people are losing their jobs and homes, and the people who keep saying we need to cut welfare to the poor instead of corporate welfare, the alleged war on drugs, the fact that we’re losing the very freedoms that we claim we’re fighting to protect, and how my liberal and conservative and anarchist and libertarian and black and white and young and old and activists of different causes all think they are each other’s enemies instead of working together against our real enemy for the cause of freedom for all of us... along with all the personal bullshit I have to deal with including having a painful and debilitating health condition. Among other things.
So much of my anger seems to have nothing to do with atheism but it’s blamed on the fact that I lack faith so maybe it does. At any rate, I’ll keep my anger thank you very much because it’s justified and it exists because I care about important things like people and the environment and freedom and justice. I refuse to stop caring. I don’t even know how to stop caring. I may not be able to do much but I will continue sounding an alarm.
-earthchild. Once again she has spoken.
"...A lot of these people seem to have never considered the possibility that a lot of atheists are angry because we legitimately have things to be angry about." Greta Christina
20 January 2012
Hitch was right
I left Facebook a while back. I wasn’t sure why at the time but I was just overwhelmed with frustration, thoughts, and emotions so I needed a break from it. I didn’t close my account. I’ve even gone back to check some of my groups and interests but I won’t look at or interact with individuals or post any of my thoughts. At this time, I don’t know if I’ll ever do so again.
The catalyst for this was a conversation I had with someone very close to me. I don’t want to call it an argument. I’ve known and loved this person for some forty years and can’t ever recall anything near harsh words between us. It hurts to think we’d come to that over something that shouldn’t be more important than our relationship. I still love this person as much as I ever did but I’m frustrated at not being able to have an open and honest conversation.
I wasn’t able to express my frustration at the time but now that I’ve had time to reflect, I realize that what was on the surface wasn’t the problem at all. Was I upset that my loved one believed differently than I? No, not really. Was I offended by the derogatory video that was posted? Actually, no, not really. I post things that represent my views or that I find interesting—sometimes just to promote a discussion—and I realize someone could be offended. I welcome comments and, if something I post is factually incorrect, please let me know. But I wasn’t offended. Certainly I wasn’t offended by the jackass in the video. I’m used to that sort of thing and people like him and dismiss them with an eyeroll. No, my initial reaction was to correct the two misconceptions that he used as his strawman argument. I honestly thought that my loved one would accept the information and realize that the guy was wrong instead of defending and agreeing with him. In no way did the facts that I presented mean that my loved one had to change her beliefs; just that this particular bit of information was not true. Still, I’m not offended; it just hurt my feelings. In a way, I regret that I ever said anything but, in another way, it was a good lesson because it made me realize a few things and reinforced some others.
Most importantly, Hitch was right when he said that religion poisons everything. Something that prevents people who have loved each other for 40 years from having a well-reasoned discussion is poison. I’ll explore other revelations in future posts.
The catalyst for this was a conversation I had with someone very close to me. I don’t want to call it an argument. I’ve known and loved this person for some forty years and can’t ever recall anything near harsh words between us. It hurts to think we’d come to that over something that shouldn’t be more important than our relationship. I still love this person as much as I ever did but I’m frustrated at not being able to have an open and honest conversation.
I wasn’t able to express my frustration at the time but now that I’ve had time to reflect, I realize that what was on the surface wasn’t the problem at all. Was I upset that my loved one believed differently than I? No, not really. Was I offended by the derogatory video that was posted? Actually, no, not really. I post things that represent my views or that I find interesting—sometimes just to promote a discussion—and I realize someone could be offended. I welcome comments and, if something I post is factually incorrect, please let me know. But I wasn’t offended. Certainly I wasn’t offended by the jackass in the video. I’m used to that sort of thing and people like him and dismiss them with an eyeroll. No, my initial reaction was to correct the two misconceptions that he used as his strawman argument. I honestly thought that my loved one would accept the information and realize that the guy was wrong instead of defending and agreeing with him. In no way did the facts that I presented mean that my loved one had to change her beliefs; just that this particular bit of information was not true. Still, I’m not offended; it just hurt my feelings. In a way, I regret that I ever said anything but, in another way, it was a good lesson because it made me realize a few things and reinforced some others.
Most importantly, Hitch was right when he said that religion poisons everything. Something that prevents people who have loved each other for 40 years from having a well-reasoned discussion is poison. I’ll explore other revelations in future posts.
10 January 2012
Christian comedian's funny and insightful take on being an atheist
http://youtu.be/MmrevhzVcD8
This was posted on Facebook by a friend. I have too much to say to put my entire response there.
