Since joining this site, I've seen an excessive amount of posts referencing choice in the held ...

GoldenDoll comments on Jan 7, 2018:

I choose not to answer your question.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@GoldenDoll Can you clarify for me if you already know free will is an illusion and you're just being funny?

Since joining this site, I've seen an excessive amount of posts referencing choice in the held ...

meerasate comments on Jan 7, 2018:

I love this question. I think about it All. The. Time. I tend to believe in determinism (a belief I didn't choose lol) but I'm always open to evidence to the contrary.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

Thank you for your reply. Hope some of the responses this post spawned were of interest to you. Also, I read through this thread at least 3 times. I think I read your comment 5 or more times and each previous read, I didn't feel the need to reply, nor did I have the words to writre if I had. This time I had both for some reason and now you are reading the product of that. I'm completely content with the words I'm actively writing and, thus far, I think I will be happy I wrote them, so much so that I wish I had written them earlier so I could be reading your reply right now. So why didn't I just choose to think of this reply the first time I read your comment? Why didn't I just start writing with next to nothing to say they way I did a few moments ago? Initially, this reply was going to stop after "Thank you for your reply" but then the rest started popping into my head. When will it stop? Do I have any control over when my brain will tell me I've reached a suffici

Since joining this site, I've seen an excessive amount of posts referencing choice in the held ...

markdevenish comments on Jan 7, 2018:

well what else is there/ what is it you do ??

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

Not sure I get what you're asking.

In a world free of religion, what rules would no longer apply to you?

Bam85 comments on Jan 6, 2018:

In a world void of religion, nothing in my day to day life would change. I would continue on as i do now. I am content.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@Lonely Pretty sure I can drink myself to death with what I have in my house, so no, that's not my issue. But when I decide I want to make pork tenderloin with a port wine reduction only to find I'm low on port wine, it's pretty fucking aggravating that I have to rearrange my day to work around dumb, religion-inspired laws. (And that's just the sealed bottles...)

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

BobFenner comments on Dec 25, 2017:

It's the law of the land; and rightfully so. It IS up to the individual to decide what to do w/ their own life.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@BobFenner In 26 states there are laws that require that permission be granted by one or both parents or some other authority figure for any woman that's not of a certain age. If any of these young ladies happen to be in a family that doesn't believe in abortion, they are essentially banned from having one. There are 5 states that have only one abortion clinic in the entire state, and 24 states have less than 5 in the entire state. For the young and/or financially disadvantaged this is essentially also a ban, especially when you couple it with time restrictions and "fake" clinics that are set up by pro-life groups with the sole purpose of prolonging the time before a woman gets her appointment to make it extend past legal constraints. Seriously look up TRAP laws. This is a seriously fucked up country in this regard for how first-world and progressive we claim to be.

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

zanyfish comments on Nov 19, 2017:

Without any context, this question is pointless. It is also my opinion that extremes of "the woman should always be allowed to choose" v "the unborn child has a right" are also warped with first explaining the context. Some examples - the child is 1 week before being born, the child will be ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@DUCHESSA So I again ask, why would you say, "when the life of the woman is at risk"? If a man, even a medical professional guy, has no right to opine as you stated earlier, why should he have any say or control in any way whether or not a woman can get an abortion? Most everything else you've said on multiple posts seems to claim you're pro-choice 100%, and then this. I don't get it. ANY conditions or restrictions means you are not actually pro-choice because any of them can be used to deny a woman her autonomy.

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

JHeyoka comments on Nov 19, 2017:

Woman's body, woman's decision. End of story. I've heard it's awful and wreaks havoc on the body and mind, but that's better than not committing to raising a child because you didn't really want it to exist. I'll never experience that so i can't say, really.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@Betty You did not answer the question, so I cannot agree to disagree at this point. You have painted yourself into a corner. Saying it's punishing the child if the father doesn't contribute is tantamount to saying women are incapable of effectively raising children without some kind of help from a man. You are free to retract that statement if you'd like, but then you no longer have an objection to my original claim. This is not an impasse, this is your failure to support your argument effectively.

