Six siblings of az republican paul gosar endorse his democratic opponent!

gearl comments on Sep 23, 2018:

I doubt he will but hope Brill wins.

Is this a question?

gearl comments on Sep 23, 2018:

Is it?

Autumn challenge.

gearl comments on Sep 23, 2018:

Facts, truth, evidence should all matter. As in "1984" the chipping away of the meaning of words is allowing everything to be expressed as opinion. Alternative facts and evidence and "his or her truth." The White House has become the equivalent of the "Ministry of truth" in the book, constantly being rewritten by this administration.

I hate politics I agree the the left and right have both gone too far in their respective ...

gearl comments on Sep 23, 2018:

I have a lot of friends who also hate politics and didn't vote. Now we have a government that want's more than anything else to take away our freedoms of choice. Freedoms of a woman to make her own choice, freedoms of immigrants to have at least an honest chance to lawfully come here, freedom to save the environment for future generations, freedoms of people with different sexual preferences. They would even take away rights of choice, whether to believe in god or which god. You may think I'm on a slippery slope but I see it as the country going over a cliff so I have to respectively disagree and see it pretty much one sided as to who have gone too far.

When defining your reality remember it is yours and not everyone's so do not become solicitous.

gearl comments on Sep 23, 2018:

I would imagine that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs but not their own realities.

My fellow Texans, how do y'all feel about Ted Cruz saying that school shootings happen because we ...

gearl comments on Sep 23, 2018:

I'm an Arizonian but I live in a very red part of the state but even here I don't hear that BS. I also saw where Beto got booed for standing up for sensible gun regulation. I'll stay here.

Elephant Justice

gearl comments on Sep 23, 2018:

That one made my day.

This site appears to have identity problems. Is it for dating or is it Facebook?

gearl comments on Sep 23, 2018:

Facebook it's not!

Observation from church today: 09/23/18: 1.

gearl comments on Sep 23, 2018:

Are you going to get talking points for your next debate?

I see groups for legalization of cannabis, what are your opinions on kratom?

gearl comments on Sep 23, 2018:

I had to Google it also so thanks because now I know what it is but I still have no opinion on it.

What Republicans voted for

gearl comments on Sep 23, 2018:

In this town where I live, Republican women vote for Trump for one reason and that is pro-life. His atrocities mean nothing as long as they save the unborn.

I wonder if he knows how stupid he is?

gearl comments on Sep 23, 2018:

I actually think, he thinks, he's intelligent.

[yahoo.com] Baby trump Blimp Feaured in Puerto Rican Parade Near Mar a Lago

gearl comments on Sep 23, 2018:

Whatever it takes.

Another example of 45's total lack of understanding: [washingtonpost.com]

gearl comments on Sep 23, 2018:

Sometimes I wonder if 45 was born without empathy or if he merely suppressed it all his life until he became completely devoid.

What do we learn from this excerpts?

gearl comments on Sep 23, 2018:

I can certainly see his point.

I picked up “Fear” by Bob Woodward on Friday. I’m about start chapter 3. Anyone read it yet?

gearl comments on Sep 23, 2018:

I bought it the day it was released and read it in three days. I had previously read "Fire and Fury" and "Russian Roulette" and felt this one to be less partisan. He does appear sympathetic to Trump at times, but in reflection that may be a good thing for an author. I have heard very little refutation of the book and I believe that is because, one, he says he has tapes of nearly all his interviews and wouldn't be afraid to play them if confronted and two is because of his down the middle approach. The book still remains a completely damning portrayal of Trump's administration. I seldom read a book a second time but may this one.

Failing Mother’s Godly Child Checklist One thing I love being at med school is that I get to ...

gearl comments on Sep 22, 2018:

I'm sure it must be harder in the Philippines than in Western countries to come out as atheist. Do you have any friends who share your non-belief? Do you have plans when you graduate? I have seen a couple of others here from the Philippines but it is a big country. Keep up the non-faith and we wish you well.

For those that have "come out" (of religion) to a spouse how did that go?

gearl comments on Sep 21, 2018:

I feel your pain. The only thing I can tell you is when I left religion I lost my "friends" and my family and it was hell for a while. The sunshine part is I started a new family and acquired real friends and my life became immeasurably better than it was before, but it took time. I can't guarantee that the outcome would be the same. For me I couldn't live the lie. Good luck no matter what you decide.

