This Just In: Public Stonings No Longer a Threat; Atheists Start Talking About Stuff

I came across this article on cbs2chicagos website. It's called Atheists An Increasingly Outspoken Minority. I've noticed a number of articles with similar titles or subjects being written and it's kind of interesting to me. It's as if people are so shocked that atheism is becoming more mainstream. It's as if people forget that less than 300 years ago you could be accused of "witchcraft" or some other nonsense and be stoned to death or hanged if you expressed a non-belief in the Christian God in this country. It's like people still don't pay attention to the public opinion polls that show that over 50% of the country STILL wouldn't vote for an atheist Presidential candidate because they believe that atheists have no morals.... but that number is down from the 80-90% it was at years ago.

From the article:

Why are atheists today so open? Non-believers and believers alike agree on one point: Different views are more tolerated in a country that is more diverse than ever.

"I don't know whether there are more atheists or we've created a culture where it's safer for people who have struggled with faith, or don't believe in God to be more forthright and honest about that," said Bishop Mark Hanson.

North Park College Professor Scott McKnight, himself a Christian, offers another reason for what he calls the new atheism. Atheists, he says, are vigorously responding to outspoken Christians who are involved in politics – the so-called religious right.

Can I answer? I know I'm not a bishop or a college professor but... I'd like to go ahead and say as an atheist that it is definitely a combination of all three.

There Are More Atheists

There are more atheists in the United States of America (as well as around the world). This is obvious. Science has advanced tremendously in the past century.. even in the past twenty years... and this new science has caused people to think about the world around them a bit more. The observable evidence is vast and has lead to a number of people who would normally have just accepted what they were told to actually look around and then come to their own conclusion. It's easier to accept an explanation for the world (that you are taught when you're just a baby) when there is nothing to contradict it than it is when there is evidence against it all around you. Obviously this has not made every believer a non-believer but it has certainly raised the numbers.

Safer Culture for Atheists

Uhm. Yes? Just as there is a safer culture for Wiccans. Witches and atheists alike no longer have to fear entire communities coming after them in the night and accusing them of heresy, turning people into cats, eating children, etc. In a more modernly relevent sense, there are less people who fear being disowned by their families or fear losing friends because they no longer believe in gods. Just as we see an apparent "rise" in the number of homosexuals in this country... there are more people willing to admit to themselves that they are not "the norm" and so find comfort in finally coming into themselves and less fear in expressing themselves to others. Instead of a 99% majority of god believers... it's down to 80% or so (I think less). It might not seem like a lot but it really is. 10-20% of the population being non-believers is a large number. A large enough number to provide safety for others, a sense of belonging, and an environment for people to be able to admit to themselves or others that they are not a theist without feeling as if they are completely alone.

Christians in Politics... or Better Yet... Atheists in Politics

Obviously it is important for any minority to voice their opinion in a democratic republic. Otherwise there would be no change. With the advancement of the previous points... so follows the willingness of atheists to come forward and say "This is bullshit! Why are you getting special treatment even when it is blatantly against this Constitution that you hold so dear to your hearts?" In fact I would have to say that all of the non-Christian religions out there should feel a little bit grateful to the non-believers who have stepped forward to make sure that Christian doctrine is not being shoved down the throats of the public... because you better believe that Hinduism was never going to get the same amount of press time.

When a religion is threatening everyone else with theocracy in a democratic republic.. it is important for some to come forward and say "GTFO!". Not just for atheists. Atheists will take the heat because it really is easier for us to. There is no group to attack.. no leader to ostracize.. no huge meetings to protest... All the opposition can really do is bitch about it in a newspaper article somewhere or try to get an atheist book writer on television so they can try to publicly mock them. That achieves nothing, honestly. Atheists are becoming more outspoken for a variety of reasons, not just one.

From the article:

And statistics show there are more young atheists than older ones. At the University of Illinois at Chicago a group called the Rationalists and Free Thinkers includes students who don't believe in God, though some grew up in religious homes.

Again, this doesn't surprise me at all. Some would say it doesn't surprise them either because these are wide-eyed, naive youths who will grow up to realize that there really is a higher power once they get more real-world experience. For some.. that may happen. But I am almost positive that for the majority it will not and the number of older atheists will rise as my generation ages. The science has more backing it up than tradition, brain-washing, and comfort. Science does not claim to have all the answers.. never have.. never will. But it has evidence (observable) on it's side... my generation looooooves it's evidence.

From the article:

As a man of faith, Bishop Hanson still has a key question for those who don't believe in God.

"Where do you place your trust in times of need? Where do you place your hope in the time of a crisis of confidence?" Hanson said.

