jacpod's Profile

Where were you when you realized you were an atheist?

jacpod comments on Apr 10, 2018:

In my street in London on sunday wondering why no one was out to play!

Is there any relationship between salary and overall life satisfaction?

jacpod comments on Apr 10, 2018:

I wonder if its anything to do with 'doing' or 'being' I am a doer and get satisfaction from that whatever the job or whatever the rewards - Just like being busy. I cant really imagine 'being' people getting too upset though either - because 'being' would also be enough so I guess it comes down to how shit the job is?

What are you telling your children or grandchildren about religion and god and where you stand on ...

jacpod comments on Apr 10, 2018:

Nowt, I think they probably know anyway, but its isnt my place as I see it to have that conversation with them .

I enjoy walking through old cemeteries, do YOU?

jacpod comments on Apr 10, 2018:

I loved the 'pere la chaise' (sp?) cemetary in Paris, it is so old and there are such beutiful enamelled likenesses on the stones everythign is falling apart and it seems such a wild unrly place - The people from the Paris Commune are buried there - I also like Higate cemetary adn there is one in Newcastle upon Tyne somewhere in Jesmond that has a childrens plot which is so well tended.

Compliments

jacpod comments on Apr 10, 2018:

Not so much compliments ; though I could have taken them that way - Just my list of academic qualifications - whenever I dont feel good about myself i have a litany, to myself , of all the things I have achieved and it cheers me up.

Have you ever experienced a moment of clarity where you know that everything is about to change in ...

jacpod comments on Apr 10, 2018:

Yes when my mother died - She was big-time trouble, mainly manic. My son rang me one day and said he had some news and i might want to sit down - My mother had died; and, I felt free for the first time in my life even though I left our abusive home at 15 y.o.

How long does a good thing last? Can you ever say I've had enough?

jacpod comments on Apr 10, 2018:

Like a lot thanks - yes I live a simple life and can have these pleasures .

If God made himself known to you one day and said, "You must sacrifice the life of your child for ...

jacpod comments on Apr 10, 2018:

I think in the actual story wasnt he only trying it on to see how much he was loved -( very insecure god this one )

Agree or disagree?

jacpod comments on Apr 10, 2018:

Agree. I think that perfectionism leads to O.C.D and other mental unwellnesses. I have a mantra for when I get too wound up - I am enough -I have enough I do enough - Probably could end that with enough is enough - or enough is as good as a feast !(My fathers saying).

Have you ever changed your name - I don't mean for a pseudonym like here but changed it for real?

jacpod comments on Apr 9, 2018:

I swapped my middle name and first name around because I felt I wanted to be someone different - I was called Jack, a lot, and hated it .The other name was Laura and I have a pretty strange surname so was glad to change again when I got married . Then I changed back again and people call me Jac or Jackie or jacqueline which sounds o.k to me I was divorced and remarried but decided to stay with my given names

Looking for other D.I.D. people. How much does it interfere with your daily life?

jacpod comments on Apr 9, 2018:

my partner helps me with remembering and i have lots of white boards and message pads around the place my doctor is really lovely and on my side so thats a good bit .

What's your favourite building?

jacpod comments on Apr 9, 2018:

The Queens Palace at Greenwich with the painted hall which is magnificent. I come from a small town called Lee green near Blackheath . Greenwich is set in a Royal Park with deer Henry the 8th built it and on the top of the hill above it you can look straight over the river Thames - there are then Parks to walk through all the way ot woolwich. The clock that is greenwich mean time is disappointint ot me just like a kitchen clock but there is a Maritime museum there too which is really good So A collection of historic Buidings all in one place.

What is the one thing you want to accomplish, but for some reason or other have not?

jacpod comments on Apr 9, 2018:

I am a crafter but unfortunately for me i have difficulty with my spatial vision - I cant turn things round in my head, my brain just collapses so I would love to be able to design things first because with my impediment i have to just go ahead and try it out , over and over to see what will work . I once made an electric mobile which couldn' t go round and my partner told me it couldn't and I said rather nastily if** you** wanted to make it go round you would do it! Its taken me many years to realise why it couldn't work.

How do you style your hair everyday?

jacpod comments on Apr 9, 2018:

I dont - I have very straight hair and I cut my own fringe by gathering the fringe together then twisting it tightly and cutting though the twist - (it works so long as you hold your nerve) My hair grows very quickly so I grow it for cancer wigs - Its a bit disheartenign because they actually never tell you if they used it or not but still its worth the try because I am not very worried about how i look - when my hair is longer after the last donation i just tie it in a low pony tail.

