A Declaration

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• The following is a portion of email correspondence between my brother and I.  It's written sort of ranty, I know, but that's how it came out when I originally wrote the email last September.  Let me preface this by saying that my brother and I have a wonderful relationship despite some fundamental differences on this very subject. He is an intelligent man, an good father, and wonderful husband.   I found myself reading these the other day, and felt compelled to share this one. It was my first vocalization, my first declaration to my brother that I had in fact decided to call a duck a duck (the duck being myself) 
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•    Look, I'm an atheist because actions speak louder then prayer. Because aligning myself morally with groups that preach misogyny, bigotry, homophobia, xenophobia more than reason, logic science and tolerance seems medieval at best.  I'm not saying that all people who adhere to any sort of religious dogmas are "evil" or "ignorant".  I am saying that for those people who are not, I find it amazing that they WOULD! My success is my doing, so are my failures.  People can do wonderful things without religion.  In any other aspect of humanity, if we took things we knew 2,000 years ago and still did them today, we would consider those people fools at best.  If a parent took a child to get bled by leaches to cure a fever instead of giving the child Tylenol, WOW there would be some fuss! But let a President of The United States of America say that he's prayed, and going to war is what god told him to do, we (figuratively as a country) wave flags, sing God Bless America and load the guns...  Strictly as literature the Bible (which ever version you read) is an incredible work.  Same as the Qu'ran, the Torah, the Book of Mormon, the Tipitaka and so on.  Can we really take these things seriously and literally anymore??  I would hope not.  Do a little pokin around on the interwebs.  Everyday,  every single day, religions rules and dogmas are the cause for murder, mutilation, and torture committed against men, women and children. EVERYDAY!  Please don't come back with "serial killers" or atheists who have committed crimes against humanity. The statistics are overwhelming.  These institutions (not the occasional nut jobs) are preaching from a perceived position of authority claiming that homosexuality is abhorrent and unnatural, that women are lesser humans, and should be treated as such and that nonbelievers should be killed.  They protect pedophiles in their midst, and they teach that when the world ends (however it does) it's a good thing because eternal life is waiting for them!  They fight scientific progress with rabble rousing and fear.  How many of these ideals are conducive (in your opinion) to humanities success and survival?  I won't bug you anymore with this.  I love you, and I love your family as well.  Not much could ever change that.  Maybe we should go play 9, drink some beers and not talk about anything important.  

School Is My Second Favorite Place To Get My Christ On! (part 2)

  Just a quick update.  The meeting with the school counselor went fairly well. I was satisfied with the attention that was given to the events, and I feel like they took me seriously.  Come to find out, the school counselor is the son of a baptist minister.  Awkward...  ha ha ha.  My son has said that the harassment has stopped inside the classroom, but he still catches some shit in the halls.  I was told  the President of the Christian club talked to the  members about tolerance of other peoples beliefs (funny, huh).  His teacher pulled him aside the next day after class and feigned shock while apologizing, (not admitting complicity, obviously).  I'm watching the situation like a hawk, and I'm looking forward to Thursday and parent teacher conferences.  Thanks for all of your support on this one (all though the grammar Nazis can simmer down a bit).

The Evil Atheist Majority Feeding Christians to Lions

  Can I get an amen?  no, okay.  I'm getting pretty tired of reading about and hearing from politicians and christian leaders that say the persecution of their religion is the single most dangerous enemy to this country.  I'd like to take a look at some percentages, some definitions (I know, facts have never been a real big thing with religion in general.) and see if we can shed some light on the atrocities committed by atheists against the poor christian minority....

Defintion of minority

1   a: the period before attainment of majority

     b: the state of being a legal minor

2   : the smaller number of two groups constituting a whole; specifically : a group having less    then  the number of votes necessary for control

3   a: a part of the population differing from others in some characteristics and often subjected to differential treatment 

     b : a member of a minority group. 

