We have 2-foot-tall squirrels?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 29, 2018:

I’ve seen rats that big on the docks at Rotterdam!

“An early objection I had with Christianity at school was being told I was part of a flock.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 29, 2018:

My favorite line from the original “Magnificent Seven,” spoken by Calvera, the bandit leader, justifying his warlord lifestyle: “If god did not want them sheared, he would not have made them sheep!”

Is it democracy? I hope it's democracy!

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 29, 2018:

Don’t know if you can FIND democracy. Think you just have to DO it.

Do you buy Christmas gifts for others?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 29, 2018:

I’ve grown to resent both the social assumption that I should, and the remorseless media/corporate campaign to get me to do so. I usually get some little things for people that help me out with stuff (my mom’s caregivers, the garbage crew, the postman) for Boxing Day, and maybe something for special people in my life, given on January 6, the last day of my Winter/New Year’s celebration.

Progress

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 28, 2018:

One of the great satirical publications of all time! Discovered Punch as a high schooler, and it had a big influence on my workdview and sense of humor.

For those seeking fairness, or love. Or fairness in love.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 28, 2018:

I used to watch a highly educational show called "Malcolm in the Middle." It taught me that life is unfair.

Are you happy enough?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 28, 2018:

Yeah. I've learned through hard times what things I really need to both survive and be happy, and that's not really that much. Of those things, most of them are to be found the world around me, which I need access to, as opposed needing to possess. I'm lucky in that I have more than enough of such people, things and circumstances, and I've worked hard to learn about life and the world, make good choices and empower myself to not be too dependent on others for happiness. Without dependency, when I DO find happiness through others, it seems freer, purer and more abundant..

Feeling ambitious and inspired and tired of America! Would anybody be interested in starting a new ...

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 28, 2018:

No more countries, no more borders, no more flags. It's too late in the world ...

Some say the universe is a simulation.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 28, 2018:

Sounds expensive.

You're woken up in the middle of the night by burglars in your home.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 27, 2018:

My whole body is a weapon ...

For men on dating sites.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 27, 2018:

Really? “Hey, baby?” How embarrassing.

Should physician assisted suicide be made legal, for loved ones who're either terminally ill, or ...

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 27, 2018:

My life, my choice. Period.

What made you join?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 27, 2018:

Joining was a condition of my parole.

Why do so many retreat to conspiracy theories as soon as they are asked to explain the ...

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 27, 2018:

They have been ordered to do so by their Freemason Illuminati overlords.

What are some of your favourite responses to the watchmaker argument?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 27, 2018:

So, where’s the watch? What can proponents of this idea point to in the natural world that is so dramatically different from the rest of nature that it can’t be explained by natural law and mechanics? We don’t need no watchmaker!

So, is Humanist.com exactly the same thing as Agnostic.com?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 27, 2018:

Definitely not! Humanist.com doesn’t allow other species of animal to join like we do.

What are your thoughts on the series Adam Ruins Everything?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 27, 2018:

I enjoy Adam's work a lot! Although I identify with several of the labels we can choose on this site, it's primarily my skepticism that has lead to my atheism and the other ways in which I identify myself philosophically. Adam appeals to this in an entertaining and engaging manner while modeling what critical thinking can look like.

How do you tell religious people that you're an atheist?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 26, 2018:

“Yo! I’m an atheist! Any questions?”

[play.howstuffworks.com] Tell me what you get from taking the quiz.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 26, 2018:

Atheist, which is funny, considering it promised to “accurately guess my religion.” I was surprised how dumb some of the questions are, considering I expect the highest intellectual standards from such online quizzes ...

Here's a $5M question for each of you...

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 26, 2018:

Tempted to take the money and try to prove the Beatles wrong ...

Why do the Satanists worship a God that went to Geogria and lot a fiddle playing contest to a ...

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 26, 2018:

At least he played fiddle. He has skills!

To get rid of unwanted junk during the holidays, put it in an Amazon box and leave it at your front ...

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 26, 2018:

Not in my neighborhood! More likely to meet some really pretty, explosive-sniffing dogs attached to the local bomb squad.

When people tell you it's important to believe in "something", do they ever specify what that ...

