How many people found it hard to "come out" as atheist?

jacpod comments on Mar 31, 2018:

I wonder if it was because I was born in 1948 post war baby boomer (England) people were just glad to find themselves being alive after all the bombing and the excitement of rebuilding and 'New' Everything in the fifties was 'new' 'contemporary' 'iconic' people got 'Art' on their walls and started to drink 'coffee.' Interest was in the things 'out there'- acquiring the 'new' washing machine - I dont know anybody in my childhood who was interested in religion - religion wasnt 'new' it was 'old' taken for granted you'd get the baby christened in a church but probably have a registry office wedding as that was the' new'. My parents only went to church for births marriages and deaths and they didnt believe I do think the war knocked all that out of them - My mother was a welder on teh dockfront itn the worst bombed place in the war - they saw too much they couldn't unsee and afterwards packed it all away and began to live - Nobody ever tried to make me believe or disbelieve anything

I'm an Atheist... Soo, Should I Feel Stressed Out?

jacpod comments on Mar 31, 2018:

Most of these tests are discreditied lookii it up online Myers Briggs is the worst I think but they are all pointless and do not take anything real into account like ho wwell you can do the task in hand.

Best Place To Live?

jacpod comments on Mar 31, 2018:

ireland come to Ireland its pretty!

Oldies but Goodies..

jacpod comments on Mar 31, 2018:

My brother was into trad jazz in the 50's I liked all our music then. Liked Alma Cogan The everly brothers roy orbison etc - when I got heavily into CND and world politics I was very eclectic in my musical taste and had an awful lot of protest songs - went on lots of Marches against all inhustices going - having children at nineteen meant I could get inot their music too.

What is something your parents told you as a kid that you realized later it was an outright lie?

jacpod comments on Mar 31, 2018:

I canr really remember anything my parents told me they were not 'hands on' just two very damaged individuals who were damaging to their children - My mother was bipolar mainly manic and you couldnt really get through to her at all except by accepting violence. Strangely I doubt they did lie except for my mothers family who lied to save her from going into a mental hospital

If I had it all to do again, I doubt very much I would meet my husband.

jacpod comments on Mar 31, 2018:

I dont know really I am conflicted because i think I needed to make these mistakes in order to learn ,grow and move on, to be honest I am 70 in 2 days and still learning about all these other people and what they balance around. I dont wish a tough time on anyone but I have learned more by pushing thorugh the tough bits it made me grow up a bit - there is a saying here -'Whatever doesnt kill you makes you strong!' and I think I identify with that - Sometimes I wish I had moved away quicker but I didnt so thats more learning -' leave as soon as it gets very silly!'

Get to go visit my family for a few weeks.

jacpod comments on Mar 31, 2018:

hoping it goes all right for you ! deep breathing our lass deep breathing.

Do you believe Atheism is a religion?

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

No .

As a non believer, would you attend a prayer, church service for a deceased relative who was a long ...

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

Probably, but only if I liked them as well.

Despite great troubles in the world, I can stay concerned but not be overwhelmed by it, and still be...

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

Oh No! not someone happy and at peace - whats right with you - - everything it seems!

What are the atheists in this group doing for Passover?

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

not eating matzos thats for sure

Just got a free T-shirt qnd pen at American Atheist conference on my promise to sign up.

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

Atheist pen what are you going to write with it ?

"Be fruitful and multiply": Why the Abrahamic religions are winning the evolutionary race.

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

Scary but sounds about right !

Death from an Agnostic/Atheist perspective

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

There are no rules once you leave rules behind I think maybe the kindes thing ot do is to remember yout Grandma kindly and fondly- i dont think there is a we in this sort of sense all athoests are probably different in the way we want to think about that which is beyond comprehension - The church has it right in a way that we can make our own rituals and have our own thought but once you leave conventional stuff behind there is only yourself and how you want to keep the memory of your Grandma alive.

Proof of no god?

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

I dont see **my **atheism in that way at all - just that I am personally without a god A = without theist = god and I am unhappily also without the flying spahetti monster and the invisible pink unicorn as well. i'll not get inot any arguments about word usage suffice it to say I never had a god and never felt the need of one - You might want to join the people who quibble over words but I am and have for 70 years now been happoily without a god and happpily calling myself Atheist.

