How important is it to the average athiest or agnostic to debunk religious beliefs?

jacpod comments on Feb 14, 2018:

I cant speak for anyone else but it isn't important to me at all. I don't mind playing sometimes when people get downright uptight but mostly I don't bother them and they don't bother me - There are some Legion of Mary women who come to our housing scheme sometimes and honestly they just chat - Pretty sweet, they aren't hurting anyone, and they just join in the non religious conversation thats going on - Yes I feel the same whatever floats your boat!

What made you wake up?

jacpod comments on Feb 14, 2018:

no one ever made me sleep walk through it my parents were agnostic; and meeting religious people who were trying to convert me didnt work - I learned to read at a very early age and was captivated by good story - christian stories were rubbish. No hook no real explanations of how things happened -doh!

Is blocking someone on Facebook because of too many religious "shares" intolerant?

jacpod comments on Feb 14, 2018:

Oh Maudie Me! I have few Facebook friends and only those who I know aren't going to give me any grief, I'd have no hesitation in unfriending someone who was being a nuisance- Its there for you to have a bit of fun and follow your interests- good luck!

Do you identify as a Highly Sensitive Person? Or, not at all? What do you think of the term?

jacpod comments on Feb 14, 2018:

I have a problem with loud noises - I have a pronounced startle effect and I avoid loud music a lot of the above applies to me but not all I don't get rattled don't need to go to bed and I am not sure that I would like the label h.s.p applied to me.A lot of my life experience has been weird because of a weird upbringing its seems amazing to me that childhood trauma can last such a long time.

Do you believe that science "although it is accurate" is telling the facts and only facts about the ...

jacpod comments on Feb 14, 2018:

I think that science is forever evolving we think we know something then some other piece of information comes along that doesn't seem to fit unless other bits are shifted around - I don't mean its happening all the time but new theories are proposed often, So in some ways I imagine that we are perpetually in the dark moving into the light As I am nothing like a scientist the only thoughts that I have are pretty personal my paternal grandmother died of diabetes only a month before insulin was discovered she had a shock in the war seeing a munitions factory blown sky high with many of her friends in it and developed the illness - Now we are pretty good at managing diabetes and probably getting better all the time - I don't know about all of the human race but I have hope that there are people clever enough to find solutions to all sorts of problems.

Reasons for attending church or mass

jacpod comments on Feb 14, 2018:

Where i live in sheltered accommodation A lot of people go to church and mass as something to do - a reason to get out of the house and socialise with someone who they know from outside here. Its only my thinking but the familiarity of it must seem comfortable - When I am with old friends we slip into old ways of being and its comfortable, all the edges are known.

So, I "met" a guy on another dating site months ago, we have exchanged emails sporadically, ...

jacpod comments on Feb 14, 2018:

awwwwwH! Thats mean of him!

What is your definition of God?

jacpod comments on Feb 14, 2018:

God - a bit like the bogeyman invented to keep people in order and obeying rules.

How do you deal with Door-knockers?

jacpod comments on Feb 14, 2018:

I dont get them any more as I live in sheltered accommodation, my granny used to let them in make them tea and cakes and nod in all the right places and when they had gone say -"I have done my bit for the day they left some other poor soul in peace whilst i had them here

How important is it to the average athiest or agnostic to debunk religious beliefs?

jacpod comments on Feb 14, 2018:

I don't get involved so it isnt important to me at all - I think if I let them start, it will go on forever.

Do you have any beliefs that aren't supported by evidence?

jacpod comments on Feb 14, 2018:

Not really unless it counts that I believe my chair will support my weight - so, there might be a difference between logical and undisprovable, illogical beliefs. My Granny believed that the first men in space didnt happen outside a T.V Studio and its such a lovely one I would like to believe that too ,but I don't

How much of a heretic are you?

jacpod comments on Feb 14, 2018:

Never thought about it till you brought it up -If there were a Heretics Anonymous it would be HA! but no I never believed so yet another club I cant join.

Atheists Are Brainwashed By The Scientific Method

jacpod comments on Feb 14, 2018:

How does that work if I am an artist and haven't a scientific bone in my body and I can reassure you that I am a truly happy soul and it does rather seem that you are the one spreading the misery here - I am sorry for that theres a whole beautiful world out there to play - try to stop your moping and play in it.