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 26, 2018:

Ask them “why” and the answers can get interesting. Sometimes some nonsense about “meaning” and “purpose,” sometimes a glimpse into some scam ready and waiting to control or exploit believers of any stripe.

Prove all things....1 Thessalonians 5:21 The thing about faith...it can't be proven..

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 26, 2018:

Ah, Saul of Tarsus, the ultimate con man!

Would you raise your children religious just to fit in?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 26, 2018:

Never! This is not a benevolent thing we are discussing. A child should learn about the world as it is, without delusional roadblocks to understanding, let alone destructive and viscious ideas like “hell” and eternal damnation.

You may hold your desires...

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 26, 2018:

Hmm. Didn’t Lord Buddha teach that desire is a form of attachment, thus leading to suffering?

Is it harder for non-believers to find love?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 26, 2018:

The love part is just like for everyone else. Depending on where you are, however, sometimes just finding each other can be a challenge.

I'd tell you a chemistry joke, but I'm not sure what type of reaction I'd get from you...🤔😅

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 26, 2018:

If you had a dog, would it be a Lab?

The millennials. Are we a lost generation or are we too hard on ourselves?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 26, 2018:

I think defining people by generations is a fairly shallow way to classify people. Sure, the circumstances of our lives can change with big-picture stuff like technology, wars, etc., but a lot of other factors are at work: our cultural backgrounds, economics, class, ethnicity ... Regardless, I’ve always been lucky and learned a lot by having friends across all these lines, including older and younger. Millennials? You’re doing just fine.

Is family as important as we say and think it is?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 26, 2018:

What we call “family” is expressed in many different ways around the world, depending on culture and economics. Kinship is pretty flexible.

Sometimes I wish I wasn't so cautious and could live a little more, but then I remember all the ...

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 26, 2018:

I found that a little dose of reason - taking a moment to think about stuff - works as well with being overly cautious as it does with being too impulsive.

Honestly missionaries are evil.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 26, 2018:

Missionary “work” is a form of aggression. Missionaries have been agents of empire and genocide for centuries.

How old/young do you feel?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 25, 2018:

I feel, think, and try to "act my age" (whatever that means). I always aspired to age gracefully, instead of pretending that I haven't been aging my whole life.

Anybody outhere watched or read Cool Hand Luke?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 24, 2018:

A classic! Lots of great performances, plus great lines, from "what we have here is a failure to communicate," to "shaking the bush, boss!"

Breaking news...

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 24, 2018:

Has PETA been notified?

Breaking news...

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 24, 2018:

Love it that he is being marched off in full costume! Something about a polar bear doing the perp walk ...

Times Person of the Year Should Be Robert Mueller. Pretty Sure That Would Send Trump Over The Edge.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 24, 2018:

Not sure I’m comfortable sending Trump over the edge. 1) He’d probably survive the fall; and 2) I’d start worrying about what, exactly, he’s up to down there ...

After years of taking up too much space, Trump is finally small.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 24, 2018:

Noticed this article, too. If an "incredible shrinking Trump" is the trend (which I'm hoping), can we continue from "small," skip "tiny" and go on to "microscopic," if not "non-existent?"

So... Who else can eat leftover homemade cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes for breakfast?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 24, 2018:

I’d certainly give it a try: Sweet potatoes rock!

Now that's a Big Bird! Happy Thanksgiving!

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 23, 2018:

A more scientific perspective ...

How comfortable are you with the word "Atheist" ?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 23, 2018:

I like it. It’s clear and concise. Used correctly, it can save a lot of time having useless conversations, or open the door to some really interesting ones.

Someone didn't think this through.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 23, 2018:

I find the combination with the motto “Virginia is for lovers” especially disturbing. What the hell goes on there?

I have a master's degree I was born to my parents, in an apartment, in Tacoma, WA.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 23, 2018:

Fantastic: Congratulations!

Fellow agnostics, how do you feel about believers joining?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 22, 2018:

I’m mystified as to why they even would join. To understand us better? To subvert? Still, as you mention “unscientific, simple-minded” views of the world, have you noted some of the rampant supernaturalism in our community in the guise of “spirituality?” The lines are not so clearly drawn ... ps — Never too old to argue!

US ‘missionary’ shot dead with arrows by remote tribe ‘believed it was his calling from God to...

