I started reading the bible recetly, and I'm 11 pages into genisis, and the shear substance of what ...

zeuser comments on Mar 27, 2018:

Yes, I've read it, for a biblical exogesis course in college, and it solidified my views related to Christian religious validity (it has none).

Can you judge a person by the company they keep?

zeuser comments on Mar 27, 2018:

Hmmm, I dunno about that. If you're doing opposition research, I guess this a common tactic designed to dig up dirt on people. While it's a valid tactic for adversarial applications, if you look for dirt, you'll find it. If that's what you're after, go ahead. I can't see this as a good policy for vetting potential hires unless it's for a security clearance.

A fun question for everyone... what is the best way to break the ice here?

zeuser comments on Mar 26, 2018:

Just talk. It's like throwing spaghetti against the wall, some of it will stick, some won't.

Any wine lovers?

zeuser comments on Mar 26, 2018:

I love Pinot grigio, true Rose, oaky chardonnays, Sauvignon Blanc, nice big Zinfandels, Pinot noir, and the occasional Gewurtztraminer. I love dry Chianti with Italian food. And who doesn't love champagne?

Are Some Men Reluctant to Talk on the Phone?

zeuser comments on Mar 26, 2018:

Texting is asynchronous. You don't both have to be available at the same time to exchange useful information. And if you want, you can check to see if someone is available and finish it up by talking to each other on a standard phone call. I don't like leaving voice mail either.

Mixed feelings on new company holiday

zeuser comments on Mar 26, 2018:

Where I worked previously, there were no religious holidays on the company calendar, but they gave everyone a floating holiday, which you couldn't carry forward and was distinct from vacation time, for anyone who wanted to take off some particular day. Lots of people used it for Good Friday. I used it for the beginning of the NCAA basketball tournament, the closest thing I get to a religious experience anymore.

About you?

zeuser comments on Mar 26, 2018:

Well, there's a lot of ethnic culture and foods that are most definitely an important part of who I am. It's not just about ancestry, I count the close bonds I still maintain with folks in my old hometown. Now to be fair, I grew up in a heavily ethnic area, so my perception of what my background means to me will always filter through that lens. I am an American, but I have strong Eastern European roots that I am comfortable and proud to possess.

Favorite Atheist/Agnostic songwriters/songs?

zeuser comments on Mar 26, 2018:

Billy Joel, "Only the Good Die Young". I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints; the sinners are much more fun...

A joke for believers.

zeuser comments on Mar 25, 2018:

I've been telling this joke for over 50 years. In my version, it's a guy at a bar talking to the bartender, and the existence of God does not enter into the setup. But the fact the joke was repurposed indicates it's a good joke. You can always repurpose the good ones.

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

zeuser comments on Mar 25, 2018:

I was 28, and got a divorce 28 years later. That was 9 and a half years ago. No regrets. I mostly enjoyed being married, but I also like being single. I'm on great terms with my ex, and my kids are ok with the whole situation.

What is the most painful thing you’ve endured?

zeuser comments on Mar 24, 2018:

Diverticulitis attack was the worst pain, rolling around in bed and loudly moaning. Severe gout hurts like hell, and rivaled the diverticulitis pain. And of course abcess teeth. Sheesh, I've been through some pain, but not right now. All my best to the folks who are in intense pain right now.

Would you try to overcome a categorical refusal?

zeuser comments on Mar 23, 2018:

Nope. If it has come up at an early stage of the relationship, it's clearly a deal breaker for them, and you waste time and energy trying to make headway. When I see "God is important to me" in a tinder profile, I swipe left baby!

Do you spend time debating your views on religion with the religious?

zeuser comments on Mar 23, 2018:

My Uncle Doc told me once "Don't ever play somebody else's game." I won't debate anyone about anything where they make the rules and they determine the forum. They've stacked it against you, and that's a bad spot to start from. I do like honest existential discussions in a friendly environment with people who are open to ideas. But this is territory where zealots rarely visit.

When life gets you down and you're having your worst day, what helps you to feel better?

zeuser comments on Mar 23, 2018:

A bar. With friends is better, but just a bar works. Your way sounds a lot more selfless, but I gotta be me.

