I have everything to live for.

p-nullifidian comments on Jul 2, 2020:

Exactly! Consider for a moment what a philosophy of belief that views this world as little more than a waiting room could inspire one to do, or to ignore. How motivating is it toward solving the vexing issues we face today when you are taught that when you die, the next thing you'll see is your savior's face, and that this world will be remade anew by your God?

"Religion is a practice that counterbalances our animal instincts for the purpose of accommodating ...

p-nullifidian comments on Jul 2, 2020:

I disagree. Religion merely codified our instincts for care and reciprocity, behaviors found in other animals and without which we may not have survived. In a time when superstition reigned, beginning with hunter gatherer shamans, religion took advantage of ignorant fear to erect an elaborate latticework of the bizarre and hideous, like cutting open the throats of lambs and burning them, for starters. Religion co-opts good ideas and fabricates bad ones, and has always sought to be in league with the state. Before the US Constitution, the throne and the altar were supreme. I take some consolation in witnessing religion's gradual decline.

Suppose for a moment an omnipotent moral god existed. Where are the instructions from this deity?

p-nullifidian comments on Jul 1, 2020:

Years ago, divine hiddenness helped activate my skepticism. When I became a father I simply couldn't picture myself purposely remaining apart and uncommunicative with my children. Would an omnipotent moral god, worthy of the title, knowing how his children are filled with fear, uncertainty and intense longing, choose to ignore his children? The only model of a god that appeared to make sense was the god of my avatar--the Deist's god. This supreme being made everything, the laws that govern the universe and the constituents that led to our evolution, and then retired from the picture, never to be seen or heard from. No miracles, no answers to prayer, no divine interventions, no guardian angels, no devil, no religions, no holy books or inspired texts--that was the god of Thomas Paine, who said, "My own mind is my own church."

Example of oxymoron: Tolerant Religion.

p-nullifidian comments on Jul 1, 2020:

Unitarian Universalism and Quaker Friends appear tolerant, particularly when compared to more fundamentalist religions.

Christian Extremist: I’d Rather “Be Beheaded” Than Wear Federally Mandated Masks | Hemant ...

p-nullifidian comments on Jul 1, 2020:

"Congress shall make no law infringing the people's right to spread diseases." I'm sure that Article is in there somewhere!

Authentic religion is not about belief.

p-nullifidian comments on Jul 1, 2020:

"Religion and agriculture are an inseparable pair." This may have once been true, but not to this 12,400 member Facebook group, Atheist Farmers. https://www.facebook.com/Atheist-Farmers-210792515637137/

Does anyone have any evidence or good reason to think that the pandemic is causing people to doubt ...

p-nullifidian comments on Jul 1, 2020:

Events are typically viewed through a filter, and the externals surrounding the pandemic have tended to calcify ideology. If your filter is tuned toward unquestioning faith, recent events will likely amplify such. If, on the other hand, your belief system abjures religion, and you view human actions and decisions alone as the key to everything from combating a global pandemic to addressing climate change, you are likely going to be encouraged by the positive results from countries that did not necessarily require a religious endorsement for their decision making.

The Bible: a book where the protagonist kills more people and in more brutal, sadistic fashion than ...

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 29, 2020:

Indeed! The God of that great work of fiction called the Bible is an immorally indiscriminate mass murderer who was a greater threat to humanity than any devil ever was.

Catholic Bishop Will Spray Holy Water from Helicopter Over City to Defeat Devil | Hemant Mehta | ...

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 29, 2020:

Holy aerial bombardment, Batman! What next? Using a crop duster as a censer to dispense the incense? Using a blimp with loudspeakers to blast out an exorcist's incantations? What the hell century is this anyway?

I guess my question is why does God not want me.

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 28, 2020:

Want you? For what? A slave? A servant? If you still hold to a belief in a deity, my recommendation is that you first redefine the characteristics of your God into one who would accept you. The sneer of the God that most of us are taught to believe in is often more distressing than the so-called allurement of a devil. Get rid of that god, and find yourself a new one. I too used to hate God, but I came to realize that I was only hating the concept or definition of a God that had been presented to me in my upbringing. During my journey away from God, I first needed to reject the very notion that any religious tradition, or so-called holy book, much less any human being (dead or living), could possibly know its/his/her attributes. And so if all Gods have been and are created by humans, why accept somebody else's definition? Eventually, I came to realize even after I had my own personal God, that he really wasn't even there, and that I was just praying to myself. At that point the burden was lifted, and with great relief, I've never looked back.

Hello, I'm new in this platform although I am an Atheist from quite long time before that I am a ...

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 28, 2020:

As John Oliver would say, "Welcome, welcome, welcome!" In my opinion, profit may not the best characterization for a religion seeking alms. But whether it be greedy televangelists, a temple, cathedral or a modest church, the goal of separating one from their hard-earned money is a dubious one.

I don't know if all Christians are Karens but it seems all Karens are Christian.

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 28, 2020:

"Spiritual abuse?" WTF? So quoting from the Bible in order to make a point is a form of abuse? Touchy, touchy.

You have been blocked

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 27, 2020:

Just wondering, but other than the raw material used, how is the skin color of a statue determined? Many historians assume that the "non-historical" character known as Jesus would have been of olive or brown complexion. How is this feature conveyed in sculpture and statues?

Repost from a friend: > "My dad is one of the kindest, most gentle souls I have ever known.

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 26, 2020:

I have argued (in other discussions) that only the insecure and narrow-minded actively deny rights and privileges (that they enjoy) to others who haven't been granted them. I have further argued that the act of broadening rights and privileges to others in no way limits the existing rights of those who currently enjoy them.

