One liners and pickup lines?

DenoPenno comments on Mar 3, 2018:

Mine are not working. "You know I'm pretty good at muff diving." That just doesn't seem to attract them much these days. Maybe I need to update my language.

What would you define as critical human rights?

DenoPenno comments on Mar 3, 2018:

We have very few "rights" and they are always changing. Usually this is for the better as time goes forward, but not always so. We should have a right to a decent POTUS also, but that man has no idea what the word "decent" even means. Oops! I got sidetraked.

Fear, is it a motivator in your life?

DenoPenno comments on Mar 3, 2018:

I am starting to develope a fear of Orangatans and men with orange hair. This is very strange to me because I am an animal lover.

Do you complain a lot? Has anyone ever told you that you complain too much?

DenoPenno comments on Mar 3, 2018:

Actually, I do. I complain about those who complain a lot. I hate drama but I talk about all those who have too much drama. I suppose all of this is my drama.

I'm an atheist but I still say bless you after someone sneezes.

DenoPenno comments on Mar 3, 2018:

I think we should also say "bless you" if someone farts. It's only fair.

Unexplained Religious Experiences

DenoPenno comments on Mar 3, 2018:

I'm also ex-Pentecostal. My explanation for it all is simple. Back when you believed it this was real to you. Now that you no longer believe it is not real to you. This does not make the experience go away. What it does raise is the question of how can "ho si con didli eyi" in any way be a language of any type that is used for edifying or spreading a gospel? It simply cannot be. It is make believe put upon you by your religion. While in the religion you were lost. Only now you are found. Of course, you are found by yourself and not found by a make believe god. All gods are imaginary. Anything coming out of holy books is imaginary. Be happy and enjoy your life.

Fun fact for the day ! The Guillotine was still in use in France, when the first Star Wars film was ...

DenoPenno comments on Mar 3, 2018:

If that is true it can possibly be said that worldwide the guillotine has never completely dissapepared from use. I'm saying this simply because Evangelicals point to the book of revelation and claim "in the end times they will bring back use of the guillotine."

Suggestions accepted

DenoPenno comments on Mar 1, 2018:

I can agree with your every word. Along came tRump and all the rules went out the window. The man was no good at Reality TV. Now the White House and all of America is Reality TV. The entire world must be laughing at us. I'm ashamed and embarrassed. Racists and white supremacists have come out of the woodwork after 8 years of Obama, and all because they seem to be allowed by this Orange Clown. I'm stressed, bothered, and seriously worried. It's like suddenly I wake up in a world that has went insane and it threatens to take me with it. Help! The current battle is for each party to convince you that they are actually the other party. While this is being done the NRA and gun manufacturers want to redefine the 2nd Amendment. The second thing going on here is to finally give America the Jesus that it always wanted. Why not? Everybody else already has theirs. The powers that be are trying to do these 2 things while they steal us blind. Even Trump says "everybody will be happy." Well, NOT ME! None of this is "my salvation." I'm an activist but starting to believe that the best advice I can give is to turn off the news, don't watch TV, and don't give a damn about nothing. On an individual level that move may save our health. We need it coz they are also trying to take our healthcare.

What is everyone’s guilty TV binge pleasure?

DenoPenno comments on Mar 1, 2018:

I've never got into that one but have watched all of Lost." I follow "The Flash", "Supergirl," "The Walking Dead." Anything about forensics, and most of what's on ID Discovery. Most series that are top rated if I can get them. BTW, don't call any of this a "guilty pleasure." I have no guilt. I came up with TV when it was in its infancy and TV, movies, and music have always been a big thing in my life. I once had a GF that was OK until I turned on the TV at which point she would declare "if you don't have anything to do you could" - and she would suggest something. Don't tell me that. I do not own a "Nothing To Do Machine." Instead I have a television.

Something that happened the other day as I am leaving the grocery store I have to share.

DenoPenno comments on Mar 1, 2018:

I have a good sense of both smell and hearing. Some people in checkout lines have bad smells and you know by being there that they do not bathe properly or often. Disgusting.

Nightmare

DenoPenno comments on Mar 1, 2018:

The fear of being hunted is out of evolusionary remnants from many years ago. The fact that we did react to it is why we are alive today. This is your "survival instinct" at work and you see it in a dream.

Different path?

DenoPenno comments on Mar 1, 2018:

I agree. I would have chosen a different profession. As it is, I have learned that the entire world is crazy, then I look back in time and can see how incerdibly stupid I have been. It's mind boggling. Is there a "do over?" Is this idea secretly why theists believe?

Is true love hapens in a distance relationship?

DenoPenno comments on Mar 1, 2018:

If you are falling "in love" beware that you are not falling in love with words upon a screen. The trend today is to text and this is only words upon a screen. I can't do that. You can be so easily fooled. I have to hear a voice.

Twice now on this site I have encountered a post that was posed as a question, but it became ...

DenoPenno comments on Mar 1, 2018:

I often get carried away in answering something and I give examples out of my own experiences in my answers. It makes me an open book to almost everyone. Either block the bad ones or contact an admin.

What are some double standards that bother you?

DenoPenno comments on Mar 1, 2018:

I try to avoid people with double standards. It's hard to do. I work with white supremacists (not everyone) and just found out yesterday that a man I know favors the KKK. I know all these people but have to watch my tongue So many think that because I am white I should "be proud that I am white." What does that mean? Racial prejudice. I have none, but I am an activist. I was married 12 years to a woman from Kenya.

