How long would be long enough?

DenoPenno comments on Dec 23, 2019:

I'm already a dinosaur. I hate what we have become socially so I avoid it. I'm talking about living every moment on an expensive phone that has become your everything and your very self. It is common to see people all in one room and texting each other. This is not me or my way of life. I know it is not 1960 anymore but I'm not so sure I want to stick around and see how this all turns out. Finding a female who can agree with this and live with me would work out well but my record so far is only about 12 years at a time.

I haven't been here in a long time, i started here when the site was just starting up and made a few...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 23, 2019:

How is the site doing? Stick around and investigate.

I have quite a dilemma.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 23, 2019:

I would run like crazy. It does appear even by the buybull that you two are unequally joked.

Is 'god' an impersonal force of nature, a 'universal consciousness' similar in quality to other ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 23, 2019:

The basics on god is that god is myth. Thousands of years ago the god idea explained things to a lot of people. Today it is nonsense.

FIVE THINGS TO SAY IF YOU GET CAUGHT SLEEPING AT YOUR DESK: > > 5.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 22, 2019:

That last one will do it every time.

No one teaches a newborn human to breath.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 22, 2019:

It cracks me up that adults think a child might not eat and therefore starve. Sorry. It just does not happen when there is food to eat, even if that child does not eat to suit you. Also, I do understand potty training to degrees but some people ac like the child may not crap unless taught to do so. This is why so many adults strain like crazy to do something that comes naturally. Stop putting a time on this bowel activity and jut live your life. You may end up healthier.

Afterlife thoughts... Do you believe in an afterlife?

DenoPenno comments on Dec 22, 2019:

The words might be in your head. I hear words especially if I am tired. No one is talking to me. They are just words like having something on in the background. We do so many repetitious things and often do have way too much on in the background for comfort, and even some to be able to sleep. You are hearing what you want to hear. Years ago my musician friend and I heard words coming out of his analog guitar amplifier. Very faint but they proved to be coming from the local radio station. Some people hear words due to dental work. Some people just want to hear something. Is there an afterlife? IDK and neither does anyone else. My belief in ghosts and the supernatural went out the door with my belief in gods.

exile in happy valley: Dennis Kucinich, Tulsi Gabbard and the Slow Death of the Democratic Delusion

DenoPenno comments on Dec 21, 2019:

The way Trump is handling things is a true disaster and I really do mean that. Then we have to look beyond politics and go into the greed that made you think it was perfectly OK to have a second mortgage on your home. How was that ever going to work out? The powers that be want your money. If they cannot play nice and get it, they will try other ways.

I just read a post elsewhere that said, Don't let bad politics interfere with good friendships.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 21, 2019:

Honest and good politics was on its way out for sometime, then it died fully in 2015. Trump supporters that I know want the craziest things and one in my family recently told me that the Dems "laughed at god." I laugh at his orange ass too. They seem to have a problem with America having "open borders" but forget that we have always (and still do) have them. This is because Trump is so great at getting things done. A recent thing his supporters have come back with is that they have to get rid of Obamacare. These people are insane. I'm not a Dem but I am no longer friends with some of them. I can't overlook the bullshit. Then I read recently where a woman ran down a 14 year old girl with her car because the girl was Hispanic. People won't even admit that Trump has caused this to happen, but they should lock that bitch up and throw away the key.

"Your next post should be People Who Over Post."

DenoPenno comments on Dec 20, 2019:

I haven't blocked anyone. None at all.

Why Doing Good Makes It Easier To Be Bad.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 20, 2019:

This sounds about right, Linx. Religion gives us a license to be bad because we can always be forgiven. We all know there is a public and private part to our lives. A nose picker does not want others to see him do it. If you ask him, he will lie.

I think the first thing that turned me away from Christianity was my mom telling me that Santa was ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 20, 2019:

I'm not into "worshiping" anything. As for Santa, I thought he was Gene when I was five.

More Americans Celebrating a Secular Christmas [news.gallup.com]

DenoPenno comments on Dec 20, 2019:

I'm alone and not celebrating either way but it has been many years since I believed Christmas had anything to do with Jesus.