The rapist-friendly U.

gearl comments on Sep 21, 2018:

Some Republicans contend that people have faulty memories after thirty-five years but thirty-five years ago was just when I was escaping religion and I had some traumatic things happening to me. I remember them very, very well.

Anyone have those days where they feel extremely guilty for leaving the church?

gearl comments on Sep 20, 2018:

Just joy here.

I'm here to check this site out for my son, who is in his 20s, on the spectrum, attending ...

gearl comments on Sep 20, 2018:

Hope you find things that you are comfortable with and that you can share with him.

Has anyone else had a religious friend ask where your sense of morality comes from?

gearl comments on Sep 20, 2018:

I had known a guy for several years but he had never asked what religion I was. When asked I told him I was an atheist and his immediate response was "But you seem so moral." I explained that morals don't come from holy books and it was pretty easy because his ex had an affair with their preacher and his brother isn't a very ethical person to put it mildly although he is very religious. I didn't bring up those things directly but tend to nudge toward them when circumstances warrant.

I'm sure this will be an unpopular comment here, but I don't care.

gearl comments on Sep 20, 2018:

I click on maybe one post out of ten. Of those I comment on maybe one or two. There are posts about most everything so just don't click on stuff your not interested in. A lot of us were very religious for large portions of out lives and we like to share our experiences. I guess this is unpopular with you but just ignore us. No problem.

Is anyone else using tracfone, and still sane?

gearl comments on Sep 19, 2018:

I have an old flip-phone and pay $110. every two years. Good enough for me.

"One of the wettest we've seen from the standpoint of water". Yep. He really said this. Moron.

gearl comments on Sep 19, 2018:

He'll get Sessions to order the next one dry! Maybe it'll hit DC.

Is it safe to assume that all Americans by now have read or at least heard about the piece in the ...

gearl comments on Sep 19, 2018:

I hadn't heard until now. I thought she made a pretty good case for the story. No one has ever lowered the bar like the pussy-grabber-in-chief. I especially liked: Much has been written about Daniels’s refusal to be shamed. But what is really remarkable about her is how she’s turned the whole narrative around. Not only will she not be humiliated – she will humiliate him. And why not, damn it? She wasn’t the married one. She is not the one with the power to ruin women’s lives by banning global abortion funding and defunding Planned Parenthood while having bragged in the past how, when you’re a star, you can grab women “by the pussy”. He is. While we may well live in a post-shame era, Daniels knows how to hurt Trump. And given how much Trump is hurting women, I think this is one instance in which we can indulge in some guiltless body-shaming. Go get him, Stormy.

Making a living as an author, especially in a time where so much literature is free, is going to be ...

gearl comments on Sep 18, 2018:

That is true but some authors are exceptional and they will always sell when others can't.

Are there any female atheist activists?

gearl comments on Sep 18, 2018:

Although she has backed off on the classification, Kyrsten Sinema who is now running for senator in Arizona initially acknowledged that she was non-theist. She is also bi-sexual and has a good chance of winning in November, at least I hope so. Also I didn't notice anybody mentioning Susan Jacoby who has written some excellent books on the movement. One of my favorites is Lisa Randall who is a physicist and an excellent author. Of course there was Madalyn Murray O'Hair and nobody took it more seriously or was more in your face than her but she is not living so not current.

We are the world's greatest hypocrite. [npr.org]

gearl comments on Sep 16, 2018:

This woman is a part of Mr. Pussy-grabber-in-Chief's cabinet and dares to criticize an organization that has actually done some good work!

Are you a "Hummer"?

gearl comments on Sep 16, 2018:

I heard it too. The doc said it was tinnitus.

MSNBC: Republicans Are Now The ‘Party of Pedophiles’

gearl comments on Sep 16, 2018:

I wondered why I hadn't heard any of this even though I do watch a whole lot of MSNBC. I then looked at the heading that says "Exposing & Combating Liberal Media Bias." The link sent me to mrcNewsbusters not MSNBC which the title of your link would lend somebody to believe they were going.

Let's get something straight about this Kavanope situation.

gearl comments on Sep 16, 2018:

I've sure wondered about that as well.

