What Brings a Person to the Point…
…where they no longer believe in a god?
I don’t know that there is any “one” thing, but I can tell you…
It takes much sincere searching, and this kind of searching conditions the mind, for that moment of truth…where the revelation hits you.
The way out of theism, and laying the god concept starkly bare…is opening your mind, to the possibility that all you have been taught “about god” previously, is false…is opening your mind, to other philosophies, to science…is opening your mind, to confront with honesty whatever you discover…
One must first give themselves permission, to explore without cowering in intimidation, over what they have previously believed “god’s wrathful retaliation would be, for rejecting him/her/it”.
The biggest hurdle, is the fear and intimidation…The shock of breaking that mental barrier.
…but, once you do…
…your mind can no longer be contained, or controlled, by superstition.
Disbelief in a god comes naturally, if you have the honesty and determination, to press on…seeking answers to the many hard questions…and not retreating from uncomfortable answers…
Having the integrity to employ stark honesty, is critical…It is rejecting the “feel good” answers, wherever there is nothing of substance to support them.
Disbelief in a god creature, is the most honest stance I am aware of…given the lack of any clear, demonstrable path, leading back to any such creature.
The only thing I have encountered, testifying to the existence of a god, can be summed up in the term…
…”empty assertions”…
Many people and texts assert “god’s existence” as true…
…yet, it is a subjective assertion, of personal interpretation…not a soundly demonstrable path, or procedure that brings before us a creature, which we could test, know and understand as being “a god”.
As to the remaining questions:
1) No, I do not believe in a god.
2) I say jesus christ is a composite character, taking aspects from previous characters of religious lore, and perhaps even one or more real people.
It has not been my experience, that much of what is thought to be christianity, is factually originated within christianity. That religion has usurped so many, pre-existing story models, virtues, holidays/observances and rituals form other religions and secular festivities, that it really is little more than a self glorified, species of paganism.
3) What has led me to this conclusion, is a much broader study of history, social structures and power, religions and human beings.
It is out there, if you have the will to face it.
The fallacies within christianity and the bible, are also what lead me out of this religion…and to declare it a fraud.
For example, declaring those without the christian god as being “wicked”, or that they have no valid moral compass, unless they receive guidance directly from the christian god [which in reality, meant christian prophets of the time]…is a complete lie.
Christianity took it’s morals [commandments] from pre-existing religion and culture models…None of what came out of christianity, was new or revolutionary.
Christianity is a hack, or frankenstein, religion.
You have to be able to see above the religious haze, before the gravity of this can honestly set in.
This is why, so many christians cannot see, talk about, or engage these historical and rationally honest facts, in any meaningful way…
…Their mind is trapped in the shock and horror, of “what god will do to them, if they open their mind to rejecting him”.
I was once there…I understand this very well…very personally.
Is a “Flat Tax” the Answer?…
America’s Change We Can Believe In
On it’s face, “everybody pays XX%”, sounds fair…and ten percent is a typical number to put out there…but, is this practical, especially when you consider the devastated financial state that so many of us live in, today?
As a disabled vet, with a poverty level, yearly income, a 10% income tax [total, or just federal?] would be devastating.
It seems, the people who think “across the board 10% tax for everyone” is a good thing, are those who historically have been comfortable, and had it fairly good for themselves.
They just don’t comprehend, what something like that would do, to a vast chunk of the population.
Many cant afford it, and things would get ugly, if they tried to enforce it.
You can only keep squeezing for so long, before things begin to break down.
As things stand, I rely on getting my tax returns back…and if 10% were suddenly being taken out of my paychecks [as if I could afford the additional loss, after watching my income chronically dwindle, for the past three years], this would more than double my taxes.
There are reasons, why people who make the least are expected to pay the least amount of taxes…and people who make the most, are expected to pay the most taxes.
The huge losers, will be the people who are just scraping by, and all the people who will no longer have that extra money to put away for emergencies, investment and savings.
…You know…those people who are a paycheck or two away, from being thrown out into the streets…
If comfortable business owners, who are making an average yearly salary, want to pay ten percent, then let them…
…but don’t think for one moment, that “everybody paying 10%” will solve our national woes.
That move would cause far more problems for the majority of people, than it could ever hope to solve…It would make the lives of many [probably millions], nonfunctional…because they could no longer afford to pay their costs, and care for themselves [and their family] properly.
