That's not how we handle things.....But it was damn funny.

Last week someone ran down a monument of the Ten Commandments that was sitting (illegally) on public property in Oklahoma.

It was a bad way to get what you want, I admit. But I can't help but kinda laugh about it. The guy urinated on the monument, hit it with his car, then he went on a small rant about Obama. Here's the kicker: he blamed the devil.

The devil!

Boom! Not an atheist.

Totally not one of ours.  YES!!

I want to be clear: I don't condone the destruction of public or private property. The ACLU was taking proper legal routes to have the monument removed. I support the actions of the ACLU and their correct and civilized way of taking a religious monument off public lands.

The man who has been accused of the destruction of the monument sounds like he may need psychological help. I hope he gets that help as well as a fair and speedy trial- if needed.

But I'll be a damned liar if I say I wasn't a little tickled to read the headlines saying that the Ten Commandments were urinated on then smashed with a car.

They shouldn't have been there in the first place.

My Strong, Independent, Church-Going Mother

I will never understand why so many women are still a part of any religion. Especially any one that follows Judeo-Christianity. I read this article form AlterNet.org:

http://www.alternet.org/gender/20-vile-quotes-against-women-religious-leaders-st-augustine-pat-robertson?page=0%2C0

It has some of the most vile things that have been written or said about women from some of the most famous names in the Christian religions. Here's a good quote:

• "Woman is a temple built over a sewer."  —Tertullian

OR... 

• "The word and works of God is quite clear, that women were made either to be wives or prostitutes." — Martin Luther, Reformer (1483-1546)

Thanks, Martin! How about this one: 

• "The Holiness of God is not evidenced in women when they are brash, brassy, boisterous, brazen, head-strong, strong-willed, loud-mouthed, overly-talkative, having to have the last word, challenging, controlling, manipulative, critical, conceited, arrogant, aggressive, assertive, strident, interruptive, undisciplined, insubordinate, disruptive, dominating, domineering, or clamoring for power. Rather, women accept God’s holy order and character by being humbly and unobtrusively respectful and receptive in functional subordination to God, church leadership, and husbands." — James Fowler, Women in the Church, 1999.

Go fuck yourself, James. 

My mother was a great student. She skipped her junior year of high school and graduated early. She took a few college courses before she married my father and started a family. After my father left, my mother moved her three girls into her parent's home so she could return to school to earn her bachelors degree. After she graduated she had the courage to move us to a new state for work. She had a job lined up but she had no family, no support system, and no knowledge of the state of Florida. She found us a home, good schools, and made sure we were involved with the community to gain friends. She worked two jobs during the holiday season so we could have a nice Christmas. She worked late, sacrificed a personal life, and still made sure we all did our homework every night. My mother is my greatest role model. 

Unfortunately, my mother is also a Christian. She took us to a Church of Christ. It was the religion she had grown up in. It was the only religion I'd known for most of my life. (Catholics and Jews were just Hollywood stuff) Every week we were reminded that the woman's role was to serve her husband and run the home. My sisters and I were looked down upon because we didn't have a father. My mother was treated like a broken woman because she didn't have a man in her life to take care of her. 

I was appalled that my mother seemed to believe what others thought about her. She would cry. She would say that she just wanted us to be able to find a nice, god-fearing man and start a good church-loving family. Was that all she wanted for me? How could she give me all these examples for how a woman can be as strong as steel but, as weak as scripture? 

To this day I have internal battles with what I was taught was destined for me and what I truly want for myself. I struggle with the deep-rooted belief that I should be married. I should be taking care of a household. I should be having children. I should be submissive. 

But I'll never be those things.  And I'm angry that I still have this nagging feeling, that by not being who the church wants me to be, somehow makes me less of a person. Less of a woman. My strong, independent, church-going mother brainwashed me into believing that I can't be as strong as her. 

It's Happening....