Men versus women. Be honest now who makes their bed after waking up?

gearl comments on Sep 16, 2018:

We each make our side of the bed.

Watchtower no longer needs 1914 [youtu.be]

gearl comments on Sep 16, 2018:

I see this as a natural next step and I must say that it is somewhat repetitive as what Lloyd describes is basically what they did in 1975. It's more important for the organization to keep younger members than those who have seen failures in the past. I first read Orwell's "1984" in the early 80s and recognized, like many others, the similarities of the WT practice of rewriting history. It's hard for me to believe that it's been 39 years since the world was definitely coming to an end. People were not fixing their teeth or getting new tires or all kinds of nonsensical things because the world was ending. There was a real purge following that date so I can completely agree with Lloyd that they can just pull the same old trick once again. I see their pedophile problems as a far greater threat to them than chronology.

I bought and read the Fire and Fury. Should I buy and read Fear?

gearl comments on Sep 14, 2018:

I bought it the day it came out. I am half-way through it right now and don't regret my purchase. It has a different feel to it than either "Fire and Fury" or "Russian Roulette." Woodward is more moderate but because of that, I think the book carries more weight. It is certainly excellently written.

Watching "The Keepers" on Netflix. This is horrifying.

gearl comments on Sep 14, 2018:

I wasn't aware of what it was about but now I will check it out.

Michael Cohen Already Talking With Mueller's Team - Vanity Fair

gearl comments on Sep 14, 2018:

Mueller is getting quite a collection

I see that we have some "believers" in the group.

gearl comments on Sep 14, 2018:

I've only had one that wanted to proselytize. Otherwise they are welcome, at least to me.

Would you?

gearl comments on Sep 14, 2018:

I had something similar in the seventies. Had a lot of fun in it. It was really gutless though. We drove 500 miles in third gear with a bad headwind across the state of New Mexico and then some.

How evangelical are you about your lack of faith?

gearl comments on Sep 12, 2018:

Unless the subject of religion comes up for some reason and someone asks me my religion or tries to proselytize me then they wouldn't know. If someone does ask me or tries to convert me then we have a conversation. I enjoy discussing religion with anyone.

Tell me your thoughts on Ricky Gervias and his comedy.

gearl comments on Sep 12, 2018:

I like him.

TheraminTrees - concealing abuse Much of the video focuses on the way abuse is currently handled ...

gearl comments on Sep 10, 2018:

He covers everything quite well and truthfully. I don't know how many people are going to sit through 45 minutes though.

What do you do to get ready for winter. Part of my ritual is to get lots of firewood.

gearl comments on Sep 7, 2018:

I burn about 4 1/2 to 5 cords a winter and every year I wonder if this will be the last year I can do it. It's all cut split and stacked for another year.

I just read the following comment on a youtube video.

gearl comments on Sep 6, 2018:

I would have to do some research about the military companies but I have read some reports but it's too long ago to remember the circumstances. They have been selling off extremely expensive properties in New York City and building all new headquarters upstate. They were a member of the United Nations for years which in their literature they said was the beast of Revelation. They also have a scheme that they use where they build Kingdom Halls with volunteer labor and have the congregation paying for the material and then they tell the congregation to sell and consolidate two halls for a while and then have them again build a new one again. I don't really keep up with everything but check things out once in a while. Everything they do at WT Headquarters is with volunteers who are paid slave labor and now they are cutting labor and these people are being left out in the cold with no job skills to live on.

I would never debate someone on their religious beliefs (unless they ask to have that debate) but I ...

gearl comments on Sep 6, 2018:

I don't debate folks unless they try to proselytize me. Then the gloves come off. Welcome to the group.

Questions for Democrats: Which Candidate is your top choice to run for President in 2020?

gearl comments on Sep 6, 2018:

I would still like to live long enough to see a woman as president. Having said that I will vote for whoever is nominated but please, someone a bit younger than Joe or Bernie.

Congress members retire from office in order to work as lobbyists.

gearl comments on Sep 6, 2018:

Yes!

Two Jehovah's Witness women just stopped by.

gearl comments on Sep 6, 2018:

How good are you with Biblical knowledge. JWs tend to know the Bible and their beliefs better than most but not that much better. It might be fun to get into a discussion if you know enough to honestly engage them. You never know how far you might get.

