Much of religious belief rests in a firm conviction in the existence of the human soul. It is proposed to be an entity unto itself that can exist without the physical body. Since the soul is said to receive a reward of happiness and joy for life(?) eternal, it stands to reason that it can also feel sadness, anger, disappointment and many other emotions. That does bring up a number of other questions concerning the soul and it's abilities.
Does the soul feel pain? hunger? tiredness?
Friday, November 9, 2018
Sunday, August 12, 2018
Humanistic Atheist Concerns
As a Humanistic Atheist I find that I am too much focused on what is wrong with religion. Although I find most of the activities and ideas of mainstream religion benign, the fringe believers can come up with things that really annoy mean and that I view as harmful.
For example, many of the local churches have programs and fund raisers which are helpful to society. They cover things like providing food and shelter for the homeless and less fortunate. I guess my main gripe is when they start trying to flex their religious muscle in the political arena and try to dictate behavior and restrictions which effect all of society.
That being said, I do not want to expend the largest percentage of my energy on being anti-religious. I would rather spend most of my time and energy on being a good humanist. So, I will be trying to find activities and opportunities that lend themselves to my situation. Due to my responsibilities to my disabled mate, I do not have the freedom of mobility around town and extended absence from the home. I will continue my search for things.
For example, many of the local churches have programs and fund raisers which are helpful to society. They cover things like providing food and shelter for the homeless and less fortunate. I guess my main gripe is when they start trying to flex their religious muscle in the political arena and try to dictate behavior and restrictions which effect all of society.
That being said, I do not want to expend the largest percentage of my energy on being anti-religious. I would rather spend most of my time and energy on being a good humanist. So, I will be trying to find activities and opportunities that lend themselves to my situation. Due to my responsibilities to my disabled mate, I do not have the freedom of mobility around town and extended absence from the home. I will continue my search for things.
Friday, April 6, 2018
Biblical Blood
I am appalled at all of the blood in the Koran, Jewish Bible and Christian Bible. They all contain the Pentateuch which has portions that are very specific about blood and the parts of slaughtered animal sacrifices. Put the blood here, but not there; offer up these animal parts, but not these; and so on and so on. In some places God mentions how he likes the scent of fresh blood and burning flesh. Was all of this obsession with blood and butchering really necessary?
Here is a sample of text from Exodus 29. What did these animals ever do to God? Put blood on your earlobes, right thumb and right big toe??? Ridiculous.
Here is a sample of text from Exodus 29. What did these animals ever do to God? Put blood on your earlobes, right thumb and right big toe??? Ridiculous.
Exodus 29
15 “Take one of the rams, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head. 16 Slaughter it and take the blood and sprinkle it against the altar on all sides. 17Cut the ram into pieces and wash the inner parts and the legs, putting them with the head and the other pieces. 18 Then burn the entire ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the LORD, a pleasing aroma, an offering made to the LORD by fire.
19 “Take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head. 20Slaughter it, take some of its blood and put it on the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Then sprinkle blood against the altar on all sides. 21 And take some of the blood on the altar and some of the anointing oil and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. Then he and his sons and their garments will be consecrated.
22 “Take from this ram the fat, the fat tail, the fat around the inner parts, the covering of the liver, both kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh. (This is the ram for the ordination.) 23 From the basket of bread made without yeast, which is before the LORD, take a loaf, and a cake made with oil, and a wafer. 24 Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons and wave them before the LORD as a wave offering. 25 Then take them from their hands and burn them on the altar along with the burnt offering for a pleasing aroma to the LORD, an offering made to the LORD by fire.
40 With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil from pressed olives, and a quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering. 41Sacrifice the other lamb at twilight with the same grain offering and its drink offering as in the morning—a pleasing aroma, an offering made to the LORD by fire.
Thursday, March 15, 2018
The 10 Commandments - First 4 are a waste!
So, the "all knowing and all powerful" supreme being could have made some better laws, especially the 1st four. The first 4 commandments are statements of God's insecurity, need for revenge and about running the religion.
