Has anyone had a pivotal event that changed the direction of their life?

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 27, 2018:

My most pivotal event was my exodus from Moronism (oops, Mormonism). Here is an excerpt from my autobiography, starting when I was still a Moron (oops, Mormon): Zealous to convince others of the truth, I started to study the prophecies of Joseph Smith in earnest. I was confident that Smith's divine ability to predict the future could convince any honest skeptic who dared to look at the evidence. To my surprise, I discovered the opposite. On close examination, Smith's prophetic ability did not impress me at all. His prophecies seemed stubbornly to resist any kind of convincing fulfillment. I delved into the scriptures, hoping to find some error in my research. The more I studied, the more I doubted Mormonism. I asked the Bishop to help me understand certain passages of Mormon scripture. His weak explanations were far from satisfactory. I continued to study, and I continued to lose faith in Mormonism.... The final blow came during a conference when a speaker seemed to misinterpret a passage from Isaiah. I knew from my studies that the passage was one of several that the Church and its prophets habitually interpreted in a way that was not originally intended. Disgusted at what I perceived as the Church's ignorance, I stomped out of that meeting and drove to Longview Lake in Grandview, Missouri. I recall standing on a particular rock, holding onto a particular tree, looking out over the water. I prayed to know whether the Mormon prophets -- who didn't seem to understand the Old Testament -- were sent by God. I struggled with the apparent discrepancy between my intellect and my religious tradition. There on that rock I surrendered to my intellect. A soothing peace came over me. I convinced myself that the modern prophets were false, that I didn't have to pay any more attention to them, and that Mormonism was a false religion. I convinced myself that my covenants and temple vows were made under false pretenses, and I was no longer bound by them. Letting go of my past, I felt free from Mormonism, free to think for myself. On December 3, 1988, I was excommunicated for apostasy....

Even if all humans turned into peaceful, rational humanists like Steven Pinker or Hans Rosling, our ...

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 27, 2018:

There is dirty technology and clean technology. We need to replace the burning of dirty fossil fuels with clean electricity, such as wind and solar, and electric vehicles. This would go a long way toward reversing the climate change disaster. To accomplish this *en masse*, we must elect smart democrats to replace the moronic republicans.

What is the true purpose of religion?

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 27, 2018:

The purpose of religion is pretty much the same as the purpose for Santa Claus. Parents tell their children about Santa Claus in order to induce them to be good, so as to get on Santa's "Nice" list, and avoid the "Naughty" list. Religion is meant to scare people -- telling them they'll go to Hell unless they do what the church leader tells them. A good church leader (okay, that may be a contradiction in terms) will focus on ethics. However, many church leaders tell their followers to give them money -- making a scam out of the Jesus myth.

Caught the bomber and he is a right wing nut job.

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 26, 2018:

LOL. I can't grasp the concept of the Fake President saying something TRUE! He is a pathological liar and a conman.

What are your favorite lyrics?

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 25, 2018:

Sung to the tune of "I Love a Parade." (Note: the french word for paper is *papier*, prounced "pop **yay**.") These lyrics come from my SIP, or "Shameless Inner Poet." I love a bidet. It cleans up my ass Much better than grass Or even *papier*. I love a bidet. It cleans up my poo, Dingleberries too, Hip, Hip Horray! I have no brown streaks on my underwear. And I don't smell worse than a grizzly bear. My wife doesn't run screaming from the bed. And she doesn't barf while she's giving me head. The dogs to not sniff my butt all day long. And that is why I'm singing this song: Oh, I love a bidet.

Has your Atheism affected your patriotism?

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 23, 2018:

The way I see it, blind patriotism is as dangerous as blind faith. As a theist, I was taught to be blindly patriotic. Now that I am free to think for myself, I see my country (the USA) more clearly. It has some very real problems, especially under the current presidency. I see myself as a world citizen, and would be just as happy elsewhere.

How to reply when someone says 'have a blessed day'

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 23, 2018:

I don't get offended. They are being friendly in their own language. I just respond with a smile and say something like "You have a happy day, too." By the way: the Greek word for 'blessed' can also be translated as 'happy'. And the originally-Greek New Testament is probably where they get the 'blessed' word. So I mentally re-translate it as 'happy'.

Atheist = Depressed?

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 22, 2018:

Personally, I am happier as an atheist than I ever was as a theist. However, I can understand how a family split between theists and atheists could become a source of depression. Being a person of integrity, true to oneself, is a beautiful thing, but it can also be a wedge between oneself, and loved ones who remain on the other side of the divide. As for me, I choose my personal integrity. I am also willing to allow my loved ones to believe what they wish. I did not reject my family. They rejected me. The destruction of my family was their fault; not mine. My conscience is clean.

