Was there a specific event that led to realization that there is no divine intervention?

Paul4747 comments on Nov 17, 2017:

I had never believed in divine intervention... but the moment that opened my eyes to how ridiculous it is to believe that any supernatural being takes a direct hand of any kind in human affairs, was my ex's great-aunt's funeral. The pastor there (preacher? not sure of the term in their denomination) was explaining how her death was actually a happy occasion, since she had been called up to Heaven... and even though it may have seemed a little early (she was only 89 as I recall), this was all God's doing, since, although she had led a blameless life so far, "sometimes God will call a person up if there's a danger of them falling into sin and losing their redemption." I just sat there shaking my head. Had he actually just said that God had KILLED an old lady to keep her from becoming a sinner and losing her shot at going to heaven? There were so many objections I wanted to make at this point. What sin can you commit at 89 that you didn't already do when you were in your 20s? If there's a God who picks people out individually for death, so they go to heaven, then why does ANYONE go to Hell? Didn't his God just negate free will? More important, didn't his God just commit FREAKIN' MURDER? And that's when I began my journey to being a confirmed atheist.

The western liberals feel ashamed of their ancestors who enslaved the Africans and killed the native...

Paul4747 comments on Nov 17, 2017:

Are you talking about foreign affairs, domestic politics, or what exactly? What is this post about?

Why do celebrities get a free (religious) pass?

Paul4747 comments on Nov 17, 2017:

When I watch "Pulp Fiction" or "A Few Good Men", I don't think about whether John Travolta and Tom Cruise are Scientologists during the film. I don't really care. It doesn't affect their acting. And unless a performer is singing a religious-themed song, I can't tell if they are or are not religious without knowing about their personal life. I strongly suspect a lot of country music stars are Christians, and a lot of rock singers aren't, but I could be wrong. My point is that they are providing a service. I don't care what their beliefs are any more than I care whether the checkout clerk at the grocery store has a cross on a necklace. (She did.) It doesn't change the quality of the performance. I suspect most religious people feel this way about atheist celebrities. If they enjoy the show, they don't care what the performer believes offstage.

Will these "religious freedom" bills reverse the rise of Atheism in the U.S?.

Paul4747 comments on Nov 17, 2017:

I had no idea the religious right was so oppressed. Considering that since Reagan, they've taken credit for putting every other President in office, along with every time the Republicans control the legislature and every conservative on the Supreme Court, they're obviously being trampled by... no, wait, I'm sorry, this is clearly a fallacy. There's no lack of religious freedom, except where they want to teach Bible mythology as scientific fact in public schools and where they want to be allowed to directly endorse candidates for office (rather than handing out thinly veiled "voting guides" in which the Republican candidates are identified as "pro-family" and the others are in favor of tossing fetuses into incinerators).

Should public nudity be legal?

Paul4747 comments on Nov 15, 2017:

Can we make a list of people we DON'T want to see naked? Trump. Karl Rove. Bill Clinton. O'Bannon. The list will grow. I know, I'm on the list, too.

How has the Zionists in Israel managed to take over complete control over the US government and have...

Paul4747 comments on Nov 15, 2017:

Israel is the only pro-Western democracy in the region. The West (through the UN) established Israel as a haven for the Jews after WW2, out of our guilt for having done nothing to stop Hitler and the Holocaust prior to the war. We continue to support it because the Israelis are a friendly nation, as opposed to Iran, Iraq, and Syria who are openly hostile or at best neutral. We continue turning a blind eye to the Israeli's crimes and their illegal settlement policy, partially because they are our best military ally in the region, and partly because of the influence of evangelicals who believe it's necessary for Israel to exist so that the Apocalypse can come about and wipe out the world (including the Jews). If this were taking place somewhere other than in the oil-rich Middle East, we wouldn't give a crap and there would have been an ethnic cleansing on the scale of Rwanda years ago.

Psychedelics?

Paul4747 comments on Nov 13, 2017:

No thanks, I'm straight.

Do any of my fellow agnostics and atheist have children who believe in god?

Paul4747 comments on Nov 13, 2017:

My daughter has been sent to Sunday school and goes to church. She says she believes, but I don't think she has the knowledge of what it is she supposedly believes in. At her age I believed too. Critical thinking is an acquired skill and I'm exposing her gradually to the facts about religion, so she can make her own informed choice, not what she's been indoctrinated to believe. Ironically, it's easier now that I'm divorced and don't have to try to keep peace between myself and a churchgoing wife.