Do you celebrate "Easter"?

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

wow! like your style, No I dont do easter though easter sunday is on april fools day, this year which might be ironic. I usually garden at this time of year in fact I am probably gardening any time of year we do have easter lilies here my neighbour has them . and I look after them for her.

Are Atheist hateful towards spiritual people?

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

I have never met anyone who bashed anyone else for their beliefs - maybe I have lived a sheltered life?We live in anno domini 2018 and no one has yet had proof of the existence of a god - that weighs with me ; two thousand and eighteen years with no peep from a god any god there are apparently 320,000,000 gods and in that time 2018 years not one of those three hundred and 20 million has appeared. I am open to the possibility that one will turn up but I am not holding my breath and yes it is true what you say - nobody knows.

Why do you reject the idea of religion?

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

My parents and extended family were all atheists I think it might have had something to do with them living in the most bombed part of the world the east india docks. My father was in the theatre of war as communications officer and my mother was a welder in the docks - I grew up without a god but without the word 'atheist' until I was about 9 y.o. and was drummed out of the brownies for not attending church parade. when I realised I had never had a god and also realised I never wanted one. I just find religion much to 'throughother' and the stories I could read for myself like Alice in wonderland - What katy did , Count of Monte Christo etc. were real stories with hooks and story lines that made sense - why do your head in over biblical stuff when real books are so much more complete

Hello out there.

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

Hi there! Welcome!

Are Atheist hateful towards spiritual people?

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

I can only speak for myself - dont have a lot of hate in me - anger yes hate no and yet I probably have some very good reasons for hating - I feel I have a nice enough persona and am kind I certainly wouldnt want to actively hurt anyone and it doesnt bother me in the least what religion anyone is. I have often been the butt of fun for others - when i did my person centred counselling course there were about 18 of us one was a deaconess, two priests two nuns, a c of e vicar and a sundry set of believers and non believers - It was interesting that only the men outed themselves. I got on well with the vicar who called me 'the wee heathen' , at the end of the course those of us who were friends went on a walk together and it started to rain we said to David the vicar that we thought he'd have sorted that for us, with a word upstairs- his reply was dont blame me i 'm just sales, you'll have to talk to management!

How many people found it hard to "come out" as atheist?

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

Darwin had a hard time coming out with his thesis about evolution because of his wifes ardent Christianity so I imagine there are wwquite a few who had a tough time of it.

Which philosophers have given you the most useful insights to living a meaningful or rewarding life ...

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

Could Emma Goldman qualify as a philosopher -if so - "If I can t dance I am not coming to your revolution! is my kind of philosophy!

Should an athiest or agnostic be a god parent?

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

I guess because people know I am atheist that they have never asked me to be one - I dont really see how I could be either because I have never had a god and was never made at 'free school' to believe in one.

I'm an avant garde vegan, what kinda unusual veg can one explore with when cooking?

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

I'm more of a 'common or garden' vegan if you go to continental shops they sell stuff like mooli. I once got all worked up as somebody said they would make me veggie neeps on Burns night turned out to be a scots word for turnips - I quite like jerusalem artichokes and root ginger.

How do you handle prayer at work?

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

I am retired but cant say that ever happened to me - I find for where I live in sheltered accommodation that ear plugs are very discreet if you have hair to cover them or a beanie hat would do. loads of people in her talk a pile of you -know -what and it s bliss to zone them out. if i dont want to be discreet I wear big ear defenders.

This is my own personal Jesus, Purchased for me by a religious friend with a sense of humor because ...

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

I shared a flat with a friend when I was fifteen and she had a luminous jesus above her bed - apparently I snored so she kept a pile of shoes by her bed to sling at me so I often woke covered in shoes to this glowing greenish appartition that scared the daylights out of me .

Charities - How do you give?

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

I live in sheltered accommodation and do mending ironing and washing for other people and anything else that is wanted they gove me money whatever they think I am worth - and when I get to £100.00 I send it off to a charity of my choice or theirs if they have one - I also buy my books from charity shops and then take them back for resale and give to people with collecting boxes whatever cause. its all I can do but I try to live simply and not waste stuff.

Just got asked what atheists do on Easter.