Ah, one of my favorite questions ever. An atheist in the article provides this answer:

"An atheist will just deal with it, try to find a logical and reasonable solution," Van Maren said.

I would say "In my opinion, the average atheist... etc" since it's completely impossible to know what "an atheist" would do. This atheist does just what Van Maren said. I deal with the problem at hand. I think about it. Where do I place my hope in my time of crisis? With MYSELF (a.k.a. someone who can do something about the situation) or with my supportive friends and family. They have done ... so much more for me than any god ever did. I'll tell you what I don't do... is sit around talking to an invisible being that has never given any hint of it's existence and/or giving a shit about what happens to me or anyone around me. I do not place my trust in nothing. I do not place any hope in nothing. Saying that is a complete waste of time is the understatement of the millenium.

Oh.. and then the article finishes up with this.

One particular question that bothers the Lows is when people ask "how can an atheist lead a good and moral life, without God?"

Can I answer this question with a question? Here it is... How much does it say about you if the only reason why you are a "good person" who is leading a "moral life" is because you are afraid of being punished eternally by a god? You and others like you are only not stealing, killing, raping, etc. because you are afraid of someone throwing you into a lake of fire? Without this threat.... you would be ripping peoples' eyeballs out, having sex with your kids, or breaking into cars just to go for joyrides? And you must have no 'faith' in your kids either if you feel like you have to scare them into being good people by drilling into their heads that they might think timeout in the corner is bad now... but just wait till god gets to them! That's shitty. I feel no threat of burning forever... and I don't do those things.

Actually.. here's an even better question: How can a theist lead a good and moral life without God?

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Fellow Woman, Atheist, Mother, Human Being in Need

I haven't posted in quite some time. I'm working on many things at the moment and really haven't had anything to blog about. I'm going to attempt to get back in the swing of things but first... an important post!

One of the more well-known atheist bloggers on the sphere is Possummomma of Atheist in a Mini Van. Just about everyone on the atheist blogroll knows who she is (even though she's not on the blogroll anymore) and her blog is actually maybe the third I read in regards to atheism when I was introducing myself to the world of blogs and the wide world of atheists out there. She was inspirational to me and she's actually one of the only people whose writings I read and it makes me want to have a kid. Maybe. Probably not though. ^_^

Anyway, I write this entry after weeks of hiatus to mention that there is a donation drive being held to help Possummomma. She is, unfortunately, a sufferer of Lupus and it has left her with horrible reactions to UV light. Apparently the atheist blogosphere is getting together to raise money and help her and her family get materials to UV protect her home so she can leave her bedroom during the day!

Here is more information from Berlzebub:

The reason that she has to spend the sunny hours in her room is that her sun sensitivity has gotten worse. It also seems that her body is using more energy to fight the disease than she has to give.

After reading about her problems, I did a quick search for UV filtering films that go over windows. I found a company, UV Process Supply, Inc., that makes such a film. There's a few options on which one to get, but the one that looks best to me is the clear film.
Note: If someone with more knowledge of UV can check that, I'd appreciate it. I'm not sure if it blocks enough of the UV wavelength to be useful for P-Momma's condition.
UVPS has emailed me the pricing, but I have to find out from Dr. P-Daddy, or the little possums, how much the P-Family actually needs. Then, I can figure out exactly how much it will cost.

Now, the film is not cheap. Considering that I'm not independently wealthy, and my family's finances are still trying to recover from a recent occurence in my home, I won't be able to foot the entire bill. Considering that P-Momma already has medical bills to think of, I wouldn't even think of asking her family to pay for it. So, I'm asking my readers (all 10 of you) if you will contribute. If enough are willing, it won't take as much to fill the P-Family's need.

So there it is. Please click on the above link and see what you can do to help Possummomma get what she needs so she can start to live a semi-normal life again. We don't always know what we can do to help and it's discouraging when your efforts seem to disappear and you're unable to see what good you have done in someone's life. This is one of those instances where the good you do will have an immediate, positive, viewable effect on someone. So do it!

As a side note... I am planning on getting started tomorrow with a new Loving Children for the Lord installment. Look for it!

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FYI

I moved to a new URL so any other "Click Here to Comment" links will not work except for the most recent entry about Romney. I am too lazy to fix the others but future posts will, of course, have the updated site.

Romney, You're Still a Mormon

So Romney made a speech yesterday. I read it. And I laughed. My comments to the bolded areas are in PINK!

From Guardian Unlimited

Text of Romney's Speech

Thursday December 6, 2007 5:16 PM

By The Associated Press

Text of Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's speech Thursday on faith at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas.

