Tag Archives: religion
Atheism and Religion: Logical Insight
As many of you may already know, I am an Atheist. This doesn’t mean I dislike people who are religious, the same as I don’t dislike Conservatives (Republicans), just disagree with some of their opinions. I have many friends and family members who believe in religion and although I think it’s harmful to society, I would never disrespect them for coming to a different conclusion than I have come to on my own. But, seeing as I am a passionate person, I like to share what I believe with others, urge them to think differently and open their minds. I encourage myself to do the same, which just so happens to be the reason I have come to this conclusion.
A friend of mine, Anastasia, wrote something the other day that I found to be pretty great. I asked her if I could share it here and would like to know what some of you think, as well as express my support for everything that was said. I have shared it exactly as it was written below:
“I’ll tell you what else is on my mind. I recently watched the episode of “Louie” where, as a child, he attends a Catholic school and the teacher brings in a doctor to explain, from a medical stand point, the process of Jesus’ crucifixion. It’s brutal and horrific, and the best piece of mind-fuckery out there. How in the world does the idea that one man being physically tortured cancels out the “sins” of the world? (more on “sins” later. okay right now- not raping people is not one of the ten commandments. not using the lord’s name in vain is. uhm. what.?) Really think about that. More importantly, think about how many people have been physically/mentally/
I know that many people are getting tired of the political and religious posts that are on Twitter, FaceBook, etc; But personally, I think it’s great that our generation is becoming so involved and choosing to think for ourselves as opposed to just take what was told to us, as truth. Granted, there are definitely many people who still do this, it’s great to know that thanks to the advancement in social media, our generation is able to meet people who share the same views, values, morals, etc. and are open to discussing how they could be right and/or wrong.
Thank you Anastasia for allowing me to share your message and I hope others can see the humanity in your words as opposed to the “religious attack” you made “against” them.
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[VIDEO] Pastor Dennis Terry Introduces Rick Santorum With An Anti-Gay, Pro-Life, Conservative Bullshit Speech
I am sorry, but if Rick Santorum, a man who clearly believes in the message that Pastor Dennis Terry is so eloquent at expressing, becomes President, our FREEDOM as American‘s will be threatened. Pastor Dennis is a hateful man who doesn’t understand or appreciate diversity; He is also ignorant. The man explains that we’re not allowed to pray in public, which is definitely far from the truth. What they did enforce was not MAKING children pray at school, because spirituality and religion should be an independent decision for each person. Sadly, we still have parents that believe forcing religion down their children’s throats is the best thing to do, but at least we don’t have the government and our teachers telling us what we should believe.
Also, this man is fighting to keep things how they were and I understand why, but fortunately, most of us would like to advance and allow our religious beliefs to grow as well. If we never changed what we believed and how we did things, we might still have slaves, treat women like dogs and have men being arrested for sodomy. I believe that if there were a God (which I do not believe), then why would he be so egotistical to only allow those that worship and accept him into heaven? Wouldn’t you think he would prefer people who lived their lives morally as opposed to those who just accepted him in the hopes of being redeemed for their sins? I know I’d rather be around people with my same morals in the after life and not some child molesters, murderers, and rapists that have seen the light and accepted Jesus as their savior. So, if that’s the case, leave me down here to burn in hell with people who have respect for one another, not because they have to, but because it’s simply the right thing to do.
Related articles
- For Multi-Faith Nation, Santorum Is a Good Thing (lezgetreal.com)
- Pastor Dennis Terry Introduces Rick Santorum, Tells Non-Christians To ‘Get Out’ Of U.S. (mediaite.com)
- News: Dame Edna, Rhinos, Justin Bieber, Nepal, Reza Farahan (towleroad.com)
- In a Rick Santorum World: Freedom for a Few (fidlerten.com)
- Is Rick Santorum Right on Banning Internet Porn? (usnews.com)
- Rick Santorum Crowd Boos Male Hecklers’ Kiss, Start Chanting ‘U-S-A!’ (mediaite.com)
File-Sharing Is Recognized As An Official Religion In Sweden…Seriously.
I have a feeling this was a pretty ingenious way of encouraging the government to stay out of their business based on religious grounds. File-sharing, is in fact, illegal in many countries. The people who created the files (whether they be music, movies, programs, etc.) are not making a profit based on the person who is sharing the file is not collecting anything in return. Therefore, the person who is having the file shared with them has to pay nothing for something that generally costs money.
Since 2010 a group of self-confessed pirates have tried to get their beliefs recognized as an official religion in Sweden. After their request was denied several times, the Church of Kopimism – which holds CTRL+C and CTRL+V as sacred symbols – is now approved by the authorities as an official religion. The Church hopes that its official status will remove the legal stigma that surrounds file-sharing.