Researchers locate what they believe are two mass graves from Tulsa race massacre of 1921 ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 20, 2019:

I have heard of this and it was no "race riot." Contrived outrage at some event reportedly similar to that of Emmet Till. I'm white but whites get out of hand quickly because of nationalism and racism. I have read of incidents in which whites demand that blacks tell them where other blacks are when there was no way the people could even know. They based it all on race. A black man escaped from prison and we think he is in the area. You are black so tell us where he is. It's just stupid!

Ex-Reagan Adviser Makes Ominous Prediction About How Trump Will Respond To Impeachment ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 20, 2019:

I fully agree. Trump has shown his "get even" attitude long ago. This has to be when everything in life is all about him.

I’m confused about my beliefs on afterlife.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 20, 2019:

Do we have any proof of life after death? It is almost a ridiculous question.

Just trying to get a head count here. Who's an atheist and who isn't, and why?

DenoPenno comments on Dec 20, 2019:

I'm an agnostic atheist and that settles that. I became one when ~~Santa~~Jesus refused to bring me a pony.

How many of you all are ex-fundamentalist Christians?

DenoPenno comments on Dec 20, 2019:

It was bible study. I was like any other believer until I studied too much bible and read it through a couple of times. Most people do not know that the book as we have it today came about some 300 plus years after Jesus and it was arranged to seem as if it all told one continuing story. This actually explains the contradictions. Nobody was giving you a "roadmap" and there was no god trying to tell you something.

The plight of the Ignorant and Superstitious.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 19, 2019:

Today we are just as ignorant. I know people who believe in ghosts and a few claim they have seen them. Not sure if the ghosts were holy or not and the churches still have profits. (No, that is not a misspell.)

I am bemused that people would talk so much about religion, mostly Christianity, on here.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 19, 2019:

I'm a bit bemused, but since I was once a believer and intense bible study changed my mind, I'm still in the occasional bible discussion. I try to hold back and limit myself because so many of these go around in circles. Believers just do not give up. They have all sorts of nonsense to try and prove their god. The reality is that there is no proof either way. I simply deal with evidence and logic. Jesus was not raised up into the clouds and Mohammed did not fly to heaven on a winged horse.

It's all about the marketing, you can sell refrigerators to eskimos if you know how to market your ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 19, 2019:

I liked the cartoon meme where they brought gold, myrrh, and Frankenstein

Another charge should be added to Trumps impeachment, "anybody who said that British airports were ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 19, 2019:

Yes, he said that. Having Trump as POTUS is similar to everyone supporting Alfred E. Neuman. The whole idea is MAD.

So coming up to Christmas please tell me Athiests what you think of the Holiday season since you ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 19, 2019:

Christ is not a name. It is a title. There may or may not have been a real Jesus that believers think their gospels were based on. Even if there was a real Jesus, Christmas has nothing to do with that person. The church decided in the fourth century to use December 25th as a birthday for Jesus. If these words are true and can be found using the Internet, it appears that you need a lot more education.

What is up with all these dumb questions about Christianity and Christmas from these Christians.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 19, 2019:

It's a money trap and a current political trap that came from Fox Noise and the GOP. Bill O'Reilly claimed there was a "war on Christmas" because people did not want you to say "Merry Christmas" any longer. Apparently it would be un-American to say "Happy Holidays" because this takes the holiday out of the Christian realm. Never mind that Bing Crosby sang a song named "Happy Holidays" in a movie in 1942. Meanwhile, a current meme in Facebook shows Eric and Laura Trump claiming that Donald Trump has brought back "Merry Christmas" again. It appears to be one of the great Trump accomplishments. What I want to know is when did it ever leave? Trumpers have swallowed it all hook, line, and sinker. As for celebrating this holiday I say do it as you will. If it brings your family together that is great. Only a select few continue today with ideas of Christmas being about Jesus.

The Argumentative Theory

DenoPenno comments on Dec 19, 2019:

Reasoning is indeed about convincing others when truth alone is not enough. In our current political situation I talk to others and spell out everything in detail. They all agree with my every word but in the end someone wants to be shown some evidence. If everyone agrees, what evidence is it that you want to see? Apparently their minds are made up already. In fact, Graham and a few others declare that they will not review any evidence because their minds are made up in advance. Then they have balls enough to make that same remark on those who want to impeach with claims that if it was not so impeachment would not be the current issue.