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

Its a public holiday I just do a normal day dont mind people eating easter eggs in front of me.

Are Atheist hateful towards spiritual people?

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

I have been a lifelong atheist 70 years I have never met anyone who gave me a hard time or seen anyone giving anyone else a hard time - I was born in England and lived all round hte country for 40 years and then was here in Northern Ireland for 30 years -No one ever hassled me or anyone I knew - What country are you in ?

True Story. My sister is a vet in Ohio. :-)

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

But what about the footless footloose unicorn?

I've dealt with depression for decades yet didn't grasp that it hit hard this week until a friend ...

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

Churchill called it his 'black dog' and it seems that quite a few of us suffer it - for me its mild these days I think because i am older I amuse myself at home more and dont really let people into my life who would exacerbate it - Knowing the triggers and finding ways of circumnavigating them was helpful to me - like laughing! It seems even if oyure in a really bad place saying ho! ho! ho! till you are actually laughing a bit is worth a try.

You died, I lived, god is good!

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

I like you! My mum had this kind of god he had a long white beard and sat on a cloud all day with a big book on his lap, on one side was Elsie (my mum) On the other side of the ledger was 'Rest of the world' if anyone tripped fell and broke their leg - my mother would say "See old Mrs Openshaw , she was bad to me and my God gave her what for! No wonder i ma agnostic!

Thoughts on the genetic/biological basis of intelligence?

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

I have countless academic qualifications and was a lecturer in a technical college but my spatial intelligence is zilch as is my capacity for anyhthing mathematical - My partner gives me all his change as thats the only way I can cope when shopping .I dont want to think that we are hard wired for religion and the fact that some countries are adn some not might seem to suggest its cultural.

Do you believe Atheism is a religion?

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

NO.

What caused you to question god

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

There wasnt a cause just me and god didnt ever connect, my parents were atheists as was my wider family - I learned to read at a very early age and that was all I needed.

In countries where I've lived, children often live with parents until they have at least one masters...

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

I'd say all depends on your family relations- I left an abusive home at 15 y.o. but now have 3 degrees, and shedloads of adv. dips.

Do you give money to the homeless who hold signs in Traffic?

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

Yes I do or coffee and or bread roll dependingup on how much i have in my own pocket when I see someone I also give money I make by doing odd jobs to 'Age Concern'

What is the meaning of life?

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

I dont think life does have a meaning we all make our own I make my own meaning s as I go along but saving the planet isnt one of them -I live ethically enough have the same pair of trousers I bought fifteen years ago am not wasteful my food cuttings go to compost. I havea always known htat I am another animal .

What is your quest? What is your favorite color? What is your next goal in life?

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

A quest to find hte perfect rainbow wool for my knitting projects - my favourite colour is sunshine yellow next goal to dig myself out of a storm of depression I see coming my way as I am so energyless at the moment .

Any really good April Fools jokes in your history?

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

we had an iconic one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTL1rLPxmnU you wouldnt believe how many of us English people believed it I remember seeing it as a child of 5 years old The BBC do a corker every year.

Any really good April Fools jokes in your history?

jacpod comments on Mar 30, 2018:

I live in sheltred accommodation last year I made and distributed a poster about a rabbit that had gone missing whose Name was Tom Fullery I got the rabbit picture off the net and posted MISSING! at the top _ I was surprised at how many people thought it was real.

My daily mischief.

jacpod comments on Mar 29, 2018:

I dont actually, it doesnt bother me to see stuff like that and I think ignoring it is my best way through, as long as I am not trapped in a train carriage with a bible thumper or stuck in a lift with a holy Joe, I'm not interested they may get on with their lives as best they can - I do think its a miserable life though having to rachet up all that belief every day.

Hi there, before I start throwing things out there, I want 2 make sure I'm on the right group.

jacpod comments on Mar 29, 2018:

Nice one I am not doing very much at the moment so bring it on - I think any kind of creative endeavour is appreciated here.

Ok, its just a start and its the first thing I've drawn in years, but here's my attempt at getting ...

jacpod comments on Mar 29, 2018:

Like very much you have captured a harmonious gentleness thank you

"I get knocked down but I get back up again" - Chumbawumba It's actually a song about being knock...

jacpod comments on Mar 29, 2018:

WOWSER telling it like it is !

