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Prayer vs Science: Calling Their Bluff
dare2dream comments on Apr 20, 2018:
Let's see how closely I can quote George Carlin. "Instead of praying to god I rather wish upon a star. I know the star exists because I can see the star. And, I get the same 50% success rate!"
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 21, 2018:
I have not heard that one...brillant I shall put that one in my tool box.
dare2dream comments on Apr 20, 2018:
Let's see how closely I can quote George Carlin. "Instead of praying to god I rather wish upon a star. I know the star exists because I can see the star. And, I get the same 50% success rate!"
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 21, 2018:
I have not heard that one...brillant I shall put that one in my tool box.
What would be considered religion bashing?
mordant comments on Apr 20, 2018:
Religion has been accustomed to unearned deference and respect in the marketplace of ideas, enforced by formal and informal blasphemy laws and taboos, until very recently. Meaningful critique of religion, of any kind, was basically unthinkable except arguably for a few of the elites, until the past ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 21, 2018:
@Eazyduzzit American Athest does unfortinately have an opening for president....
mordant comments on Apr 20, 2018:
Religion has been accustomed to unearned deference and respect in the marketplace of ideas, enforced by formal and informal blasphemy laws and taboos, until very recently. Meaningful critique of religion, of any kind, was basically unthinkable except arguably for a few of the elites, until the past ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 21, 2018:
@Eazyduzzit American Athest does unfortinately have an opening for president....
What, in your opinion, is the greatest invention in human history?
Drewesque comments on Apr 20, 2018:
Clearly it is the goat bag you posted before.
Or maybe language. It's kind of a toss-up.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 21, 2018:
hands down the goat bag...Im kinda a goat expert and inventor, It would actually work quite well!
Drewesque comments on Apr 20, 2018:
Clearly it is the goat bag you posted before.
Or maybe language. It's kind of a toss-up.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 21, 2018:
hands down the goat bag...Im kinda a goat expert and inventor, It would actually work quite well!
What, in your opinion, is the greatest invention in human history?
Keith_J comments on Apr 21, 2018:
1. Alphabet
2. Mathematics
3. Yoga pants
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 21, 2018:
I agree...mostly
1. Yoga pants 98%
2. Alphabet 1%
3. Mathmatics 1%
This more properly illistrates importance.
Keith_J comments on Apr 21, 2018:
1. Alphabet
2. Mathematics
3. Yoga pants
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 21, 2018:
I agree...mostly
1. Yoga pants 98%
2. Alphabet 1%
3. Mathmatics 1%
This more properly illistrates importance.
Is all religious belief based on the mystical?
GarytheGondolier comments on Apr 21, 2018:
Mysticism is important in all the religions I am familiar with, but so is philosophy. If you haven't done so already, you might enjoy reading Karen Armstrong's A HISTORY OF GOD. Armstrong includes a chapter on both topics.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 21, 2018:
I study Christian history, A HISTORY OF GOD is a must read if one is interested. It is a very good recommendation.
GarytheGondolier comments on Apr 21, 2018:
Mysticism is important in all the religions I am familiar with, but so is philosophy. If you haven't done so already, you might enjoy reading Karen Armstrong's A HISTORY OF GOD. Armstrong includes a chapter on both topics.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 21, 2018:
I study Christian history, A HISTORY OF GOD is a must read if one is interested. It is a very good recommendation.
What is your impression of Unitarian Universalist?
evidentialist comments on Apr 20, 2018:
First question is: If it is so open and cares not one whit what one believes, why call it a church or even organize it to emulate one? I guess it serves as a transitioning crutch for agnostics and "atheists" who are uncertain about it all. Church is church is church, and there is no way to get ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
@evidentialist Yep Reedsport its a great area with great people. I asked a couple of locals if people would frown on atheist, the response I got more than once was "You Fish?"
evidentialist comments on Apr 20, 2018:
First question is: If it is so open and cares not one whit what one believes, why call it a church or even organize it to emulate one? I guess it serves as a transitioning crutch for agnostics and "atheists" who are uncertain about it all. Church is church is church, and there is no way to get ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
@evidentialist Yep Reedsport its a great area with great people. I asked a couple of locals if people would frown on atheist, the response I got more than once was "You Fish?"
What is your impression of Unitarian Universalist?
intrepid65 comments on Apr 20, 2018:
Unitarian means they do not accept the claim that Jesus was God. And Universalist means everyone gets to heaven no matter what you believe. They do not require you believe heaven is in the afterlife either. So you are covered. :)
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
@Kojaksmom, @intrepid65 " what is a die hard atheist?" Maybe me...too much fundamentalism as a child....
intrepid65 comments on Apr 20, 2018:
Unitarian means they do not accept the claim that Jesus was God. And Universalist means everyone gets to heaven no matter what you believe. They do not require you believe heaven is in the afterlife either. So you are covered. :)
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
@Kojaksmom, @intrepid65 " what is a die hard atheist?" Maybe me...too much fundamentalism as a child....
What is your impression of Unitarian Universalist?
intrepid65 comments on Apr 20, 2018:
Unitarian means they do not accept the claim that Jesus was God. And Universalist means everyone gets to heaven no matter what you believe. They do not require you believe heaven is in the afterlife either. So you are covered. :)
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
@Kojaksmom By definition A-theist is one whom does not believe in a god. There is no god, no creed, no dogma, it is the antithesis of religion.
intrepid65 comments on Apr 20, 2018:
Unitarian means they do not accept the claim that Jesus was God. And Universalist means everyone gets to heaven no matter what you believe. They do not require you believe heaven is in the afterlife either. So you are covered. :)
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
@Kojaksmom By definition A-theist is one whom does not believe in a god. There is no god, no creed, no dogma, it is the antithesis of religion.
What is your impression of Unitarian Universalist?
NothinnXpreVails comments on Apr 20, 2018:
From what I’ve seen, they’re still kooks that play with crystals.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
@Kojaksmom What is a more proper understanding to set the record straight?
NothinnXpreVails comments on Apr 20, 2018:
From what I’ve seen, they’re still kooks that play with crystals.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
@Kojaksmom What is a more proper understanding to set the record straight?
What is your impression of Unitarian Universalist?
mordant comments on Apr 20, 2018:
The UU religion is post-Christian, and is the love child of the two eponyous liberal and semi-heretical denominations that merged around 1960. The Unitarians denied the doctrine of the Trinity and the Universalists believe in Universal Reconciliation (UR) rather than in the standard-issue ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
You may be my go to for modern Christianities. I study the origins but you seem very knowledgeable of modern christian groups. How may I ask did you come to know so much about them? Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
mordant comments on Apr 20, 2018:
The UU religion is post-Christian, and is the love child of the two eponyous liberal and semi-heretical denominations that merged around 1960. The Unitarians denied the doctrine of the Trinity and the Universalists believe in Universal Reconciliation (UR) rather than in the standard-issue ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
You may be my go to for modern Christianities. I study the origins but you seem very knowledgeable of modern christian groups. How may I ask did you come to know so much about them? Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
What is your impression of Unitarian Universalist?
Varn comments on Apr 20, 2018:
I couldn’t do it (in McMinnville OR)... though had plenty of progressive friends ‘attending.’ I just can’t/ won’t do churches. I’d attended an IRS presentation decades ago in Portland describing what it took to declare a religion and establish an untaxed church.. Sponsored by our ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
My mother is in her 80s my two sisters moved to Reedsport where she moved to help her if she gets ill or falls etc.. My 19 y/o daughter came with me. It seemed to be the right time as I am now going through a divorce an issue I have not yet mentioned publicly. Oddly enough we moved from Florence Colorado to a few miles away from Florence, Oregon.
Varn comments on Apr 20, 2018:
I couldn’t do it (in McMinnville OR)... though had plenty of progressive friends ‘attending.’ I just can’t/ won’t do churches. I’d attended an IRS presentation decades ago in Portland describing what it took to declare a religion and establish an untaxed church.. Sponsored by our ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
My mother is in her 80s my two sisters moved to Reedsport where she moved to help her if she gets ill or falls etc.. My 19 y/o daughter came with me. It seemed to be the right time as I am now going through a divorce an issue I have not yet mentioned publicly. Oddly enough we moved from Florence Colorado to a few miles away from Florence, Oregon.
What is your impression of Unitarian Universalist?
evidentialist comments on Apr 20, 2018:
First question is: If it is so open and cares not one whit what one believes, why call it a church or even organize it to emulate one? I guess it serves as a transitioning crutch for agnostics and "atheists" who are uncertain about it all. Church is church is church, and there is no way to get ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
Thank you for your links. I have joined the Coos bay meetup and will attend their next meeting. I live about 30 minutes away so its a great start!
evidentialist comments on Apr 20, 2018:
First question is: If it is so open and cares not one whit what one believes, why call it a church or even organize it to emulate one? I guess it serves as a transitioning crutch for agnostics and "atheists" who are uncertain about it all. Church is church is church, and there is no way to get ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
Thank you for your links. I have joined the Coos bay meetup and will attend their next meeting. I live about 30 minutes away so its a great start!
What is your impression of Unitarian Universalist?
LenHazell53 comments on Apr 20, 2018:
A word of advice here, don't confuse Unitarian Universalists with Unitarians
Neither will thanks you for it.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
Thank you I will have to research it.
LenHazell53 comments on Apr 20, 2018:
A word of advice here, don't confuse Unitarian Universalists with Unitarians
Neither will thanks you for it.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
Thank you I will have to research it.
As a former Jehovah's Witness, I'm curious how this community views the group.
