gearl's Profile

I am :-@ bloody pissed.

gearl comments on Feb 5, 2018:

I thought the mail thing is a federal crime. I live in a very red town and if my mags didn't arrive I would have a fit. I've never had a problem in that regard. I asked my wife what she would do about the magazines as she is the local library manager. She said it would never get through the book work for one of her staff to order a religious magazine. If someone wants to donate she has them put the magazines on a free table in the foyer and if they remain until the end of the month then they go in the garbage and she tells that to the person wanting to put them there. I have seen religious stuff on that table a time or two so I grab it for fire starter material. If religious magazines were sent unrequested they would go in the trash.

One of the first things I ever read that helped validate some of the doubts I was having about ...

gearl comments on Feb 5, 2018:

I read "1984" and saw the similarities between Oceania and the religion I was in.

Many years ago a wonderful health practitioner I frequented said something that I didn't understand ...

gearl comments on Feb 5, 2018:

Sounds a lot like something that Deepak Chopra would say. Something on the sub-atomic level has nothing to do with our senses. if Michio Kaku ever said that anything similar to what you are describing I'd sure like to see the quote.

I don't drink alcohol.

gearl comments on Feb 5, 2018:

My mom and dad drank very little and I never saw either drunk. Me, I've always enjoyed alcohol and I drink it in moderation. I certainly respect your choice not to drink and I understand why you made that choice.

How much stock do you put in a college education these days?

gearl comments on Feb 4, 2018:

My daughter was fortunate enough to get a scholarship and grants so she shouldn't be spending years paying off her education. I agree that college isn't for everyone but I do have a problem with parents actively discouraging education.

I'm not a big football fan, so I found this picture funny. Are you excited about the Superbowl?

gearl comments on Feb 4, 2018:

Dish turned on movies so we have other things to watch.

WHY is the US Government so wrapped up in the world's religions and worlds religions problems?

gearl comments on Feb 3, 2018:

Religion and politics both equate to power.

CDC to cut by 80 percent efforts to prevent global disease outbreak - The Washington Post

gearl comments on Feb 2, 2018:

Scaling back on this while giving the rich bigger tax breaks is deplorable. I hope the funding is restored also.

I once was a member of a Pentecostal charismatic group.

gearl comments on Feb 2, 2018:

That makes me think that as a former Jehovah's Witness we believed that things could be demonized so that when somebody had something bad happen they would start going through their things looking for something they had bought at a yard sale so they could take it and destroy it. We were all poor enough that we all had to buy at yard sales and this became an ever reoccurring event.

What did you think of the Twilight saga novels?

gearl comments on Feb 2, 2018:

My wife was a fan so I got dragged to the theater for the films. They started OK but got progressively worse and "Breaking Down" was by far the worse.

I'm asking this not based on one's personal beliefs, but what is most appealing?

gearl comments on Feb 2, 2018:

I used to be JW and they believe that people just continue or are resurrected back to earth. That sounded good until I realized that I would have to live eternal life as a JW and believe me that would be hell.

A Massive Drought Could Leave Four Million People Without Water. Here's What You Need To Know.

gearl comments on Feb 1, 2018:

I live in Arizona and Tucson is a disaster waiting to happen. There are no rivers running into that city. Everything in groundwater in the middle of a large desert. They tried bringing in water from the Colorado, a couple of hundred miles, but it was so toxic that it ate all the plumbing in the houses where it went. They are building like there is no tomorrow and one day soon, there won't be.

Where would you live?

gearl comments on Feb 1, 2018:

I live in the mountains and like it fine.

Have you ever found yourself embarrassed after asking a question that didn’t quite come out the ...

gearl comments on Feb 1, 2018:

I have my share. The ones I think about were when I was young and had black friends and trying to be cool, I said things that would be today considered deplorable. Hopefully they overlooked them as it was a different world back then. It still doesn't make it right.

“Christianity Free School Zones”, Iceland’s New Leader Creating

gearl comments on Feb 1, 2018:

If we're posting the Onion or Laughing in Disbelief stories maybe we ought to declare them satirical in out post. Sometimes I just glance and don't think critically and then feel really stupid after.