Almost all U.S. presidents have been Christians, including Trump | Pew Research Center

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 26, 2020:

What chance does an openly secular humanist or nonbeliever have toward attaining the highest office in the land? ZERO!

Preacher Praises Jesus (Again) for Fixing His Backed-Up Toilet | Hemant Mehta | Friendly Atheist | ...

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 25, 2020:

He seemed to equate his plumbing issues with demonic possession as he ‘commanded’ the release of his loo. Are we talking toilet exorcism here? Complete and utter madness!

My siamese cat bored as hell

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 23, 2020:

I've had three Siamese cats in my lifetime, all of which were great conversationalists, and weren't afraid of the dog.

Today's "I can't breathe." story A 16 year old kid. The crime?

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 22, 2020:

Goddammit! When is this bullshit going to stop?

Do not fool yourself.

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 22, 2020:

Everywhere? No justice, no peace?

HOLY MOTHERFUCKING HARI SELDON!!!!!!!!!!!! The Mule?

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 22, 2020:

Isaac Asimov's one of my heroes. This trailer appears promising ... love your enthusiasm!

Do u agree or disagree?

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 22, 2020:

Wholeheartedly disagree. Hypocrites say one thing, and do another--they are liars who can never be trusted. In his powerful pocket-sized book, *Lying,* Sam Harris makes too much sense. When we lie, Harris says, "we deny others a view of the world as it is. Our dishonesty not only influences the choices they make, it often determines the choices they can make—and in ways we cannot always predict. Every lie is a direct assault upon the autonomy of those we lie to.” Personally, I find that life is too short to be dishonest, or to spend time with hypocrites and deceivers. I prefer the company of honest men and women. Again, I agree with Harris: “Honest people are a refuge: You know they mean what they say; you know they will not say one thing to your face and another behind your back; you know they will tell you when they think you have failed—and for this reason their praise cannot be mistaken for mere flattery.” And by the way, loyalty is an overrated virtue. For instance, is maintaining the thin blue line while allowing bad conduct, abuse and even murder, a moral good? Loyalty is earned every day, and must depend on the behavior of the one to whom one remains loyal.

I’m struggling with the statement people make when they say they are Free Thinkers, Critical ...

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 21, 2020:

In his book, *Demon-Haunted World, Science as a Candle in the Dark,* Carl Sagan observed: “Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality. When we recognize our place in an immensity of light‐years and in the passage of ages, when we grasp the intricacy, beauty, and subtlety of life, then that soaring feeling, that sense of elation and humility combined, is surely spiritual. So are our emotions in the presence of great art or music or literature, or acts of exemplary selfless courage such as those of Mohandas Gandhi or Martin Luther King, Jr. The notion that science and spirituality are somehow mutually exclusive does a disservice to both.”

Assumptions .

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 21, 2020:

Perhaps the woman who invited you to church was horrified to think that you might bring a virus of doubt into her congregation.

Answer to Why don’t atheists have the guts to mock Islam?

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 21, 2020:

Just as one might ridicule the arguments of the Flat Earth Society or the notion that vaccines cause autism, the tenets of any and all religions are fair game for mockery. But when satirizing ideas, a distinction should be made, IMO, between the individual and the idea. Censure the belief, not the believer. Also, it seems to me that the best and most credible critics of religion are those who came out of them. When Dan Barker, Matt Dillahunty or Seth Andrews, for example, attack the doctrines of Christianity, they do so from having been a part of that world. Similarly, I find the disparagement of Islam by people like Sarah Haider, Armin Navabi and Ayaan Hirsi Ali to be more authoritative than most western atheists.

What's the stupidest reason for not wearing a mask that you've heard?

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 19, 2020:

How about Brandon Straka's response to a flight attendant who asked it there were a reason why he wasn’t wearing a mask: “Sanity.” His reply is missing two letters!

Franklin Graham on Supreme Court’s LGBTQ Ruling: “My Rights Should Be Protected” | Beth ...

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 19, 2020:

What bigots of all stripes never seem to grasp is this simple premise: broadening rights does not restrict existing rights. It is the twisted, selfish, pitifully insecure hegemons who are unwilling to extend to others the same rights and privileges that they enjoy.

I did something crazy today.

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 17, 2020:

Chattanooga? Little Debbie's? I've often thought it strange that a company that makes some of the most unhealthy junk sweets was founded and is owned by members of the Seventh-day Adventist religion, whose so-called prophetess preached a healthful, simple diet. Sadly, there are a large number of major corporations from Hobby Lobby, to Chick-fil-A to In-n-Out Burger to Forever 21 that are what one might call a 'shell company' for spreading the faith of their owners.

I thought I would introduce you to Terry Pratchett.

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 17, 2020:

"Within the story of Evolution is a story far more interesting than any in the Bible." "I would much rather be a rising ape than a falling angel." Just a couple of statements from this video with which I agree ... and so would Richard Dawkins, I imagine. An excellent share, thank you!

I figure this entire site is a bunch of egos butting heads.

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 15, 2020:

In this space, I've been taken to task a few times, have reexamined my assumptions, and altered my thinking. Such is possible to those with open minds and open hearts, and the willingness to dig deeper into the bedrock of their core epistemology. It's a shame you haven't seen one person admit they were wrong here ... I see it pretty regularly, including me. What do you see when looking into the mirror?

Religious people are often hurt when atheists attack their beliefs, it seems hateful: Being told ...

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 15, 2020:

As I have often remarked, in my youth I was taught to hate the sin, not the sinner. Having shed my religious faith, I've chosen to retain that ethic: I hate the belief, not the believer.

Very cool ;) [nature.com]

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 15, 2020:

I'm not sure I understand this abstract fully, but I second your emotion ... very cool indeed! I'm enamored with this description of "the condition of perpetual free-fall" (low Earth orbit) that enabled this study. Thank you for sharing this.