I was 12 the day I stopped believing.

zeuser comments on Mar 23, 2018:

Whatever happens, stay healthy!

Continuation of the online date.

zeuser comments on Mar 22, 2018:

You will stay together as long as you each are willing to swallow the other's crap. Based on your description, that's gonna take some work to engineer. I can't see a good path to suggest here, sorry. But don't give up and good luck bro.

Maybe I should start a group called "women who love men who love themselves".

zeuser comments on Mar 22, 2018:

It's like trying to sell something. You have to get through your quota of "no's" before you find a "yes". And persistence counts!

How did I get put in the friend zone ?

zeuser comments on Mar 22, 2018:

You can't get out. Either you accept it and put up with it, or you move along. Forcing the issue will cause conflict eventually. Sometimes, you don't get what you want.

Hello! I'm new here So I thought I'd introduce myself.

zeuser comments on Mar 22, 2018:

Enjoy the vibe, it seems pretty genuine to me. Welcome aboard.

Do you carry a knife or tools with you?

zeuser comments on Mar 22, 2018:

I carry a pocket knife in my pocket, a multi tool Leatherman and a 4 inch Jack knife in my backpack, and some small screwdrivers to fix eyeglasses in the dop kit in the backpack.

OKAY.

zeuser comments on Mar 22, 2018:

1. Shorts, old Filip flops, and a too small tank top with picture of Pee Wee Herman. 2. Anchovies and chopped onions in a bowl. 3. I can tell by your scent that you want me real bad.

To quote Darius Rucker, “When was the last time you did something for the first time”.

zeuser comments on Mar 22, 2018:

Yesterday, I watched it snow on the first day of spring. I could do without that for a while.

Love this... I'd like a shirt of it.

zeuser comments on Mar 21, 2018:

I like it! Fighting lameness with lameness.

Can you live without meat?

zeuser comments on Mar 21, 2018:

Probably. I could probably live without wine too. Probably both are a good idea. Probably won't do either one.

How do you feel about taking chances? What is the best chance you ever took? How did it turn out?

zeuser comments on Mar 21, 2018:

At 34, unemployed with a 3 year old, I quit my job as manager of a cable TV system and went to a local community college to get a certificate in software technical writing. I was hired immediately after I completed the course and worked for that same company for 28 years in many different capacities. Luckily, my then wife had a job and encouraged the move. She should've stuck with me. Oh well. I also quit a good consulting job to work for a cable TV company a few years earlier, and that job sucked. I was laid off in a corporate merger reorg. So when you take a chance, you take your chances!

Finish this sentence..

zeuser comments on Mar 21, 2018:

... You could have a discussion with someone holding a different viewpoint without name calling or talking points

Is chivalry SEXIST???

zeuser comments on Mar 21, 2018:

Hmm, I think your definition is an interpretation of the meaning. I looked it up: "the sum of the ideal qualifications of a knight, including courtesy, generosity, valor, and dexterity in arms". This was a medieval concept, back when knights were warriors and abided by a code of behavior so as not to abuse their authority over those who were not warriors, which notably included women. Your definition is a derivative of the original meaning, and yeah it's probably sexist in the context of current society. In the context of the times when it was developed, no it wasn't.

Today's thoughts: I remember how sad my grandmother was when I started refusing to go to church ...

zeuser comments on Mar 21, 2018:

Choices have consequences. Your Gram made a choice that alienated you, her granddaughter, and it doesn't sound like she really respected your point of view. It was probably not her intention, but that was the effect. You also made a choice. You feel guilty about it. You had a conflicting choice between hypocrisy for the sake of family harmony and personal integrity. I understand that you feel how you feel, and you can't change that. But how would you feel if you just went along with her, essentially lying to her? I'm sure your Gram loved you, which is the most important thing. People can also choose to be disappointed, you know. I hope getting it out there helps you deal with your emotions and you find some solace. Best of luck to you.