Cremation or burial for your funeral?

jacpod comments on Feb 14, 2018:

Gonna burn - interestingly I live in the Northern Ireland countryside and a new crem has just opened quite close to me- When I was at Art College for my final piece I bought a cardboard coffin and covered it in symbols of all kinds - nice dress rehearsall but I think I may g this way but let my family do the arwork my small family have been talking for years about our funeral lists so I'm mhoping at least it wont be a tame affair.

I am caught between a rock and a hard place! I have to move in less than month, I must go thru an ...

jacpod comments on Feb 13, 2018:

if you donate them to the library you can always go back and take them out again - at least worth a talk with your local librarian

Where do you get your morals from?

jacpod comments on Feb 13, 2018:

I think I had quite a good grounding in manners I was a youngster in 1952 playing out in the road (few cars and they were going slow) the older girls would make the games and we would just join in everything -and we also played (illicitly) in a bombed tennis court that had grown wild climbed trees etc. I think post war London suburbs were full of children because of repopulating post war- We ran wild but had our own rules I was taught to always be polite to anyone who knocked at the door and invite them in - to say 'please' thankyou' and 'may I leave the table please?' I was also taught that no matter how rough someone looked we were to be polite.Apart from that we were pretty ferrule and left to look out for ourselves. Sent out to play in the morning and called in at night (adn aways told not to go near the bombsite)

Have you ever been skinny dipping?

jacpod comments on Feb 13, 2018:

It were freezing.

If you were given the chance, would you like to stay a certain age forever?

jacpod comments on Feb 13, 2018:

hard choice but I think, no, as each year has brought me understandings that I wouldn't have had if I was stuck in 'groundhog year' - Now I am nearing seventy its interesting to see the challenges. I move slower am again less certain of myself , more breathless but with 'some' wisdom of age that allows me to laugh, because nothing is so important really, also people dont take me for granted I haven't yet been helped across the road but shall I think enjoy it if it ever happens. One of my problems is that i actually look and sound a lot younger than i am so by the time i do need help I may not get it . I find it interesting though.

Believer Bashing?

jacpod comments on Feb 13, 2018:

I dont think I am a believer basher but my eyes do go up into my head when I get bashed by religious zealots, the first time it happened I was only fourteen and I had never had a religion- I understand what you are saying about the hypocrisy, and I dont expect ,respect because the people who do proseletyse without mercy are very different from those of us who keep quiet about our non beliefs and as far as I am concerned I am never the one who starts it and always the one to walk away upset.

Have you ever made a change to your environment that made a noticeable improvement to your sense of ...

jacpod comments on Feb 13, 2018:

it was my working environment and i took my boss to a tribunal, but the result was 'case not proven', what made it happy was that I got compensation and hightailed it out of there - I did actually see him again as a few years later , I was invited to his new place of work (by his college) to do a creative expressive therapy group - It was great ignoring him, and even greater that our group got on well together and laughed and cried a lot - something he could never manage, revenge is sweet!

How do you see youself in 5 years?

jacpod comments on Feb 13, 2018:

I'll be 75 I imagine my back will be worse and I'll have to be braver about that - I am an artist so as long as my hands dont give up the ghost I'll be able to still make my sculptures and play around with different materials - At the moment I do a lot of washing ironing and mending for money for charity - When I get to £100.00 I ask anyone where they want to to go to - Thats something that keeps me busy and active.I do enjoy watching crime serials on T.V and love reading so hopefully htere will always be something to amuse me .

What made you wake up?

jacpod comments on Feb 13, 2018:

I was born into a family of agnostics who had a poor time in the last war, my mother was a welder in the east end, on the dockfront ,my father was a spitfire pilot, later all around the theatre of war as communications officer - my wider family were all part of the war effort and when i was born post war they were tired and messed up. The house they lived in was bombed the women on the barrage balloon at the end of their garden were machine gunned and daylight raiders flew down the Thames to machine gun the open factories They were too tired to embrace the peace had seen too much they couldn't unsee. I dont think I woke up I was always awake to the misery that can be caused and no amount of being told there was a loving sky god up there would have made me believe in one .

Are you an atheist who nonetheless wants ritual, holidays, reverence for Nature and social community...

jacpod comments on Feb 13, 2018:

No I stay indoors for all the major onesI think my holidays are enough pleasure in themselves without me ramping them up with reverence. I enjoy my life - I love gardening watching the birds its all great fun and I enjoy it but its not mystical.

Have you ever stopped reading a book, listening to a song, or watching a show because it added ...

jacpod comments on Feb 13, 2018:

I hate happy clappy religious songs that become pop songs especially the ones that become mind worms.