The SCOTUS judgement that allowed Hobby Lobby to have a religious viewpoint is coming back to bite us in the ass. (As if it already didn't)

I read this article published by FindLaw about Ark Encounter, a Noah-based theme park:

http://legalpronews.findlaw.com/article/03be7622fb0212970a5de3d211431810#.VDafPGddWXo

It's set to open in 2016 in Kentucky. The state of Kentucky was to offer tax incentives to the park for bringing tourism to the state. Fine. Lots of states do this. A big attraction brings money to the state; the state allows for tax breaks to the attraction as a 'reward'.

Here's the problem: the owners of the park want to make potential employees sign a faith agreement stating that they truly believe in the 'great flood'.

It's absurd that anyone actually believes in a world-wide flood. There is no geological or anthropological proof that something of that magnitude even occurred. But, people will believe an ancient and non-peer reviewed book over years of scientific study and testing. What are you gonna do?

So, the state of Kentucky has determined that if the owners of the park don't remove this silly restriction then they will receive no tax incentives. Ark Encounters, LLC immediately cried persecution.

"Zovath, who is also co-founder of Answers in Genesis, said that if tax incentives for the project are withdrawn because it does not give written assurances the state now seeks, it would violate the organization's First Amendment and state constitutional rights." 

So now, the park has 'First Amendment and state constitutional rights'? Are you fucking kidding me?!? The park is doing the hiring and they want to discriminate? The state hiring laws are very clear. You cannot discriminate against someone for not holding the same beliefs as you. If you want to reap the benefits, then you must play by the rules.

Not being allowed to discriminate is not discrimination. Christians really need to learn this.

You know, I grew up in Tampa, FL. A LOT of my friends worked for Disney World. Not a single one of them believed in a real rodent who wears shorts and gloves. I'm pretty sure they didn't ruin it for the little kids who did believe in him.

At least Mickey is suitable for children. A story where a 'loving' god destroyed every living being? Men, women, children, every animal.... It's disgusting. Adding a rainbow to genocide doesn't make it pretty.

Hacking of the Humanists

Today the American Humanists Association's Facebook page was hacked. It's actually still happening. Right now. As I type. (I'm bored at work) It's been going on for an hour or so now.

The hackers got in, removed all the admin's privileges and began a tirade of trashy articles that belonged more on the covers of the Weekly World News magazine.  Pictures of women in yoga pants, women's secret sexual positions, collections of suggestive pictures, Kim Kardashian's rear end....(A lot of anti-women stuff if you ask me--must be one of those 'Good Christian Boys')

The first article I saw that looked questionable was "10 Selfies Taken Right Before Death". Really?!?!

There is a commenter in each hacked post directing everyone as to how to 'report' the group to Facebook and have the entire page taken down.

This is exactly what the hackers want people to do. They want this page taken down. I have no idea who has done this but I would not be surprised if it was a Christian supporter.

AHA has a 'Don't Say The Pledge' campaign right now. They are spreading the very tightly kept secret that kids do not have to recite the pledge of allegiance in school. In the 40's it was decided in a court decision that children in public schools do not have to recite the pledge.

Since then, almost no school teacher has shared that knowledge with the children. Seriously, I was in public schools for 12 years...no clue about this. I was given a worksheet as homework to help me memorize it word for word. We took time out of kindergarten to learn how to stand and place your right hand over your heart. I was given a flag to take home and practice the pledge. T.V.s in my classrooms would have a video of that one super American song that I can't remember (something about ..'they come to America'...), followed by the American flag with the words of the pledge rolling across the screen karaoke-style. (My head is exploding)

In the 50's 'Under God' was added to the pledge-- making it unconstitutional as a breach of the First Amendment to the Constitution stating that 'Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion...'. AHA is spearheading a major campaign to remove it and/or at least let kids know they don't have to say it.

Kids are starting to stand up to their teachers and refuse and they are being punished and treated like anti-American criminals. And now we have the loving Christians hacking Facebook pages and trying to shut-up the voices of secular people. (Allegedly)

Seriously? The Humanists? The people who specifically campaign for ALL humans? The ones who advocate the good-will and respect of all people? These are the ones you want to attack and call un-American?