When AI and Android tech gets sophisticated enough to mimic your dream partner what will happen to ...

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 20, 2018:

Wouldn't it be nice to have a spouse you can unplug when it gets annoying?

Skip The Lines, VOTE EARLY

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 19, 2018:

Done.

What are you really good at that you wouldn't put on your C. V?

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 16, 2018:

I'm really good at making people groan at my bad puns. That's just how eye roll.

Is the solution to "hate speech" more speech or less speech?

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 12, 2018:

Returning hate speech with more hate speech only escalates tensions on both sides. It is worse than useless. Try speaking respectfully, calmly and reasonably with the hate-speaker. You might start with something like, "I respectfully disagree. Would you like to know why?" If the person is open to hearing your reasoning, this may be a good opportunity for a rational discussion. If the person is not willing to hear you out, you can part ways with a good conscience because you gave it your best shot. Some people are more interested in blowing off steam than in clear thinking, and there's little or nothing we can do to calm them down.

You Know God Exists (Nudge-Nudge, Wink-Wink) Within the scope of people who claim that God ...

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 11, 2018:

To the argument, "Everyone knows that God actually exists, therefore God actually must exist," I would point out Matthew 7:13-14. Here is the New International Version: *Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.* In other words, do not form your beliefs based on popularity. Think for yourself. Also, as johnprytz points out, the premise "Everyone knows that God actually exists" is false. There are about seven billion people on this planet, and nearly that many definitions of "God." If god is love (1 John 4), then yes, I would say that love exits. I can also agree that the CONCEPT of gods exists, but not the reality of gods. At the very idea of a real immortal person sitting on a great white throne in the sky, stroking his long, white beard, micromanaging the universe, and condemning dead people to Hell, I can only laugh out loud at such absurdity. I KNOW that Bruggencate's god does NOT exist, so I disprove that premise. Without me, "eveyone" is not everyone.

The worst date you've ever had.

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 10, 2018:

In high school, I drove my date home from a dance. She invited me in for a nightcap. Unfamiliar with the term, I told her I didn't wear anything on my head when I went to bed. Her eyes got really big. She blushed as red as a clown's nose. Then she opened her door and ran screaming from the car into her house. Oops.

How old/young were you when you realized you were atheist/agnostic?

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 10, 2018:

Being a late bloomer, I didn't wise up until 1994 at age 34. That's when discovered that God is just a myth. The first step occurred, though, in 1988 at age 28, when I discovered that Joseph Smith was a false prophet and I left Moronism (oops, Mormonism).

What are some of your favorite atheist/agnostic songs and song lyrics?

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 10, 2018:

Here's one I just made up on the spot, sung to the tune of "Amazing Grace": Amazing disgrace! God's just a myth, but some people think he's real. Religions entice you to believe their con, and then your tithes they steal.

Did the Bible make you an Atheist?

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 9, 2018:

Same here. The more I studied the Bible the more convinced I became that it was myth rather than reality. I find it full of false prophecies, contradictions, and just plain silliness.

This is just the beginning of my article, written in 2000, entitled "Isaiah Was a False Prophet.

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 6, 2018:

Because nobody has expressed any interest in this topic, I'll call it quits. If anyone does want more, just say so, and I'll be happy to continue....

Do atheists observe Halloween?

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 6, 2018:

Unlike Xmas and Easter, Halloween seems to have lost ALL of its religious overtones. It's just a fun time to dress in costumes and go trick-or-treating. I see nothing religious in the way we celebrate the modern holiday.

What would your pet name you?

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 5, 2018:

Cheese Dispenser.

Do you think that perhaps Religion/Religious Beliefs and Doctrines have and still are ONE of the ...

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 4, 2018:

Absolutely. One has only to read the Bible to see how divisive religion has been through the ages. Religion sets up an "Us versus Them" mentality. There is one tiny verse in the New Testament that tells us to love our enemies. It is swamped, though, by the rest of the Bible that tells us to shun those who do not believe as we do, to stone them to death, to crucify them, and to make war against them.

Doubt vs gullibilty

BestWithoutGods comments on Oct 3, 2018:

I'll choose doubt any day. It is a necessary part of discovering the scientific truth. It does others a favor to encourage them to doubt. They may not see it immediately, but in time, they may learn the truth and thank you for it.