So my family knows some people connected to the church in San Antonio that just had the mass ...

Paul4747 comments on Nov 13, 2017:

Believing in divine intervention of any kind takes incredible cognitive dissonance. God is supposedly all-powerful, yet is not powerful enough to prevent mass homicides... but he will selectively save certain individuals during or after those homicides... based on no criteria that can be discerned by mere mortals. It seems to be a contest between the devil and god, in which the devil tempts us to go around killing people, and god apparently can't talk us into not killing people. I feel truly sorry for believers who pray and worship yet nevertheless see a friend or loved one die tragically. There must be a sense of wondering why their loved one wasn't worthy of a miracle, while others were.

Through These Godless Eyes -- What Are We Supposed To Do?

Paul4747 comments on Nov 6, 2017:

What I did was realize that IF the God in the Bible and the Koran exists, he's a murderous monster who isn't even restrained by his own rules and therefore isn't deserving of anyone's worship. Having no rational evidence for the existence of ANY god, it was doubly a relief that this one almost certainly doesn't exist. And if he does, he isn't fit to judge anyone.

JUST IN: 'POLITICO' Announces Weekend Betsy DeVos Resignation/Firing Rumor

Paul4747 comments on Nov 4, 2017:

I read that her husband (another Republican Dick) (no no, that's his name) donated to conservative PACs in Michigan after they both swore that they wouldn't donate after her appointment. They claim they thought they just meant donating to national level organizations must end, and state or local groups were OK. That's either willful ignorance or outright lying, and I can't decide at this point which one is worse. Then again, the whole Trump administration is riddled with blatant lying, deliberately turning a blind eye, and pretending to be ignorant of the truth, from top to bottom. The only way it's lasted this long is a Senate that's more interested in party loyalty than in good government.

Half of New Testament forged, Bible scholar says – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs

Paul4747 comments on Nov 4, 2017:

The fact that the Epistles weren't all written by the person they were attributed to isn't news to scholars and people who actually do their homework rather than take the Books at face value. The news is that this is hopefully reaching a wider audience and at least a few (1/10 of 1 percent, is that too optimistic?) will be inspired to look deeper and educate themselves.

Would you want a Christian God to be real?

Paul4747 comments on Nov 4, 2017:

Sometimes I want God to be real so I have someone to blame for all the bad shit that happens. Someone all-powerful, who could have stopped it but didn't. Someone omniscient who could have prevented Hitler at conception, because He foresaw the slaughter of the Holocaust. Christians keep praising God when someone is "miraculously" saved from a terrible death. But why doesn't He miraculously save everybody, in that case? When people die in freak events, 1,000,000 to 1 odds that just happen to result in someone sliding on the patch of oil and going through a guardrail to their death, well, that must have been God too, right? So why don't they get angry at God for causing that? IF God exists, He can't be omniscient, omnipotent, AND benevolent. Two out of three at best.

I am accused of having no morals because I am an atheist.

Paul4747 comments on Nov 4, 2017:

I've encountered too many alleged "Christians" and "Muslims" (and seen many more in public life) who claim that their religion gives them a superior morality, but commit what I consider immoral acts daily. Most often, religion is used as an excuse for immoral actions against the out-group that doesn't share the same religion- and this goes back to the roots of Judeo-Christian-Islamic religion, in which "God" chose one group to be superior to all others. The smugness inherent in being the "chosen people" has nothing to do with morality, instead it's an excuse to avoid examining one's own morality: an assumption that if God is on your side, your actions are automatically moral. Even if you're committing murder in the name of God. Jesus said that Christians should love their enemies. Very few Christians live by this code. Most pray for victory over their enemies, not for strength to endure their troubles. Christianity, like Islam, is largely practiced as a warrior religion. My own self-derived moral code is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". (I borrowed the wording, but I came up with the sentiment myself.) Violence is unacceptable except in self-defense or the defense of others. Nothing is forbidden between consenting adults of sound mind. I help others when I'm able to help. I accept full responsibility for my actions. Now, you won't find that in any bible, but I think it's a better and more moral way to live than by foisting responsibility and blame on an invisible alpha male and his invisible enemy living in some fiery pit.