Is it not wonderful that you can live or die depending on the flag you wave .

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 15, 2020:

Ah, fun with flags ... one of Sheldon's favorites. ;-)

Texas Anti-Abortion Group Sued for Defamation for Calling Opponents “Criminals” | Hemant Mehta |...

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 14, 2020:

I would anticipate that the defendants will claim that in (their) God's eyes abortion is murder, and murder, even if allowed by the State, is a crime against (their) God. Leveraging the First Amendment, they will further argue that invoking (their) God's law, which (to them) is a higher authority than the State, and is not only their fundamental right, but their duty (to their God). But let's see how this case unfolds.

The Holy Grail does seem more appropriate; he did loves him his cup o' wine.

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 12, 2020:

"Look at all my trials and tribulations Sinking in a gentle pool of wine Don't disturb me now, I can see the answers Till this evening is this morning, life is fine"

For those who are upset at statues and war memorials being desecrated.

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 12, 2020:

Historic and cultural is a matter of opinion. Don't we all realize that Jim Crow era whites, during the late 19th to early 20th centuries, erected statues of so-called 'heroic' rebels who fought to sustain slavery, and that these cities and towns did this in order to make a statement--a very racist one? I for one am surprised the statues have lasted as long as they have. They are literally a public display of a knee to the neck. Here's a question. Where else but America would the losing side of a rebellion be allowed to name public institutions and erect statues in honor of their leadership? Where else in the world would you find something like Stone Mountain? And how many schools, roads, buildings, etc. are named after so-called rebel heroes? That these men are viewed in any way as true Americans is a travesty--they were traitors to the Union and Rebels, and as such, should have all been hung. And yet, they were allowed to retire in relative peace and comfort, and have elementary schools and highways named after them!

I've heard a lot over the years about how religious moderates aren't hurting anyone and that they ...

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 12, 2020:

That moderates can create a safe space or provide top cover to the more extreme among them is a well-understood problem. But I am more concerned that these moderates are hypocrites. They’re what we might call, MINOs—moderates in name only. A true moderate would insist that the scriptures they either respect or casually ignore be redacted, corrected and edited to reflect 21st century knowledge and morality. But these moderates sit in church with a book sitting in the pew in front of them that hasn’t been modified in centuries! This proves that their moderation only goes so far. The Holy Bible is filled with ideas, and ideas have consequences. Most today would recognize there are ideas found in the Bible that are clearly wrong. But nearly all moderates fail to address this problem, even though they may not even believe that the texts were inspired. I don’t fault moderates for ignoring their more extreme fellow believers, but I fault them for failing to do anything to change the narrative. Edit the damn book, moderates! Re-write your scriptures!

Planet’s view from above just got clearer [qz.com]

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 11, 2020:

Impressive. Looks to be a good NIIRS 6.0.

Is human morality (ethics) hard wired or is it a learned behaviour? Or an a adaption of both?

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 10, 2020:

In my opinion, the foundations of morality are evident in other species, particularly our closest relatives. And just what are the foundations of morality? I have come to believe that there are only two pillars (or core thinking processes) upon which ALL morality is based: 1) Empathy; and 2) Reciprocity. Humanity's excruciatingly detailed latticework of ethics and morays are founded on those two basic principles. Clearly, an evolutionary advantage was conferred to hominids who developed empathy and who adhered to reciprocity, or fairness.

This is still happening today folks Hindu priest, 70, beheads man in Indian temple as a human ...

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 10, 2020:

You may want to retract this post.

Helpful in understanding the mindset of conservatives. [youtube.com]

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 10, 2020:

I am so ready and even willing to hear a well-reasoned and data-driven counter argument, but in today's reality, those who identify as 'conservative' would cause William F. Buckley, Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater to puke. Where are the conservative intellectuals? What happened to the GOP, the party of Abraham Lincoln? And where is the Conservative moral high ground now? Conservative columnist George Will is right, from Trump to his lapdog supporters in Congress, all have abdicated their right to remain in office, even if it means a Democratically controlled House, Senate and White House. And Trump is, as our European friends immediately recognized with their blimp, little more than a big baby, and in fact, much more dangerous! “This unraveling presidency began with the Crybaby-in-Chief banging his spoon on his highchair tray to protest a photograph — a photograph — showing that his inauguration crowd the day before had been smaller than the one four years previous." George Will, June 1, 2020

I dunno why this is hard for the religious people on the other side...

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 9, 2020:

This is never going to be possible for the devout Christian whose very purpose of living involves proselytizing. Recruitment of subscribers and supporters is of necessity a task that cannot be performed in silence. But unlike nonbelievers, churches cannot exist without alms and endorsements, for which they shamelessly beg, scrounge and mooch. The difference between a PBS affiliate's pledge drive and a church is that one is seasonal, the other is perpetual.

Honest Question - Do you think we face Systemic Oppression? Or are we just intensely disliked?

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 9, 2020:

Whether it be race, religion, sexual or gender identity, when ingrained bias (otherwise known as prejudice) is encouraged, fostered or even accepted by any self-identified group, systemic discrimination and oppression is the result, no matter what the motivation.

This is still happening today folks Hindu priest, 70, beheads man in Indian temple as a human ...

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 9, 2020:

According to the Indian press, the man later confessed to killing his friend for eating his dinner. Both men were ganja addicts, and were high at the time. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2020/may/28/70-year-old-priest-beheads-man-inside-odisha-temple-after-victim-eats-his-dinner-police-2149283.html

Brilliant come-back !

