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He’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Corner When He Comes… July 22, 2013

2013/07/21

I came across a question the other day, it was on the cover of a book, I think. It asked if the end times were ever going to end. This question was directed towards Christians.

Christians have believed since Jesus’ supposed time that Jesus was returning any day now to rescue them. Despite the fact that the Bible indicates Jesus meant that he would return during the lifetimes of many attending his sermons, and that he has never returned, you can hear Christians even today, two thousand years later, exclaim that his return is imminent, just another day or so away. So don’t be naughty, be nice, do everything right, for Jesus… is coming to town… any day now.

It has become a standard comic relief portrayal in movies predicting doom, like 2012, to see some bearded long-haired human wreck holding a sign proclaiming the ‘end is near’.

Even if there were a God, and the Bible was His word, no Christian can be sure that their ultimate destination is heaven. Not because Jesus did not promise it, but because they cannot be sure that they haven’t broken some infinitesimal rule, or displeased their emotionally unstable God in some way. Perhaps they were inadvertently nice to someone they should not have been. Maybe they didn’t stone someone God wanted them so very much to smote. Maybe they saw some guy or gal they admired and had a mental fantasy. Whoops, instant highway to hell.

Analyzing this, one wonders if it is all some form of façade. They claim to want the end of the world to occur, yet, it is only part of the veneer, a display to egg the audience on. How can anyone who is a human being, especially a parent (why bother having children?), wish the end of humanity? Such an individual would be a candidate for Bellevue for sure. Imagine the crazed mental state of someone desiring the violent destruction of mankind.

Yet, when you see the works of those who claim to believe, as they attain office in governments, you see some of the callousness such deity belief would produce. Policies are formulated on short term not long term schedules. After all, who needs to preserve the environment when… Jesus is just right around the corner, on his way. Why do anything to alleviate the misery of the poor, Jesus will rescue them shortly. Besides, suffering is good for the soul.

Christians will always proclaim that doomsday is coming and is imminent. How else to entice the followers into action than to promise their holy reward will soon be realized.

So, will the end times ever come to an end? No, Christianity must maintain a perpetual end time scenario. The end, the reward, being just out of reach. The invoice for this reward to be paid by the rest of humanity, no doubt, in advance.
The Race-Baiters … July 17, 2013

2013/07/17

There had to be several thousand people in the street where George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin. Maybe the figure is closer to several million when you see how everybody’s so sure what happened there as expressed on Facebook.

The media, using a photograph several years old, have portrayed Martin as an angelic child. There is much information from many sources on the internet indicating that this was not the case.

George Zimmerman has a past, that is true. Just as Trayvon Martin has a past. Neither can make claim to the title of perfection that the media has built for Martin.

George Zimmerman was a neighborhood watch captain. Trayvon Martin was in the neighborhood wearing a hood over his head. Suspicion of anyone wearing such apparel is natural. (My son was stopped in my neighborhood by the police and questioned. He too was wearing a hood)

George Zimmerman had a gun. Why a neighborhood watch member, captain or otherwise, should have a gun is a good question. If he had a permit, then he had the right to carry a gun.

Despite the lack of information which can be proven, despite the lack of clarity, there have been many who have made this into a white vs. black racial event. They pound relentlessly presenting the same arguments that have no foundation in an effort to turn this event into hatred. This is also despite that George Zimmerman may be Hispanic.

These people are doing more to destroy the struggle for racial equality than a million racists could ever do.
Marblehead, Ohio July 13, 2013

2013/07/15

At the suggestion of my brother, who decided to stay in bed instead, my wife and I went up to Marblehead, Ohio. There we saw the Marblehead lighthouse, the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in existence.

From the shores of the Marblehead Lighthouse State Park you can see several well known nearby attractions.

Pictured here is Cedar Point as seen to the south.

Although a nearby outcropping of rock obscures the island itself, Put-In-Bay’s Perry Monument is visible in the distance. Put-In-Bay, named after the bay, is also known as South Bass Island.

Seen in the distance, behind a couple of sailboats is Kelly’s Island.

