Teach the children well

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 26, 2018:

The only sin he list is witchcraft-the practice of magic, the use of spells and the invocation of spirits all of which are fundamental to bible beliefs! Mud and spit in the eye-Jesus a spell using magic for an example. How bout another? A magic demigod spirit rising from the dead.

Television- The great bullshitter

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 26, 2018:

Got rid of cable last year. The only thing I watched was the History channels "Christian" history stuff. They really did't know anything about Christian history....Why were they always wrong?

Teach the children well

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 26, 2018:

If you don't teach adults reason, the church will teach them intelligent design, sexual opression, mythology,magic

Doomsday clock has been moved to two minutes to mignight.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 26, 2018:

The "Doomsdays clock" has never been right. How many times has it been the end of the world only to wake up to another typical day? What is the saying "a wrong clock is right twice a day" sure whatever.....

What book should replace the bible...

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 26, 2018:

Something very few people have seen or read, The United States Constitution.

Death Cult Christianity

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 26, 2018:

Religions are indeed memes as coined By Richard Dawkins to describe how ideas take root almost like a virus. Those that are popular breed and get spread around, those ideas that are unpopular die. In this respect religions and the ideas there of are memes. Evidently death in religion is the ultimate meme....

What is the significance of a date?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 26, 2018:

O.K. bud just throw out our dirty laundry for everyone to see. Complete with skid marks in our underware!!!! Yes, it is perfectly true and the actual story. . We are not taught about it in schools and you basically have to be a crazy history nerd like myself to be familar with it. There are more and more Americans that are beginning to understand more of our history that is simply not mythological. The whole everyone having a nice little dinner is a much nicer story though. Its also much nicer to think six million Jews were not murdered. I often say no ones grapa in Germany ever killed a Jew. The point being, normally if we don't like our history we simply lie about it. I hope you folks work it out and can be proud of your nation together!

Inside Flat Earth International Conference, where everyone believes Earth isn't round

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 25, 2018:

I can't believe its gone this far. I can wrap my mind around (I said around) theism but I am completely perplexed about the Flat earth. I can tango with theist all day. I just wouldn't know where to start with these people. I really hope this dies down soon. Perhaps if I can just get Bigfoot to ride in on Nessy and deliver a Globe it might help. If I was a scientist I would refuse to even address these people.

General vent about being atheist in a very Christian community.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 25, 2018:

My reply is "If believing in a god is the only thing that keeps you from killing everyone, please don't stop believing." This subtly puts it back on them. It says I don't need Jesus to keep from harming people without punching them in the face with it.

There has been a lot of discussion of "what is an atheist" on this site along with occasional ...

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 25, 2018:

David Silverman goes into this extensively in his book Fighting God. When we use other terms for Atheist pople do not know what we are talking about. There are so many Euphemisms out there that staistics show atheist as bing around 5% of our population(in the U.S.) where the actual demographics when all the Euphemisms are taken into account is much closer to 1/3 of the nation. I'm with David Silverman on this one we should use the term atheist. People have at least an idea of what it means. When we use the term we normalize atheism and make atheist more acceptable. Gay at one time was a derogatory term. The LGBT movement owned it! Now it is simply a descriptive term of ones sexuality. https://youtu.be/K_wLP1bXhy4

Hi, just wanted to say that the majority of this group are so interesting and quite witty.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 25, 2018:

Could you please explain to my wife just how funny I am? I've been trying to brainwash the idea into her for 20 years!

So anyone else have a problem with new rich scientists not supporting poor faction resiliancy and ...

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 25, 2018:

1) I do have a problem with rich scientists, they should work for free 2) poor faction resiliency is above my cognitive understanding, must be bad 3) fieldcraft training must have something to do with boy scouts, those little militants! 4) New government religious infiltrated....I never liked Theocracies. 5) Armed atheist potheads- are loaded bongs illegal? A little weed is probably a coping mechanism to deal with theist. 6) I have no problem meeting like minded atheist, I go to church and talk with the people whom look like they wish they were invisible, sitting next to their family members.