I didn't see anything particularly insightful and the only funny part is that he has no idea what atheists think or even what evolution is but he chooses to make an ass of himself anyway. Trust me...he's funny...atheists are laughing at him. Nothing he said was original; just stuff that Christians like to say about atheists.
BTW, atheist =/= evolution. An atheist is someone who has no god. An atheist probably accepts some form of evolution (there are several theories) but accepting that doesn't make one an atheist. There are Christians and persons of other religious beliefs who accept the factual, peer-reviewed science behind evolution. That evolution happens is a proven scientific fact; scientists just haven't figured out the details yet. As has been said many times before, “Just because we don’t know how it happened that doesn’t mean god did it.”
So this fellow is actually very ignorant. Of course, ignorance isn’t bad; we're all ignorant about something. Ignorance is a lack of knowledge. This guy goes beyond ignorance, though. He's actually stupid which is a state of remaining ignorant by choice. He revels in his ignorance like a pig rolls in mud.
He obviously has no idea what an atheist really is. It's real easy to say a person believes something and then make fun of what you said they believe. Actually knowing their thoughts and making a well-reasoned rebuttal is quite a different thing entirely. When a person isn't smart enough to do the latter, they resort to the former.
What was the point of his locking the doors? The woman obviously came to that decision by some research and deep thought on the topic. I'd bet she's pretty well-versed on the Bible. People don’t become atheists based on emotionalism. Atheists generally know more about what the Bible says than Christians. Many atheists, myself included, will tell you that one of the reasons they left religion is that they actually read their Bible seriously with an open mind. If he’d locked me in his house and tried talking bullshit like what he said in this clip to me, he'd be unlocking and running out the door in a hurry. With his hands over his ears yelling, "lalalalalalalalalala..." which is the usual response from people like him when exposed to logic, evidence, and reason.
An important point also comes to mind. If this person or anyone in his audience really cares about an atheist’s “soul” and “bringing them to the truth”, how is making fun of them going to help? Wouldn’t it make more sense to do some research into what they think and why... maybe talk to them seriously and really listen. That way you can have a well-reasoned discussion and they’ll be more willing to listen to what you have to say. But that would be if you really cared. Which this guy obviously doesn’t.
This was posted on Facebook by a friend. I have too much to say to put my entire response there.
I didn't see anything particularly insightful and the only funny part is that he has no idea what atheists think or even what evolution is but he chooses to make an ass of himself anyway. Trust me...he's funny...atheists are laughing at him. Nothing he said was original; just stuff that Christians like to say about atheists.
BTW, atheist =/= evolution. An atheist is someone who has no god. An atheist probably accepts some form of evolution (there are several theories) but accepting that doesn't make one an atheist. There are Christians and persons of other religious beliefs who accept the factual, peer-reviewed science behind evolution. That evolution happens is a proven scientific fact; scientists just haven't figured out the details yet. As has been said many times before, “Just because we don’t know how it happened that doesn’t mean god did it.”
So this fellow is actually very ignorant. Of course, ignorance isn’t bad; we're all ignorant about something. Ignorance is a lack of knowledge. This guy goes beyond ignorance, though. He's actually stupid which is a state of remaining ignorant by choice. He revels in his ignorance like a pig rolls in mud.
He obviously has no idea what an atheist really is. It's real easy to say a person believes something and then make fun of what you said they believe. Actually knowing their thoughts and making a well-reasoned rebuttal is quite a different thing entirely. When a person isn't smart enough to do the latter, they resort to the former.
What was the point of his locking the doors? The woman obviously came to that decision by some research and deep thought on the topic. I'd bet she's pretty well-versed on the Bible. People don’t become atheists based on emotionalism. Atheists generally know more about what the Bible says than Christians. Many atheists, myself included, will tell you that one of the reasons they left religion is that they actually read their Bible seriously with an open mind. If he’d locked me in his house and tried talking bullshit like what he said in this clip to me, he'd be unlocking and running out the door in a hurry. With his hands over his ears yelling, "lalalalalalalalalala..." which is the usual response from people like him when exposed to logic, evidence, and reason.
An important point also comes to mind. If this person or anyone in his audience really cares about an atheist’s “soul” and “bringing them to the truth”, how is making fun of them going to help? Wouldn’t it make more sense to do some research into what they think and why... maybe talk to them seriously and really listen. That way you can have a well-reasoned discussion and they’ll be more willing to listen to what you have to say. But that would be if you really cared. Which this guy obviously doesn’t.
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