The Phelps clan (Westboro Baptist Church) was in Ponca City recently. They were there to protest the funerals of O-State plane crash victims. While I don't agree with what they're saying, I do however respect their right to free speech and -- to the disbelief of some -- the reason they say what they do. This may sound strange given how critical I've been of the Christian faith in some of my other posts, but lets set aside the emotional element for just a minute and focus on what they are actually saying. The members of Westboro Baptist are bible literalists. They follow the word of their god as was intended. They don't insult the bible by interpreting it or adapting it to today's world. They honor the inerrant, infallible, all-mighty word of the creator of the universe. You would think that with a god as magnificent as the Christian god all Christians would give him the same due respect...but they don't. Most Christians punch their clock for an hour on Wednesday or Sunday and punch out the rest of the week; only exhibiting signs of their faith when its convenient. How dare they mock their god? How dare they disrespect and misrepresent what to others is their only reason for living? It amazes me how someone could so half-heartedly devote themselves to something and at the same time be so critical towards someone who's more devoted to the same thing. The Phelps bunch may be a little nutty, but at least they're true to their religion. Moderate and modern Christians should ask themselves: What would jesus do?
Monday, November 21, 2011
Holiday Season
Well the holidays are upon us again. For me and my little family its a time to celebrate being alive and enjoy the wonderful feelings that accompany the holidays. For many others I realize there is a different take on things. I thought about ranting a little about the religious aspect of the holidays but have decided on a less vitriolic message.
Human beings find meaning in all sorts of things, and often the meaning they find in something really has nothing to do with the thing in question; but is instead only a best attempt at understanding it: shooting stars, natural disasters, near-death experience, and just plain coincidence come to mind. In a sense they are only subjective views based on feeling and belief. This doesn't mean that the meaning they have assigned to them, or the feelings and beliefs that extend from them are any less important. In fact it is these feelings that are so much a part of our every day lives that sets us apart from all the other animals. They are important because the person who is experiencing them says they are. The same goes for the meaning people find for the holiday season. My wife has always loved fall, and the winter season holds an extra special place in her heart. Although we don't assign any supernatural or divine meaning to the season, what we feel is as true and "magical" as anyone else feels. So enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas, and find in them meaning that matters to you.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Low Standards
I recently found an Atheist Experience video on YouTube that pitted Matt D. against a very intelligent, young, Christian apologist on the subject of "who authored the Book of Matthew?"
Matt argued that it is quite known among Christian theologians that a debate exists regarding this same topic, and based on the evidence that is available the authorship of Matthew is unknown. In fact, crack open any NIV bible and see for yourself. I was able to find this same position in my New American Bible (Catholic Press) in the explanatory text that precedes each book: "The ancient tradition that the author was the disciple and apostle of Jesus named Matthew is untenable...The unknown author, whom we shall continue to call Matthew for the sake of convenience..." This is as clear and concise as one could hope for. We don't know who wrote it.
The Christian kid argued that even though much of The Gospel according to Matthew was taken from The Gospel according to Mark; Marks experiences were backed by the experiences of Peter (Mark being described as Peters "interpreter"). Peter (who was very close to Jesus) was a solid and reliable witness to the events of Christs life, so therefore The Gospel according to Matthew; or the "textual evidence" as it is referred to by the Christian kid in the video; is sufficient to believe that Matthew is the author of "Matthew" and that the accounts within "Matthew" really happened. In other words: "I heard from a guy, who knows a guy" is enough proof to be certain about the authorship of a centuries old fairytale and enough proof to believe that someone walked on water AND that that same someone later became a zombie.
As you can imagine, this ridiculous line of reasoning was not received very well by Matt and the exchange between Matt and the Christian kid was very entertaining.
