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I will not go quietly into the night!

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  • The God Virus

    A Book Review.

    The God Virus: How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture

    Initially, indoctrination of the young is carried out in all religions. Young malleable minds are filled with the teachings from the various tomes held by the myriad religious faiths. After this, these young people turn into adults, and are sent forth to reveal the “truth” to other peoples, and the infection spreads. More incentives are offered. Money, educational opportunities at religious institutions and others, all with conditions attached.

    Instilled within the minds of those who are “chosen” to spread the infection, and those who simply have been compromised by the infection, are the verses and arguments for their religion. Along with this within their minds is inserted reasons why other religions, other interpretations, are wrong. This is the defensive nature, the antibodies, of religion. These antibodies keep the faithful, faithful. In a nation like the United States with it’s multitude of faiths each faith protects itself, to keep other faiths from stealing away their converts.

    This is not the end of the effects of indoctrination by this mental God virus. The virus must also protect itself from the host. An infected host cannot detect contradictions within his/her own beliefs. Reason and logic are meaningless to such an individual as his/her beliefs become self-evident to him/her.

    “The word god is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this. For me the Jewish religion like all others is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions.”  -Albert Einstein, letter to Gutkind, Jan. 3, 1954

    As I continue reading this book, the resemblance of religion to a virus, or a parasite, seemed very apt. It is easy to see how religions worldwide perpetuate their grip on societies through the indoctrination of young children whose minds have not matured sufficiently to see the fallacies to which they are exposed. The virus scenario as described involves infection, protection of itself through antibodies, perpetuation through proselytizing.  A virus? If computers can get them, why not our minds?

  • National Day of Reason

    This Thursday May the 5th,  let’s celebrate the National Day of Reason.

    http://www.nationaldayofreason.org/index.php

    The goal of this effort is to celebrate reason—a concept all Americans can support—and to raise public awareness about the persistent threat to religious liberty posed by government intrusion into the private sphere of worship.

    The Day of Reason exists to provide a positive, useful, constitutional alternative to the exclusionary National Day of Prayer.

    national day of reason

  • Easter Eggs and Rabbits

    For Christianity, Easter is all about the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. However, what if none of it took place, what if Jesus never existed at all?

    Christianity has sought to substantiate the existence of Jesus from the second or third century C.E. until the present time. Through forgeries and lies and improper translations the effort began with Church priests from the second or third century, who, desiring a messiah, instead of a heavenly Jesus, decided to invent one. Up until that time he was thought merely a heavenly figure with no connection to our plane of existence. Such a being, having no history, needed history, and so history was manufactured.

    Even now it is plain to see: there are no records of the existence of Jesus outside a book of ancient scripture. No historic record exists of Jesus even with writers who plainly took notice of everything else; except this miraculous being who could walk on water, cure disease, and feed crowds from a  basket way too small to hold enough food. No mention of this God become man, who plainly stated it, performed miracles, was resurrected, along with multiple corpses from nearby graves or not depending on the account read, who ascended to heaven on a cloud, but promised to return within the lifetimes of those present at his sermons.

    Dionysus, Osiris, Horus, Tammuz and other Gods that preceded Jesus were obvious models from which the deity Jesus was drawn. All were born of a virgin. Each are members of the life-death-rebirth club. There is just as much evidence supporting the existence of any of them. (Zilch).

    Some say, well, prove George Washington existed. There are numerous references to George Washington being real, from what others wrote, to what the man himself wrote. Jesus wrote nothing, put nothing in writing, and is only the subject of 4 different books, by anonymous writers, in the bible, and no where else .

    Scholars believe the name Easter is derived from Oestar, Ostera or Eostre a goddess of spring and renewal ,a fertility goddess, for whom a spring festival was held annually. It is from this pagan festival that some of our Easter customs have come. The egg may be the “oldest and most universal symbol of rebirth and new life.

    Even before the birth of Christ, Egyptians and Persians dyed eggs in bright colors and gave them to friends as a symbol of renewed life.