What are your favorite proofs against the Bible?

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 30, 2018:

Good article. Thanks for the link. In and around 2005 I wrote a series of articles detailing false prophecies in the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. I also wrote on contradictions in the Bible, and about my hypothesis that Matthew was written as a satire, and various other articles showing why the Bible is not credible. I had posted them on my own website, which no longer exists. I'd love to share them on this site, but I do not know if Word documents can be uploaded here. Help, anyone? But to answer your question, the false prophecies are my favorite proofs against the Bible. Consider Deuteronomy 18:21-22: *You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?” If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed.* (NIV) If these verses are true, the biblical prophets are proved to be frauds by their demonstrably false prophecies. If the these verses are false, they are just one more example of biblical falsehoods.

Being an optimist, I found something solidly good in everyone.

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 29, 2018:

13. He hasn't started WWIII. Yet. He may be trying, but his incompetence has made him fail. So far.

Do atheists, who find no magic in the world, live drab, boring lives, by comparison?

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 29, 2018:

I don't like either response. I would simply say "No" without the insults.

Do you think there should be a high school course to teach common sense laws to teenagers?

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 24, 2018:

Yes! Yes! Yes! And though it is a lesser crime (At least in Tennessee it is against the law), children should also learn that littering is unethical and disrespectful. I regularly walk around the local park picking up litter. It boggles my mind that there are so many unethical people out there who disrespect others so much. Another pet peeve is people driving vehicles that are WAY TOO LOUD. They should learn to respect others more, and put mufflers on their heaps of junk. Better yet, get a nice, quiet electric car.

I am agnostic and I am dating a mormon. Is this a recipe for disaster?

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 19, 2018:

Yup. Disaster waiting to happen. I was raised a Moron (oops, Mormon), and we were taught only to date & marry other Morons (oops, Mormons). Now, if she's not a staunch Moron (oops, Mormon), you might have a chance. But if she is very active in the church, she will probably turn on you some day. She might be dating you with the idea that you would convert to her religion. You could PRETEND to convert, but that would be utterly miserable for you. And if you fail to convert, it would be miserable for her. So unless she's a Mormon in name only, the relationship will likely fail. Even if she is a less active Mormon now, there is a chance that she will become more involved in the future, which would put a strain on your relationship. I would suggest the two of you attempt to resolve the religion issue before getting too involved with one another.

Do you think that living in a foreign country for a long period of time changes people?

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 18, 2018:

I lived in Argentina for 2 years and in Italy for more than 1 year. I was raised in a right-wing family, but I'm not sure it was the living abroad that brought me around to the liberal side. I think other factors matured me more, especially learning to think for myself, becoming evidence-based rather than faith-based. Experiencing different cultures does help me respect foreigners more, and it does help me understand that the USA is not as superior as it thinks it is.

Should I have my kids visit my religious mother and father-in-law?

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 17, 2018:

Please do not deprive your children of getting to know their grandparents. But do warn them that the grandparents have bizarre and unscientific beliefs, which should not be followed without solid evidence to back them up.

Does a bad day give you the right to be un-pleasant?

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 16, 2018:

Legally, everyone has a right to be unpleasant. The constitution freedoms of speech, press, religion, etc. protect the right to be unpleasant. Ethically, I think it wrong to be unpleasant for having a bad day. We should always be kind to others. Besides, we will get more sympathy and comfort if we avoid being unpleasant, and maybe explain that we are a little on edge because such and such happened to us.

Anyone interested in doing a reading group.

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 16, 2018:

Sounds groovy. Oops, I'm showing my age. What's the word now? Rad?

Daughter is getting married today. My heart is full.

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 15, 2018:

Congratulations and best wishes! By the way: My sister lives in Wenatchee. I love visiting her in Washington. Great place.

The source attribution effect, or : Tribal thinking trumps reason

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 12, 2018:

I have, to some degree, overcome this prejudice. I realize that all people are partially good and partially bad, or partially right and partially wrong. Some lean more one way, and some the other, but there is good (and bad) to be had from everyone. Even having proved to my satisfaction that the Biblical stories are primarily mythical (there is SOME accurate history in it, but it is mostly myth), I have found good passages in the Bible that I have adopted as mottoes for guiding my own life, such as "Love your neighbor as yourself." The problem is that we don't always have time to study a claim and prove whether it is true or false. When that is the case, if the source is known to be mostly wrong, it may be wise to apply plenty of doubt about the claim until careful analysis can be undertaken. If the source is known to be mostly right, then it can be given the benefit of the doubt until it can be thoroughly tested. For example, I know that the U.S. President is a habitual liar. So, when he makes any claim, I immediately file it under "doubtful." If further study shows that the claim is correct, I can accept it as correct. I will follow the facts and evidence where they lead, regardless of who made the claim. On the other hand, if a brilliant scientist makes a claim, I immediately file it under "probably right." If further study proves that it is a mistaken claim, I will dismiss it as false.