ROMNEY: Thank you, Mr. President for your kind introduction.

It is an honor to be here today. This is an inspiring place because of you and the first lady and because of the film that's exhibited across the way in the presidential library. For those who have not seen it, it shows the president as a young pilot, shot down during the Second World War, being rescued from his life raft by the crew of an American submarine. It's a moving reminder that when America has faced challenge and peril, Americans rise to the occasion, willing to risk their very lives to defend freedom and preserve our nation. We're in your debt, Mr. President. Thank you very, very much.

Mr. President, your generation rose to the occasion, first to defeat fascism and then to vanquish the Soviet Union. You left us, your children, a free and strong America. It is why we call yours the greatest generation. It's now my generation's turn. How we respond to today's challenges will define our generation. And it will determine what kind of America we will leave our children, and theirs.

America faces a new generation of challenges. Radical violent Islam seeks to destroy us. An emerging China endeavors to surpass our economic leadership. And we're troubled at home by government overspending, overuse of foreign oil, and the breakdown of the family.

Ironically, because of your son, Mr. President.

Over the last year, we've embarked on a national debate on how best to preserve American leadership. Today, I wish to address a topic which I believe is fundamental to America's greatness: our religious liberty. I'll also offer perspectives on how my own faith would inform my presidency, if I were elected.

And here it comes. More bullshit about how the religious majority are being persecuted and attacked by the minority. But! No mention of Mormonism or planet-ruling.

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Tidbits

Just a post covering some things that have happened over the past few weeks.

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The Chocolate Festival by Planned Parenthood in Delaware was awesome. My boyfriend and I ended up taking a "doggie-bag" home. I had to sneak in after the old ladies started. They can be ruthless when it comes to chocolate!!

A little shout-out to the 7 or so dedicated protesters who were standing outside in the rain at the center where the event was held. Way to remain ignorant, guys! Good job! I have a suggestion... instead of standing outside of PP events/clinics bitching about how the lives of children are so important.. why don't you go out and adopt a baby who needs a loving family? Put your time to good use?

Oh, wait. I forgot. You are all talk and no helpful action. Only caring about unborn children and not giving a damn about the mothers or the babies once they are out of the womb. My mistake. Whatever is convenient for you, though, right? *thumbs up*

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The politician who I had been helping with the special election that was held Saturday actually won. By a lot. So.. that may or may not be a good thing. We'll see what he does. But congrats anyway to him.

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I ended up being a challenger at a polling place this past Saturday for the special election I just mentioned. The challenger just makes sure no funny business happens at the polls.

Anyway, that is neither here nor there. I ended up getting to listen to some ladies (who were the poll workers) talk about... interesting things.

At one point, one of the poll workers started talking about how one of her friends told her that animals don't go to heaven. She said she was upset because her dog had just died and she thought it was not a nice thing to say. Her friend apparently told her to watch a documentary with Kirk Cameron *snort* in which he goes into great detail explaining how animals do not go to heaven. All the ladies were like "Awwww! No, I don't believe that! I am looking forward to seeing my animals in heaven!" etc.etc.etc.

Okay.

I spent a fair amount of time in a Roman Catholic church. I went to CCD. This question was brought up. The answer, for anyone who has ever read the Bible/been raised Roman Catholic is NO. Animals DO NOT go to heaven. Jesus died for the sins of man. Not animals. Animals do not sin. In fact, from what I understand, animals were not thought to have souls at the time the Bible was written. How can something that does not have a soul go to heaven? How can something that can not sin go to heaven (or hell)? COME ON! This was just another clear example of people making things up to make themselves feel better. I mean..... THINK ABOUT IT.

Animals don't sin. They can't. Animals don't know or believe in any gods (I'd be willing to bet). So, let's assume that the Abrahamic God is nice (hah!) and lets all animals into heaven. Does that also count bugs? Let's say it does. Every. single. animal/bug. that has ever lived.... is in heaven? There are billions and billions and trillions more animals/bugs than humans in this world. You're going to tell me that all of them are in heaven? Or...... well....

"My dog had such a good personality.. he has to be in heaven." Said the woman. No lie. That's what she said.

So...... what would have been the alternative if he had had a "bad personality"? God would punish him for all eternity in a firey pit of hell? A DOG?

The whole thing just made my head want to explode. Animals with "good personalities" go to heaven.

Heaven is kinda described in the Bible. It's generally thought to be a place where you are in the presence of god for eternity and THAT is what makes it heaven. Some people like to change it up and say "Heaven is whatever you want it to be. It's your greatest dream." If that is what you believe.. then OF COURSE your damn dog is going to be there! If you want him to be there. But what the fuck does a dog care about being the "eternal presence of god"? He did not serve the lord in any fashion while he was on Earth. What will be different in heaven?