What are the commentariats' views on legal prostitution?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 25, 2018:

Let's face it people are going to have sex. The Romans used to sell special tokens specifically for prostitution. Modern historians did the math and found out that the going rates were almost identical to today! Sexy sells and has for a very long time. What I am concerned about is first that we openly admit people pay for sex. Believe it or not, studies have found that the more religious a community is the more likely they are to have porn and engage in prostitution. It is extremely important that prostitution be regulated, kept confidential, and be readily available. This is for safety of both parties and that of the community. There does need to be bouncers available, there does need to be health screening. First we must actually admit it happens no matter what religious communities say, after all they will be the best customers.

I have done my share of internet dating, and boy have I got stories.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 25, 2018:

One time I met a girl through a friend. We decided to go to a new restaurant in the next town. It had been a morgue for about 80 years and had been recently renovated into a pizza place. I was a thin and fairly fit young 27 year old. As we sat at the table she grabbed my arms and looked at them observently. My veins are clearly visible and I did not have much body fat. After closely examining them she said "You would make a great cadaver!" Yes she said this in a morgue. This strange woman was an occupational therapist, she had just gotten out of school and had been a student teacher for dissection for two years. That strange woman has been my wife for 20 years!

Advice request: Today I Received "More than a Carpenter" byJosh Mcdowell through the post.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 25, 2018:

I think your explanation of the title was excellent. Being that you do not know who sent it, it is not necessary to have a response. Personally, I love to critique authors. That is why I loved your explanation of the title.

Do you think science will ever unlock the true mysteries of the true reason the Universe came to be...

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 25, 2018:

This is a big question. I have no doubt that we will figure out what existed before the big bang. I just don't think it may be for at least hundreds of years.

Just this morning, I heard this TV ad for hearing aids .

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 25, 2018:

Serving God? If they need to make hearing aides he must not be worth serving.

Psychotic Break As some of you know I recently had a bad bout with my depression (don't really ...

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 25, 2018:

That is awesome! This is a good place to be among friends. You definitely can question life and God and really be taken seriously here. I live in a rural area and agree with you, here is my community.

A Dozen Camels Disqualified From Saudi Beauty Pageant Over Botox Injections : The Two-Way : NPR

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 25, 2018:

I realize many are having fun here. It is the same in the United States. We have dog,cat, pig,sheep,goat,horse,cow chicken,rabbit and many more "beauty pagents' all the time. As some media people have simply used a differn't term from "Show" does not mean it is more stupid or less important than the values WE have. We should be ashamed.

A world of Tribes. Are we one?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 25, 2018:

From an anthropological aspect of speaking I think there is much merit to what she said. We have survived as a species due to tribalism and working together to survive. This in itself may be correct, but in the context that she is thinking of it is very wrong. Let's say that this is KKK.com. The ideas we would share would be harmful and very limited to a specific type of thinking. Now let's say it was humanism.com now we have taken our "tribalism" in a much broader and useful direction. Our humanistic beliefs may lead us to coordinate humanitarian aid for earthquake victims, or work for human rights in a specific region of the world. In this case even with focused attention we have made very good use of "tribalism". I have believed that atheist wet the most diverse group on the planet as atheist only share one idea, that being that God does not exist. This group is even more diverse. I am a staunch or "hard" atheist. There are some that are self proclaimed theist. This group is in fact a group so by definition we do fit into the category of tribalism. From a sociological point of view it is impossible for any group to get together and not be a part of the sociological psyche of tribalism. If you are stuck in an international airport due to being snowed in than the common ground and "group think" will be to get to a certain destination wether people actually can communicate in the same language or not. So tribalism in itself is not bad at all. She has limited her mind to the adverse aspects of tribalism that includes such aspects as actually limiting thought as often happens is things like say.....religion.

Loneliness and disconnection in the virtual age.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 24, 2018:

I have the opposite experience. I am isolated due to the religious community I am in. Online I find real people whom share my experience. The one thing I lack is the intimacy of a hearty hug from a friend male or female, the shake of a hand, the look in the eye of understanding. This I miss but with time I will make local friends that share my thoughts. Perhaps those friendships will start online.