Tithing, Taxes... is there a difference?

whoHearer comments on Jan 3, 2018:

Yes, there is quite a difference. If your house catches fire, who do you want to show up, the fire truck and the firefighters supported by your tax dollars or the priest supported by your tithes? With taxes, there is a tangible benefit from your monies, both for you individually and the community as...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@BobFenner Ah, it just seemed from the OP that you thought they were extremely similar, but comments after that seem to say the opposite. Also, I'd be surprised to find anyone here who wouldn't find tithing objectionable.

LOOK WHAT I CAN DO!!

btroje comments on Dec 23, 2017:

I quit school in the 9th grade because I thought it was a waste of time. I wanted to spend a lot of time outside before I went to medical school I got in with no college degree either. I cant believe I used to be so sure of how things would work out

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@btroje That's amazing. I know it's possible, but I've been working in hospitals for a decade and a half and have never seen it.

Since joining this site, I've seen an excessive amount of posts referencing choice in the held ...

Lonely comments on Jan 7, 2018:

Can someone help me to grab the meaning of this post. JeffMurray, can you clarify for me. Are you talking about belief in god or other supernational forces, or about figurative belief in oneself?

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

I'm talking about all beliefs. Anything you believe. Actually, as a few have pointed out, I'm really talking about everything you think and do as well.

Since joining this site, I've seen an excessive amount of posts referencing choice in the held ...

Crimson67 comments on Jan 7, 2018:

Absolutely. You may be encouraged or taught to believe something when you are young but once you reach the age of maturity we all have the capacity to think and learn so we can alter what we believe. We choose to believe in something or not believe. Take Santa for instance. As children we are ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

So you chose to stop believing in Santa? Can you choose to start again?

Since joining this site, I've seen an excessive amount of posts referencing choice in the held ...

josmi6699 comments on Jan 7, 2018:

Personally I think that for a lot of issues, believing is just the lazy way out. The alternative is thinking, thinking hard, desperately trying to find answers, having incredibly complex things make your brain explode. Ahhh, how much easier it is to believe!

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

I think we're using two different forms of 'belief' here...

Since joining this site, I've seen an excessive amount of posts referencing choice in the held ...

committolife comments on Jan 7, 2018:

When I first read this, I thought it kind of trite and easy to answer, but on reflection, not so much, so thank you for this. My beliefs have changed many times over the years based on acquired knowledge - from indoctrinated Christianity, to agnosticism, to western esoteric (Cabalistic) principles,...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

Take it one step further. Where did your scales for valuation of principles come from? Why did things that get filtered out get filtered out? Why do say mass murderers not bat an eye at snuffing out the life of a child, but a guy my brother knows picks up stink bugs from the floor of his house and gently places them on the mantle so they're not cold and won't get stepped on? Did the mass murderer wake up one morning and think, "Ya know, I'm going to stop valuing human life"? And not to be that guy, but agnosticism and atheism are not in competition. Agnosticism refers to what you can know, and [a]theism refers to what you believe. Personally, I am an agnostic atheist because I don't believe in god, but I know I can't possibly know whether or not one exists. I have met a few agnostic Christians.

Since joining this site, I've seen an excessive amount of posts referencing choice in the held ...

Stevil comments on Jan 7, 2018:

it's your mind. You are the one who controls beliefs

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

Can you choose to believe Santa Claus is real? How about that the sky is purple with green polka dots? Perception is a huge factor, and you can't control that. Think for a moment, can you really control what you believe?