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 19, 2018:
As a historian it is simply like any other religion. I am concerned about it as I was I involved with an extremist fundamentalist Christian church when I was young. I was controlled just as much as any JW, we were taught that we were normal and the JWs were a cult. It was the old pot calling the ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
@FireBorn Bart Ehrman is one of the foremost Biblical Scholars in the United States. I was taught as a fundamentalist that our beliefs were taught by Jesus and the apostles. They truly were mislead.
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 19, 2018:
As a historian it is simply like any other religion. I am concerned about it as I was I involved with an extremist fundamentalist Christian church when I was young. I was controlled just as much as any JW, we were taught that we were normal and the JWs were a cult. It was the old pot calling the ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
@FireBorn Bart Ehrman is one of the foremost Biblical Scholars in the United States. I was taught as a fundamentalist that our beliefs were taught by Jesus and the apostles. They truly were mislead.
How do you decide whether it's worth arguing with a religious person?
Irene comments on Apr 20, 2018:
I never argue with a believer but sometimes I ask questions because I am amazed at the way their brain justifies the belief. Is there like some say a Jesus Gene? A propensity for belief?
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
I love to ask questions that lead them to think with reason, specifically questions that make them question or have to answer why they believe what they believe. I am a big fan of Street Epistemology. https://streetepistemology.com/publications/street_epistemology_the_basics
Irene comments on Apr 20, 2018:
I never argue with a believer but sometimes I ask questions because I am amazed at the way their brain justifies the belief. Is there like some say a Jesus Gene? A propensity for belief?
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
I love to ask questions that lead them to think with reason, specifically questions that make them question or have to answer why they believe what they believe. I am a big fan of Street Epistemology. https://streetepistemology.com/publications/street_epistemology_the_basics
Religion was created by man to divide us. There is no God. Prove me wrong
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 20, 2018:
You have made the claim that Religion was created by man to divide us. By debate standards it is your burden of proof to support your claim.
I do agree with you that there is no god and cannot prove that something that does not exist, does not exist. Something has to exist to be observed and ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
@mordant Very true, this issue comes up very often in the subject of religious anthropology.
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 20, 2018:
You have made the claim that Religion was created by man to divide us. By debate standards it is your burden of proof to support your claim.
I do agree with you that there is no god and cannot prove that something that does not exist, does not exist. Something has to exist to be observed and ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
@mordant Very true, this issue comes up very often in the subject of religious anthropology.
What is your impression of Unitarian Universalist?
David1955 comments on Apr 20, 2018:
Well I had look it up.
Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion characterized by a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning".Unitarian Universalists assert no creed, but instead are unified by their shared search for spiritual growth. As such, their congregations include many ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
@David1955 Definitely not. I have found a few atheist there so I hope that they would like to form an atheist meetup locally. I will work with them for humanitarian causes but I certainly won't wan't to in any way join them. Hocus pocus is hocus pocus afterall.
David1955 comments on Apr 20, 2018:
Well I had look it up.
Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion characterized by a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning".Unitarian Universalists assert no creed, but instead are unified by their shared search for spiritual growth. As such, their congregations include many ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
@David1955 Definitely not. I have found a few atheist there so I hope that they would like to form an atheist meetup locally. I will work with them for humanitarian causes but I certainly won't wan't to in any way join them. Hocus pocus is hocus pocus afterall.
What is your impression of Unitarian Universalist?
David1955 comments on Apr 20, 2018:
Well I had look it up.
Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion characterized by a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning".Unitarian Universalists assert no creed, but instead are unified by their shared search for spiritual growth. As such, their congregations include many ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
I completely agree, I intend on making the exception briefly to network and start an atheist group. I am actually surprising myself. It interesting to watch their almost hippie "church" service where they read poetry and dance around(not literally) saying well nothing in particular.
David1955 comments on Apr 20, 2018:
Well I had look it up.
Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion characterized by a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning".Unitarian Universalists assert no creed, but instead are unified by their shared search for spiritual growth. As such, their congregations include many ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
I completely agree, I intend on making the exception briefly to network and start an atheist group. I am actually surprising myself. It interesting to watch their almost hippie "church" service where they read poetry and dance around(not literally) saying well nothing in particular.
Religion was created by man to divide us. There is no God. Prove me wrong
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 20, 2018:
You have made the claim that Religion was created by man to divide us. By debate standards it is your burden of proof to support your claim.
I do agree with you that there is no god and cannot prove that something that does not exist, does not exist. Something has to exist to be observed and ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
@skado Let me think about it.....nope.
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 20, 2018:
You have made the claim that Religion was created by man to divide us. By debate standards it is your burden of proof to support your claim.
I do agree with you that there is no god and cannot prove that something that does not exist, does not exist. Something has to exist to be observed and ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
@skado Let me think about it.....nope.
If all matter is energy, and assuming god, wouldn't god be everything?
mordant comments on Apr 20, 2018:
You haven't defined "god". Unless god = energy then this particular line of reasoning does not hold.
What energy actually is, is energy. There is no reason to call it something else -- and certainly not god.
The universe / existence / everything is adequately described by those terms; adding ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
An excellent response, ditto.
mordant comments on Apr 20, 2018:
You haven't defined "god". Unless god = energy then this particular line of reasoning does not hold.
What energy actually is, is energy. There is no reason to call it something else -- and certainly not god.
The universe / existence / everything is adequately described by those terms; adding ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 20, 2018:
An excellent response, ditto.
Announcing the greatest invention of all time.
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 19, 2018:
Just to think I've always put the goats in the back...unfortunately I'm not kidding.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 19, 2018:
@irascible Wow I wish I could have taken credit for that one!
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 19, 2018:
Just to think I've always put the goats in the back...unfortunately I'm not kidding.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 19, 2018:
@irascible Wow I wish I could have taken credit for that one!
Announcing the greatest invention of all time.
btroje comments on Apr 19, 2018:
You don't need these for alpacas. They will just cush in the back seat
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 19, 2018:
Uhh... done that one also.
btroje comments on Apr 19, 2018:
You don't need these for alpacas. They will just cush in the back seat
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 19, 2018:
Uhh... done that one also.
Do you believe in Karma?
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 19, 2018:
Karma is the belief that what you do in this life will affect the next life. I am an atheist and do not believe in magical afterlifes. It is misunderstood in the U.S. to mean that if you do evil in this life you will have harm done to you in this life as some kind of magical punishment. This also ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 19, 2018:
@Gareth I speak as a historian and did give the commonly accepted meaning. Either way karma is hocus pocus until proven otherwise.
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 19, 2018:
Karma is the belief that what you do in this life will affect the next life. I am an atheist and do not believe in magical afterlifes. It is misunderstood in the U.S. to mean that if you do evil in this life you will have harm done to you in this life as some kind of magical punishment. This also ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 19, 2018:
@Gareth I speak as a historian and did give the commonly accepted meaning. Either way karma is hocus pocus until proven otherwise.
T Shirts Downunder.
I forgot to post yesterday, received my T-shirt. It even fits. very nice.
BucketlistBob comments on Apr 17, 2018:
Great news... wear it proud.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 19, 2018:
@Rugglesby Two hands unloaded the truck, their prayers didn't do it for you....I also help church organizations on occasion if it is a humanitarian cause. Keep up the good work.btw congrats!!! I'm looking forward to getting my t-shirt!
BucketlistBob comments on Apr 17, 2018:
Great news... wear it proud.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 19, 2018:
@Rugglesby Two hands unloaded the truck, their prayers didn't do it for you....I also help church organizations on occasion if it is a humanitarian cause. Keep up the good work.btw congrats!!! I'm looking forward to getting my t-shirt!
Now level 7 yea! Actually don't care, but I am the guy that wears atheist t shirts whenever I go to ...
David1955 comments on Apr 4, 2018:
A word to the wise David. Never look desperate. Like, Ah, who needs that old agnostic Tshirt. 'Don't mean nothin' to me.' Who needs to be at level 8 anyway. It's just a Tshirt. Just ..a ..Tshirt. Just keep telling yourself that. That's what I'm doing. :-)
BTW, who is your tailor for those ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 4, 2018:
Evolvefish.com
David1955 comments on Apr 4, 2018:
A word to the wise David. Never look desperate. Like, Ah, who needs that old agnostic Tshirt. 'Don't mean nothin' to me.' Who needs to be at level 8 anyway. It's just a Tshirt. Just ..a ..Tshirt. Just keep telling yourself that. That's what I'm doing. :-)
BTW, who is your tailor for those ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 4, 2018:
Evolvefish.com
Here's another upstanding humble servant of Christ.
Benthoven comments on Apr 3, 2018:
I’ve observed this over and over again. The more anti-gay a person is, the more GAY they probably are.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 4, 2018:
I have noticed the same thing myself. I now wonder if this means I'm really a Jesus freak!
Benthoven comments on Apr 3, 2018:
I’ve observed this over and over again. The more anti-gay a person is, the more GAY they probably are.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 4, 2018:
I have noticed the same thing myself. I now wonder if this means I'm really a Jesus freak!
Here's another upstanding humble servant of Christ.
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 3, 2018:
It is easy to call this guy a perv, and if he is guilty he is. We must also keep in mind not to stereotype all pastors as such. Clergy do have a position of authority that children are taught not to question and so it does attract predators and we must be cognizant of this. We must also be our own ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 4, 2018:
@MikeInBatonRouge I agree with you completely. My commentary was not directly pointed at you. It is just a good idea to keep a good perspective on things. Thank you for your post and your reply.
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 3, 2018:
It is easy to call this guy a perv, and if he is guilty he is. We must also keep in mind not to stereotype all pastors as such. Clergy do have a position of authority that children are taught not to question and so it does attract predators and we must be cognizant of this. We must also be our own ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 4, 2018:
@MikeInBatonRouge I agree with you completely. My commentary was not directly pointed at you. It is just a good idea to keep a good perspective on things. Thank you for your post and your reply.