Why do people think you need to believe in a god and read the bible and or go to church to live a ...

jacpod comments on Feb 13, 2018:

I think the whole idea is a comfort for some people and so that is why it continues, despite being unbelievable to many of us - I don't know that I'd want to rip someones comfort blanket off them just to bring them to reality before they are ready. I agree that to lead a good life you just go for it develop a conscience and try to be a kind person when you can- To be honest I have met many people who were religious, that I never knew were, so it doesn't have to be in your face just a private whim - Its the ones who are in the sects that need to proseletyse that cause difficulty.

Taboos, sex and religion

jacpod comments on Feb 13, 2018:

Yes I was thinking of incest and also having a child at an age where you are still a child yourself I had schoolfriends who were really messed up by the pretence that the child they had ,was really their mother's, and carrying the social stigma and fear of being found out - I may be incredibly naiive but would imagine there are only so many masturbatory fantasies.

Are you happy?

jacpod comments on Feb 13, 2018:

fairly often, I think that is because I live in a pretty much no hassle housing scheme; 26 flats, we pretty much are all getting on , so we are "all 'getting on!" I also have a wonderful partner who lives above me and is sweet and kind and we share chores and look after each other - Yes I may moan at times but life is good.

The xian right has a way of picking and choosing verses, and we here is proof.

jacpod comments on Feb 12, 2018:

Oh my word - thats horrendous!

I'd like throw down a new challenge

jacpod comments on Feb 12, 2018:

I'd like to think the world could teach , a new thought every day And maybe then we all could reach the place where we could play With innocence and love and care and all the thoughts that we could share So Join in now, dance have some fun, Laugh a lot - Lifes Not a race to be run

I'm hopeful that I bought my last pack of cigarettes today.

jacpod comments on Feb 12, 2018:

my best wishes to you in all your endeavours enjoy your well won freedoms!

What moral code do you follow now that you are non-religious?

jacpod comments on Feb 12, 2018:

I dont know that I have one or want one - A code I mean - I think my morality is spontaneous and only fit, for each occasion it is needed . If something happens me I might have to go away and think about it - Recently I was beaten up for no reason and I immediately called the police who came and sorted it . Once when I was living in Liverpool a group of us women had gone to a 'reclaim the night march for women' - On the way home in the dark , we were attacked and a woman had her handbag snatched - We all gave chase but I was very slow witted and a slow starter whereas some of the other women were right on the nail - sprinting after him like whippets. So I think the reaction just comes and whatever it is I will live with it!

Vegan vs non-vegan diet for babies

jacpod comments on Feb 12, 2018:

I thought you were really clear actually - but I ma not clear about an answer - I'm vegan but not by choice i have several allergies and have to watch what I eat but I know you can have a balanced vegan diet and so long as the baby thrives ---- I agree with you about all choices are the parents - until the child decides to spit unwanted tastes or textures out again. When I was growing up I wouldnt eat anything that wasnt the same texture all the way through and I wouldn't eat anything that had touched anything else on my plate - gravy was a terrible thought - mushing everythign together - cheese and cucumber not touching was fine I was indulged and have to a certain extent relaxed my childhood rules on food consumption (64 years later)

Anyone else have a psychotic parent or close family member?

jacpod comments on Feb 12, 2018:

I grew up in an abusive household and thankfully had the wit to move out at 15y.o. my father was abusive and mother was mentally unwell - I had a brother 8 years older than me whom I havent seen for over 30 years as he got off too. I think in some ways it was good preparation for meeting the outside world which I innocently thought was everything my family were not - so quite a shock to find the same kind of violence out there in the world - and as I have grown older I am more and more in control of my own responses to 'not love ' 'not kindnesses' I have no trouble walking away from people who are unkind.

Okay, how much do you procrastinate really?

jacpod comments on Feb 12, 2018:

I find it quite easy to do the things i have to do - I suppose because they keep me busy and at my age that is quite a good thing I dont have huge social engagements mainly just chores and keeping going in order not to seize up - Seems to me rowing older gives you time to do the things and have them as a pleasure rather than rushing to get everything sorted at a given time. I have enough time left for myself

How did we get to the point that religious people think their faith is more important than their ...

jacpod comments on Feb 12, 2018:

there was a news item years ago about a woman bus conductress I think who refused to take her crucifix off for work there was quite a big hoo- hah about it and I think she was sacked but not sure. I cant quite see why it is such a big deal I quite like the idea of knowing where people stand and given so many people have religious artifacts about their persons earrings in crosses etc. I think it's rather helpful to know

Priest Sexually Abused 10-Year-Old Boy, Said He’d “Ruin” Him If He Told Anyone – Friendly ...

jacpod comments on Feb 12, 2018:

I have heard this all to often (I live in Northern Ireland) and it went on far too long before anything was done about it ! Cowards all!