I have just ordered two fruit of the look green t-shirts off of amazon for about $20 with question ...

jacpod comments on Mar 29, 2018:

Well done good sir nice colour too!

If you were a trip advisor for where you live, what would you highlight as the best attractions in ...

jacpod comments on Mar 29, 2018:

All of the North Coast of Antrim its amazing but then you could go down south to Donegal very easily its rugged, the scenery is a lot better than the society although the south is more hospitable (says me) , than the North

Does anyone have irreconcilable differences with members of their family?

jacpod comments on Mar 29, 2018:

I have an older brother if he's alive he would be 79 y.o I havent seen him since I was a teenager, nothign religious involved he's just probably doesnt like me!

Eating out alone?

jacpod comments on Mar 29, 2018:

I quite like it, I usually take a book - I think My own company is preferable soemtimes to listening to other people criticising everything on the menu etc. I feel like I am really looking after myself and able to choose stuff with garlic in etc. Way to Go!

Anyone Like Tarot Cards?

jacpod comments on Mar 29, 2018:

yes I used to do it all the time, my favourite are the motherpeace deck of round cards and I somethime s jumble all my decks together so that there might be the element of getting 6 cards the same - I work intuitively often asking my client if they want to pick a card from the pack to try to get extra meaning and taking their suggestions into account - I dont believe there is any whooh in it any higher power in the mix just the magic of two people coming together to be creative and possibly problem solving . I never charge.

What colors mix to make Cobalt Blue?

jacpod comments on Mar 29, 2018:

Just buy a tube?

Explaining my life

jacpod comments on Mar 29, 2018:

yes exactly !

"I get knocked down but I get back up again" - Chumbawumba It's actually a song about being knock...

jacpod comments on Mar 29, 2018:

I love chumbawamba thanks for post

I'm beginning to realize that focusing on one's flaws and shortcomings undermines one's happiness ...

jacpod comments on Mar 29, 2018:

well done you !!

Someone stole my bike today.

jacpod comments on Mar 29, 2018:

Aww it s awful to lose an old friend like this really sorry that you have to go though this would it help if you looked for places they might have sold it too second hand shops get your friends on it ? Doing something even screaming -ranting crying helps sometimes So So Sorry! I had a bike pinched and it was awful.

For those who have no profile pic

jacpod comments on Mar 28, 2018:

I havent got the expertise to post a picture I imagine if I use one it will come out covering the whole page and I'll have messed up the site.

When did you first doubt religion?

jacpod comments on Mar 28, 2018:

Must have happened before i was born to irreligious parents I dont think I ever doubted I just never believed and no one was making me believe I still find it quite 'funny peculiar' the contortions people put themselves through in order to believe in these stories

Does anyone else question themselves?

jacpod comments on Mar 28, 2018:

Yes I do. especially the 'Am i harsh?!" I think its a good practise so long as it doesnt become a way of beating yourself up. n I try to find a way to be with myself - I remember an old teacher saying to me 'make yourself right because there are plenty out there who will make you wrong!' Overthinking is a way of not experimenting and in terms of what is right or wrong for both you and others I have never really been able to find out answers to that sometimes I have to throw my arms up on the air and declare 'I dont know, but I am going to do it anyway and see what happens!"

Is atheism in America still worst than ANY religion?

jacpod comments on Mar 28, 2018:

I was in california four times and didn't meet any god botherers

Are you in favour of a revolution?

jacpod comments on Mar 28, 2018:

Oh Yes! but the revolution would have to unlock all those offshore piggy banks that people have amassed. I think benevolent dictators mostly start out ok and then get so up themselves they become like Franco. I'd say do parliament like Jury duty 12 good people adn true just from the ranks. Well maybe a few more but you get the drift - I remember someone oce asking about democracy and it was deemed 'a good idea' but nobody has bothered to try it yet!

I've recently noticed that rather a lot of people on this site support big government, and I just ...

jacpod comments on Mar 28, 2018:

does i t matter that I am in hte U.K ? 1.corrupt mostly on the right mostly trustworthy on the left. 2.decrease 3.3 pass 4.I dont Have any choice unless there is a spontaneous uprising because of this post and we manage to be self governing .