Is anyone about ready to disown family members who are Trump supporters?

gearl comments on Sep 6, 2018:

You can't talk about other things than Trump? If you can't agree to not bring up politics, then I don't know what to tell you. Family should be more important than current politics and this will pass, sometime . . . . . .or we're all doomed.

My husband and I have agreed to leave the super strict church we attend (I’ve been there ...

gearl comments on Sep 6, 2018:

I've been through a period in life somewhat similar and it didn't end well at least for a while. In the end it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I wish you the best and hope you can work it out but don't sacrifice what you know is right for a period of extreme aggression. You will all lose in the end if that happens.

Did anyone hear about this?

gearl comments on Sep 6, 2018:

I find myself with a real problem when people are not allowed to speak about any subject, the only exception being when a person is actively encouraging violence. I've watched Sarah Haider enough to know that she would be the last person to do that. The growing tendency to condemn blasphemy is very worrisome to the right of free speech. This is an area that I am in direct opposition to people on the extreme left.

Bob Woodward brought down the White House and Nixon with his writings in the Washington Post with ...

gearl comments on Sep 5, 2018:

It won't bring him down but it might help push him over the edge. I plan on reading it when I can get a copy.

What's your idea of marriage with or without children?

gearl comments on Sep 3, 2018:

My idea of marriage is a contract between two people. If that agreement works for them that's all that counts. I like the idea of an agreement to live by. Other than that I won't criticize anyone else to live however they want as long as it isn't harmful to others.

When u r at ur table at a restaurant and at the table next to u see 8 ppl holding hands and bowing ...

gearl comments on Sep 3, 2018:

It's their right.

How against religion are you?

gearl comments on Sep 3, 2018:

The more fundamentalist the religion is the more I am against it. The more fundamentalist a religion is the more people seem to feel that they can control other's lives and thoughts and even ideas.

Overpopulation

gearl comments on Sep 3, 2018:

I believe that climate change and the shortage of water is going to happen much more quickly than most folks think. As ocean levels raise there will be a lot of people having to move inland and as aquifers dry up a lot of people will be short of water. What's left will be very overpopulated leaving less land for agriculture. Things seem to take a long time to happen but when they happen it occurs very quickly.

Is There Any Historical Proof for the Existence of Jesus? | Owlcation

gearl comments on Sep 3, 2018:

I haven't personally heard of this lady before but she does present the material in a very readable and informative way. I've read the books she referenced and watched numerous debates and I am pretty much a mythicist so thanks for the reference.

Evolution Definitively Proven As Scientists Capture First-Ever Footage Of Chimpanzee Transforming ...

gearl comments on Sep 3, 2018:

I'm sure that creationists will use this as proof that folks that study evolution are liars trying to misinform their children..

[cheatsheet.

gearl comments on Sep 3, 2018:

I would tend not to believe that as when I clicked on links they weren't to reputable sites but only to another page on the same site.

Did anyone else hear the phrase ‘common grave’ a lot when talking about hell?

gearl comments on Sep 3, 2018:

I've been out for nearly 40 years and that doesn't ring a bell. Maybe something that's become common. The JWs always took pride in their unique vocabulary and used to brag that they would be hard to infiltrate because a stranger would be obvious because he wouldn't understand their words and phrases.

No belief in a god but belief in the supernatural?

gearl comments on Sep 2, 2018:

I agree, there's no evidence for either.

Well I'm stumped! Can anyone explain this?

gearl comments on Sep 2, 2018:

Good one!

I recently got into the series Supernatural. Anyone else like that show?

gearl comments on Aug 31, 2018:

We've been watching it since season one and have watched all episodes. We withdraw for a while but then go back and catch up.

Of those who have read (or watched on YouTube) Richard Carrier's & Robert Prices' research into the ...

gearl comments on Aug 31, 2018:

I tend to believe that in the overall scheme of things it doesn't matter one way or the other but I do tend to be a mythicist.

Simon and Garfunkle show thier love for 45. [twitter.com]

gearl comments on Aug 31, 2018:

Great!

Ted Cruz re-election poster.

gearl comments on Aug 31, 2018:

I watched Beto on Maher's show. He is cool.