Since joining this site, I've seen an excessive amount of posts referencing choice in the held ...

hlfsousa comments on Jan 7, 2018:

We choose what we are exposed to, at least to an extent. And what we are exposed to heavily influences what we believe. So yes, in a way we do choose what to believe.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

In what way do you choose what you're exposed to? You may say you chose to join this site, but why? Someone else told you about it? You saw an ad? When you did it seemed interesting enough to spend time on? What if I hadn't joined? You wouldn't be exposed to this discussion. The only reason I joined is because I got dumped (for not wanting babies) and my coworkers did a Google search, found a site they didn't even know existed, and literally made me a profile. Where is the choice in any of that for either of us? The start of me not believing in free will was reading Sam Harris' book Free Will. I believed 100% that I had freedom of will. While reading, I even said to myself, "This is such bullshit." But somewhere along the way, the evidence was too great, hos argument too profound. I learned I was wrong, and I had no choice in the matter. The only reason I read that book was because my sister knew I liked "Letter" and bought it for me. Other people have read it and it didn't convince them, but it did me. Why? I didn't want to believe it. Where is the choice in any of this?

Since joining this site, I've seen an excessive amount of posts referencing choice in the held ...

azzow2 comments on Jan 7, 2018:

Cognitive thinking is one of the only places you can exist without outside influences. In your head you can compile whatever you like however those thought have protocols that certain influences and experiences dictate.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

You think you can choose the next thought that pops into your head? I suppose if you mean to say that your subconscious is part of the "in your head" you'd be right, but then the statement is essentially meaningless.

Since joining this site, I've seen an excessive amount of posts referencing choice in the held ...

Eponymous comments on Jan 7, 2018:

Yes, of course we can chose what to think, what to believe and what we manifest. I say I'm going to comment on this post, then put down my phone and then go to sleep. Then I do it. I'm manifesting my reality. I'm not praying for guidance, and supplicating to a deity to aid me my decisions. I decide ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@meerasate A woman at work said something similar, that you can choose how you feel about things. I told her she was wrong. Her husband left her recently and she was devastated by it. If I was just a tiny bit more of an asshole, I'd have asked her why she doesn't just choose to be happy about it. Can you choose to be happy when someone texting and driving rear ends you and makes you late for work? How about it that put you into corrective action and then prevents you from getting your full yearly raise? Doesn't even seem like there's a problem of evil for atheists to talk about if everyone can just choose to feel great about everything.

Since joining this site, I've seen an excessive amount of posts referencing choice in the held ...

icolan comments on Jan 7, 2018:

Most people believe what they are taught and never challenge it, for them it was a choice made by someone else. Some make the choice to change their beliefs between the existing religions. For those of us who have escaped it was a choice to not believe, we made the choice to follow rationality and...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@AMGT said it quite well on this thread, "I could not simply choose to believe in a god or a flying purple people eater, if I tried." Can you?

Since joining this site, I've seen an excessive amount of posts referencing choice in the held ...

Duke comments on Jan 7, 2018:

Of course. We all have our individual thought processes. We all have deductive reasoning capabilities. As we learn, our choices about what we believe can change based on our individual growth by understanding. Unless, of course, you are thinking that we are preordained to think something based ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@Duke It may not make YOU crave them, but it may make someone. Which is the whole reason advertising (and more recently, targeted and replicated advertising) works. Even if you think you can consciously choose, you must admit at the very least that you cannot choose that which does not occur to you. Speaking of, why do you even have ham and cheese in your fridge with which to make that sandwich?

What Superhero would you wish to be?

Rufus_Maximus comments on Dec 27, 2017:

I'd be Doctor Manhattan as he has basically every power imaginable!

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

I didn't know who he was or what he could do so I had to Google it. This is what I found, and does not make me think he'd be a good choice. "While his military backers market him as a superhero, he grows increasingly disinterested in human affairs, despite his importance in the Cold War, and is unable to connect with others (especially his love interest Laurie, the second Silk Spectre). Like most characters in Watchmen, Manhattan appears to have a personality disorder, in his case, Schizoid personality disorder which is characterized by reclusiveness and voluntary withdrawal from socializing to the detriment of personal relationships, though this can be countered by the fact that he's basically a god and, therefore, the way he experiences and reacts to the human environment and even reality itself cannot, in any way, be compared or encased inside the human condition and psychology."