What would it take to get rid of the electoral college?

DenoPenno comments on Mar 1, 2018:

One person, one vote, no exception. This would eliminate the "Crosscheck" voting machine used by the GOP this last time to make sure that Smith and Jones in Georgia did not also vote in Wisconsin. The idea was absurd but used only on Dem votes. The results were accepted by the electoral college.Look for more nonsense with this in the future. It's illegal. One person, one vote, no exception is the only way.

Death without God

DenoPenno comments on Mar 1, 2018:

I try not to respond to them. I do not elaborate on what they have said to me. Some at a cemetary know the body is lowered into the ground and immediately tell you the dead person is in heaven now. If wind rustles the trees the wind is immediately that same dead person. Then we have that awful line "they are in a better place now." WTF? I'm living in an insane world.

Are you more calculating or spontaneous?

DenoPenno comments on Mar 1, 2018:

I am borrowing here, but I calculate spontaneously. My stepdad says it is my biggest downfall. However you look at it I'm a good cop although not employed in that field. I'm currently into a local rape in my area that all happened because of drug activity and the cops cannot tell you that much already because they are still investigating it. I also did a secret investigation into my own grandson's murder. Many things were hidden there perhaps because he was a drug dealer. In turn he was betrayed by friends. Law enforcement never did anything about it and helped perpetuate a lie to shut it all down. Why? The killer was their own man playing both sides as a narc. To this day (2 years later) the killer walks free and claims he did not want to kill him. The big question is "then why did he?" The best answer is drugs and confusion. Regardless of early theistic training I can claim that my inner calculating mind brought me to logic in such a way that I "woke up" and stopped following Christianity. Are there any claims of deity that are valid in this world? Not that I have found. Did anyone fly to heaven on a winged horse? Do cats fly?

Has anyone read the, "Left Behind" books?

DenoPenno comments on Mar 1, 2018:

The whole idea of "left behind" is absurd to me. Evangelical churches came up with this and I am ex-Pentecostal. Well, there you are. Out of a little bit of nothing they invent an entire happening that "comes from the bible" and is based on very little scripture. In fact, there is great confusion here on whether you are "being raptured" (a dubious doctrine indeed) or being spirited off to a great war that might have happened for real in 70 AD. It's also interesting to note that a lot of scripture writing happened about that same time also. People were trying to have meaning in their lives and understand just what was happening. Today we have given this a "futuristic" approach and imagined that god would "remove the poor Christians from upcoming suffering" before the end of the world. It's something that god never did before but people like the idea because they are now "special" and besides, nobody likes to be "left behind." It also sells lots of different books on the absurd subject.

Nicknames: Do you have one? What is it? Who gave it to you and why?

DenoPenno comments on Mar 1, 2018:

I'm using one right now. It's African shing out of Kenya.

How often do you like it?

DenoPenno comments on Mar 1, 2018:

Twice a week or so is great. I have nothing to prove or no reason to lie.

Are you in favour of a revolution?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 27, 2018:

he only thing wrong with our current system is that the Kock brothers (and others) buy our politicians and stack the deck against democracy. If we could eliminate this big money factor we could get rid of the greed that controls Congress. I'm not for outright revolution, but one way of doing this would be Democratic Socialism. All you need do is look at the countries in which this is working. Greed is doing our current system in.

Do you think the religious really believe?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 27, 2018:

I think you are correct. I found in Pentecostalism people who had to be a center of attention. The religion gave them this as they spoke on tongues and rolled on the floor. Did they really believe what they were taught? Probably not. They had theater and drama. They were taught a way of life. Every now and then they could "sin" and act up. Why not? They could always ask for forgiveness and be a center of attention again. Then if that denomination does not believe something that you do, you can always go on to the next one.

I always had doubts about the story of Lot.

DenoPenno comments on Feb 27, 2018:

Maybe, but this is all sort of like wondering why pixies are playing in your shoes and wanting to know what they might do next.

Im drunk and I lost my job Friday. Good thing I have 3 interviews this week.

DenoPenno comments on Feb 27, 2018:

Good luck, rebel. I was once like you and always said "I was looking for a job before I found this one" After a time you do realize that a good job is harder to find with age, and therefore also worth keeping. In other words, sometimes we do have to put up with the normal amount of crap.

I'm struggling and looking for advice.

DenoPenno comments on Feb 27, 2018:

I do sympathize. I'm divorced and 71, living alone and doing much like I did in younger life. I have a very cheap mortgage and do not want to move. (Maybe if the woman was super rich.lol) Friends tell me you have to take chances, etc, and to me it does not mean giving up what little I have to take that chance. If you took a chance and lost all you had it is doubtful you would ever get that back. What would you do then? My ex wanted more than we had and she now has a mortgage 3 times that of mine. She's also half my age and broke. She just can't figure out where my money comes from. Most of us have limited money and the secret of mine is in this writing. I might invite another woman into my life but I will not give up what little I have because of ignorance. Call me stubborn or whatever you like. I like to be in control of my life and not "gamble" it away in some chance of betterment. You make your own luck in life.

This week I tried to motivate a coworker.