Ladies, are we immodest because we're not covered up?

gearl comments on Feb 1, 2018:

If an ugly 74 year old man can say anything, it would be for you ladies to wear whatever the hell you feel comfortable with and if others don't like it they can go f@#$ themselves. My daughter went through a awkward age of thinking her legs didn't look good. We went to get her a dress for an event one day and she picked out this long thing to which I said she looked like a Mormon Polygamist. I told her there's nothing wrong with your legs and I'm tired of hearing about it. I then got her something appropriate for her age and she has never looked back. She's a shorts girl to this day. Also she's got good legs.

I know there is some debate about the existence of climate change, however, here in little NZ the ...

gearl comments on Feb 1, 2018:

There is no debate among the scientists. I know that weather and climate are different things but I will say that visible proof is staring us in the face here in the west. Every year it seems dryer and the fires are bigger and more intense. Although the East has had it cold we have had virtually no winter and hardly any snow. I can remember Carl Sagan years ago talking about climate change and saying that something to look for were extremes. It's extreme.

Any Jehovah Witnesses / Ex Witnesses care to clairfy?

gearl comments on Jan 31, 2018:

1st question: ? Dis-fellowshipping.? A) What are the real 'offenses' for having this put upon someone? There are so many. Adultery, fornication, artificial insemination, apostasy, ion or masturbation with a partner, simulating sex even while clothed. Smoking, drunkenness, associating with disfellowshipped people, blood and blood transfusions, drug use, drunkenness, dishonest business practices, Working for any religious, gambling or military organization, fraud. extortion, homosexuality, loose conduct, military service, voting, spiritism, physical abuse. There are more. B) Is it voluntary or a judgment handed down that must be obeyed? It’s like a trial. You go in and elders determine if you are guilty which you usually are and they tell you are disfellowshipped. If other Witnesses don’t shun you that is grounds for them being disfellowshipped. C) What does it entail? Must all JWs then shun the dis-fellowshipped person? How is this person viewed and treated? See B. It’s pretty absolute. Yes. My son and his family live a mile and a half from me and I haven’t spoken to him in about 20 years but just to not or say hi. I didn’t recognize him at the post office one day. 2nd question: ? What are the roles of women in JW society? They are seen as helpmates to their husbands. They are pretty much second class citizens and if the husband is abusive the elders will tell the wife that she needs to show more love to him. Do they have any say, any input? They can answer questions but not teach unless the other person is not baptized and then they have to wear a head covering. Is it only men who make decisions? Completely in the congregation and pretty much at home. 3rd question: ? Door Knocking: I have read that not only is the door knocking component ( AKA "servicing" ) is not only mandatory, but that a strict tally of hours must be kept. How true is this? In order to be a Jehovah’s Witness you have to go in “service” which is as you put it door knocking or do street witnessing. Also: I have read that notes are kept on the results of each home : EG: ? This person is already a Witness, no need to visit ? This person has responded in a somewhat friendly manner, keep trying them ? The people at this house are hostile, avoid this house. This wasn’t true when I was in but I’ve been out for 30 years. I keep up some and haven’t heard of it. We did keep track of interest. I would advise you to Google Lloyd Evans or John Ceders (same guy). He has a large following of YouTube and I’ve watched a lot of his stuff and can honestly say that I have never seen him say anything not true.

Are religious people really less smart, on average, than atheists? – Research Digest

gearl comments on Jan 31, 2018:

I don't have statistics but from observation of people I know, I tend to believe that there is a whole lot of religious people that look down on education and many want a good paying job without putting effort forward to attain it. They will physically work but lack motivation for learning. People that get educations and actually read are going to at least appear to be more intelligent and will probably score higher on a test.

About 10 years ago in Florida, I was at a barbeque at the home of a good friend, and her husband.

gearl comments on Jan 31, 2018:

I think the times they are a changing. Society changes in 10 years and hopefully this guy did with it. He was certainly a hypocrite. I was always pretty liberal but I certainly have changed attitudes about a lot of things. Having a strong willed and thoughtful daughter has helped with my transition to say the least. My wife is a lot more conservative than either of us but she's coming around also.