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 22, 2018:

I’m always appalled to realize that missionaries still exist. For centuries, they were the agents of imperialism, as much a tool of conquest as any soldier or conquistador. Showing up at someone’s doorstep with the message that you are ignorant; that your way of looking at the world is wrong; that your way of life, which may have sustained you for thousands of years, is evil; and that we have nothing to learn from you, but you must receive “the truth” from us, is destructive, disrespectful and demeaning. I need to keep more arrows by my front door ...

Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant”: the story behind the Thanksgiving staple - Vox

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 22, 2018:

I vacationed in the Berkshires in western Mass. a few years ago and, in addition to more popular tourist destinations (Norman Rockwell Museum, Tanglewood), I made the pilgrimage to all the sites associated with the song: The “scene of the crime (littering),” the courthouse where the hearing took place, and, of course, the actual restaurant, now with a new name. No more Alice ...

The morning news is talking about whether or not the balloons will be up for the Macy's parade and a...

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 22, 2018:

Yeah!

I knew that it was more than a number...

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 21, 2018:

Really?!?! Wow! You have given me something to be thankful for on Thanksgiving. Many turkeys will be sacrificed in you honor!

American 'killed in India by endangered Andamans tribe' - BBC News

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 21, 2018:

I guess he got their point(s). Sic semper missionaries!

Has anyone read "Illusions" by Richard Bach?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 21, 2018:

Gosh: Many years ago! Enjoyed the story; enjoyed the engine oil smudged on the pages of the edition I had ... Have been fond of Bach since I read “Biplane” as a youth.

They either want to fleece you or eat you.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 20, 2018:

I miss The Hitch!

That kinda day.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 20, 2018:

I have been on some extended camping and backpacking trips and, towards the end, have had my carefully planned menu fall apart, leaving me with all sorts of bizarre combos. I pretty much remember all of them tasting good! Mother of invention, and all that!

Write your eulogy and see how it makes you feel. It gives you the "why" of your life.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 20, 2018:

I have forbidden any kind of service, including a eulogy, when people figure out that I am no more. Instead, I have this crazy idea: I am working on a podcast, about an hour long, with a little commentary, but mostly carefully selected music which will be my final meditation on life and death. That way, it’s portable in terms of both time and space. Having lots of fun putting it together!

I lay outside one night on my back.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 20, 2018:

Love it! Been there ...

On November 26th, a mole will land on Mars - The Oatmeal

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 20, 2018:

Messed up! The place is already infested with gophers.

Saudi Arabia declares all atheists are terrorists in new law to crack down on political dissidents...

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 20, 2018:

They aren’t alone as far as countries that criminalize atheism or even expressions of religious doubt, have blasphemy laws, or allow violent crimes - including murder - against atheists to go unpunished.

An interesting essay on the relationship between science and religion.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 20, 2018:

Depends on the religion. Science is about the knowable, and the ways we can find out stuff, test ideas, and discuss how we interpret what we discover. Religions get in trouble here if they also make claims to know things that can be disproven, often easily. If they stick to philisophical ideas, ethics and stuff that can’t be disproven (like gods, angels, most things supernatural), they are safer, though many traditional ideas begin to look sillier once you know their history or begin to see a world with better, more common sense explanations for what’s going on.

How does a employee deal with an incompetent manager?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 20, 2018:

Does this person care? I mean, enough to listen to employees who could be supportive with good advice? If policies are being broken, there is HR. Shop steward if you have a Union. The manager’s manager if you think it’s safe. Finally, my personal fave: sabotage.

Do you like music in languages you don't understand?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 20, 2018:

Sure! The music itself has to hook me first, and then curiosity about any lyrics or libretto follows. I enjoy music from many places and cultures.

[cnn.com]

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 20, 2018:

The value of an independent judiciary!

What is the most interesting thing you have seen from an airplane?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 20, 2018:

I had been flying all night across the Pacific from LA to Seoul, South Korea. Waking up from a fitful sleep, I slid the window cover up, seeing that it was getting light, and found myself looking at some mountains with a large, perfectly triangular volcano in the middle. After a few minutes, I was looking straight down the cone of the volcano, which looked familiar. Mt. Fuji!