Instead, it would have saved a lot of human misery and suffering, if he, the Lord, had addressed these topics...
You should not own any human beings.
There are no witches, sorcerers or demons.
Men and women are equal in all aspects of life.
Every human has the right to or not to follow a religion.
Oh well, I guess he was bored and needed the entertainment!
Instead, it would have saved a lot of human misery and suffering, if he, the Lord, had addressed these topics...
You should not own any human beings.
There are no witches, sorcerers or demons.
Men and women are equal in all aspects of life.
Every human has the right to or not to follow a religion.
Oh well, I guess he was bored and needed the entertainment!
Sunday, February 25, 2018
Thoughts on the Evolution of Religion
Early man knew very little about his world. There was no explanation for most of the tings that happened in his life. Dreams indicated that there was another dimension to existence. How could you see a dead father unless there was a place where he stilled existed? Man created good gods and bad gods to explain the things that happened in his life. Special members of the tribe and society came about to help interpret the desires of the gods and communicate with them.
Hurricanes, storms, droughts and floods were all the work of the gods. You must appease the gods by sacrificing those things most precious to you... first born children, the best of the crops and the healthiest strongest livestock. Then, we started studying the skies, rivers and season and realized that there were perfectly understandable reasons for the things that happened.
Ah, but the gods could still get upset... we still had times that the moon went grey or the sun was blotted from the sky. There were also those strange lights that appeared in the sky at regular intervals. Surely, these things were the works of supernatural creatures! However, we discovered geology and plate tectonics and these thing were explained away.
Lightning comes from the heavens and must certainly be sent by the gods to punish mankind. None could fathom anything strong enough to wield such terrible, powerful destruction. Then we discovered electricity and the electrodynamics of the atmosphere and all was clear.
Still, mankind was dying in mysterious ways. A man would fall ill and the sickness was manifested in his family and friends. This again must be the work of gods. These people or their forbears must have done something to upset the gods. Yes, they are probably secretly evil in their thoughts! The gods know all! However, we discovered that there was a microscopic realm of organisms that perfectly explained all that was observed.
Modern science has explained so many of the things that were originally attributed to supernatural forces. As science progresses, the believers in the supernatural become more and more obstinate in their beliefs. Hopefully this will change one day.
Hurricanes, storms, droughts and floods were all the work of the gods. You must appease the gods by sacrificing those things most precious to you... first born children, the best of the crops and the healthiest strongest livestock. Then, we started studying the skies, rivers and season and realized that there were perfectly understandable reasons for the things that happened.
Ah, but the gods could still get upset... we still had times that the moon went grey or the sun was blotted from the sky. There were also those strange lights that appeared in the sky at regular intervals. Surely, these things were the works of supernatural creatures! However, we discovered geology and plate tectonics and these thing were explained away.
Lightning comes from the heavens and must certainly be sent by the gods to punish mankind. None could fathom anything strong enough to wield such terrible, powerful destruction. Then we discovered electricity and the electrodynamics of the atmosphere and all was clear.
Still, mankind was dying in mysterious ways. A man would fall ill and the sickness was manifested in his family and friends. This again must be the work of gods. These people or their forbears must have done something to upset the gods. Yes, they are probably secretly evil in their thoughts! The gods know all! However, we discovered that there was a microscopic realm of organisms that perfectly explained all that was observed.
Modern science has explained so many of the things that were originally attributed to supernatural forces. As science progresses, the believers in the supernatural become more and more obstinate in their beliefs. Hopefully this will change one day.
Sunday, July 2, 2017
It is Difficult...
Living in an area of the country where the people are nice, but narrow minded poses some problems for the free-thinker. If I was to reveal my true self to those that I deal with on a regular basis, I fear that many would shun me and at best just be tolerant of my presence. Unfortunately, many of the people with whom I deal are quite fixed in their beliefs of Biblical matters. My disbelief in such things would be difficult for them to deal with and accept. If I was to reveal to them that I am an atheist, I believe many of them would respond with disbelief and statements that "Oh, that is too bad." or "Oh what a shame." It is as if they feel sorry about my inability to believe in the foolish ideas that govern their lives. If those beliefs make them feel better and cope with their lives, then all the better for them. However, I cannot in clear conscience confess to believe in the same things that they do.