Describe your love life in one word.

zeuser comments on Mar 21, 2018:

Theoretical

Even though we have each other on this site.

zeuser comments on Mar 20, 2018:

You'll feel much worse if you hide your true self. You can fix feeling alone. Once your integrity is gone, that's another story.

As a gay man I grow increasingly tired of the seemingly shallow attitude in the dating pool.

zeuser comments on Mar 20, 2018:

Sounds like you need to find another dating pool to swim in.

What is your take on claims that thought, emotions or intention can affect the physical world?

zeuser comments on Mar 20, 2018:

One of my good friends is the executive director of the Rhine Institute in Durham, and they do experimentation on this and all kinds of paranormal phenomena. Some of it is interesting, and they explain some things with the (objectively proven) concept of quantum entanglement. Of course, a lot of it is hooey, but experimental results are sometimes very convincing.

I saw this on another page, and decided to bring this over hear.

zeuser comments on Mar 20, 2018:

To be fair, the Catholics lie about all kinds of stuff. (Disclaimer: I was raised as a Catholic.) Putting their words into the mouth of a dead man is the least of it, though it is still reprehensible. When you can't win the argument with evidence, make some up. Then go to confession to make it straight with the big guy. At least they're predictable.

Hi Everyone.

zeuser comments on Mar 20, 2018:

I think you should stay. Not enough people consider me young, and I need all the help I can get. You can find moral philosophy by the truckload here, but baroque music lovers might take some energy to uncover. No matter what you decide, welcome! ?

The other day two Jehova's Witnesses rang our doorbell.

zeuser comments on Mar 20, 2018:

Same basic reason the Mormons do it, recruitment. I always answer, and stop them in the middle of their pitch to tell them I'm an atheist, and to have a nice day. ?

How do you best keep a work-life balance?

zeuser comments on Mar 20, 2018:

I retired! LOL

Today's atheists are bullies -- and they are doing their best to intimidate the rest of us into ...

zeuser comments on Mar 20, 2018:

Projection at its finest.

I'll start by saying this isn't to justify misleading another person emotionally.

zeuser comments on Mar 20, 2018:

If it wasn't possible, you'd eliminate 80% of literature and popular entertaining. I made up the percentage, but you see what I mean. Happens all the time.

What`s the difference between being single and emotionally lonely?

zeuser comments on Mar 20, 2018:

You can be in a relationship and still be emotionally lonely. The two things can coincide, but one is not necessarily the cause of the other.

So this happened: [usatoday.

zeuser comments on Mar 20, 2018:

There is good evidence that we are in the midst of a mass extinction. It's happened before, usually in response to natural events that cause a profound change in the environment. The rise of human civilization is the principal cause of the current environmental displacement. You see it in the encroachment upon and destruction of wild environments, the predominance of floral and faunal (not sure if those are words, but stick with me here) monoculture, the introduction of predatory species in foreign environments, the deliberate modification of natural climate cycles, and the proliferation of chemical and physical detritus in our oceans and atmosphere. So we are quite effectively doing what you suggest on a global scale. Fighting for conservation and eating salad instead of burgers are good, but really, the scale here is beyond any simple solution. Doesn't mean the loss of another species is any less tragic, but there is a greater tragedy happening all around us.

As spring arrives (in the northern hemisphere), my gardening passion is coming out in full swing.

zeuser comments on Mar 20, 2018:

It's supposed to snow here tomorrow, the first day of spring! This isn't how Carolina is supposed to work!

When I discuss the bible with Christians, I often find out that they almost know nothing about the ...

zeuser comments on Mar 19, 2018:

Well, when you actually study the Bible, you realize it is a political document, and a mythology, and not in any sense an accurate historical account. For the most part, and I hate to generalize, people who have never studied it deeply believe it at face value. People who have studied it understand the reasons behind the document, and treat it that way. There's the issue.

Why do men get so mad when they get rejected?

zeuser comments on Mar 19, 2018:

That is just bad upbringing. Or maybe none.

What was your favorite thing to do when you were a child?

zeuser comments on Mar 19, 2018:

I grew up in an old coal mining town, and before things were built out, we had a lot of woods and culm banks (big piles of mine tailings). In the summer, me and my posse would find isolated areas and build forts in the woods, and mess around on the big culm banks, looking for fossils and throwing rocks off the top. In the winter, we went sledding and built snow forts for snowball fights. Rode bikes everywhere. It was fun!