A guy announces he is an atheist in church on Easter.
Akfishlady comments on Apr 4, 2018:
Nice. Well it is the UU and Oregon, can't quite expect rejection.
But happy to hear that you had this experience.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 4, 2018:
Yea back home in my home church I would have expected to be lynched. I did do some research first I assure you.
Akfishlady comments on Apr 4, 2018:
Nice. Well it is the UU and Oregon, can't quite expect rejection.
But happy to hear that you had this experience.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 4, 2018:
Yea back home in my home church I would have expected to be lynched. I did do some research first I assure you.
Now level 7 yea! Actually don't care, but I am the guy that wears atheist t shirts whenever I go to ...
AdorkableMe comments on Apr 3, 2018:
That 7 to 8 jump is a doozy! Good luck! I hit 7. Pretty sure I will be here for the foreseeable future.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 4, 2018:
If I am contributing to the site and helping people who cares about the journey, it will be quick and worth every character of writing.
AdorkableMe comments on Apr 3, 2018:
That 7 to 8 jump is a doozy! Good luck! I hit 7. Pretty sure I will be here for the foreseeable future.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 4, 2018:
If I am contributing to the site and helping people who cares about the journey, it will be quick and worth every character of writing.
Whenever we pass a popular Christian holiday like Easter, I find myself reading up on the pagan ...
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 3, 2018:
Actually, I take a break from the study of religious history to visit this site.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
@chyckweed I study religious history not to understand what people believe, bit why we believe it.
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 3, 2018:
Actually, I take a break from the study of religious history to visit this site.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
@chyckweed I study religious history not to understand what people believe, bit why we believe it.
Now level 7 yea! Actually don't care, but I am the guy that wears atheist t shirts whenever I go to ...
dkp93 comments on Apr 3, 2018:
This site needs a store! I'd be happy to support the site by purchasing a branded mug, tote bag or baby cooking pot.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
Looking forward to a store, we support the site and promote it,all good!
dkp93 comments on Apr 3, 2018:
This site needs a store! I'd be happy to support the site by purchasing a branded mug, tote bag or baby cooking pot.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
Looking forward to a store, we support the site and promote it,all good!
One of my favorite people who walked this Earth was Christopher Hitchens.
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 3, 2018:
The god virus by Darrel Ray is the most under rated book in the secular community. I can not express how important of a work it is. Other than that how to create an atheist by Peter Boghossian, is an absolute must read. I don't need to mention the others...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
@Sciencemama Both books simply made it easier to articulate my thoughts simply. They really are the best works for teaching others simply our outlook on life.
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 3, 2018:
The god virus by Darrel Ray is the most under rated book in the secular community. I can not express how important of a work it is. Other than that how to create an atheist by Peter Boghossian, is an absolute must read. I don't need to mention the others...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
@Sciencemama Both books simply made it easier to articulate my thoughts simply. They really are the best works for teaching others simply our outlook on life.
I think I understand a little bit of what's behind the idea of "blasphemy", and as I see it, the ...
GothRik comments on Apr 3, 2018:
Blasphemy isn't about offending any gods (since there aren't any) but more about offending those who believe in such things.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
I shall expound on your comment with great detail.......yep!
GothRik comments on Apr 3, 2018:
Blasphemy isn't about offending any gods (since there aren't any) but more about offending those who believe in such things.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
I shall expound on your comment with great detail.......yep!
I’m guiding my office on a hike this Friday as parod a “morale” day, and the trail that won ...
Julie808 comments on Apr 3, 2018:
Maybe point out the preserved tracks and frame it in such a way that it won't be controversial - like:
"It's thought that these tracks are over 250 million years old. Whether you think the world is that old or just 6000 years old, it's still a might long time, and it's awesome just walking ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
I very much like your approach. It comes down to ones personal style. For me my comment would work better. For many yours would be much better. Thank you for your contribution to this seemingly difficult subject. You made it much easier.
Julie808 comments on Apr 3, 2018:
Maybe point out the preserved tracks and frame it in such a way that it won't be controversial - like:
"It's thought that these tracks are over 250 million years old. Whether you think the world is that old or just 6000 years old, it's still a might long time, and it's awesome just walking ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
I very much like your approach. It comes down to ones personal style. For me my comment would work better. For many yours would be much better. Thank you for your contribution to this seemingly difficult subject. You made it much easier.
So how did the pagan holiday of Easter get subsumed in the christian resurection holiday?
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 3, 2018:
Easter is based on the spring renewal. That is after winter when plants and trees go dorment or die they come to life again. This is a resurrection of life. This has always been a common theme through history and very obvious in all cultures that have distinctive seasons. The only places this is not...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
@epicurius I often say religion is not always in sex, but sex is always in religion. Control the most instinctive of attributes you control the person.
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 3, 2018:
Easter is based on the spring renewal. That is after winter when plants and trees go dorment or die they come to life again. This is a resurrection of life. This has always been a common theme through history and very obvious in all cultures that have distinctive seasons. The only places this is not...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
@epicurius I often say religion is not always in sex, but sex is always in religion. Control the most instinctive of attributes you control the person.
I think I understand a little bit of what's behind the idea of "blasphemy", and as I see it, the ...
Simon1 comments on Apr 3, 2018:
Does any of it really matter ?
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
Good one!
Simon1 comments on Apr 3, 2018:
Does any of it really matter ?
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
Good one!
How to care for a grieving atheist.
Basilisa01 comments on Apr 3, 2018:
We all have lost a family member or a loved one. Or we have grieve a time or stage of our life when we were in a happier place due to an illness, lost of income or home, etc. I recently encounter 3 of these events in my life and felt very lonely. Not because I didn't have friends, but because most ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
I hate to be over simplistic, here it may be appropriate. Simply love them. Love it la self is very powerful. Remember love is a verb, a word of action.
Basilisa01 comments on Apr 3, 2018:
We all have lost a family member or a loved one. Or we have grieve a time or stage of our life when we were in a happier place due to an illness, lost of income or home, etc. I recently encounter 3 of these events in my life and felt very lonely. Not because I didn't have friends, but because most ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
I hate to be over simplistic, here it may be appropriate. Simply love them. Love it la self is very powerful. Remember love is a verb, a word of action.
The reason for the season...
jperlow comments on Apr 3, 2018:
Predates paganism. By quite a lot. Easter and Passover both have roots in Nauruz which is a Persian festival dating back thousands of years and has its roots in Zoroastrianism.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
Jack pot!
jperlow comments on Apr 3, 2018:
Predates paganism. By quite a lot. Easter and Passover both have roots in Nauruz which is a Persian festival dating back thousands of years and has its roots in Zoroastrianism.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
Jack pot!
Atheism/Agnosticism and Antisemitism
I’ve seen a great deal of ire here directed towards ...
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 3, 2018:
I haven't seen that here please post specific instances. Judism is simply the root of the abrahamic religions. Christianity is very anti Semitic due to their holy fable. The gospels were written that way in order to find favoritism among the Romans. They attempted quite successfully to shift the ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
@AmiSue ouch...perhaps some will learn that bigotry is wrong here. Many people do not realize they are doing it. This is a great place to give friends a gentle wake up call. It is a great place to educate, particularly in the since that we are all humans or as I like to point out APES.
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 3, 2018:
I haven't seen that here please post specific instances. Judism is simply the root of the abrahamic religions. Christianity is very anti Semitic due to their holy fable. The gospels were written that way in order to find favoritism among the Romans. They attempted quite successfully to shift the ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
@AmiSue ouch...perhaps some will learn that bigotry is wrong here. Many people do not realize they are doing it. This is a great place to give friends a gentle wake up call. It is a great place to educate, particularly in the since that we are all humans or as I like to point out APES.
DON'T BE AN ATH-HOLE.
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 2, 2018:
I do call out the ridiculous beliefs of religion. I do feel it is necessary to do so in order to help others to understand that it is acceptable to question their beliefs and also to normalize agnosticism and atheism.
I do not like snappy memes that make fun of religion without any background or ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
@Seeker55 I agree with you completely. Many make decisions and have opinions based on ignorance. It is my goal only to help people to be informed and to help them to think rationally. Then it is up to them to investigate further and to come to their own conclusions.
"Your stupid" is not loving or productive.
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 2, 2018:
I do call out the ridiculous beliefs of religion. I do feel it is necessary to do so in order to help others to understand that it is acceptable to question their beliefs and also to normalize agnosticism and atheism.
I do not like snappy memes that make fun of religion without any background or ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
@Seeker55 I agree with you completely. Many make decisions and have opinions based on ignorance. It is my goal only to help people to be informed and to help them to think rationally. Then it is up to them to investigate further and to come to their own conclusions.
"Your stupid" is not loving or productive.
What caused you to question god
BestWithoutGods comments on Apr 1, 2018:
I was raised to be a Mormon. In 1989, at age 29, I decided to prove that Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, was a true prophet. That way, I could convince others to become Mormons. Taking Deuteronomy 18:20-22 as the test for a prophet, I discovered the opposite of what I started out to do. ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
I was a Methodist. You have written my story so I won't repeat it.
BestWithoutGods comments on Apr 1, 2018:
I was raised to be a Mormon. In 1989, at age 29, I decided to prove that Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, was a true prophet. That way, I could convince others to become Mormons. Taking Deuteronomy 18:20-22 as the test for a prophet, I discovered the opposite of what I started out to do. ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
I was a Methodist. You have written my story so I won't repeat it.
What's the best pickup line you've heard?
TerriCity comments on Apr 2, 2018:
I miss my ex-husband a lot. But my aim's improving.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
Ouch, I like you.
TerriCity comments on Apr 2, 2018:
I miss my ex-husband a lot. But my aim's improving.