Deep and practical consideration, is in order here.
Aside from that, I actually like much of the other things this guy says, in his video.
Not sure if we can productively move forward with democrats and republicans, though…I think, it may be time for these parties to entirely die.
Simply restocking them, may be a mistake.
Does the Internet Live Up to It’s Potential?…
…Or, maybe the question is, are the people online using the internet, to the best of their abilities?
I once thought the internet was great…and I still do, but…there is no question, it is tarnished in my mind.
We, the oppressed and disadvantaged…we have a frontier that we can use, advance in and thrive from…but, how many really do this?
…and what is the quality, of what the majority of us are doing?
I don’t want to throw stones…and I know, the internet is different things to different people…
…I still cannot see much of the content online, as being much more than a virtual wasteland…where people who have nothing constructive to contribute to the world, gather to amuse themselves…often by taring others down.
The internet does attract, the lowest common denominators amongst humans, after all…
I sometimes wonder if it is not more of a detriment to us, being online…because it means we are no longer forced to take to the streets…and show up in the flesh, angry and ready to fight for our lives, and all that is good about them.
I wonder if anyone is paying attention…and if any of this is going to mean anything, someday.
TDD Tantrum Deregulation Disorder…
Voting in/out pathological “disorders”…
A new one, is “TDD”, and it’s aimed at children…
It sounds like they are trying to call the natural state of throwing a tantrum, a “disorder”.
Since when this has ceased being a natural condition of the human species [at least some of the time], is anybodies guess.
No doubt, the DSM [and its authors] would hold far more credibility, if they were not chronically trying to classify normal aspects of life, as being some sort of “disorder” to be medically exploited for profit.
…What is that condition?…”Hyper Diagnosis Disorder”?…”Medical Manipulation Disorder”?…
Surely, there must be a name for it somewhere.
471 Sex Crimes Against Delaware Pediatrician…
471 Sex Crimes Against Delaware Pediatrician
Do people get into the field of pediatric medical care, in order to fulfill a sexual desire?
No doubt, a few do.
It saddens me to know, that anyone would ever think that this is either acceptable, or that it is “their only option” to know a child intimately…
…and then again, maybe…this man is just sadistic on a personal level…and he gets off on violent rape?
I don’t want to speculate very much, as I don’t know his circumstances, or the path that led him to this dreadful set of circumstances.
I should note, however…This is one of the very few case stories I’ve encountered, where the “victim count” [literal victims, or not] made it to the triple digits [though, it's just a little past 100].
These kinds of cases are extremely rare…which is why it made the news.
Someone in his position had resources [drugs] available to him, no doubt, to assist him in getting away with this for so long…otherwise, one would be left to wonder, if he were doing violent assaults on children, then how is it that none talked, or showed signs of the assault?
…Or, maybe they have one, or two [or a handful of] charges against him, and they decided to pull his entire clientele into the investigation, claiming they are all “victims”?
Such distortions are very possible, when it comes to this kind of news.
I am curious as to why anyone felt the need to clarify, that “one of the victims was a boy”. That just came off as bizarre. It is as though they had the opportunity to claim homosexual assault, so they went ahead and did so…for shock value?
I do not see the relevance.
For the record…if these charges are true, then this guy should be locked away for a long, long time…and he may never see the outside world, again.
I recognise that kind of behavior, as both predatory and gross exploitation. You do not present yourself to others, under an unrelated and important pretext [ie: being a doctor to service your child's needs], just to turn around and force some kind of blatant assault [on those who were brought to you, in order to tend to their medical needs].
I am reminded of Dr. Adam Selene [a BoyChat poster, from years back, who was a knowledgeable doctor]…and how he sternly rebuked an anonymous poster [a troll?], who asked for advice, as to whether they should become a pediatrician, in order to gain access to children.
“You don’t get into the medical field, unless you sincerely want to help people”, and “This is no place to get your sexual thrills”, are how I would [more nicely] sum up Dr. Selene’s message.
I agree.
This is just about as bad, as the “pedophile priests”…
We, as a society, need to start getting smart…and looking at the root problems, which would drive anyone to these kinds of behaviors [and in some cases, atrocities].
You know…I don’t tend to highlight these kinds of cases on my personal websites, though I’ve addressed many of them [at places like BoyChat] over the years.
