This morning the entire country is arguing over the color of a dress. Here's what the country should be upset about:
http://news.yahoo.com/islamic-state-fighters-destroy-antiquities-iraq-video-124118694.html
ISIS assholes have destroyed ancient artifacts in a museum in Mosul, Iraq. They came into the museum with sledgehammers, drills, and other tools to destroy history. Why? Because they believe that the 2,000 year old statues were idols to gods other than their own. Thus, their god can't have that type of competition.
I feel like I'm going to be physically sick. I'm actually crying.
Is this what religion is? This murdering of culture? Physically wipe out anything that isn't like your own? Seems like it.
And, not just radical Muslims. MANY religions do this. In their history and today. Don't think that Christians don't. Just this morning I have seen 5 news articles about different court systems around the country dealing with religious people trying to ban abortion or gay marriage solely on the idea that it upsets their god.
Your religion makes you happy. Fantastic. I don't want to take that away from you. But, your world view and what makes you happy wont make me happy. Don't force it on me. Your god has a problem with the things I have, the way I live my life, that museums I want to see? He will deal with me eventually, wont he? Isn't that want you believe? Let it go.
If your peaceful and loving god demands that you destroy things, that's the opposite of a peaceful and loving god. That's a monster.
I'm happy to surround myself with rational and thoughtful people. It's unfortunate that we are, in turn, surrounded with delusional and irrational people who believe that their faith trumps everything else. It's a sad day for history. It's a sad day for culture. It's a sad day for humanity.
Especially when most people are still arguing about the dress....
Which is white and gold. Obviously.
Friday, February 27, 2015
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
How do atheists deal with a killer among us?
The answer to that it that we don't have to.
Yesterday a man in North Carolina shot and killed three young people. There is very little information about what actually happened so far. I've read numerous reports about how the young victims were college students. Two of them were married in December. All had bright futures and were well liked and respected in their community.
The main reason this story has become national news is that the victims were Muslim and the man who shot them is an atheist.
I first heard about the shooting this morning. The article I read only mentioned that the victims were Muslim and the man who killed them allegedly did so over a parking space in their apartment complex. The comments from readers made the assumption that the shooter was a Christian upset about Muslims in his town. This is North Carolina after all. NC isn't well known for it's tolerance and acceptance of those other than white, good-ole' boy, Republican, gun-totin', Christians.
But, by this afternoon, my Facebook feed was filled with messages and reports from secular sources that the shooter is an atheist. Every secular/atheist organization that I follow was quick to condemn the actions of the shooter, to explain that atheism isn't about violence, and that they have separated themselves from the actions of this man.
Fine. That's all fine. It's important to make that statement. The fact that I ONLY heard that he was atheist from secular sources tells me that the groups in which I'm involved care about this issue and wish to make it known that atheists aren't like this. But, the thing is, we don't have to.
I don't wish to sound crass. I feel terrible for the awful fate of the innocent lives that were tragically cut short. I did not know them but, they seemed like good people. I can't imagine the horror their friends and families must be going through.
But, I will not defend my lack of belief because I happen to share that one same quality with the shooter. I've known many atheists whom I've only shared the lack of belief with.
Whenever a Muslim terrorist does a horrific act, Christians demand other Muslims speak out against it. Whenever a Christian terrorist does something heinous, Christians immediately deem them as 'not a true Christian'. Atheism is not a doctrine. We do not have a core set of rules. We do not have a leader. Each person within atheism can only be expected to act according to the rules and regulations of their community.
This man does not have respect for life. He does not have respect for his community. He does not have common societal traits. He is sick. He is dangerous. He should not be a part of any community. He is in authority custody, as he should be. He will be given a trail, in accordance with our judicial system. He will be judged and pay for his crime the best way that our system of government can allow.
I don't have to feel like my lack of belief is threatened. It's going to be a pain in the ass, yes. But, atheism did not do this. A sick, deranged man did.
Yesterday a man in North Carolina shot and killed three young people. There is very little information about what actually happened so far. I've read numerous reports about how the young victims were college students. Two of them were married in December. All had bright futures and were well liked and respected in their community.
The main reason this story has become national news is that the victims were Muslim and the man who shot them is an atheist.
I first heard about the shooting this morning. The article I read only mentioned that the victims were Muslim and the man who killed them allegedly did so over a parking space in their apartment complex. The comments from readers made the assumption that the shooter was a Christian upset about Muslims in his town. This is North Carolina after all. NC isn't well known for it's tolerance and acceptance of those other than white, good-ole' boy, Republican, gun-totin', Christians.
But, by this afternoon, my Facebook feed was filled with messages and reports from secular sources that the shooter is an atheist. Every secular/atheist organization that I follow was quick to condemn the actions of the shooter, to explain that atheism isn't about violence, and that they have separated themselves from the actions of this man.