Don't you hate it when you think of something good to say and then you forget it completely?

jacpod comments on Apr 9, 2018:

Absolutely.... what dd you say again...

Can I be a Catholic Atheist?

jacpod comments on Apr 9, 2018:

You have options, I dont think you'd be able to take the scarament would you? Nothing to stop anyone going to a service - I go with anyone if they specifically ask me to - it doesnt interfere with my atheism in any way - its just like going to somebodys house for a cup of tea and a plate of biscuits. I think - never ever having had a god of any kind that I am free of any restriction (apart from my own need to be polite and kind) that would stop me entering any building designed for worship . Millions of vistors every year go to Westminster Abbey and St Pauls cathedral and are respectful- pretty sure a good percentage of them are godless like me..

Does the thought of dying alone scare you?

jacpod comments on Apr 9, 2018:

No

Do animals have "souls"

jacpod comments on Apr 9, 2018:

We are animals arent we? but I dont pay much heed to the idea of a soul.

Misrepresentation?

jacpod comments on Apr 9, 2018:

Any of the above maybe all of them? Just saying!

Who's been the best President of the United States in your lifetime?

jacpod comments on Apr 9, 2018:

Obama. (but I dont really count as I'm English I shouldnt get a vote) I will be keenly intrested if any one says Trump.

Best Books

jacpod comments on Apr 9, 2018:

I remember the first adult book I ever read when I was eleven y.o. was called 'Did She Fall' by Thorne Smith its really old and i havent re read it since i was about 15 but I do remember feeling really adult - My mum never read much, just those condensed slim womens fiction, but she had a copy of Lady Chatterlys Lover under her bed that I found and read not sure that I got any of the sexual allusions at all but knew it was banned - but again it felt like I was really growing up. I cant pick a favourite because I'd be here all night wondering which really was the best. My Aunt used to belongto a book club and if she found a book she thought i would like she would save it for me - So maybe its a book called Mostly Murder by Sir Sidney Smith the first pathologist

Since I've been doing so well for 2 years, today was my last therapy session.

jacpod comments on Apr 9, 2018:

yee hi! I do know what that feels like! Not cured but managing - its the best! well done you .

Best Books

jacpod comments on Apr 9, 2018:

Mostly Murder by sir sidney smith

Recently took up embroidery and I’m making this for my daughter.

jacpod comments on Apr 9, 2018:

I am sure that you are and not just for embroidery!

A part of a giant storm system that came through

jacpod comments on Apr 9, 2018:

WhhhooooHHh!!!! as I was posting this I noticed the pop up notice that says be as descriptive as you can or sonethign like that WhhhhhhhooooHHHHH

Changing times

jacpod comments on Apr 8, 2018:

Already do in some countries France is the most Atheist in Europe.

What are your thoughts on existentialism?

jacpod comments on Apr 8, 2018:

(Only that my brain hurts} - I think, its me , I give my life meaning. I dont feel I 'have' to be anything. My life just proceeds as I live it - Seems to me its like life happens to you and you find out who you are and what you are by watching the way you deal with it, and whether you want to change that process.

Are there historical religious figures that you respect? Any you have learned from?

jacpod comments on Apr 8, 2018:

I love Emma Goldman ; Red Emma, "If I cant damce I'm not coming to your revolution" - Also Ghandhi.

Have you lost friends that are religious due to criticizing religion too harshly for them?

jacpod comments on Apr 8, 2018:

No but I live in a profoundly religious/sectarian part of the world and people dont seem to mind me at all, I am sort of 'other' so sort of neutral, when I first came here 25 years ago I got some hostility but it was a lot hotter in those days.

Just do it.

jacpod comments on Apr 8, 2018:

There are only four people in the UK with my second name and only one person in France with my full first and second name --- (ha ha its not rumpelstilskin)

Tell me something about your town/village/area.

jacpod comments on Apr 8, 2018:

I loved america too - I live in Ballycastle Northern Irealnd I am about four minutes from the sea and I can see Rathlin Island, and also Scotland.( I do like Southport too)

Clay mask to heal acne?

jacpod comments on Apr 8, 2018:

if it does you no goood it will do you no harm you can buy fullers earth and make that into a paste.