Relationship minded, what besides being a nonbeliever, are your must haves, and what are your deal ...

jacpod comments on Feb 12, 2018:

Non smoker. healthy living . Libertarian left, funny, kind, wicked sense of humour,not bothered what they look like - but I have been in a relationship with him for over 25 years now

What do you know that most others don’t?

jacpod comments on Feb 12, 2018:

What its like to live with Dissociative Identity Disorder.

Recently, I have been surrounded by a lot of death and it has started me really thinking about my ...

jacpod comments on Feb 12, 2018:

I have had 2 near death experiences one set off by 'measles with double pneumonia and London smog' when I was four years old - One in my twenties when I took a massive overdose of barbiturates- They were both experiences of the 'floating off kind' into the upper stratosphere with accompanying random pleasant images - nothing unpleasant just leisurely going up and away - Obviously I didnt make the whole trip and theres nothing to say it wont be unpleasant when I do die but I think coming to terms with death as an inevitability is a good start and that might include nothingness and I hope you live a long and fruitful life and experience a good end.

A lot of people have mentioned reading in the posts, so let's get a discussion going.

jacpod comments on Feb 12, 2018:

One hundred years of Solitude Gabriel Garcia Marquez, I loved it to pieces and thank you for reminding me it could be time to read again. I dont quite know how to pitch it - mainly its weird and enchanting.

Do you think other people generally see you, as you see yourself?

jacpod comments on Feb 12, 2018:

Nice post thanks, I think people find me weird more than anything else, I was called 'that weird child ' all the time when I was growing up. People were a bit scared of me as I was so old for my age. I understand the idea that - 'What others think and feel about me is none of my business' but I do get uneasy about how I relate to people as I had a very strange upbringing - its better all the time now I am just an 'auld doll 'soon to be 70. I also have D.I.D (M.P.D)so have to watch that I am not triggered in a way that might upset others. I live in sheltered accommodation and people here have got used to me so I guess apart from the fact that I dont have a baldie about some of the ways some of my alters live my life for me so I suppose a shorter answer would be I'm sure when I am with someone and doubtful afterwards at times.

Has anyone heard of an Atheist church? How to get one started.

jacpod comments on Feb 12, 2018:

No there are soft churches like the Universal Unitarians and Bahai who celebrate all religions but basically without 'faith'/gnostiscism, why would we need a church.

Is it consider mental abuse if someone preaches to you about their religion without your consent?

jacpod comments on Feb 12, 2018:

I think it is considered mental abuse if the recipient feels abused - Thats the only rule of thumb I have if you feel harassed, you are - I honestly feel that we all have a responsibility for our own actions and if I were ever to be pulled for this sort of behaviour I would seriously try to make amends in a way that didnt make it worse.

Do you think you are well informed?

jacpod comments on Feb 10, 2018:

Hard to be well informed in what is getting to be a post-truth world - I seriously feel I am living in craziest times ever .

Who's your favourite atheist?

jacpod comments on Feb 10, 2018:

my partner.

How can atheist make this world a better place?

jacpod comments on Feb 10, 2018:

Thats not my job really - I feel I am doing well enough at my end to not put my disappointments in life out on other people - try to be a good citizen and presume that goes for everyone atheist or religious.

Most common atheist stereotypes or misconceptions you've encountered?

jacpod comments on Feb 10, 2018:

I have met quite a few people who have a god , who when they find out I don't; want to know what it is that stops me behaving badly - I suppose badly means stealing and all that stuff whilst we are talking about god where does the bogeyman fit in because I was always told as a small child that the bogeyman would come for me in the night - also the tooth fairy came in the night and santa.

I appreciate that this site is 'Agnostic' and not atheist, but I'm interested to know how and why ...

jacpod comments on Feb 10, 2018:

It isn't a decision you have to make, I never decided there was no god, and obviously there is one for very many people, just I guess I didnt need one. Ignatius Loyola said give me a child till he's six and I'll have him for life! I think that has some truth in it .