Name 5 cities in the world you would visit if you had the time and resources before 2018 ends.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 20, 2018:

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - because my ancestors rode with the Mongols; Havana - always wanted to visit; Krakow - a classy city I just love; Athens - so much history; Veracruz, Mexico - history, seafood, and that wonderful music!

Remember all that money you thought you made in your 401k this year? Gone. So. Much. Winning.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 20, 2018:

I work from home, and live in a one-storey, ranch style building. If things get much worse, I might jump out a window, plunging to my ... lawn. It’s the gesture that counts.

Question 16: What do you value most in a friendship?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 20, 2018:

Good, honest communication. Beyond that: some things in common, especially curiosity/knowledge about the world; sense of humor/irony; sense of adventure/exploration. That being said, I had a very good friend for some 35 years. We met in college, did a lot of partying, camping, worked a couple of jobs together, and he was best man at my wedding, before he suddenly passed away. Both during and after the friendship, I always had a hard time defining exactly what made it so special and unique. Still can’t. It just was.

As troops return home from the border, let's not forget Bowling Green.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 19, 2018:

I am raising funds for a more appropriate monument to the victims. Please give, and give generously.

Do you believe in the big bang theory?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 19, 2018:

I sometimes hear strange, banging noises late at night. I always just assumed it was the universe.

I know I'm late to the party but only just got to binge watch all 5 seasons of Breaking Bad ?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 19, 2018:

I really enjoyed that show! Some wonderfully drawn characters, interesting plot twists and an odd, dark humorous sensibility that I appreciate. Brian Cranston did an amazing job with the lead role, taking him through his many transformations, and has become one of my favorite actors.

Who's your favorite Christian band?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 18, 2018:

Faith + 1 -- Best christian music ever!

How do you handle when someone obviously lies to you?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 18, 2018:

A lot of my work is political, so I come across this fairly often. I've gotten better on calling BS on people, but HOW depends on the situation: bluntly, diplomatically, or -- my favorite -- served with a double dose of sarcasm.

I think we are on the edge of a new 50 year time period.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 18, 2018:

Wait! We're ALWAYS on the edge of a new 50-year time period ...

Muy buenas

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 18, 2018:

Que?

Sex with theists/tRump supporter?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 18, 2018:

Everything has consequences, even so-called “casual” sex. Compromise your integrity, and it finds a way to catch up with you and bite you in the ass. Assuming you have integrity, that is.

So, I just picked up a book of Sartre's essays.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 18, 2018:

I have always taken issue with the proposition in this particular work. My mother was in the camps -- both Auschwitz and Buchenwald -- and my dad was a POW of the Germans for years. Freedom of thought is poor consolation when one has no sense of certainty or control over your world and even security about your own life. When you are consumed with the fight to survive, most people don't sit around, thinking the "Big Thoughts." You sit around thinking about getting an extra piece of bread, or not getting shot or gassed, and most survivors are traumatized in a way that affects generations to come. Of course, brutal as it was, the German occupation in France and Western Europe was nowhere near as horrible as it was in Eastern Europe, where my family is from. Perhaps a few people who were there felt as Sartre did, but I think not many, and the implication that something good came from all that is hard for me to swallow.

Has anyone gone to EX Christian.net ? Prof there is no god. Great site

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 18, 2018:

OK: I checked it out, and there is some good stuff in there. No, no proof that god doesn't exist, but some good critical information, especially info poking holes in the argument that Jesus was a real, historical person. Might be a good site for some people.

Which of the "seven deadly sins" do you most enjoy partaking in or of?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 18, 2018:

This was very hard, fond as I am of most of them. In the end, it was Lust and Wrath, neck-and-neck in the final stretch, with Wrath finishing first. I really like Wrath.

Did you have trouble accepting your lack of belief in religion when you realized you were ...

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 18, 2018:

Nope. I think I was about 12 or so that I decided the religious ideas I was raised with were not meant to be taken literally, with atheism following shortly thereafter. Looking back, I just see it as another part of the process of growing up.

R.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 18, 2018:

Aww: Condolences! I always feel that my “furry fellow travelers” enhance the quality of my life significantly.

Thank god for surgeons and science lol

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 18, 2018:

Looks like there will be a lot of good doctors in hell, then. Yet another reason to go there, along with interesting people, affordable housing, and low unemployment.