Monday, January 2, 2017
Thoughts on "budget stores" under Trump?
Many of the low priced budget stores, such as Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Tuesdays, Aldi, etc., depend on imports from countries where items are manufactured inexpensively. The low cost of production and the low cost of importing these items is reflected in the low prices at the retail stores.
The new administration has spoken repeatedly about raising tariffs significantly on goods coming into the country. This administration also says that it will bring many jobs and companies back to the US and this too will have the effect of raising prices. It is just a fact that producing goods in the US is more expensive than making them overseas. For example, Apple has stated that it would have to increase the cost of the iPhone over 100% if it was produced in the US. This would drive the price up to around $1300. The budget stores will be forced to raise their prices and may suffer a loss of sales and possibly go out of business.
Everything is relative. If all the prices in the big brand store chains also go up significantly, as they likely will, then the prices at the budget stores may still be considered a bargain. However, the goal of the Trump administration is to make the prices competitive with the prices of US goods.
The effect of refocusing on the American economy is supposed to be higher wages and benefits for the American worker. This is the idea behind trickle down economics which depends on the generosity, humaneness and fair play of corporate America. Corporate America does not have a very good track record in this area. Trickle down economics has been tried in the past and was found to be unsuccessful.
POST SCRIPT: Now that Trump has been in office for about 6 mos., I see that he is not holding to his campaign promises for the most part. Hilary is free, there is no wall, he is having trouble with health care and coal workers are the only ones working again. he recently had a meeting with the German ambassador which was followed in a few days with an announcement that Aldi stores will be expanding their American base. I don't think this is a coincidence. So, there probably will not be a big tariff on imported goods.
The new administration has spoken repeatedly about raising tariffs significantly on goods coming into the country. This administration also says that it will bring many jobs and companies back to the US and this too will have the effect of raising prices. It is just a fact that producing goods in the US is more expensive than making them overseas. For example, Apple has stated that it would have to increase the cost of the iPhone over 100% if it was produced in the US. This would drive the price up to around $1300. The budget stores will be forced to raise their prices and may suffer a loss of sales and possibly go out of business.
Everything is relative. If all the prices in the big brand store chains also go up significantly, as they likely will, then the prices at the budget stores may still be considered a bargain. However, the goal of the Trump administration is to make the prices competitive with the prices of US goods.
The effect of refocusing on the American economy is supposed to be higher wages and benefits for the American worker. This is the idea behind trickle down economics which depends on the generosity, humaneness and fair play of corporate America. Corporate America does not have a very good track record in this area. Trickle down economics has been tried in the past and was found to be unsuccessful.
POST SCRIPT: Now that Trump has been in office for about 6 mos., I see that he is not holding to his campaign promises for the most part. Hilary is free, there is no wall, he is having trouble with health care and coal workers are the only ones working again. he recently had a meeting with the German ambassador which was followed in a few days with an announcement that Aldi stores will be expanding their American base. I don't think this is a coincidence. So, there probably will not be a big tariff on imported goods.
Why the really big spending in Christmas season of 2016
Holiday spending was up 3.5% to 5.0% according to who you talk to. This is a significant increase from last year. It's the best it has been in a long time. Why?
Well, I think I finally figured out why there was such an increase in holiday spending and, yes, Donald Trump may deserve the credit.
The Republicans were all going out shopping singing "Happy Days are Here Again" and thinking that they were going to be making more money. No worries about the future and everything is going to be wonderful when America is great again! So they were spending and running up bills!
The Democrats, foreseeing a future of doom and gloom and economic collapse figured that this is going to be the last great Christmas before the new President gets in. So, they went on a spending spree to cheer themselves up and try to enjoy one last good Christmas.