Baseball fans?

zeuser comments on Mar 19, 2018:

The Durham Bulls are your AAA affiliate. I try to get out for 2 or 3 games a year. I'm an old Phillies fan though, and I did what you are doing to a lesser extent. Went to see them at Wrigley, Washington DC, and at Citizens Bank. There might be an excursion to Atlanta this year as well. The DC Park is beautiful, you'll enjoy it. You need to add Chicago to your list, Wrigley is a rare treat.

Does anyone else find that as a non-believer in an all powerful beings, it's very difficult for me ...

zeuser comments on Mar 19, 2018:

Rather than accomplishments, I am impressed (or not) by behavior. I enjoy being with open, friendly, intelligent, and funny people. Not because I put folks like that on a pedestal, but because I feel comfortable around them.

So I'm trying to cut expenses and went looking in a retirement community for a cheaper home since ...

zeuser comments on Mar 19, 2018:

I just downsized, but to a smaller regular home closer to the center of town. As for making new friends, that's why they invented bars. And gyms. And coffee shops. Good luck regardless of where you wind up.

Who or what do you sleep with at night?

zeuser comments on Mar 18, 2018:

Just me. Two pillows, and a hanky on the bedstand next to the clock.

What are your pet peeve markers you look for on a first date?

zeuser comments on Mar 18, 2018:

Well this applies to anyone, but on a first date it is a deal breaker. Before I speak, I try to make sure I have something to say. You want to talk over me? Once, ok, that's a Mulligan. Twice? Three times? All the time? Keep talking, I'll just wait for this date to end and never call you again.

Should psychics and fortune tellers be handled like con-artists and thieves?

zeuser comments on Mar 18, 2018:

One of my personal heroes, Harry Houdini, made it a point to actively debunk psychic and spiritualist con artists as he traveled the vaudeville circuit in the first half of the last century. He made a lot of enemies and was eventually murdered at the height of his fame during a stand in Chicago by those criminal interests. Entertainers are one thing, people who exploit the weak minded are quite another. We all have a responsibility to stay aware, but being duped by a professional conman is no shame, and the ones who do the duping are criminals, plain and simple.

Do you judge people base on how they look, talk, act, and how much money they make? If so why

zeuser comments on Mar 18, 2018:

I assess people based on these factors. Judging involves developing my opinion of the individual, and I do try not to be superficial about it, but hey, I only think it though so much.

Which do you prefer, books or ereading? Why?

zeuser comments on Mar 18, 2018:

If I can't get it on my Kindle, I probably won't read it. That's for novels. I used to like newspapers, but I broke that habit too. I miss the crossword puzzles, though. And the cryptograms. Doing those online just isn't the same.

What is the common cause of your anxiety and how do you feel when it attacks?

zeuser comments on Mar 18, 2018:

I procrastinate a lot, especially regarding things I don't want to do to begin with, and panic when I realize I waited too long to do something I need to do. I generally don't sleep well when there's a lot to do because I put things off.

I think teenage girls look 5-7 years older than their age now than they did when I was a teenager.

zeuser comments on Mar 18, 2018:

At my age, everyone under forty looks the same anymore. But you're right, we didn't have girls in high school looking like they do today.

What do you think about California?

zeuser comments on Mar 18, 2018:

It's a big state with very distinct regions, each different than all the others. I used to travel to Sacramento and LA for business in the mid 80's. I loved Sacramento. LA is a different reality.

Crazy kids! What's the craziest/worst/funniest thing your kids did, that you didn't know about ...

zeuser comments on Mar 18, 2018:

Well I found out about this before she grew up, but in the fifth grade, my daughter let someone copy from her on a test, then erased her answers and wrote the right answers on her test. Her teacher told me she saw her do it.

What is a particular creative piece -- a work of art, a book, a movie, a song, a performance, ...

zeuser comments on Mar 18, 2018:

Jesus Christ Superstar, because I am a sucker for show tunes. Heh.