Freebrainers.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 24, 2018:

I would start with defining the term. http://www.dictionary.com/browse/freethinker This may redirect the group to a better focus and elimanate the wildcards.

I think irony can be really funny.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 24, 2018:

I am disturbed and very upset I did not think of it first...Can I just take credit???

How Do You Honour Your Familiar?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 24, 2018:

I do not nor have I had a familiar. I am an apistevist-I make no desicions based on faith. I have had strong emotional attachment to other animals(yes i am an ape). There is nothing wrong or strange about having such emotional attachments. It means you are human. I hope you you have made peace with your loss.

The Guy Who Played Barney the Dinosaur Now Runs a Tantric Sex Business - VICE

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 24, 2018:

I alawys wondered about the guy in the barney suit. Did he go into the bar and say "Hey baby, I'm the guy in the barney suit". As far as the gigolo question....my services were always free and greatfully given.

Bringing People Together! I posted this yesterday on my facebook page, and I had 2 different ...

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 24, 2018:

Try doing it again next year with the word Americans. You will probably have the opposite results.

I heard one of the most pull it out of your a answers today in a long time.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 24, 2018:

Just how many babies were born just a second after he said that?

Anyone of us on here going to the Superbowl?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 24, 2018:

I havent watched football in two years. First they had the "gay fetish", then they wanted to lecture me about not beating my wife, Then they threw in a bit of racism at the super bowl. I had enough.

How old are you really? I remember 19 out of 20 Oh My!

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 24, 2018:

Hell I'm old enough not to remember any of it. What were we talking about?

Take Two...

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 24, 2018:

I am constantly explaining to people that science doesn't try to disclaim religion. It simply doesn't care. It is interested in explaining what we can observe in the world and how it works that is all. It doesn't care what direction it takes them as long as we understand how the world does work. If that conflicts with religious thinking "just the facts ma'am".

Women, does he really need to know?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 24, 2018:

You have opened a can of worms, and my rant.... Though a woman is burdened with the pregnancy biology is not her fault nor his. They are both equilly responsabie for the pregnancy. If there is a question as to wether the pregnancy should be terminated the default should be baby,excluding rape etc. I once had a woman suggest I was the father of her child. This was as soon as she got married and the new husband wanted to get PAID. I was pissed. My atterney was shocked when I suggested that she owed me compensation for depriving me of being a father and I wanted sole custody of the 14 y/o child so that I could be a father of the child for his remaining childhood years as she had intentionally deprived me of being a father. He was not my child and it was not an issue. My wife and I have two children. A very progressive outlook is that parents share 50/50 the child raising duties right? Bullcrap. We have never seen it that way. We both give 100%. so the children get 200% of our combined efferts. There was never any question as to who changed diapers or anything else. It always came down to whom was the best to attend to the needs at the time. If I was busy she did it and vis a versa. I know I may be an exception. But it is both of our creation and responseability. Every man should be completely involved unless he is a complete loser.

What is your favorite Athiest video? [youtube.com] Here is mine.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 24, 2018:

This kid made an excellent video! I review videos every day and have found none better. Enjoy!

What is the best bible rebuttal for John 3:16?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 23, 2018:

Eternal life? Who has ever accomplished this? One must have lived forever to be able to say that one did or that it is possible. So time must end to say one has lived forever. If god is eternal and time has not ended then god has not lived forever. This being said how can such a promise be made?

There is no agnostic vs. atheist! The peeve I have...

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 23, 2018:

I find my self often having to define both terms. I gets quite tiresome. The only time I bother with this is when theist make statements like "atheist belive in God the just deny it" or "You cant be agnostic and atheist". Then I have to "school them". With knowlege comes understanding, with understanding comes tolerence.

Do you openly tell your co-workers you're non-religious?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 23, 2018:

Ive made no bones about it, the people I work with seem to care about it as much as they do about.....their religion.