Are Theist In Your Face In The Bible Belt?

Paul4747 comments on Nov 4, 2017:

My apartment is across from an Episcopalian church, yet ironically I don't feel they're "in my face" at all. The real issue is at my work (in corrections) where about 50% of the prisoners seem to be some type of religious zealot these days. They wear their oversize religious symbols around their necks, conduct unofficial group meetings in the dayroom and on the yard, and inform me that they have "the Holy Spirit" on their side, so they're justified in breaking our mere secular conduct regulations. Policy states that we can't interfere with their free exercise of religion (and I agree, that's the Constitution), but we do limit the size of their group meetings because they frequently use these as cover for gang activity. I also feel that if they were going to discover God and live a life of holiness, it would have been better to do that before committing murder/arson/rape/jaywalking. Somehow religious converts seem less sincere when they're in prison.

The US Gun Violence Problem

Paul4747 comments on Nov 4, 2017:

The thing is... the thing is... The overall trend in both gun crime and violent crime altogether has been down since 1980. Gun deaths went from 6.6 per 100,000 in 1980 to 3.6 in 2010. But now we hear about every shooting and stabbing and robbery, because the 24-hour news cycle demands constant feeding, and if it bleeds, it leads.

Who agrees with the theory of multiverse?

Paul4747 comments on Nov 4, 2017:

Doesn't quantum theory mean that there are multiple universes superimposed on one another every time something happens, for instance, one where I did post this reply and another where I didn't?

How do you feel about AI is it a threat in itself, is it a threat in the hands of the military or is...

Paul4747 comments on Nov 4, 2017:

I fear the self-driving cars, and the first day someone hacks them for their amusement. It WILL happen. If man can make it, man can break it. I especially fear the day they become MANDATORY. When the Nanny State decides the car is a better driver than I am. If that technology is in any car I buy, my first step will be to locate and rip out the fuse that controls it. I will NEVER, let me make this clear, NEVER ride in a car that drives itself.

Beyond MeToo and IBelieveYou -- What will it take to end rape culture?

Paul4747 comments on Nov 4, 2017:

Wait a minute. Hang on here. Rape "culture"? This sounds like the entire culture is devoted to raping women. Maybe I'm not part of the "culture", but I'm appalled by the idea of forcing anyone into any sexual acts against their will. This sounds to me like the old radical feminists' claims that rape isn't an act by A man against A woman, but the means by which ALL men subjugate ALL women. (I also, for the record, object to the similar idea that there's a "gun culture", which sounds as if a bunch of guys are sitting around planning their next mass shooting.) "Culture" isn't the problem and it isn't the cure. Individuals are. Blame the perpetrators. Put them on trial. Instead of electing them to the Presidency for crying out loud.

Is it possible to have sub-categories?

Paul4747 comments on Nov 3, 2017:

I would love to see a category about submarines.

What do you find sexy?

Paul4747 comments on Nov 3, 2017:

If she loves the humor of Monty Python, the comedy of George Carlin, the music of Warren Zevon... if her hair looks like she doesn't spend an hour on it every morning... if she laughs a lot and smiles more... most important, if she smiles at me. If she touches my hand and looks in my eye when we talk. If she spells the complete words instead of typing "How r u" in a text. OK, I'll admit, I like to see a nice figure. Not too skinny.

What do you like to do to relieve stress?

Paul4747 comments on Nov 3, 2017:

I like a good massage. And I'm off to get one right now. Bye.

Hello everyone.

Paul4747 comments on Nov 3, 2017:

This is one of the most difficult issues for anyone (he said, solidifying his title as "Master of the Bloody Obvious"). I'm perfectly happy discussing religion and atheism with my daughter, now that I'm divorced. Prior to that, my wife knew that I had "fallen away" from going to church, but I know she didn't want to accept that I no longer believed in her God. Many families might feel the same about their atheist or agnostic members. If the subject causes conflict and you want to avoid this, then by all means just lower your head when they say grace but keep your mental reservations to yourself, the way I did at so many family gatherings. Otherwise, if you're asked to say the blessing yourself, you have two choices the way I see it; either politely decline and explain that you're not a believer, or do what I did at the first Thanksgiving with her family: just say, "Good bread, good meat, good god, let's eat!" I was never asked to say grace again.

What is the non-theist replacement for "I'll pray for you?"