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
Ouch, I like you.
DON'T BE AN ATH-HOLE.
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 2, 2018:
I do call out the ridiculous beliefs of religion. I do feel it is necessary to do so in order to help others to understand that it is acceptable to question their beliefs and also to normalize agnosticism and atheism.
I do not like snappy memes that make fun of religion without any background or ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
@buzz13 I do not understand your comment. Are you saying that I am a troll and if so please point out how.
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 2, 2018:
I do call out the ridiculous beliefs of religion. I do feel it is necessary to do so in order to help others to understand that it is acceptable to question their beliefs and also to normalize agnosticism and atheism.
I do not like snappy memes that make fun of religion without any background or ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
@buzz13 I do not understand your comment. Are you saying that I am a troll and if so please point out how.
DON'T BE AN ATH-HOLE.
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 2, 2018:
I do call out the ridiculous beliefs of religion. I do feel it is necessary to do so in order to help others to understand that it is acceptable to question their beliefs and also to normalize agnosticism and atheism.
I do not like snappy memes that make fun of religion without any background or ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
@Seeker55 It is quite easy to call someone's religious beliefs ridiculous when they are. A woman should keep her mouth shut in church because she is too stupid and must ask her husband even though she may have better comprehension than he.
Religious teachings have it that the earth is only 6 thousand years old. Many believe in magic prayers that will heal their children and refuse medical care that will save their children's lives, instead they bury their children. Yep I have no problem with it. I will not call them stupid, I will help them to question their beliefs that are harmful. No problem. I was one of those radicals and know what it is like.
DavidLaDeau comments on Apr 2, 2018:
I do call out the ridiculous beliefs of religion. I do feel it is necessary to do so in order to help others to understand that it is acceptable to question their beliefs and also to normalize agnosticism and atheism.
I do not like snappy memes that make fun of religion without any background or ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
@Seeker55 It is quite easy to call someone's religious beliefs ridiculous when they are. A woman should keep her mouth shut in church because she is too stupid and must ask her husband even though she may have better comprehension than he.
Religious teachings have it that the earth is only 6 thousand years old. Many believe in magic prayers that will heal their children and refuse medical care that will save their children's lives, instead they bury their children. Yep I have no problem with it. I will not call them stupid, I will help them to question their beliefs that are harmful. No problem. I was one of those radicals and know what it is like.
Men, do you agree with this quote from Christopher Hitchens?
markdevenish comments on Apr 2, 2018:
disgust ?? hardly. i was brought up by women and have met very few men who can stand shoulder to shoulder with them
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
What is the saying...men are the head and woman are the neck that turns the head.... Bull crap, the female species own us...I kinda love that...I am at least wise enough to admit it. The subjugation of woman is just men with no self confidence trying to resist the truth. Men love woman and listen to and value their opinions, and act on their words. If one can not admit that they are not self aware and have not accepted reality. If they cannot accept that reality they are ignorant and and will never be truly successful.
markdevenish comments on Apr 2, 2018:
disgust ?? hardly. i was brought up by women and have met very few men who can stand shoulder to shoulder with them
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 3, 2018:
What is the saying...men are the head and woman are the neck that turns the head.... Bull crap, the female species own us...I kinda love that...I am at least wise enough to admit it. The subjugation of woman is just men with no self confidence trying to resist the truth. Men love woman and listen to and value their opinions, and act on their words. If one can not admit that they are not self aware and have not accepted reality. If they cannot accept that reality they are ignorant and and will never be truly successful.
DON'T BE AN ATH-HOLE.
DougTElmira comments on Apr 2, 2018:
I agree, attacking people of faith is a useless and often destructive exercise. That said, I think it appropriate to speak up when religious people insist on imposing religion on us. For example, at the moment, in Canada, children are forced to listen to a religious song, O Canada, at the beginning ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 2, 2018:
If we are attacking PEOPLE of faith we are wrong to do so. If we are attacking mythological faith beliefs we are encouraging thought and self discovery...a good thing.
DougTElmira comments on Apr 2, 2018:
I agree, attacking people of faith is a useless and often destructive exercise. That said, I think it appropriate to speak up when religious people insist on imposing religion on us. For example, at the moment, in Canada, children are forced to listen to a religious song, O Canada, at the beginning ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 2, 2018:
If we are attacking PEOPLE of faith we are wrong to do so. If we are attacking mythological faith beliefs we are encouraging thought and self discovery...a good thing.
Pascals Wager.
Davesnothere comments on Mar 29, 2018:
Pascals Wager Fails on several fronts.
First, it does not consider the actual cost, that of your actual life, one which humans are free to live as they see fit (Liberty Itself). This potential life is sacrificed for the religious one which ensures your salvation via the codes and stritures of ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 2, 2018:
It also may apply to any god. Worship David and the rewards will be better and the punishments worse. Now the Christian god is a worse bet.
There are thousands of gods to choose from. If I did choose one I would have a .01 % chance of choosing the correct god if there was only one true God.
The list goes on and on.
Davesnothere comments on Mar 29, 2018:
Pascals Wager Fails on several fronts.
First, it does not consider the actual cost, that of your actual life, one which humans are free to live as they see fit (Liberty Itself). This potential life is sacrificed for the religious one which ensures your salvation via the codes and stritures of ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Apr 2, 2018:
It also may apply to any god. Worship David and the rewards will be better and the punishments worse. Now the Christian god is a worse bet.
There are thousands of gods to choose from. If I did choose one I would have a .01 % chance of choosing the correct god if there was only one true God.
The list goes on and on.
Why do you reject the idea of religion?
Teresa comments on Oct 16, 2017:
Religion is a mental illness.
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 27, 2018:
@Teresa That's funny actually...Evidently your neighbor has not considered that his God did not know or plan for that....
Teresa comments on Oct 16, 2017:
Religion is a mental illness.
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 27, 2018:
@Teresa That's funny actually...Evidently your neighbor has not considered that his God did not know or plan for that....
God's Limited Power - Bionic Dance...
[youtube.com]
DavidLaDeau comments on Mar 23, 2018:
God is said to be outside space and time and said to work in our world. By definition, if he is outside space and time he could not interact in time and space. God is said to do miracles. the word miracle is almost identical to the word magic. Magic is defined as events that occur outside the laws ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 27, 2018:
@phxbillcee Very true, my headache thinking about this stuff does indeed exist....
DavidLaDeau comments on Mar 23, 2018:
God is said to be outside space and time and said to work in our world. By definition, if he is outside space and time he could not interact in time and space. God is said to do miracles. the word miracle is almost identical to the word magic. Magic is defined as events that occur outside the laws ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 27, 2018:
@phxbillcee Very true, my headache thinking about this stuff does indeed exist....
Here is my stance, regarding god if I am wrong.
DavidLaDeau comments on Mar 20, 2018:
I will simply tell god, "Watch it, buddy I have an iron chariot."
And the Lord was with Judah; and he drove out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.” Judges 1:19
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 22, 2018:
@BufftonBeotch It actually was probably no problem for the horses. The chariots were actually made of light flexible wood like today. It was actually the fittings that were iron, much like a horse cart or sulky of today. The reference here is to the fact that the chariots were tough, durable and a great fighting platform.
These horses evidently had it much better than the horses of Pharaoh. After God killed all of his horses he chased Moses and the hebrews into the Red or Reed Sea with his chariots. Those DEAD horses still had to pull them! Just a note from an old Cowboy and historian.....
DavidLaDeau comments on Mar 20, 2018:
I will simply tell god, "Watch it, buddy I have an iron chariot."
And the Lord was with Judah; and he drove out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.” Judges 1:19
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 22, 2018:
@BufftonBeotch It actually was probably no problem for the horses. The chariots were actually made of light flexible wood like today. It was actually the fittings that were iron, much like a horse cart or sulky of today. The reference here is to the fact that the chariots were tough, durable and a great fighting platform.
These horses evidently had it much better than the horses of Pharaoh. After God killed all of his horses he chased Moses and the hebrews into the Red or Reed Sea with his chariots. Those DEAD horses still had to pull them! Just a note from an old Cowboy and historian.....
No longer an anti thiest
I must admit when I first heard the phrase, and so eloquently argued by ...
DavidLaDeau comments on Mar 21, 2018:
Its time to do even more research. The more religious a culture is the higher the crime rates, divorce, unwanted pregnacy etc. It is true that religion can be and is used as a coping mechanism. My question is if a coping mechanism is based on fantasy that is actually believed to be real is that ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 21, 2018:
@RobH86 I agree completely, I do continually educate myself. If someone can and does prove my thoughts to be wrong I am ecstatic as I have learned something! If they can back up their claims I will at once reconsider and adjust my thoughts.
DavidLaDeau comments on Mar 21, 2018:
Its time to do even more research. The more religious a culture is the higher the crime rates, divorce, unwanted pregnacy etc. It is true that religion can be and is used as a coping mechanism. My question is if a coping mechanism is based on fantasy that is actually believed to be real is that ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 21, 2018:
@RobH86 I agree completely, I do continually educate myself. If someone can and does prove my thoughts to be wrong I am ecstatic as I have learned something! If they can back up their claims I will at once reconsider and adjust my thoughts.
No longer an anti thiest
I must admit when I first heard the phrase, and so eloquently argued by ...
Galihad_Z comments on Mar 20, 2018:
Our primitive ancestors probably did benefit from superstitions, but with new information, and advances in technology, modern humans should take advantage of the fact that WE don't have to live a fairy tale existence. Our ancestors had to do that to pave the way for more informed humans, who should ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 21, 2018:
Very well said.
Galihad_Z comments on Mar 20, 2018:
Our primitive ancestors probably did benefit from superstitions, but with new information, and advances in technology, modern humans should take advantage of the fact that WE don't have to live a fairy tale existence. Our ancestors had to do that to pave the way for more informed humans, who should ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 21, 2018:
Very well said.