It takes more than an Atheist to over throw over obiedience authority of Religion.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 19, 2019:

I am not so easily wanting to take up arms against others even if I agree with the basics.

I am often told that god is unknowable.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 19, 2019:

I hear ya. God is unknowable and if anything happens at all (good or bad) it is within the perfect plan of this unknowable god. :)

How does one get their ex-pastor to leave them alone?

DenoPenno comments on Dec 18, 2019:

He is doing his job but I would tell him that I am just not interested any longer. Say you are fine but just not wanting to attend a church right now.

I’m new to this site and I find it interesting that people who are religious are here.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 18, 2019:

The religious are here to convert a non-believer. I think some of them are polishing their bibles with this in mind. :)

Justin Trudeau moves to ban gay conversion therapy all throughout Canada – DeadState

DenoPenno comments on Dec 18, 2019:

I call it good news but Christians have to believe in gay conversion therapy. This is because they know that gay people are trying to ensnare them constantly. This is their fear. It then becomes logical to them that it might work in reverse. The reason is that "their god can do anything." Hell yeah! They don't want it to rub off. Then you end up with that poor gay person of either sex who desperately wants to remain Christian when they should be running like hell in the opposite direction. Why would people live like this?

Just in case you might possibly have forgotten; we are god damn lucky to be here.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 18, 2019:

Thank you. I believe in it because it is much better than Sandy's Claws or Caesar Chrisp.

If Jesus saves, why are all of his human representatives alway asking you to give them money?

DenoPenno comments on Dec 18, 2019:

It was not money that Jesus saved. Apparently he saves an unknown invisible part of you from total oblivion when you die. He might also save you from your enemies so try not to piss people off unless you really have Jesus. Strange that he does all this and could not save himself.

Wait a minute, that was just ...... yesterday, wasn't it?

DenoPenno comments on Dec 18, 2019:

I don't think they have aged one bit.

I am just beginning to understand how interesting this site could become.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 18, 2019:

I would think that you are correct. Many that disagree think that court houses and law enforcement vehicles should have writings on them about how much they "trust in god." It's nuts! It's ridiculous!

Evaluating the Truth of the New Testament.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 18, 2019:

It is all about protection and pimping out. This latter one is good for wealth and position building if used properly.

"You shouldn't judge people!" I have often heard this from my Christian friends.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 18, 2019:

It always amazed me that Jesus was said to be "the first fruits of the dead" when anyone that studied the bible knew it was not true. We also know that Jesus himself and many others of the time believed the Jewish OT scriptures to be true. This gets you into discussions with believers who try to explain that others raised from the dead would not remain raised and would have to die again. This is an attempt to validate that scripture about Jesus. (I Corinthians 15:20.) Maybe they want you to believe that others had died and come back, but did not go to heaven and see god. Who knows? Remember that Lazarus never said anything about being dead. What about all of those people who came out of the tombs when Jesus was crucified? Maybe they went home and scared the crap out of their families and then one day they all dropped down dead again. Yes, god works in mysteriously hysterical ways.

Left to Right: Han Solo, Darth Vader, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, R2-D2

DenoPenno comments on Dec 18, 2019:

Luke, I am your father.

Can someone be intellectually honest about religion without being agnostic?

DenoPenno comments on Dec 17, 2019:

OK, you have a god. What is it for and what does it do? Oh, it protects you and also will save you. What does it protect you from? Your enemies you say. Yes, and it also might save you from your enemies. IC. Does it ever tell you to not piss so many people off?

Afterlife

DenoPenno comments on Dec 17, 2019:

Hell is not real. Study the evolution of hell and you will find many types of hell. Much of it so bizarre as to be funny and much of it before Christianity.

21 Things You Didn’t Know About St. Patrick’s Day

DenoPenno comments on Dec 17, 2019:

In the now famous cartoon I saw, St. Patrick was driving all of the snakes out of Ireland when he had to stop the car and tell them to stop all that hissing going on in the back seat area.

Do you really feel jealous when you lover is online but not chatting with you.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 17, 2019:

This is an old thread now, but how would I know? Why would I be wasting all my time in texting and checking up on someone?