All-in-all it was a great outing. We rode our 2009 SilverWing up to Marblehead. Though I admit the Marblehead Lighthouse was a nice place to see, with a good breeze blowing off the lake, I also admit it was mostly about the ride.

http://youtu.be/imKzQX3CKvM
With the Push of a Button…. July 15, 2013

2013/07/14

Technology is moving forward at a brisk pace. The integration of the human brain and the computer may be around the corner. While this technology will be too late for the likes of me, I can at least dream of the improvements that may be possible with such an integration.

Of course there is the possibility of misuse of this technology, just as all technology has that potential. For this post I will ignore those scenarios and concentrate on the pluses such artificial improvements may portend.

For many years I have fretted over the lack within the human brain of a suitable deletion feature. Over the years there have been many embarrassing incidents (probably no more than any one else) which I would rather dismiss, but instead hang on and rile my brain at the most inconvenient times. Though I would rather retain the learning featured in most of these events the emotional distress could be deleted without any objection by me. This habit of the brain to run these memories over and over complete with irritating embarrassment, though remarkable, does use up an excess of mental resources which could be utilized in a more productive fashion. Yes, a deletion command totally at the discretion of the individual, would be most useful. Memories of incidents that grit one’s teeth and anger the mind could be selectively erased; stress can thus be lowered, and concentration upon more meaningful endeavors focused more precisely. Irrational hatred, envy, and jealousy could be simply dismissed, deleted away. Agreements for peace on the world scene would more easily come about without personal differences and dislikes barring the way.

There are many other technological breakthroughs that may be less than a hundred years away. Computer and brain enhancements that expand memory and learning will enable the future science fiction writers envision. Sometimes I experience the feeling of being born too early. Yet, we are all the stuff from which the future is built. If you were not where you are in time, someone else would have had to be there from which the future would be built. Even if we can’t be in the time we would like at least we can still imagine…..
Flood Control … July 11, 2013

2013/07/11

The Army Corp of Engineers developed man-made lakes for the purposes of flood control. Due to recent rains the dams on these lakes had to be partially closed to limit the flow of water downstream. Both Mifflin Lake and Pleasant Hill lake were developed for these flood control purposes. Charles Mill Dam was constructed in 1935 and 1936 and is primarily for flood control but also for recreation and fish and wildlife management. Pleasant Hill Lake, situated in Richland and Ashland counties near Loudonville in Mohican Country, is one of central Ohio’s top boating and outdoor attractions. Managed by the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, the lake was constructed in the 1930s for flood reduction and water conservation, but has turned into an outdoor recreational paradise.

This picture was taken yesterday at a parking area just off Route 430 in Mifflin.

This shot, taken today shows that the water levels have risen several feet.

The dock at this location, the parking area off Route 430 in Mifflin, is now about 20 or so feet out in the water. Nevertheless, this boater is determined to enjoy the day.

This is a picture of a river that flows under a bridge near Pleasant Hill Dam. I took it two days ago.

Today that river has risen over its banks.

This picture, taken at Pleasant Hill Dam shows a level of 66 feet. I was told this was 16 feet above the normal level. It was expected to rise another foot. Normally you would be able to see the openings where water would flow in.

I tried to get into the Park at Pleasant Hill Lake but they were not allowing anyone to enter except for the purposes of removing boats, requiring a pass.
Well, Bread Doesn’t Stay Fresh Forever… July 10, 2013

2013/07/10

Racing forward, pedal to the metal, a Nickle’s Bread Truck surges on.

It doesn’t matter if life and limb is at risk, all that matters is that this juggernaut attain a position at least one car length ahead of where it was.

Racing up State Route 13 South, towards Mansfield, sitting nearly on the bumper of the car in front, the truck barrels on. The poor guy, seeing the grill of the truck in his mirror, has to get over simply to avoid the urgent delivery of baked goods. Someone, somewhere, needs a sandwich.

The date is July 5, 2013, and once again I have the feeling of having just barely escaped another tragic mishap. Drivers everywhere seem to have forgotten that the speed limits are meant for them, not just everyone else.

I will never understand the dire urgency of being one car length beyond where you were. It never fails though, be it bread trucks, SUV, or auto, there is always some jerk who feels they must be at the head of the line even if it costs them or someone else their life.

Has the expiration date on bread gotten shorter?
BULGING Rivers, Covered Road… July 9, 2013

2013/07/09

The ground is saturated and can’t take any more. Even a modest rain generates flooding.

This is a river that flows under a bridge just before you get to Perrysville going south. A field is partially flooded, there will be some ruined corn.