What type of coffee is your favorite?

jacpod comments on Feb 10, 2018:

strong and black no sugar thanks

How real does the 7 year itch, figure in you life ?

jacpod comments on Feb 9, 2018:

Not really, I have ditched relationships if they became abusive but have been with my partner for 25 years

Life is what you make it? True or false?

jacpod comments on Feb 9, 2018:

well I think that the bits you can make of it are important - for instance putting in a lot of work to get a good degree ,and like any job, with living, there are 'unforseen's' that crop up - Like if youre in a motorway pile up that just happened as a fog came down or in a train crash or stuck in a lift with a mormon - some things you just have to get through but I think a positive can do attitude helps for the first bit.

You have 2 years left to live. What do you do?

jacpod comments on Feb 9, 2018:

I think as I am nearly 70 and have done my globetrotting it would be nice to just carry on as I am. I have a nice life books to read good relationships -Seems like an okay way to slip away . I dont have a yearning to fill any gaps and like pottering in the garden etc.

Have you delt with domestic abuse?

jacpod comments on Feb 9, 2018:

Yes! my family were never religious but they were abusive; my mother was bi polar -mainly manic and couldn't touch or be touched unless it was hitting/fighting. My father was a pilot in the war and then in ground wireless communications he came home pretty much as a shell of a person having done his duty but lost everything else, he was abusive in other ways. When I was fifteen my mother picked a fight with me and for the first time I fought back the look on her face was joyful - like - "Yes I've got you now!" - I left home the day afterwards . I really do think that abusive families have you believing that its all your fault and that youre a bad person.

Does Everything Come at a Price?

jacpod comments on Feb 9, 2018:

I suppose in the to'ing and fro'ing of relationships the price is overlooked, you pull together and each one does what they can, when someone feels they are bearing more of the brunt of the load if there isn't a discussion about sharing equally then yes . I worked in worker co-operatives for a lot of my life and we pulled together very well - So I think there needs to be a primary discussion about who does what and if that works out so everybody feels its fair - no loss. Laughter and Smiles dont come at a price.

The Reasons This Year's Flu Season Has Been Devastating Are, Yes, Mostly Your Fault

jacpod comments on Feb 9, 2018:

I got a flu jab in November it was very efficiently done, everyone in the town flocked to the health centre and joyful doctors looned around happily jabbing us because apparently it was a festive occasion and we were going to get really bad flu. I have been catching other peoples flu since then and have now today have seen my doctor and have to take a a course of antibiotics because I am worn out and white from it all - I hope something works by spring as I am looking and feeling like a like a zombie

Wabi-Sabi. Do you find beauty in imperfection?

jacpod comments on Feb 7, 2018:

I am an artist, so yes, and I have made many a raku pot that broke and I mended creatively. (Couldnt afford gold)

I feel like the atheist community needs to do more charity work. Any suggestions?

jacpod comments on Feb 7, 2018:

As far as I know there is no atheist 'community' out there in the real world rather than the internet and you only have to look on the internet to see what groups are operating read what they do ad pick the one you like. I live in sheltered accomodation and I mend clothes, iron ,an do washig for people who are unable they give me money - whatever they want to give and when I get up to £100.00, I send it iff to charity - I send to any charity at all any one that asks me to send to their charity I do.

At what point is charity necessary? At what point do you say NO?

jacpod comments on Feb 7, 2018:

There was a older man in Burnley Lancashire that I knew who was very sprightly and had decided to live on a very small amount per day he had no electricity or gas, got up when it was light went to bed when it got dark - In the daytime he walked and scavenged ate rotting fruit sometimes picked out of litter bins and looked for metal to weigh in when He got to £3.00 he stopped - he was the fittest person I think I ever knew - for his age and he was a beautiful soul. Scammed no one just totally self reliant.

My live , my own National Park.

jacpod comments on Feb 7, 2018:

nice one!

Atheisam

jacpod comments on Feb 7, 2018:

I knew I didnt believe before I ever found that word - probably about 13 because I went on CND marches and the older teens would look out for me and my friend so we didnt get hurt. I found out almost everything I ever needed to know from them although they laughed at our ignorance of everything they taught us well

In Ireland, especially in the country, we have the concept of "the cure" .

jacpod comments on Feb 7, 2018:

yes I am in Northern Ireland and someone in my housing scheme has a 'cure' for backs which he was given by someone else - (It doesnt seem to work) I think sometimes our mind is an amazing tool and we can make ourselves sick or make ourselves weller and having something to focus on - like the 'idea' of a 'cure' may well work - I have a doctor friend who had a patient who was a young girl who had a bad cut on her arm her brother who had been babysitting had said to her "I am going to sew this up and it wont hurt at all! He did with bright blue darning thread without a peep from the sister. When she got to my doctor friend he looked at it under the bandage saw it was an ok job and left it to heal. I guess the brother had been confidant enough for the girl not to fret.

