“The banana is the atheists nightmare "

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 31, 2017:

I will start questioning my atheism as soon as nature produces trees that grow twist off beer bottles. Oh, and I have really enjoyed the comments on this post.

I've been here a few days, actually level 4..., whatever that means...?

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 31, 2017:

Ayn Rand. I believe the most famous conservative atheist of all time. Funny how Christian right GOP politicians have taken on some of her beliefs. I believe Paul Ryan is actually a bit of a fan of hers. That could be just gossip though. No I'm not a fan of hers.

I found out this morning that I lost a friend to suicide.

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 30, 2017:

You're right. He had a huge voice. Very talented.

Are you 100% certain that there is no god?

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 30, 2017:

The odds in Vegas that there is no God is 4:1

Watching bill Maher when he stated some religious people pay no mind to climate and human activities...

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 29, 2017:

It is time for the human race to mature and get rid of fairy tales and imaginary friends. Just like individuals, we cannot collectively survive if we don't. Reality is at times hard, but it is reality and needs to be dealt with.

They're saying the Roy Moore supporters are praying now!

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 29, 2017:

I encourage the entire religious right to pray instead of voting.

Kyle Kuklinski of Secular Report on YouTube explains here why Ben Shapiro is dead wrong when he ...

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 29, 2017:

I listen to Kyle Kuklinski every chance I get. He cuts through the bullshit.

I'm leaning towards "free will" being an illusion. Convince me otherwise.

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 29, 2017:

It makes sense that once things were set into motion they would follow a certain and, if one could comprehend everything, predictable path. A good point was made here though, does that mean we are not responsible for our actions? I guess it was determined at the point of the big bang I would write all this.....and this too....

When we fail to see the truth we fail to see reality.

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 29, 2017:

If this question is looked at from a psychological and personal view it is a different conversation. Like religious people, I would say everyone is in some form of denial about themselves and their life. Also, like with religion, we all fool ourselves to avoid some painful part of our reality. What I got from this is that we cannot move forward until we accept ourselves and our life circumstances for what they really are. There was that one line in Gone With the Wind, talking of Scarlet O'Hara, she sees the world the way she wishes it to be and not the way it is.........Sorry, I have a cold and was up late last night with my cats celebrating the Milwaukee Bucks come from behind win. We went through an entire pack of cat nip.

Is God addicting?

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 29, 2017:

The old joke when recovering alcoholics and drug addicts get clean and become religious fanatics:. "I used to be all messed up on drugs. Now I'm all messed up on Jesus". Cross addiction. It is the dopamine factor. Lots of alcoholics switch to gambling addictions.

What would it be like to be married to you?

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 28, 2017:

I've finally become honest with myself. At this point in my life it would take a very rare bird to be happy in a relationship with me. I'm a bit of a slob. I wouldn't live with someone again. I spend most of my time with my minor children. Worse yet, that time spent with them is usually at their mother and step-dads house. That's a long story. And on top of that, I need a lot of alone time. I guess it would kind of suck.

How do we, as a community, deal with the inevitable trolls that show up?

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 27, 2017:

I will knock him off the bridge with my horns.

Atheist pick up lines?

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 27, 2017:

Would you like to go back to my place and dine on babies and drink the blood of fallen angels?

Is it rationally justified to pay for sex ?

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 26, 2017:

I believe legalizing prostitution would be helpful in efforts to end sex slave trafficking, as I believe decriminalizing drugs and addressing it as a medical condition would decrease drug addictions

I highly recommend this short, easy read.

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 26, 2017:

Thanks for the suggestion. I just started reading it. I like his writing style.

I thought these were freaking hilarious!!!

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 23, 2017:

Thanks for giving me a laugh today

I grew up with a Catholic father, and a Southern Baptist mother.

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 23, 2017:

I went to a Catholic grade school and was an altar boy, most of the "hoodlums" in town came from that Catholic grade school. I remember once after service the other altar boy and I got drunk on the wine in the back. The priest was a friend of ours. We never understood a word he said, but we helped him drink his wine. Joy to the world!

Wisconsin Lawmaker: Convert To Christianity Or Be ‘Destroyed’

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 23, 2017:

Wisconsin used to be a progressive state. We will see what the future holds for our great state. I live smack dab in the middle of Trump country, one of the main reasons I've become a recluse.

A Few Words About the “Alt-Left.

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 22, 2017:

Two things seem abundantly clear at this point in the U.S.of A's political system. Corporate America is well on its way to a complete take over this country. Corporate America has proven time and time again it has no concern for anything other than continuing to increase their bottom line. I have no interest in adding to an oligarchy by voting for politicians who are indebted to their corporate donors through super PACs. I'm pretty sure this sickening amount of money given to both parties is not given for altruistic reasons. Half the country didn't bother voting. It seems that fear/extortion is not motivating people to vote. Sure things are better in many ways when the kinder and gentler oligarchs, the DNC, is steering the ship. However, the gap between the rich and the rest of us continues to increase no matter who is in charge. Perhaps people hurting (having to work two jobs and still can't stay above water, can't afford decent healthcare, insurmountable college debt, etc....) made them angry. Maybe that anger and pain allowed a sociopathic con-man to come in and win. Nah...I'm sure it was the one percent who voted for Jill Stein.