This bulging river is near the Pleasant Hill Dam, also near Perrysville.

Mount Zion Road between Mansfield, Ohio and Lucas, Ohio. Several cars decided to turn around rather than chance a crossing. A wise move.

Mifflin, Ohio has a baseball field which they have tried very hard to keep in decent shape, but it never fails to incur deep water at least once a year.
Eastern Ohio Freethinkers …. July 7, 2013

2013/07/07

Attended a meeting of the Eastern Ohio Freethinkers today. I met new friends, ate good food, and enjoyed some interesting discussions about the topics below.

What do you think about these topics?
How in Tarnation Can an Atheist be a Member of the Republican Party? … July 8, 2013

2013/07/07

Now that the Republican party has established itself as the party of Christianity what freedom loving American can possibly support the GOP? Whether the Republican party is using Christianity or whether Christianity has taken over the Republican party is unimportant. The GOP has become the champion of far-right Christian views.

As stated in the article, a veteran Republican has witnessed the co-opting of his party by fundamentally Christian political “cranks” starting in the 1970’s and progressing to grow into a major element within the ranks of the GOP. As evidence it was offered that some GOP staffers are now expressing fundamentalist ideas openly, for example, the fundamentalist staffer who said that dinosaur fossils were a hoax, or the staffer who decided to take time off when in Greece for the purposes of converting the local population.

Despite the fact that the Constitution states there shall be no religious test for public office there is in fact a test conducted. Inevitably candidates for high public office are pressured into sharing their feelings about their faith. Many in the public media have been convinced that a candidate’s religion is a matter for public debate.

Republican candidates for high public office are severely examined as to their religious views. Mitt Romney was harassed about his views and a preacher from Texas, one Robert Jeffress, even expressed the opinion that it was even doubtful that Romney could be considered a Christian given his Mormonism.

Wearing the fundamentalist label within the Republican party has become a cloak behind which all manner of indiscretions can be overlooked. As long as the candidate identifies with fundamentalists values his/her personal ‘sins’ are disregarded.

Not too long ago the group of which I am a member took to discussing how to attract new members. One of the taboos mentioned in the discussion was whether or not members should make disparaging remarks about one or the other major political parties. This particular taboo was mentioned in that some atheists might be Republicans.

I found this astounding. Upon realizing my atheism and adopting the label proudly I found immediately that I could no longer be a member of the Republican party and abandoned it. How could any self-respecting person believing in freedom of religion and the Separation of Church and State adhere to the Republican party? (The fundamentalist members of the Republican Party do not believe that Federal prohibitions about religion apply to the states, and they do not believe that the Constitution mentions a separation between church and state).

The Democratic party is the only other party that can successfully oppose the Republican religious machine. If there were a more secular party with the resources to keep the Republicans from making the United States a theocracy I would certainly support them. With all of its flaws, the Democratic party is all we have that is in a position to stop this race towards a religiously fundamentalist state. Even if every atheist supported an independent secular party its numbers would be tiny and ineffectual against the religious political machine of the Republican party and would diminish the strength of the only party capable of challenging it.
Goodbye USA …. July 3, 2013

2013/07/03

If there is some atheist or agnostic or even a humanist left in the United States that is not aware of the traitorous actions of the GOP it would have to be because, like fundamentalist Christians, they live their lives with their heads firmly planted in the ground. As the GOP right-wingers work to make this country a plutocracy and a theocracy they exercise patience as small incremental changes are made by legislation and public misinformation.

The bad news is that America is one election away from being eliminated as the bastion of freedom that it has been for over 200 years. This push towards the elimination of the United States has been ‘in process’ for the past 30 plus years.

Just what has the GOP done that indicates this project is underway? Opposition of any tax plan that increases taxes on the wealthy. A call for eliminating the minimum wage. Advocating “right-to-work” laws in various states. These right-to-work laws are in reality thinly disguised union busting tools. Demands for cuts in social programs upon which many people depend and would be in poverty without. A push to eliminate any “Separation of Church and State”. Republicans are openly, blatantly, advocating for theocracy and corporatocracy(plutocracy). Why would the rich support a theocracy? What better way to pacify the people than the ‘opiate of the people’.

http://www.politicususa.com/2013/06/30/america-seige-koch-brothers-replace-constitution.html