Paul4747 comments on Nov 3, 2017:

"Let me know if there's any way I can help you and your family" is my usual response at a time like this, especially if it's someone close enough to me that we're having this conversation in the first place. It's something more concrete than "thinking of you" and definitely more productive than prayer.

I’ve been trying to exercise my demons, but they won’t budge.

Paul4747 comments on Nov 3, 2017:

I had the same thing with my ex. She insisted she needed to exercise, so I bought her a membership for Xmas. Even though she acted delighted, she never used it. Then eventually, a few years later, I exorcised myself right out of the house.

The Clitoris is the Devil's Doorbell

Paul4747 comments on Nov 2, 2017:

I also got a picture of a billboard when I went to that page... "You can't hold hands with God while you're masturbating" Well, why not? Couldn't God just hold one hand? I mean, I've held hands with a girlfriend before while... wait, never mind... forget I mentioned it.

Biblical dilemma?

Paul4747 comments on Nov 2, 2017:

Dear Penultimate, Far be it from me to call anybody out, but you seem to be recirculating the letter originally written by a gentleman named Kent Ashcraft to Dr. Laura Schlessinger (https://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/drlaura.asp) and widely distributed via the internet since then. So that our fellow members can judge, here's the orginal text, as quoted on Snopes. "Dear Dr. Laura, Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them. a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them? b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her? c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense. d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians? e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself? f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? g) Lev 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here? h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die? i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves? j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town ...

Why can't Americans disagree respectfully?

Paul4747 comments on Nov 1, 2017:

Is it because of talk radio? Is it because Newt Gingrich in the 1990s taught his Republican disciples to characterize their opponents using words like "sick", "pathetic", and "traitor" to help win elections, and the discourse has gone downhill from there? Is it because pop culture is built on sound bite news and shows like Jerry Springer, where the audience actively encourages the guests to fight and throw furniture at each other? Is it simply because we're a nation of arrogant jerkasses? Is it all of the above? (Correct answer: E. All of the above.)

Honoring the dead & cremate or bury?

Paul4747 comments on Nov 1, 2017:

A funeral is not & never has been for the dead person. It's not really been understood by most people that way, though. The purpose of the service or ritual for the dead is to allow the living to get over the loss of the friend or loved one who is no longer there. Religious afterlives doubtless started out of the belief or hope that the person was not truly gone, just "elsewhere". I hope for a Viking funeral, myself. A rowboat, a cord of wood, and ten gallons of kerosene... shove it out onto Lake Superior and set fire to me. I'm sure I have friends who would toss the burning torch.

Do you support Trump?

Paul4747 comments on Oct 30, 2017:

Trump doesn't EVEN deserve the respect the position calls for. He has degraded the office to the point of mockery. In fact, Trump might be evidence for diabolical intervention in human affairs... except that it can actually be chalked up to sheer willing blindness and fecklessness on behalf of the people who voted for him. No matter what you think of Clinton (ugh...) it's impossible to justify voting for a man who lies over 70% of the time, boasts about sexually assaulting women (and claims they love him for it), breaks contracts left and right, has gone bankrupt multiple times yet claims he's a brilliant businessman, started with his father's money but claims he worked his way up to where he is... I could go all day. No, I do not support him.

Are you an open or closet agnostic/atheist, and why?

Paul4747 comments on Oct 30, 2017:

I have no problem being open about my atheism. People frequently throw their religion in my face where I work, I have no hesitation letting them know where I stand as well.

Do you think that science teachers should teach alternatives to evolution in public schools?

Paul4747 comments on Oct 30, 2017:

Should they teach that the flat earth is an alternative to the round earth? Or alternatives to the germ theory of disease? Only because the topic is evolution, and by extension whether humans share a common ancestry with all other animals, is this even under discussion. If we're a special creation, then the Bible is literally true, we rule the world and what we do to it doesn't matter, because it's all going to be destroyed after the Apocalypse and we're all going to heaven or hell. But if we evolved from common ancestors, then not only might the Bible simply be mythology (casting doubt on the existence of God and heaven and hell) but we're just really smart primates. And we had better start worrying about global climate change, because our great grandchildren are going to have to deal with the consequences of our actions. Also, we should stop fighting wars over whose interpretation of the possibly nonexistent God is correct. All those things flow from the evolution debate.