I will be attending my first Catholic funeral this week. My mother in law just died from cancer Friday night. Any of you who have read my blog before may remember my previous posts about my in-laws. They were a very big part in my becoming an atheist. Their over the top fundamentalist behavior ensured I would not become a Catholic.
My mother in-law died from ovarian cancer after three years of surgeries, chemo and prayer. I honestly think she thought God would save her. She was such a devoted servant, I can 't imagine she didn't hope for a miracle.
I did not grow up as a Catholic and will admit my exposure to Catholicism is very limited. But, during the last 18 years, I did not gain a favorable impression of it. What I saw was a woman who dedicated her whole life to the church, an anti-abortion activist, so focused she alienated her own flesh and blood.
During her very last visit, and we all knew it would be her last, all
she could do was parrot right wing jabs at just about everyone and
everything. Never once did she let down her facade of pious self righteousness. It was kinda sad for my children to see this behavior from their grandma and will only remember her last words as being judgmental
and negative.
I saw a woman so blinded by faith, she could not see her grandchildren for who they are and not what she thinks they should be. She will not be missed, she was never really here.
Sep 2, 2012
Mar 8, 2012
Just unsubscribed another "friend" on Facebook. Being an atheist is not getting any easier for me. My feed has less and less people, and more organizations or businesses. It's sad. I have no one locally to be real friends, someone who is like me.
This old friend, actually more of an acquaintance through my sister. Posted a silly "poster" she probably got it from one of her Facebook friends . I was bummed to find it on my feed. It went like this, "Why is there so much violence in our schools?, a concerned student. Because I'm not allowed in the schools, God." or something stupid like that.
Another clueless so called Christian, who does not understand what this really means. I posted this comment. "Sorry, that is not true."
Does she really want God in our schools? Which God, which prayers, how often?
Students are still allowed to pray in school, teachers are not allowed to lead prayer. Students are allowed to carry a bible and talk to other children about their religion, just not while class is in session. All government institutions shall remain neutral towards religion. Neither for nor against the establishment of religion.
I don't want public employees implying my kids are 2nd class citizens because they don't believe in the supernatural. Go ahead and send your kids to Sunday school, any which one you prefer, Its a private, personal choice and its none of anyone's business what I believe. There is no proof a belief in God will make society safer, just the opposite, the more fundamentalist a culture is, the more violent that society is.
This old friend, actually more of an acquaintance through my sister. Posted a silly "poster" she probably got it from one of her Facebook friends . I was bummed to find it on my feed. It went like this, "Why is there so much violence in our schools?, a concerned student. Because I'm not allowed in the schools, God." or something stupid like that.
Another clueless so called Christian, who does not understand what this really means. I posted this comment. "Sorry, that is not true."
Does she really want God in our schools? Which God, which prayers, how often?
Students are still allowed to pray in school, teachers are not allowed to lead prayer. Students are allowed to carry a bible and talk to other children about their religion, just not while class is in session. All government institutions shall remain neutral towards religion. Neither for nor against the establishment of religion.
I don't want public employees implying my kids are 2nd class citizens because they don't believe in the supernatural. Go ahead and send your kids to Sunday school, any which one you prefer, Its a private, personal choice and its none of anyone's business what I believe. There is no proof a belief in God will make society safer, just the opposite, the more fundamentalist a culture is, the more violent that society is.
Feb 26, 2012
Learn from Religion?
This in response to an opinion piece on CNN by what appears to be an atheist from the U.K. that thinks atheists should learn from religion.
I think I know what this fellow is trying to say, but his misunderstanding of atheists and secular society is so muddled, one can’t really tell what he means.
He thinks he speaks for atheists? That was the most irritating thing in this opinion piece. He doesn’t seem to know very many atheists and if he is one, he is an uneducated, inexperienced atheist and those are the worst kind.
Most atheists are very well aware of what religion does and does not do for individuals, that is why they are atheists! The reason why religion has been so successful, is because it was the only game in town and over the centuries was politically powerful and still is, but today many people are learning that the bad side effects of religion are not worth it. If you disagree, take the Christopher Hitchens challenge: “name one ethical statement made, or one ethical action performed, by a believer that could not have been uttered or done by a nonbeliever“. (No) And another challenge, “Can anyone think of a wicked statement made, or an evil action performed, precisely because of religious faith“? (Yes)
This fellow fails to mention how science has improved life for almost everyone alive today and has reduced suffering throughout the world. He needs to do more research about how beneficial a secular society is for both the believers and the non-believers. That’s right, never mind, he’s British. He wouldn’t understand. He is forced to support the Church of England and he can’t imagine life without it or something like it.