What do you prefer doing when you feeling sad and depressed?

jacpod comments on Apr 8, 2018:

I usually go to bed for a little while to get over myself and then go out and do some gardening.

Does anyone on here have really religous friends?

jacpod comments on Apr 8, 2018:

No none really I have one friend who admits she is hedging her bets so I am not tkaing her very seriously - I come from England and its pretty godless there - now living in Northern Ireland where most people profess to be on one side or another politically adn the religion follows catholics are Nationalist or Irish protestants see themselves as british or loyalist So though I have froends here we dont really talk about any of that!

Why does gender matter? Does it matter, what real difference does it make to anyone?

jacpod comments on Apr 8, 2018:

in the U.K women get very much less for the same job It also matter s to me that we carry the babies .

Truth....

jacpod comments on Apr 8, 2018:

Anyoen here with D.I.D I havent had a peep out of my alters for ages and I am missing them I have one called Miss piggy who was a sort of go- between and she seem s to have vanished. I am accepting their right to come and go as they please an d have privacy from me but I do miss her.

Since the Ranitidine change, I now take one less pill in my daytime medications.

jacpod comments on Apr 8, 2018:

Yo go go go @tt@ girl!

Why do families pray before eating?

jacpod comments on Apr 8, 2018:

I was about 9 years old old before I ever heard anyone say grace - I am truly thankful for my food but thankful to the farmer and the grocer and the person who makes the dinner, seems like a lot of people, shopkeepers and suppliers etc. who all go into me havng a very nice meal.

Recuperating and laziness.

jacpod comments on Apr 8, 2018:

During the last war America sent us food parcels my dad was at the war and my mum was a welder on the docks as were the rest of her family; a food parcel was sent from the U.S.and tea bags were in it no one here in the uk had seen them before so they spent a whole evening cuttin up the bags and emptying them into a tea caddy- (I would send you decaff coffee) but @sarahroo probably wouldnt get to you!

Long post- sorry in advance Ok.

jacpod comments on Apr 8, 2018:

I dont work any more retired and glad to be out of the game = workplaces are often hives of gossip and intrigue likes and dislikes and an opportunity for weak people to take their disappointments in life out on others - Try being a bit sharp back even though you might be play acting about it - People dont learn how to behave themselves if they aren't given a clear boundary and it might show them that you aren't scared or a pushover . I am not great at dealing with other people but learned this one the hard way myself. Give them an inch they'll take a mile!

Do you dislike all religions equally?

jacpod comments on Apr 7, 2018:

I dont dislike religions at all - I am sure they tick a box for many people - I have never had a religion. I suppose the ones I dislike the most are the ones where people feel they are on a mission to convert you because i don't like being curt, but I dont want anything to do with proseletysers. there is a lovely buddhist centre in London that odes cheap food for people who are poor it doesnt get dished up with a side plate of religion they just do it for the homeless etc.

What is your weirdest irrational fear?

jacpod comments on Apr 7, 2018:

I am frightened of falling forever - when I was a young child I was on an escalator one of the old ones, and hte person I was with, fell - and he actually was fallu-ing forever because the escalator just kept going - Its not escalators I fear but that idea of not being able to right myself. or get off -

Boundaries

jacpod comments on Apr 7, 2018:

I am usually awful I run around after everybody but there is a man in my sheltered acconnodation scheme who really needles me, he is often drunk and always in charge of the handset for the communal T.V. watching the racing- he probably has a form of alzheimers and he shouts quite loudly and is always giving me orders - like ' put your shoes on ! Dont do that! I stopped talking to him and interestingly its working.

Does anyone else sit in with a book on Saturday night or am I dull as fuck?

jacpod comments on Apr 7, 2018:

well I must be too because I'd rather be with a book and a hot water bottle than anything else- Saturday is just another daY.

Recuperating and laziness.

jacpod comments on Apr 7, 2018:

I do washing in my scheme for other residents so did that today - they pay me whatever they feel like, and i just got to my next £100.00 for the charity I support - I did a bit of cleaning up for myself - not much - made lunch for my partner and then went out up the town for a coffee with a friend Ballycastle is a small town but has very many coffee bars cafes pubs ice cream parlours etc. I am only about four minutes walk for the sea -It was awfully windy here today though .earlier in the month when we had the hurricane all the sand on the beach ended up in the bowling green and the old walled harbour which is now a tennis court It was nice to see its all been returned to its former glory.Met quite a few other residents Ballycastle is small - if you ever look it up on google maps there are two Ballycastles we are facing Rathlin Island - Its pretty beautiful here but can get quite windy.\