GAH! I just.... this has required way too much of my energy and thought. I tried not to think about it while I was actually at the polling place because I knew I would end up just walking out before I was supposed to. I wanted to shake all of them, though.

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Another conversation that two other ladies had was about one's granddaughter (I believe). The granddaughter is 7 years old and was born left-handed. Now, I missed the exact person, but it was either the woman's husband (the child's grandfather) or the child's father. Either way, the male family member is upset that the girl was born left-handed because apparently he believes that left-handed people are stupider than right-handed people. WHAT? I mean... I had heard this kind of thinking before but I thought it only happened in places like Alabama and Arkansas.

Anyway, the grandmother is upset because this male family member is actively trying to change the girl into a right-handed, smart person. This guy..... is right-handed... and is supposed to be "smart" according to him... but he is trying to change the girl into a right-handed person because he believes left-handed people are stupid. Irony! The grandmother has been buying her the left-handed things (scissors, for example) so that she can fit in at school and whatnot. The male family member just wants the girl to start using right-handed things and write with her right hand and all that in the hopes that her brain will change overnight and she will become smart. Like him.

Why am I bothering to write this? Well, I'm sure by now, anyone who knows me will see the parallel that I am trying to draw. This grandmother is so passionate about how her granddaughter was "born that way" and "should be accepted for who she is" and how there is "nothing wrong with her". All over left-handedness.

The first thing that popped into my head was homosexuality. I wanted to say to her... "See? See how stupid that male family member sounds to you and everyone else in the room right now? Trying to change this young girl into something she is not, calling her stupid for not being like everyone else, and forcing her to change the way she does things which undoubtedly causes her undue stress? All over a way she was born that does not effect anyone else but herself? See how ignorant that male family member sounds? How stupid? How completely wrong? That oppressive and discriminatory male family member is in the minority now. Yeah........ think about it."

It wasn't my place to say anything at all. I wasn't part of the conversation and had never met the woman in my life. But. Yeah. Fucking think about it.

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Chocolate Festival - Wilmington, DE

Join Planned Parenthood of Delaware and friends for lots of chocolate, food, wine, chocolate martinis, a silent auction and fun! Friday, October 26, 2007 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Rockwood Center, Rockwood Park (by the Rockwood Museum) To purchase tickets, click on the picture above to go to the site where there is a paypal link available, or call 655-7296 ext. 27 to purchase by phone!

Hey everyone! I will be volunteering at this event this coming Friday. If you are in the area and love chocolate and all that jazz.. please come by! You do need to buy a ticket though. I am super excited. So begins my path towards getting a career with Planned Parenthood. ^_^

Don't worry... I'm not giving up on my Japanese language studies.

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...or Not To Be

If you are any part of the "atheist community" then you would have heard about Sam Harris ' latest speech in which he said:

So, let me make my somewhat seditious proposal explicit: We should not call ourselves “atheists.” We should not call ourselves “secularists.” We should not call ourselves “humanists,” or “secular humanists,” or “naturalists,” or “skeptics,” or “anti-theists,” or “rationalists,” or “freethinkers,” or “brights.” We should not call ourselves anything. We should go under the radar—for the rest of our lives. And while there, we should be decent, responsible people who destroy bad ideas wherever we find them.

It did not go over well and there was a bit of an uproar, I guess. He has issued a response to the number of people who were very critical of what he had to say... and that has also sparked a notable debate amongst those who believe him to be dead-on and those who think he is wrong.

Personally... I am so confuzzled by this whole thing. I don't even really know where to start but I'm going to try to attempt to say what my mind is currently thinking.

Now, first off, the term "atheist" means "without theism"/"non-theism". "Theism" is "the belief in the existence of a god or gods, especially belief in a personal God as creator and ruler of the world" (or something along those lines). So when you put the two together... "atheist" means "without the belief in the existence of a god or gods..." or "non-belief in the existence of a god or gods..." (you can throw "supernatural" in there too). To me, it's really quite as simple as that. There is nothing controversial about the word in and of itself. It is what it is. The end.