Where do you find meaning?

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 9, 2018:

I find meaning in ethics, being as kind and respectful as I can toward others. This is what makes me happy.

Describe the perfect Lasagna

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 9, 2018:

Vegetarian.

Jehovah's Withnesses

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 9, 2018:

Like every other religion, theirs is a scam based on a myth. Also, they are very pushy in their missionary work. Sometimes I play along with them, but they seem to get scared off when I demand evidence and logical reasoning.

What is something you ate growing up that you never ate again once you became an adult?

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 8, 2018:

Meat. I was raised on it, but I find it disgusting to kill and eat the carcasses of my fellow animals. So now I am a happy vegetarian.

What is your favorite place you've ever lived?

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 8, 2018:

My favorite place to live is Planet Earth. Oh, you want me to be more specific? Okay ... How about Washington state? The land is beautiful, and the people are generally liberal. Very refreshing, after living in the "conservative" Bible Belt. (P.S. I put the word 'conservative' in quotes because I don't know what it is they are trying to conserve. Certainly not the government; they want to reduce it to the size that they can drown it in the bathtub. Certainly not the environment; they want to continue polluting it. Certainly not human rights, the rule of law, or American values; they trash them as often as they can. Oh, the ignorance!)

How can we find the truth about "God"?

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 7, 2018:

Those who assert the existence of a thing have the burden of proof. Extraordinary assertions require extraordinary proof. I have studied many arguments for "God's" existence, and none of them are convincing. Until someone comes up with solid evidence that a god exists, I shall consider all "gods" as mythological. Because of the lack of evidence for the existence of Jehovah or any of the Christian trilogy, I consider them as mythological as the Greek pantheon.

Anybody out there like musicals?

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 6, 2018:

I love to see musical theater. I also love to act in it. I just auditioned for "Hello, Dolly" at my local Arts Center, and will be performing in November.

How many of you had a boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse tell you that they wanted to end their long-term ...

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 5, 2018:

About 29 years ago, I left Moronism (oops, Mormonism). As a result, my wife took the children and disappeared. Haven't seen her since. Before leaving, she told me that she married a Mormon, and I was not the same person she married, because I was no longer a Moron (oops, Mormon).

What's the most ridiculous experience you've had with religion?

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 1, 2018:

My most ridiculous and bizarre religious experience was the Mormon temple ceremony. It has Masonic influences, with hand gestures, robes and other strange articles of clothing, secret words, prayer circles, etc. The first time I experienced the ceremony, it reminded me of devil worship I had seen on TV. I said so on the way out, and those around me hushed me up right quickly. It was, they said, irreverent to criticize such a "sacred" ritual.

Religion in the south

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 1, 2018:

I, too, live in the South. The "Bible Belt." I am often discriminated against for being an atheist. They badmouth atheists all the time, but try respectfully questioning religion, and they want to lynch you.

Advice needed please

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 1, 2018:

This is a difficult situation. I found myself in a similar situation about 30 years ago. When I stopped believing in Moronism (oops, Mormonism), the church excommunicated me and took my wife's side, encouraging her to leave me. She took the children and disappeared. It was heartbreaking, and I often wondered if I would have been better off pretending to be a good Moron (oops, Mormon) for the sake of keeping my family intact. It was so painful, that I almost killed myself. However, I moved on, and was happy that I at least had my integrity intact. So, I would suggest you use a great deal of tact and an increase in love toward your family before breaking the news that you are no longer a believer. You may want to test your spouse (and children) first, asking them hypothetical questions about which is more important -- family togetherness, even when beliefs differ, or destroying a family for the sake of religious unity. Good luck, friend.

How old were you when you came to disbelieve?

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 1, 2018:

Being a late bloomer, I was 30 when I left the Moron (oops, Mormon) church in which I was raised. I still explored other Christian religions, and was 34 when I finally came to the conclusion that God is a myth and religion is a scam. I am careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. There are some good ethics in religion, adopted by religion from non-religious sources, no doubt. I think that it is good to "Love your neighbor as yourself," for example. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) has some good ethical teachings in it, too. I discard the fictitious myths and bad teachings in the Bible (there are plenty!), but I acknowledge that some teachings are helpful. It's like Aesop's Fables. The stories themselves are obviously fictitious, but there are valuable moral lessons to be learned from them.