DenoPenno comments on Feb 26, 2018:

Most radical right religions would be in a panic without a minute of their Jesus. They do not know how you live without him. Just as many would be in for a TV show re-make now called "Johnny Socco and his Giant Flying Jesus." That ought to keep the kiddies happy.

Why is Ivanka allowed to represent the US in anything?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 26, 2018:

I know a good hair stylist in St. Louis who is pretty good and I think she would be the perfect person to have talks with Kim Jung Un. I'm also sure he would want to listen to her. Let's bring her into the picture. It couldn't hurt.

What do you fear most about death?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 26, 2018:

I do not fear death. I fear all the unfinished business that death causes and the possibility of pain involved in death.

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

DenoPenno comments on Feb 26, 2018:

Every time I have to deal with this they assume I'm an old man who just never knew anything about the "good news." Sometimes even telling them that you were once a preacher doesn't even work. They assume there is something "new" that I must have missed. Many coming to my door with their message even want to tell me of sunsets and trees, etc. God works in hysterical ways!

Need help defending my lack of faith in Christianity

DenoPenno comments on Feb 26, 2018:

Most people do not know what I'm talking about but I will try to define it. I have knowledge of only 2 types of reality. 1. Objective reality 2. Subjective reality The simple explanation is that we have tangible proof of objective reality while subjective reality deals more with "what if" and "let's suppose." Religion is all subjective. It has no choice to be anything else but subjective. This is because it has no proof and is faith based. Faith means nothing and proves nothing. If you have "faith" it simply means that you believe. Your mind is made up without evidence. The lines of objective and subjective reality may cross at times in order to make advances in science or discovery, but this does not apply to the bible. The bible is static and will never be any more than what it is right now. You may prove by the bible that there was a Jericho and also see this in history, but you can never prove that the walls came tumbling down. Believers continue to think that you can. Why? It's because the bible said so. This is not a fact or proof of anything. When objective and subjective reality cross there has to be something present called "logic." This means rather than take it as fact that "Elijah was caught up into heaven" you have to ask yourself would this be a likely event? Probably not. Believers for the most part think that their religion is the right one. It is very important for them to do this. Christianity seems more right to them than Islam, etc. Is it logical? Not really. With all the religious claims in the world it is more logical to say that they are all wrong. There is no one true religion. Just the fantasies of minds. Most often the religion that you belong to is the one you were raised up in. Sometimes it is a decision the person has made later due to faulty logic.

This talking cougar will have you laughing!!!

DenoPenno comments on Feb 24, 2018:

The cat seems a bit uncertain as to what is going on, yet it seems to want attention.

When someone invites you to a wedding, how do you feel?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 24, 2018:

I've went to a few but as a rule I do not like them. I have stopped going to many events at all and I'm an extreme introvert. That is strange when you consider that I work with the public Monday thru Friday.

I'm a college professor and for the past 10 years, I've noticed and my colleagues have as well, that...

DenoPenno comments on Feb 24, 2018:

My college is limited but I've seen what you are talking about and I share your concern. For one thing today, every spare minute is spent texting. Even the ones who tell you not to do it are texting. Everybody is looking down and smiling at their phone. Schools and colleges, the workplace, and even the military go through this. If this is how kids learn anything I'm sure a lot is left out. The only hope we have as a nation is that all the rest of the world could be doing it also. America is going through a great "dumbing down" that needs to stop.

The atheist commandments.

DenoPenno comments on Feb 24, 2018:

As an atheist I'm not sure if there are any "Commandments." All I know is that atheists do not believe in gods. In my quest for evidence I also through in on a personal note that I have no belief in anything supernatural.

Alternate religions or life philosophies?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 24, 2018:

I have not studied other religions except for the brief amount your religion of choice has to say. I have no religion today because the concept of gods is something you get from certain holy books. In the end they have to be the same. They give no evidence of gods. This is because they were written by men. If a god existed and had plans or a message for us it would be plain for everyone to see. That doesn't appear to be the case. I cannot believe a being made us for his pleasure and wanted to be worshipped, laid down some rules for us, then said if we follow him we can go to a place called "heaven." Of course, if we want nothing to do with this god we end up going to hell. Many argue with me that their bible does not say that. They believe, they cherry pick, and they have no idea what it says. Most do not even read it. I've studied and read it cover to cover. Do I need to study Buddhism or Islam? What would be the point? I need objective evidence. There is no proof. What believers have is subjective evidence. This means it can be anything you say it is and anything you want it to be. Subjective religious arguments go on like forever. In the end it is all the same. There is no evidence.

Atheism

DenoPenno comments on Feb 24, 2018:

I thought it made all the sense in the world. I mean, why would our parents and grandparents lie? I was a teen who studied for the Pentecostal ministry and everyone called me "preacher." Later on I got away from it, started drinking, and lived with tons of guilt for most of my life. Then one day on You Tube I watched a Jerry DeWitt video. OMG, I said. This is me! It didn't take me long to see there is no evidence of gods.(Notice I use gods as in more than one.) I've only been atheist for maybe 6 years but I have no guilt, I'm not afraid of hellfire, and I feel more free than I've ever been in my lifetime. Some tell me that at 71 I'd best be thinking about god. What god is that? Do you have evidence? Moist likely all you have is someone's holy book.

How do you respond?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 24, 2018:

I either say "thanks" or I do nothing. The old superstition that this goes back to says you are so close to death when you sneeze. I suppose they mean that short time you are not breathing just before you sneeze. (Who Knows?) The "bless you" and "god bless you" comes about because you did not die. God did not take your breath away so you are blessed with continued life. As to when people started this nonsense I am not sure.