Where should the line be drawn, between religious freedom and mental illness?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 23, 2018:

When it comes to medical care, religion is flatly dangerous! There is the line of thinking that parents have the religious freedom to make choices for their children. When they deprive their children the medical care they need because a myhtical sky daddy might help their kids, its gone too far. What about the kids right to life? Why isnt the kids futures taken into account? These kids are forced to die due to their parents delusions? This is pure bullcrap.

What commercials have permanently burned themselves into your mind?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 23, 2018:

https://youtu.be/elwcEwBLEWI

Intelligent design vs idiotic design

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 23, 2018:

Why did God put a playground next to a waste disposal system?....Ooh intelligent design.

What do you think of prayer being brought back to schools?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 23, 2018:

Prayer. I have often wondered how many "witches" were burned praying desperately to their god for deliverance or how many people have pleaded desporately with their god just before being shot in the face at a school. Prayer in school is meant to proprogate the belief in a Mythological sky daddy that has demonstrated that he has not stopped one school shooting.

What is yourt favorite book?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 23, 2018:

Dont shoot me.... The Bible actually. I am completely facinated with how it has influenced and molded the thinking of the world. It can be found on my Fantasy/Fiction shelf.

Thoughts? [patheos.com]

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 23, 2018:

No problem. As long as they also daily are required to list the punishments for disobeying them(almost always death) and dicuss which of them are actually constitutional. (only two). The rest are not laws or in the case of the first two are clearly unconstitutional. Worship no god before me and dont take my name in vain.

Which is the Best country for Atheists?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 23, 2018:

Believe it or not Isreal is the most secular nation in the world. You can order pork in most restarunts....Ask for the "white beef".

Cue the "thoughts and prayers" UGHHHHH!!!

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 23, 2018:

It sickens me. First that it happened. Secondly, these people whom belive in God believe he let it happen or worse "willed it" and then go crawling to him after the fact. He let it happen and now that we have dead bodies hes going to make it all better? Really? I in no way mean to make fun of or minimalize the tradgic event. It was horrible. It is my intent to call attention to the absurdity of the Christian reaction.

I have seen post before about internet trolls just took a second to look this up. [theguardian.com]

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 22, 2018:

We have a few theist here that are honest about what they are. I don't mind setting them straight where they misunderstand what agnostics and atheist are. As long as we have a conversation that is not rude I think it is healthy. It is when someone is simply misleading and disruptive that I draw the line of what I understand to be a troll. So what do you call a person of like mind that is simply rude or counterproductive?

Misophonia and Me

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 22, 2018:

Beware of a fellow that says" You, me, and earplugs baby!" Come to think of it my wife would like ear plugs for anytime I speak.....

Who are we?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 22, 2018:

We are humans. We do not believe in God. We eat and pooh. We are not a religion as we by definition do not fit any of the criteria. We tend to be humanist. We have fewer children. We are higher educated. We are literally scientifically proven to be smarter. We tend to be more liberal than conservative. We tend to be more accepting of lgbt rights. We are less inclined to be racist. No generalizations can be made about us no matter what the facts say.

Question from a newbie to this forum, but not a newbie Atheist.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 22, 2018:

Spiritual is the hot button word that will make rational atheist go more bonkers than Ken Ham in an actual natural history museum! It's the wild card can mean anything term. I recommend never using it because it is much like using the term "god", it means something different to everyone. Don't tell anyone. For me I can be "spiritual" just being at peace alone is quiet meditation about life....shhh.... Most atheists associate the term "spiritual" with the supernatural. I don't necessarily. I think more of quiet complication... don't tell anybody.....

Hello! I'm basically trying to get enough points to actually use the site... hows everyone doing?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 22, 2018:

Just be a real person as you are. Points don't mean anything. Reply to what interests you or where you may contribute. That is all that is necessary.

Why do people pull straw man arguments?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 21, 2018:

I don't know exactly what to say. How can I have a discussion with someone who believes people argue with scare crows????? There I don't have to address the issue and have called your credibility into question. Win. Win. When people start throwing down a straw man argument it is because they know they are losing the debate.

When one person suffers from a delusion,it is called insanity.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 21, 2018:

In psychology it is literally true.