What is your definition of integrity?

BestWithoutGods comments on Sep 1, 2018:

To have integrity is to do one's own thinking -- not to follow the popular myths, nor to follow religious leaders. Be the sovereign of your own mind.

How did religion affect you personally?

BestWithoutGods comments on Aug 31, 2018:

Intellectually: Being raised in a religious family, I was not taught to distinguish between myth and reality. "Reality" was whatever the church leaders taught. Also, I was not allowed to use reason when it came to ethics. Morality was whatever "God" wanted me to do. And to know "God's" will, I could only listen to the church leaders and obey whatever they told me to do. Now, being free from such intellectual repression, I can use logic and reason to figure out what is ethically right and wrong. I can also distinguish between myth and reality. Psychologically: Expert psychologists know that masturbation is natural, normal and healthy, especially for unmarried youth. However, the church leaders caused me to think it was a grave sin. As a result, I spent my adolescent years in guilt and shame, confessing my "sin" and promising to stop it, only to have it happen again and again. As a result of this sexual repression, I suffered psychological abuse, which has left a scar on my life. Happily, I have learned the truth, and feel no more guilt and shame. I do, however, have that ugly scar on my past. Financially: I have wasted way too much money on tithes and offerings, especially in a time of my life when I could not afford it, and lived in poverty just to satisfy the demands of the church. Happily, I now know that religion is a scam based on a myth. I can spend my earnings as I see fit. I have enough for my needs and even for some luxuries, and have some left over for donating to worthy, nonreligious causes. So, religion has caused me intellectual, psychological and financial suffering. Now, though I have a scarred past, I am happily free from the scam of religion.

Your thoughts on pubic hair fashions?

BestWithoutGods comments on Aug 30, 2018:

Maybe I'm an old fart, out of sync with current fashion, but I prefer it natural and untrimmed.

How about some fun with 2 truths and a lie?

BestWithoutGods comments on Aug 30, 2018:

1. Auditioning for "Hello, Dolly," I sang the title song while dancing with a moving dolly. 2. I saw a sign advertising "Junk Removal" and called to ask if they performed sex change surgery, changing men into women. 3. I had a dog named P.D.Q. Bark.

Thoughts on Interracial Dating & Marriage

BestWithoutGods comments on Aug 10, 2018:

I was in an interracial relationship once. She was a lovely lady, and the color of our skin did not mean a thing to us. We did get heckling from strangers on the street when we walked hand in hand, but we just chalked that up to stupidity, and we went along with our joyful life together. I would have absolutely no problem marrying someone of another "race." The truth is that humans are one race. We come in different shapes, sizes and skin colors, and we come from different cultural backgrounds. But we are THE human race. One race, indivisible. Humans all evolved from common animal ancestors, originating in Africa (according to DNA evidence). Only fools and troublemakers try separating us by skin color. Among those fools and troublemakers are some religionists who credit their fake gods with their racism. So, to answer your question, the nonreligious are generally MORE open to dating and marrying someone of "another race." The religious have some hateful barriers to overcome.

Why are men and women put under so much pressure to have kids in this society?

BestWithoutGods comments on Aug 8, 2018:

Here is one very egregious example: The Mormon church, in which I was raised, is constantly encouraging its members to raise large families. I suspect the reason is to increase the membership of their cult. People who are born into Mormon families are more likely to become Mormons. And the more members the church has, the more money they rake in. They demand a tithing (10% of each member's income) on top of other offerings, which they demand be given generously. It is very irresponsible. We need to decrease -- not increase -- the birth rate, because the overpopulation of humans is putting the entire world at risk via pollution, global warming, loss of animal habitat, etc.

Truly Effective Prayer (Funny): Telemarketers bugging you?

BestWithoutGods comments on Aug 4, 2018:

I'll remember this. Next time a telemarketer calls, I'll pray with him. I'll also throw in some speaking in tongues and some "habada habada, praise sweet baaaaaby Jezuz! LOL.

My mother wants to take my daughter to church every sunday.