Rock Hudson 1925-1985 Born Roy Harold Scherer, Jr.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 17, 2019:

I remembered him as Roy Fitzgerald but that last name was his adopted name. He hated it. When I was much younger we made jokes of his name by saying he got the name "Rock Hudson" by throwing a rock across the Hudson river. This must have been shades of George Washington and his remarkable silver dollar throwing ability that we learned of in school. :)

Top 4 Reasons Trump’s Impeachment Trial in the Senate Is Going to Be a Total Mess ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 17, 2019:

It will be a total mess and the outcome is already decided by the GOP. Do we have hope then for the second impeachment in mid-year 2020? I'm in favor of a rule of law.

Cartoon: Nothing is true

DenoPenno comments on Dec 17, 2019:

Classic!

If Facebook Is Dealing with Deceptive ‘BL’ Network, It’s Not Working Snopes’ reporting ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 17, 2019:

I did not know this but it does not surprise me. Facebook appears to now be allowing lies about our wonderful president in some agreement that Dump made with Zuck. You create your truth out of these lies. Yes, it is terrifying. I have posted for some time now that I want Facebook to stop showing me something I looked at on other pages and I'm telling others that Facebook will post your words about something even if it is out of context. Facebook posts off to the side what I have looked at and I told them to take it down. Why, they ask. Is it offensive? Is it hate speech? No, robot. It is just damned inappropriate! The fact that I looked at a car last week does not mean I am buying a car, nor does it mean I want to continue looking at this one. You also cannot "tempt me to buy" by continuing to show me things. Bug off!

"The Color Purple" premiered in New York City on this date in 1985.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 17, 2019:

I loved that movie. Good casting and acting for everyone involved. The film included my FB friend Rae Dawn Chong and was a showcase and big turning point for Oprah. Many thought Oprah was making a mistake in going for a talk show host after this film.

I was wondering why republicans do not recognize the bribery in the “perfect” call.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 17, 2019:

I see the point fully and I can discuss this with people who appear to agree with me fully, then they complain to me that nobody presented any evidence. Nobody gets it. Try discussing this with a Trumper and you get back "you mean what Joe Biden did?" Nobody gets it.

Democrats combine impeachment and collaboration with Trump [wsws.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 17, 2019:

If the CIA backs the Democrats it makes things easier for me when Trump calls them "scum." It must be part of the reality game for Trump as a fascist. I get more educated all the time.

What are your thoughts on home schooling?

DenoPenno comments on Dec 17, 2019:

I'm reading a lot of the pros and cons here and glad to see them. It means I can adjust my thinking on the subject. The big reason I need to do so is that in my area home schooling is done to prevent religious families from critical thinking. This way the kids will believe in creation. It also shows that they do not have fit teachers for the needed subjects.

Hallmark Reverses Decision To Pull Ads Featuring Lesbian Couple That Triggered Conservatives

DenoPenno comments on Dec 16, 2019:

The Christian group does not have to watch the ads and you can bet they are also not watching the programming either.

What can be done about the inactive members problem on this site?

DenoPenno comments on Dec 16, 2019:

What can be done about inactive members? IDK. How are we measuring their inactivity? Do you have to post to be active?

How many here think of themselves as skeptical thinkers?

DenoPenno comments on Dec 16, 2019:

Lack of evidence. In the end it is painfully apparent.

N.J. bill to remove religion as reason to avoid vaccinating kids enrages parents at hearing - nj.com

DenoPenno comments on Dec 16, 2019:

**"Your right to practice religion freely does not include...exposing the community or a child to a communicable disease,” Weller said.** To me those words say it all. I'm also wondering what a belief in gods has to do with being an antivaxxer? It takes a special kind of stupid for this.

1 Million Moms, is freaking out over a commercial showing two people kissing

DenoPenno comments on Dec 16, 2019:

Here is where I take a different stance than most of you. My bottom line is that we do not need to see commercials with people kissing. I mean people of any gender. I get it and we all know what kissing is. It is not always so easy to avoid seeing people kissing, so why put this upon us? Most of us are smart enough to know what goes on and we do not need what some would say are instructions. Once we get into the LGBTQ movies and TV shows this takes on another direction entirely. In the film kissing might be important to what they are trying to say. If you do not have that point of view then do not watch the program. I watch "Batwoman" for example and Ruby Rose and her character are lesbian. This is not why I watch the show but I have a choice to not watch if that bothers me. OK, on a recap let's say you tune in to Hallmark and they are showing LGBTQ movies. Possibly they would have words or a soundbite to tell you what the content is. You know. Like a TV rating. I've already covered what people hate about the commercial, but isn't it likely that ads and programming would go together here? Guess what. Rather than set there dumbfounded and be offended you have the option to not watch and tune out. Change the channel and watch something else.

