Seen on a bumper sticker this morning: To stupid to understand science? Try religion!

Benthoven comments on Sep 10, 2018:

Only after a while, all that paranoia and fear and anger just gets exhausting.

National Hurricane Center

Benthoven comments on Sep 10, 2018:

Looks like they're all cued up.

Pink Stops Concert To Give Grieving Teen A 'Hug From Heaven'

Benthoven comments on Sep 10, 2018:

While I've never been much of a fan of her music, I'm always delighted by the myriad of stories about here that show how generous and compassionate she is.

'Charlie's Cooler' Goes Viral As Woman Honors Late Husband's Annual Act Of Kindness

Benthoven comments on Sep 10, 2018:

Truly there are some generous people in the world.

Posting photos

Benthoven comments on Sep 10, 2018:

What size is the image you're uploading?

Dating.

Benthoven comments on Sep 7, 2018:

Dating a Trumpite would be like taking a five-year-old to a seminar... it's just going to end badly... with a temper tantrum.

So that's why there's been no 2nd Coming! [theonion.com]

Benthoven comments on Sep 7, 2018:

I thought maybe his followers shot him thinking he was an immigrant trying to get food stamps.

I rent a condo here.

Benthoven comments on Sep 7, 2018:

I'd ask, "Are you with AARP?"

True True, the big Truth Regardless of what happens after we die, every second we are alive takes...

Benthoven comments on Sep 7, 2018:

Drinking.

Scenario: exercise class with a group of women, they start talking about Nike, atheism, and the sad...

Benthoven comments on Sep 7, 2018:

Could be fun.

?????????? Update ::: it's a hoax and he soo got us all lol [percolately.com]

Benthoven comments on Sep 5, 2018:

Well, if they take themselves out of the gene pool, we're more likely to be successful as a species.

Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future!..

Benthoven comments on Sep 5, 2018:

It depends on what you're predicting. If you're about to step off the Empire State Building, I can make a pretty accurate prediction about what's going to happen next. But if you're asking me if I see "love" in your future... well, I don't even see it in mine.

Pick your Superpower. If you could have any Superpower, what would it be?

Benthoven comments on Sep 5, 2018:

The power of Hotness... The ability to be so stinking hot that they can't help but stop and look.

Who thinks bisexual men are sexy?

Benthoven comments on Sep 5, 2018:

I think "men" are sexy... in all shapes, sizes, colors... But if your over six-feet tall, with long hair, I'm likely to start drooling uncontrollably.

If you could have a cup of coffee with anyone, living or dead who would it be?

Benthoven comments on Sep 5, 2018:

Myself at 17.

I am really missing a caption for that one

Benthoven comments on Sep 3, 2018:

Build that wall!

What has been your favorite travel destination and why?

Benthoven comments on Sep 2, 2018:

A little island in the Philippines called Boracay. It was warm weather, white-sand beaches, bungalows, blue water, and colorful fish. It was just like Hawaii, but not as well known, so there weren't that many people there. It was awesome.

In general, and very simply put, do you think people are basically good but are capable of doing ...

Benthoven comments on Sep 2, 2018:

I think we're 'born' innocent. But based on society, family structure, abuse, ideology, and a whole plethora of social cues, affect how we turn out as we grow up. I also know there's a genetic component, but they also start to turn on and off as we grow. Even mental issues don't start to manifest right away, though we start to see evidence of some of them very early. Others don't take hold until much later. I think the idea of a "good" and "bad" or "black" and "white" is something we should probably start to rethink. Someone who is riddled with mental illness can't necessarily rise above villain to become saint, and saints also have some pretty significant flaws. So we're "people..." for better or worse.

And I think its gonna be a long long time Till level 8 brings me round to find A free T-Shirt in ...

Benthoven comments on Sep 2, 2018:

I think I'm in the cell next to you.

Pluviophile: is so me? how about you?

Benthoven comments on Sep 2, 2018:

I'm from Seattle, so I've seen my fair share. And this year in New York has also been wet... with rain falling so hard that I swear I saw a duck carrying an umbrella. https://www.youtube./watch?v=8D6pPgwafq0

This is a trinity I can appreciate!