BestWithoutGods comments on Aug 4, 2018:

I was brainwashed as a child, and it took me decades to grow out of it. Still, I sometimes attend churches for the sake of friends and family. It does me no harm, because I know it is myth. In fact, it gives me something to laugh about when I get home. If you would please your mother and allow your daughter to attend church, be sure your daughter understands that it's just a game people play. They treat myths as if they were reality, but they are really fictitious. There are some good lessons to be learned from the myths, just as there are good lessons to be learned from Aesop's Fables. If it were me, I would only pull my daughter out if I see that she is falling for blind faith and discarding reason. As long as she understands the mythical nature of religion, I would allow her to fellowship with her grandmother and others. I would leave the choice up to her whether to continue playing the game or not. It should not be grandma's choice, but the daughter's. Of course, this is only my opinion. Take it or leave it as you will. :)

Alright heathens, creative writing prompt: give us your best tshirt and/or bumper sticker slogan ...

BestWithoutGods comments on Jul 29, 2018:

Is religion reality or myth? Know your genres!

You can be a realist and a believer at the same time Having a sense for reality and believing in ...

BestWithoutGods comments on Jun 22, 2018:

It's called compartmentalization. Many people think scientifically about some things, but superstitiously about other things. Scientists who go to church do not exercise the scientific method on Sunday mornings. If they did, they would not be going to church at all. They would disprove the superstitious claims of the church, and dismiss religion as a scam (to control people and get their donations).

What do you think about sharks?

BestWithoutGods comments on Jun 22, 2018:

Being a lawyer myself, I have no problem with my fellow sharks. :P Seriously, sharks are no more evil than any other carnivorous animal. Humans have exaggerated the danger of sharks, and are too merciless toward them. Let's leave them in peace.

What do you say to someone that insists that "God"

BestWithoutGods comments on Jun 20, 2018:

Do you really want such a fairy tale to control your life? ... Oh, you believe it's reality? Please show me the evidence.

I have really had it as of today.

BestWithoutGods comments on Jun 20, 2018:

I have been taught to replace a vowel with some symbol when writing a nasty word. So: Fuck Tr~mp

Hi all! New to this app and to this group.

BestWithoutGods comments on Jun 20, 2018:

Welcome. My history is similar, except I was raised to be a Mormon. The best thing they ever did for me was to excommunicate me for apostasy. Free at last, free at last, from "god almighty" we are free at last!

I'm a better Christian than most Christians and I'm an atheist.

BestWithoutGods comments on Jun 19, 2018:

It is easier to be an ethical person as an atheist. As a christian, my motivation to be good was to avoid the wrath of god. Fear is not a good motivation. And ethics, or morality, was defined as what god commands. When I became an atheist, I had to redefine ethics and morality. It took a lot of study and thought, but I am now solidly grounded in ethics, and I am a much better person than before.

Hot Button Question 4

BestWithoutGods comments on Jun 18, 2018:

When I pass someone smoking on the sidewalk, I hold my nose, cover my mouth, and walk by them very quickly. I do not mean to offend them, but I'm sure some would take offense. I do it because if I breathe too much polluted air, I get bronchitis.

Today my friend had to euthanize her beloved dog.

BestWithoutGods comments on Jun 12, 2018:

I'm happy to be vegetarian. Eating my fellow animals just seems cruel and terribly wrong. Also, livestock farming is bad for the environment. And a vegetarian diet is better for my health. As for euthanizing pets (and even humans) to relieve them of their terminal pain, I believe it is merciful to give them a helping hand.

Do You know Your Ancestry?

BestWithoutGods comments on Jun 10, 2018:

My ancestry comes from Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland, Spain and France, with a bit of Cherokee thrown in. Earlier, all ancestors come from Africa. By the early 1850s all my ancestors were in the USA. I have been to Wales to research my paternal line. I have also found relatives through DNA testing.

Here's a thought; we, as a nation, want to think we are great, without any reflection on what we are...

BestWithoutGods comments on Jun 8, 2018:

I am totally embarrassed by the USA right now.

I’m glad I found this little group.

BestWithoutGods comments on Jun 2, 2018:

Middle Tennessee here. Yes, the Bible Belt sucks. They can badmouth atheists all they want to, but if I say anything against Christianity, I get attacked mercilessly.

Do you care if you are remembered when you die?

BestWithoutGods comments on May 12, 2018:

I'd rather people forget my personal life, with all its foibles. However, I would like to leave some writings that could help make the future better than the present....

Americans - How corrupt is your government? If at all!

BestWithoutGods comments on May 12, 2018:

At present, I am ashamed of the USA's government. The Fake President is downright evil, and he is trashing everything good about government. His appointed minions are also doing evil. The Congress is bought and bribed by the NRA, fossil fuel companies, and other special interests. It is a total embarrassment.