Since joining this site, I've seen an excessive amount of posts referencing choice in the held ...

GoldenDoll comments on Jan 7, 2018:

I choose not to answer your question.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

Ah, but did you? Or has a series of interactions created the framework in your subconscious mind that told you a response wouldn't be worth formulating?

Since joining this site, I've seen an excessive amount of posts referencing choice in the held ...

tsjames comments on Jan 7, 2018:

I know that I have changed my views on a large variety of subjects over the years, based on new information and experiences. I think this constitutes choice, as I understand it. My answer is yes.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

But if you were not the author of that new information that changed your view, how was that a choice?

Since joining this site, I've seen an excessive amount of posts referencing choice in the held ...

ripcurldane comments on Jan 7, 2018:

Is this a free will trick question :-|

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

Not a trick question, but it is about free will. (Notice I even tagged it with #freewill)

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

zanyfish comments on Nov 19, 2017:

Without any context, this question is pointless. It is also my opinion that extremes of "the woman should always be allowed to choose" v "the unborn child has a right" are also warped with first explaining the context. Some examples - the child is 1 week before being born, the child will be ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@DUCHESSA Why only when the mother's life is at risk? Who determines that? Possibly a man who you said has no right to opine? Stick to your guns woman! (What if said woman was actually held prisoner in a basement and was raped for years on end. Manages to escape her captor in her third trimester. If she is at no risk of death, are you saying she shouldn't be allowed to terminate the pregnancy?!?)

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

egt1977 comments on Nov 19, 2017:

If it is a medical necessity, or rape I have no problem with it. Use birth control, abortion won't be a problem if you do.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@egt1977 So then why even mention them? If anyone can just say, "Uh, the condom slipped off" and be granted an abortion we can just assume everyone will say they used some prevention method and allow unrestricted access.

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

splittingzero comments on Nov 21, 2017:

I have to admit there were points in time where I thought abortion was the right choice in a relationship. But, I also understand that for a woman, that it can be a life altering decision. That's not the way they are wired. So the question is emotionally are you prepared to live it down? Flip ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

I get your point, but your argument is presented in a horribly vile way.

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

DannyVK comments on Nov 21, 2017:

Easy.. its up to the persons them self's to decide.... We are all ready with to many humans on this planet. Above that it's better to have a planned and wanted child to give all your love to...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

So if the human population on Earth was rapidly dwindling, would that change your stance? If not, why is population part of your reasoning?

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

rpmazzella comments on Nov 21, 2017:

My position is simple…. Its not my body so I don’t have the right to make a claim or decision for anyone else. I wonder what the good folks in Alabama would say about mandatory castration for men who prey on young girls. This has nothing to do with a fetus or embryo, but it has everting to do ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

They would say, "Let's try to elect this guy to the US Senate."

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

NKDjoy420 comments on Nov 21, 2017:

I don't believe it should be used as birth control. that being said there are times when we find ourselves in a situation that would not be congenial for a new baby. having a child is a major responsibility adoption isn't always the answer for everyone. Abortion is a very personal decision and ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

You just contradicted yourself...

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

El-loco comments on Dec 17, 2017:

Absolutely no position on this. Everyone should choose for themself. (As long as it doesn't affect me.)

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@DUCHESSA I agree with a lot of what you say, but this line in the sand is confusing to me. Men have no right to opine on the subject, what, because they don't have the ability to get pregnant? Does that mean barren women, old women, and women born without a uterus/have had a hysterectomy also have no right to opine?

