Citizenship

I want to start by saying I do not have all the facts here, but hope to express impressions related. Sound like a Republican, eh? ;-)

I am a member of the Cape Fear Atheists and Agnostics. We have some activist members, and some like me who enjoy hanging out with people where the thrice-buggered Nazarene will not raise his fanged head. Last night we had a meet-up at a bar & grill. Mostly talking. A new member is from Palestine, and here is the weird part.

He is roughly 35 years-old, gained his US citizenship nine years ago, but was never a citizen of Palestine. Apparently, no one is. Granting citizenship would imply sovereignty which Israel is not interested in offering.

Now, I do not wish to get into the who Israel/Palestine milieu. What struck me was how I am an Atheist mostly from common sense, and partly because of the evils of religion. His intelligence is likely the major factor in becoming an Atheist, but add to that the ridiculous fighting over some piece of shit ground that you could not give away, because of three religions with similar backgrounds and all too similar absurdity.

Ugh. I don't even know what I want to say...

Fuck religion. How's that?

No idea where this came from, but I agree!

“A conservative Christian needn’t worry that she will accidentally disgrace herself by marrying a libertine, because the libertine has the decency to make his intentions known. In contrast, it’s hard to avoid close social relations with hypocritical traditionalists. Since they pretend to share socially conservative values, they worm their way into your life and your family. Then like the hypocrites they are, they shirk, lie, and adulterer, bringing shame to their spouses, children, and extended families.”

Pics and Thoughts

Ever wonder why there were no dinosaurs on Noah's Ark? Easy. The devil tried destroying the ark with his dino army.


Typically uptight women protest dirty movies, but when you control the boobies you also control the pecker. Convenient sandwich boards hide turgidity caused while discussing this day's filth.


Last, my new hero, I always thought he was funny, but now that he is a chubby, jolly, non-threatening atheist I can barely hold back the love. It is official: Ricky Gervaise is on my list, IYKWIM.


Last bit of business; I am converting to judaism. I will still be an atheist, but by being a jewish vegetarian I get to eat fish. Fish is paerve, meaning it is neither meat nor milk. I will have to give up shellfish, but that will be easy. I figure conversion will be easy. I'll get a subscription to Heeb. My first and middle names are highly jewish, and my last name has been questioned by jews in the past as being jewish.

Sade says we should mock religion, and what better way to mock than to get an actual benefit - fish!

Or maybe not. I can always mock vegetarians by eating fish and calling it paerve, or just say I am bi-vegetarian.

Finally, a real interpretation.

Click to enlarge.

Long Time, No Type

I hope no one feels bad, but I have been a non-posting guy lately. Lots of obnoxious religious stuff going on, primarily the murder of a brave doctor by a nut-job in Kansas.

Frankly, I have been avoiding the news at all costs. I now only listen to the classical station. No news, no traffic, no weather. Just the time and what sonata in G is coming up next. Ignorance truly is bliss.

So, here is a bit of Atheist fun. Gore Vial debating some spiritual types. This via Queer the Pitch.


Next, a bit of offensiveness. As Sade would tell you, disparaging a religious figure is not a validation of him, but certainly entertaining.

So, where can I get these warning labels?

Social Problems with Atheism

Two things I notice some trouble with.

First, a small one. Obviously, I don't say "bless you" when someone sneezes. Why do people do this? Are they afraid you will die when you sneeze? I sneeze all the time and am still here. Once I was in line somewhere (fast food, or such) with the wife. She sneezed, I was silent. The woman in front of us just couldn't take it, and after a few itchy seconds turned around to bless her. From now on I plan to do as the Unitarians do, and say "ew, germs!"

Second, is a bigger one. Obviously I don't believe in prayer. Also, I am not comfortable providing empty hope. A virtual friend has a sick relative, and as far as I can go is "good luck." My desires will in no way influence the illness. I wish I could get away with "I'll pray for him," or other such nonsense. It would be easier. I would try to comfort through science, but those involved are being a bit of a pain. I also know better than to say "the doctors know what they are doing."

Society has ingrained so much of this into us. I at times feel callous because I was taught that being as I am is callous. Problem is, many of those responsible for my upbringing were/are superstitious fools.

So, in the case of my friend now, and in future situations, I will say, "I desire an outcome that will not cause you grief." It doesn't sound good, but is accurate.