I'm often amazed at the lengths religious people will go to to justify their beliefs. The fact that many theists ascribe their EXISTENCE to the god/gods described in their holy books (an idea that is so inane that it is insulting to the whole of human knowledge) attests to how strongly and deeply held such beliefs are, so its really not that hard to understand why they will go to such lengths. Lets look at the "textual evidence" idea for example. Yes, information that is taken from text can be very useful and can prove to be accurate and true as well. Someone wanting to know about biological evolution can draw information from hundreds of books; books containing information that was compiled through decades of research utilizing the scientific method; information that has survived the intense scrutiny of scientific peer review. And, that person wanting to know about evolution can be comfortable believing that what they have discovered is true. The standards of evidence are high enough that no faith or suspension of reality is required to believe. The standards of evidence quickly spiral down the shitter, though, when it comes to matters of theistic faith. Theists will readily accept the "textual evidence" of a Bronze-Age fairytale as justification for believing in talking snakes, zombies, men walking on water, and the existence of a maniacal/genocidal/misogynistic/homo-phobic/malevolent god.
Reality is a wonderful thing to be a part of. I wish more people were open to it.
Matt argued that it is quite known among Christian theologians that a debate exists regarding this same topic, and based on the evidence that is available the authorship of Matthew is unknown. In fact, crack open any NIV bible and see for yourself. I was able to find this same position in my New American Bible (Catholic Press) in the explanatory text that precedes each book: "The ancient tradition that the author was the disciple and apostle of Jesus named Matthew is untenable...The unknown author, whom we shall continue to call Matthew for the sake of convenience..." This is as clear and concise as one could hope for. We don't know who wrote it.
The Christian kid argued that even though much of The Gospel according to Matthew was taken from The Gospel according to Mark; Marks experiences were backed by the experiences of Peter (Mark being described as Peters "interpreter"). Peter (who was very close to Jesus) was a solid and reliable witness to the events of Christs life, so therefore The Gospel according to Matthew; or the "textual evidence" as it is referred to by the Christian kid in the video; is sufficient to believe that Matthew is the author of "Matthew" and that the accounts within "Matthew" really happened. In other words: "I heard from a guy, who knows a guy" is enough proof to be certain about the authorship of a centuries old fairytale and enough proof to believe that someone walked on water AND that that same someone later became a zombie.
As you can imagine, this ridiculous line of reasoning was not received very well by Matt and the exchange between Matt and the Christian kid was very entertaining.
I'm often amazed at the lengths religious people will go to to justify their beliefs. The fact that many theists ascribe their EXISTENCE to the god/gods described in their holy books (an idea that is so inane that it is insulting to the whole of human knowledge) attests to how strongly and deeply held such beliefs are, so its really not that hard to understand why they will go to such lengths. Lets look at the "textual evidence" idea for example. Yes, information that is taken from text can be very useful and can prove to be accurate and true as well. Someone wanting to know about biological evolution can draw information from hundreds of books; books containing information that was compiled through decades of research utilizing the scientific method; information that has survived the intense scrutiny of scientific peer review. And, that person wanting to know about evolution can be comfortable believing that what they have discovered is true. The standards of evidence are high enough that no faith or suspension of reality is required to believe. The standards of evidence quickly spiral down the shitter, though, when it comes to matters of theistic faith. Theists will readily accept the "textual evidence" of a Bronze-Age fairytale as justification for believing in talking snakes, zombies, men walking on water, and the existence of a maniacal/genocidal/misogynistic/homo-phobic/malevolent god.
Reality is a wonderful thing to be a part of. I wish more people were open to it.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
I Refuse
For those of you that know my daughter you will know what I mean when I say that she amazes me on a daily basis. She has such a passion for life that is not seen in kids her age. I find that I have to remind myself that she's only two and a half. And holy shit is she cute! It is still strange to think that I helped create something so beautiful. But, as those of you who have children know, that sweet little angel that is my daughter can be a HOLY TERROR! People joke about babies not coming with instruction manuals, and though one of the benefits of having a kid is learning "the hard way" to be a parent (personal growth through new and challenging experiences) A FREAKING MANUAL WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED SOMETIMES!! Nicole can get me so flustered. Its as if she has a daily checklist that includes: destroying her room, forcing me to touch poop, rupturing my eardrums, and ignoring every word that comes out of my mouth (this list is not all inclusive mind you). Parenting can be tough, and knowing how to react to your child in certain situations can be very tough. Especially when the situation calls for some kind of discipline.