HATER: How do y'all like being called that?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 24, 2018:

"Which god" is a valid question. I'm not fond of "body art" or "beauty marks." (Whatever happened to plain old tattoos?) I once made it plain that in my mind moles on the face are not beauty marks and I was instantly called a "hater." Of course, I feel the same way about facial jewelry. I know people who look like Porky Pig literally. They can think it's cool, but it shows me they were trying to root under the fence and escape. Maybe they took cartoons too seriously. IDK?

I can't believe I only just found this out now, but New Zealand's famous blind bi sexual goose has ...

DenoPenno comments on Feb 24, 2018:

I recall when Andy Williams was a popular singer. He had a song that "remembered when we were all happy and gay."

I have lived in the south for most of my adult life.

DenoPenno comments on Feb 24, 2018:

Try telling people like this that there would be no gods without people. Let him think on it.

God was looking out for me this morning.

DenoPenno comments on Feb 24, 2018:

Maybe it was because you were not holding your mouth right. Put your tongue in your cleft. That might help.

Asking for prayers....?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 24, 2018:

I wonder those same things, friend. Likes and prayers do nothing. That's right. Nothing. My religious friend has a transplanted liver. He tells me that even his doctor says "it was god" who saved him. WTF? The doctor didn't go to school or admits he is a bad doctor. I never believe all those religious folks or politicians who are "praying for you." How do we know they are? The religious put all the prayer requests in a big mail bag pile and forget them saying "we are praying over them." How convenient. Then we have all these children with cancer. What is god doing for them? Absolutely nothing. Oh, well. God is "faithful." Maybe it was something the parents did. If so, then this wonderful god works just like the Mafia.

Do you think my position is too extreme? (Warning: graphic descriptions inside)

DenoPenno comments on Feb 24, 2018:

I totally agree. Over the centuries Christians have been poisoned by their own belief. Burning the Jews in ovens was OK because many see the Jews as "rejecting Christianity." Maybe they have forgotten where it came from, but just as many again today think that America is the modern day Israel and it's people are the new "Jews." This is some religious nonsense they think was passed on to them through "British Israelism." Martin Luther himself hated the Jews "because the Jews killed Jesus" who was also a Jew, so go figure? You are not too extreme. This is about par for the course in Christianity. Then you have others like my friend who says I do not understand "because those people were not true Christians." I think there is over 4000 examples of what a true Christian might be and the numbers grow each time we see a new denomination.

Honesty.

DenoPenno comments on Feb 24, 2018:

I feel that not speaking out is the same as lying. Sometimes I have to hold back to keep and continue with my job, but I try to be honest about politics. I pray for Donald Trump every day. I pray that he will get ebola.

Do you think hating someone is unnecessary?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 23, 2018:

It depends on the hate. Many tell me that I now have to "hate" my ex-wife. People change and directions change. The truth here is that these people are simply racist. Lets take that on into someone saying they "forgive" the killer of their spouse or their children. This is insanity and something they thing a religion taught them. I could never forgive a killer of my family. Not now or ever. I don't really think those that claim they do are honest with you. I think they say it coz "they want to go to heaven." Hate is a strong word and a prime mover for many of us to get things done. It may be unnecessary to hate in dire circumstance but it is a valid emotion.

Beliefs

DenoPenno comments on Feb 23, 2018:

Everyone has beliefs. All beliefs are not factual in any way. My remaining religious friends all seem to have 2 standard beliefs in which they take world events today and superimpose them into what they think their bible has taught them. I've had a lifetime of this and as I look back it has not been proven right in any way so far. It also is always changing. You cannot tell the believer that coz they won't listen. The next group when you assume there are only 3 of them is the ex-religious group. They believe the above nonsense and also many other things that are absolutely impossible. To some Jesus may even be Aquaman's friend. The last of these is the "all of the above and more" group where some never did have a religion but assume aliens, outer space, and distorted mind boggling nonsense is really the explanation of everything, including how we all got here. It's OK to say that you do not know something. People, please. Stop making everything up.

What has been the dumbest religious comment/response/statement you have ever heard personally?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 22, 2018:

Check your calendar? She is also a very ignorant person. Her belief in Caesar Crisp has poisoned her mind.

Is there any possible way that Roy Moore will not be Alabama’s next senator?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 22, 2018:

Satan does exist. He has orange hair and he lies a lot. You cannot believe anything that he says, but he is a genius. He has a plan that will get rid of ISIS in 30 days and he is going to bring coal mining back. He will take a school shooting and turn it into something about himself.

How do you tell someone, with diplomacy that you don’t want to have a prayer with you?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 22, 2018:

People are so stupid. I wonder what god's purpose was when I see all those crippled and cancer ridden children at St. Jude. The most simple answer is there is no god to have a purpose for anything and we make our own purpose through opportunity. Yet, the religious keep acting foolishly.

Would you date/marry a Muslim?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 22, 2018:

The problem is not a Muslim, but it is any religious person. I have no problem with them but deep down I know they will eventually want to "save me" and may even get into crying because I won't listen. Then their religious leader comes along and declares the both of you are "unequally joked." Did I get that right?