What is your take on Satanism? a taboo subject never as far as I know reported in the media.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 21, 2018:

It depends on what is meant by "Satanism" most of the things said during the 80s during the time of "Satanic Panic" was lies and over exaggeration. A modern version of the witch trials. Now there is a Church of Satan. They use the title to draw attention from the media. They are actually atheist that are advocates for Freedom From Religion and do go to extremes to make a point. There is a Satanic Church that has loose beliefs that are similar to some ancient Gnostics. Unlike they are portrayed they are not bent on evil, being "immoral", doing sacrifices, having orgies or anything else attributed to them. They basically hold humanist values.

Do kiddy fiddlers go to heaven if they are religious leaders?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 21, 2018:

The Christian God is said to be "Just". It is ironic that his system of deciding whom will go to heaven or be tortured in Hell forever has nothing to do with justice. Only if you believe that a magical cosmic being actually exist, not on your merit.

It has been weighing on me heavily, this last debate I was a part of here, in regards to the thread ...

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 21, 2018:

I am not familiar with the discussion. I would just like to say it looks very much like you are HUMAN.

Hi. Here is a question: have you changed a cherished opinion you held based on new evidence?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 21, 2018:

I once believed that people had an inherent desire to seek a god from birth. I mentioned to some friends that told me that we are all born atheist. It took six months of research. I found out that we were all wrong. There have been entire cultures that have had not spirit or god concept at all. Thus if we were born with a desire to seek a god concept that would not be the case. We are not born atheist. A god concept must exist in a society for us not to believe in. We are born with no concept of God at all. We are taught it and then must either accept it or not or perhaps become some sort of Agnostic.

Quick! While the US government is shut down, let's all switch everything to metric!

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 21, 2018:

Does this government shut down mean we can fly flags with a big red A at court houses and post offices?

Skeptic's Annotated Bible / Quran / Book of Morman>

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 21, 2018:

When doing historical research I use the New Jerusalem bible. When doing research for atheist issues I use the Skeptics Annotated Bible and the Cure for Fundamentalism. The cure is not a bible but goes through most of the problems within the bible with much greater detail. The Skeptics Annotated Bible only had I believe one publishing and is very rare. It usually sells for about 300$ now if I remember correctly. If you watch Amazon and eBay it can be picked up for about 50. They are both extremely valuable resources for one whom wishes to understand how flawed the bible actually is.

"We are all atheists about most of the gods that humanity has ever believed it.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 21, 2018:

It is a great saying but every time I have seen it used independently, by others, It seems like the theist has no idea what is actually being said. I have seen him make the point that they are atheist concerning every other God and then drop the line. This is when it then it sinks in.

I borrowed this from the library.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 21, 2018:

The YouTube channel rationalityrules is an excellent resource. It kills me how many young kids are so darn smart.

Ancient ideas and modern technology.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 21, 2018:

I looked in all of my bibles to verify your story, it ain't in there so it ain't so.....

My favorite part of the Bible are when jeues is alone talking to God ( himself) and someone who ...

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 21, 2018:

You obviously are not familiar with Harry Potter. The reporters magic pen was obviously being used.....I saw it actually working with my own eyes...

I haven't posted anything too obvious on FB about being a nonbeliever except sharing the ...

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 21, 2018:

Checkout my Facebook. The only thing I have posted is videos that are particularly good about atheism.....silence....

Some unverified trivia about this guy.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 21, 2018:

He was a satirist and an Atheist. He is known for the publishing the saying "God helps them who help themselves" in his almanac. I wonder if he secretly wasn't making a joke. "Hey guys God isnt going to do anything for you I you want to get anything done do it and attribute to God if you wish".....

I found this on face book today.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 21, 2018:

As a historian I am very excited that we have some actual first hand accounts of how it actually happened.

Social Media

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 20, 2018:

Atheist Nexus is my first home online. You must be an atheist to be a member. There are a lot of activist on the site and the conversations are always deep. The people there may be the most knowledgeable people on the web concerning atheist issues. There is almost no debate or bickering. There is much discussion among friends whom may not agree, but it is always civil and there is always much to learn from everyone whom contributes.