I do not ignore them [not at all], it is just that my focus has been on bringing the world to a well rounded, even understanding of “pedophilia”, and the issues surrounding it.
I figure, within hours…hundreds [probably thousands] of people will have pounced upon this news story…and they will be letting the whole world know of their own outrage, and whatever it is they think “should be done to” this guy.
I try to provide not only a better quality of personal character, but also a higher standard of integrity, than what you would typically find on the internet…and I hope this comes through clearly.
I refuse to engage in the typical, online behavior.
This is why I normally focus on the positive, rational aspects of “pedophilia”, and upon confronting the social resistance towards it…as well as other forms of taboo, human sexuality.
We need far more level headed voices, like what I am providing.
We need to band together, and remove the broken social behaviors, which would drive anyone to do the kinds of things, that honestly can be called “sexual assault” [on children or adults]…
…but, at the same time, we must respect that there is a clear, distinct line between healthy sexuality [and development], and predatory assault.
We cannot ever hope to effectively address real sexual violence, until we are ready to get serious about not convoluting the issues, and not allowing sex laws, to be used as weapons against peaceful, sexual minorities.
As things stand, persecuted sexual minorities will only be driven underground…Some will become desperate and angry, because they have no safe outlet. These circumstances only act to inflame, whatever serious dangers already exist.
…This pattern of political, social behavior, only acts to encourage sexual violence, and other forms of violence, including murder.
We need to focus on the root social problems, not spend our time, recklessly calling for this guys head on a platter, or seeking bloody revenge.
Is nobody else, at all, interested in confronting these issues, in a way that actually means something?
He Presumes to be “Disproving Atheism”…
Firstly, the items linked to [and attempted towards disputing] are concerned with religion…not atheism.
Secondly, I would strongly dispute that, “disproving” atheism is even possible. Atheism, is the status of declining to accept theism, as a credible source of knowledge and morality.
That may not be the best way to describe it, but…atheism is the ability to look at theism and say, “Wait a second!…When weighed against all the experience and knowledge of the real world which I possess, the stories of theism do not measure up…Something is fundamentally wrong, in theism, and I do not accept it as being credible.”
There is nothing to “disprove” in that.
What the 5thWatcher is really addressing, is studies on religion, which have not born findings that are flattering towards religion.
This says nothing at all, towards the validity of the atheistic stance.
Thirdly, it has been well documented how systems of repression contribute to a more hostile, violent culture…because they deny fundamental needs to individuals, which unbalances the lives of those individuals, depriving them of happiness and a sense of well being; and typically causes them to be restless and angry…primed to cause damage and violence.
This has been known for years, with regards to repression of human sexuality…and highly respected, scholarly research has been conducted on it.
Here is a link to a sight with much information about said topic. Unfortunately, that sight tends to be down a lot, for some reason.
There is also the valid argument, that “any god concept that would forgive you for anything you do, by default, absolves you from responsibility for your actions”.
Sadly, it seems many young people are to enthusiastic about “proving their point”, or coming to the defense of something culturally institutionalised [like religion, or hatred of Child Lovers], to have the ability of stepping back, taking in a wider perspective and understanding that there are a lot of grey areas…and you are not doing any favors, to anything or anyone, by allowing yourself to overlook the downfalls, of that which you seek to defend.
Religion does contribute to much suffering in this world…on a primary level, and by extension as well.
These problems are inherent, in all social constructions which try to force mass conformity.
We find these problems, in any culture which refuses to let individuals be individuals.
When you disrupt the happiness and well being of people within a culture, a myriad of social problems will boil to the surface.
“Do Death a Favor and Kill Yourself”?…
Wow…More hate speech on YouTube…and it has been up, for over a year and a half, now.
Should Atheists Commit Mass Suicide?
So, this young man seems to believe, that because the views and opinions of others do not accommodate his own preconceptions, that means those people have no purpose to live…and hence, they should just kill themselves.
He even goes so far, as to offer advice [via private messaging], as to how to go about committing suicide, while making your death appear from natural cause.
The message is pointed at atheists [obviously]…
Seemingly, because we don’t define our existence, based upon religious lore…this renders us, what?…”invalid”?…”undeserving of life”?
As an atheist, as a homosexual, as a child lover…I have every bit as much right to exist, and live, as any other person on this planet.
…and, no…People like that young man, do not have any business, strongly implying to others that their life is not justified enough, to continue on living.