Which is more useful, intelligence or wisdom?

BestWithoutGods comments on May 11, 2018:

This is like asking whether arms or legs are more useful. It depends on the goal. If the goal is to walk, legs are more useful. If the goal is to conduct an orchestra, arms are more useful. But a well-balanced person would find both arms and legs to be useful. Wisdom without intelligence is likely to be misapplied. Intelligence without wisdom is also likely to be misapplied. Both are necessary and useful in a well-balanced life.

You are God for the day. What commandments would you make?

BestWithoutGods comments on May 9, 2018:

Thou shalt not litter. Thou shalt not smoke in public. Thou shalt not fart in elevators. Thou shalt not burn fossil fuels, but use clean energy. Thou shalt not vote for Trump. Thou shalt not confuse the genres of myth and history. Thou shalt not think in terms of faith, but scientifically.

How long should you wait?

BestWithoutGods comments on May 5, 2018:

There is some value to chastity. I went through a free-love phase, but it ended in 2005 when I realized that women got hurt when I made love to them and failed to commit fidelity to them. Since then I have lived a chaste life, and I am happier for it. Whether you live together without formal vows, or have an actual wedding ceremony, it is best to make a commitment before entering the boudoir together. This is my experience, and I offer it without judgment. In my opinion, though, you may be happier by contemplating the concept of chastity and applying it to your own life, as you see fit. Just something to think about....

As a human, are you an outside observer of the universe, or are you a piece of the universe ...

BestWithoutGods comments on May 4, 2018:

The universe being defined as all existence, I am part of the universe because I exist. When religious people set their gods outside the universe, they are really admitting that their gods do not exist.

Happy Star Wars Day!!! May the 4th be with you, all day!

BestWithoutGods comments on May 4, 2018:

LOL. Good one. :D

Does anyone have advice for a person that's been an atheist less than 3 months?

BestWithoutGods comments on May 2, 2018:

Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Just because religious "morality" includes things like "Thou shalt not kill" does not mean you have to do the opposite. That is good ethics, no matter who adopts it. Loving your neighbor as yourself is good advice, and can be an excellent foundation for the ethics that you develop to take the place of religious "morality," which is in some cases flawed, and in other cases spot on.

If you had to pick a song to represent you, what would you chose?

BestWithoutGods comments on May 2, 2018:

A song that represents me completely would be as long as my entire life. Here is just one issue: I'm ashamed to be an American, where the bullets fly so free, and I won't forget all those who die in every shooting spree. But the Congress take their bribes and refuse to save the day, so the people keep on getting shot. God fuck the NRA.

I trust most of us here have studied the Bible more thoroughly than those who profess belief; if ...

BestWithoutGods comments on Apr 27, 2018:

The most beautiful, complex truth I've found in the Bible is Matthew 5-7, the "Sermon on the Mount." My hypothesis is that it was written by some unknown author, attributed to the fictitious Jesus, and Christianized by adding religious things like god and prayer. The structural chiasmus reveals meanings that are hidden to the superficial reader. The "Sermon" is really a Treatise on Ethics, and the first lesson it teaches is that religion should not be followed on blind faith. I'm writing about it, and I hope to publish a full report by the end of this year.

Ghosts (do they exist?)

BestWithoutGods comments on Apr 24, 2018:

Like leprechauns, fairies, gods, angels and demons, ghosts are fictitious concepts that exist only in people's imaginations. They are used to explain things that appear to be mysterious, without going through the more complicated process of finding a scientific explanation.

Any bilingual agnostic here?

BestWithoutGods comments on Apr 22, 2018:

My native language is English. Yo también hablo español bastante bien. Sto imparando l'italiano. 我不会说一点普通话。

What is your impression of Unitarian Universalist?

BestWithoutGods comments on Apr 20, 2018:

I like UU. It has all the good things about religion -- fellowship and group singing, for example -- without the nonsensical mythology. It is a good transition for people raised in churches who discover that the myths are BS.

Understanding vegans

BestWithoutGods comments on Apr 11, 2018:

This is why being vegan is not enough. Pesticides kill more than just insects. They are harmful to other animals as well, including humans. That is why I buy organic produce. People who respect the lives of their fellow animals should be organic vegans, not just vegans.

I have surely screwed up on the relationship front.

BestWithoutGods comments on Apr 5, 2018:

It is very human to screw up relationships. I have done so myself. Please do not despair. You will be happy again. I wish you the best.