    There are absolutely no verses, anywhere in the Bible, that authorize or endorse the keeping of Easter celebration! The Bible says nothing about Lent, eggs and egg hunts, or baskets of candy.

    Easter eggs and rabbits? Both symbols of renewal, and fertility. Both parts of festivals existing before Jesus was a thought in someone’s head.

  • Darwin Day

    The evidence is in and Evolution is a fact. February 12th is coming up and we have good reason to celebrate this great man’s birthdate.

    Darwin

    Despite the naysayers, the creationists, who would rather believe the myth than face the facts, evolution has withstood the test of time and remains the simplest most logical explanation of how life arose on this planet.

  • Instead of a Virus, a Lymphocyte

    Many people compare humanity to a virus which is slowly sickening the Earth. It is true that human beings are over-breeding and exerting a powerful strain on the resources of this planet. The atmosphere is being choked by the industrial activities of this mammal, the rivers, lakes, and even the oceans are being poisoned by the waste products generated by over-population. More like bacteria in a petri dish we are poisoning our own environment with our wastes. This, I think, can be expected if humanity is compared to a toddler who simply doesn’t know any better. This, I think, is on the brink of change. We are at least aware of the problem, and that is the first step in the solution.

    Numerous people have compared the Earth to a living organism. Much like the human body the Earth has suffered from “illnesses”. Events that occurred which were adverse to life. In the eons which have passed many extinctions have occurred. Five major extinction events have occurred. Could it be that perhaps, through evolutionary forces, the Earth has produced a being which could be compared to the human body’s lymphocyte?

    For the first time the Earth has within it’s array of many species a being which not only is aware of it’s own existence, it’s environment, but one that can think beyond the needs of the moment. A creature that can observe events and draw conclusions as to where those events may eventually lead. Not only that, but this creature, the human being, has the intelligence, the wherewithal, to change the course of events. At least the potential to do so. I am not suggesting that the Earth is a thinking creature, no more so than the human body, which developed only those attributes which natural selection pressures drove it to develop. I am suggesting that only as a happenstance humanity might exhibit those qualities which might compare to the immune system of the human body.  Many could argue that if humanity is as such, that presently the immune system of the planet is compromised. This is what I think can change.

    The intelligence of the human being can be used to alleviate many of the natural disasters which threaten life here on this orb. Threatened species can be preserved through many means. Indeed, the ultimate threats that meant certain extinction on massive scales in past eons can be alleviated if enough time still exists to do so. The science and technological achievements will eventually allow the asteroid or meteor which might be bearing down on the Earth to be redirected, allowing species to survive what otherwise would have been certain doom.

    All we need do is to develop this vision. To reference this vision when going about our daily activities. All we need do is be aware of the consequences of our activities, and arrange them so as to be beneficial instead of destructive of our environment. All we need to do is … think.

  • What Causes Catharsis ?

     

    World English Dictionary definition:

    Catharsis:

    1.(in Aristotelian literary criticism) the purging or purification of the emotions through the evocation of pity and fear, as in tragedy

    2.See also abreaction the bringing of repressed ideas or experiences into consciousness, thus relieving tensions

    3.
    purgation, esp of the bowels

    World English Dictionary definition:

    abreaction : the release and expression of emotional tension associated with repressed ideas by bringing those ideas into consciousness

    Religious catharsis: a sudden emotional breakdown or climax that constitutes overwhelming feelings of great pity, sorrow, laughter, or any extreme change in emotion that results in renewal, restoration, and revitalization.- New World Encyclopedia.

    The definitions in and of themselves reveals the cause of catharsis. I imagine that numerous people who saw the movie “The Ten Commandments” starring Charleton Heston  had a catharsis. He was the embodiment of Moses to many.  Many other movies with a religious theme no doubt produced numerous adherents to the Christian faith. In the end, however, it was all a mental change within the mind of the individual with no supernatural event having been involved. Emotions never were  based in reason. Appealing to reason never has been as easy as appealing to emotion.

  • Danger Lurks in your Cupboard.