Fine. That's all fine. It's important to make that statement. The fact that I ONLY heard that he was atheist from secular sources tells me that the groups in which I'm involved care about this issue and wish to make it known that atheists aren't like this. But, the thing is, we don't have to.
I don't wish to sound crass. I feel terrible for the awful fate of the innocent lives that were tragically cut short. I did not know them but, they seemed like good people. I can't imagine the horror their friends and families must be going through.
But, I will not defend my lack of belief because I happen to share that one same quality with the shooter. I've known many atheists whom I've only shared the lack of belief with.
Whenever a Muslim terrorist does a horrific act, Christians demand other Muslims speak out against it. Whenever a Christian terrorist does something heinous, Christians immediately deem them as 'not a true Christian'. Atheism is not a doctrine. We do not have a core set of rules. We do not have a leader. Each person within atheism can only be expected to act according to the rules and regulations of their community.
This man does not have respect for life. He does not have respect for his community. He does not have common societal traits. He is sick. He is dangerous. He should not be a part of any community. He is in authority custody, as he should be. He will be given a trail, in accordance with our judicial system. He will be judged and pay for his crime the best way that our system of government can allow.
I don't have to feel like my lack of belief is threatened. It's going to be a pain in the ass, yes. But, atheism did not do this. A sick, deranged man did.
Friday, February 6, 2015
I'm not going to coddle your religion anymore.
Fairly recently I was monitoring the Facebook page of one of my groups. We had posted a link to a charity fundraiser. A secular camp for children was hosting a ticket auction on eBay for camp scholarships. (Remember those words: charity, fundraiser, children, and scholarship) Someone posted a rant underneath this link about how atheists are (and should be) fearful of God and how we need him to be able to understand right from wrong...yadda, yadda, yadda. Basic stuff.
Today, I read a religious article about how the recent vaccine issue of 'herd immunity' can be compared to why atheists and secular humanists have been unaffected by real evil because there are so many people around them who have grown up with Judeo-Christian morals. **If you're unsure of what 'herd immunity' is, think of how very young or very sick children who can't get certain vaccines don't contract a disease. There are plenty of people around them who have had the vaccine for said disease so they are protected from it. Like a bubble.
This article was basically saying that I have not learned true evil from basic human nature because the people around me, who are Christians, are blocking and protecting me from it. They have God's love that teaches them not to kill, rape, or do any other harm. The human race has no morals and is valueless without the teaching of God.
Here is the article: http://www.wnd.com/2015/02/vaccines-values-and-atheist-free-riders/
I'd already stopped pretending that someone who directly insults me is a good person. The charity ranter ans this woman who wrote the article have sealed it for me. I will no longer coddle someone because they are religious.
My response to the man who ranted underneath the fundraiser was one of utter disbelief and pity because he cannot make basic decisions about right and wrong without his imaginary friend. The woman who wrote the article is so disillusioned with reality she cannot see how not killing and injuring her neighbors would be detrimental to the basic fabric of society.
People who believe that they need some sort of constant eye on them to be good people are not good people. They do not belong in the general public. They are sick and they need mental help. I'm weary of them. And I'm going to start telling them so.
As a disclaimer: I'm not going to just walk into churches and scream at everyone. I'm just tired of people recoiling from me or responding with disgust when I mention that I'm an atheist. I'm going to be returning the favor. Otherwise, I assume I can have a polite conversation with anyone of any religion or non-religion.
Today, I read a religious article about how the recent vaccine issue of 'herd immunity' can be compared to why atheists and secular humanists have been unaffected by real evil because there are so many people around them who have grown up with Judeo-Christian morals. **If you're unsure of what 'herd immunity' is, think of how very young or very sick children who can't get certain vaccines don't contract a disease. There are plenty of people around them who have had the vaccine for said disease so they are protected from it. Like a bubble.
This article was basically saying that I have not learned true evil from basic human nature because the people around me, who are Christians, are blocking and protecting me from it. They have God's love that teaches them not to kill, rape, or do any other harm. The human race has no morals and is valueless without the teaching of God.
Here is the article: http://www.wnd.com/2015/02/vaccines-values-and-atheist-free-riders/
I'd already stopped pretending that someone who directly insults me is a good person. The charity ranter ans this woman who wrote the article have sealed it for me. I will no longer coddle someone because they are religious.
My response to the man who ranted underneath the fundraiser was one of utter disbelief and pity because he cannot make basic decisions about right and wrong without his imaginary friend. The woman who wrote the article is so disillusioned with reality she cannot see how not killing and injuring her neighbors would be detrimental to the basic fabric of society.
