And God Created Man On the very first day, God created the cow.

phxbillcee comments on Dec 30, 2017:

I guess the best response is "cute".

Isn’t it strange how life seems backwards?

phxbillcee comments on Dec 30, 2017:

This may well be the case at times, no doubt, but one has to watch for "confirmation bias" here. Most often "success" seems to go to those that push for it, rather than falling in one's lap unwanted. &, yes, you can say some women that didn't "want" a child get pregnant, well, they obviously had unprotected sex w/out benefit of birth control, so,...Also, many women do plan for children, & have them, but, unfortunately, some who wish kids have different medical conditions that can prevent it.

figured you guys might like this :) steal away :P I sure did lmao

phxbillcee comments on Dec 29, 2017:

Ain't that the truth!

What was the first religion and when was it first followed or worshipped?

phxbillcee comments on Dec 29, 2017:

The first religion(s) were most likely a type of pantheism/ancestor worship. Anthropomorphizing things like storms, lightning, wind, the sun, volcanoes. Probably even trees, brooks, rivers, etc. And death had to be much more frightening early on (& for many it still is, hence one of the reasons religions hang on), so where did the dead "go"? Did they stay around to watch us? Did they try to still guide the tribe? Did they team up with the "nature beings/gods" or is that what they became? Having no answers to the fundamentals of what was happening around them, stories arose to try & answer these things. Some, obviously, were better storytellers, & found that they could acquire an advantage with their people spinning certain "explanations". Ta-Da! Religion is formed!

To My Christian Friends: Be honest, how would you feel if: Lawmakers wanted to use your tax ...

phxbillcee comments on Dec 27, 2017:

You hit the nail on the head! Of course, the xtians "excuse" is that this country was founded by xtians on xtian values, a total re-writing & reinterpretation of history.

I’ve been on this site almost a week now, and haven’t received a single unsolicited dick pic so ...

phxbillcee comments on Dec 26, 2017:

Any asked-for ones???

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

phxbillcee comments on Dec 26, 2017:

You can say, "I find no reason or proof to believe that way. What is your idea of "god" & why do you believe?" I, myself, do state that I am an atheist, but I am trying to be somewhat less confrontational & attempting to master some of the lessons of "Street Epistemology".

Boyfriend is agnostic, I'm an atheist. How to cope with disagreements?

phxbillcee comments on Dec 26, 2017:

Well, Your BF doesn't seem like even a real agnostic. I consider myself an agnostic atheist. That is 2 totally different things. Atheism states that, usually for reasons of lack of proof, that one doesn't believe in a god or gods (& quite often the supernatural in general). Agnostic states that one has no knowledge about a particular stance or belief. One is a belief, the other is "knowledge". It can be a fine line, I realize, but there is a difference. I have no knowledge regarding a god & therefore have no belief. Many theists may be agnostic theists, & just believe, some believe they are gnostic theists, which is dubious, at best. & there are even gnostic atheists, & I think that is a bit of a stretch also, because I don't see how the "god" question has a knowledge basis on one side or the other. I think it is far more likely that no god exists, but I cannot state unequivocally that such is the case. I have no proof, just a lot of observations that make me lean to un-belief!

What is your response when people threaten you with religious punishments? (i.e. Hell/Jahannam)

phxbillcee comments on Dec 26, 2017:

Varn: Thanks for the AC/DC!

What is your response when people threaten you with religious punishments? (i.e. Hell/Jahannam)

phxbillcee comments on Dec 26, 2017:

Laughter!

Is there a symbol I can wear for spiritualist which equates to the christian cross?

phxbillcee comments on Dec 26, 2017:

Casper the Friendly Ghost? Sorry, don't mean to be snarky, but as an atheist I'm not a big fan of the "supernatural" at all. & "spiritual" seems not only wishy-washy, but kind of a cop-out, as well. Do we all have more than just a material basis? Probably. But the term "spiritual" carries about as much baggage as "theist", & can mean just as much or as little as the individual wants to put in it. What type of "spiritual"? Pantheist? "New Age"? Ethereal beings? Buddhist or Taoist? Pagan? All may have their own type of "symbol". Maybe a yin/yang symbol?