How do you deal with mixed signals?

zeuser comments on Mar 18, 2018:

It varies.

The Bible Says The World Is Going To End On June 24, 2018

zeuser comments on Mar 18, 2018:

I don't doubt it. Guess I should just get the pizzas.

I was wondering if there are many in this forum that is interested in the history of religion.

zeuser comments on Mar 17, 2018:

I've always been interested in the relationship between religious and political power. No matter when or where, the two are always closely intertwined.

Today, March 17, I will not be wearing green for 2 reasons.

zeuser comments on Mar 17, 2018:

First, I'm sorry that happened to your great grandmother, that is horrible. Second, I applaud your historical knowledge and your personal integrity, both are in high demand and shockingly short supply. I've never worn green on March 17, mostly because I'm not Irish, but partly because I am not a big fan of cultural appropriation. Though you could make an argument that the decline of the day into an excuse for open drunkenness is not culture, and it isn't uniquely Irish. Druids live on, though, in spite of old saint paddy.

When (and if) you feel a need for woo, what should you do?

zeuser comments on Mar 17, 2018:

A Higgs boson is sitting in a pew in the back of a church. The priest comes by and says, "Hey, you're a Higgs boson! Get out of my church!" The Higgs boson snuggly replies, "Are you sure? Without me, you can't have mass!"

The Dance of Life.

zeuser comments on Mar 16, 2018:

AP, This shows promise, lots of passion. You can grow this, or use it in something with a broader scope. Find an editor, and good luck, you dancin' fool. ?

Dont jump me (read first) I saw a facebook post about that 19 year old dude who felt katy perry had...

zeuser comments on Mar 16, 2018:

Katy can harass me whenever she's in the area and she's in the mood. Having said that, you don't touch without being invited, and if you mistake something for an invitation that isn't one, you apologize and back the hell off.

What traits make a good boss? Have you ever had one?

zeuser comments on Mar 16, 2018:

I've run the gamut from excellent to shitty bosses, and I tried to be a good one myself. The best ones give you what you need to succeed, nudge you into areas where you ought to be, and trust you to do the job. And yeah, they have your back no matter what. I always tried not just to be a good leader, but to develop good leaders. You want to have guys that can do it on their own, but come see you when they need help, and trust you to help when they ask. Bad bosses blame you when things don't go right. Good bosses blame themselves for not anticipating what could go wrong. A good boss is a partner, a bad one tells you what you did wrong after things go sideways. And a good boss always knows what you are up to, because he or she makes sure to communicate regularly.

Is it harder for women to get a date or for men?

zeuser comments on Mar 16, 2018:

It isn't hard for anyone if you set your standards low enough.

Favorite quote

zeuser comments on Mar 16, 2018:

"The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge." Daniel Boorstin said it, though it is often wrongly attributed to Stephen Hawking.

Game of Thrones?

zeuser comments on Mar 16, 2018:

I'm hooked. Jon Snow takes the whole thing over in the end, but Arya gives him a run for his money. Cersei is toast, Sansa will rule the North, Tyrion starts a dragon breeding ranch, and I have no idea what the hell Brann winds up doing. LOL

What's the best live performance you've ever seen?

zeuser comments on Mar 14, 2018:

I saw the Old Crow Medicine Show open for John Prine a few years back, and they tore it the hell up. Then Prine was Prine.

With or without music during sex?

zeuser comments on Mar 14, 2018:

You need music if you are using the rhythm method for birth control. Otherwise, it's optional.

What is the best path to find truth; science, math, art, philosophy, or something else?

zeuser comments on Mar 12, 2018:

Science is a methodology shared by those studying many different observable and theoretical phenomena. Math is a language of symbology and the means of expression of the relationships among many abstract concepts. Art is a means of expressing a representation of a variety of aspects of subjective and objective observations. Philosophy is a way to take an organized and structured approach to explaining the essence of reality. So the answer to your question is... Yes!