What wrong assumptions do people frequently make of you?

jacpod comments on Apr 7, 2018:

They think that I am not very bright - I am fairly shy especially around strong confident people - They think that I am a pushover and many times I am as I am one of the youngest at 70y.o. in my sheltered housing association . I do have in fact three advanced degrees Soc psych, Fine and Applied Art, Art History and armfuls of advanced diplomas plus being the first woman plasterer in England and a Lecturer in Person Centred Counselling and a founder member of Person Centred Creative Expresive Therapy Institute in England - They dont know that I went to a free school, never did any maths and cant handle figures to save my life 'Discalculia' (and I wont be telling them any of this )

Why should we respect religion, when they don't respect atheist?

jacpod comments on Apr 7, 2018:

Because we are bigger than that and we dont have to respect them, just leave them alone to get on with their lives. if you need that crutch its there.\ I dont blame anyone who does beleive its whatever gets you though the night - I think because it makes us ok peopel to be acceptant - as I said before I wouldnt take any nutterguff but if someone was really troubled I would sit with them - I am not sure that respect comes into it - if another human is in pain and needs help and I can give it without hurting myself I will.

Do you dislike all religions equally?

jacpod comments on Apr 7, 2018:

I rather think its legitamite to use anything in your power to get through a life without a breakdown - any crutch will do so I dont get annoyed with people who are using something to keep themselves O.K. with themselves; t he only religious I cant stand are those who try to convert me - but I am just rude adn walk away whilst they are saying theyll proay for me and cry for me - doh! I think mind your own business and I'll mind mine!

Be the voice for the voiceless. goVegan

jacpod comments on Apr 7, 2018:

yep I am vegan

You can thank me later for this ;-) warning...may be addicting...

jacpod comments on Apr 7, 2018:

I like it even before I tried it - Like anything with chocolate.Or Coffee.

Am I alone in having issues with understanding lyrics?

jacpod comments on Apr 7, 2018:

you can usually get the words so maybe a good idea to look at the lyrics forst so you knwo what the song is about - I know many peopel who miss words in songs or get htem wrong because its now always a clear recording (my Friend was singing 'Bollocking Tyre' instead of Mull of Kintyre.

Anyone else in recovery from addiction?

jacpod comments on Apr 7, 2018:

I have been off drink for more than 41 years never went to AA went to my doctor - I thnk iI had an easier ride and it still worked . Dont think i hav eany other addictions apart from buying wool and materials.

Tell me something moving or profound that you heard, saw, or read about non-belief.

jacpod comments on Apr 7, 2018:

If people are good only because they fear punishment and hope for a reward then we are a sorry lot indeed - Albert Einstein

So you decide to get it on with someone, and you put your iPhone on "Play all -- shuffle".

jacpod comments on Apr 7, 2018:

It actually hasnt happened to me as I am usually not the one putting on the music but the birdie song would kill the evening for me . (Or make me laugh )

Has anyone here started to lead a simpler life and decided to purge many of the things you have ...

jacpod comments on Apr 7, 2018:

ebdb - all the time mate! all the time! rubbish just seems to grow exponentially my age means I am not quite so fit at keeping up with the growth of utter nutter clutter so its like rolling htta stone up that bloody hill for ever and a day - its why I come on here!

A Major Milestone for Me.

jacpod comments on Apr 7, 2018:

I hope you have a lovely date together

Do you believe Atheism is a religion?

jacpod comments on Apr 6, 2018:

NO!

What type of death do you most fear?

jacpod comments on Apr 6, 2018:

I dont know because I am told that drowning is quite pleasant and that being in a fire is pretty quick as you lose consciousness I dont think we have any animals that eat us here - like bears or alligators unless they escape from the zoo. I think the worms eating me is good enough for me then it will go further up the food chain - something will eat the worms- prefer to just go in my sleep really though!

Why this need to pass on our genes?

jacpod comments on Apr 6, 2018:

I didnt know there was one, I thought it was just an innate desire to have sex that leads to procreations.

Here is an old saying .

jacpod comments on Apr 6, 2018:

but there are 320 million gods which ones are you going to work on proving or disproving- everybody seems to say just -god- but 320 million is a lot of gods to sort out why do oyu only look at the christian god .