Why did you get married?

jacpod comments on Mar 28, 2018:

I was pregnant and we had been living together for some time - so we got married in a registry office it was pretty much for the child to not be called names 1967 not particularly enlightned times.

How old were you when you got married for the first time?

jacpod comments on Mar 28, 2018:

Nineteen In a registry office .

Can a guy have a female best friend and sex never enter the frame?

jacpod comments on Mar 28, 2018:

I have had this relationship with a guy it worked for us as i was his best mate and he was spoken for - so you know where the boundaries are.

A friend asked me today that, " if you were forced to live without one of your senses, which one ...

jacpod comments on Mar 27, 2018:

smell

Does 'turning the other cheek work'?

jacpod comments on Mar 27, 2018:

I think so as long as its a silent cheek, if someone is being hostile to me. I have no hesitation in walking away. I used to be a seriously soft touch and be had by anybody; but then I seemed to find my anger and walking away from someone seems to be a really keen insult. I remember being in a psyche ward once with someone I was visiting, and she took my face and pushed it away which I thought was wonderful - like - just go!Mime works better than words sometimes.

What are some of your favorite movie quotes?

jacpod comments on Mar 27, 2018:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOmVILOvmfA

What are some of your favorite movie quotes?

jacpod comments on Mar 27, 2018:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOmVILOvmfA

Does meaning matter

jacpod comments on Mar 27, 2018:

No - doesnt bother me - apart from sore hips I can do most things that give me pleasure and i am only a four minute walk from the sea yo!

What gives your life meaning? What keeps you going?

jacpod comments on Mar 27, 2018:

Me! being kind ! Resposive to others for fun or learning - Coffee - Warm white chocolate and raspberry scones - walking by the sea - watching t.v with my partner in my jammies, gardening, Learning how to deal with crabbit people with fragile egos, cooking and having cuddles and good conversations I also do shedloads of craftwork much of which just hangs around but if anyone loves it they can have it . I read a lot and somehow get involved in things that are happening around me - I am also a heavy sulker- sulking is good when you do it well!

Do we have a purpose in life?

jacpod comments on Mar 27, 2018:

I think we all decide our own purpose (or not) and just wing it - well those of us who are atheists do.

500 posts already?

jacpod comments on Mar 27, 2018:

seriously beautiful

Why do Most of the Theist believe Atheist are less Morale .?

jacpod comments on Mar 27, 2018:

Most of the religious people I have met apart from a few notable exceptions have been sceptical about my capacity to be a real human being with feelings for others and good intentions.

How did you come out as atheist, agnostic etc..

jacpod comments on Mar 27, 2018:

My parents were not believers of any kind nor any of my relatives and I wasnt brought up in any religion - It just wasnt part of my life and still isn't .If I meet a new group of people I dont feel its necessary to know that about me; though if I am asked I have no problem telling. I was a lecturerer in person centred counselling and there were very often priests, nuns, deacons, and deaconesses, vicars &( I nearly said and tarts) - Some were out, some not at all, some engaged fully with the course, some not at all. It was interesting as the hardest to reach and I never managed it was the deaconess - I think she knew the course wasn't for her but wanted to stick it out to the bittter end As her church had sent her; but most of the time she was praying. So I dont think i have much advice - Just bite the bullet if you really need to otherwise its your own business.

Tracking schedule What system do you use to track your doctors appointments?

jacpod comments on Mar 27, 2018:

I have a magnetic dry wipe notice board and post up big announcements in heavy black felt tip, I can see ot from my desk and its right by the door too so not easy to miss

Can you judge a person by the company they keep?

jacpod comments on Mar 27, 2018:

I was pretty astounded by it and so sorry that reminded me of a silly Poem twas an evening in September as I very well remember ' I was walking down the street in drunken Pride But my heart was all a flutter and I landed in the gutter and a pig came and sat down by my side Yes I landed in the gutter thinking thoughts i couldnt utter When a colleen passing by did softly say "You can tell a man as boozes by the company he chooses!" And at that the pig got up and walked away.