Benthoven comments on Sep 2, 2018:

Or as I like to call it: Father, Son, and Holy Spigot.

I have an absolute rule for dieting

Benthoven comments on Sep 2, 2018:

I think I'll stay away from anything that isn't salted and stuffed into a sealed bag if I go to a place like that.

Are most people willing to say anything to cover their mistakes?

Benthoven comments on Sep 2, 2018:

Wait... Why... What did you hear? He told you? Is there video?

Absolutely ?

Benthoven comments on Sep 2, 2018:

You say that now... but wait until I accidentally spill coffee all down your shirt.

With literally everyone!

Benthoven comments on Sep 2, 2018:

While I love those conversations, they can get exhausting. Sometimes idle prater can be a welcome relief.

Butt Butt Butter!

Benthoven comments on Sep 2, 2018:

I feel like you're trying to butter me up...

Funny How The Republican Atheist Comments on The Queen of Soul's Funeral With Negative Remarks About...

Benthoven comments on Sep 2, 2018:

I think that's the nature of Conservatism as it has evolved to be of late... They went nuts when Stephen Hawking died. A man who changed our understanding of the world. The bottom line is, they can't like anybody. They'll even turn on their own if you give them enough reason.

Do you make the distinction between being skeptical vs. cynical?

Benthoven comments on Sep 2, 2018:

While I make the distinction, I find that there are times... especially in this political climate... when I can be more cynical than I am skeptical.

Religious Dirty Talk (Humor Edit) [facebook.com]

Benthoven comments on Sep 1, 2018:

I want Jesus inside of me.

Zelda the spider was having quite the feast early this morning.

Benthoven comments on Sep 1, 2018:

She's got enough for left overs.

I saw this photo of a sign taken at the Burning Man event and had to share.

Benthoven comments on Sep 1, 2018:

Might as well get our money's worth.

Where was this guy when I was a kid? Probably already fired.

Benthoven comments on Sep 1, 2018:

Another zombie on the barbie...

Troubles putting your duvet cover on? Some helpful tips.

Benthoven comments on Sep 1, 2018:

Brilliant.

I've been alone for a year.

Benthoven comments on Sep 1, 2018:

In my case, I usually hang out around the waist... depending on how tight my pants are. I've heard the term "Muffin Top" bandied about of late.

Cross fit

Benthoven comments on Aug 29, 2018:

Nice shirt. Notice how it fits her? If I tried to wear that shirty the letters would be so stretched you wouldn't even be able to read them. ;)

Women are bi

Benthoven comments on Aug 29, 2018:

I've met a few men who would fit that bill as well. ;)

I recently joined a couple of other free dating sites, and I am quite open about being atheist.

Benthoven comments on Aug 29, 2018:

Probably just being frugal.

Going to hit Level 8 today! How the heck did that happen?

Benthoven comments on Aug 29, 2018:

Woo Hoo! Totes jelly!

Mike Pence believes that God has called him to be president of the U.

Benthoven comments on Aug 29, 2018:

"Think Iran and Saudi Arabia. This is what life in America could be like." Alas, I think we're already headed in that direction.

Is it worrying that there is a ProGunRights in this forum?

Benthoven comments on Aug 29, 2018:

It's not the "pro-gun rights" per se that worry me... it's that they're the same pro-gun ideologies we see on the Evangelical side. Their ideologies are hyper-critical of reason and logic, they're focused on the constant fear brought about by conspiracy theory--which they embrace without question, and they cannot have a logical or reasoned debate. Ammosexuals in general are a difficult batch to understand, but to see them on a a site that's dedicated to logic and reason, I have to wonder... why are they here at all?

So here is a question.

Benthoven comments on Aug 29, 2018:

This is why I call myself Agnostic... I see a lot of mystery out in the universe, and I have no desire to "squelch that with logic." Especially since I can't. So I like to play with the mystery, careful not to allow myself to become committed to any "belief" so as to keep my mind open for facts and data as it shows up.

After this life

Benthoven comments on Aug 29, 2018:

I suspect that family and friends will come to my funeral, cry for a couple of days, and then go on with their lives as if nothing happened.

