so don't ask if you don't want to know
Posts tagged atheism
The Skeptical Deck
Jul 19th
I’ve called myself a skeptic, but I haven’t actually acted on it until my recent visit to TAM8. There are many different ideas of what a skeptic truly is and many panels focused on how to be a skeptic while still being open minded/tolerant of other people’s choices. As in how can you call yourself a skeptic and still believe in __________?
I see skepticism as a deck of cards and you deal yourself the cards you choose through experience and/or study.
The Ace is (of course) the biggest, Atheism. Most skeptics have this card in their deck and cannot understand how or why everyone doesn’t. I definitely have this card in my hand. Though I often disparage those who don’t, I’m trying very hard to be tolerant of people who choose otherwise.
Let’s say the king is vaccinations. I’ve chosen to add that card to my skepticism hand, but I can somewhat understand how new parents can be confused and easily led into the misguided belief that vaccinations can damage their child.
We all laughed at the moon landing conspiracy guy, but he – along with the 9-11 conspiracy people – are completely convinced they’re on to something. The fact that he spent the money to be at TAM8 just to ask that question tells me how strongly he felt, and maybe someone smarter than me should have sat down and discussed the proven facts to him instead of us all just smirking. It took a lot of courage for him to get up in that crowd and express his opinion. Let’s make government conspiracies the queen.
Then there’s intelligent life out there in the universe. I don’t have that particular skeptical card in my deck. I believe there is, and maybe they’ve landed here in the past or could in the near future. Regardless of the in-depth panel I was instructed to attend. I guess that makes me the joker.
There are so many things to be skeptical about. We all have to pick and choose the cards we believe, or rather disbelieve.
10 – I don’t believe in ghosts
9 – I don’t believe in astrology.
8 – I don’t believe in telepathy.
7 – I don’t believe in psychic/faith healing – though it would be nice to get rid of this asthma thing.
6 – I don’t believe in homeopathy.
7 – I don’t believe in whatever the special power of rocks and minerals is called.
I’m still on the fence about genetically altered food. It’s not that I don’t think the science is good, I just don’t necessarily trust corporate greed and changes that might not be completely tested. I already think all those chemicals we’ve surrounded ourselves with can’t be good, and may be why there are so many cases of asthma, sensitivities and allergies. Sure, each chemical might be testing as safe but is there anyone testing average consumers vs. combinations?
Alt-medicine is still iffy for me too. Acupuncture has been around for centuries. It must work for something, right? I don’t know enough about it to completely poo-poo it, but I’d never accept it replacing real medicine.
I’m naturally gullible. And yet, still a cynic. So I don’t have a strong opinion until I’m completely convinced, but knowing my gullibility keeps my mind open. Wishy-washy? Absolutely. My method is to surround myself with intelligent people and lean on their (dis)beliefs.
Science works, bitches! But then again…
Free Pass?
Jan 10th
Not that I give a shit how many women Tiger Woods has fucked, other than it’s a shitty way to treat one’s wife. What maybe interests me more is this statement by Brit Hume:
So if you’re a Christian and you ask for forgiveness, you’re off the hook for fucking 17-odd women outside of your marriage? Somehow I don’t think his golf-club wielding wife would agree.
Fucking Christians got some balls, y’all. That’s what I always thought was fucked up about Catholics. You could pretty much do anything you wanted during the week as long as you went in and told it all to some guy in a box, said a few words by rote and went on your merry way. Confess and be absolved.
Then there’s the Purity Balls. Daddy takes little girl out to the fancy ball where she takes a virginity pledge. Creeeeepy. How controlling is that? And where are the Purity Balls for the boys? Oh hell no, they get to go out and screw around all they want with “bad girls” then confess their sins and be forgiven. Then marry virgins who don’t know how to please/be pleased so they have bullshit excuses to go outside their marriage to find sensual women. And sometimes other men, cuz God knows you can’t be gay either.
EVERY SINGLE DAY something comes across my screen that just proves to me that Christianity is fucked up. Hypocrites, egomaniacs, cheaters, or just plain brainwashed idiots. Sheeple led by charismatic shepherds.
I mostly feel sorry for them. Dupes.
The Convenience of God
Aug 28th
First, you have the registered sex offender (and his WIFE) who built an elaborate hidden compound in his backyard to keep the girl he kidnapped 18 years ago. Kept her, raped her, got TWO children on her and kept THEM back there. She was 11 when taken and she now has two daughters 11 and 15. None of them have ever been to school or a doctor. Never been seen by ANYONE.
Then, then, then HE GETS RELIGION!
Mr. Garrido gave a telephone interview from jail to station KCRA in Sacramento, saying, “In the end, this is going to be a powerful, heartwarming story.”
“My life has been straightened out” in recent years, he said. “Wait till you hear the story of what took place at this house. You’re going to be absolutely impressed. It’s a disgusting thing that took place with me at the beginning, but I turned my life completely around.”
How many people are going to believe this shit? How many people are going to support this monster? I’m sure we’ll hear more of the story. After 18 years the original victim apparently sides with the abductor, how could you not after years and years of dependence and abuse? She was ELEVEN when taken!
What the FUCK!
I’m sick and tired of the I FOUND GOD excuse for previous behavior. How many times do people who have committed horrible crimes get out early or get better treatment because they suddenly give over (or fake giving over) responsibility to some mythical being?
I want firing squads back. I want death sentences. You might get one chance at acquittal, but after that… BAM you’re out of the food chain. Compassion my asshion. Somebody dies at your hand, you die. Somebody is abused at your hand, you’re given over as a playtoy to the general prison population. Let’s guesstimate how many times he raped this girl in 18 years and have the inmates take a number.
Do unto others then have it done unto you.
And if you suddenly proclaim a belief in God (or that he told you to do it in the first place) you get double. If all those believers want to say their way is THE way, then they have to start policing their own. Cuz isn’t that the absolutely worst way to take the Lord’s name in vain, to use it as an excuse to commit a crime or excuse you from the consequences of it?