    Aspartame was ok’d by the FDA in 1981. It was approved amidst a great deal of controversy. After 29 years the controversy still has not gone away.

    Problems associated with Aspartame (Nutrasweet) have been said to include:

    Birth Defects,

    dizziness,

    mental retardation,

    Brain Cancer.

    Also the ADA is actually recommending aspartame to persons with diabetes even though research has shown that It leads to the onset of clinical diabetes, causes poor control in diabetics on insulin or oral drugs, and aggravates diabetic complications such as retinopathy (non-inflammatory damage to the retina of the eye), cataracts, neuropathy (nerve disorders), and gastroparesis (medical condition consisting of a partial paralysis of the stomach , resulting in food remaining in the stomach for a longer period of time than normal).

    People with mood disorders that consumed Aspartame products were reported to suffer exacerbated symptoms.

    A large and growing number of individuals have been reported to have suffered seizures caused by aspartame. Despite this the Epilepsy Foundation promotes aspartame as safe.

    One can only speculate that a great deal of money exchanged hands to allow this product to be approved. A lot of people had to compromise their principles and turn a blind eye for this travesty to have occurred.

  • Conversations With a Local Pastor

    December 22, 2010 was a very interesting day. On that evening I met with a local pastor who had indicated his purpose in asking for the meeting would be to question me about my worldview.

    Although the conversation didn’t seem to have a planned direction some of the topics included: Abortion, Armageddon, and morality.

    Abortion. I told him my views on abortion, making it clear that I felt that abortion should not be used as a contraceptive. I told him that I felt abortion was necessary in cases of r&pe, danger to the mother’s life, incest, and if the fetus was obviously deformed or would suffer in total agony during a very short life. Although I did not express one other reason, I also think that abortion should be permitted when the mother and father cannot financially care for a child. In this case though I would prefer the child be given up to adoption. I explained that I did not think late term abortions are moral, nor the procedure of sucking the infants brain out as it is being born.

    The only reason he saw abortion as necessary was in one case: danger to the mother’s life. For rape, incest, and deformations no matter what they might be, the baby must be carried to term. I saw this as an absolutists view, one expected of an individual steeped in religious doctrine. I was truly surprised that he did make his one concession to abortion. This is a view some fundamentalists do not share.

    As a goal in life I expressed the view that people should help other people. By this I meant that we should all help those in need with food, housing and other needs. I told him that I envisioned a world where no one was hungry or homeless. This of course initiated a response from him asserting that my goal was similar to socialism, in that I wanted to create a utopian society. That’s when I said that his ultimate goals are similar to mine up to a point, which would have ended the need for religion, but that his goal did not end where mine did, in that Armageddon was his ultimate goal. The destruction of humanity and the return of his Lord.

    Concerning morality… he stated at one point that Atheists did not have a basis for morality, for God is the source of all morality. We returned to a discussion of abortion, where he asked at what point I felt an individual was human and should not be aborted. I told him that my thoughts on that were that a fetus becomes a human life that should not be aborted at the point where it is able to survive outside the womb without extraordinary measures.

    This led to a discussion about cattle, adult humans, and of all things blades of grass. He asked if I could allow the abortion of a fetus, even at conception, then why not casually kill adult humans, If I could make a distinction at the point where they are viable, then how could I allow a cow to be slaughtered for it’s meat. How could I mow the grass, as it is a mature growth. 

    This pastor, who in all respects seemed an intelligent individual, well-read, also didn’t hesitate to say that he was against euthanasia, stating resolutely that only God can decide when a person is to die. It didn’t matter whether the individual was in abject agony, the suffering must continue until God decides the end has come. I expressed support for euthanasia, explaining that a person who still possesses full control of their mental faculties should be able to exit life with dignity.

    Despite our differing views, we had desert and beverage, and parted amiably.

  • The Ultimate Goal

    apocalypse 2

    Christianity claims beneficent  intentions. Feeding and clothing the poor are among those claimed intentions. Good works by the church, however, usually also involve proselytizing the patrons. This proselytizing is the tool used to help achieve the ultimate envisioned goal: The destruction of humanity.