Living as I do in the UK, I don't tend to be surrounded by obsessive Christian types.

jacpod comments on Mar 27, 2018:

I am so bored by people who talk about their family as if it was the most interesting thing in the world - My family were shockingly awful and abusive I may be jaundiced by this experience yet -I know I am not alone in this there is some weird idealised vision of 'family' all cosy and smart and I'd love to know how much of that is 'real' I am prepared to think that here are some great families out there but I wonder if they are prepared to think that there are some seriously crap ones!

Why are we hated for hating xmas?

jacpod comments on Mar 27, 2018:

I used to hate christmas - thinking I had to get the show on the road, cook food I didn' t want to eat then our family started to dumb down christmas , we gave the children money to buy whatever they wanted .We made it simpler for three years we went to a restaurant for dinner on christmas day came home and played games which is what we would have done on any weekend . It was such a relief to take the pressure out of it have a normal day that was just a bonus holiday.

Are you superstitious?

jacpod comments on Mar 27, 2018:

No buyt anything that makes you feel safer in a world where a slate could come down on your head any minute is probably not harmful for peacefulness of mind. I daresay we all use little devices in order to cope with uncertainty -I like the phrase expect the best and ne prepared for the worst- but life would appear to be quite a fleeting affair so many unforseens.

How comfortable are you with the word "Atheist" ?

jacpod comments on Mar 27, 2018:

In a world where people do believe in gods its good for me to have a word than explains myself as not being one of their club- Atheist is a good word for me it explains myself and has the added advantage of scaring people off the subject with me - If it were a natural state for everyone fine! till then I'll use any words that work to get people out of my face with their 'god bless you's'.

Do you think that some atheists have the same blind devotion to science as they do to religion?

jacpod comments on Mar 27, 2018:

I think some people have blind devotion to science regardless of whether they are atheist or not . https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/all-medicines-are-poison/

are you afraid of death?

jacpod comments on Mar 26, 2018:

i find my society so messed up that death at the moment seems quite a nice idea - to just blissfully leave the stage after the fat lady sings. I have ordered today the consent forms for my dead body to go to Queens University Belfast and I'm interested that I feel pretty O.K about that choice. Of course I might live for far too many more years, but I do feel stormy clouds gathering and an unrest in my part of the world that is edgy. I will hope for the best and be prepared for hte worst - the thing I find most hateful is the way poorer people are being treated ;policemen beating up rough sleepers who have no choice - and leaving people to die in the snow So I am sure that there are many good things around at the moment its just that i am not hearing about them.

Am I the only one who sees the world different?

jacpod comments on Mar 26, 2018:

I quit drinking 47 years ago, so long now , I forget, I cant even remember what alcohol tastes like any more. I dont remember thinking anything differently

What if you are wrong and there IS a god

jacpod comments on Mar 26, 2018:

I'll cross that bridge if I ever come to it!

Should I attend a wedding at church as an atheist?

jacpod comments on Mar 26, 2018:

Its your life your choice totally I dont think youre silly and maybe theres a compromise somewhere like maybe being outside to kiss your daughter and make a fuss of her after teh ceremony , You have made your own rules you can make some more .

How would you explain Easter without referreing it to as the ressurection of Christ?

jacpod comments on Mar 26, 2018:

After the dark winter and long nights without very much to eat except what they had stored, the peopel in olden days welcomed the warmer weather and the hens, coming in to lay , giving us fresh eggs and so they made a celebration and a feast - and now we can go to a store and buy pretty fancy chocolate eggs to remember, that the seasons change and life always begins afresh The grass always greens up and we can play in the warming sun. The change from harsh winter to the green shoots of spring and the warmer days makes us feel more energetic - so we all change a little when the seasons change

Have you ever had a frenemy?

jacpod comments on Mar 26, 2018:

No I honestly am not a good gamer I think it was because my earlier life was so chaotic I lied all the time at some point I realised I was not living in reality and made a decision never to lie except if it was seriously neccesary life or death stuff . My partner whom I live near is a brilliant strategist and tells me how to get out of awkward situations- There is a man in this scheme who is a drunk who gts pretty nasty but I have cut all ties with him .We have had many over the years , at one time we were known as 'the place all the alkies live but its a bit quieter now'. I am still talking lessons in gunboat diplomacy.

How old were you when you first watched porn?

jacpod comments on Mar 26, 2018:

I might start now I am seventy , (seventy is having a profound effect on me )but I have never watched porn, Where do you go to watch it?