Aliens are they for real or...

Benthoven comments on Aug 29, 2018:

Well, we certainly haven't seen anything out there to indicate they do.

What do you guys say to people at funerals?

Benthoven comments on Aug 29, 2018:

I'm sorry...

Who would make the best US president

Benthoven comments on Aug 23, 2018:

Principal Skinner from the Simpsons.

Well, I hope this is the stupidest person I come across today.

Benthoven comments on Aug 23, 2018:

O...M...G... You have to TRY to be that stupid... Seriously.

Maybe it's time to start picketing outside churches, especially on Sundays.

Benthoven comments on Aug 23, 2018:

I think it depends on the church. If it's a church that pickets Pride parades, Abortion Clinics, things like that, then "maybe..." Maybe if you handed out science literature... But it's something that could backfire bigly...

MIZ!!! College Football is right around the corner. What is your favorite team?

Benthoven comments on Aug 23, 2018:

Football's coming up? I've got to sharpen my racquet and polish my bat.

When you actually understand humanity.

Benthoven comments on Aug 23, 2018:

How can we be sure of that? We honestly don't know what animals think. We share a planet with tens of thousands of species... presume that we're the more intelligent, and yet know almost nothing about their inner processes. Dogs have an alpha... pets rely upon their humans... we don't know what they think about these relationships.

Make house for homeless rather than mosque ? or church ⛪

Benthoven comments on Aug 23, 2018:

I would say do both...

How to keep...

Benthoven comments on Aug 23, 2018:

In my defense, I did try it sober first.

1001 Reasons to...

Benthoven comments on Aug 23, 2018:

I just got the one... and it totally works for me.

How to confuse...

Benthoven comments on Aug 23, 2018:

Oh I never confuse them... One causes drownings and flooding and erosion, and Vodka makes me happy.

How to spend...

Benthoven comments on Aug 23, 2018:

In my defense, he was adorable.

Genes are amazing..... my niece 6 months and me when I was 6 months.....

Benthoven comments on Aug 23, 2018:

When I was in school and up through my thirties, my family was surprised at how much I looked like my dad's brother, Nick. My sister and I used to joke that we had different dads. My mom never thought it was funny, so it's something we only did among us. But now that I'm older, I'm really started to wear my dad's face... and he wants it back.

So true and so sad.

Benthoven comments on Aug 23, 2018:

Actually, I don't think it works that way. To the newborn, the parents ARE god... Parental responses, their touch, their tones, their talk, help wire the baby's brain as it develops. Babies and children see themselves as an extension of their parents and don't start developing "identity" until around two. By six they're starting to figure out that they're 'separate.' It's true that the newborn doesn't think "god" because they don't ration at that point. But their lives are very much in the hands of others and their survival depends on something outside of themselves, and they accept that willingly until they start to develop a stronger sense of independence.

The Call-Let The Day Begin - YouTube

Benthoven comments on Aug 23, 2018:

These guys were such a great band.

Now that I'm dating again, the issue of who pays comes up.

Benthoven comments on Aug 23, 2018:

As a gay man, that's the one advantage we've always had... it was either, for ourselves, or take turns, or sometimes one of us paid just because... but there were no expectations going in... The same goes with who does the dishes, cleans the table, vacuums (although I would do almost anything to get out of vacuuming). But wear each other's shoes without asking? That would always end badly.

Kinda funny that I found this today.

Benthoven comments on Aug 23, 2018:

Only on the inside.

Just keep moving forward.

Benthoven comments on Aug 23, 2018:

Or in my case, staggering.

Don’t forget what happened to the witches when the hunt was over...

Benthoven comments on Aug 23, 2018:

The witches were fine... it was the poor innocent women who suffered.

A big thank you to everyone who helped propel me over the Level 8 mark last night! I'll try to ...

Benthoven comments on Aug 23, 2018:

OMG, How awesome. So it actually CAN be done? I've been sitting here at 7 for almost a year. I'm thinking I'm going to have to will my profile page to my next-of-kin... I'm sure they'll be able to get it up to 8... long after I'm gone. ;)

I just read that there will be another series of Cosmos with Dr.