    Once the proselytizing is complete, and all upon the face of the Earth are aware of the message, it is said that Armageddon will ensue. There are some very prominent Christians on record as stating that they look forward with glee to the time when those who will not convert are gnashing their teeth in agony.

    Let’s take a closer look at the claimed intentions. Alleviating the suffering of the poor is not the goal of these claimed intentions. Were they to accomplish the goal of ending the suffering of people they would instantly lose their appeal to same. To have a ready supply of potential converts, the poor and suffering must exist. Even Mother Teresa realized this, as she only took small amounts of supplies when she visited impoverished areas. Jesus proclaimed no interest in alleviating suffering of the poor, stating that the poor will always be with us.

    If God was so very powerful, and if the deification of Jesus is to be accepted, then why didn’t he take care of the poor, instead of merely stating the obvious.

    The church, read all religion, perpetuates and strengthens poverty by advocating unprotected procreation and a zero policy on abortion. (Some churches, some religions, have ignored fundamentalist interpretations so as to allow the use of contraceptives and allow abortion under some circumstances) Unchecked population growth of humanity has taxed the world’s resources to near breaking point. This too, contributes to the ultimate goal: Armageddon.

    I hereby proclaim that those that desire Armageddon and the subsequent destruction of humanity are human failures. Unable to endure the rigors of life, unable to achieve their material desires, unable to control other peoples’ lives, they have simply given up. Yes, given up. They impress me as a people who have no hope except that promised in a children’s fairy tale. And… the church wouldn’t have it any other way.

  • Biblical Contradictions

    A local pastor asked me to present a list of contradictory passages in the bible. He remarked that he’d never seen a single contradictory item within the pages of the bible in the many years he had studied it. These are just a few of about 2000.

    Item 1:

    Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10: The dead know nothing and have no reward; there is no consciousness after death.

    Isaiah 26:14 “They are deceased; they shall not rise.”

    Contradiction:

    Revalation 20:13: The sea, death and hell will give up their dead to be judged.

    John 11:26: Believers will live forever. 1Corinthians 15:52 “The dead shall be raised incorruptible.”

    Item 2:

    Ephesians 2:8-9: “Ye are saved through faith… not of works.

    Contradiction:

    James 2:24: “By works is a man justified, and not by faith.”

    Item 3:

    Timothy 5:23: Drink wine, not water.

    Contradiction:

    Proverbs 20:1, Romans 14:21: Don’t drink wine.

    Item 4:

    Numbers 14:22: God has been tempted 10 times.

    Contradiction:

    James 1:13: God can’t be tempted.

    Item 5:

    Micah 4:3 “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation.”

    Contradiction:

    Matthew 24:7: “Nation shall rise against nation.”

    Item 6:

    Luke 6:27: Love your enemies.

    Contradiction:

    Luke 19:27: kill your enemies.

    Item 7:

    Matthew 19:26: “With God all things are possible.”

    Contradiction:

    Judges 1:19: God can’t prevail against chariots of iron.

    Item 8:

    1Samuel 8:2: Samuel’s firstborn son was Joel.

    Contradiction:

    1 Chronicles 6:28: Samuel’s firstborn son was Vashni.

    Item 9:

    Exodus 20:5: god punishes children for their parents’ sins “unto the third and fourth generation.”

    Contradiction:

    Ezekiel 18:20: “The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father.”

    And finally for this posting:

    Item 10:

    Proverbs 3: 13: “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom.”

    Contradiction:

    Ecclesiastes 1 : 18: “In much wisdom is much grief, and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.”

    The bible has been put together like a hodgepodge soup. Multiple translations, with re-translations of translations. Various books have been voted in, then out, then in again by various councils, each with a different end purpose in mind. Passages have been “corrected”, and other passages added. The result is obvious… you have a book, badly written by ignorant people, with no actual effort to edit or remove errant or contradictory passages. It is not the infallible word of God, unless the god involved is a babbling madman, or in this case, mad-deity.