Cute!!!
icolan comments on Mar 19, 2018:
What possible context could there be that would justify that?
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 20, 2018:
Actually it's really easy. I deal with justifications like this every day. The slaves were not really slaves like we think of them today. The beatings were not really beatings.It does not actually advocate beating people only what should be done if someone goes overboard. Slaves were not necessarily permanent and could be released. Wives and daughters were considered to be property too but they weren't really slaves....shall I go on. One can jump through hoops to justify the unjustifiable, often in Christianity there is a word for it, Apologetics.
icolan comments on Mar 19, 2018:
What possible context could there be that would justify that?
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 20, 2018:
Actually it's really easy. I deal with justifications like this every day. The slaves were not really slaves like we think of them today. The beatings were not really beatings.It does not actually advocate beating people only what should be done if someone goes overboard. Slaves were not necessarily permanent and could be released. Wives and daughters were considered to be property too but they weren't really slaves....shall I go on. One can jump through hoops to justify the unjustifiable, often in Christianity there is a word for it, Apologetics.
Cute!!!
mordant comments on Mar 19, 2018:
"You're taking it out of context" is a very common bullshit charge with the subtext, "you couldn't possibly understand all the nuanced theological background behind this verse; after all, you're an atheist."
It's always uncomfortable for them if you tell them that you're a deconvert. Particularly...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 20, 2018:
Actually as an amature Bible historian and scholar, It is my position that Christians can not read the Bible in context. They are already believers that have differing theologies than the authors of the text and read their theology "into" the authors words. Therefore as they read they are not capable of understanding the author's intent. only their bias interpretation based on their own modern theology. Confirmation bias naturally makes them actually misinterpret it so much that they naturally think that the author is addressing what they already believe.
mordant comments on Mar 19, 2018:
"You're taking it out of context" is a very common bullshit charge with the subtext, "you couldn't possibly understand all the nuanced theological background behind this verse; after all, you're an atheist."
It's always uncomfortable for them if you tell them that you're a deconvert. Particularly...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 20, 2018:
Actually as an amature Bible historian and scholar, It is my position that Christians can not read the Bible in context. They are already believers that have differing theologies than the authors of the text and read their theology "into" the authors words. Therefore as they read they are not capable of understanding the author's intent. only their bias interpretation based on their own modern theology. Confirmation bias naturally makes them actually misinterpret it so much that they naturally think that the author is addressing what they already believe.
Pope's Comments - A Reality Check
There are a lot of people, including some here, who quote ...
DavidLaDeau comments on Mar 16, 2018:
Francis is the leader of the most powerful organization in the world. If one studies Catholic history one knows that politics are actually more important in the high levels of the church than any particular religious concerns. I am not bashing the Catholic faith here. Read any history of the church ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 17, 2018:
@David1955 It is a very tough soot for the church to be in. Theology does impede progressive policy. It is good to show a certain amount of concern for modern issues and imperative that culture does not actively affect policy.
DavidLaDeau comments on Mar 16, 2018:
Francis is the leader of the most powerful organization in the world. If one studies Catholic history one knows that politics are actually more important in the high levels of the church than any particular religious concerns. I am not bashing the Catholic faith here. Read any history of the church ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 17, 2018:
@David1955 It is a very tough soot for the church to be in. Theology does impede progressive policy. It is good to show a certain amount of concern for modern issues and imperative that culture does not actively affect policy.
What if you had proof that there were no gods?
DavidLaDeau comments on Mar 9, 2018:
This is a diicult question to answer. The laws of logic would have to change also. If I could prove by definition what can not be proven it would get interesting. But lets play! Lets say that the Jewish God told the whole world at once "The Jesus thing is made up, Worship me the Jewish God in the ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 13, 2018:
@TheInfiniteChris it is now time to make a very long reply....yep
DavidLaDeau comments on Mar 9, 2018:
This is a diicult question to answer. The laws of logic would have to change also. If I could prove by definition what can not be proven it would get interesting. But lets play! Lets say that the Jewish God told the whole world at once "The Jesus thing is made up, Worship me the Jewish God in the ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 13, 2018:
@TheInfiniteChris it is now time to make a very long reply....yep
When did you KNOW you were agnostic or atheist?
DavidLaDeau comments on Mar 7, 2018:
"Atheism is not cohsen, it is discovered", Christopher Hitchens. I was a fundamentalist wacko. I believed there was nothing to fear in the search of discovery as it would all verify God and "his plan.' Though I was warned not o delve into the secular world I loved history and learning. I had God ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 8, 2018:
@phil21 The church can and does do good, it is not necessary to do good. Christians killed Jews in the holocaust. This being the case what actual good is being involved in religion if it actually does not actually prevent harm? Why prescribe to a belief system that does not work?
DavidLaDeau comments on Mar 7, 2018:
"Atheism is not cohsen, it is discovered", Christopher Hitchens. I was a fundamentalist wacko. I believed there was nothing to fear in the search of discovery as it would all verify God and "his plan.' Though I was warned not o delve into the secular world I loved history and learning. I had God ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 8, 2018:
@phil21 The church can and does do good, it is not necessary to do good. Christians killed Jews in the holocaust. This being the case what actual good is being involved in religion if it actually does not actually prevent harm? Why prescribe to a belief system that does not work?
Thoughts from my gay friends here?
DavidLaDeau comments on Mar 7, 2018:
I have noticed that with my gay friends there seems to be a desire to "fit in", that is within the gay community. It is understandable, they have been rejected particularly by the predominatly religious communty. I am here for the same reason to "fit in" and to help other atheist feel normal and ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 8, 2018:
@Rugglesby I'm sure she is aware of your feelings toward bigotry, There is much more to be said for just being there than we know. My kids constantly tell me it is not what I said but how I lived my life that has had the most influence. It is enough for them that I am concerned. You are obviously concerned and I have not a Doubt she knows it. Just keep on truckin!
DavidLaDeau comments on Mar 7, 2018:
I have noticed that with my gay friends there seems to be a desire to "fit in", that is within the gay community. It is understandable, they have been rejected particularly by the predominatly religious communty. I am here for the same reason to "fit in" and to help other atheist feel normal and ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 8, 2018:
@Rugglesby I'm sure she is aware of your feelings toward bigotry, There is much more to be said for just being there than we know. My kids constantly tell me it is not what I said but how I lived my life that has had the most influence. It is enough for them that I am concerned. You are obviously concerned and I have not a Doubt she knows it. Just keep on truckin!
When did you KNOW you were agnostic or atheist?
DavidLaDeau comments on Mar 7, 2018:
"Atheism is not cohsen, it is discovered", Christopher Hitchens. I was a fundamentalist wacko. I believed there was nothing to fear in the search of discovery as it would all verify God and "his plan.' Though I was warned not o delve into the secular world I loved history and learning. I had God ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 8, 2018:
@agnosticbuddhist There is something better than they have to offer. Heaven is supposed to be a perfect place where no one can do any wrong any you worship God forever. If this is true we would have no free will and not be able to think. I will simply be lie I was before I was born. It didn't bother me then.
DavidLaDeau comments on Mar 7, 2018:
"Atheism is not cohsen, it is discovered", Christopher Hitchens. I was a fundamentalist wacko. I believed there was nothing to fear in the search of discovery as it would all verify God and "his plan.' Though I was warned not o delve into the secular world I loved history and learning. I had God ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 8, 2018:
@agnosticbuddhist There is something better than they have to offer. Heaven is supposed to be a perfect place where no one can do any wrong any you worship God forever. If this is true we would have no free will and not be able to think. I will simply be lie I was before I was born. It didn't bother me then.
I find it ironic that Christians, while advocating the need for humility and self-effacement, often ...
DavidLaDeau comments on Mar 7, 2018:
I have written about the in ability extensively on Atheist Nexus under the name compelledunbeliever http://atheistnexus.org/forum/topics/how-to-easily-understand-the-bible-better-than-theist . the can not interpret the scriptures BECAUSE they are Christians. The reason why is that they read into ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 8, 2018:
@Gwendolyn2018 They are not in the bible. The virgin birth can be found in it today as it has been added to the new testament and changed in the old to reflect christian beliefs. The original hebrew said "Young woman" not "virgin". There is no mention, concept or idea of the trinity in the original text. This idea was added to the bible by Jerome when he wrote the latin Vulgate. One passage said father and son and he was pressed into adding Holy spirit. The idea of the riniy hinges on this one forged passage.
There is no mention of free will. The rapture was made up by a preacher in the late 1700s. St. Augustine mad up the idea of Original sin in his book the City of God.
DavidLaDeau comments on Mar 7, 2018:
I have written about the in ability extensively on Atheist Nexus under the name compelledunbeliever http://atheistnexus.org/forum/topics/how-to-easily-understand-the-bible-better-than-theist . the can not interpret the scriptures BECAUSE they are Christians. The reason why is that they read into ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 8, 2018:
@Gwendolyn2018 They are not in the bible. The virgin birth can be found in it today as it has been added to the new testament and changed in the old to reflect christian beliefs. The original hebrew said "Young woman" not "virgin". There is no mention, concept or idea of the trinity in the original text. This idea was added to the bible by Jerome when he wrote the latin Vulgate. One passage said father and son and he was pressed into adding Holy spirit. The idea of the riniy hinges on this one forged passage.
There is no mention of free will. The rapture was made up by a preacher in the late 1700s. St. Augustine mad up the idea of Original sin in his book the City of God.
The story: Just as cliché holds that there are no atheists in foxholes, it’s commonly believed ...