I don't believe my life has purpose, per se.

jacpod comments on Apr 6, 2018:

I have been in situations in my life when I have been called upon to act 3 times it was to save a child and once I was an utter coward I didnt seem to have any thoughts in my head at any of the times it was as if just instinct carried me through and afterwards I couldnt really piece it all together what had happend , it was as if it was happening ot someoen else - the 3rd child never died he was rescued by someone else. I dont have any whooh factor about it the one I carried down a mountain I couldn teven hand over to the mountain rescue people at the bottom I was just clutching him so they had to prise my arms off him - I think soemthign else takes over some inner will or strength . And as I said I was once a total coward and ran away.

How would you handle this?

jacpod comments on Apr 6, 2018:

probably have a dose of the flu before going or a dose of coughing thorugh the end part

What is the least selfish thing you have ever done?

jacpod comments on Apr 6, 2018:

I do laundry and mending and ironing for residents in my scheme they pay me whatever they want to and when I get ot £100 .00 I send it to a charity. I am getting older so its harder but not giving up just yet

The coolest and/or most adventurous thing you ever did?

jacpod comments on Apr 6, 2018:

I went to China before they opened up to the West, I found it very sweet and in all my time there I never heard a child cry and think htat was possibly because they were held so much - was there to give a talk on what was happening therapy wise in the West because they were starved of information - the talk was to a large group of psychologists when we arrived at the venue the psychologists themselves were cleaning up the lecture theatre washing windows with newspapers etc - It was strange to see such difference (catch any of our psychologists cleaning up) I loved everything young men carried the elders to teh hospital on their backs as a mark of respect and huge roads were full of bicyclists- I have never been any where more different than the west than it was possible ot be!

Is atheism linked to depression/anxiety?

jacpod comments on Apr 6, 2018:

Not that I know about; the only thing that depresses me is people trying to re-educate my mind to conform to theirs. I don't really see how atheism ,could lead to depression because it isnt a thing of itself - My atheism is of absolutely no account to me its not guiding me in any way its a non event its like not wanting to eat custard or mustard its just a choice to not do something - I dont get depresed every time i dont eat custard which i dont like. I think this question liek many others is aimed at people who started out believing in an entity I have never ever had a god in my life and am not likely to at &0 y.o never having a god in teh forst place.

Then & now,...thoughts?

jacpod comments on Apr 6, 2018:

sad face here! the phot above makes everyone origial to themselves the one below is sad to look at for me!

Do you get a lot of spam calls?

jacpod comments on Apr 6, 2018:

No none at all could that be bcause i have never had a mobile phone?

Shoes On or Off

jacpod comments on Apr 6, 2018:

my mum never used to wear shoes even if she was walking outside and even if it were snowing I sort of picked it up from her and like barefoot .

What are your thoughts on age gaps in a relationship?

jacpod comments on Apr 6, 2018:

My partner is 6 years younger than me works fine.

Discover mortality

jacpod comments on Apr 6, 2018:

I had a few NDE's when I was a small child 4 y.o. so strangely though i had no religion I knew I might die - It was all Churchills fault causing a week of smog lots of people died I have had weak damaged kungs and a prpetual cough ever since but I do remember lying in bed and hte doctor visiting every time he passed our house - So I have always been impressed by how long i actually have lasted.

Can anyone think of a good disclaimer or warning label for the Bible and other religious texts?

jacpod comments on Apr 6, 2018:

May affect your mental health! Scenes of violence!

I am the only free thinker in my family.

jacpod comments on Apr 6, 2018:

I dont really know but suspect that you have an open questioning mind and didnt allow yourself to be force fed anything unpalatable - Sounds also like you didnt mind not being part of the crowd - I wasnt either- I think some of us grow up just being individualistically ourselves and not going with the party line but questioning .

Any unusual hobbies or collections?

jacpod comments on Apr 6, 2018:

handy!

Were you one of those people who had a lot of friends growing up?

jacpod comments on Apr 6, 2018:

No I was a real loner - I started my education at a free school one where we had to work whilst in school but ot was our choice what we attempted -when i was 9 years old my mother realised that my maths was really non existent though it could do money tranactions fine and she decided ot pull me out and send me to 'proper school so from a quiet band of about 8 children all differnt ages, in just two big rooms i went to a local primary . I couldnt speak ot anybody on my first day as I was so overwhelmed - I think it was the start of me realising that I was never going ot fit in anywhere and basically I dont.

What does it take to quiet your mind?