At what point will the mass shooting become, too horrific?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 21, 2018:

They are starting to react now and might hear these kids. The kids are serious and right at voting age. Plans for rallies go on now into March and Cheeto and the bunch had best listen. Keeping us divided is not working. People are angry and lots of the younger ones are running for office. We encourage it and tell them we can change this in November of 2018. Vote the bastards out because we can do better than this. The issue is our survival as a nation and a democracy. This is not a party issue at all.

Christian Host: School Prayer Would Have Prevented Florida School Shooting

DenoPenno comments on Feb 21, 2018:

My daughters are of this opinion also and it is sickening. I'm 71 years old and I do remember school prayer. We were allowed one minute of silent prayer in school in my day -- if we wanted to pray. That's it. That's all it was. How in the hell would this have effected the Florida school shooter? Someone please explain that to me. In the case of my daughters who never had school prayer in any form, my oldest says "dad, you have your belief and I have mine." The only thing is, they don't know what they are talking about.

I dared to ask to have the radio switched to a different station from a Christian station today in a...

DenoPenno comments on Feb 21, 2018:

They call it Christian music like in "Christian rock." My question today is how do you know the difference? Yes, I do find it offensive but it takes a few minutes to figure out what you are listening to. Modern "Christian music" is hypocrisy, but to each his own.

Christian Wife Swappers Preach The Word Of God Through Swinging - YouTube

DenoPenno comments on Feb 21, 2018:

This might work for them until they decide it was wrong and then they all have crocodile tears for Jesus. "Oh, forgive me, my lord." But isn't this what it's all about? How often do you hear "I'm not perfect, just forgiven." Believe it or not, I've actually heard this one. A couple caught in adultery said "at least it was a natural sin. It wasn't like tobacco or anything."

The Case Against Christian Film Episode 96 with Dr Robert M Price - YouTube

DenoPenno comments on Feb 21, 2018:

I have watched Dr. Price on You Tube often. As for Strobel and his book, I started to watch the movie version of it. Didn't get far and could not bring myself to finish it. Why? Early on it hit me that Lee Strobel had a wife and family and he made a decision that would allow him to keep them. He loved them and wanted to keep them all together. That's really all I got out of it. Sorry. I did not see a "case for Christ." Strobel made the choice that he had to make.

Near-death experiences: inside the scientific search for the afterlife

DenoPenno comments on Feb 21, 2018:

We are emotional beings and have many experiences, sometimes being unable to explain them. I have personally had many experiences that some would call supernatural. What is going on? I have also had "out of body" experiences. The facts are simply that we do not always understand. Try to remember that "near death" is not really death and nobody was dead nor did they go anywhere. While you are "in heaven" (or hell) the body is still right here. Then people start making things up and talk about "the soul." It's a way of trying to say you were right all the time. But you are not right. Things go on in a mental realm and mankind has never really understood his dreamtime or his sleep. Misconceptions about all this has produced our religions and supernaturalism.

Are athiests happier than thiests? Explain why

DenoPenno comments on Feb 21, 2018:

It is possible. As an ex-theist I know others who are constantly worried about their status with their imaginary friend. I've known people well enough to where they tell me about it. They would confess what they thought their failings were. To me it's like having a fear that Porky Pig might tell the Easter Bunny what you really did with that candy. Then you have this constant fear of making Thor angry. Remember what happened to Sodom and Gomarrah, etc. God can do anything he wants to at any time. Then they get angry with me when I point out that gods do absolutely nothing at all.

Be honest! Have you ever let someone just fall during church when they caught the Holy Ghost?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 19, 2018:

No, but I remember the tongue talking well. A language the Devil can't understand, they say. Well, where's he been? If he practiced maybe he could get it. And they go . . . Ho see con didli eyi, hondala seka. la la la la. And then it goes into something like Hezakiah, Obadiah, Jeremiah, etc. until it seems they mentioned every OT book in the bible. What's that all about? Me oh miah, they now have Jeremiah. Keep that up and we could make a song out of it.

Have you ever stayed up super late because you found yourself watching addictive shows on YouTube?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 19, 2018:

I watch these things on You Tube as you do, but I have 2 desktops and 1 laptop. They say you can't hurt a laptop but I disagree. Since I'm normally in bed with the TV on, I'm gonna have to get me a tablet so I can watch You Tube from bed. A tablet should hold up better.

Easter is on April Fool's Day this year.

DenoPenno comments on Feb 19, 2018:

Isn't Easter always on April Fools Day every year?

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

DenoPenno comments on Feb 19, 2018:

I have that happen just about the time the conversation is over. Walk away or hang up is good. One time a religious troll was getting nowhere with me and he suddenly went into 3rd person. He said the Holy Spirit was talking to him and told him how afraid I was of hell. Sorry. Not me. I outgrew all that when it became clear to me that it was nonsense. Anyway, it would have been more fun if he told me the Easter Bunny was talking to him. Maybe Casper the Friendly Ghost. Hell, Casper is so old today that his sheet has holes in it. He could be the Holy Ghost.

I was just on my Facebook responding to a post on Roy Moore of Alabama-how he molested a 14 year ...