To every single member of this site that ever served in the military.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 20, 2018:

Thank you!

Moral question?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 20, 2018:

My son has severe deformities of both of his "knees" at 16 years of age he is having his second knee replaced in two weeks. I don't care if it was the most immoral thing on earth! If we could have prevented his pain and suffering with gene therapy we would have done it, to Hell with morality. This being said there will be many questions we must answer about what is moral about augmentation. Soon afterwards there will be much debate about what is human. That is unaugmented "rights" due to their inferior intelligence etc. It will be very interesting times.

I have given this next topic a great deal of thought.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 20, 2018:

I very rarely invoke my prestigious membership in the clergy. I am in fact Rev. Dave. I am an ordained atheist pastor through the First Church of Atheism. I got the ordination so that I could do just that. In addition I am planning to make myself available on a volunteer basis at the local prisons and Fort Carson to help normalize atheism and perhaps set a president for atheist clergy in the military. Atheist clergy are out there. The reason there is atheist clergy is that clergy have special access to prisons, military bases and can preform ceremonies such as weddings and funerals. This is particularly exciting for the lgbt community.

I have never understood Christianity in the Black community.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 20, 2018:

Any time a people are oppressed they cling to religion. This being the case I hope that religion is not attractive in the future in the United States. I have been very saddened by the BLM movement. Not due to it goals or ideals but that it has come to a time that it was needed. It is much like the atheist movement, it simply would be best if it was not needed at all.

Ancient Aliens

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 19, 2018:

Is it possible considering the infinite vastness of the universe that aliens exist? Could they be traveling billions of light years to our planet just because they have an irresistible fascination for probing our rectums? Ancient Astronaut theorists say Yes!

On Sporting Events Thanks @Piece2YourPuzzle for your post about Idolizing sports stars, it ...

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 19, 2018:

Dreadysmart you live up to your moniker.

Religious Shit Taoism Shit happens.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 19, 2018:

Religion- bullshit

How does an agnostic begin a prayer?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 19, 2018:

This is actually a legitimate question. If someone does not in fact know if there is a God one could certainly pray or speak to said unknown entity whether it could hear the words or would bother to respond. I was very briefly an agnostic of this sort. I would simply pray "whatever you are if you care please make yourself known to me, and let me know if you have anything you wish me to do". Silence..... I soon realized I was an Atheist. I do think it is counter productive to ridicule a person for asking this question.

Do you ever wonder how the sky looks like at night without any light pollution

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 19, 2018:

The milky way is so bright in Colorado that it looks like a line of clouds across the sky. You can read a book by its light! I brought a girl from Ohio to Colorado. I said look the milky way is really bright tonight. She said where is it? I said see that line of clouds across the sky. Your looking at the milky way like looking at a plate from the side.

Dr Michael Shermer | God does NOT exist - YouTube

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 19, 2018:

Excellent speech! Thank you for the link.

I've felt for a long time that those who cling to religious beliefs, or seek to have them, tend to ...

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 19, 2018:

It is a common human trait to feel apprehensive if one can not control ones environment or future. It is also a common human trait to want answers. Religion fulfills both of these needs readily. It provides "answers" wether factual or not and provides prayers, spells, and rituals to make people feel like they are taking control. Atheist tend to accept what they do not know and accept it when answers are not available. What was before the universe? I don't know and will live my entire life without "knowing". It does not affect me so I don't care. If I can not control wether I die tomorrow in a car accident, I simply accept that. No amount of time on a Ouija Board will change the outcome. So for now I do the best to live my life to its fullest and do whatever one can to contribute to mankind and the world. If I am correct these are the differences of outlook on life you are speaking of.

Many people feel that religion is a good thing, whether they believe in god or not.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 19, 2018:

I have never heard of anyone flying a plane into a building "because atheism". Yep there will be some wacko out there that eventually does. That being admitted, religion constantly has martyrs that kill "because God". That does not strike me as being healthy for the perpetrators or victims.

In a new study, 6 out of 10 racists, when asked, denied that they were such.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 19, 2018:

If you could link the study, I believe many of us would like to read the details. I am reluctant to start racist bashing( no Matter how tempting) without more details.