(LINK) "I understand why it’s hard for normal people to believe that white evangelical Christians ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 16, 2019:

Well said here. I think I can agree with every word of this. Put that thinking into our current political situation and you have defined it very well. This is what Trump, the Mercers, Kochs, and DeVos are all about. Their brand of "white Christian" has defined everyone else. If you hear someone say "Trump is not hurting all those he needs to be hurting" you start to understand it. The white nationalist is in power and divine justice will fall on everyone. Your religion and politics become you. BTW, the word "sadist" does not have to be associated with sex. A sadist can get pleasure from poking your eye out or braking your arm. His pleasure does not have to be sexual pleasure.

Ever notice how The Wizard of Oz is basically about religion?

DenoPenno comments on Dec 16, 2019:

Today I notice what you are saying about the Wizard of Oz in every way. In fact, I often say that once you have seen behind the curtain you can no longer believe in the Wizard. I am talking religion, of course. The funny thing is that no one gets it. When I was younger and in church everyone loved this movie but no one got it. Not me or the others, and the film was shown in my area at least once a year. If you bring this up to Evangelicals in my area you might get arguments on it. This is most likely because they still do not get it.

What if I told you that the impeachment hearings are.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 15, 2019:

Ancient Aliens. Oh, my. What have I been missing?

My recovery from religion feels like a lifelong journey. Is it?

DenoPenno comments on Dec 15, 2019:

Religion and what it taught you would be the biggest reason I know of to explain your feelings of self loathing. Recovering could be a lifelong journey and you might need to talk to a therapist if you can afford one. Make sure it is a secular therapist if you do. If possible find a support group that you can identify with.

Texas Pastor Taunts Kids At Mall: ‘Santa Does Not Exist!’ | Michael Stone

DenoPenno comments on Dec 15, 2019:

Someone should have been around to say back to him that neither does god and Jesus.

Christian Conservative Claims Star Wars Is Based On The Bible | Michael Stone

DenoPenno comments on Dec 15, 2019:

I've heard that story since the very first Star Wars came out. OK, let me see if I got this. Darth (Lucifer) Vadar is really Jesus Luke's father. That just about does it.

Mike Huckabee Argues LGBTQ People Are ‘Biggest Threat’ To American Morality | Michael Stone

DenoPenno comments on Dec 15, 2019:

Huckabuck must really be worried about them. Maybe he should team up with Pat Robertson who thinks gay men have a special ring that they scratch you with to give you AIDS. I remember my younger days when it was said that the target of this crowd was children. It simple is not true.

Why do some men think women should be attracted because they are?

DenoPenno comments on Dec 15, 2019:

I hear you, Kathleen, but most of us are really a legend in our own minds. This goes for male and female. I used to think I was Tarzan or Errol Flynn and I worked out all the time. These days I look in the mirror and I see my grandpa.

They say 90 percent of what you worry about won't happen.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 15, 2019:

I think almost every day that I have things all figured out. Sometimes I worry that what I have figured out might happen, but it doesn't. The real key is to avoid stress and worry, and for the most part I do that. Weird things do happen though. Not so long ago I bought a screwdriver with 40 bits to it and I remembered putting it away somewhere. Needing it this weekend I looked everywhere and could not find it. Looking in one closet for the tenth time I was bordering on insanity when suddenly there it was in plain sight. I moved it again so it will become more obvious but most things we are looking for in life are always in plain sight. :)

Back in Summer 2009 at the age of 21, I was baptized after I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 15, 2019:

On the gay thing it's pretty simple. Men in the days of the sheepherder's guide to the galaxy could only talk about men and homosexuality because women were like property and being lesbian was not even considered. This made it a one sided issue so god must have been pretty dumb, or maybe men wrote all of these texts. My advice would be to get out of religion of any kind. I'm not gay but in trying to find my own standing in the religious world the best thing I ever did was to leave. If you need a sense of community or belonging there might be some groups in your area that can help. Check into it and youi might find one just for you. Maybe they even have regular meetings. Living your life without stress or guilt should be an ultimate goal.