Antitheistdv1620 comments on Mar 6, 2018:
You may have seen the hateful messages I've received from theocratic "Christians" that I shared earlier today. The bottom line is this: The hateful, harassing, cruel, degrading, vicious comments and behavior from so many "Christians" keep happening because those individuals have been *emboldened* by...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 7, 2018:
As a former Fundamentalist wacko( through childhood brainwashing) I can attest what you say is true. Christians do somehow see oppression in our government. They do seek to put people in office and "Christianize" our government as much as possible. Now I am not christian bashing in any way here. These are good people whom believe hey are doing the right thing. THey often don't even consciously know they are doing it, some are very well aware of it. Now I am a atheist activist so though I am often empathetic to christians and understand their mindset, I also see how emphatically wrong they are. your comment was well written and very clear, good job!
Antitheistdv1620 comments on Mar 6, 2018:
You may have seen the hateful messages I've received from theocratic "Christians" that I shared earlier today. The bottom line is this: The hateful, harassing, cruel, degrading, vicious comments and behavior from so many "Christians" keep happening because those individuals have been *emboldened* by...
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 7, 2018:
As a former Fundamentalist wacko( through childhood brainwashing) I can attest what you say is true. Christians do somehow see oppression in our government. They do seek to put people in office and "Christianize" our government as much as possible. Now I am not christian bashing in any way here. These are good people whom believe hey are doing the right thing. THey often don't even consciously know they are doing it, some are very well aware of it. Now I am a atheist activist so though I am often empathetic to christians and understand their mindset, I also see how emphatically wrong they are. your comment was well written and very clear, good job!
Hello potential friends.
DarwinChandler comments on Mar 2, 2018:
My blog at darwinchandler.com contains a couple of posts about my background and journey out of religion. Hope you might be interested in my articles there.
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 7, 2018:
@DarwinChandler autocorrect, I fixed it.
DarwinChandler comments on Mar 2, 2018:
My blog at darwinchandler.com contains a couple of posts about my background and journey out of religion. Hope you might be interested in my articles there.
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 7, 2018:
@DarwinChandler autocorrect, I fixed it.
Hello potential friends.
DarwinChandler comments on Mar 2, 2018:
My blog at darwinchandler.com contains a couple of posts about my background and journey out of religion. Hope you might be interested in my articles there.
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 6, 2018:
Amazing website, I have a friend it may be very specifically helpful to. Thank you for putting in the effort. Your work will help a great many people. Just remember, you may only hear about less than one percent of those you've impacted. Keep up the good work, it is needed.
DarwinChandler comments on Mar 2, 2018:
My blog at darwinchandler.com contains a couple of posts about my background and journey out of religion. Hope you might be interested in my articles there.
DavidLaDeau replies on Mar 6, 2018:
Amazing website, I have a friend it may be very specifically helpful to. Thank you for putting in the effort. Your work will help a great many people. Just remember, you may only hear about less than one percent of those you've impacted. Keep up the good work, it is needed.
When was this site "Born" and about how many members do we have?
Admin comments on Feb 18, 2018:
Went live in October... about 25k members now. Will be doing more advertising soon now that we've caught up with features.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 19, 2018:
@Admin It is going to take off, It may be more than you ever expected. Maybe not as a dating site specifically.
Admin comments on Feb 18, 2018:
Went live in October... about 25k members now. Will be doing more advertising soon now that we've caught up with features.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 19, 2018:
@Admin It is going to take off, It may be more than you ever expected. Maybe not as a dating site specifically.
My brother who is a Pastor’s wife posted this response on her Facebook page. Help me!!!
Savage comments on Feb 18, 2018:
A little confused, your brother is a pastors wife. Am I missing something???
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 18, 2018:
This is the 2000s make not questions. It was probably a mistake, but quite humorous.
Savage comments on Feb 18, 2018:
A little confused, your brother is a pastors wife. Am I missing something???
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 18, 2018:
This is the 2000s make not questions. It was probably a mistake, but quite humorous.
When was this site "Born" and about how many members do we have?
Admin comments on Feb 18, 2018:
Went live in October... about 25k members now. Will be doing more advertising soon now that we've caught up with features.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 18, 2018:
Thank you people might like to see a member counter?
Admin comments on Feb 18, 2018:
Went live in October... about 25k members now. Will be doing more advertising soon now that we've caught up with features.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 18, 2018:
Thank you people might like to see a member counter?
How to get someone to stop snoring without waking them up .
LEPeff comments on Feb 18, 2018:
Put firm pressure on the pillow that you put over their face and hold steady for 10 minutes or more.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 18, 2018:
My wife has opined that she might use one well placed strike with a hammer.
LEPeff comments on Feb 18, 2018:
Put firm pressure on the pillow that you put over their face and hold steady for 10 minutes or more.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 18, 2018:
My wife has opined that she might use one well placed strike with a hammer.
I'm just tired of how fat I look on COPS! The camera adds 10 pounds, and 2-chins, and, and man ...
DavidLaDeau comments on Feb 17, 2018:
I wanted to be on that show so I just took my shirt off!
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 18, 2018:
@Markss76118 Knew, I did something wrong...
DavidLaDeau comments on Feb 17, 2018:
I wanted to be on that show so I just took my shirt off!
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 18, 2018:
@Markss76118 Knew, I did something wrong...
What would you never pay for?
MyLiege comments on Feb 17, 2018:
Sex ;)
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 18, 2018:
I agree. I would not get any enjoyment out of someone who was just working and did not care for me.
MyLiege comments on Feb 17, 2018:
Sex ;)
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 18, 2018:
I agree. I would not get any enjoyment out of someone who was just working and did not care for me.
When was this site "Born" and about how many members do we have?
HeathenFarmer comments on Feb 18, 2018:
Why don't you tag your question for the administrator I suspect others would be interested, too.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 18, 2018:
Sure now how do I do that?
HeathenFarmer comments on Feb 18, 2018:
Why don't you tag your question for the administrator I suspect others would be interested, too.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 18, 2018:
Sure now how do I do that?
I recently downloaded two books for men, on relating to women and how to have a great relationship.
NothinnXpreVails comments on Feb 17, 2018:
I’ve read some cosmopolitan articles. Sometimes they haven’t a clue.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 17, 2018:
I love cosmo. In a nutshell girls you just aren't trying hard enough to be a subservient man pleaser. Dudes you're just stupid.
NothinnXpreVails comments on Feb 17, 2018:
I’ve read some cosmopolitan articles. Sometimes they haven’t a clue.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 17, 2018:
I love cosmo. In a nutshell girls you just aren't trying hard enough to be a subservient man pleaser. Dudes you're just stupid.
What is the meaning of meaning?
skado comments on Feb 17, 2018:
I don't think the problem is the concept of "meaning". Meaning is just useful information that can be reasonably inferred from other indicators. If there are fresh bear prints around your campsite in the morning, it most likely "means" there are bears in the area, and that information could be ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 17, 2018:
The worst book I ever read gave Christian meaning to everything imaginable. It was actually the point of the book. It ascribed dogmatic meaning even to colors and numbers. Every aspect of existence had some symbolic meaning to the point of being completely ridiculous. The crew of Saturday Night Live could have or would have been just as imaginative, and probably would have done a better job.
skado comments on Feb 17, 2018:
I don't think the problem is the concept of "meaning". Meaning is just useful information that can be reasonably inferred from other indicators. If there are fresh bear prints around your campsite in the morning, it most likely "means" there are bears in the area, and that information could be ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 17, 2018:
The worst book I ever read gave Christian meaning to everything imaginable. It was actually the point of the book. It ascribed dogmatic meaning even to colors and numbers. Every aspect of existence had some symbolic meaning to the point of being completely ridiculous. The crew of Saturday Night Live could have or would have been just as imaginative, and probably would have done a better job.
Hi.
silvereyes comments on Feb 17, 2018:
Welcome to the site. Philosophically, I describe myself as questionable, at best. haha. Okay, I'm just feeling a bit silly today. I hope you're enjoying the site so far. See you around!~
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 17, 2018:
Silly? I think you are like me...you have tendencies. Sometimes I just can't help myself but being a bit sarcastic. You in your youth seem to be much more mature in that regard!
silvereyes comments on Feb 17, 2018:
Welcome to the site. Philosophically, I describe myself as questionable, at best. haha. Okay, I'm just feeling a bit silly today. I hope you're enjoying the site so far. See you around!~
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 17, 2018:
Silly? I think you are like me...you have tendencies. Sometimes I just can't help myself but being a bit sarcastic. You in your youth seem to be much more mature in that regard!
Intercultural Miscommunication?
DavidLaDeau comments on Feb 17, 2018:
My sister is french. She was trying to teach me to say buffalo in french. I don't know what I said in front of my16 y/o niece but i am sure It was sexual and very inappropriate. They were laughing too hard to ever tell me what I said. Or maybe they just couldn't bring themselves to. Don't try to say...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 17, 2018:
@EllenDale Whatever I said was simply perverted! my daughter did learn to say it. It is like beson of course with no syllables.
DavidLaDeau comments on Feb 17, 2018:
My sister is french. She was trying to teach me to say buffalo in french. I don't know what I said in front of my16 y/o niece but i am sure It was sexual and very inappropriate. They were laughing too hard to ever tell me what I said. Or maybe they just couldn't bring themselves to. Don't try to say...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 17, 2018:
@EllenDale Whatever I said was simply perverted! my daughter did learn to say it. It is like beson of course with no syllables.