Isak Gerson is a file-sharer and does so religiously which led to him finding The Missionary Church of Kopimism in 2010. After becoming established, they submitted a request to be officially accepted by the authorities. They were rejected twice and asked to explain their form of prayer or meditation before the council finally accepted their request.
“I think that more people will have the courage to step out as Kopimists. Maybe not in the public, but at least to their close ones,” Isak tells TorrentFreak. “There’s still a legal stigma around copying for many. A lot of people still worry about going to jail when copying and remixing. I hope in the name of Kopimi that this will change.”
They’ve grown their members from 1,000 to 3,000 and hope that number increases with time. If you’re interested, join the movement, free of charge (unlike some other greedy religions).
Related articles
- Online Piracy Bill May Stifle Innovation (musicians4freedom.com)
- File Sharing Is Now An Official Religion In Sweden (gizmodo.com.au)
- File-Sharing Recognized as Official Religion in Sweden (musicians4freedom.com)
- File Sharing Is Now an Official Religion In Sweden [Piracy] (gizmodo.com)
- Filesharing Now an Official Religion In Sweden (idle.slashdot.org)
- File Sharing Is Now an Official Religion In Sweden (gizmodo.co.uk)
How I Feel About The “War On Christmas”
Just yesterday with my parents we were discussing this exact issue. My mom, who works at a National bank, can no longer wish people a ‘Merry Christmas‘ in case it offends them. The tree lighting that was referred to as a ‘Holiday Tree Lighting’ was viewed as a way to attack the Christians, their faith and the meaning behind Christmas when in fact it was just a way for everyone to be included in the celebration.
I’m an Atheist so when it comes down to it, I do not believe in Jesus nor do I want to praise and give thanks to something or someone who I feel is about as mythical as Santa Clause. Although, I have grown up celebrating Christmas and come to love it whole-heartedly. For me, Christmas is not about religion, but about being with friends and family, embracing the cold weather and taking time to appreciate the little things like taking joy in giving to others. Sadly I believe that the religious aspect is insignificant seeing as most people either feel the way I do on the Holiday no longer representing Jesus; But I also don’t agree with the greed aspect of corporations trying to capitalize on the Holiday and taking advantage of people during a season that represents love, compassion, selflessness, and respect.
I am an atheist. I love Christmas. I love my friends. I love my family. And instead of getting irritated or feeling attacked because people won’t allow you to say something or you are saying the wrong thing to them, just remember that the fact they acknowledged you at all and extended kindness was a gift in itself. If it wasn’t your birthday, you believed it wasn’t your birthday, and a stranger had just said ‘have a great birthday’ before walking off, you would not feel that they were being malicious and attacking your religious beliefs or intentionally trying to offend you, would you? No. They were trying to be nice without actually knowing your intricate background, including: religion, morality, political views, etc.
It’s the HOLIDAY SEASON…just be happy, be nice, respect and be kind to anyone and everyone. Life’s too short. Especially if you’re an atheist and believe this is your ONE life. Nothing more 
Related articles
- A Few of my Favorite Things #7…What God Wants for Christmas (wondersofhislove.com)
- Ontario MP demands end to ‘ban on Christmas cheer’ (news.nationalpost.com)
- Video: Merry Christmas from Mariah, Madonna and the Muppets (heatworld.com)
- Ask Richard: Should I Help My Parents with the Church Christmas Pageant? (patheos.com)
- Poll of the Week: What Kinda Gifts Do You Buy for Christmas? +94% of Christians, 56% of Non-Christians and 82% of Non-Believers Celebrate! (ginosblog.com)
Cuddling The Gay Away
By: Kelli Knight
There is a new ex-gay therapy that has gained some momentum lately, and it is rather unorthodox when you think about its purpose. Gays from all over are becoming involved in touch therapy which evidently, cures them of their gayness.
Imagine a father cradling a baby, only the baby is an adult man. Now, imagine that this man-baby is trying to cure his homosexuality and you have an accurate picture of what’s known as “ex-gay” touch therapy.
So the assumption is that there was a lack of fatherly love and affection. In order to cure this empty void, men shack up with other dudes because they simply miss their daddy, or at least this is the lead motivator for touch therapy. I just don’t get why cuddling men would prove to work better than fucking them. Most of the gay men I know are much happier when they get to actually have sex. In brutal honestly, the cuddling could lead to abandonment issues because no one is going to wait that long for your gay ass to put out.
And now, what about lesbians and, (I’m assuming here) our mother issues? How do we cure this? Because again, sex has been working out pretty good for me, so much so that I don’t even want to cure this disease anymore!