I'd like to make a suggestion as I watch more folks jump ship over moral differences with the site ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 15, 2019:

If you do not want to see a nude do not click on it. Similarly if you do not like bad words or cursing do not read it or use it. I say this and I do not belong to any nude sites.

Why does this seem accurate????

DenoPenno comments on Dec 15, 2019:

Yes, she loves mushrooms. Woman bleaches her own asshole.

Great conversation about real history .

DenoPenno comments on Dec 15, 2019:

I am totally aware that there are socialists and communists, etc. along with all the different takes on them from past practices by past rulers all over the world. I am just as aware that we cannot talk all this shit today and have it stick to anything going on. Hoover applied all of it to MLK and others and had many of us convinced of subversion. It was a lie. The problem here is that everything changes and it does so quickly. There does not seem to be Pol Pot communism today or anything Stalinist. America has Social Security and many things good that are related to it, and yet wants to throw it away by scaring us with talks of socialism and communism, the progressives, illegals, subversive religions, etc. We are being set up for exactly what the rulers are talking against when they give the tax breaks to the top 1% and convince you that the real problem is that person in front of you at the super market who is on food stamps or SNAP. This is all Nazi Germany all over again and we are falling for it. Way past time now for us to wake up.

So I'm stuck in the bible belt and, in my opinion, one of the very small number of things the church...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 15, 2019:

If you really feel this go for it! Jerry DeWitt does a similar thing in Louisiana and he used to be a Pentecostal preacher. He has preserved the sense of community that so many people need in doing this. I do not know Jerry and never met him, but I listened to many of his talks on You Tube and he was a big influence in me coming out atheist. In general I am against the word "church" for this type of service because it tends to bring atheism back into religious grounds but we all know that "without god" is a simple doctrine to follow. There are no other requirements.

Morrissey CLAIMS he's forgiven Jesus.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 15, 2019:

I think it is a song and his heart was in his hand. Doesn't matter about the 80's or any other time. I do a basic avoid of everything "now" coz the world has went insane. Like what you will. Live and let live.

Madison’s reasons for Church State Separation, 1785.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 15, 2019:

Those in power right now and those hanging on the coattails of them should take special notice of this.

My nephew said almost this exact thing back at Thanksgiving.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 14, 2019:

Yusuf seems to have hit it all right on the head. The big problem from my part of the world is that nobody cares. They gladly work 2 jobs if they can smile and play on their phones while pretending that everything is all OK. No insurance and no home. It's all OK. Maybe we can just take on a third job.

It's here at last!

DenoPenno comments on Dec 14, 2019:

It is worth a try, kid, but i doubt that ring is going to help you out very much.

Catholic archbishop claims LGBT activism is the new communism

DenoPenno comments on Dec 14, 2019:

Why would anyone print this man's opinion? What would LGBT have to do with communism? The world is going insane.

People Who Overtalk

DenoPenno comments on Dec 14, 2019:

I always overtalk but along the way if you have a better idea of how to do it for what I am explaining please jump right in there with it. I am sometimes wrong and if you point it out to me then you have impressed me. :) With some of us it is contagious. I once listened to my oldest daughter talk for 15 minutes about how my granddaughter secretly climbed out her bedroom window and walked up the road. Why did it take so long?

A lot of the arguments in support of the bible focus on the historical accuracy of the texts, then ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 14, 2019:

Yes, the bible. A talking snake, a cloud as big as a man's hand, and a talking ass. (I think he's in the White House now.) If the bones of a dead prophet (Elisha) can raise you from the dead who am I to question the biblical creation story? It must be true because it said it was true. Later we find that god dictated everything to Moses who put in in a book called "How I Did It." It only gets worse when American court houses everywhere decided that we got our laws from god and displayed the Ten Commandments. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," and "do not covet thy neighbor's wife." Then law enforcement decided to trust in god and had this put on all their vehicles. These are but a few of our symbols of gullibility.