Can well educated people be given the label as being an intellectual?

jacpod comments on Feb 7, 2018:

You have written an extremely clear account of yourself and your wants - You are intelligent. However many degrees we get we are still at the bottom of another learning process.

My neighbor is an atheist and I didn't know it.

jacpod comments on Feb 7, 2018:

well done you's all for finally getting there and hooking up. Maybe you need a special handshake or wear a rainbow coloured scarf to know friend from other.

Shocker: Flat-Earther Fails To Launch Homemade Rocket (Again) – Friendly Atheist

jacpod comments on Feb 7, 2018:

Its a wonder he didnt fall backwards off one of the four corners of the earth whilst trying to launch it.

One of my coworkers told me I'm a "better person than is", because I opted not to accept the ...

jacpod comments on Feb 7, 2018:

I think I need to understand the countries you live in because growing up in England, very few people are aware .,or care about of neighbours religious or non religious traditions - I cannot begin to imagine being frightened or closeting myself because of a belief - And yes I can see there is a nice compliment that came your way- Fear is, I was told, the worst emotion because it renders you helpless - Anger is the only emotion that is a force for change. Fear, sadness or happiness wont get someone off your foot who is standing on it but anger will.

Why is it when people who claim not to be religious still celibate religious holiday?

jacpod comments on Feb 7, 2018:

I don't celebrate any religious festivals but think celebrate is a dodgy word if someone wants to get married in a church because they are religious and invite me to come - I certainly would go without feeling a hypocrite because its a kindness and it isn't going to affect me one iota. I dont do Christmas or Easter mainly because I have no interest in the eating and drinking side of it and if someone wishes me Merry Christmas I will reply same to you without it damaging me at all - I live in sheltered accommodation and most people here are protestants or catholics so it doesn't hurt me to pass myself and would certainly hurt me if I got into lengthy discussions that would go nowhere about religion or religious divides. if someone in the street blesses me I say thankyou - It did me no harm and the main thing is --I let it go---

I don't usually post memes, but this one really reflects me well.

jacpod comments on Feb 7, 2018:

Yes that works for me, I try to be acceptant of what is rather than what I think ought to be, sometimes I get there, sometimes I forget to take that deep breath and reflect.

How old would you be if you forgot about your true age?

jacpod comments on Feb 7, 2018:

This is a tricky question for me as I have Dissociative Identity Disorder and I have 9 'alters' most of whom are children of different ages. My Body Age is 70 this next month so, pick any number.

I am surrounded by friends and family who still ascribe to christianity.

jacpod comments on Feb 7, 2018:

I actually know several people here in N.Ireland , a deeply divided religious country, who dont proseletyse and keep their religious sentiments to themselves if its a comfort to them, who am I to rip that off and what for? We dont harm each other - I think your last paragraph is chilling thats how genociides and wars start - I am a peaceful atheist/anarchist adn believe in 'so harm it none do as you will-

Have you ever retrospectively realized that someone's misplaced distrust in you was because you were...

jacpod comments on Feb 4, 2018:

I wouldn't bother myself giving it a thought, people do what they have to do, and think what they have to think - As long as I am OK with myself and what I am doing and how i am being thats all I have to worry about. If someone can effectively tag me outright to explain myself over their perception of my 'wrongness' I will play with them and if its in order I will apologise but only when I understand their problem with me,

Can you make an argument for why free will exists?

jacpod comments on Feb 4, 2018:

I dont need to, I have as free a will as I could have, my only limitation is consequences for me of using my free will, also I don t quite know how 'the layman' would define it

So this came up on my FB, and I thought it would be fun here.

jacpod comments on Feb 4, 2018:

Please could I have some more?

So an issue which is current, secular, controversial and strangely has religious support (I suppose ...

jacpod comments on Feb 4, 2018:

tell me what fapping is and I'll try an answer

So I decided to join a Grief Share group even though it is held at a church and is based on the ...

jacpod comments on Feb 4, 2018:

I wasnt in the group and each group has its own dynamics so a lot of my answer would have been some compromise for the group, - for my own safety. And I would need to know how others were likely to respond to me if I said something sharp because 'how' my answer came out would be as important as content. At this moment sitting here at my desk - I am thinking probably something like "What do you think is the difference between the feelings of a believer and a non believer?If you cut any one of us do we not bleed the same?"