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 9, 2020:

Indeed! Your post reminds me of the time I was experiencing my own personal crisis of faith, when, at the risk of repeating myself, I came across the speeches of Robert Green Ingersoll, who so beautifully stated: "All that is necessary, as it seems to me, to convince any reasonable person that the Bible is simply and purely of human invention -- of barbarian invention -- is to read it. Read it as you would any other book; think of it as you would of any other; get the bandage of reverence from your eyes; drive from your heart the phantom of fear; push from the throne of your brain the coiled form of superstition -- then read the Holy Bible, and you will be amazed that you ever, for one moment, supposed a being of infinite wisdom, goodness and purity, to be the author of such ignorance and of such atrocity." *The Gods*, 1872

Consider this: people have used religion to justify and advance their agendas since the earliest ...

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 8, 2020:

"What can we conclude from these facts on the influence of God throughout history?" Clearly NOTHING! One might as well ask the rhetorical question, "What can we conclude from the facts on the influence of garden fairies throughout history?"

I enjoy being part of this group , being almost two years since I joined.

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 5, 2020:

Level 8 in two years? You're a 'fast burner!' ;-) Having lived in Europe and spending a good number of months in the UK, I definitely agree that religion is handled way differently here. The label of 'atheist' or 'unbeliever' will keep most people from being elected to a local school board, much less a higher office. America was established as a mercantile (capitalist) system in both commerce as well as religion. The free market of ideas allowed, if not encouraged, the creation of new religions, particularly in the 19th century, when 4 large cults were born that later became viewed (by some, not all) as 'mainstream' religions: Mormons, Seventh-day Adventists, Christian Scientists, and your favorite Jehovah's Witnesses. And in the 20th century, America gave birth to the evolved belief of Scientology! But then again, England gave us the Church of England, thanks to Henry VIII, as well as George Fox's Quakers and John Wesley's Methodists. Religion factories are as productive as they are widespread.

BREAKING NEWS! Officer Aaron Torgalski Buffalo PD pushes elderly protester causing injury.

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 5, 2020:

So what ever happened the the slogan, 'to serve and protect?' How is it that all these officers could ignore the poor old man, bleeding from his head? Why couldn't one (just one, please) officer immediately render aid to the injured man who was a victim of police violence? The training, lockstep attitudes, militaristic behavior, thin blue line, lack of transparency, etc. involving our police--and let's be real here, our taxes pay their salaries, so the police work for us--are in need of deep revision, if not a total reset. Never forget that we (all citizens) are the 'customers' of the police, and they need to understand that!

Researchers report that more than two-thirds of self-identified atheists shed that label after their...

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 5, 2020:

Fascinating! What is next? Christians encouraging the taking of psychedelics to eliminate atheistic thinking? Wouldn't that be a twist! IMO, self-identified atheists run the gamut, from those who at one time were deeply religious to those who were raised without any concept of a deity. In other words, a range from the highly negative (in terms of their prior upbringing) to the relatively ambivalent. It would be interesting to delve deeper into the data, to see if there were any correlation with prior religious belief and retaining (or shedding) one's self-identified atheist label.

Cameras on cops only.

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 4, 2020:

"There are officers whose only job is to watch these, track the black folks in them, and throw a case on them." Yet another conspiracy theory. If @MsPackyetti could provide evidence that a cabal of video-watching law enforcement officers are employed (by whom and where?) to look through social media posts and other footage for black folks that they can track and build a case against, let's see it. I would like to see the job description for this one!

Seriously need a boost to have some sort of "faith" in humanity as a whole.

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 3, 2020:

Humanity as a whole is too broad a landscape. Find the pockets of resistance. Find like minds. They will help chart a path which, at the risk of seeming 'elitist,' involves elevating those less fortunate.

Wrt the 1908 Tunguska event, did the Earth get 'lucky' ?

p-nullifidian comments on May 31, 2020:

Lucky? For now perhaps. But considering that an unknown quantity of asteroids and comets occupy more or less the same orbital plane as the Earth, it would seem to be a matter of time before our luck runs out.

Clem wears the Neither Shoes.

p-nullifidian comments on May 31, 2020:

Neither Shoes ... that's what it's all about?

Actually, natural is neutral | Nature Human Behaviour

p-nullifidian comments on May 31, 2020:

This article is well considered ... thanks for the share! I've seen the reflexive, yet unsubstantiated reaction to GMOs, similar in some respects to the anti-science positions in other arenas. Since leaving my faith and discovering the lectures of Robert Ingersoll, I have come to view nature as neither (and both) benign nor/and cancerous. A planet-killing asteroid or a massive solar eruption could render the planet uninhabitable, and nature doesn't care. As Ingersoll so eloquently observed: "Nature, so long as we can discern, without passion and without intention, forms, transforms, and retransforms forever. She neither weeps nor rejoices. She produces man without purpose, and obliterates him without regret. She knows no distinction between the beneficial and the hurtful. Poison and nutrition, pain and joy, life and death, smiles and tears are alike to her. She is neither merciful nor cruel. She cannot be flattered by worship nor melted by tears. She does not know even the attitude of prayer. She appreciates no difference between poison in the fangs of snakes and mercy in the hearts of men. Only through man does nature take cognizance of the good, the true, and the beautiful; and, so far as we know, man is the highest intelligence." The Gods, 1872

Another heartwarming story showing us the beauty in our world.

p-nullifidian comments on May 31, 2020:

Awesome share! There's a deeper lesson or two here, I'm sure.

Do we have free will?

p-nullifidian comments on May 31, 2020:

I was taught that God is omniscient--that the future is as known to him as the past, down to the minutest detail. If that were true, God's knowledge of my future makes it fact, from the big things--like no longer believing in him, down to what color of socks I would wear next Tuesday. I began to despise the concept of following a script that seemed to be my own free will, but to an omniscient God who is also omnipotent and omnipresent and could intervene at any moment, made me a pawn in his chess game. Later as a nonbeliever I was introduced to the notion that the universe is governed by cause and effect, and that we are, in essence, like billiard balls bouncing around a massive pool table. Our lives are the result of causes and effects over which we have no control. Free will, in the mind of some atheists, is an illusion. This I cannot accept either, and will choose the blue pill.