Atheist reaches settlement over religious objection to mandatory AA - BBC News

DenoPenno comments on Dec 14, 2019:

That higher power AA talks about is really you.

As often as I have brought this up with believers I have never had a lucid response. ?

DenoPenno comments on Dec 14, 2019:

Jesus started becoming important about 300 years after his death. We do not know exactly when he was born or when he died. I'm sure you know more about uncle Charlie. Most of what we attribute to a man named Jesus actually came about through Saul of Tarsus. Saul never knew or met Jesus.

It is impossible to believe a person (a man named 'Jesus,' for instance) did what is described in ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 13, 2019:

Let's assume he did exist and he drew no attention from anyone at the time. Keep in mind that the believers think the gospels are a first hand narrative but later this is proven un-true. Next we have the biblical fact that he was so popular that he has an audience with Pilot. This would be highly unlikely and it would be doubtful if they even spoke the same language. Assume for a moment it was true and then ask yourself why nobody of his time wrote about him except for in the bible. Not only is Jesus as we know of him missing from history of his era but manipulated events are missing as well. History shows there was no "slaughter of the innocents" as the bible records. A careful reading of the bible shows that prophesy and events are contrived to fit the situation. Someone wanted very strongly for this Jesus to be the promised one but outside of the bible there is no evidence. This must all be another trick of the devil just like the dinosaur bones.

Millennials Are Leaving Religion And Not Coming Back | FiveThirtyEight

DenoPenno comments on Dec 12, 2019:

This is good news. In my opinion if anyone ever leaves religion and later comes back to it they either do not understand anything at all, or it involves a spouse of love interest.

I watched some of the CNN coverage of the impeachment process today and was staggered at the GOP ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 12, 2019:

Lying, yelling, and being loud with some claiming they will not even look at evidence because it is a witch hunt. I know people who agree with every point I tell them but in the end they ask for evidence. I think they are brain dead.

Something a little off the usual post here for me: Already made a past post on him, but because ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 12, 2019:

When I was a kid most of my family did not like Sinatra. His music just was not their style. I recall seeing him in a movie once and someone said "now he thinks he is a movie star." But he was a star. Frank Sinatra was a movie star and a popular singer for most of his performing life. I still listen to him sometimes today.

What does Christmas mean to you?

DenoPenno comments on Dec 12, 2019:

I reflect on the past at this time of year and how dumb we all were about it at one time but still it was fun. I'm quick to point out to those so wrapped up in it that it does not mean what you think it does. A relative in Houston who has drank the current GOP koolaide just posted in Facebook that you have to say "Merry Christmas" and she wants it passed on. I quickly reminded her of the time Bing Crosby sang "Happy Holidays" in one of his movies in 1942. I'm sure he was also able to say "Merry Christmas" as well.

I'm interested to know if former Christians here began doubting because of particular doctrines like...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 12, 2019:

People try their best even today to prove a "virgin birth" and do so scientifically. This usually has some sort of religious background flavor to it so we can think of the bible as we read these reports. The sad thing is that studies of history show many such birth claims in the past. It's not just Jesus, folks. Being born of a virgin was once a very popular claim as if it was important to god beliefs everywhere. We should all know that the workings of biology is a sin and North Koreans know that Kim does not crap.

Dealing with praying?

DenoPenno comments on Dec 12, 2019:

These days I do not bow my head and I deliberately look around. I simply do not believe the person praying. I do not believe them at all. To me a prayer over food asking it to be used "for the nourishment of your body" is totally ignorant until you put yourself in a world with no refrigeration and sometimes little food. Once this is understood it makes more sense to me, but not to people today. Now I will go on into praying in general. I do not believe people who say they "are praying for you." I do not believe George and Laura Bush, politicians in general, nor do I believe Pelosi is praying for Trump. I don't believe churches or their pastors or anybody else that makes such a ridiculous claim. Saul of Tarsus got it all going when they used "prayer clothes" to pray for others remotely because everyone could not be present to do so. In modern times bags of mail are brought in and everyone prays over them that "god will meet their needs." This is insanity. We might as well throw money up into the air and let god catch all that he can. No, I do not believe you when you are praying for me. In one way or another you are simply putting on a big show.