Of course there are other explanations for this trend (and I'm sure we will see them), but let's not confuse the issue with facts.
Well, I think I finally figured out why there was such an increase in holiday spending and, yes, Donald Trump may deserve the credit.
The Republicans were all going out shopping singing "Happy Days are Here Again" and thinking that they were going to be making more money. No worries about the future and everything is going to be wonderful when America is great again! So they were spending and running up bills!
The Democrats, foreseeing a future of doom and gloom and economic collapse figured that this is going to be the last great Christmas before the new President gets in. So, they went on a spending spree to cheer themselves up and try to enjoy one last good Christmas.
Of course there are other explanations for this trend (and I'm sure we will see them), but let's not confuse the issue with facts.
Sunday, December 25, 2016
See your pet in heaven?
PETS IN HEAVEN
I have been reading information from various sites online concerned about the question as to whether of not pets go to Heaven. The religious sites do not have anything definitive to prove that people will be seeing their pets in Heaven. Their answers are things like...
a) God wants us to be happy in Heaven. Our pets make us happy. Therefore we will see our pets in Heaven.
b) The Bible doesn't say that animals won't be there, so that means they may. Believe what you like.
c) God says that in the New World the "Lion will lie down with the lamb." This implies that there will be animals in the New World.
For statements a & b, all I can say is it sounds like wishful thinking and telling them what they want to hear. Statement c refers to the "New World". I'm pretty sure the "New World" is the earth after the second coming. So, again, it doesn't address Heaven itself.
I have been reading information from various sites online concerned about the question as to whether of not pets go to Heaven. The religious sites do not have anything definitive to prove that people will be seeing their pets in Heaven. Their answers are things like...
a) God wants us to be happy in Heaven. Our pets make us happy. Therefore we will see our pets in Heaven.
b) The Bible doesn't say that animals won't be there, so that means they may. Believe what you like.
c) God says that in the New World the "Lion will lie down with the lamb." This implies that there will be animals in the New World.
For statements a & b, all I can say is it sounds like wishful thinking and telling them what they want to hear. Statement c refers to the "New World". I'm pretty sure the "New World" is the earth after the second coming. So, again, it doesn't address Heaven itself.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Some Things I Do Not BELIEVE...
I Do Not Believe...
1) ...in an after life. Death is the end of your conscience existence. Make sure you are kind and loving to all those who are dear to you. There is no second chance. This world is all there is and it is a wonderful, beautiful, frightening, and ugly place. Yes, it can be all those things. Reality doesn't care for you. There is such a thing as misfortune, which is, for the most part a chance occurrence. A person is just the victim of circumstance. It is a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Human misfortune can also be the consequence of poor decisions. let's face it. Some dumb ass people just go through life making one bad decision after another.
2) ... in supernatural beings that control or influence my life. All the various religious stories are nothing but myths and fables concocted by man to explain his reality, control other people or fulfill wishful thinking.
3) ... filling the heads of young people with the threat of eternal suffering and pain for not following a a certain religious dogma. This encourages a belief in supernatural forces causing people to behave in uncharacteristic ways and explaining chance events.
1) ...in an after life. Death is the end of your conscience existence. Make sure you are kind and loving to all those who are dear to you. There is no second chance. This world is all there is and it is a wonderful, beautiful, frightening, and ugly place. Yes, it can be all those things. Reality doesn't care for you. There is such a thing as misfortune, which is, for the most part a chance occurrence. A person is just the victim of circumstance. It is a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Human misfortune can also be the consequence of poor decisions. let's face it. Some dumb ass people just go through life making one bad decision after another.
2) ... in supernatural beings that control or influence my life. All the various religious stories are nothing but myths and fables concocted by man to explain his reality, control other people or fulfill wishful thinking.
3) ... filling the heads of young people with the threat of eternal suffering and pain for not following a a certain religious dogma. This encourages a belief in supernatural forces causing people to behave in uncharacteristic ways and explaining chance events.
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