Intercultural Miscommunication?
kmdskit3 comments on Feb 17, 2018:
Learning French while living in Belgium as a kid. My French teacher complained of being cold so I tried to say she had cold blood: 'sang froid' . I mispronounced it and said she had: 'seins froides' instead. I had just accused my teacher of having cold tits. She was mortified and my friend sitting ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 17, 2018:
My father was french and spoke often with a french accent. When I took spanish in school I did not do very well with it. My teacher did often comment on what a great french accent I had...when speaking spanish.
kmdskit3 comments on Feb 17, 2018:
Learning French while living in Belgium as a kid. My French teacher complained of being cold so I tried to say she had cold blood: 'sang froid' . I mispronounced it and said she had: 'seins froides' instead. I had just accused my teacher of having cold tits. She was mortified and my friend sitting ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 17, 2018:
My father was french and spoke often with a french accent. When I took spanish in school I did not do very well with it. My teacher did often comment on what a great french accent I had...when speaking spanish.
What you know about tides is probably wrong...
[youtube.com]
DavidLaDeau comments on Feb 17, 2018:
This is an interview that is now famous between David Silverman and Bill O'Reilly. Bill uses his own version of the God of the Gaps argument. "Tide goes in, tide goes out. you can't explain that." This is an argument of incredulity that in the above video has been easily debunked.
...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 17, 2018:
@phxbillcee I was trying to paste the wtf face but I haven't figured out how to paste on the comments section.
DavidLaDeau comments on Feb 17, 2018:
This is an interview that is now famous between David Silverman and Bill O'Reilly. Bill uses his own version of the God of the Gaps argument. "Tide goes in, tide goes out. you can't explain that." This is an argument of incredulity that in the above video has been easily debunked.
...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 17, 2018:
@phxbillcee I was trying to paste the wtf face but I haven't figured out how to paste on the comments section.
The Mormons left a note at my door today.
RedskyRiver comments on Feb 17, 2018:
Mormon cookies. They are served on some gold platters, after being found with a peep stone.
(Obscure Mormon history joke.)
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 17, 2018:
Hats off to your joke...(Obscure Mormon history joke.)
RedskyRiver comments on Feb 17, 2018:
Mormon cookies. They are served on some gold platters, after being found with a peep stone.
(Obscure Mormon history joke.)
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 17, 2018:
Hats off to your joke...(Obscure Mormon history joke.)
Do you trust the government as a source of information?
gsiamne comments on Feb 17, 2018:
The correlations of the US empire and the Roman empire are very similar.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 17, 2018:
Hey never thought of that. The dreamers will soon have to purchase their citizenship.
gsiamne comments on Feb 17, 2018:
The correlations of the US empire and the Roman empire are very similar.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 17, 2018:
Hey never thought of that. The dreamers will soon have to purchase their citizenship.
Christian Host: School Prayer Would Have Prevented Florida School Shooting
Cynical-lion comments on Feb 16, 2018:
Prayer doesn't do jack shit, and allowing it in schools would have still resulted in tragedy. Disturbed individuals are still gonna be fucked in the head with or without prayer. These people gotta stop jacking off their ego, use their damn brains and think critically of actual solutions to this ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 17, 2018:
@Cynical-lion Ouch...LOL
Cynical-lion comments on Feb 16, 2018:
Prayer doesn't do jack shit, and allowing it in schools would have still resulted in tragedy. Disturbed individuals are still gonna be fucked in the head with or without prayer. These people gotta stop jacking off their ego, use their damn brains and think critically of actual solutions to this ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 17, 2018:
@Cynical-lion Ouch...LOL
Do Christian condone everything that happen in their bible.
ZebZaman comments on Feb 16, 2018:
I think in the question the term "Christian" needs narrowing down. There is no more "The Christian" as there is "The Muslim" , or "The American". The (European) Christianity I grew up with was much less narrow than the fundies in the US. And the answer for the above question would be "no" as the ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 17, 2018:
@ZebZaman Having grown up here i have been ignorant and thought it was that way everywhere. It has only been in the last 5 years that i have realized that the whole world is not like the United States as far as religion is concerned. It is due to speaking with people like you. Thank you
ZebZaman comments on Feb 16, 2018:
I think in the question the term "Christian" needs narrowing down. There is no more "The Christian" as there is "The Muslim" , or "The American". The (European) Christianity I grew up with was much less narrow than the fundies in the US. And the answer for the above question would be "no" as the ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 17, 2018:
@ZebZaman Having grown up here i have been ignorant and thought it was that way everywhere. It has only been in the last 5 years that i have realized that the whole world is not like the United States as far as religion is concerned. It is due to speaking with people like you. Thank you
House Members Are Pushing a Bill That Will Roll Back the Rights of People With Disabilities | ...
VictoriaNotes comments on Feb 16, 2018:
Sigh.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
Sigh. Thankfully your stomach is stronger than mine. I just threw up in my mouth a little.
VictoriaNotes comments on Feb 16, 2018:
Sigh.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
Sigh. Thankfully your stomach is stronger than mine. I just threw up in my mouth a little.
Christian Host: School Prayer Would Have Prevented Florida School Shooting
andygee comments on Feb 16, 2018:
I believe the appropriate alliterative phrase is "Sanctimonious, self-righteous son of a bitch." I would like to invite this peckerhead to perform an experiment. (That's what I always do when presented with a ridiculous religious claim presented as a fact, propose an experiment.
Pick 60 schools...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
The schools that were in religious areas would statistically have much more violence. This can be said and has been proven without such an experiment. I do like the thought though.
andygee comments on Feb 16, 2018:
I believe the appropriate alliterative phrase is "Sanctimonious, self-righteous son of a bitch." I would like to invite this peckerhead to perform an experiment. (That's what I always do when presented with a ridiculous religious claim presented as a fact, propose an experiment.
Pick 60 schools...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
The schools that were in religious areas would statistically have much more violence. This can be said and has been proven without such an experiment. I do like the thought though.
Christian Host: School Prayer Would Have Prevented Florida School Shooting
Paul628 comments on Feb 16, 2018:
I wonder how their imagined god allegedly created the entire universe without anyone there to pray for it.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
Perhaps he played with himself a lot. Oops Prayed to himself a lot.
Paul628 comments on Feb 16, 2018:
I wonder how their imagined god allegedly created the entire universe without anyone there to pray for it.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
Perhaps he played with himself a lot. Oops Prayed to himself a lot.
Christian Host: School Prayer Would Have Prevented Florida School Shooting
Cynical-lion comments on Feb 16, 2018:
Prayer doesn't do jack shit, and allowing it in schools would have still resulted in tragedy. Disturbed individuals are still gonna be fucked in the head with or without prayer. These people gotta stop jacking off their ego, use their damn brains and think critically of actual solutions to this ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
Yes the all powerful god that created the universe is obviously so impotent that he is unable to do his sky daddy magic due to government regulation. If this is the case what good is he?
Cynical-lion comments on Feb 16, 2018:
Prayer doesn't do jack shit, and allowing it in schools would have still resulted in tragedy. Disturbed individuals are still gonna be fucked in the head with or without prayer. These people gotta stop jacking off their ego, use their damn brains and think critically of actual solutions to this ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
Yes the all powerful god that created the universe is obviously so impotent that he is unable to do his sky daddy magic due to government regulation. If this is the case what good is he?
I'll Pray for you. Building bridges between Theist and Atheist.
JackPedigo comments on Feb 16, 2018:
When my late partner was dying she sent out a message of nor tears and no prayers. An international travel group we were heavily involved in started calling. One guy we worked with said he would pray for her. I told him she was an atheist (which he knew) and didn't was offended by prayers. He said ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
@JackPedigo That is truly inspiring.
JackPedigo comments on Feb 16, 2018:
When my late partner was dying she sent out a message of nor tears and no prayers. An international travel group we were heavily involved in started calling. One guy we worked with said he would pray for her. I told him she was an atheist (which he knew) and didn't was offended by prayers. He said ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
@JackPedigo That is truly inspiring.
Women = Lesser cut of meat!
silvereyes comments on Feb 16, 2018:
Ridiculous. How does this get overlooked? There should be no going back from that in terms of his political career.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
Being that you are female you obviously have no say in the matter. You are by his account a lesser "piece of meat." I felt cringy even writing that. How in the world could he have been elected in the first place and not instantly removed from office?
silvereyes comments on Feb 16, 2018:
Ridiculous. How does this get overlooked? There should be no going back from that in terms of his political career.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
Being that you are female you obviously have no say in the matter. You are by his account a lesser "piece of meat." I felt cringy even writing that. How in the world could he have been elected in the first place and not instantly removed from office?
Ha. Ha Ha.
DavidLaDeau comments on Feb 16, 2018:
In that wrestling match God had to cheat because he could not best Jacob.
Genesis 32
25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
@RavenCT That is an excellent observation. The cultures in the area were indeed borrowing from one another. It is often difficult to determine from where ideas originated.
DavidLaDeau comments on Feb 16, 2018:
In that wrestling match God had to cheat because he could not best Jacob.
Genesis 32
25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
@RavenCT That is an excellent observation. The cultures in the area were indeed borrowing from one another. It is often difficult to determine from where ideas originated.
What Kids Are Really Learning About Slavery - The Atlantic
Lysistrata comments on Feb 16, 2018:
I'm not surprised. I was once in a college history class where the professor went halfway around the class before someone could tell him who won the Civil War.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
Thats easy, it was the west! That's how the West was Won. What a bunch of dummies....
Lysistrata comments on Feb 16, 2018:
I'm not surprised. I was once in a college history class where the professor went halfway around the class before someone could tell him who won the Civil War.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
Thats easy, it was the west! That's how the West was Won. What a bunch of dummies....
Do Christian condone everything that happen in their bible.