Benthoven comments on Aug 23, 2018:

Run, Fundies, RUN!

Ever forget to turn off the electric toothbrush BEFORE taking it out of your mouth and spraying the ...

Benthoven comments on Aug 23, 2018:

I mean it's never happened to me, but I know-a guy... He hates it a lot.

Is it God or Gaughd? I'm opting for the latter.

Benthoven comments on Aug 21, 2018:

I like "Gawd..." Or in a real crisis... GWAWD!

If you could learn one thing that you don't know yet, what would it be?

Benthoven comments on Aug 21, 2018:

I feel like I'd like to start learning math... I love physics, but never understood the math. I'd have to start at basic algebra I'm sure, and then work my way up... I also wouldn't mind learning another language. I've always like German, but Spanish would probably be more practical.

It seems that I resemble a skinny duck..... haha

Benthoven comments on Aug 21, 2018:

I walk like an Egyptian... a drunk Egyptian.

I laughed so hard at some of the posts today, I snorted.

Benthoven comments on Aug 21, 2018:

Speaking as a snorter myself... welcome to the club. ;)

How do you keep a fool in suspence?

Benthoven comments on Aug 21, 2018:

This has Loony Toons written all over... I'm thinking Wily Coyote. In the meantime, can you hold my beer?

I have seen it all now.

Benthoven comments on Aug 21, 2018:

This is how a know there's no God... The god they tout would never tolerate this BS... Even when he was "in one of his moods."

Religious people are members of a contemporary "Cargo Culture".

Benthoven comments on Aug 21, 2018:

I'm not sure what a "cargo culture" is.

My fear of death has diminished as I've gotten older and experienced more of life. Anyone else?

Benthoven comments on Aug 21, 2018:

Often I simply have a sense of... "Let's just get this over with."

So, doesn't our belief in a god depend on our own definition of god? Thoughts?

Benthoven comments on Aug 21, 2018:

I think it's a lot more complicated/complex than that... There's the history of god through the generations. The societal version of god, the familial version of god, what we were "taught" as we grew up, and then the spin we put on it as we grow and our personalities adapt. And that's just surface stuff.

This is how life treats me most days :P

Benthoven comments on Aug 21, 2018:

Alas, he's got an excuse. He's young... I still haven't learned the lesson of getting the hell out of the way before I get creamed.

Walk on Water....

Benthoven comments on Aug 21, 2018:

Jesus is the only guy I know who can bring water to a party and everybody welcomes him in.

Sooo, open question: Does religion (or supernatural beliefs) create, exacerbate or are the result ...

Benthoven comments on Aug 21, 2018:

OR... does fundamentalism tend to draw people that are more disturbed and mentally unstable. It's kind of a 'chicken or the egg' scenario (although we know the egg came first). Mythology (which all religion falls under) has given us some amazing stories, while at the same time allowing us to look deep into the human psyche. These stories give us perspective amid the chaos that constantly surrounds us, and help us find a place to step when all we have are dark nights. It's been suggested by sociologists that "religion" is our default program since we've been chasing after the gods since we first became conscious. Evolutionary, it was a way to... well... make sense of the chaos. It was the mind's way of giving us a reason to keep pushing forward even in the face of adversity. Without it, the species probably would have died out long ago. It's one of the side-effects of consciousness.

Can you find an issue on your life that you treat in a religious way?

Benthoven comments on Aug 21, 2018:

I still fully embrace the stories and myths that have brought us to this day. I love mythology. I love TV shows like Supernatural, I like studying the historical Jesus (at least as close as we can get), I grew up on Lord of the Rings, and still like Harry Potter. And it has nothing to do with belief. It's the power that the stories convey. We live in a world where there are powerful forces at work, sometimes for our benefit, and sometimes at our destruction. We live in a world where chaos completely surrounds us, and we know it. We live in a world where very little around us makes sense... and so we tell stories about it. As long as we don't take those stories seriously, they help us navigate our way through the chaos simply by providing perspective... in an abstract way, which is how our minds find it easiest to relate to the world around us. So I embrace the stories...