Hello to all.

jacpod comments on Feb 4, 2018:

Hiya! Cant think if anything more to say exceppt yes good luck hope you enjoy it here!

When did you first doubt religion?

jacpod comments on Feb 4, 2018:

I am not sure I ever doubted it because my parents were atheist and we just never talked about it so for me it was a non runner, I went to a free school till I was nearly nine years old so religion wasnt anywhere in me - I went with different friends in my area to different sunday schools because the streets were bare of children playing out at that time they were all sent to sunday school - it was deadly dull low tide time so going was at least something, but it never touched me in the way that the books I read did. I mean how can you equate the stories without a story line with a book like Black Beauty which has humanity in it

Who never was religious?

jacpod comments on Feb 3, 2018:

I wasnt religious ever - I was exposed to it but just wasnt impressed as books were so much more interesting to me -

How to answer religious people's prejudiced remarks?

jacpod comments on Feb 3, 2018:

I am sorry you think and feel that way, but you'll have to excuse me, I need to go out for a breath of fresh air. ?

Did you ever have a job that sucked the life out of you?

jacpod comments on Feb 3, 2018:

yes when I was 15 I decided ot leave school and home and work then was a buyers market I could walk out of a job on Friday and into a new one the next Monday. My boring job was as a line checker for stockbrokers it consisted of checking the amounts on the stockbrokers fancy open up brochures with the amounts on a paper list - if they tallied you drew a line through the whole written transaction - It was mind numbingly boring.After two weeks I left to be a laboratory technician.

Do you let your emotions get in the way of rational thinking?

jacpod comments on Feb 3, 2018:

I think so! I was so mad about the Volkswagen scandal, (because I own one, it affects me) , I couldn't even think for a day, I was a total screw up after seeing the Netflix , 'Dirty Money'., program. It raised more issues for me than I could bear and so I went to bed and slept it off - Today feeling good to go and try to make decisions about what to do - had another volkswagen van ordered have cancelled will give myself time to think - But yes emotions are like flooding to the system and sometimes you can float along with and and sometimes have to take a stand adn figure out what is the best option to go forwards with.

Britons View Atheists As More Moral Than Believers, Religion More Harmful Than Good

jacpod comments on Feb 2, 2018:

All depends up on what part of Britain you are in - England is the least god fearing place overall but there are towns that are very religious. City of Liverpool is one of them. Protestants in Northern Ireland would be very hard line (people would call them Bitter Orange which is rather funny as its the name of an orangeade drink here) Catholics are in the minority but there are towns like the one I live in which are nearly 100% Catholic - The Catholics were originally driven out of the best farming areas to scrape a living but its getting more integrated all the time. But there are marches where you see the hate nad the marchers see themselves as super british.

I just became a level SIX! SIX! SIX! Super atheist.

jacpod comments on Feb 2, 2018:

well done you !

God is a ____________?

jacpod comments on Feb 2, 2018:

A man who lives in the sky, like Sant Claus and all dead people, possibly the tooth fairy is up there too and most certainly the devil. He god (and he has to be a he no matter what) has supreme power and is omnipotent which is why we don't get to see him down here . And here endeth the lesson.

Got my bi-yearly jury summons and wonder how everyone else handles the oath part.

jacpod comments on Feb 2, 2018:

In the uk we have the choice to ,affirm, so you just make a solemn oath and its acceptable. You could enquire if there is that option?

jacpod comments on Feb 2, 2018:

I think you have already said , and marked, for yourself what you need to have taken from this mans speech. Most of my atheist friends are adept at puzzling then realising that attributes to gods power are superfluous to requirements and can be dropped or edited out at a later date when we realise what we heard invoked the supernatural.

I work in addiction recovery services.

jacpod comments on Feb 2, 2018:

I think the solution for myself , when I meet this is to a) get a little bit angry which b) makes me close down a bit and reject everything, which wakes me up and helps me to get to c) a state where I can say this works for some people here this isn't working for me - thats ok so do I leave or do I try to wipe this bit out of my consciousness and actively ignore the goddy bits and take the interesting bits that people are giving me - I rather think that any social situation has a rubbing point somewhere that touches our alarm buttons and makes me want to say :"not in my name!" But mainly I don't because it isn't that important to me and seems that bit more important to them.