What are you doing this Christmas Eve?

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 22, 2017:

I enjoy Christmas Eve with my relatives. However, "having a ball" is a bit of a stretch so couldn't check that one. Also, my brother in law likes micro brews so there is a good chance I will be as lit as the Christmas Tree

Well myth mas will be celebrated on December 25th and yet no other religious holidays are nationally...

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 22, 2017:

Give it a few years.

I think that non theists should be tax exempt.

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 21, 2017:

Funny

Is "brutal honesty" unnecessary?

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 21, 2017:

I think we as humans need to be aware of our fight or flight responses. Often when avoid being honest with people because it gets us revved up, and that energy is not comfortable to just hold onto. Once we decide to confront the person, and the adrenaline is running, we are likely to do it in "attack mode". Perhaps best to be honest with ourselves before working on being honest with others.

I'm new and don't quite know how to work this thing.

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 21, 2017:

Keep the posts coming. You're a funny guy. Strange coincidence, driving all the way across Nebraska on I-80 is what finally turned me into an atheist. I pleaded to God, "Please let this end.". He didn't answer so I assumed he didn't exist or was dead.

Do you believe in Bigfoot?

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 21, 2017:

I believe anything over a size 10 is a Bigfoot

I just have an instinctive feeling that a lot of people who claim to believe, really don't,but,are ...

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 21, 2017:

I've seen people who were agnostic become religious once they found a religious partner. It is obvious they did so just to appease their significant other. This always makes me think, "so you finding this person somehow increases the chances of there being a God? How does that work?"

What do you think of people that think all you need is the Bible?

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 20, 2017:

Some people gain a false sense of security in staying narrow minded, like living in a "mental box" to avoid cognitive dissonance.

In your relationships, does someone usually "wear the pants?"

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 20, 2017:

Despite my best efforts, my cats continue to run the show

Conservatives Worry Feminists Are Using Witchcraft To Destroy Trump

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 19, 2017:

If they could just make it a burning bush he would burn his predatory baby hands

I had a good laugh just now.

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 19, 2017:

What the hell? I wonder if Christ knows she is trying to cheat on him.

How do you deal with people who don't respect facts in a discussion?

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 19, 2017:

I try to convince them that voting is a waste of time

Im not religious by any means but sometimes when Im at a family event they pray.

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 19, 2017:

I've found it doesn't go over well if, when folks are praying, you laugh out loud and say, "yah, right, whatever."

Which one of THESE fetishes would you be most willing to deal with?

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 18, 2017:

I'd be worried for my cats if I had a significant other who wanted to dress me up in an animal costume

Share your thoughts about NFL players kneeling during pre-game playing of national anthem.

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 17, 2017:

Some well thought out and well articulated comments on this thread. I'm offended by people being unnecessarily killed by police, and police being exonerated for obvious murder. I've seen the videos. The people they kill have parents, children, siblings and friends who forever will feel the pain of an unnecessary shooting. This seems obviously more harmful than taking a knee. I've watched a lot of football on television, with a lot of people, and not once have I seen someone stand.

My wife was talking to a woman that was at a bar, dancing provocatively and sat at our table.

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 17, 2017:

I suppose I'm saying the obvious. They become angry because it challenges the pleasant lie they are desperately trying to hold onto. If they were that secure in their beliefs they would not become so angry, defensive and insecure.

I am going through a bad moment in my life because I live with an alcoholic girlfriend and I was ...

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 11, 2017:

Have to find a new purpose in life. There are millions to choose from.

Facepalm Just got through arguing with a climate change denier.

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 10, 2017:

Good news. I just ate, so there is no global hunger. (Paraphrasing Stephen Colbert. It was better when and how he said it.)

Is it possible to be an atheist and not even try to be?

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 8, 2017:

For me it is possible to be an atheist and not try to be. I went to a Catholic grade school. I even had to be an altar boy, but I never read the Bible and never believed any of it. I'm a lazy Atheist. I always have been. It makes life easier. I just have to deal with the here and now.

So...I have a question?

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 6, 2017:

Well...Many Christians say that if one has not "heard the word of the Lord" then they are "exonerated" from going to hell for not believing. That begs the question, so was Jesus a sadistic SOB for coming down and "spreading the word" so people could burn for eternity?

Would you raise your children religious just to fit in?

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 4, 2017:

No

Ignosticism, anyone?

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 3, 2017:

I think I'm now an ignostic, Atheist now. Damn identity crisis. Good comments on this thread.

Ignosticism, anyone?

Rudy1962 comments on Dec 3, 2017:

Yes! I have been thinking the same thing. Never heard the term "ignosticism" before.

If god doesn't like the way I live, let him tell me, not you...(Crickets).

Rudy1962 comments on Nov 28, 2017:

Right. It's almost like people create God in their image of what they think and believe is right. Well maybe not "almost like."

Good morning people, hope everyone survived Thanksgiving!

Rudy1962 comments on Nov 24, 2017:

It was a little touch and go after stuffing myself with turkey and micro-brews, but I made it. I'm a survivor!

I am amazed at the number of seemingly intelligent people who either blindly subscribe to organized ...

Rudy1962 comments on Nov 24, 2017:

Cognitive Dissonance