How comfortable are you with the word "Atheist" ?

phxbillcee comments on Dec 24, 2017:

I agree Atheism is the default position, but I wear it proudly if for no other reason that believers in Santa Claus don't try to dictate political & social issues as theists do. FFR is an important issue & I'll stand behind it any way I can!

Cheech & Chong - Santa Claus and his Old Lady - YouTube

phxbillcee comments on Dec 24, 2017:

Yep, as MsOliver stated below, it's like "Alice's Restaurant" on Thanksgiving! Surely does give away our age, tho, don't it!!!

What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?

phxbillcee comments on Dec 24, 2017:

I think it would be no different, as I judge myself, anyway. I think we all do, some more harshly than others. We are the final arbiters of our actions, tho society, friends & family do have some input, in one way or another.

What is your standard of evidence, regarding religious claims?

phxbillcee comments on Dec 23, 2017:

Well, faith won't cut it. I agree, "extraordinary claims require extraordinary explanations". As you've stated, & has Matt Dillahunty (sp?), if god is the god often put forward, omni-omni, then it would know what would convince me, & I totally agree that I would need outside verification to ensure that I wasn't just imagining the "proof". Then, after a proof of a creator-being, we then need to show whether that being is actually the same being any of the religions put forth, & they all would have some 'splainin' to do! Also, as you stated, I would then still be hard pressed to actually "worship" that being. Acknowledge, ok, respect, maybe, worship,...probably not. Especially being a Yank, the idea of bending the knee to any creature is anathema. Respect has to be earned, worship, well... Sorry to be crude, but I don't even worship (lady parts), tho I do love them & recognize their power! (Kudos to Joe Rogan!) (I think that's right, the host of "Fear Factor") Anyway, there is also the point that Arthur C. Clarke brought up, any significantly advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic, which is the definition of most gods. So, a god or gods, or a bunch of advanced E.T.'s??? Bottom line, I could be convinced, but it would take a lot. I won't rely on faith or wishful thinking & most especially not on ancient bronze/iron age texts, from any culture!

I would like to start a new church.

phxbillcee comments on Dec 23, 2017:

I'm not sure,...as some of the others have posted the term "church" is definitely a loaded one. Of course "tax-free" is a plus, but then I am for religions to lose that status & only be able to operate just as secular non-profits do.

What are your feelings on Christmas?

phxbillcee comments on Dec 23, 2017:

Actually a complicated question. X-mas for me is a familial/cultural/societal holiday, not religious. It has also become so commercial that it ends up being less than "happy" or "merry" for that reason. Also, it seems to start (the season) earlier & earlier, so that when the day finally arrives you just can't wait for it to be over, sort of like election season!

I have read some of the posts about polyamory.

phxbillcee comments on Dec 23, 2017:

Depends on the relationship the two had. If it was just a "hook-up" there is no reason to "tell all". Bottom line, tho, is that if there is a real relationship possibility, honesty is ALWAYS the best policy, just to be fair & show respect. I'm a long-time Heinlein fan, & he brought up some interesting points about different forms of "marriage" & relationships. We humans tend to get all confused about sex/relationships, mostly because we are still an evolving bunch of primates & because or culture is permeated by religious & sexually repressive "norms". We, as a race & culture need to grow up, in many ways, & I belive humanism & secularism at least get us on the right track.

Are you an open or closet agnostic/atheist, and why?

phxbillcee comments on Dec 23, 2017:

I am an open/active atheist, trying to be less confrontational & trying to "learn" Street Epistemology". I just got an "atheist atom" tatooed on my right forearm as a conversation starter (& because it looks so good! LOL). I will not hide, tho I try to be understanding & respectful, because as xtians are supposed to do, I disagree & dislike & disbelieve the viewpoint & religion, not necessarily the person who holds those views.

Are atheists a growing population?

phxbillcee comments on Dec 23, 2017:

To the best of my knowledge, tho it may be off by a few years, is that "Nones" are the fastest growing "religious" category, at least in the US. Europe already has a large agnostic/atheist population, tho that may be shifting due to the recent huge influx of refugees.