I'm to the point where I'm truly ashamed that I have to admit that I was brought up and once identified as Christian.

Moral Low Ground

I was recently un-friended on Facebook by a family member. And I know exactly why.

It was because of Satanists. Seriously.

So, recently, in Florida, a court ruling allowed religious materials to be handed out in public schools. Naturally, the Satanists group decided to hand out Satanic materials- a coloring book.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/19/satanic-coloring-book_n_5846640.html

Their intent in this was to show Christians that if they make a law that allows religion into the classroom they must allow other religions into said classroom. Including the 'icky' ones. It's either allow them all, or allow none.

Christian have lost their minds about the idea of Satanist materials being allowed to be given to children. I found this to be hilarious. My cousin on the other hand...not so much.

She posted about how parents in Florida (our home state) should be careful in watching what their children bring home. A few of her friends commented about how awful, disgusting, and serious this was. Some commented about how this country is circling the drain and we all need to pray to Jesus. I commented that I thought this was hilarious.

I got banned faster than I knew what happened.

I guess I had it coming. I had previously called out this cousin for claiming she was a victim of 'Christian persecution'. In Georgia. Southern Georgia. HAHAHAHAHAHA!

 It wasn't pretty.

I guess this was my final offence. I am an atheist after all. I am inherently evil. I also have no moral code whatsoever. I have a hard heart and I do no good things in life. Like, at all.

Speaking of which, maybe I'll now mention how her husband, who is a good Christian man, tried to have sex with me on a few occasions. How he would beg me to let him into my bed. Or, we can talk about how her relationship with this man started while he was still married.

All of this information I have kept to myself to keep the peace in my family. I'm sure I would have been blamed for tempting him anyway. My family doesn't read this blog anyway- it doesn't matter.

Look, we all have a past. I remember going out and smoking, drinking, and generally partying with this cousin. I remember late-night guy hookups and racing around town too fast. I remember tattoos, cursing, and skipping church. But I guess we were teenagers.

We've both grown up. She is married with children. I work full-time and run several community groups. But, I don't appreciate her 'Holier-Than-Thou' attitude. I don't appreciate being judged as unworthy because I don't happen to agree with her opinion of religion.

Maybe I just need to color...

Here's my problem with CoCORE

It's a great idea, United CORE. An umbrella organization that was put into place to support smaller secular groups. They were to give the smaller leaders a voice within the nation-wide secular movement. They are in place to help announce events, fundraising, and leadership training. All well and good. I agree with this movement.

Here's the problem with COCORE (Colorado's branch of CORE): It has been taken over by a man who is running amok with power. This one-man-show refuses to cooperate with others, has deemed himself to be the head of CoCORE (with no vote), and he has decided that his rule is paramount. He believes that because he has bought notoriety that he deserves accolades for his 'effort'.

He basically took over this year's Colorado Secular Conference on his own. He anointed himself the king of the conference. (Then bitched about how much work it took him to do it alone.) He put a lot of his own time and effort-and let's not forget a LOT of his OWN money- into making the conference a big deal.

And it was! It was a three-day event with high-end speakers from across the country. About 20 vendor tables, a fully stocked VIP room, and kids room. It was quite a spectacular event. The problem was that this was not a 'local' conference. There was a total of one local speaker. MANY local secular leaders were annoyed that we weren't even asked to represent our state/group/community.  It also made NO MONEY. I believe he lost a lot, actually.

We all know why. He wanted to be the star attraction.  He prefers to be the one in the spotlight and will step on you to do so. He does not work well with others nor take anyone else's opinions or suggestions.  If he is- god forbid- forced to work with other people he whines constantly when he doesn't get his way, pouts when he loses, and just does as he wishes on his own without approval.

He recently decided that CoCORE (mostly he) owns the Colorado Secular Conference. He put it to a vote among the COCORE community if the conference should merge with the American Humanist Annual Conference that will take place in Denver next year. He made up a rule that if a group does not vote than that is an automatic 'yes' vote. It's absurd. Some groups left because of this. One group raised questions, tried to speak with this man one-on-one, and spoke with other groups about our concerns.