Now when I was a kid, a good-ol spanking was all that was needed for behavior correction. And many times not even that was required (my father was very intimidating to me as a child). Physical punishment was ok. It was normal. It was normal for everyone I knew and it was normal for my parents when they were kids. I didn't grow up scarred from it, and I feel that my parents were justified in doing what they felt was right (remember: babies don't come with instruction manuals). Doing what you feel is right and learning from your decisions is all that us primates can do to make any sense of this world. And what you're taught and exposed to while growing up is what most of your choices in life will be based upon. It is natural to raise your children the way your parents raised you.
But, I refuse.
When I look at my daughter I see everything that is good about life. I see beauty and happiness and wonder. I see innocence and love and I see my reason for living. I see a tiny, 30pound little girl who depends on me for her very existence. I see a defenseless child who has nothing but love for me in her little baby heart.
How could I (as a rational, adult, human being that is ten times the size of my daughter) ever be so out of my mind to consider doing something as horrific as HITTING MY DAUGHTER?! I would have to be insane to be tempted by such a disgusting act of pure evil.
Having a child of my own has shown me that there is absolutely no justification for physically assaulting a child. I will not support this behavior as appropriate parenting, and it will never be a part of my daughters life. I will not "spank" my children.
I refuse.
Now when I was a kid, a good-ol spanking was all that was needed for behavior correction. And many times not even that was required (my father was very intimidating to me as a child). Physical punishment was ok. It was normal. It was normal for everyone I knew and it was normal for my parents when they were kids. I didn't grow up scarred from it, and I feel that my parents were justified in doing what they felt was right (remember: babies don't come with instruction manuals). Doing what you feel is right and learning from your decisions is all that us primates can do to make any sense of this world. And what you're taught and exposed to while growing up is what most of your choices in life will be based upon. It is natural to raise your children the way your parents raised you.
But, I refuse.
When I look at my daughter I see everything that is good about life. I see beauty and happiness and wonder. I see innocence and love and I see my reason for living. I see a tiny, 30pound little girl who depends on me for her very existence. I see a defenseless child who has nothing but love for me in her little baby heart.
How could I (as a rational, adult, human being that is ten times the size of my daughter) ever be so out of my mind to consider doing something as horrific as HITTING MY DAUGHTER?! I would have to be insane to be tempted by such a disgusting act of pure evil.
Having a child of my own has shown me that there is absolutely no justification for physically assaulting a child. I will not support this behavior as appropriate parenting, and it will never be a part of my daughters life. I will not "spank" my children.
I refuse.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Shut It
Just a quick word about police officers. If you're ever pulled over, or arrested, or stopped for questioning: KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT. By all means, be cooperative, but only to the extent required of you by the law. When you are read the "Miranda Rights" the right to remain silent has nothing to do with the 1966 Supreme Court case nor does it have anything to do with the police. Your right to not incriminate yourself is a GUARANTEED Constitutional right under the 5th Amendment.
You will never improve your position by speaking to the police. They are there to write that ticket or put the bad guy in jail by any means necessary. THEY ARE EVEN ALLOWED TO LIE TO YOU!! NO...SERIOUSLY!! Exercise your right to remain silent.
Again, be cooperative with police, but only to the extent required by law. Know your rights.
You will never improve your position by speaking to the police. They are there to write that ticket or put the bad guy in jail by any means necessary. THEY ARE EVEN ALLOWED TO LIE TO YOU!! NO...SERIOUSLY!! Exercise your right to remain silent.
Again, be cooperative with police, but only to the extent required by law. Know your rights.