[deadstate.org]

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 19, 2018:

OK. " In science we trust" is now trolling, I'm actually perfectly fine with the idea. Of course In God we trust must also be trolling so we of course must now promptly remove any reference to it everywhere...or we could just let people exercise their free speech.....nawh everyone burn all your money right now!!!!!! It just makes more since.

We have more that just weed in Denver.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 19, 2018:

Great what will we come up with next, as a Colorado resident I would like to suggest a few. Reefer Ranching, Hash out the bible study, Rocky mountain high..make that a double.

I get frustrated to no end when I hear.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 19, 2018:

The statement is indeed prosperous. I respond simply by saying something to the affect of, "If I say that Scooby Doo is an actual real, living cartoon dog. It may not be true for you but it is not true for you." This does in no way "make" Scooby Doo real. There is a big difference between what one wishes to be true and what is factual. So it's true for me and not for you is simply an attempt to shift the burden. If it is true for you than you must provide empirical evidence for me to believe it also. Just as I must provide evidence that Scooby Doo is real for you to believe me.

Calling atheist know it all's is insulting and wrong.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 19, 2018:

No, not YET. I am surprised I have not been kicked off a lot of sites. I am always courteous as much as possible, but when people are faced with facts that refute their religious beliefs they take it very personal. I often try to soften the blows by saying "when I was a Christian, I believed....and found out that...." I did post quite a few post on various pathos sites in response to their writers. My responses were as benign as they are here but mysteriously ended up deleted usually within about 10 minutes. Imagine that. They must work very hard to edit the content of the comments, that is when they actually leave them open.

Who has the best profile?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 19, 2018:

I would go with the premise that I am "The Rock" and fill in the blanks appropriately. Shirtless picks of "The Rock" would go a long way with my wife. Wife just suggested throwing in a cute little micro pig just for good measure.

Is it just me, or has gravity gotten clingy?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 19, 2018:

Earth is jealous, she doesn't want us seeing other planets.

Had a conversation today with someone who asked if the Answers in Genesis Ark Encounter was ...

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 19, 2018:

I was a young earth creationist, fundamentalist, wacko. I was indoctrinated from birth. Now the biggest problem I would have have been trying to have a conversation without my brain exploding all over their shirt. I am good about being conversational and provoking thought, but the internal monologue would have even offended me.

I can't imagine telling anyone, especially, one with a terminal illness, kidney cancer.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 19, 2018:

What's just as bad is "Jesus loves you". I can't believe the audacity of people to tell a suffering person anything for comfort. If Jesus really care he would not have allowed the suffering in the first place, actually he would not have created the suffering(disease) in the first place. My son has a bone disease that has severely deformed his legs. Luckily at 17 he is now getting both of his knees replaced. I am normally very mild and understanding,but if someone told him Jesus was suffered more than him or had his Devine reasons for crippling him......&%«€¥[»[\[&¡| I probably would throw nice out the window.

I have significant Xian background, and I have been agnostic for over 20years.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 18, 2018:

I do not but it is common. The reason I do not is that I study Christianity and the bible every day. I couldn't convert to or regress if I wanted to with all of my being. The reason is every day I study I find one more false claim that the religion makes. When you truly know something is a lie it is impossible to believe it. So If it continues to be a problem, I would suggest reading The God Delusion, Breaking the Spell, or the God Virus. I simply studied the bible.

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 18, 2018:

I do agree with you. Agnostic is generally understood as "I don't know". I am a hard atheist so that does not apply to me."a peaceful life without religion" does sound more Atheist or at least secular to me. It seems to me there are more of those whom are truly on the atheist side of the fence than undecided that at least make comments. What I do love about this site is it does provide a platform for those whom are agnostic to have discussions and allow the to learn, grow and consider what their actual beliefs are. There are not many places that are a good platform for those on the fence. This is a great place where people actually discuss these issues without jumping into debates and arguments.