I figured that I would share my favorite questions that melt brains and/or just end conversation ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 12, 2019:

For me to even remotely try to identify with this I have to play a game. This is because there is no god and I do not randomly think along lines of there being one.

Do you think that " I have found god" should mean the same as "A get out of Gaol/Jail free" card.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 11, 2019:

It is all false. The thing is most people will think it is genuine at least for awhile. This is all false too in my experience because if a person changes faiths it usually involves a marriage and a new sex partner. These changes have very little to do with a god at all and everything to do with getting along with others in the world. The bottom line is that you never know what is going on inside a person's head and we all play these sort of games. For those who "find god" in prison for example, where else were they going to go? You must also ask yourself if this type of admittal will affect a parole board decision. Often it does and we are back to playing this same old type of game again.

Lily Tomlin Born Mary Jean Tomlin in Detroit, Michigan in 1939.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 10, 2019:

I always liked her.

This is GREAT! Houston police chief hits out at politicians and NRA after officer death ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 10, 2019:

I agree with that man's every word. Those that do not appear to me as wanting to spread bipartisan hate in order to achieve their own agenda. It's time to wake up.

God belief and religion are not synonymous.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 10, 2019:

In my early church days ministers used to argue that your god and religion could be your wife, your car, or your money.

Despite my being an atheist, I still like Christmas.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 10, 2019:

I can agree with this. My memories of Christmas go back to another time when we were carefree and the music was so wonderful. I was a child or a young teen and had a feeling of awe about this time of year and the feeling had to do with people and festivities. As the song said, it was the most wonderful time of year. When I had those feelings it had nothing to do with religion at all really. Living alone today and seeing what this has all become makes me cringe and just want to get through it. When everyone has to have more, the best and the most, the biggest and most envious, etc. I find no "spirit" in my old holiday. If I hear Christmas music I would want the trusted songs of the 1940's mostly. BTW, Fox News and Bill O'Reilly, Bing Crosby sang "Happy Holidays" back in 1942. The real "war on Christmas" came about by todays greed and not by who could or could not say certain words.

Christian Youth Minister: We Need to Tell More Kids They’ll Be Tortured in Hell | Hemant Mehta | ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 10, 2019:

As Greg Steir tries to rationalize scaring kids into religion his "logic" reverts back to kids being coddled today. Perhaps his mind goes into songs like "Old Time Religion" where these ideas were good enough for our fathers and their fathers. It is only a suggestion. We may never know his thinking before, but you cannot scare people into religion. Believing something for centuries does not make it right nor make it true. I might try to scare you into not walking in front of a car if there was any valid reason to do so. One difference here in his "logic" is that cars are real and not imaginary. Most people do not deliberately walk in front of moving vehicles. Invalid argument.

Alright, alright! Everybody has a bitch! Tell me - what have you done to further the age of ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 9, 2019:

The age of understanding that I have been enlightened. It took long enough.

In a previous video featuring this same guy that was posted here earlier in the week, he claimed ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 9, 2019:

It would not matter what he claimed. What would matter is the validity of his claims.

Okay here is 'modernish' take off on the Genealogy of the Jesus myth, try to find WHO are the real ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 9, 2019:

WTF?

Why???"!!!!!!!

DenoPenno comments on Dec 8, 2019:

When you lust for greed and power you get it any way you can.

I have to just say that I so much admire the strength that it must take to deal with, day in and day...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 7, 2019:

It has been a long journey. Today I am non-delusional.

The Prohibition Museum in Savanah, GA, is celebrating the 86th aniversary of the repeal of ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 7, 2019:

I could hide there for a long time. :)

What are your objections to the fine tuning argument for the existence of god

DenoPenno comments on Dec 7, 2019:

I bought a new car once and after I got it home and fine tuned it for a while it ran really well.

My agnostic husband and deeply religious father started having a debate about whether or not God is ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 7, 2019:

neither your agnostic husband or religious father are being logical.

'What Cruelty Looks Like': Trump Finalizes Plan to Strip Food Aid From 750,000 Low-Income People by ...

DenoPenno comments on Dec 6, 2019:

When Trump claims that low income people can keep EBT and other needed benefits but they have to "work 20 hours a week" then the Administration should provide these people with the work that they should be doing. Otherwise it is just another Food Aid scam. A solution that only creates more problems and starves a lot of people.