Been Awhile
Yes its been awhile since my last post. It seems as though I can never find the time to visit things like this consistently. Anyway, I think I'd like to rant a little about the recent events in Houston. It worries me that at this point in human history; with all of our advanced technology and our ever expanding knowledge of life and the universe, that an idea like "The Response" could even be conjured in a thinking brain. First of all: why prayer? When has prayer had any demonstrable effect or benefit ever?! And no folks...anecdotes, placebo effects and plain strange coincidence don't suffice for proof of prayers efficacy. In fact, these "evidences" of prayer working actually provide proof for its ineffectiveness. Personal accounts (anecdotes) have proven dreadfully unreliable especially in court cases and in sexual abuse claims. The mind is not a video-camera. Memories become lost or altered, and what people "experience" no longer resembles what really happened. And the fact that people LIE is not much of a comfort when asked to trust someones claims of supernatural prayer "experiences." Also, our minds are easily deceived. Just ask anyone who's had the pleasure of attending a Las Vegas magic show. Human beings aren't comfortable with the unknown. We must seek patterns, and we demand explanations for things that we don't understand; even if that means inventing explanations without evidence. And as for the "placebo effect", there exists actual empirical evidence showing how prayer is no more effective than doing nothing (see the April 2006 edition of American Heart Journal ).
So, given all of this (the monstrous and consistent failure of prayer to "deliver the goods") why would the organizers of this event choose PRAYER to address the problems that their PRAYERS have failed to solve?!?! Well, to put it succinctly: they're afraid. They're afraid to actually DO something about the problems with their state (and this country). They're afraid to abandon their Bronze-Age beliefs and start using logic and reason to fix what is wrong. We cant slip back into that dark time of antiquity. I fear that this is where my country is headed.
As the events of August 6, 2011 unfold, and as the new wave of zealots vie for control of our country in 2012, please remember how far we have come. Remember how we have long dismissed the gods of Olympus. Remember how we have dismissed the prejudices of ignorant men, and embraced the ideals of great ones. Remember how important it is for us to fight for our freedom to think. And remember that if we are to continue in our quest for understanding; the suppression of free thought, and the oppression of free-thinkers is the only contribution religion has to provide.
Religion has no place in politics. Religion has no place in society.
So, given all of this (the monstrous and consistent failure of prayer to "deliver the goods") why would the organizers of this event choose PRAYER to address the problems that their PRAYERS have failed to solve?!?! Well, to put it succinctly: they're afraid. They're afraid to actually DO something about the problems with their state (and this country). They're afraid to abandon their Bronze-Age beliefs and start using logic and reason to fix what is wrong. We cant slip back into that dark time of antiquity. I fear that this is where my country is headed.
As the events of August 6, 2011 unfold, and as the new wave of zealots vie for control of our country in 2012, please remember how far we have come. Remember how we have long dismissed the gods of Olympus. Remember how we have dismissed the prejudices of ignorant men, and embraced the ideals of great ones. Remember how important it is for us to fight for our freedom to think. And remember that if we are to continue in our quest for understanding; the suppression of free thought, and the oppression of free-thinkers is the only contribution religion has to provide.
Religion has no place in politics. Religion has no place in society.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
The End
Every person must deal with death at some point in their lives. Including the thought of their own death. Some people are able to face it much easier than others. I myself have had a rather difficult time understanding and accepting that I will die. But with the birth of my daughter, and a new found lust for knowledge and truth, I'm starting to be able to face my inevitable end with much less anxiety and fear. What I've found most comforting are the words of scientists and philosophers who have a great respect for the natural world. They have shown me just how precious my brief time on earth is, and they have done this without any metaphysical or divine reasoning. I am proud of this fact. I have no use for any conceptual security blanket offered by religion or spirituality. Though I am able to live with the idea of death much better now, I know that it will take a lifetime to completely come to terms with the end, and I am confident that the beauty and wonder of our world will always be my guide.