DenoPenno comments on Feb 19, 2018:

Facebook is a special animal. I love it but you have trolls and gaslighting. Anything about Trump is answered with Hillary and Obama. If you do not want people's healthcare to be taken away you must be liberal. It's plain to see that half the political talk on there is by people who don't (or can't) read. I doubt that they even watch the news. With the clamor to have gun registration after this recent Florida school shooting my own daughters get involved in posts that simply are not true. Maybe they think they are protecting gun rights, IDK. People post that the shooting happened because god was taken out of schools. Prayer was taken out of schools, and the pledge of allegiance was taken out of schools. I don't know what it sounds like to you, but it's bullshit to me. I posted and enlightened them on the separation of church and state and what it meant, etc. My oldest daughter answered and said "you have your belief and I have mine." NO. I have the articles of government and Constitutional amendments. It's not a belief or an opinion. Such are the ways of Facebook even within one family.

How do you socialize?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 19, 2018:

Most people are not to my liking either. An "atheist church" would be nice for social gatherings but I will never go to one. Theists would have more ammo to say we are just another church anyway. They miss (sometimes deliberately) the basic tenant of atheism--we do not believe in gods. That's it. That is the doctrine. As a former theist who studied for the ministry I do not believe in anything supernatural. There is just no evidence. Emotion maybe, but no evidence. This means I cannot hang out with the majority of people in any belief. There is just too much ignorance and nonsense. I attract people and they attract me, but we usually fizzle out quickly once the nonsense starts. I go to social events sparingly and my social life is almost non-existent.

are you afraid of death?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 19, 2018:

What bothers me about death currently is the vast amount of unfinished business. Since you did not ask for death there would have to be many things that you would want to continue. I'm not afraid of death really, but you might say I'm afraid of the pain of death. I don't want there to be any pain.

Why do people think you need to believe in a god and read the bible and or go to church to live a ...

DenoPenno comments on Feb 19, 2018:

Good question. The disciples didn't go to church. They also didn't have bibles. Would an ancient church be anything like the ones today? Maybe not. Today we mean a building. Back then they meant the people.

How do you deal with a relationship where someone believes in conspiracy, gods, aliens, racism, etc?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 19, 2018:

I have a limited conspiracy mindset. I mean, conspiracy is always possible but facts can clear up the air. As for gods it's just impossible. Aliens seem the same way. No evidence for either of them and also no evidence for the supernatural in general. As a younger man I was a scary movie fan. Today I view them as comedy. Racism is the pits. As a younger man I tolerated it some and many of us made jokes. Today after a 12 year marriage to a black woman many have tried to convince me to "hate her." Why would I do that? These people are simply racists and white supremacists. I work in a small town with a bunch of them. Some are so dumb that they cannot see how they are and would deny what I have written here about them. It's easy to see that I have few real friends. As for a romantic relationship with a believer, it would go fine unless they become convinced that they have to "save my soul from hell." Another thing to watch for with Evangelicals is the goddamned preacher. In some cases he will start talking to your woman to convince her that both of you are "unequally yoked." Well, he's only "doing god's will." WTF?

Ghosts are as mythical as God but what if an atheist believes in Ghosts.

DenoPenno comments on Feb 17, 2018:

When I became atheist I stopped believing in anything supernatural. I studied it all for years but it's just bunk. If you believe in ghosts why not aliens? Maybe this could take the place of gods. It's insanity. Objective reality is the only thing real. Other wise you could simply believe anything that you wanted to. I stopped believing in gods because they are not a part of objective reality. Neither are ghosts or the supernatural.

Is it easy or hard for you to get to sleep?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 17, 2018:

I have erratic sleep. Often I'm awake again after 2 hours or at least after 4 hours. I get up and pee coz I have to. It's not just a feeling. My doc is offering me a sedation drug. Sorry. I could not stand to be sedated. The saving grace for me is that I fall to sleep very quickly.

Who else was indoctrinated as a child, but left their parent's religion?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 17, 2018:

I did. My parents had a mixed religious background and they decided we all belonged in a Pentecostal church. I must have been 12 or so at the time. By age 17 they had me believing I was going to be a big evangelist. This caused me much heartache later. Eventually I came out atheist. Nobody gets it that you are the religion that you were raised in. Then there are so many different religions and denominations. Which one is true? Well, the one that is true is the one you were raised up in. That's what makes it true to you. Feelings and experiences make it all true to you as well. Nobody ever thinks that gods are imaginary. This is the true story of religion. It has no power over me today. It is total nonsense. You are born and a book is going to tell you all about your life and how you must live it, and a god you must worship. That's insane. Just live your life.

Guns Guns Guns I understand the necessity to create stricter gun laws in order to prevent ...

DenoPenno comments on Feb 17, 2018:

This latest school shooting in Florida is a good example. So many are crying again for gun regulation. We need that for sure because there are guns you do not need to be allowed to own. You also should not be able to buy all these guns legally at 19 when you cannot even buy a car at that age or rent an apartment. The real problem here is that we have lost the meaning of the value of life. Read it again. That's it exactly. The best way of changing this situation for the better is to get rid of our current lying administration and vote them out. This will force change and we all need to vote November of 2018. We can do better than this. We deserve better than this. Vote this November.

Friday night-Are you home alone in your PJ's?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 17, 2018:

I'm home in shorts, a robe, and rubber shoes. The shoes keep my neurophy feet warm. I have no PJ's and sleep in a T shirt and socks.

Have you ever been catfished? Or, have you ever catfished anyone else? Details!

DenoPenno comments on Feb 13, 2018:

I had to read the replies to even figure out what catfishing was.