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

Captain_Feelgood comments on Dec 18, 2017:

I have no problem with it as long as it's done early.. If you wait until the third tri... then you should have the child, and by that point,,, it is a child, not just a fetus.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

You do realize that's one of the avenues people use to prevent abortions, yes? In areas of the country where they have legislated away most places one could get an abortion, pro-life organizations set up "abortion clinics". They tell the woman that she is unable to have the procedure for various reasons (like she currently has a fever and it would be unsafe to perform) and string her along until she reaches a gestation point after which an abortion is no longer legal. Basically, if you believe in any restrictions, you DO NOT believe in a woman's right to choose.

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

Bobbing56 comments on Dec 19, 2017:

An absolute right. Remember in ancient times infanticide was not uncommon and personhood was not assumed until a child had been alive for some time.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

I don't think we should really be supporting our arguments with phrases that start with, "In ancient times".

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

Atheopagan comments on Dec 20, 2017:

Should be legal on demand and paid for with tax funds for women who are unable to pay. Period.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@DUCHESSA Furthermore, if the woman doesn't have insurance, it should be covered by the state.

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

bilingual comments on Dec 22, 2017:

Contraceptives and the day after pill should be inexpensive and freely available. During the first trimester, on demand. After that for a good reason particularly late term although that is easier said than determined. Husbands or boyfriends should not be part of the equation.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

The morning after pill doesn't work in the second and third trimester. :-P So, who determines if the woman's reason is a good reason? You're basically saying you do not believe in a woman's right to choose.

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

bryanthetrumpet comments on Dec 24, 2017:

I'm a blood donor, on the organ donor list, various different bone marrow registers etc. My belief is, if you're going to have a healthy, happy child, what right do you have to get rid of it? BUT. In cases of Rape, predicted illness (Spina bifida,Downs syndrome etc.) Is it more or less cruel to let ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

So you do not believe in a woman's right to choose?

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

Charles1971 comments on Dec 25, 2017:

Personally I don't believe that I nor anyone else, including the government or religion, has any say in the medical decisions of another person. The decision to have an abortion should be between a woman and her doctor. There should not be any waiting period unless the doctor believes that having an...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

You realize that the beginning of your comment and the end appear to have been written by two different people? You completely contradicted yourself...

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

BobFenner comments on Dec 25, 2017:

It's the law of the land; and rightfully so. It IS up to the individual to decide what to do w/ their own life.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

If only that were true. There are TONS of restrictions, and in some parts of the country for certain individuals a complete ban on abortion.

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

SCOTT63 comments on Dec 26, 2017:

I believe it is entirely the woman's business. Personally I am against it. Good thing I will never need one. And if a friend decided to have one, good thing I would be too busy being a supporting caring friend to worry about it.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

Since you seem to be the only even marginally dissenting opinion here, can you please tell us more? Why are you against it? Are there time constraints on if or how wrong you think it is?

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

El-loco comments on Dec 27, 2017:

It's weird that there is a site where people can debate this issue without attacking each other.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@DUCHESSA That, or the fact that we all agree??

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

Tourirst comments on Dec 27, 2017:

Someone somewhere said this: " Better to be born than to be never born at all". Did they take survey of all people ever born? Some people have had a terrible life and suffer in ways many of us can't even imagine. I dare say they would not agree with a stupid statement like this!

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

Not being born at all sounds way easier than all this.

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

ErikGunderson comments on Jan 5, 2018:

If you own nothing else in this world, you own your own body. And to own something means you can do what you want with it, unless the government comes up with a *damn* good reason why you shouldn't be able to. I haven't heard the *damn* good reason why you shouldn't be able to control whether ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

Out of curiosity, do you think people should be allowed to sell parts of their body? (i.e. Is their reason damn good?)

