The Atheism Pages

I found this well-structured argument about what it would take to convert an atheist to a theist. Actually, in disguise, it outlines exactly why atheists find religion and religion texts as a basis for faith to be illogical.

In particular, the argument on scientific information in a religious text that is unambiguous and beyond the knowledge of the writers at the time is particularly strong. If Jesus had rambled on about quantum mechanics instead of fishes and loaves, I'd still be Catholic (probably a nun to boot).

There is also a companion article that discusses how to argue with an atheist (written from an annoyed atheist perspective). Of particular note is the following passage:

The problem is not that atheists are inherently more difficult to communicate with productively, but that there are many religious organizations that persist in actively spreading misinformation about atheism. These groups are not interested in an open debate or an impartial comparison of the facts; their goal is to retain members by casting the alternatives in a poor light. They have no incentive to give the opposing viewpoint a fair hearing, just as a commercial touting the benefits of a product is not going to objectively list the strengths of its competitors. While these tactics may help keep members in line by convincing them that the alternatives are unpalatable, they often fail utterly when used against real atheists; many believers have found to their surprise and chagrin that we are not the arrogant, amoral misanthropes their preachers have told them we are.

I think this goes far to explain why atheists are mistrusted and demonized.

Codex- Consumers BEWARE!

This video below is one of the scariest I have ever seen!

http://www.mercola.com/2007/mar/15/how-the-government-is-threatening-your-freedom-to-use-supplements.htm

It talks about an international group named Codex. Under the disguise of protecting consumers from themselves, they want to regulate all supplements. They want some banned, some RDAs (recommended daily allowances) lowered, and some under prescription. This has started to happen in other countries. All these regulations do is protect the drug companies and give is consumers no rights to care for themselves. We will be losing freedom in our own personal health!

I also (from the above page) found this lovely site about many issues, including the one above.

http://www.care2.com/

I am so glad to see, in one centrally located spot, so much good info. Mar this could be a great place to look at when you need ideas on what to write about here.

Well, I didn't know what to do with this one...

...So I just decided to have a bit of fun. (and do something other than debate)

Before I do much else, I'd just like to point out that the name Gertrude has two r's - count 'em. (unless, of course, that's how Gertie likes it)

Okay, now I was a little lost about what to debate (more like argue) in this blog post, (Mary-post?) so I'm asking you -passer by blogger- to give me an idea in the form of a comment.
Just comment; it's not that hard. Gertie, Polly, or I will take what you have to say into consideration and possibly debate that topic that you've oh-so-gracefully suggested. Wouldn't it be fun to see your topic debated here? You could show your friends!

Another piece of my fun would be to commemorate the person who drew my and Gertie's (Polly drew her own because she's special) pictures. This person happens to be Akane and I really like the picture he drew for me. Namely because it features a character, who looks almost nothing like me, in my "stoner hat." (and no, the name doesn't come from experiences I've had with it) I really like that hat. (you can comment about my 'stoner hat' if you like)

I have nothing else to randomly say or do or anything, so please give me an idea or two (like the number of r's in the name Gertrude) about what to debate so that you don't see this kind of post again.

Is There Truly Something Wrong With That?

Is there something truly wrong with being an Atheist? I mean, it is a free country so why are we treated differently for having this religion? I think there are enough of us to the point when you ask us our religion and we say Atheist it shouldn't be unnerving or frowned upon or followed by the stupid question, "Why are you an Atheist?" I loath when they ask why I'm an Atheist, especially in that, "Oh you must be hurt; God bless you," sort of way. Why would I want God to bless me if I DON'T EVEN BELIEVE HE FRIGGIN' EXISTS!?!?!


I don't know... I guess I'm just pissed after getting asked, "why are you an Atheist?" too many times last week.

Anyways, here are some questions for you to answer in a MySpace Bulletin sort of way. (Just write the number of the question and then your answer.)

1)
Why do you think Atheists today are treated differently for not having faith?

2)
What do you think we could do to help Atheists stop being treated this way?

3)
Answer this one very truthfully: Would you have seen God if no one had told you about him/her?

4)
(From above question) If not, then why do you see him/her now?

5)
(From above question) Do you understand why we don't believe now?

Example for an answered question 1:

(1) Because so many people now-a-days have religions. But when they come across someone that doesn't see the "spiritual fourth dimension" it's hard for them to understand.

God and the Brain

I was recently at Barnes and Noble, perusing the neuroscience section, and came across a book about studies done on brains during prayer and meditation. The scientists who authored the book did brainscans on meditating and praying people, and found amazing similarities in brain activity in an area of the brain called the superior parietal lobe at the top back of the brain:

"To perform this crucial function, it must first generate a clear, consistent cognition of the physical limits of the self. In simple terms, it must draw a sharp distinction between the individual and everything else; to sort out the you from the infinite not-you that makes up the rest of the universe." When this area is damaged by trauma or stroke, patients have difficulty maneuvering in physical space; when it is extra active, it seems to be a source of an inexplicable feeling of connection to all creation. A meditator describes the ineffable state in terms that are typical: "There's a sense of timelessness and infinity. It feels like I am part of everyone and everything in existence."

This is positive evidence that the experience of "being with God" is entirely self-generated, something that I've speculated on since I was a small child - and first encountered people talking about the experience of God. I experienced a sensation of being connected to the world around me (during sleep hallucination seizures, and to a much lesser extent meditation), but have never felt connected to an intelligent being. I wish that more people would see the rational perspective of the shenanigans their brains are capable of.

Are Humans Violent by Default?

Well, are we? I mean, many people believe violence is learned, but many people also believe that violence is natural. Some just say violence could be either learned or a natural thing. I want you to read my preach about why we are a violent species and comment on what you think.

Here's why...
Come on, people. If humans -deep down- really urned for peace we wouldn't organize Hell the way we do. War is a great example of this, and so is the amount of time and effort we spend on devising ways to kill each other. Obviously, we humans are just not capable of being completely peaceful or completely lacking of violent urges. Can you really blame us, though? I mean, our ancestors (and some others today) lived in a place where they had to kill and hunt to get every meal, and as an American, the only thing I have to do is drive to the local grocery store and pay. I don't even have to know about how my food got there. We as humans aren't made just to drive; we're made to hunt and gather (and grow crops and make tools etc.). We have achilles tendons for a reason. In fact because of those little things we are able to (if your not obese) out-run most of any animal. Not by speed, but by distance; we can run for a really long time compared to the animals that our ancestors hunted. And I don't think that we evolved our ability to run for a long distance just so we could run on tred-mills with them, and sadly, the only way for us to curve these urges of the hunt are to play sports and have wars. All I'm trying to say is that our bodies and minds are made for hunting, killing, and socializing in the most efficient way possible. We are a violent species; that's just the way we came to be.

Finders Keepers Losers Weepers.

I was confronted with this issue today. When you find something that does not belong to you- can you keep it? How much does something have to worth for you to turn it in to the police, lost and found or would you ever turn anything in?

Scenario one: In a restaurant, in the waiting to be seated area, you find a dollar. It is not on the floor, but it is no where near a table. Could you keep it? Could it be a tip?

Scenario two: You are walking in your neighborhood and see 5$ laying near or on (but close to the sidewalk) someones driveway, no one is around. Do you keep it? Knock on the door and then if they don't answer keep it. What if it was more money? Like 100$?

I have trouble keeping any money I find with the exception of stray coins. I worry too much about Karma. When ever I have gotten anything, even with the slightest dis honesty, I pay somehow-someway.

Is the world really live by the value "finders keepers losers weepers"? I hope not.