So, in the mail today: A flyer for something called The Midnight Cry.

gearl comments on Aug 30, 2018:

For anyone interested, I remember reading about "The Midnight Cry," a publication written around 1844 after William Miller's "Great Disappointment." From Miller's legacy came Seventh Day Adventists, the Bible Students, and Jehovah's Witnesses. It sounds like this preacher, C. Parker Thomas, has revived some of those old ideas to found himself another church based on the old eschatological ideas of Miller.

Has anyone read fighting god by david Silverman?

gearl comments on Aug 29, 2018:

I enjoyed it. Pretty much read like his presentations, in your face but I think he makes strong points. A lot of people don't like people being critical of the religious. A lot of us were inspired by those same writers and speakers.

YOUR BADGE A DEA officer stopped at a ranch in Texas, and talked with an old rancher.

gearl comments on Aug 29, 2018:

I liked that!

Ted Cruz in virtual tie with Beto O'Rourke, Emerson College poll finds

gearl comments on Aug 29, 2018:

It's interesting that the young folks support O'Rourke. Texas may change over the next few years as the elderly die off. I hope so even if I won't be here to see it.

Voted in the FL Dem Primary today.

gearl comments on Aug 28, 2018:

Some folks actually have difficulty getting to the voting place because of circumstances. I voted two weeks ago and that option gives me an opportunity to look up candidates and issues on the ballet in my own time as my ballot was mail in.

This is spot on

gearl comments on Aug 28, 2018:

Because it's so true it is really sad.

I am in love!

gearl comments on Aug 28, 2018:

About anybody would be better than Ted Cruz but he would be way better!

McCain conspiracists say his brain cancer was a hoax - The Washington Post

gearl comments on Aug 28, 2018:

It's disturbing that conspirators even have a voice today. I might say that a lot of us don't have a sub to the WP.

For those of you who came from deeply ingrained religious beliefs, how did you shift your beliefs ...

gearl comments on Aug 28, 2018:

I was raised a true believer and remained one until almost 40. My crises of conscience came from the religion itself. They came out and demanded that followers couldn’t disagree with anything said by them. I began to read the history of the church and learned the truth about them. It still took me years to completely divorce myself from religious indoctrination. Time and dedication to the truth changed my perspective.

Lady comes to my door.

gearl comments on Aug 28, 2018:

A couple of JWs came and I told them I was atheist and didn't at all believe what was written in the Bible. What's the next thing they do? Tell me something and prove it by reading from the Bible.

I really dislike changing clocks twice a year.

gearl comments on Aug 28, 2018:

I must be the only Arizonian that voted so far.

Are political comments regarding the Florida voting allowed here?

gearl comments on Aug 28, 2018:

Go for it. Politics.

Having watched countless debates between creationists and atheists, I am not interested in watching ...

gearl comments on Aug 28, 2018:

I enjoy hearing new points of view and no matter how many debates I have watched I still hear new ones. I can agree with your point when it comes to creationism verses science but it's still much more enjoyable seeing a creationist getting trounced than having to think about the government we are now subjected to.

Religion is such a sad thing.

gearl comments on Aug 28, 2018:

That's true!

Trumper is the least moral,religious,faithful,truthful president in US history.

gearl comments on Aug 28, 2018:

When your whole life is based on lies, perhaps you respect a liar.

Does religion tell us what is right or wrong or does that come from society and training by our ...

gearl comments on Aug 28, 2018:

From my personal experience, from my reading “holy books”, from the current stories coming out of Pennsylvania, and from the evangelical pick for President I would say that it certainly isn’t from religion. As our parents get their morals from society, I would conclude that morals or ethics are a societal construct.

Do you find nudity in art unacceptable and why or why not?

gearl comments on Aug 28, 2018:

IMHO clothing was another way for the clergy class to control people. People wear clothing as protection from the elements but the creation of rules and regulations as to what to wear came from the need for a ruling class to regulate their subjects, to put them in their place of subjection. Perhaps it is time that people can decide for themselves what to wear and what to look at.