Prompted by calls to 'give grace' to cop who killed George Floyd, black activists question the rush ...

p-nullifidian comments on May 30, 2020:

If there is to be any justice for George Floyd and his survivors, the rogue cop must be tried, and his fellow cops prosecuted as accessories to the crime. But beyond this case, more has to be done to police the police. Better citizen oversight of all aspects of policing including training, the weeding out any aggressive cops, videoing all encounters with the public, the ensuring of a diverse force that is reflective of the community, and above all, full accountability. No more cops covering for other cops, or their unions or the commissioner or the mayor. Bad cops must never be allowed to cheapen the uniform of a peace officer. Before George Floyd, there was Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, Oscar Grant, Walter Scott, Eric Garner, and so many more whose lives were cut short by the police for the apparent crime of being an unarmed black man. This must end!

When theists ask, "If you dont believe in God, then what is our purpose?"

p-nullifidian comments on May 30, 2020:

Great rap! Love the Richard Feynman sampling. Like Greydon Square, I now make my own purpose ... but I didn't used to. As a Christian, I once believed that God had a plan, and that our purpose was to glorify him. But when I began to doubt I thought, what a crappy planner God was, and wondered, what kind of supreme being would demand the worship and adoration of his tiny little subjects? I find Dan Barker's response to the question spot on: “Asking, "If there is no God, what is the purpose of life?" is like asking, "If there is no master, whose slave will I be?" If your purpose of life is to submit as a slave, then your meaning comes from flattering the ego of a person whom you should detest.”

42% Of Total U.S. Covid Deaths Are From The 0.6% Of The Population In Long-term Care

p-nullifidian comments on May 30, 2020:

An operator can do everything right--no visitors, rigorous sanitizing protocols, PPE, temperature checks multiple times a day, and so on--but the vulnerability is the staff. Caregiver families with multiple members working in different facilities (e.g., dad works as a cook in one facility, mom's a caregiver at another, and an adult child may work part-time at two other facilities) are very common. Consider the potential exposure from just one COVID-positive household of caregivers. Not their fault--nobody's fault really--but the virus will persist, and until we have a vaccine, our senior care facilities will remain highly vulnerable targets.

Is the left overly confident in the outcome of the 2020 elections?

p-nullifidian comments on May 28, 2020:

In the end, the thinking voter must put aside emotions and personality considerations of the candidate himself, and focus on the policies, decisions, appointments and regulatory modifications that an executive in power can make during four short years.

I recently made made a comment that I thought better of.

p-nullifidian comments on May 28, 2020:

"In some races people don’t understand this and continue to reproduce as if we're living in 'the best of all possible worlds.'" IMO this statement is beneath you. First, what do you mean by "In some races[?]" This qualifier is itself racially charged! Second, when we consider that birth rates are directly related to the poverty and educational level of a given population, this is hardly a Panglossian society! Has it occurred to you that societies with the least resources and lowest educational levels (especially for women) are the ones with the highest birthrates, where access to birth control and education are limited? Where is the racial component here? Finally, as Hans Rosling has demonstrated in his TedTalks (Google him), there is no reason to assume that the global population will continue to expand, as societies slowly recognize the benefit of educating girls and women. Educating women results in improved opportunities and greater control of women over their futures and their bodies, and an overall reduction of poverty and, perhaps most importantly, birth rate.

With or without religion

p-nullifidian comments on May 28, 2020:

Assuming we survive, at some point in the not-too-distant future, I envision our descendants looking back at this period in time with amazement. They will likely be unable to relate to the control that religion held in our time, and it is this future that should be the focus of our attention. As a nullifidian I eschew all religion, but logically, there is necessarily a spectrum from the most detrimental to the least harmful. Let's begin with eliminating the foundation of orthodox religions, and go from there.

Since it is Memorial Day I want to give a salute to all those Atheist/Agnostics who fought, and ...

p-nullifidian comments on May 26, 2020:

"Pat Tillman was a famous atheist who fought for the US...and died in Afghanistan - allegedly accidentally by "friendly fire"....uh - huh...." Do you doubt the findings of the inquiries made into the Tillman tragedy? Do you offer evidence that what we (the public and the Tillman family) have been told regarding the incident is not factual?

Memorial Day thoughts of a former Nationalist.

p-nullifidian comments on May 26, 2020:

I agree fully. As a veteran, I too view Memorial Day as a day to remember the fallen who served in uniform, not the front lines of a pandemic--they deserve their own separate and special recognition. That said, I was brought up in a faith whose draftees registered, more often than not, as conscientious objectors, and where the name of Desmond Doss was esteemed above all others who served, including Patton, Bradley, Macarthur and Ike. My religious upbringing emphasized the clear division between religion and the state. As a result, to this day I reject the efforts of those who would seek to enlist God as their 'commander in chief.' IMO, jingoism, particularly the religion-sponsored variety, has no place in the armed forces, or any sector of society. Memorial Day is about remembering human beings whose lives were cut short, not about nationalism or extreme patriotism. This was brought home to me this morning, as I listened to this perspective by a Vietnam-era veteran on my local NPR station, while preparing our family barbecue. Peace. https://www.kqed.org/perspectives/201601139897/winston-tharp-to-doug

Pale Blue Dot - You Are Here (Carl Sagan) - YouTube

p-nullifidian comments on May 25, 2020:

Thank you for this wonderful memory! Carl Sagan had championed the idea of training the Voyager cameras back on our home for years, but the concept was not considered of scientific value. It wasn't until Voyager 1 had flown by Jupiter and Saturn and its cameras were about to be permanently shut off, that the idea to aim the sensors back and image Saturn, Jupiter, Venus and Earth was finally approved. Incredibly, roughly half an hour after Carl's visionary idea became a reality, Voyager 1's cameras went dark. The 30 year anniversary of this image (February 14, 1990) was recently observed. Sadly, the significance of this image, and the words of Carl Sagan appear lost on the majority of our fellow inhabitants.