What's the best bit of advice you've ever been given?

BestWithoutGods comments on Apr 3, 2018:

Do your own thinking.

Men, do you agree with this quote from Christopher Hitchens?

BestWithoutGods comments on Apr 2, 2018:

No. Women don't disgust me at all. Nor am I disgusted by my need for women.

Do you like country living? For those that do, did, ? Or want to

BestWithoutGods comments on Apr 2, 2018:

I have very sensitive hearing, so the sounds of the city drive me nuts. I also get bronchitis around air pollution (including exhaust fumes and second-hand smoke). For those reasons, I prefer my country home in Tennessee. Sometimes I must escape the political situation in the USA, so I visit my Italian city condo for three months per year. When in the city I make frequent use of my earplugs, and cross the street when I see a smoker ahead. After the hustle and bustle of the city, it's always a relief to get back to the relatively quiet and clean country life.

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

BestWithoutGods comments on Apr 1, 2018:

The word 'atheist' is often misunderstood. Some religious people think it is synonymous with 'evil'. So I usually tell people I'm 'not religious'. I may tell them that I do appreciate ethics, and I like parts of the Bible, like the Sermon on the Mount, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. If the conversation continues to the point where "God" is mentioned, I tell them I don't believe in gods.

What caused you to question god

BestWithoutGods comments on Apr 1, 2018:

I was raised to be a Mormon. In 1989, at age 29, I decided to prove that Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, was a true prophet. That way, I could convince others to become Mormons. Taking Deuteronomy 18:20-22 as the test for a prophet, I discovered the opposite of what I started out to do. Joseph Smith had no gift for predicting the future, though he attempted to do so. He was definitely a false prophet. When I started questioning the Mormon authorities, the church excommunicated me for apostasy. Good riddance, to be free from Mormonism. For a while I flirted with other Christian religions. Then I started putting the biblical prophets to the same test I used to disprove Joseph Smith. I studied the prophets and found false prophecy in Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and others. Then I started finding multiple contradictions in the Bible. I discovered that the New Testament writers misapplied Old Testament prophecies in constructing their story of Jesus. Finally, I concluded that the Bible, like the Book of Mormon, was not divinely inspired, but written by fallible human beings. Next, I started questioning whether God existed. I studied the question scientifically. I read many apologetics books in favor of Christianity. Many Christians offered "evidence" as well. But all the evidence I found fell apart when I examined it. I concluded that there was no God. In 1994, I uttered my last prayer, as a test. According to what I had been taught, if I cursed God, he would immediately strike me down. So I prayed, "Fuck you, God." Nothing bad happened then, and no extraordinary curse has befallen me in the decades since then. In fact, I felt joyously free. I still thank science for freeing me from religious scams.

I am an atheist and were going to church tomorrow with the family! If you were in my shoes, would ...

BestWithoutGods comments on Apr 1, 2018:

I have gone to church for the sake of the family. I sit quietly and respectfully, trying my best not to laugh out loud. If I find myself in a Sunday School class, though, where there is open discussion, I might make respectful comments. Especially if they bring up a hateful topic, I ask them how it fits with the rule to "love your neighbor as yourself." Afterwards, I might ask the family if they really believe that x, y or z is literally true, and what evidence do they have for it. Just enough to get them thinking a little....

The resurrection

BestWithoutGods comments on Apr 1, 2018:

What an apt illustration for such a sugar-coated fairy tale. ;)

Did you know that Easter is how to say the pagan word for Ishtar a godess I believe in the Zoroaster...

BestWithoutGods comments on Mar 31, 2018:

Sources, please. There are contradictory articles all over the Internet. Here is an article that says the connection between Ishtar and Easter is a myth: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/panmankey/2014/04/easter-myths/. Snopes also says that the connection is false: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/easter-lore-superstitions/. At present, I'm not sure which way to go. If you have strong sources in favor of the connection, I would like to read them and get to the bottom of this controversy.

Does anyone else have a problem with the Pledge of Allegiance?

BestWithoutGods comments on Mar 30, 2018:

Good for you! I wish you had been my teacher when I was in school. I HATE the Pledge of Allegiance, and I sit it out whenever the opportunity arises. I used to just skip "under god," but now I skip the whole thing. I kneel for the National Anthem. I also dislike the motto "In god we trust." I take "E Pluribus Unum" as the real national motto. I am especially embarrassed to be American in the days of this Fake President. Yes, please contact the ACLU. With their help, I hope you win the case against forcing people to recite a pledge.