Recently, an "atheist movement" has been taking place (or this is what I have personally perceived it to be). People without the belief in the existence of a god or gods (or the supernatural) have been making their displeasure with overtly Christian way things are run in this country known. People without the belief in the existence of a god or gods (or the supernatural) have stepped forward and said "What you are doing is exclusionary and it needs to change to better fit our United States Constitution". Of course this has been happening for some time now.. but before it was on an individual level and those who stepped forward and were demonized and made out to be an evil, rare breed who just want to remove Christian values from the United States because they "hate God" or are "working for Satan". People who agreed with them kept their mouths shut out of fear of having something happen to them (physical harm, loss of a job, loss of friends, loss of family, etc.). I can probably even go a step further and restate that sentence: People without the belief in the existence of god or gods who agreed with them kept their mouths shut out of fear of having something happen to them. Those few who had belief and who agreed were not quite as afraid because they still had that belief there backing them up. Then came this "new atheist" movement.

People without the belief in the existence of a god or gods started to write books, give conferences, put out fliers, form groups, etc. People without the belief in the existence of a god or gods who had previously kept quiet out of fear started to say to themselves "Hey! They're like me! I'm not alone!" and some of them stopped being afraid. Those with belief in a god or gods, expecially belief in a personal God as creator and ruler of the world, saw that their attempt at building a Christian theocracy in America was threated and so......... began to make up things like an "atheist religion" or an "atheist dogma" or the "militant atheist" label. Although I didn't think that people would fall for it... apparently they have. As ridiculous as it is... people are now "debating" (i.e. fighting) about whether or not people without the belief in a god or gods, including a personal God as creator and ruler of the world... should call themselves... ATHEIST. Is this some kind of joke?

Atheism is not a religion. Even if atheists all group up and make some kind of atheist club... it does not make it a religion. There is no dogma. No required reading. No required thoughts. No required hatred, pity, or disgust for those who are religious. No required proselytizing to gain more members. No rules to live by. You either belief in a god or gods or you don't! As a minority in the country (the least trusted minority) there is nothing wrong with having a kind of counter-group to make sure that people who are not religious are represented in some way. If you stay in the shadows... then no one will know you are there. Or perhaps they will know some are there but that they aren't important.

Basically, what I'm trying to say is... I have no idea what is going on and I think it's absurd for the least trusted minority group to be squabbling about whether or not to call itself by it's politically correct definition. An atheist can be all kinds of things. They can be humanists. They can be democrats. They can be gun-enthusiasts. They can be tattoo artists. They can be CEOs. The only thing that "atheist" defines is the religious aspect. I'm an atheist when asked the religious question. I am a person who is without belief in a god or gods, including a personal God that is a creator and ruler of the world. I also consider myself a free thinker. I am also fairly humanist (though I haven't looked too much into what that means and so wouldn't say that I am "a humanist"). I'm also half-black and half-white. I am also a lover of Japanese culture. I am also a feminist and pro-choice. I am also gamer.

I understand the sentiment that atheists have no positivity in the label. It describes a "without" and a "non". But.... like... I don't see what's wrong with that! At what point did atheists decide that they have to be "pro" something. That is not what atheism is. If you want to be "pro" something then you join that group of people... "atheist" is not the only label you have and certainly not the only group you can belong to. If you are a secularist as well then you join that group and your positive is to ensure that the country remains secular. If you are a feminist then you join the group that works to ensure that women are given equality in society (as much as humanly possible). If you are a humanist then you work towards the positives of humanity. Atheism never claimed to be a hip and cool club for people to join. It simply describes your views on religion.

I am an atheist. I identify with other atheists as much as I identify with other people who have tattoos or stretched ears or dark skin or a vagina and boobs or artistic ability or pink hair or love Radiohead ... whatever. If that's the only thing we have in common (atheism) then that's cool and all.. but we're probably not going to be friends and we'll most likely only agree on a select few things. That doesn't make me any less of an atheist or the other person any less of an atheist.

It just means that we have no fear of speaking about such matters with each other and there will be no judgment in that regard. Or.... at least... it used to mean that. At this point it's looking like if you're an atheist who identifies with the word atheist or if you're an atheist who would rather not be labeled in that way... then you're not on the same "team". How ridiculous is that?

Maybe I'm reading too much into this. I don't even know if what I said makes sense or has a point. This whole thing is just baffling me. I don't give a crap if an atheist wants to call himself an atheist or not. If I woke up one day and said I didn't want to be called a woman anymore ... it wouldn't suddenly not make me one. But would it really be effective for any other women to argue with me about whether or not I'm a woman? I don't think so. I'd just end up ostracized or hanging out with women who don't want to call themselves women and then the other women who DO call themselves women would hate us and we would hate them because we've suddenly all made ourselves not part of the same group. Like.... some people are going to identify with "atheist" and some don't want to. Great. Now that we have established that... let's continue making sure that we don't get burned at the stake by the mob waiting for this to become a "Christian Nation!". For serious. This is just.... totally beyond me.

Am I missing the point?

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