As a young catholic school girl, I tried so hard to believe.

p-nullifidian comments on May 25, 2020:

Well put! Thank you for this post. As a lifelong chorister, I must admit that some of the most gorgeous music ever written was to the text of "Ave Maria." Whether listening to a professional chorus or a soloist such as Andrea Bocelli, the various settings of the Ave Maria by a handful of composers from Bach to Biebl never fail to elicit emotion, no matter my unbelief. I am particularly fond of Voces8's rendition of Franz Biebl's Ave Maria. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycAtH_b7PnI

I read in my local newspaper some Atheists are being blamed for burning down a church in ...

p-nullifidian comments on May 24, 2020:

If the arsonists are caught and they identify as atheists, it would only serve to reinforce an earlier conversation, elsewhere on this site, regarding the position of atheism being no guarantor of rationality. It's an old meme for sure, but simply replace 'atheist' with 'non stamp collector' and the folly of grouping atheists becomes clear. https://www.atheists.org/2020/05/american-atheists-condemns-mississippi-church-burning/

Why Atheists Are Not as Rational as Some Like to Think [phys.

p-nullifidian comments on May 23, 2020:

That atheists may be as irrational as believers is hardly news. On this very website, I have been upbraided by anti-vax'ers, anti-GMO'ers, pro-Trump'ers and flat Earthers who otherwise appear to claim a 'rational' doubt as to the existence of a supreme being! We have all heard of countless examples of brilliant scientists who have remained persons of faith, and may even assert a 'personal relationship' with their god. If such a dichotomy is possible, why would anyone be surprised by the reverse--i.e., that a nonbeliever might be capable of irrationality?

Anthony Fauci: 'Now Is The Time .

p-nullifidian comments on May 23, 2020:

The irony in Fauci's call for selfless caring may be lost on many in this country who identify as Christians and insist on their right to do as they want in the name of freedom from tyranny, even if their selfish behavior imperils others. It would not be the first time that the secular humanist behaved more "Christlike" than the Christian.

[agnostic.

p-nullifidian comments on May 22, 2020:

I have long felt as you do, but consider the following: this philosophy involves more than the cheapening one's brief existence. I have found that many Christians, including my loved ones, care little about preserving the planet which their Savior has promised, according to their Holy Bible, to destroy and rebuild. The faithful believe that when they die, the next thing they will see is their Redeemer in Heaven, and considering this cherished belief occupies the core of their identity, they cannot help but view their existence on Earth as little more than a 'waiting room' for what's next. And of what possible worth is this distraction-filled waiting room to them, anyway?

Cognitive Dissonance

p-nullifidian comments on May 22, 2020:

As a child I was taught to always listen to that 'still small voice' of my conscience, telling me when something I was doing, or even contemplating, just wasn't right. Later in life, that same voice became too loud for me to ignore as I re-read the Holy Bible. "Something here just wasn't right!" it said. It had become the voice of reason, which literally could not be quieted.

Why women remain in religious sects like this is beyond me--brainwashing into feeling inferior, I ...

p-nullifidian comments on May 21, 2020:

What 'his honor' is referring to was actually mainstream Christianity for thousands of years. Women weren't ordained as ministers in most Protestant faiths until fairly recently--some religions, including the one in which I was raised--have yet to take this step, putting them on par with the Catholic church. The greater problem here, IMO, is something the Framers recognized: the endorsement by government (in this case, City Hall) of religion.

In my last post I mentioned how Christ had no knowledge of science, especially biology and ...

p-nullifidian comments on May 21, 2020:

The authors who vomited what was later assembled into a hodgepodge of lunacy known by many as the Bible, were no more educated than any of their peers. The character in the New Testament drama called Christ, if he existed, was as ignorant as any of his playwrights. Never was any so-called holy word or scripture in advance of the people who wrote it, thus demonstrating the human fallibility and authenticity of 'God's word.'

No matter how they try to dress it up, Christianity IS a form of hate, if not racism.

p-nullifidian comments on May 21, 2020:

This text, while speciesist, is not the worst Christianity has to offer, IMO.

Are people protecting the idea of religion or the power, privilege and social status that religion ...

p-nullifidian comments on May 21, 2020:

"Do you know true believers that would spread religion even if it does not bring at least some apparent advantage?" Rewards come in many forms. There is always an advantage, if not in this life, the one they believe is yet to come.

Got a new mower today.

p-nullifidian comments on May 21, 2020:

Nice! Been looking at cordless mowers for when my 15 year old Black & Decker electric finally breaks down ... but it refuses to die! I converted to electric back in the early 2000's when I read that the 2 stroke engine on my old Toro put out more pollution in an hour than my car driving many hundreds of miles. I've had a Ryobi electric leaf blower for years with no issues, so it looks like you've found a winner. Thanks!

Utah Decriminalizes Polygamy with Near Unanimous Support by Legislators - Daily Citizen

p-nullifidian comments on May 21, 2020:

It seems clear that the core issue here is more legal / financial / tax related than any moral code. But the financial waters become muddied when multiple partners are involved, and since marriage is a contract first and foremost, the state might become confused! Ignoring for the moment the history of Utah and the Mormon church, might a more 'liberated' view of polygamy include both polyandry and polygyny? Assuming that there will always be those who seek a more complicated, if not burdensome, existence, if a man may legally have more than one wife, why can't a woman have more than one husband? In fact, perhaps the only just way to reconsider the issue of polygamy in Utah is through the lens of equality of the sexes, assuming of course an age of consent that is nearer 18 than it is to 12--no child brides or bridegrooms!