  With nearly 78% of adult Americans* self identifying as Christian, I can't see how Christians can consider themselves a minority by any stretch of the imagination (unless they are speaking strictly about their individual brand, of which if you are christian and protestant you are in the majority no matter how you slice it).  Until you get to the third definition.  Here, there is some wiggle room.  Are Christians different from the population? Yes, they seperate themselves by their religious convictions. Are they often subjected to differential treatment?  That's the tricky part. The nuances of the words leave room for personal interpretation (is anybody shocked that Christianity will take a word, a verse, or an idea and bend it to fit their agenda?). And by taking that interpretation out one more step,  Caucasians are also a minority!    Lets move on, take a look and consider persecution. 

    Definition of persecute 

    

    1  a: to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve , or afflict; specifically : to cause to suffer because of belief.

    2  : to annoy with persistent or urgent approaches (as attacks, pleas, or importunities) : pester

  Another tricky definition.  The way I read the definition it seems to work for their argument.  But can you see how the war on terror could be easily construed as persecution of radical militant Islam?  And yet red blooded Christian Americans would see this as doing gods work.  In the case of the second definition I feel as if I am constantly being persecuted by, and persecuting my 12 year old son.  Circle gets the square?  I don't know, but it does appear that Christianity (even it's most moderate of practices) could be defined as being persecuted as well as doing some persecuting of its own.  I'd personally like to think that the idea of religious persecution hasn't been watered down so thin as to equate requests for human beings to act reasonably in regards to fellow human beings to the atrocities for instance; committed during the Spanish Inquisition. 


Can we take a look at how Christians should biblically embrace persecution?  I'd sure like to.

2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all those that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

 If you're not being persecuted, your doing it wrong according to the Christian handbook. Wanna see some more?  Me too! 


   Matthew 5:10-12   10 "Happy are those who have been persecuted for the sake of rightcheousness' sake, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.  11 "Happy are you when people reproach you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake. 12 Rejoice and leap for joy, since your reward is great in the heavens; for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to you.  
  
  Isn't being a martyr fun!!!  


  I've only pulled two out but it's in the bible so it's gotta be true, right Christians?  Now, please stop your bitching and whining.  This is your lot in life while you enslave yourselves to superstitious mumbo jumbo.  I realize these are New testament verses, and that the fire and brimstone mother fuckers still want to go all old testament on everybody. But those fundies are a whole different breed.  


  This goes out to the Fox news watching moderates who get seriously butt hurt when somebody tells them that it's not okay to have a prayer banner in a high school, or that homosexuality does not destroy family values, (and gay marriage doesn't lead to dog fucking) that science cures and educates,  while prayer fails time and time again.  To the adults of average intelligence who stopped believing in Santa Clause, but still deeply believe that an invisible all powerful entity is responsible for all of their success, and that they are only being tested by this entities plan with their personal failures and tragedies.  Accept the choices you've made by abandoning rational thought or take responsibility for yourself.  How does the saying go?  Jesus may forgive you, but the rest of us think you're an asshole.


  While Christianity constantly tries to circumvent the rights provided ALL citizens of this country Constitutionally, to impose its certain brand of bigotry on 1/5 of the the total population all the while screaming about some perceived injustice because somebody stood up and said "No, that's not right." or because of being called out on blatant bullshit.  All I want is to be left to live happily, morally, and with dignity.  Without having any religion foisted upon me.  I say stay sedated,  warm and blissful in your ignorance if it suits you.  I won't deny you your shackles.  But I will not stand by and watch you attempt to shackle the rest of us.  The rumble of discontent gets louder and louder with every generation.
  

*http://religions.pewforum.org/reports 

School Is My Second Favorite Place To Get My Christ On!

  The following is a draft of an email I wrote last Friday.  It's in regards to my son and some issues he's having in one of his classes.  Still unsure if I'm going to send it, but I'm certain that I'm going to go down and speak with his counselor after the "winter break" is over.  He's complained on a couple of occasions to me about these particular kids giving him grief, and I've tried to offer him ways to deal with their ignorance.  I wanted him to feel empowered and unafraid of the criticism he may face by having other than mainstream beliefs (regarding anything.)  But it was apparent to me Friday when I got home from work that these occurrences are weighing heavier on him then I can tolerate.  It's a fine line I walk as an outspoken atheist and a father (an issue I've touched on in previous blogs.)  I don't want to intentionally expose my children to abuse of any sort.  Is 12 years old to young to be critical of religions?  Personally I think it's not.  To give this context, these events are happening in a history class and during the first trimester religions of the world were being learned about and discussed.   I'll keep the blog up to date with developments as they come in.  Any how, here's the email. 