He wasn't always Saul Goodman, ace attorney for chemist-turned-meth dealer Walter White.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 18, 2018:

Am hooked on this show and the characters! One of the few examples of a spin-off being as good as the original. I was a totally devoted Breaking Bad fan, and am so glad to have this prequel to keep the stories coming. (Ex-cop Mike is my favorite character, I think, though it’s a tough call.) Am a few episodes into season four.

Depression Looks Different For Everyone

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 17, 2018:

Like a lot of mental health diagnoses, it's an umbrella term that covers a wide range of experiences. When I'm not well, I'm not necessarily even sad or "down on myself." But, I'm out of energy and lose interest in doing things, even things I love doing. So, I've learned not to fight it, but to give it room, and give myself time to recharge my batteries, confident that I'll eventually come out OK on the other side. I've also developed a sense of when an episode might be on the way, and try to take a step back from stress or overextending myself. This works pretty well for me.

I am new here, and having a look around.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 17, 2018:

We are a diverse community, with our share of frivolous nonsense, to be sure, but more than the average share of interesting people and independent thinkers. Welcome!

When was the last time you made someone smile?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 17, 2018:

I’m a big believer in doing this! A compliment costs nothing, and there is something positive to be found in most people. I especially like asking to speak to a manager in businesses I patronize to point out good performance by an employee. They never expect it!

[yahoo.com] Companies are Microchipping Their Employees?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 17, 2018:

Yep: It’s legal with consent! And, we know “responsible adults” will consent to all sorts of very silly stuff.

Drunk man shouts 'Heil Hitler, Heil Trump,' does Nazi salute during Baltimore performance of ...

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 16, 2018:

My gosh, WHY would a nazi/white supremacist even go to a performance of "Fiddler?!?"

Have moved to Sacramento....looking forward to hearing from you...

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 15, 2018:

Hope you like it there! I don’t live there, but go to Sacramento a lot for work and politics, and have done so for years, and I find it an enjoyable place. Great city to walk and explore, with some cool restaurants. Good luck!

Early Warning Signs of Facism - Taken From a Poster From Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 14, 2018:

“Early warning” signs?!? In my book, any one of these alone is bad enough and needs to be challenged. I certainly wouldn’t wait and let them begin to pile up!

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, oh my! While we've always had these categories (plus straight, pansexual ...

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 14, 2018:

Choice is good! What a boring world, if we were all the same.

This is a Test.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 14, 2018:

Whew! THAT explains it!

" .

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 14, 2018:

I think success and failure are both good teachers and reality checks. The point is to keep trying stuff!

I just noticed that I have 62 followers. WTF is wrong with you people?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 14, 2018:

I think Jesus said the same thing, but it was edited out of his book ...

It has happened again.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 14, 2018:

Did you “join” a group to comment? I had similar stuff happen to me when I did that, and then got tons of notifications on everything happening in that group, way after I lost interest in the conversation.

Obama-the-Antichrist?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 14, 2018:

There is no such person as the “antichrist.” Just a character in a silly book.

Random observations from day one exploration.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 14, 2018:

Welcome, and enjoy!

Submit a haiku

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 13, 2018:

Need to concentrate To write a decent haiku. (Was that a squirrel?)

Hi! ? How do you guys address the ole "What if you're wrong?" question?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 13, 2018:

Uncertainty is a part of life. So, I work the odds and make my best guesses based on evidence and reason. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but I won't be intimidated into answers I don't really believe in.

I’m doing a thing.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 13, 2018:

Yes! Sometimes, better to throw ourselves out there than waiting around for “perfect” circumstances!

Catholic Diocese of Savannah releases names of priests involved in sexual abuse.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 13, 2018:

Hmm. Those numbers are suspiciously convenient ...

I'm feeling completely defeated at work.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 13, 2018:

Hang in there, Ms. Downer! When things aren’t going my way, I comfort myself with elaborate plans for vengeance. Always brings a smile back to my face!

I think he is trying to save someone.

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 13, 2018:

I thought the Romans “got Jesus.”

Should more atheists speak out against religion or keep their views to themselves?

The-Krzyz comments on Nov 13, 2018:

I'm for speaking out FOR the merits of atheism or agnosticism, and AGAINST the harm religions can do or justify.