Oooops, there goes yet another "God did it" side of the Creation Myth it seems.

p-nullifidian comments on May 20, 2020:

Bet you those 'gappers' are still gonna claim, 'Oh yeah, but you can't explain abiogenesis!'

Ga.

p-nullifidian comments on May 19, 2020:

We live in a universe governed by cause and effect, and so far as we know, this chain has not been broken by a force outside of nature. The faithful who are willing to risk their lives to attend services and ignore the virus believe that either their God will save them, or he will allow them to die, but that either way, their example will serve as a memorial to 'perfect faith.'

So I decided to dry cloths at the laundromat.

p-nullifidian comments on May 19, 2020:

When traveling to the 'bluer' part of my state, where masks are seen as an infringement on one's Constitutional rights, when someone challenged me for wearing a mask, I said something like this to him: "Excuse me, but I just tested positive for the Coronavirus, and was told I should quarantine myself and self-isolate. But I felt that was an infringement on my rights, so I'm just gonna keep doing my thing, but I'm wearing this mask because my wife has a compromised immunity and I don't want to infect her or anyone else [followed by a loud cough]."

I spent far too much time looking into which group this would be most appropriately posted, so it ...

p-nullifidian comments on May 19, 2020:

I only learned of Origen after I had abandoned my faith. It is apparent that, despite Paul's attempts to doctrinally unify the early Christian church, the fledgling faith had become home to a diverse set of beliefs and authors, many of which were eliminated by the council of Nicaea (325 A.D.). It is through the research of scholar/authors like Bart Ehrman and Elaine Pagels that I, as one who once believed in the authenticity of scripture, learned about the political and entirely human actors who determined what should be believed. A vote by fallible, politically motivated men forever decided what was to be discarded and what would be retained. A small group of men determined what is "God's Word!"

In the movie "The Meaning of Life" "The Galaxy Song" got me thinking.

p-nullifidian comments on May 19, 2020:

"...our planet has been traveling around the center of the galaxy and so should have something from everything it has come close to. So if there is life elsewhere in this galaxy there should be some evidence of it here." The galaxy and everything in it is like a giant pinwheel or turntable. Given that the distances between us and our nearest neighbors are relatively fixed, what "evidence" do you think we would encounter? It's not as though we're all ships at sea, leaving behind our flotsam for later parties to discover. Everything is in constant motion--there is no such thing as a body at rest--which means that our "here" is not necessarily "influenced" by any other of our neighboring star systems.

The new dog! She reminds me of Anubis, the Egyptian god.....those ears!

p-nullifidian comments on May 18, 2020:

In honor of your new companion, please allow me to share a sentiment that is in our vet's waiting area.

Obama reminds us of what a US president should sound like.

p-nullifidian comments on May 17, 2020:

As Stephen Colbert said, "I miss George W. Bush." Compared with what we have today, even "W," the man who gave us, "Is our children educated?" appears more presidential!

I checked in to see what agnostics are up to these days.

p-nullifidian comments on May 17, 2020:

Welcome! I have been traduced at times for being an atheist intruder here, but I personally don't make the distinctions that many do. I don't mind being labeled an agnostic, so long as that doesn't imply a vacillating, two-timing prevaricator. I also don't mind being labeled an atheist, so long as that doesn't imply a hardened, closed-minded militancy about the existence of a supreme being. My primary identity is a nullifidan (one who has no faith or religious belief), so both agnostic and atheist might apply. I am also a positivist, which is more a 'how' than a 'what' standard. Politically, I subscribe to a Gene Rodenberry vision of the future ... just not sure how we get there! Cheers!

Is your yard private?

p-nullifidian comments on May 17, 2020:

You are fortunate not to live next door! We have a Catholic church nearby, but all we ever hear are bells (recorded) for mass. Not the worst thing in the world ... reminds me of when I lived in Europe.

I wonder how many churches will close for good due to covid-19.

p-nullifidian comments on May 17, 2020:

Many. Some already have. I have two cousins who are ministers, and they've already seen consolidations. As operating budgets decline, staff are laid off and consolidated with neighboring churches, then the physical plant is not attended to and eventually a church must close its doors. The majority of Protestant churches in this country operate on a shoestring budget with fewer than 100 members each to support them. When large public gatherings are again the norm, many members will need to find themselves a new church to attend and congregation to join.

What would you do/say if a Christian friend told you they're questioning their faith?

p-nullifidian comments on May 17, 2020:

Your approach with your friend is sound, IMO. The Socratic method you have taken is preferable to the "well let me tell you why that is" method. We are a question-answering species, and while we may never be able to fully answer many questions, to lose one's faith represents the logical conclusion of methodical and relentless inquiry. The disciple Thomas was admonished for his open expression of the attitude of doubt. "Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed," were Jesus' words. But when a believer is finally able to receive and embrace doubt and to question why things are (or even ought to be) as they are, they mark the commencement of their intellectual freedom. Your friend appears to have taken this step. The void left by the loss of faith in one's religion (or perhaps even the loss of faith in faith itself) will need to be replaced with something, such as a greater tolerance and love of this world and its inhabitants, or a renewed curiosity in the universe. Hopefully you will be around to help him.

Not too long ago I had the opportunity to take a couple of pictures of a peacock's feather.

p-nullifidian comments on May 17, 2020:

Hummingbirds also have iridescent feathers. One wonders if this adaptation began with dinosaurs.