Britons View Atheists As More Moral Than Believers, Religion More Harmful Than Good

gearl comments on Jan 31, 2018:

Could it be with the hypocrisy in our government evident right now, that more people here in America will start to see the same thing. I really think it is happening.

Inherit the Wind scene, creationism vs. evolution - YouTube

gearl comments on Jan 31, 2018:

That's one of the few movies I can go back and watch over and over.

I am really looking forward to reading this book! Enlightenment Now, by Steven Pinker.

gearl comments on Jan 31, 2018:

Maybe I'll give it a try. I read "The Better Angels of Our Nature" and really enjoyed it.

Atheists are brave individuals by definition.

gearl comments on Jan 31, 2018:

That's why we teach our kids to think critically and make quality decisions. When they're twenty they might still want someone to talk things through with but usually they've already made the correct choice.

Differences in I.

gearl comments on Jan 31, 2018:

That's true. Your point?

Don't forget about the moon trifecta tomorrow! Blood moon, super moon, and blue moon! I'll be up at ...

gearl comments on Jan 31, 2018:

Here's what I saw.

If you ever attended church, did you ever pay tithe?

gearl comments on Jan 31, 2018:

One of the very few better points of the church that I attended was they didn't tithe or pass the plate. A box in the back where you could put what you wanted without somebody seeing how much that was.

5 Freedoms of Animal Welfare 1.

gearl comments on Jan 31, 2018:

Idealistic. If we're talking about wild animals not in a Disney film then Number 4 is the only one that is realistic. I do love animals.

How many of you have exited from a cult?

gearl comments on Jan 30, 2018:

I consider Jehovah's Witnesses to be a cult so yes.

Atheists Are Brainwashed By The Scientific Method

gearl comments on Jan 30, 2018:

It sounds like some of us took this as something other than satire.

Where do you get your news from?

gearl comments on Jan 30, 2018:

Rachael Maddow and Stephen Colbert. I'm a commie pinkie!

I believe everyone has a purpose and that we ourselves creat our own world and in turn we ourselves ...

gearl comments on Jan 30, 2018:

Folks are commenting that you are saying that people are born with a purpose where I am reading that you are saying we have a purpose that we have developed later. Which is it, I'm curious?

State of the Union Address, anyone?

gearl comments on Jan 30, 2018:

I'll watch a while till I throw up and my wife is screaming at me to clean up the mess.

Do you miss the social aspect of church?

gearl comments on Jan 30, 2018:

As I came out of a church that was total in or total out. They shun, so it was traumatic for a time. At the same time it was a huge weight off my shoulders.

Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced. - Søren Kierkegaard

gearl comments on Jan 30, 2018:

There is nothing I can argue with there.

What does it mean to you to forgive someone?

gearl comments on Jan 30, 2018:

To me it is saying basically that I will give you another chance. You screwed up this time, are you going to do it again. If you learned I will support you and help you but if you do it again!!!! I seldom give an adult a third chance.

Another interesting article on our social decline. [eand.co]

gearl comments on Jan 28, 2018:

A very interesting article but what a way to finish the evening. Signing off after that.

Believing there is no God gives me more room for belief in family, people, love, truth, beauty, sex,...

gearl comments on Jan 28, 2018:

For some reason that makes me think of a 1965 album by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass "Whipped Cream & Other Delights."

Should crime be (just) punished?

gearl comments on Jan 28, 2018:

I can see both pros and cons for the restitution argument. To me a larger problem is of white collar crime not being seen as heinous as blue collar. A bank manager who is already a millionaire steals a million dollars and gets 10 years and a Joe Blow steals a thousand at the local market and gets 20 years. I don't really know how to word the law but it needs to have more fairness. I know a lot of what a person gets away with is how much he can pay in legal fees.

Olympics 2018 in South Korea

gearl comments on Jan 25, 2018:

I'm not a sports fanatic but I love the Olympics. A couple of weeks every two years is just right for me. I root for the athletes and not the country. I would say that teenagers are amateurs and there are quite a few. There are also many that have spent years in competition but I just don't worry about it. I like to see what humans can accomplish.

General vent about being atheist in a very Christian community.

gearl comments on Jan 25, 2018:

Damn, I thought I had it bad! The only thing I could suggest is memorize some snarky questions. Questions always work best. You can find one for anything from Google.