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

JHeyoka comments on Nov 19, 2017:

Woman's body, woman's decision. End of story. I've heard it's awful and wreaks havoc on the body and mind, but that's better than not committing to raising a child because you didn't really want it to exist. I'll never experience that so i can't say, really.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@betpaq Who said anything about penalizing the child? Women can, and do, have children as single parents all the time (e.g. they want a child, but haven't found the right man, so they artificially inseminate or adopt if possible). So regardless of how the woman got pregnant, if she wants to have the child and the man does not, she can just have it on her own. Surely you're not suggesting women aren't able to raise children on their own?? Cause saying the man has to contribute (financially or otherwise) or it's punishing the child sure sounds like you're saying women are incapable. Also, if the semen was stolen, how is that "the irresponsible behavior" of the father?

I just tried a simple experiment.

bingst comments on Jan 6, 2018:

She doesn't care?! If she is an unbeliever, I would have expected her to be grateful. Hmm... maybe she's just too young to appreciate it.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@bingst Don't think I missed anything. What do you think I didn't understand exactly?

Since joining this site, I've seen an excessive amount of posts referencing choice in the held ...

Duke comments on Jan 7, 2018:

Of course. We all have our individual thought processes. We all have deductive reasoning capabilities. As we learn, our choices about what we believe can change based on our individual growth by understanding. Unless, of course, you are thinking that we are preordained to think something based ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

Why does it have to be ordered by god? Why can't it simply be a product of other things? Can you choose that which does not occur to you? (e.g. When thinking about what you'll have for dinner, if the option "go get 8 orders of crab rangoons and no main course" doesn't happen to pop in your head, are you free to choose it? Will ordering Crab Rangoons now pop into someone's head tonight because they read this? Where is the choice in that?

Since joining this site, I've seen an excessive amount of posts referencing choice in the held ...

Eponymous comments on Jan 7, 2018:

Yes, of course we can chose what to think, what to believe and what we manifest. I say I'm going to comment on this post, then put down my phone and then go to sleep. Then I do it. I'm manifesting my reality. I'm not praying for guidance, and supplicating to a deity to aid me my decisions. I decide ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

You can choose to believe in god if you wanted to? Truly believe? How about Santa Claus?

Since joining this site, I've seen an excessive amount of posts referencing choice in the held ...

SamKerry comments on Jan 7, 2018:

Does this extend past "belief" and into "everything else"? I.e. Do you choose to be yourself, choose your friends, choose your education, choose your most appropriate profession for your skill set and knowledge, choose who you fall in love with, choose the sex of your children (or choose to have ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

Yes, that's where this goes, but I doubt people here are ready for that.

LOOK WHAT I CAN DO!!

btroje comments on Dec 23, 2017:

I quit school in the 9th grade because I thought it was a waste of time. I wanted to spend a lot of time outside before I went to medical school I got in with no college degree either. I cant believe I used to be so sure of how things would work out

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

Wait, you went to medical school without an undergraduate degree?

Tithing, Taxes... is there a difference?

Novelty comments on Jan 3, 2018:

There's a huge difference. When people pay tithes the primary purpose of the money is to spread a singular required opinion. When I pay taxes I know I'll receive police protection, fire department coverage, public education, a standing military to protect me from foreign enemies, a highway ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

This is highly inaccurate. Studies have shown that increases in taxes on cigarettes has resulted in a reduction in both consumption of cigarettes and a reduction in the incidence of new smokers. Furthermore, taxes from tobacco products are used, at least in part, to fund anti-smoking campaigns and subsidize smoking cessation tools.

Tithing, Taxes... is there a difference?

sassygirl3869 comments on Jan 3, 2018:

If I were a Religious Person I would not voluntary donate 10% of my income nor pay a membership fee to join a Church or Temple. Believing in god should have nothing to do with money unless someone has the extra cash and wants to make a donation.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

It's curious. God can make the blind see, the deaf hear, the dead live, the dumb speak, but he can't keep the lights on in a house of worship dedicated to him, (which we know he's super in to)? Maybe if the religion had the right god they wouldn't need your money...