My Grandma is Racist. She Hates Exactly Half of Me- the Latina Half.

p-nullifidian comments on May 16, 2020:

Thank you for sharing this article. I love this sentiment: "Racists are assholes. Their problem with me being mixed is and always will be their problem, not mine." I was blessed to have a mother who was very progressive. When I was in the 1st or 2nd grade, I once came home from school and repeated a joke I was told by a schoolmate that contained the N-word. Not only did my mother literally wash my mouth out with soap, but she told me to never ever use that word again, and that if any of my school mates used that word, I shouldn't play with them, nor were they allowed in our house. I had no context for this lesson, no understanding of the history, and where I lived, there were very few people of color. But that really didn't matter; I just grew up knowing that other words I learned at school that horrified my grandparents, like 'shit' and 'fuck' were practically harmless as far as my mom was concerned, compared to that word! I think that as a consequence I have always had an appreciation for variety over homogeneity and have valued diversity, a principle my wife and I have passed onto our children. We need to do whatever we can to eliminate this problem of racism and bigotry--a mode of thinking that is passed on from families and their chosen peer groups.

Four Habits of Discipline My SEAL Dad Taught Me. Apply these to help you in life.

p-nullifidian comments on May 16, 2020:

I've known a number of SOF (Special Operations Forces) guys in my life, and to a man they were the furthest thing from braggadocious. They're well aware of their abilities, and don't need to seek trouble. Most are wiry as opposed to musclebound ... picture the sculpted physique of a professional rock climber. They lead by example, not by barking commands, and are fully devoted to the mission and the team. Their training is much more than physically demanding, as it requires a psychological and emotional discipline that is either buried deeply within, or doesn't exist.

Some would say the glass is half full.

p-nullifidian comments on May 16, 2020:

You must be an engineer! ;-)

[polygraph.

p-nullifidian comments on May 15, 2020:

Yet another example of a faith serving in the "best interests" of its parishioners.

How coronavirus spread from one member to 87% of the singers at a Washington choir practice ...

p-nullifidian comments on May 15, 2020:

As a lifelong chorister, Coronavirus is breaking my heart. We now know that singing and loud talking can spread virus-laden droplets much farther than 6 feet. But singing yards apart from one another presents a challenge for ensemble (musical blend) for all but the most professional choruses. In any case, it is nearly impossible for a large group of singers to find rehearsing / performing spaces that would accommodate such a widespread formation as would be necessary. I fear that choral singing may be out until herd immunity is achieved, whether or not an audience can be assembled.

Some evangelicals fear the 'mark of the beast' from a coronavirus vaccine

p-nullifidian comments on May 15, 2020:

“I might sound like a fanatic, but I’m really not,” she said. “I’m normal.” Normal for someone who listens to right wing radio, watches Fox News and supports Donald Trump. Sadly, the following is factually accurate, and should give us pause. "She is, in fact, not out of the mainstream of the large segment of the American population ...The coronavirus pandemic created the perfect environment for apocalyptic Christianity to fuse with antigovernment libertarianism, New Age rejection of mainstream science and medicine, and internet-fueled gullibility toward baroque conspiracy theories about secret cabals ruling the world through viruses."

[yahoo.

p-nullifidian comments on May 15, 2020:

Like a scene from a Leslie Nielsen movie. "Nothing to see here, please disperse!"

I am agnostic because I want to have an open mind! Really?

p-nullifidian comments on May 14, 2020:

Some self-avowed agnostics may think the term reflects a "could go either way" attitude, as in, certain computer files, like JPEGs or PDFs, are 'platform agnostic.' However, to strident religionists, their apparent unwillingness to commit represents, in and of itself, a choice. To the faithful, not choosing to accept is to reject. Personally, I identify first and foremost as a nullifidian: one who has no faith or religious belief. If there were a supreme being, it has yet to be observed or described, and all religions are, and have been, equally ignorant on this account. I am basically a person without any faith or religious belief who lacks any knowledge of a supreme being.

Religion isn't the bane of humanity.

p-nullifidian comments on May 14, 2020:

IMO, it isn't a question of one or the other; both are banes of humanity. If religions (particularly the most orthodox) were to simply evolve and completely redact from their so-called holy books and doctrines their retrograde and immoral concepts, humanity would be in a much better place. Instead, they dig in, holding on to their antediluvian morality of a fossilized past. Beliefs have consequences, and the more extreme, the more dangerous. I agree with Steven Weinberg, who observed, “With or without religion, good people can behave well and bad people can do evil; but for good people to do evil - that takes religion.”

What are your thoughts about the "God of Gaps"?

p-nullifidian comments on May 14, 2020:

The argument from ignorance (sometimes called the God of the Gaps) is an ill-fated position, as it attributes a supernatural cause for phenomena we do not yet understand. But as our knowledge of the universe has steadily increased, and natural explanations have been advanced for things once believed to have been 'miraculous,' the role for a deity has gradually, yet unflinchingly diminished. Theists who rely on the argument from ignorance disregard the path of history and shut their eyes to the inevitable end of their incredible shrinking god.

Does anything about being in an atheist or agnostic social network provide comfort?

p-nullifidian comments on May 14, 2020:

A very nice post, but it ends on a sad note, IMO. "A stretch," you say? Maybe it's just the ENTJ in me, but it's been my experience that you get what you give (and very often more) on this platform--just look at those replies below! :-)

What would you have done differently had you been god?

p-nullifidian comments on May 13, 2020:

I would have done just as my Deist avatar believed. After having created everything--matter, energy, and all the physics governing the universe--I would have moved on to more important matters, leaving my creation to evolve on its own without my ever caring, interacting or even being aware of what became of it.