Do you think science will ever unlock the true mysteries of the true reason the Universe came to be...

gearl comments on Jan 25, 2018:

My humble opinion is the big bang, I doubt it. As for abiogenesis I think it will be worked out. There is life everywhere, deep in the soil in volcanic vents under the ice and.. and.. and. I wonder if life right now isn't being born somewhere on earth and we just don't recognize it.

Blue Moon coming 31st Jan , not spooky, just Astronomy,

gearl comments on Jan 25, 2018:

Two full moons in one month plus an eclipse which is also called a blood moon. Pretty rare.

Frustrated

gearl comments on Jan 25, 2018:

I agree with everyone here but might add one thing. You might run into someone who is questioning his faith and if you are subtle you might have a decent conversation that would be productive for both of you. Otherwise religion is best discussed among nonbelievers.

Why is it that when you talk to God, it’s called praying?

gearl comments on Jan 25, 2018:

I talk to god. God-damn,SOB F@#$ing asshole anyway. Nobody ever accused me of praying.

I dislike living in a highly conservative area.

gearl comments on Jan 25, 2018:

I've managed since 1976 to live here. Thankfully my daughter graduated HS and went to Flagstaff before it got really bad. I just don't know anything else now and am too old to move. Besides there is a lot I like here. My wife is in charge at the library and all her staff are liberal so that helps. Me I'm retired so I can pick and choose.

Freedom from Religion Foundation TV Commercial Featuring Ron Reagan - iSpot.tv

gearl comments on Jan 25, 2018:

I just saw where it had been censored by a number of CBS affiliates. I see it on CNN all the time though. https://ffrf.org/news/news-releases/item/31554-ffrf-reagan-ad-runs-on-colbert-in-10-cities-censored-in-others

What's your preferred dwelling type?

gearl comments on Jan 25, 2018:

The house I have with an acre of land all paid for. We burn wood and no AC. My wife drives a mile to work and groceries are a mile and a half. Eight minutes gets you anyplace in town. The only drawback is how red it is but there are a few lefties to talk to. Once a month we drive 50 miles to the next larger town where we catch a movie and do what shopping we can't do at home.

How many people like telling people your anti religious and how many people keep it a secret? Why?

gearl comments on Jan 24, 2018:

It really doesn't come up that often but when asked or preached too then I have no problem telling folks.

What cheers you up when you’re feeling down?

gearl comments on Jan 24, 2018:

TLC or thinking about something else.

Do you recall any epic moments in history that you witnessed?

gearl comments on Jan 24, 2018:

9/11 and John Kennedy's assassination stand out to me.

Trump: What would make evangelicals stop supporting him?

gearl comments on Jan 24, 2018:

That's me little-ball.

Will it take a BlueTsunami to get the Cheeto impeached?

gearl comments on Jan 23, 2018:

I think so.

What is yourt favorite book?

gearl comments on Jan 23, 2018:

The Monkey Wrench Gang.

Really? You'd go back?

gearl comments on Jan 23, 2018:

We have to be careful of the "true Scotsman" fallacy but I think of the Pew poll showing that quite a number of people that identify as atheist also say they believe in god. Somebody doesn't know shit from shinola. A lot of people just don't bother to properly learn the meaning of words.

11 reasons Why Christianity and its God should be thrown into the dustbin of history

gearl comments on Jan 23, 2018:

I think most of us ask these very questions and need to continue to do so. Hopefully at least the young will start to see the reason we do ask them. They will realize Christianity is BS.

The Radical Christian Right and the War on Government

gearl comments on Jan 23, 2018:

I've been pretty depressed lately because of this very thing. Will out intelligent services ever start prosecuting folks that are clearly trying to destroy democracy?

Do you think there will ever be more atheist people in United States than religious people ,and if ...

gearl comments on Jan 23, 2018:

Not in my lifetime but I'm an old fart.

Sam Harris roasts Trump again for 14 minutes - YouTube

gearl comments on Jan 23, 2018:

I just spent 20 minutes posting on an Administrator post about liberals forcing conservatives off and the first post on this thread is a conservative posting a very derogatory statement that riles me. It asks me to approve this comment and I won't. I think I just became more tribal.