People who believe that they need some sort of constant eye on them to be good people are not good people. They do not belong in the general public. They are sick and they need mental help. I'm weary of them. And I'm going to start telling them so.
As a disclaimer: I'm not going to just walk into churches and scream at everyone. I'm just tired of people recoiling from me or responding with disgust when I mention that I'm an atheist. I'm going to be returning the favor. Otherwise, I assume I can have a polite conversation with anyone of any religion or non-religion.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
I've been lazy
Ok, maybe not 'lazy'. I've been BUSY.
November brought about Thanksgiving. And, while many people tend to sit around a gluttonous feast and praise an imaginary being for their wealth, health, and giant bird, I decided to host a Thanksgiving dinner at the Secular Hub. We had a great turn-out. One that I think will carry over to the following years and become a tradition at the Hub. Hopefully. There were so many people who literally had no where else to go. One woman came up to me afterward and thanked me to hosting as she was just going to be home alone as she had been doing every year for the last 15 years.
December brought all sorts of parties and activities. The Hub celebrated Festivus. (Aluminum pole, feats of strength, and airing of grievances and all) They also had a Winter Solstice party. It may not have been as large and as eventful as the one from last year but I think that it was still a very enjoyable time.
I went home to Florida to visit with family. My very religious sister may have pointed out my flaws rather harshly a few times but, it wasn't anything that surprised me. Apparently, I curse like a sailor, I hold grudges against my cousin's husband who tried to sleep with me, and I almost let it slip in front of her precious son that there are people who don't believe in his personal savior. Heaven forbid... But, no one made me go to church, so that's a plus. Plus, no matter what, I enjoy spending time with my family. They love me as the heathen I am and I love them for the bible-thumpers they are.
January...I have no excuse for January. I was just lazy. My mother purchased tickets for me to go to a comedy show for a comedian that I adore. (FLUFFY!!) My boyfriend took me to see Neil deGrasse Tyson. (Who made me laugh harder than the comedian and cry more than once, BTW) There may have been a girls night and few parties for the new year mixed in there as well. But no real excuse for not writing here.
But, I have been writing. I finished the first chapter to my book. I've never been so proud of something. I've never been so terrified of something. My goal had been to finish a chapter every month this year but, the more I look into what needs to be written the more I discover that the research alone is going to take up so much time. Time I'm not sure I have on a month-to-month basis.
I'm attempting to write on something I know very much about (community) from perspectives I don't know very well. I'm hoping the more experiences I have, the more I learn, the more people I talk to, the easier this will get. Here's hoping I can finish this book this year. That, for now, is my only New Year's Resolution, my only major goal...and the thing that will either make my year or kill me.
November brought about Thanksgiving. And, while many people tend to sit around a gluttonous feast and praise an imaginary being for their wealth, health, and giant bird, I decided to host a Thanksgiving dinner at the Secular Hub. We had a great turn-out. One that I think will carry over to the following years and become a tradition at the Hub. Hopefully. There were so many people who literally had no where else to go. One woman came up to me afterward and thanked me to hosting as she was just going to be home alone as she had been doing every year for the last 15 years.
December brought all sorts of parties and activities. The Hub celebrated Festivus. (Aluminum pole, feats of strength, and airing of grievances and all) They also had a Winter Solstice party. It may not have been as large and as eventful as the one from last year but I think that it was still a very enjoyable time.
I went home to Florida to visit with family. My very religious sister may have pointed out my flaws rather harshly a few times but, it wasn't anything that surprised me. Apparently, I curse like a sailor, I hold grudges against my cousin's husband who tried to sleep with me, and I almost let it slip in front of her precious son that there are people who don't believe in his personal savior. Heaven forbid... But, no one made me go to church, so that's a plus. Plus, no matter what, I enjoy spending time with my family. They love me as the heathen I am and I love them for the bible-thumpers they are.
January...I have no excuse for January. I was just lazy. My mother purchased tickets for me to go to a comedy show for a comedian that I adore. (FLUFFY!!) My boyfriend took me to see Neil deGrasse Tyson. (Who made me laugh harder than the comedian and cry more than once, BTW) There may have been a girls night and few parties for the new year mixed in there as well. But no real excuse for not writing here.
But, I have been writing. I finished the first chapter to my book. I've never been so proud of something. I've never been so terrified of something. My goal had been to finish a chapter every month this year but, the more I look into what needs to be written the more I discover that the research alone is going to take up so much time. Time I'm not sure I have on a month-to-month basis.
I'm attempting to write on something I know very much about (community) from perspectives I don't know very well. I'm hoping the more experiences I have, the more I learn, the more people I talk to, the easier this will get. Here's hoping I can finish this book this year. That, for now, is my only New Year's Resolution, my only major goal...and the thing that will either make my year or kill me.
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