Mrs. Xxxxxx, 

 I feel it necessary to contact you directly regarding events that I have been made aware that are occurring in your classroom.  My son feels that he is being bullied by other students in class.  He has informed me that students are verbally abusing him because of their religious beliefs. He has been continually mocked for having other than Christian beliefs, as well as recently (today, in your classroon) being told he is not "allowed" to celebrate Christmas because he doesn't believe in god.   He feels (as most bullied children do) that standing up for himself will only cause further abuse.  My sons personal views (meaning his views as a person, not his views to be held secret) should bear no weight on history as it's taught.

  Being a history teacher I'm sure that you are aware that none of the modern day Christmas traditions have anything whatsoever to do with Judeo-Christianity.  That the 25th of December has no historical evidence of being the birth date of Joshua the anointed one.  That Christmas trees come from pagan traditions, that one of the real and historically accurate reason the 25th of December is used was to cover up the and "Godify" the Roman holiday Saturnaila.   Being an educated person, I'm sure you're more then aware of these elementary historical facts.   I'm sure you can understand why a reasonable person would be upset to find out that their child was being chided in a public school by fellow students  (who openly identify as christians) for participating in a holiday that is more secular and pagan then christian.  And how, if things like this were happening in a classroom run by a reasonable and educated adult could a situation like this not be quickly resolved?  There's no way it would continue for three months, right?  I'm afraid it has and that's why I felt it prudent to contact you.

  I'm certain that you must have been unaware of the instances were my son was berated or belittled because of his personal views (again, I mean personal being his views as a person, and not views to be kept secret.)  Because if you were, I would have to think you would have made an attempt to at the very least curtail such nonsense.  Mrs. Xxxxx,  I find it interesting that my son is aware of your own religious affiliation.  I find it interesting in the way that I can't for the life of me see how that is relevant to teaching history.  It would almost have to be because you were asked directly by a student, right?  It couldn't be because you own personal convictions have seeped into your lesson plan, have they?  The former would imply a simple honesty that I could completely respect. The latter would imply a reprehensible lack of judgement on your part.   Which is it Ma'am?   

  I expect this to be the last time my son will  bullied in your classroom.  Now that you are aware (I will provided names of the offending students if you require) I'm certain you will be vigilant in your protection of all the children left in your charge.  Thank you for your time. 

Death and taxes

  To tax or not to tax,  that is the question!  Here's my take.  Don't tax em.  Easy now-  Keep reading...  The purpose (as I understand it) of not taxing religious institutions is to ensure the First Amendment and the separation of church and state stay legit.  I'm cool with that,  I firmly believe that the government should stay out of the matters of religion, and religion should stay out of the matters of government. S-E-P-A-R-A-T-E....  Now,  if the pendulum swings one way, it swings back as well.  To maintain a tax exempt "religious" status, the religious establishment should void all abilities to contribute any financial support to any sort of political campaign or candidate.  The individual members of church should be able to donate to what ever crazy ass idea they see fit, they just have to do it personally.  This should clearly include any and all non profit, inherently religious organizations as well.    There,  the government doesn't tax you and you don't get to donate billions to what ever whack job politician (Perry and Bachmann come to mind really fucking quick) law, or any other sort of policies that would also affect any other person in the country.  Go to church and pray you get what you want....

  This goes for marriage as well.  Feel free to ban people in mixed race marriages, same sex marriages, marriages of people from other religions from your church.  It's your little club, be as picky as you want to be.  Marry only the people you feel are an accurate representation of the dogma you're pushing.  The validity of that marriage ends at the threshold of your building...  Want some legal rights? File for a domestic partnership license.  The license won't discriminate based on race, sexual orientation, gender, religious preference, income, blah blah blah blah blah.  Two consenting adults (at least one being a legal citizen) can apply for and receive this license in very much the same way its done now, just without the discrimination.  See?  both sides win!  People of religion can remain bigoted, hateful and ignorant inside of church.  But outside, we're all the same (citizens and human beings) and should be afforded the same fucking rights (how is this even up for debate still?)