Did you ever find yourself the outcast in school or in society now?

jacpod comments on Feb 2, 2018:

Yes me too , at school I used to look at other children and wonder at their innocence and try to imagine how I could be anything other than an Outsider. Although I knew it was impossible - I rattled people just by being and never quite understood why - I still am an outsider but have met a kindred spirit so we can get a handle on it together - I don't mix much and I find it excruciating to have to indulge anyone in 'small talk'

If you've lost your parents, how much do you miss them?

jacpod comments on Feb 2, 2018:

I miss them like you'd miss a hole in the head, they were both mentally unwell and abusive and I let home at fifteen. I love that I know who I love and who hasn't a loving bone in their body so I can thank them for teaching me that I don't have to suffer abuse from anyone and also teaching me how to learn to love. My friend said 'they died to save us all'.

Is your state you live in a super religious state?

jacpod comments on Feb 2, 2018:

Whoah - and some! Northern Ireland is still hot for battles involving Prince William of Orange, adn the Pope. Wall ends are painted with large murals of him on his white horse. Parading season never seems to end . When I came here 25 years ago I couldn't understand one bit of the social context - The Troubles were still going strong as were peace talks that never went anywhere and were periodically suspended. (I don't think we are a state) N.I . Is a country allied to the UK rather than Southern Ireland. Great fun having a border to cross on such a tiny island. We have a train line that links Belfast and Dublin though and these days there are no customs officers on board looking for contraband.

Volunteerism has always been an important part of my life, even after leaving religion it is remains...

jacpod comments on Feb 2, 2018:

I live in sheltered accommodation and I do shopping and washing, ironing and mending for money for charity I let people give me what they want/ or have, to give and when I get £100 in my kitty box, I ask a different person each time which charity they want the money to go to. Many ask for it to go to religious organisations and that is their choice it doesn't impact on my life and what I do or don't do. So long as the money is going to somewhere useful I don't care what is believed in or what isn't by other people - I don't quite know why I am atheist I just grew up this way and to be honest its of little consequence for me to start thinking about something I don't believe in - I am not taking up time in my life to denying fairies or unicorns . As I said just now Religious places put some good in the world to and I wouldn't like to deny that . I most certainly wouldn't give to big business.

What’s your “guilty pleasure” song?

jacpod comments on Feb 2, 2018:

Incredible string band. Everythings fine right now!

What song would you want played for your funeral?

jacpod comments on Feb 2, 2018:

It changes all the time my family have a game we play about updating our funeral song list , Mine currently is "You'll never walk alone" My children grew up in Liverpool in their teenage years so should suit us all .

What song would you want played for your funeral?

jacpod comments on Feb 2, 2018:

It changes all the time my family have a game we play about updating our funeral song list , Mine currently is "You'll never walk alone" My children grew up in Liverpool in their teenage years so should suit us all .

What song would you want played for your funeral?

jacpod comments on Feb 2, 2018:

It changes all the time my family have a game we play about updating our funeral song list , Mine currently is "You'll never walk alone" My children grew up in Liverpool in their teenage years so should suit us all .

What theories do religious people in your life present for your agnosticism/atheism?

jacpod comments on Feb 1, 2018:

Nothing, thankfully, my whole family is atheist, yours sound like psychotherapists trying to find a reason for you affliction, Its their problem not yours so try to suck it up and smile knowingly when they start or hum a happy tune over their meanderings into your psyche.

Atheists are brave individuals by definition.

jacpod comments on Feb 1, 2018:

Nice thoughts thanks.

So I'm dating a catholic now.

jacpod comments on Feb 1, 2018:

if you love him let him be who he is and try to make a pact with him that neither of you will get in each others face about the subject of religion - And yes it is ridiculous to say that atheism is a religion its true meaning as a word is 'A" =(without) _Theism = god - so Atheism is being without a god just as; Theism is being with a god.

I'm a good man...you're a good woman...what's the problem?

jacpod comments on Feb 1, 2018:

I have never owned a mobile phone and never wish to I have seen the future and it sucks. I have someone I love who is loving, we don't live together, just nearby and have been partners for 25years life is good though the ageing process can be unkind.

What kind of snob are you?

jacpod comments on Feb 1, 2018:

I think that I might be a language snob, not in terms of grammar but conversation and how well it is enacted. I often find myself in one sided conversations with people telling me in huge detail how they do their nails and lipstick and eyeliner, one look at me would tell them that I don't do cosmetics at any time and am not too bothered about my hair as long as its still roughly on my head. I yearn for a good conversation.

If you could get rid of any emotion, which one would it be?

jacpod comments on Feb 1, 2018:

Hatred.