It is none of his concern, that I decline the poorly crafted, and unsupported, god concept…or other mystical superstitions, for that matter.
I’d be willing to bet, he rejects a lot of religious lore, himself…most especially, that not adhering to his own, familiar religion.
Who is to say, his own beliefs are not “meaningless”, or worse…because he is following a false god, in a false religion?
Good grief!…
Is there no sanity, or common sense, in this world?
It does not matter, if you think that arrival at some “happy land of death”, is the ultimate goal of life.
What we really know, is that life exists, and we are here, regardless of what we do, or do not, understand and like.
It is not for you, or anyone else, to subjectively dismiss my own existence, or right to struggle on in life.
What an example, of sickening levels of contempt…
As to, “how could you not exist?”…
Think about this question…
What status did you exist in, prior to birth?
By any honest examination, you simply did not exist…and anything which has been put forward, in attempts of answering this question in a contrary manner, falls squarely into the realm of mystical lore.
What is so difficult, about understanding that we return to this status?
You must have a very crippled mind, in order to have problems with understanding such a basic concept.
Now, “why haven’t I killed myself, already?”…
Inevitable consequences of life [ie: death], are not reason enough to abort life.
It makes no sense, at all, that anyone would make such a conclusion.
Maybe, I enjoy some aspects of being alive?
Why should I throw that away, over some simplistic idea, that “none of this matters, so we should just quit”?
That young guy has a lot of personal growth and learning ahead of him [hopefully]…and he needs to learn empathy for others.
Oh Look! YouTube Does Offer Alternatives…
…and a chance to bring your account back into good standing…
…Well…they do for some, apparently privileged, groups of people.
Being someone who has never actually seen YouTube reach out, with a respectful, understanding and balanced response, towards perceived violations in “terms of service”, this video really caught my attention.
Wow…they really go into detail, with the person in question…even pinpointing exactly where, in the video, the “offense” started.
YouTube gave him 48 hours, to “correct” this very clearly defined material.
There really is no question at all, as to what YouTube is referencing, or what YouTube expects this person to comply to.
My question is…
…If YouTube is this concerned, and that dedicated to working through conflicts amongst it’s users…
…then where was “my” ultimatum?…where was the clarity, in specifying how “I”, allegedly, violated their “terms of service”?…and where the hell was even so much, as a simple e-mail, acknowledging me, or my account, or what some bigot was doing to me?
I went from no problems [except being cyberstalked and threatened, by online sociopaths using YouTube], with an account continually in good standing…to a full stop, suspended account…which I got locked out of, without even so much respect, as a simple acknowledgement that I exist…
Now, that is true contempt.
It is inexcusably shameful behavior, on the part of YouTube…which continues to sweep this kind of behavior under the rug, and whitewash it.
In contrast, it actually floors me, to see evidence of various other targeted people, where YouTube actually takes the time, and care, to respectfully work with people…and resolve the conflict at hand.
I never had problems with YouTube prior to the sudden locking of my account…I minded my own business, and was not harassing anyone.
In all of this, YouTube lost sight of the fact, that I was the one, being targeted and abused by other YouTube users.
YouTube’s response in all of this, was to victimise me all over again, by taking away my account…while allowing the accounts, of those who have lied about me, and disparaged my character, to remain unchallenged.
That is wrong, unethical and just flat out abusive.
Words of Hate: Religion Inspired Terrorism and Abuse…
Richard Dawkins Reads His Hate Mail
The God Delusion Excerpt: Hate Mail
…Do I need to add additional commentary here?
My apologies to those offended, by the graphic chosen for the video…but, that’s how the person uploading this content, chose to present it…and I have no choice in that decision. I would have linked to an alternative, if I knew one were available.
You know, amongst the tragic things about all of this…
…is all the people engaged in this kind of behavior, who do not think of themselves as terrorists…or even just abusive.
A lot of them, immediately following, and while committing these deeds, consider themselves to be “good, decent, respectable and kind people”, no doubt.
Where did their common sense and sanity evaporate to?
Who ever told them, that this sort of behavior is acceptable?…or good?
Is this how their parents raised them?
Some of those comments and threats, are quite violent and demented.
The Origins of “Hell”?…
Very interesting video, detailing a combination of real world history and mythical lore…as it evolves into the modern, christian concept of “hell”.
Everyone should be made aware of these sorts of things.
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