I love reading! Anyone else? If so who are your favorite authors and what genre do you prefer?

zeuser comments on Mar 12, 2018:

Fantasy and science fiction. Jim Butcher, Terry Goodkind, Brandon Sanderson, Frederick Pohl, the late great Richard Jordan, and Kurt Vonnegut come to mind.

Immortality

zeuser comments on Mar 12, 2018:

No, I don't think I want to overstay my welcome here. The things you do in life have meaning because you will eventually die.

Ok what do I say/?

zeuser comments on Mar 11, 2018:

It's you know certain things are offensive to certain people, think of a better way to say it. If you don't know, say whatever you want, you'll find out if it pisses someone off soon enough, then adjust. And here's the thing, if anyone calls anyone a name, you can't learn a thing from that individual, not one thing.

Directed to retirees. When did you make the final decision to give it up?

zeuser comments on Mar 10, 2018:

I was incentivized to retire at 64 last October. I'm still adjusting to the lack of structure, but other than that, I can't really see a downside. I was in tech/IT, and the youngsters are far more knowledgeable than I am about current technologies. Time for those guys to carry us, I put in my time and did my part.

Do you "collect" anything? What is it, and do you display your collection?

zeuser comments on Mar 10, 2018:

Shot glasses. Only a portion of the collection is on display at any given time.

What decade of your life was the best so far and why? Teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s?

zeuser comments on Mar 9, 2018:

40's for sure. I was still happily married, raising my kids, had a great dog, enjoyed my job, good friends all around, the peak of my cooking, lived in a great place. The 20's were good too..

Getting Over Sugar Cravings

zeuser comments on Mar 9, 2018:

That's easy. Start smoking! Seriously though, the best way to avoid certain foods is not to keep them in the house. You can't eat what isn't there. Good luck!

I am in a really torn position right now, myself.

zeuser comments on Mar 9, 2018:

Ya know, nothing says you can't see them both. It can be tricky, but that way there's no choice to make. The guys may not appreciate it, but is that your issue, or is it theirs? And as others have suggested, don't give up on finding another option. Disclaimer: This opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it, remember that. Good luck, hon.

Did someone break your heart badly that you're afraid to trust anyone else as far as love?

zeuser comments on Mar 8, 2018:

I consider it profound disappointment. Someone is going to have to work hard to earn my trust. I'm running out of time and patience, though.

How are you handling your Facebook page?

zeuser comments on Mar 8, 2018:

I'm a member of the Facebook group Atheist Against Pseudoscientific Nonsense, and I will occasionally share something from the group to my timeline. I've never explicitly stated my beliefs, and so far nobody I'm aware of has unfriended me. It someone does, good.

If you could teach everyone in the world one concept, what concept would have the biggest positive ...

zeuser comments on Mar 8, 2018:

The value of seeing things one level up in the abstract.

OMG!!! Who else is super proud and thinks it's super cute that a U.

zeuser comments on Mar 8, 2018:

I'm not sure what to think. It certainly isn't surprising, and I guess neither is the amateurish handling of the payoff itself. But it's not cute, and I am not proud. This guy is aggressively vulgar, and I personally think Stormy has the high road here, this is what she openly does to make a buck, for goodness sake. I respect that. I hope she makes more money on this, because gawd bless merka.

If "the meaning of life is to make life meaningful," how are you making your life meaningful today?

zeuser comments on Mar 7, 2018:

The ACC men's basketball tournament, baby! Go Wolfpack!

Has anyone ever had an encounter with a celebrity?

zeuser comments on Mar 7, 2018:

I met Tom Hanks and his wife and son at a wedding. Steve Forbes came to my company to ask the CEO for a contribution, and he and I relieved ourselves in adjacent urinals. I encountered John Lennon and Harry Nilsson, both thoroughly drunk, at a night club in Philly. I say next to Slim Pickens on a flight from Denver to Wyoming. And I shook hands with Gary Hart, Wilt Chamberlain, and John Kerry, all on separate occasions.

Wondering?

zeuser comments on Mar 6, 2018:

We hired a cleaning service. Been 10 years since she moved out. I still employ the cleaning service. Not sure if that relates.