A sickness has infected the Catholic church in Scotland | Kevin McKenna | Opinion | The Guardian

gearl comments on Jan 22, 2018:

How soon will it spread here? Can't wait.

So why don't many US immigrants seek citizenship?

gearl comments on Jan 22, 2018:

My wife is an immigrant and I can vouch that it was pure hell getting citizenship. A lot of traveling, a lot of money, a lot of patience and a lot of fighting the INS and she was legal. We did everything by the book and it took right at ten years.

I am in love with this woman :-)The Weekly: Francesca Stavrakopoulou -

gearl comments on Jan 21, 2018:

She's a regular on BBC's The Big Questions and YouTube has a wealth of the episodes. She sure gives the believers hell oh there but in the best way possible. She is sharp.

Who here has an obsession with different religions and the reasons why they came to be?

gearl comments on Jan 21, 2018:

I've always been obsessive about whatever I am learning about. It was religion for a while. Now it's a bit of everything. When I was in the Philippines I visited about 20 different churches in one day. Those guys thought I was really religious. I just liked the history because many of those buildings dated back to the 15 hundreds. I also liked the sunsets and beaches and flowers and life. Go for the gusto.

What was a disillusionment in your life?

gearl comments on Jan 21, 2018:

I always thought people in general were somewhat intelligent but it appears that a large portion of the population have proven me wrong.

What’s the worst cyber argument you’ve ever had?

gearl comments on Jan 21, 2018:

I guess if you want the mental exercise then go for it. I do enjoy reading those comments to see what you post so keep up the good work.

Was thinking of the 1st amendment and freedom of the press where does it state in that amendment ...

gearl comments on Jan 21, 2018:

People that disrespect good education are also those that fall for magical beliefs and invisible friends. As the constitution says: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;" then maybe we're stuck with it. Glorifying information to increase the audience is certainly what both religion and politicians do.

If someone was to start an atheist church, would you attend?

gearl comments on Jan 21, 2018:

There are atheist churches called Sunday Assemblies. If there were one locally I would try it out. I could never become regular but it would be fun to find people with similar ideas. Jerry DeWitt has one such church in DeRidder, La. When I got out of religion, one thing I did miss was the fellowship. Now, not so much, but I would still try it on for size. DeWitt also wrote a book: "Hope After Faith: An Ex-Pastor's Journey from Belief to Atheism" which was worth reading. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/magazine/from-bible-belt-pastor-to-atheist-leader.html

Roadblocks and dreams.

gearl comments on Jan 21, 2018:

In my case at least, dreams are a consequence of what's on my mind. Sometime they are very helpful, sometimes they are nonsense and sometimes they are fun. We have brains to figure what category to put them in.

The evolution of my perspective on God, religion in general actually, has been a long one.

gearl comments on Jan 21, 2018:

Hebrews 11: 1 says: Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Well I hope I win the lottery and believing in something without evidence is pretty ignorant. I used to read this very verse and think it had positive meaning. No critical thinking skills. I experienced an evolution of thinking also.

I was brought up as a Spiritualist but never believed in a god so was always an Atheist but did ...

gearl comments on Jan 21, 2018:

A big part of folks on this site have come out of religious backgrounds and understand why people "think they believe" as you put it. I really did believe and it took a long time to come to the realization that the belief that I had was grounded in BS.

Embarrassed

gearl comments on Jan 20, 2018:

About everyone I know, knows that I am atheist. If they pray I stand and wait for the food.

TIMESUP

gearl comments on Jan 19, 2018:

There are just so many issues that a person can't even keep up. I guess that's Trump's strategy if he's even smart enough to have one. We all need to pick a few things we are passionate about and run with them.

What is you carbon footprint?

gearl comments on Jan 19, 2018:

I do what I can but until governments make very large efforts things won't get better. I would guess it will take an extreme event to kick them and the voters in the butt and by then. . . . .!

Any Sam Harris fans?

gearl comments on Jan 19, 2018:

I've read "Letter to a Christian Nation", "Islam and the Future of Tolerance", "Free Will" and "The End of Faith" and watched many debates and talks. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of him was his confrontation with Ben Affleck on Bill Maher's show. I gained even more respect for Harris and lost the same amount for Affleck.