If things were like they should be, and the sectarian and secularist can live and let live, activist atheists could stay home and find something else to do. But, until the majority of theists continue to believe in the literal interpretation of the bible and use the political process to shut down secular and scientific progress. “We” activist atheists will continue to try and protect everyone’s freedom of conscious, which is really what is at the core idea behind freedom of religion, but it also means freedom from religion.
I think I know what this fellow is trying to say, but his misunderstanding of atheists and secular society is so muddled, one can’t really tell what he means.
He thinks he speaks for atheists? That was the most irritating thing in this opinion piece. He doesn’t seem to know very many atheists and if he is one, he is an uneducated, inexperienced atheist and those are the worst kind.
Most atheists are very well aware of what religion does and does not do for individuals, that is why they are atheists! The reason why religion has been so successful, is because it was the only game in town and over the centuries was politically powerful and still is, but today many people are learning that the bad side effects of religion are not worth it. If you disagree, take the Christopher Hitchens challenge: “name one ethical statement made, or one ethical action performed, by a believer that could not have been uttered or done by a nonbeliever“. (No) And another challenge, “Can anyone think of a wicked statement made, or an evil action performed, precisely because of religious faith“? (Yes)
This fellow fails to mention how science has improved life for almost everyone alive today and has reduced suffering throughout the world. He needs to do more research about how beneficial a secular society is for both the believers and the non-believers. That’s right, never mind, he’s British. He wouldn’t understand. He is forced to support the Church of England and he can’t imagine life without it or something like it.
If things were like they should be, and the sectarian and secularist can live and let live, activist atheists could stay home and find something else to do. But, until the majority of theists continue to believe in the literal interpretation of the bible and use the political process to shut down secular and scientific progress. “We” activist atheists will continue to try and protect everyone’s freedom of conscious, which is really what is at the core idea behind freedom of religion, but it also means freedom from religion.
Feb 24, 2012
The Jefferson Bible a Critique
Dec 24, 2011
What Atheists Believe
This is another one my comment posts on the CNN Belief section. This was in response to the founder and executive director of the Fixed Point Foundation opinion piece about how those awful Atheists should be careful for what they wish for.
Being an activist atheist and after decades of hearing theists decry we want the destruction of religion and also claim it will be the end of civilization can wear one down. But, someone needs to stand up to these bullies and point out this is not true. This is just one of many stereotypical accusations thrown about blatantly by social conservatives. The accusation is not true! Most atheists are smart enough to know religion is a part of the human condition and won’t disappear (wishful thinking). We can only hope religious fundamentalism fades with time and has less sway in the political realm.
We think religion is a personal, private matter and we do believe the freedom of conscious is crucial for a successful democracy such as ours. We stand atop the Jeffersonian wall of separation and defend both the atheists and theists first amendment rights. Modern American Atheists can not and should not be compared to notorious foreign tyrants of the past. We are proud citizens of a country in which we are allowed to speak our minds and live our lives as we see fit. Being an atheist means only one thing. It does not define who one is, its only a statement of non-belief in a supernatural being or beings. That’s all, nothing more or less. We are just like you, except we don’t go to your church. We are your neighbors, co-workers, family members. Our numbers are growing, and more and more of us are coming out and standing up for our civil rights just like any other minority who have been denigrated forever.
Of course I can’t speak for all atheists, but many of us, don’t care what you believe or why as long as it doesn’t harm you, your family or anyone else.
Being an activist atheist and after decades of hearing theists decry we want the destruction of religion and also claim it will be the end of civilization can wear one down. But, someone needs to stand up to these bullies and point out this is not true. This is just one of many stereotypical accusations thrown about blatantly by social conservatives. The accusation is not true! Most atheists are smart enough to know religion is a part of the human condition and won’t disappear (wishful thinking). We can only hope religious fundamentalism fades with time and has less sway in the political realm.
Of course I can’t speak for all atheists, but many of us, don’t care what you believe or why as long as it doesn’t harm you, your family or anyone else.
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