Levels; unnecessary after 3?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 18, 2018:

I'm a level 5.5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! O.K. I really don't know what that means, nor do I really care, but I am very happy to be part of the community and hope I can contribute.

Is there any country with least religion ratio?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 18, 2018:

Yes, if I understand your question correctly, believe it or not Israel is the most secular nation in the world.

If ghosts are real, do they have mass?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 18, 2018:

If they did exist and did have mass we would be able to measure it and prove their existence. We have no means to measure with empirical evidence the imagination.

I love debates and intellectual muscle-flexing on forums such as this where the other participants ...

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 18, 2018:

If someone is intellectually superior, then they should be able to recognize how ignorant they are. Ignorant people are ignorant of their ignorance. So yes I do feel somewhat intellectually superior to theist. The result is that I am much more humbled by my ignorance.

I just hear so many people claiming to be religious, it's good to see there are people who is smart ...

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 18, 2018:

Vice President Pence's ideal society is a Christian theocracy. Just look up old c-span feeds when he has addressed congress. He is as fundamentalist as it gets. He literally wants creation to be taught "as science" in schools. Trump only supports the Christian right to support his a agenda. Pence is a true radical believer. I hope Trump nothing happens to President Trump. I Pence should become president he will do everything he can to make Christians dominate every aspect of our country.

Was Jesus Gay? What about the Apostle Paul?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 18, 2018:

First what must be understood while the Jewish law forbade men from having sex with men that is all that the word that is translated to homosexual ment. It had nothing to do with a person's identity. In the Roman society of the time it was not possible to be homosexual or lesbian as the idea of sexual identity did not exist in that culture. People were simply sexual. That is they recognized they had sexual needs and desires. They often fulfilled those wishes (I'm primary speaking of the Romans, but at least Jews despite their laws did also) however they wished. There was no stigma or orientation even considered. The only time anyone was made fun of is if they were in a position of power and thought to have been submissive. As much sex was about dominance not orientation. In the non canonical gospels there is some hint that their may have been unusually close relationships with Jesus. This is projecting our speculation and sexual stereotypes into the past out of context. We really can not call someone gay when at the time sexual identity as we understand it did not exist. So even if they were having hard core porno sex they may have just been having sex without any thought of sexuality or gender.

I look at this group as my own little hippie commune.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 18, 2018:

Groovy, man. I'm known for only wearing tie dye, I just like it. And I agree it is a fine commune...ity.

What age should be the age of legal consent for sex?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 18, 2018:

This is very difficult question to answer. Morality is subjective and directly related to the culture of a give time. Mohammed married his favorite wife Aisha at age nine. That means he did consummate the marriage at that time. No matter what we may think of that it was perfectly acceptable for his time and culture, though it may have been considered a bit young by some. I truly think it more of a matter of maturity. I have known 14 year olds that acted like and seemed to think much like adults. On the other hand I have met 30 year old adults that were not mature enough to to handle relationships or parenthood. So how do you put an age to emotional adulthood? All this being said very young teens have consensual sex all the time and suffer no psychological negative outcomes. I believe most would answer the question with the number 18. This is more than likely due to cultural norms for this time. We just don't have the data or ability from psychological analysis to give a "correct" age. Even if we could that would be subject to the cultural norms of a given time period.

Some times I wish I believed in a god, so I'd have someone to get pissed at.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 17, 2018:

There are outside forces that can affect us negatively. Someone could burn down our house. As a atheist I am comforted knowing it was some crazy person and that God who supposedly loves me did not simply allow it to happen.

Oh the irony here.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 17, 2018:

John Loftus is famous for his "outsiders test of faith". That is if you did not believe in your religion would you believe it's magical claims. The only honest answer is no.

"GOD" IS?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 17, 2018:

You obviously get a lot of deer in the headlights looks.

I just watched a program on AHC network that Mussolini is the dictator that gave the Vatican it's ...

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 17, 2018:

During world war two the only German that received any reprimand was a fellow that got a divorce.

How did God create the sun on the 4th day?

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 17, 2018:

In the prequel to genesis God made a calendar before the universe...with God magic. They just didn't have enough parchment to write genesis chapter -1.