(Because of the relevance to my life and geographic area, I am directing this next part to Christian adherents)
I now would like to ask those of you who believe in an afterlife to think about something. Have you ever truly thought about the claims your faith presents regarding the afterlife? More specifically (for the purpose of this section) the idea of an eternal existence? The Bible tells us that whether you end up in heaven or hell it is for eternity...ETERNITY. Human beings are not capable of comprehending "eternity." We have evolved in and are accustomed to a medium sized world. The mindbogglingly immense size of the universe, and the truly bizarre realm of the quantum scale are nothing we can even begin to know without the aid of powerful and advanced technology. And as for time, our primate brains do not have the capacity to understand what it means to experience 1,000 years, let alone a million years or a trillion years. So, if we're annoyed at the vast expanse of time demanded of us when waiting in a fast food drive-thru or the unholy suffering we endured while waiting for a web page to load before the advent of high-speed internet, imagine your holy chagrin when you're forced to worship, FOREVER, at the feet of a deity you'd just met. To me, the thought of doing this is an even worse fate than death.
(Because of the relevance to my life and geographic area, I am directing this next part to Christian adherents)
I now would like to ask those of you who believe in an afterlife to think about something. Have you ever truly thought about the claims your faith presents regarding the afterlife? More specifically (for the purpose of this section) the idea of an eternal existence? The Bible tells us that whether you end up in heaven or hell it is for eternity...ETERNITY. Human beings are not capable of comprehending "eternity." We have evolved in and are accustomed to a medium sized world. The mindbogglingly immense size of the universe, and the truly bizarre realm of the quantum scale are nothing we can even begin to know without the aid of powerful and advanced technology. And as for time, our primate brains do not have the capacity to understand what it means to experience 1,000 years, let alone a million years or a trillion years. So, if we're annoyed at the vast expanse of time demanded of us when waiting in a fast food drive-thru or the unholy suffering we endured while waiting for a web page to load before the advent of high-speed internet, imagine your holy chagrin when you're forced to worship, FOREVER, at the feet of a deity you'd just met. To me, the thought of doing this is an even worse fate than death.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Coming Out
I am an atheist.
For those of you who don't understand what atheism means, or have a very bad misunderstanding of what it means, let me try and explain. Atheism is ONLY a single position held in reference to a single idea. It is the lack of belief in a god or gods. Atheism is not a religion. It has no dogma or creed. Atheism has nothing to do with a position on the origins of life or the theory of evolution. Atheism says nothing of morals or ethics, nor does it say anything about the character of a person. Atheism, to me, quite simply means: "I do not believe in a god."
I am an atheist. I do not believe in a god, and I live my life like there is no god or gods. Now let me be clear; I am not saying that there is no god or gods. On this question I am a strict agnostic. However, the enormous lack of evidence and the incredibly weak evidence given for the existence of a god are what I base my position upon. To put it another way: my lack of belief in a god is the same lack of belief I have in fairies and unicorns.
I am an atheist.
For those of you who don't understand what atheism means, or have a very bad misunderstanding of what it means, let me try and explain. Atheism is ONLY a single position held in reference to a single idea. It is the lack of belief in a god or gods. Atheism is not a religion. It has no dogma or creed. Atheism has nothing to do with a position on the origins of life or the theory of evolution. Atheism says nothing of morals or ethics, nor does it say anything about the character of a person. Atheism, to me, quite simply means: "I do not believe in a god."
I am an atheist. I do not believe in a god, and I live my life like there is no god or gods. Now let me be clear; I am not saying that there is no god or gods. On this question I am a strict agnostic. However, the enormous lack of evidence and the incredibly weak evidence given for the existence of a god are what I base my position upon. To put it another way: my lack of belief in a god is the same lack of belief I have in fairies and unicorns.
I am an atheist.
An Explanation
What I have to say is important to me. Keep that in mind. Helping to bring my daughter into this world is the greatest thing I will ever accomplish, and attempting to spread the virtues of reason and free thought will be my only other hope for making a meaningful contribution to this world.
I can be an ass sometimes, and I will offend some of you. This shouldn't come as a surprise to those who know me.
Please keep an open mind and question what I have to say.
I can be an ass sometimes, and I will offend some of you. This shouldn't come as a surprise to those who know me.
Please keep an open mind and question what I have to say.
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