My friend gave me some beard cream that smells like cinnamon rolls.

Benthoven comments on Aug 21, 2018:

I know a puppy who really likes licking faces. Can he get in on this action too?

Good morning, for those of us on the other side of the tracks.

Benthoven comments on Aug 21, 2018:

I love a good tea... which makes me pee... giving me a good teapee!

Wow.

Benthoven comments on Aug 21, 2018:

I would say it's the other way around... It doesn't appear as if YOU have much to offer.

Suddenly and without warning, my computer screen is splattered with coffee EDIT: For those of ...

Benthoven comments on Aug 20, 2018:

You gotta love Fox "news".

Are you a dog person or a cat person? (I'm a cat person)

Benthoven comments on Aug 20, 2018:

This is just an observation, but it seems that when you ask a cat person that question, they'll usually say, "I'm a cat person, but I like dogs too... Dogs are really nice." But when you ask a dog person that question, they say, "I hate cats. Cats are assholes." ;)

It certainly looks that way.

Benthoven comments on Aug 20, 2018:

That being said, entrails make me squeamish, so if you would do the strangling, I'd appreciate that.

Maybe they're just going to work?

Benthoven comments on Aug 20, 2018:

I'm going to take that as a "no"!

I think I made a big mistake Friday night.

Benthoven comments on Aug 20, 2018:

I'll keep that in mind... Until the next time I'm drunk.

We are a simple people, able to convey so many different thoughts with just two words.

Benthoven comments on Aug 20, 2018:

Means you really gotta learn to rely on subtext.

Peter gets philosophical....

Benthoven comments on Aug 20, 2018:

That could portend the end of the world.

Surprisingly there are a great number of people who are not aware of this even though they recite ...

Benthoven comments on Aug 20, 2018:

Imagine that.

Coffee makes everything better

Benthoven comments on Aug 20, 2018:

That's what makes coffee so beautiful.

Why do I get attracted by religious girls?

Benthoven comments on Aug 20, 2018:

Maybe it's because the religious girls are wild in the sack.

The world contains.

Benthoven comments on Aug 18, 2018:

And morons we can see...

Is it just me?

Benthoven comments on Aug 18, 2018:

It's been my experience that those who feel the need to go around telling everyone they're "wrong" are more ideologically motivated than anything else. There's no way of really knowing what's "right" or "wrong..." We live in a universe that expects us to figure it out for ourselves if we're to know anything, and sometimes it takes years, centuries, generations even to know how stable our ideas are.

There are literally more stars in the Universe then grains of sand on all of the beaches of earth.

Benthoven comments on Aug 18, 2018:

I think I'd still demand a recount.

Hiking at Mt Rainier last weekend, a marmot rock party included!

Benthoven comments on Aug 18, 2018:

I used to live in the shadow of that mountain. I could see it from just about everywhere I went. I loved that mountain...

Newt Gingrich: Democrats better be ‘careful about the demons they’re unleashing’ Conservative ...

Benthoven comments on Aug 18, 2018:

S'okay, we got Sam and Dean Winchester on the case.

Religious affiliations of superheroes and other comic book characters.

Benthoven comments on Aug 18, 2018:

Fascinating.

When I was in high school my biology teacher was about to retire and he was so scared that his ...

Benthoven comments on Aug 18, 2018:

It's amazing when "telling the truth" can carry such heavy consequences.

I have a tremendous fear that a religious fanatic will gain access to a weapon of mass destruction ...

Benthoven comments on Aug 18, 2018:

It a very real possibility, so we all hope that those assigned to protect us are on their toes. As to the Fundamentalists... I don't know what to do about them. You can't reason with them, they don't do facts, and violence is the only language they know (or want to know). But if help is going to come, it's going to come through us, so we need to be looking for ways to protect all of us...

Enjoy your Saturday.

Benthoven comments on Aug 18, 2018:

Or as I like to call it, "Stupid-Thirty."

August 18: Dream Diary

Benthoven comments on Aug 18, 2018:

Last night was a strange one. I was a vampire, in the hospital to have my blood replaced, but they could only do it after midnight.