Well, at least now if you see two men hugging you know that they’re just ex-gays who are treating themselves to a little daddy love and affection so they don’t get all gay in public and embarrass the entire family
The Al-Qaid ‘Triple Agent’ Who Infiltrated The CIA
This image provided by IntelCenter on Feb. 28, 2010, shows Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi in a posthumous video message posted on extremist websites. The al-Qaida double agent killed seven CIA operatives when he set off the 30-pound bomb strapped to his body at a fortified base in Afghanistan near the Pakistani border in December 2009.
This is a great article on NPR’s website about the Al-Qaida member who was also a CIA informant. This man was able to become a mole in the CIA and gain information for Al-Qaida. He also set off a suicide bomb in Afghanistan that killed seven CIA operatives.
For more information, please read the FULL ARTICLE
Exorcists Congragate in Poland and Discuss Vampires
“Vampires, the devil’s deceit and mental illness are among the hot topics for some 300 exorcists who flocked to Poland this week from as far away as Africa and India for a week-long congress.
Held at Poland’s Roman Catholic Jasna Gora monastery, home to the venerated Black Madonna icon, this year’s congress “examines the current fashion for vampirism in Europe and the world-over, schizophrenia and other mental disorders as well as the devil’s deceit during exorcism,” according to the monastery’s radio station.
Also attending are “priests and lay people who work with exorcists or who are themselves practitioners in cases which do not involve possession but rather other forms of harassment by evil spirits,” Polish exorcist, Father Andrzej Grefkowicz was quoted as saying.
Hailing from India, world-renowned exorcist Father Rufus Pereira as well as chief exorcist of the Archdiocese of Vienna Larry Hogan are among the participants, the radio reported. The unusual meeting is held once every two years.
The Jasna Gora monastery’s venerated Black Madonna icon is believed by many Poles to work miracles.
Legend has it that it was painted by the apostle Saint Luke on a table top from the home of the Holy Family, according to the Jasna Gora website. Records suggest the icon arrived in Poland during the 14th century.
With around 90 percent of the population declaring themselves Roman Catholic, Poland remains one of Europe’s most devout countries.”
Source: Yahoo News
States De-fund Planned Parenthood’s Due To Abortions
“GOP lawmakers in four states so far — Indiana, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Kansas — have defunded Planned Parenthood in their 2011 legislative sessions because some of the organization’s clinics provide abortions.”
Abortions are legal and should be a personal matter. Unfortunately, many conservative states do not see it that way and have taken the situation into their own hands. Planned Parenthood has offered many procedures, medications and assistance to women who didn’t have the resources. With the states pulling the funds, it has made it nearly impossible for low-income individuals to be able to even afford medication, yet along a procedure like an abortion. These women should have the ability and freedom to make their own decisions and just because they are lower on the pay scale, they should not be condemned.
These politicians may think what they’re doing is best in regards to the economy and morally, but again, it is not their place to make decisions based on their moral opinions. Who knows what situation could have led to the need for Planned Parenthood’s services (i.e. rape). I am outraged by these states and hope that no others follow in their footsteps.
Read the FULL article here
New York Clerk Quits Due To New Law Allowing Gay Marriage
This article just goes to show that some people will stand by what they believe regardless of the changes that are taking place around them. Many of these people feel it’s best to stand by your beliefs because that’s the proof that you have faith. In my opinion, that doesn’t make sense. If there are so many people who are “religious” that are able to allow this, why can’t you? Religion is so interpretive, and you may choose to believe however you want.
On the other hand, the gays can not choose to be straight. Some people may feel this is possible, but all it is, is pretending. Most gay people are fairly good at it, considering they’ve had to put on an act for so many years. Well, practice makes perfect. Unhappy, but perfect 
Here is some of the article:
“HUDSON, New York (Reuters) - A town clerk in western New York has resigned to avoid being forced to sign marriage licenses for gay and lesbian couples, citing religious objections to same-sex marriage.
Laura Fotusky, the town clerk in Barker, New York, said in her resignation letter that she will step down on July 21, three days before New York becomes the sixth and largest state to allow gay nuptials.
Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the same sex marriage law last month after the bill narrowly passed the Republican-led state Senate. Its approval in New York is seen as a catalyst for gay marriage elsewhere as well as helping push the issue to the forefront nationally ahead of the 2012 elections.
Much of the debate in New York focused on the scope of protections for those opposed to same-sex marriage. The new law exempts religious groups from performing same-sex marriages but does not extend those protections to individuals, including government employees.
Fotusky was not immediately available for comment, but in her letter, dated July 11, she said she believes the Bible takes precedence over man-made laws.
The Bible clearly teaches that God created marriage between male and female as a divine gift that preserves families and cultures. Since I love and follow Him, I cannot put my signature on something that is against God, she wrote.
I would be compromising my moral conscience if I participated in the licensing procedure, she wrote.”
For the FULL article: http://news.yahoo.com/york-town-clerk-quits-over-gay-marriage-licenses-222510597.html