What makes people join a cult? What happens when you join a cult?

gearl comments on Aug 28, 2018:

It’s hard to define a cult. To many it’s just someone else’s religion. To me the outstanding trait is the us-them mentality bringing with it the “never question the ‘truths’ that are coming down to you from either a charismatic leader or a group of individuals” that a member cannot criticize. People join because these groups offer fellowship and belonging missing in folk’s lives. When an individual investigates joining the group they are love-bombed and made to feel right at home and this continues until they officially join when things start to change. I was raised JW and remained until nearly 40. They work this way and I believe Scientologists, Mormons, evangelicals and numerous other fundamentalist groups do too.

Jacksonville shooting suspect: A serious player in the high-pressure, big-money world of competitive...

gearl comments on Aug 27, 2018:

The problem with your link is not everybody's subscribed to the Washington Post.

How trumpers see the world [youtube.com]

gearl comments on Aug 27, 2018:

Funny, thanks for that!

Just wondering, how many feel like I do.

gearl comments on Aug 27, 2018:

McCain was someone you could agree to disagree with, someone with who you could disagree on most all policies but still respect as a person. How many Republicans left can I say that about. Off hand, I can't think of any.

Obedience and submission, from the Aug 2018 broadcast [twitter.com]

gearl comments on Aug 25, 2018:

I finally made a decision about what I would tolerate because I went to an elder's meeting in Phoenix where they said that JWs couldn't disagree with anything that came through the faithful and discreet slave class i.e., WT publications. I had always disagreed with certain things and this was a crisis for me and I went back to my home congregation and turned in my resignation as an elder. Needless to say I didn't last long after that. It is this requirement of absolute obedience that makes them a cult in my opinion and they haven't changed much since the early eighties.

A couple times I’ve atttempted to show my mom that JWs are a culture she responds with “do you ...

gearl comments on Aug 25, 2018:

I would ask her about the rest of Christianity. Do you believe they would believe in something false? How about Islam? Do you believe over a billion Muslims would believe something false? Mormons? Are they cults? What is a cult? Try to make her think.

I wonder how many people here were born Atheist/Agnostic or were perhaps brought up religiously then...

gearl comments on Aug 25, 2018:

I too was raised to be a JW and remained one until I was nearly 40. I went from true believer to atheist but it took awhile.

Anyone else hope Bernie Sanders runs in 2020?

gearl comments on Aug 25, 2018:

I have the utmost respect for Bernie but I believe we need someone younger.

How weird, of all well known Republicans there's only one that was honest and lived with integrity ...

gearl comments on Aug 25, 2018:

He died about 4:30 Arizona time. I agree with your assessment.

I’m thinking about dumping Netflix.

gearl comments on Aug 25, 2018:

I'm in the same boat. I watch a lot more YouTube than Netflix.

Republicans Projected to Pick up Seventy Seats in Prison | The New Yorker

gearl comments on Aug 25, 2018:

I hope!

I'm not a big country fan but Keith Urbans tribute to the Bee Gees was really good.

gearl comments on Aug 25, 2018:

I too am not a large fan of country but I do like Keith Urban and I liked the Bee Gees. I also still like quite a bit of country from decades ago. When the Dixie Chicks got crucified I pretty much lost what was left of any semblance of liking most country.

What do you think will happen to individual witnesses if the ORG financially collapses?

gearl comments on Aug 25, 2018:

From some of the articles I've read this has been happening for some time. People who have been at Bethel for a large part of a life time have been let go with no training to live in the real world and with no benefits to draw on. I can think back as far as Ray Franz who was forced out in the early eighty's. There might be many more at the time of collapse, but which is worse, that happening or the WT being able mistreat people endlessly. It could be that those folks would get publicity and receive help from that. Like all destructive cults, the WT needs to go.

In the past few months I’ve taken to country music.

gearl comments on Aug 24, 2018:

I liked country music 40 years ago but like everything else it too has become politicized and with very few exemptions I can't stand to listen to it anymore. Of course I too was a different person 40 years ago.

Is Sessions growing a spine? At loooonnngg last?

gearl comments on Aug 23, 2018:

Perhaps he can see the writing on the wall and wants to go out with a smidgen of self-respect.

Hello everyone I'm new here!

gearl comments on Aug 23, 2018:

Welcome and I hope you find things you enjoy.

You can't fix stupid

gearl comments on Aug 23, 2018:

Funny! I certainly do hope maybe we can instead replace some stupid soon.