I have never understood Christianity in the Black community.

gearl comments on Jan 19, 2018:

Community and peer pressure, I would imagine.

Atheism - Pew Survey

gearl comments on Jan 19, 2018:

I saw that survey before. It appears that people answer surveys without really knowing the definition of words the questions are about. 8% of people who say they are atheist also say they believe in god while 9% of those that say they don't believe in god don't claim to be atheist. Maybe they should explain the terms better. Also where did you find the 75% 25% numbers?

Do any of you look to Comedians for insight on political, religious, or societal topics?

gearl comments on Jan 19, 2018:

I think that comedians can confront people with the nonsense swirling around in the world without making them angry. George Carlin was my favorite but Jon Stewart, Bill Maher, Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Ricky Gervais, Sarah Silverman, Chelsea Handler, Julia Sweeney, Luis Black, Jim Jefferies, and Eddie Izzard all come to mind. The interesting thing about these folks with the possible exception of Colbert they are all irreligious and most outspoken atheists.

Can anybody give their views on mediums and faith healers? I think they are despicable.

gearl comments on Jan 19, 2018:

Anybody remember the 1972 documentary about Marjoe Gortner about a boy who had been brought up to be a faith healer and then allowed cameras in to show how bogus everything was? http://so4j.com/marjoe-false-teacher

What's Sacred to You?

gearl comments on Jan 18, 2018:

The truth. We've had a lot of discussion about what truth is on this site but I'm still old-school and believe truth is what is provably not false. I think we should stand for what is true, not someone's belief but what is provable by evidence. Since the terms alternative facts and alternative truth have become popular, it seems truth is a joke. No it's either true or it's false. The truth is the value I try to not betray.

Do you fear death?

gearl comments on Jan 18, 2018:

I do fear dying . Death not at all.

I love debates and intellectual muscle-flexing on forums such as this where the other participants ...

gearl comments on Jan 17, 2018:

Sometimes it hard to know how far to go in standing behind what you believe in and being overbearing. At times it has to be pointed out to us and at times we may just word a comment poorly. Unless things are really overboard I try to just go to another post.

In North Korea the People are Forced to Listen to Propaoganda..

gearl comments on Jan 17, 2018:

It is true.

Just the sprinkles. Looking for hidden beauty. What do you see?

gearl comments on Jan 17, 2018:

There is something about taking photography seriously that just helps us to see beauty. They are a wonderful invention. I am so much more aware of things when I'm actively looking for a good angle and symmetry. Maybe it's just the slowing down and really looking.

Meet “raw” water—ludicrously priced unfiltered water with random bacteria | Ars Technica

gearl comments on Jan 17, 2018:

Stephen Colbert did a segment on that last night. If your interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T961Wk-2YXg

After becoming an atheist about 15 years ago I started to question everything, looking for the best...

gearl comments on Jan 17, 2018:

Your petty relevant to your 9 year old son. There is no ultimate purpose but surely you have purpose both to your son and yourself. We've all been down and thought about chucking it but there is just so much fun in life it you look for it rather than the down side of things.

This guy has to be the worst president in history I can believe the blind Faith backing him...

gearl comments on Jan 17, 2018:

Trump has made 2,001 false or misleading claims in 355 days that's more than 5.6 claims a day according to the Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2018/01/10/president-trump-has-made-more-than-2000-false-or-misleading-claims-over-355-days/?utm_term=.26641e37b2e1

What about the other planets?

gearl comments on Jan 17, 2018:

Didn't the Bible just place planets in with stars. I don't think the folks writing the Bible had an idea of what a planet was. On the 4th day god placed the sun, moon and stars into the firmament to provide light. No mention of planets. Venus, the morning and evening star was spoken of as Lucifer. I'm still hoping for life on either mars or a moon of Jupiter. and I agree it would cause them a real problem. Just some one-celled life, that's all. Something that everything else could evolve from.

Vote Yes or NO.

gearl comments on Jan 17, 2018:

Racist.

The Danger of Claiming That Rights Come From God