Most religions have clothing worn by people of devout faith or religious leaders, such as kippah ...

DenoPenno comments on Feb 13, 2018:

No, no, no.

Israeli police find 'sufficient evidence' to indict Netanyahu on corruption charges - CNN

DenoPenno comments on Feb 13, 2018:

What's all this about Nuttiyahu?

"I still say a church steeple with a lightning rod on top shows a lack of confidence" Doug McLeod...

DenoPenno comments on Feb 13, 2018:

The selling of lightning rods was an art that has sort of went the way of the dinosaur. Apparently there were too many burned barns and houses in days of lamp lighting. Rather than think somehow the lamp got knocked over, people started blaming lightning. Who would want to look stupid? Insurance companies put in clauses to not cover "acts of god." Remaining believers then bought lightning rods like crazy. I still see them on old buildings but nobody buys them today.

Did you really think you were just destined to "wake" from slumber?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 13, 2018:

Am I destined to awake from slumber? Yes, as long as I am alive. After that, maybe not.

Are you happy?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 13, 2018:

I'm fairly happy but when you get older you tend to get depression. People ask what you are depressed about. It should be obvious that you are slowly growing closer to a final destination so you are more limited as time goes by. No, I am not talking about a heaven or an afterlife. I tend to be attracted to younger women and I have already had 4 major relationships in my life. I does not appear there will be any more of them. This is depressing within itself.

If you were given the chance, would you like to stay a certain age forever?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 13, 2018:

I like my mind today and I'm fully aware of how ignorant I was at many earlier ages. I can remember how I thought and what I thought. As for my body, I was at my best at 35 to 40. A lot of that was due to weight training. I still workout today but in limited manner.

What if you are wrong and there IS a god

DenoPenno comments on Feb 12, 2018:

The entire concept of Christianity sets you up for failure to start with. It's a guide to obedience. You might call the bible The Goat and Sheep Herders Guide to the Universe.

Would you want a Christian God to be real?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 12, 2018:

Worshipping the Cristian god and bowing down to him forever and ever would start to get old after the first 10,000 years.

What is the bible to you?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 12, 2018:

What we call the Christian bible is actually a "Frankenstein" creature of many parts and books of various times sewn together to make one big book that pretends to tell us everything from beginning to end. The problem is this just is not so. It is a collection of stories and not just one big story. It also contradicts itself if you take it as one big story. There was no first man or first woman, etc. No Egyptian captivity, no Exodus, no King David. Just no evidence for these things. They are just stories. Along came Saul of Tarsus a bit later and he almost single handedly created Christianity. He never met Jesus and he was not trusted by the disciples. In fact, in his wondrous visions he never even knew if he was "in or out of his body." Still, believers tell you that you just have to have faith. Many will tell you of the 500 people that Paul claimed saw the risen Jesus, but where is the proof of this? Did the 500 have "faith?"

Conspiracy theories?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 12, 2018:

There will never be truthful answers on the murder of JFK. Too much said and too much time has gone by. Too quick and easy to say that Oswald was the lone gunman. In fact, they had the wrong rifle at first. Then it all gets solved, sewn up, and Oswald killed so quickly. The excepted "answer" only left a mountain of questions. I've been haunted by the JFK murder since 1963.

We Are Stardust—Literally

DenoPenno comments on Feb 12, 2018:

We are star stuff. The big problem is that we keep trying to go back there and we keep making up stories to explain it all by putting a god in the picture. The truth is, we do not know about the "nothing" in space. That "nothing" really is something but we just don't know what. As far as the universe, it may have always existed. I don't know for sure.

What do you know that most others don’t?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 12, 2018:

We all know something that others do not know. This is what makes us unique. A lot of what you know depends on your age along with what you are willing to study and learn about. I for example, remember TV and telephones in there infancy. Everything changes.

MeToo What do you consider sexual harassment?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 12, 2018:

There is a degree of legitimacy to all of the current claims. I mean, people are not being fired or resigning all over for nothing. I'm getting into a similar thing at my work just today in fact. I work with a man who reportedly told his girlfriend that I am saying "lewd things" about her at work. I don't know this woman and her relative wants to kick my ass. I do not say "lewd things" and anyone that knows me knows this. Also, "lewd talk" at my work will get you fired regardless of who it is about. Today I will confront this man in front of the boss in order to stop it all. He will have to deny the claim saying somebody is mistaken, and this way it all will be nipped in the bud.

Do you feel guilty when you kill insects, rats, or any other lower animals in/around your house?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 12, 2018:

I'm fair but I don't feel guilty. All life has a right to life but there are exceptions. Once a field mouse got in my house and I trapped him in one of these live traps where you can release the animal back out into the wild again. I took him out into the yard and let him go. He ran like crazy back to the house. I trapped him the second time and this time I drowned the little bastard.

Do you like the "In GO We Trust" slogan on US bank notes?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 11, 2018:

When Ike first changed things to add "in god we trust" it didn't bother me at all. If they added that saying to our paper money, well, so what? But today I no longer believe in this god and I have also identified him. He is green and we pass him around hand to hand every day. Isn't it fitting that "in god we trust" is on our money. Well, it's also on court houses and other places as well. What irks me the most is seeing 'in god we trust" on the bumper of police cars. WTF is that all about? I'm serious. I simply do not get it. Then you read of a bad tragedy and the police suggest the family needs prayers, it says. For what? People are insane. Maybe the cops should take over the ministry.