This prompted this man to send an attacking e-mail, directed to the one group leader who dared to ask a question, to the ENTIRE COCORE LEADERSHIP LIST. At least 30 people received this e-mail. It was one of the most childish things I have ever seen from a grown man. He then proceeds to act as if he is being attacked.

He has done this before. It caused board members to leave a group and lead him to step down from his own group. But, here he is, at it again.  Again, acting as if he has done nothing wrong.

There are some really great people in our secular community in Colorado who refuse to work with him. They have opted to sit out of a conference if this man has any involvement in it. It's sad. I also do not wish to ever have to work with him. I really should have learned my lesson from the 2013 conference. Last year we had a committee made up of 6 or 7 different community leaders to make decision, follow a budget, etc. He constantly whined and argued when he didn't get his way. It was literally like working with an ill-behaved child.

CoCORE was sold to me as an e-mail list. I wanted no part of it. I am a pretty well known person within the Denver Metro secular community. It's not difficult to get a hold of me. I'm in very good contact with other members and leaders throughout the city. If there is something going on in another part of the state I will usually hear about it. I just didn't want to receive 20 e-mails a day about random things. Which is exactly what happened when I was forced to join.

I was bullied into joining CoCORE by this man. I was told that if I wanted Denver Atheists to be a part of the Colorado Secular Conference then I must join. Otherwise we would not be represented at all. We weren't anyway. No one was- except this man and his interests. He called the shots and he ran the show. Poorly. (In my opinion)

I was bullied into joining the CoCORE organization. I won't be bullied by this man anymore.

I wish I was in high school again...

Florida high schools are 'under attack' because Christians aren't being allowed to force people to pray.

Boo-hoo.

Here's an incredibly biased article written about it:

http://www.inquisitr.com/1442033/florida-high-school-football-team-covers-the-field-in-protest-of-school-prayer-laws/

Christians stormed the football field in a blatant disregard of safety and security of the student athletes in order to stop the game and advocate their hypocritical show of prayer. (Matthew 6:6)

I'm getting really tired of trying to be understanding of Christians. It's as if they intentionally are trying to twist laws and verbiage to make them seem like the victim.  Oh wait. That's exactly what they are doing. I was taught to do it when I was stuck in religion. I was constantly being told that we (Christians) were under attack by the evils of the ACLU, FFRF and other 'secular's. (And, of course, the Muslims)

I grew up in Florida. I went to Brandon High School just outside of Tampa. Did I see athletic teams pray before/after/during  games/practices/random events? Of course I did. I was on an athletic team- I had to participate. It was constant. It was time consuming. It was fucking annoying. But, if I had refused to participate, I would have been labeled. No one in high school wants to be labeled. For ANY reason. Let alone being a godless heathen. I remember a friend of mine in middle school who told us she was a pagan. My mother flipped her shit. She would drive by the friend's house and point out all the evil signs of the home. (It was Halloween- they had decorations at the time) She would tell us that we should stay away from the entire family.

Personally, I think the friend was going through a 'cool-new-plants-and-rocks' phase. She had been raised Catholic and, I assumed, wanted to try new rituals. That's all Catholicism is, right? Rituals, saints (gods), and candles? No big difference to me.

Anyway, the crazy Christians in Florida- and I'm sure around the country- are failing to see the point. They are insisting that anyone who doesn't want to pray can just not pray. They aren't thinking about the Jewish kid or the atheist kid who don't want to be ostracized. They are probably in the mindset that those 'different' kids should learn about Christianity anyway.

It NEVER occurs to the Christians that if THEY want to pray then they should just do so and not make a huge thing of it and force everyone else to act as they act. The problem is that Christians are told to make everyone else Christians. They are a contagious disease. It's why we need more protections and advocates in schools.

If I had had the courage that I have now- and the knowledge- I would have stood up for my rights in high school. Damn, that would have been fun....