Stephen Hawking Will Be Laid To Rest Alongside Darwin And Newton At Westminster Abbey | IFLScience

jacpod comments on Mar 26, 2018:

bravo!

If you were asked to submit a song for a porn soundtrack, what song would you add?

jacpod comments on Mar 26, 2018:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc4zBNA8ak8

How do you deal with Door-knockers?

jacpod comments on Mar 26, 2018:

remove your door knocker and have a secret bell installed that masquerades as an ornament that only your bessie mates know is there.

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

jacpod comments on Mar 26, 2018:

Simple is best but I think if they are that relisious you need to say it whilst walking or jumping on to a moving bus because the lecture will surely follow you all teh days and ways of your life.

My Sister is probably indifferently agnostic.

jacpod comments on Mar 26, 2018:

I'm like that chumbling along getting on with my life - and yet i do get pretty annoyed when i hear or read people saying (because i am an out atheist) that I am believing something. That I am 'believing' in atheism doh !It makes my head spin and I wonder sometimes if we actually need the friction? But certainly after 70 years of being without a religion I rather think I know my own mind, and it doesnt bother to 'believe' in a non subject, a non event a no -no!

I've heard of these things called families, where people make an effort for each other and support ...

jacpod comments on Mar 26, 2018:

I think after a while you learn for yourself - I had totally off the wall 'parents' mentally unstable abusive and just plain out of order _ I was sent to school with lipstick on doh! and droopy knickers. My family were always in the midst of an argument or not speaking it was too much - I withdrew into books which probably saved me a lot - Leaving for me was a start I left at 15 yrs old when i could support myself and its been a long time but I think feeling a kindness to people who were not abusive was a good step and also allowing friendship- My best friend went to give me a hug one day and I shrank from her and she talked me through it told me it was OK - I am still pretty unstable at 70 y.o but it got easier the more I went with it. I find it hard having been on my own so much to deal with people who put me down but at a certain point theres a damn it factor that kicks in and says 'yes! aint I a person too?!

Why are we hated for hating xmas?

jacpod comments on Mar 25, 2018:

No but only because nobody knows. Also my children are grown up and so are my grandchildren so nobody minds. I live in sheltered accommodation and what happens behind closed doors is un-noteworthy - Nobody sees me not doing christmas, easter , etc (I do do April Fools day) When my children were younger we would just go out on christmas day and have dinner in a restaurant we made a booking once and the restaurant burned down overnight so we had to decide what to do - my son said he would love baked beans on toast and that became our new ritual. Our children said it was the best chrimbo dinner they ever had .

What is something you consider important enough to go to war over?

jacpod comments on Mar 25, 2018:

Ethnic cleansing

How to help/be supportive when everything you say seems to be wrong?

jacpod comments on Mar 25, 2018:

Is it possible that you are the one who needs the help? Parents are often not the ones who can do the sort of remedial work thats needed because of the pushmepullyou ties- Maybe stop trying -take a small break- stop worrying about her for a while look after yourself and see what happens if you withdraw from the fray? Sounds like your daughter is getting her own needs met here and hasn't quite got on message with the give and take?

What moral code do you follow now that you are non-religious?

jacpod comments on Mar 25, 2018:

I never was religious but went to a free school where we were taught/allowed to think for ourselves - it was a kindly arena to learn in and affected the rest of my life as the major lesson I got was my own autonomy and my right to think and make decisions for myself , I think my morals came from that time - caring about others well being, not being criticised, The teacher had always wanted to carry out this kind of teaching and she wasnt a motherly sort more a learn-ed tutor.

What harsh truths do you prefer to ignore?

jacpod comments on Mar 25, 2018:

At just turned 70 I get more tired than I used to be and I ignore it and push through and then find myself with aches and pains that spoil my evenings viewing time tryign to get comfortable ..doh I'll never learn!

In The U.K., 70% Of Young People Identify As Having No Religion - The Intellectualist

jacpod comments on Mar 25, 2018:

Why do you think that would be? I'm interested because there must be a lot of factors that make people religious and another lot of factors that promote irreligiousness- Seriously not being modest, ,'my brain hurts' and I cant even begin to imagine what causes and effects are at work.