Why are Christians being marginalized in America?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 11, 2018:

Christians are taught that they will be persecuted and Evangelicals really take this to heart. If Jesus said you will be persecuted then it must be happening. This is also why we have a "war on Christmas" every year. People have a fit if you say "Happy Holidays" despite the fact that most know December 25th is not Jesus' birthday. Donald Trump took credit this last year for "bringing Merry Christmas back." I never knew that it went anywhere. Once a church going woman told me it had something to do with Mary in the bible. (This is true and I'm not making it up.) Really, lady. You need to study more and also learn how to spell.

Never make eye contact while eating a banana

DenoPenno comments on Feb 11, 2018:

That might work coz I often call myself the 250 lb. gorilla.

Do you have a coping mechanism that works for you?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 11, 2018:

I cope with a lot of things by hiding behind my closed door until Monday morning when I have to go out into the world with the crazies again. Booze also helps. It removes warts and blemishes. Not from you but from other people. (That's a Jackie Gleason quote.)

Do any of you have the list of achievements by President Trump that serves the interests of the ...

DenoPenno comments on Feb 11, 2018:

I can't think of any achievements. Nothing the man has done helps the American people. I say this with the idea that all of us are supposed to be the same and I'm not into Nazis or white supremacists. The Nazi question was supposed to have been settled in WW2. Now Trump wants to make all of the haters and racists proud to be an American. Great job of making America Great Again. What he and his base have done is make America "hate again." All this does is help his support base.

What’s your thoughts on profanity?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 11, 2018:

I once studied to be a minster but today I cuss like a sailor. I have learned to tone it down when it is going to offend someone, so I cuss but I'm also polite.

Bring it on!! Show me your less than flattering side of the current occupant of the US White House.

DenoPenno comments on Feb 11, 2018:

The wall is a terrible idea. His parade is something to show Russia and North Korea's Kim. He throws tantrums to get his way and he is no friend of America. Trump is a conman, not fit to be POTUS, and the sooner he is gone the better off we all will be. It's strange to me that when I take this attitude others who do not agree can only start talking about Hillary or Obama. I have said nothing about them and was not talking about them. I am in reference to Donald Trump. Some others immediately start talking about AIG which I believe is an insurance company. If you fact check Trump you find he is the biggest liar around. If you believe Trump and are on his side then it must mean that the news agencies all over the world and most of the intel agencies are against him, spreading "fake news" , and just out to get him. How likely is it that the world is against him and he is right? The most simple conclusion is that Trump is a crook. Fact check his many lawsuits and see for yourself, or maybe you graduated from Trump University.

Since you all have been non believers, has it ever crossed your mind "what if im wrong"?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 11, 2018:

What if I am wrong about what? How could any religion be true when there are so many of them? For it to be true it would mean that only YOU had the right religion. Does that seem logical or even likely? I studied for the ministry and today my belief in gods is about the same as the Easter Bunny. For those who want to scare me with hellfire, please understand that when I die I am going to be cremated. Gods are imaginary.

The Reasons This Year's Flu Season Has Been Devastating Are, Yes, Mostly Your Fault

DenoPenno comments on Feb 11, 2018:

I get a flu shot every year and it is a guess on what might be coming your way at best. Getting the shot is not rocket science. However, I have a bad liver and they gave me a series of shots to prevent hep C because the docs said it would kill me. I felt strengthened by this. Now 2 years later, I still have that strength feeling and recent tests show my liver is also better. My blood work is terrific. Many people also do not understand that you cause the flu sometimes by changing from extreme hot to cold simply by running your heat at 90 degrees. You will be making yourself sick to do this. My heat is at 68 to 72 degrees. If you are still cold then put on a sweater or something.

My love or their love?

DenoPenno comments on Feb 11, 2018:

This is a very good question. I will give 2 funny nannygoats from life experiences of how others think people think. 1. A couple are laying outside on the ground just after sex and looking up into the sky when one asks the other "are you thinking what I'm thinking?" It's impossible or just a great coincidence. There is no way they are thinking the same things. No way at all. Often people pretend. 2. My now ex-wife of 12 years never understood why I wanted a blind in our kitchen fixed to where I could look outside and see where cars are parked. She thought this would have to do with me stopping something I am doing inside because her car had just pulled up. That's wrong. Now that we are divorced I have riveted that blind so it is always easy to see if a car pulls up. Open constantly it's like a peep hole in a door and has only to do with seeing if a car has arrived.

Depression from Nihilism

DenoPenno comments on Feb 11, 2018:

I'm new here and an older man. I would certainly call it depression. We have to remember that life is not meaningless, but life is what you make it. In other words - are you doing what you like to be doing and are you missing someone to do it with? If this is the case then you would need to find someone to share your life with. Maybe the 2 of you could make a life. It can be as simple as just 2 people and one being excited to see the other at the end of the day. There does not have to be children and a traditional family, etc. I have to work every day but my life is all about what I love to do or somebody who might be sharing things with me. Sometimes it's movies and music, food, TV. Other times you are happy doing your own things "together but apart" and just knowing the other person is there. Behind your own closed doors both of you are safe from the world. I have been this way through 3 marriages and one long term relationship. I go on as I do because I realize that people do change, and things in general change. I'm a loner and an introvert but one way or another there is always tomorrow.