Tithing, Taxes... is there a difference?

wordywalt comments on Jan 3, 2018:

No religious institution controls a dime of my money -- and never will. I pay taxes voluntarily to pay my fair share of governmental services and to be a responsible citizen -- as everybody who is not a freeloader should!

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

I think I'm missing something. Unless you're self-employed (or a server, perhaps) how is paying taxes voluntary?

Tithing, Taxes... is there a difference?

whoHearer comments on Jan 3, 2018:

Yes, there is quite a difference. If your house catches fire, who do you want to show up, the fire truck and the firefighters supported by your tax dollars or the priest supported by your tithes? With taxes, there is a tangible benefit from your monies, both for you individually and the community as...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 7, 2018:

@BobFenner So then why exactly is the title asking if there's a difference between tithing and taxes??

I just tried a simple experiment.

bingst comments on Jan 6, 2018:

She doesn't care?! If she is an unbeliever, I would have expected her to be grateful. Hmm... maybe she's just too young to appreciate it.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 6, 2018:

Being grateful or prideful for your beliefs is just as silly as being prideful over your eye color or height. You didn't author them and you can't change them. Her answer, even if it wasn't arrived at with comprehension of this fact, is more enlightened than yours.

Even if we assume god is real, it doesn't change anything but in fact shows how obnoxious his ...

BucketlistBob comments on Dec 28, 2017:

I cant take your poll... I dont believe in god..period. I dont like religion. I believe that a list of moral instructions from a list of scholars would be better than instructions from a higher power ... (a God). Sorry... George Carlin put it clear to me.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 6, 2018:

Carlin was funny, but kind of an idiot...

Even if we assume god is real, it doesn't change anything but in fact shows how obnoxious his ...

psycheworks comments on Dec 28, 2017:

who says 'God' is male? Doesn't it make more sense if we are the physical embodiment of God that God is both male and female?

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 6, 2018:

Binary restrictions on an all-powerful being?

Do you believe that we have souls? If so, can you answer why?

Buketoballs43 comments on Dec 28, 2017:

I cannot say for certain but it doesn't look likely. Having said that, my atoms become new things, and this is spiritual for me, so if a soul is a spirit, then perhaps the new organization of atoms is like me in some insignificant way.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 6, 2018:

If that's true, you're just millions of other people and things...

Do you believe that we have souls? If so, can you answer why?

JackPedigo comments on Dec 27, 2017:

Why should we? To me this is another anthropocentric word that has been in use so long that even the non-religious consider it plausible.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 6, 2018:

@Duke I had a girl love me with her hole butt once. It was amazing.

Have you ever noticed that if you call a Christian "Christian" or a Muslim "Muslim", it's not ...

AndyFreakingFord comments on Jan 6, 2018:

I think it's people are way to sensitive. I will tell you a true that happened to some friends of my mine who play a black metal bsnd from Seattle named Inquisition they have been around for close two decades now and have toured the world and play hateful music aimed at the Christian faith. In 2012 ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 6, 2018:

There is a difference here. The song title was JewISH Prophet. I think we can all agree that the title, "Crush the Jew Prophet" would be way worse.

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

JHeyoka comments on Nov 19, 2017:

Woman's body, woman's decision. End of story. I've heard it's awful and wreaks havoc on the body and mind, but that's better than not committing to raising a child because you didn't really want it to exist. I'll never experience that so i can't say, really.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 6, 2018:

@betpaq There are a lot of examples and plenty of court cases to go along with them. One case involved a wife giving a used condom from her husband to a friend who used it to get pregnant. She then sued for child support AND WON. The court ruled that, regardless of how the semen ended up in the friend, once the man made the deposit he didn't have an expectation to reclaim it. There are cases of ejaculate from oral sex getting saved and used to impregnate. But that doesn't really even matter. We are discussing what should be, not what is, and there is the possibility of men being forced into genetic fatherhood. Again, discussing instances where the law failed is not the focus of this discussion. Obviously, if there is a law on the books that a rapist should be financially responsible for offspring, and then wasn't forced to do so, that's not something we can solve by saying the law should be followed. We already agree on that. As for both parties being responsible for birth control. That's a nice soundbite. But completely unrealistic and one of the vehicles by which women can get away with stealing semen. I have never been with a woman who didn't prefer to not use a condom during sex. I have only been in monogamous sexual relationships with women I loved and trusted. So if that woman told me she was on the pill and/or wouldn't carry a pregnancy to term and that she didn't want me to use a condom, what do you think would happen to the relationship if I essentially told her I didn't believe her or trust her and would only sleep with her with barrier protection? A step further, what if a man DID still use a condom that had a hole poked in it? The man is not "choosing" the consequences, they are inflicted on him because, as we all agree, he has ZERO say in whether or not the pregnancy is terminated. Do you know what happens to "Deadbeat Dads"? It is definitely not consequence-free. There was a guy that played cards at a local shop that had to get a ride everywhere because the state revoked his license for owing back child support. Anyway, we are again discussing individual instances of someone circumventing existing laws which we both agree shouldn't happen and is not the focus of this discussion. The question is, since a man has no say in whether or not a pregnancy is terminated, why shouldn't he be afforded at least the ability to terminate his rights and responsibilities?

In a world free of religion, what rules would no longer apply to you?

Bam85 comments on Jan 6, 2018:

In a world void of religion, nothing in my day to day life would change. I would continue on as i do now. I am content.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 6, 2018:

@Knd502 That's what I meant. Blue laws are time-based here, too. But my point still stands. Why the F do I have to plan my to-do list to accommodate idiocy?

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

JHeyoka comments on Nov 19, 2017:

Woman's body, woman's decision. End of story. I've heard it's awful and wreaks havoc on the body and mind, but that's better than not committing to raising a child because you didn't really want it to exist. I'll never experience that so i can't say, really.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 6, 2018:

@betpaq I now have a problem with your statement. There have been instances of men having their semen stolen in various ways. If a woman is pregnant by an unwilling man, and said man has no choice in terminating or carrying the pregnancy to term, why would he not at least have the option to divorce himself completely from the situation? Women should have complete autonomy, but men should have none?

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

kiramea comments on Nov 19, 2017:

I personally am against abortion. That's why I've never had one. It's not the government's or religion's place to dictate what a woman should do with their body. Also, unless the man is willing to carry (be pregnant which is impossible at the moment) and raise the child, they essentially have no ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 6, 2018:

Because men don't (and shouldn't) have any say, they also should be allowed to relinquish all rights and responsibilities associated with the conception. Just my two cents.

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION ?

antitheism comments on Nov 19, 2017:

My position is I'll never have to make that choice so I need to stay the fuck out of it.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 6, 2018:

Though the conclusion is correct, that rationale is not sound. I won't have any children that will go to public school, but I have an opinion on how it should be funded and what should and should not be taught.

My question has two parts: 1.

zeliasgrand comments on Jan 6, 2018:

I obviously phrased this question badly. I am really more interested in the ETHICS of these requests for money. I do understand that I have the right to refuse; my real question was, am I entitled to feel disgruntled by what I see as an exorbitant demand?

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 6, 2018:

How about this: You don't have any choice in how you feel about it. That fact aside, since giving is not a selfless act, and the 'warm fuzzy' is your reward, you should feel good about what, how much, and to whom you give.

In a world free of religion, what rules would no longer apply to you?

Bam85 comments on Jan 6, 2018:

In a world void of religion, nothing in my day to day life would change. I would continue on as i do now. I am content.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 6, 2018:

I could buy fucking alcohol on Sunday. That would be nice.

Can a society maintain complete intellectual freedom while doing away with religion?

skado comments on Jan 4, 2018:

If people are not allowed to choose their beliefs that’s not freedom.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 4, 2018:

No one chooses their beliefs. I don't believe anyone chooses anything though.