ZebZaman comments on Feb 16, 2018:
I think in the question the term "Christian" needs narrowing down. There is no more "The Christian" as there is "The Muslim" , or "The American". The (European) Christianity I grew up with was much less narrow than the fundies in the US. And the answer for the above question would be "no" as the ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
What you say is true. I was brought up as a literalist. It was God's words and therefore was all good. I was indoctrinated from birth. There are beginning to be less and less fundamental wackos like I was in the U.S. today. This is mostly due to a more proper education in public schools the Fundamentalist have not infiltrated and the internet.
ZebZaman comments on Feb 16, 2018:
I think in the question the term "Christian" needs narrowing down. There is no more "The Christian" as there is "The Muslim" , or "The American". The (European) Christianity I grew up with was much less narrow than the fundies in the US. And the answer for the above question would be "no" as the ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
What you say is true. I was brought up as a literalist. It was God's words and therefore was all good. I was indoctrinated from birth. There are beginning to be less and less fundamental wackos like I was in the U.S. today. This is mostly due to a more proper education in public schools the Fundamentalist have not infiltrated and the internet.
I'll Pray for you. Building bridges between Theist and Atheist.
btroje comments on Feb 16, 2018:
Compassion and caring is rare and precious. I am glad you could accept that gift.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
@btroje Well, I'll pray for you....oops.
btroje comments on Feb 16, 2018:
Compassion and caring is rare and precious. I am glad you could accept that gift.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
@btroje Well, I'll pray for you....oops.
I'll Pray for you. Building bridges between Theist and Atheist.
randaghostie comments on Feb 16, 2018:
Even though I do not believe, I think true Christians and believers of god have good intent when saying that they will pray for you. It is one of their ways to try to help. I think it's sweet when well meant and I appreciate it very much.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
I agree, one day I will have to write about when I was an ass to someone who said it to be belittling and condescending. Hopefully when that time comes I will be more thought provoking than rude. Sometimes, it is much easier to simply answer rudeness with an intellectual response that is above their cognitive ability. Not constructive, but satisfying.
randaghostie comments on Feb 16, 2018:
Even though I do not believe, I think true Christians and believers of god have good intent when saying that they will pray for you. It is one of their ways to try to help. I think it's sweet when well meant and I appreciate it very much.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
I agree, one day I will have to write about when I was an ass to someone who said it to be belittling and condescending. Hopefully when that time comes I will be more thought provoking than rude. Sometimes, it is much easier to simply answer rudeness with an intellectual response that is above their cognitive ability. Not constructive, but satisfying.
I'll Pray for you. Building bridges between Theist and Atheist.
Uncorrugated comments on Feb 16, 2018:
A well reasoned and considered response.
I agree entirely that there is a time to be diplomatic. I find it far more constructive to build bridges an knock down walls and not the opposite.
I also agree that often the "I'll pray for you" comment often irritates and I am often tempted to respond...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
I have not used that line, but will not hesitate to do so when someone IS being condescending.
Uncorrugated comments on Feb 16, 2018:
A well reasoned and considered response.
I agree entirely that there is a time to be diplomatic. I find it far more constructive to build bridges an knock down walls and not the opposite.
I also agree that often the "I'll pray for you" comment often irritates and I am often tempted to respond...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
I have not used that line, but will not hesitate to do so when someone IS being condescending.
I'll Pray for you. Building bridges between Theist and Atheist.
mt49er comments on Feb 16, 2018:
As theists aren't willing to acknowledge reality, you're trying to build a bridge that leads nowhere. We'd have a solid landing on our end, but no place to dock.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
In general what you say is very true. I was however a Young Earth Creationist, Fundamentalist wacko. There are those who can and will appreciate reason, Those who when they say are looking fo the truth actually mean it. Most atheist in the U.S. were in fact Christians at one time. I was an very devout extremist and built a dock by myself without any help or experience. If that was not the case I would not be here or bothering to be vocal about atheism.
mt49er comments on Feb 16, 2018:
As theists aren't willing to acknowledge reality, you're trying to build a bridge that leads nowhere. We'd have a solid landing on our end, but no place to dock.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
In general what you say is very true. I was however a Young Earth Creationist, Fundamentalist wacko. There are those who can and will appreciate reason, Those who when they say are looking fo the truth actually mean it. Most atheist in the U.S. were in fact Christians at one time. I was an very devout extremist and built a dock by myself without any help or experience. If that was not the case I would not be here or bothering to be vocal about atheism.
I'll Pray for you. Building bridges between Theist and Atheist.
JackPedigo comments on Feb 16, 2018:
When my late partner was dying she sent out a message of nor tears and no prayers. An international travel group we were heavily involved in started calling. One guy we worked with said he would pray for her. I told him she was an atheist (which he knew) and didn't was offended by prayers. He said ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
First I'm sorry for your loss. In that case I would would have seen it as in very bad taste, in fact after it was all said and done I'm enough of an ass to have said something about it.
JackPedigo comments on Feb 16, 2018:
When my late partner was dying she sent out a message of nor tears and no prayers. An international travel group we were heavily involved in started calling. One guy we worked with said he would pray for her. I told him she was an atheist (which he knew) and didn't was offended by prayers. He said ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
First I'm sorry for your loss. In that case I would would have seen it as in very bad taste, in fact after it was all said and done I'm enough of an ass to have said something about it.
I'll Pray for you. Building bridges between Theist and Atheist.
btroje comments on Feb 16, 2018:
Compassion and caring is rare and precious. I am glad you could accept that gift.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
@btroje The beer will be stale there anyway...
btroje comments on Feb 16, 2018:
Compassion and caring is rare and precious. I am glad you could accept that gift.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
@btroje The beer will be stale there anyway...
I'll Pray for you. Building bridges between Theist and Atheist.
btroje comments on Feb 16, 2018:
Compassion and caring is rare and precious. I am glad you could accept that gift.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
I wasn't compassion. i just don't want to go to the Flying Spaghetti Monster hell where all the strippers have STD's.
btroje comments on Feb 16, 2018:
Compassion and caring is rare and precious. I am glad you could accept that gift.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
I wasn't compassion. i just don't want to go to the Flying Spaghetti Monster hell where all the strippers have STD's.
I'll Pray for you. Building bridges between Theist and Atheist.
SweetHarp comments on Feb 16, 2018:
Perhaps, when we are offered prayers in a snarky way, we should say, "thank you, can you do it right now? Get on your knees right here. Sorry, I have to run, but if you could pray for me right now, I'd appreciate it." And wait to see what happens.
I agree, when prayers are offered in a genuine way ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
I have really wanted to call people out directly in that way, but have not been able to bring myself to do it. I prefer to make some comment about how I'd just like to see a hospital abandoned for lack of need. perhaps I'm even more cruel. I am only that way when they are really rude and won't shut up.
SweetHarp comments on Feb 16, 2018:
Perhaps, when we are offered prayers in a snarky way, we should say, "thank you, can you do it right now? Get on your knees right here. Sorry, I have to run, but if you could pray for me right now, I'd appreciate it." And wait to see what happens.
I agree, when prayers are offered in a genuine way ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
I have really wanted to call people out directly in that way, but have not been able to bring myself to do it. I prefer to make some comment about how I'd just like to see a hospital abandoned for lack of need. perhaps I'm even more cruel. I am only that way when they are really rude and won't shut up.
I'll Pray for you. Building bridges between Theist and Atheist.
mordant comments on Feb 16, 2018:
Most of the "I'll pray for you" or "my prayers are with you" is just a reflexive and largely defensive move because the human reality is that life is just stuff happening and almost no one has the ability to really do anything useful about it. People feel helpless and so they want to say something ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
Thank you, I do believe in other circumstances prayer should be openly mocked in public venues through the use of humor and so forth to show just how ridiculous the idea is. I think that the idea of praying and not really expecting the prayers to be answered should be ridiculed. When doing this it should be presented in a way that attacks the idea and not a person.
mordant comments on Feb 16, 2018:
Most of the "I'll pray for you" or "my prayers are with you" is just a reflexive and largely defensive move because the human reality is that life is just stuff happening and almost no one has the ability to really do anything useful about it. People feel helpless and so they want to say something ...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
Thank you, I do believe in other circumstances prayer should be openly mocked in public venues through the use of humor and so forth to show just how ridiculous the idea is. I think that the idea of praying and not really expecting the prayers to be answered should be ridiculed. When doing this it should be presented in a way that attacks the idea and not a person.
Can anyone tell me what being "tagged" means on this website.
Crimson67 comments on Feb 16, 2018:
"Tagged" just means someone has replied to something you posted and included your user name.
It is an alert that someone is talking specifically to you in a post.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
Interesting....I don't want to be tagged when people talk about me in town...It might look like @thatathiest
Crimson67 comments on Feb 16, 2018:
"Tagged" just means someone has replied to something you posted and included your user name.
It is an alert that someone is talking specifically to you in a post.
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
Interesting....I don't want to be tagged when people talk about me in town...It might look like @thatathiest
I'll Pray for you. Building bridges between Theist and Atheist.
Eazyduzzit comments on Feb 16, 2018:
You can be a hard atheist and a diplomat at the same time. I hate that Christians are getting more and more agressive in this country, but the ones who are doing their best to be nice deserve the same back at them. I never say anything but thanks if someone says have a blessed day (a nicety I hate),...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
It is easy if to tell if someone is being polite. I respond with politeness. When they are being rude I politely call them out on it without hesitation. what is the saying, kill them with kindness...
Eazyduzzit comments on Feb 16, 2018:
You can be a hard atheist and a diplomat at the same time. I hate that Christians are getting more and more agressive in this country, but the ones who are doing their best to be nice deserve the same back at them. I never say anything but thanks if someone says have a blessed day (a nicety I hate),...
DavidLaDeau replies on Feb 16, 2018:
It is easy if to tell if someone is being polite. I respond with politeness. When they are being rude I politely call them out on it without hesitation. what is the saying, kill them with kindness...
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