Fear of Hell

zeuser comments on Mar 6, 2018:

If you intellectually accept that they lied to you about the existence of hell, then if it really exists, they probably lied to you about what it's really like. Think of it as an eternal cocktail party with your pals. That's ridiculous of course, but it might take an irrational rationalization to lose the irrational fear. Just do the best you can and try not to dwell on it.

Do you as an individual feel that you make a difference in politics?

zeuser comments on Mar 6, 2018:

I take it one conversation, one person at a time. People who don't say anything, or even worse, people who discuss by yelling and insulting, never change a single mind. You have no idea who you influence with a quiet, logical and friendly approach to simple, individual conversation. I hope that has some kind of positive influence, and makes a difference. And think voting makes a difference too.

Does anyone else have a favorite "famous" atheist?

zeuser comments on Mar 5, 2018:

Linus Pauling, who won Nobel prizes for chemistry and peace. One quote really resonated with me when I needed clarity. When asked if he believed anything, he said, " I believe that all complicated phenomena can be explained using simpler scientific principled."

I have been reticent to Comment based on the 'fact' that I am not sure if I am Agnostic or Atheist.

zeuser comments on Mar 5, 2018:

The more you comment and exercise your mental reasoning in response to atheist or agnostic posts here, the more you will develop your own internal identity. Be yourself, brother, don't let anyone do your thinking for you, and you should be fine.

Did you grow up with religion?

zeuser comments on Mar 5, 2018:

Yes, I was an altar boy! I grew up in a heavily ethnic Eastern European, Italian, Irish community, almost 100% Catholic, there was little choice. Ironically, the absurdity of the Catholic confession ritual and a course in biblical exogesis at my Jesuit university pushed me to a better intellectual place. Deep down, I never believed any of the fairly tales, but the local social structure was only available to me if I pretended I did. My kids had a choice, and they turned their backs on formal religion on their own. My son attended, with his friends, services at a Buddhist temple, a Mormon temple, megachurches, Baptist Church, and even some Catholic services. I asked him what he found out. He told me the Buddhists had the best food. B-)

Do you make your bed every day? Why or why not?

zeuser comments on Mar 2, 2018:

Yes. It marks the start of another day as I put the old one to bed.

Do you like to cook? What's your specialty?

zeuser comments on Mar 2, 2018:

Osso Buco (beef shanks, not veal), a very good posole, meatball lasagna, potato salad, and if I have the time, lemon scallop ravioli in clam sauce.

Do you feel lucky?

zeuser comments on Mar 1, 2018:

Yeah, but I like to think you make your own luck.

Best way to free friends from religious oppression?

zeuser comments on Mar 1, 2018:

By example. The next best approach, don't even try.

"The more you run from the past, the harder it is to face the present."

zeuser comments on Mar 1, 2018:

This rings true. My past informs my present. Took a while for me to understand it's importance to my identity. But everybody has a different past. I don't like to generalize.

How did I get put in the friend zone ?

zeuser comments on Feb 28, 2018:

If it eats at you, you're gonna have to bail, because it ain't gonna fix itself and you will become increasingly irritated. If you can, date someone else. Sometimes a person wants something more if they think it's slipping away. And if that doesn't happen, hey, at least you're dating! YMMV, I'm not exactly an expert.

Strong desires?

zeuser comments on Feb 28, 2018:

It's never too late! Indulge your passion, follow your dreams! Google some local dance troupes, or go hang out in a local community theater.

Can someone tell me why atheists, agnostics and freethinkers are so much discriminated in the States...

zeuser comments on Feb 28, 2018:

A lot of it is tribal. People aren't comfortable outside of their community of like minded individuals, and disdain those who think differently. This sort of tribal community can be defined by different things: some examples are geography, occupation, social status, race, and of course religion. Each comes with a set of things taken on faith. Separating from the tribal mindset requires independent thought. People don't like to think, because thinking is work, and work is unpopular. Breaking from your tribe takes effort that a lot of folks just don't want to exert.

Well - after reading the many posts on the subject, and after being on other dating sites ...

zeuser comments on Feb 28, 2018:

A good relationship with a good person is well worth the effort. Keep it rolling and good luck!