  Big ideas, I know.  Vague on the details?  Yeah... I'm a fucking construction worker, not a lawyer.  Hard to grasp the principals of what I'm driving at? Only if your brain is stuck in neutral. As much as I despise all the turmoil that religion causes in this day and age,  I don't believe you can just make it go away.  You can't ban it, can't eradicate it like a disease,  you can only try and educate.  Only when people realize that that there is an option, that their lives don't have to be committed to fairy tales and myths, that they can do good things just for the sake of doing them,  only when people realize that they don't need religions anymore will the religions go away.

Holy shit, I just found out I'm a National Alliance Christian!!!!

   Not really (more like not in a million fucking years.)  But a conversation I was having with an acquaintance a few days ago shed some light on the insights of a casual Christian.  We were discussing the OWS movement and our differences of opinions and ideas when the conversation took a turn, and I was asked "What do Atheists do for Christmas?"  Since it was still a fairly good natured conversation, I gave the run down on the traditions and followed up with "What do Christians do for the holidays since the 25th of December has nothing to do with the bible or Jesus and the common traditions practiced in America have all been borrowed or twisted from pagan celebrations?  ;)"  I've included the winky faced emoticon to show that I was still trying to maintain a level of snarkyness in the exchange.  I got the run down of her families traditions, as well as being told that she wouldn't hold my lack of faith against me, and that she has "been who I am"..

  I just about went out of my mind.  Let me reiterate,  this person is an acquaintance.  We have some mutual friends.  The comment reeked of arrogance (In my opinion) and was preceded by me being told that she believes faith is a very personal thing and shouldn't be pushed on anyone.  Pissed off  I fired back that if she was a Christian, it was in fact her duty to spread the word and convert others to Christianity.  Which was in direct contradiction to her admitted belief that faith should be a personal thing and not pushed on anybody.  If somebody doesn't believe in or agree with a theology as a whole, why subscribe?

  Which brings me to my headline...  If I can identify myself as being a member of a belief system or group while only holding some or few of the general ideas in high regard, I decided to hit Google up and figure out all the groups I belong to!   Turns out that based on The National Alliances general principals that say "We believe we are all part of nature and subject to natures laws"  I agree with that,  therefore by the rule of picking and choosing,  I'm with the national alliance.  Wait, they're a bunch of shit fuck bigoted assholes? No worries, I don't believe in all that.  Now, the bible has it's ten commandments (old testament, check out that Moses dude.)  One of the ten commandments declares- Thou shalt not kill.  Yet all over the old testament god is asking his people to kill some other people! Soooo-  I take that to mean that we shouldn't kill people, but sometimes there's a pretty good reason so it's cool.  I believe the same thing,  I'm totally both Jewish and christian!!!   Turns out I'm also a communist, a socialist, a republican, a democrat, and a black panther.  It's easy when I can lock onto a few ideas, and dismiss the ones I don't agree with or feel are off-putting.  I am in fact, none of these things.

  Don't get at me with the whole "we're not perfect, just forgiven" shit.  That's not what I'm talking about.  To reach and fall short is different then to disregard all together.  And I still don't give a shit what you believe.  Just be about it. Don't half ass it.  Fer fuck's sake, if it's your eternal soul your so worried about why wouldn't you take it more seriously??  But please, please don't piss down my leg (or your own) and tell me (or try and convince yourself) that it's raining.  If you're going to fly a flag you should also be prepared to defend that flag.  If you can't or don't want to, you should get out of the camp.

Work Is My Favorite Place To Get My Christ On!

  Once again I get ear fucked by Jesus at work.   I was minding my own business, sitting at my desk (possibly checking my Face book) when my wonderful Office Manager pops her head in.  Let me start by explaining something- my office is 264 sq ft room in the middle of a 20,000 sq ft warehouse about 300 yards away from the main office.  Sheryl (that's what we'll call her) was diagnosed earlier this year with cancer.  She had no qualms at all after the diagnosis about sharing her belief that her god (She's a fundy christian) would determine the outcome of her life and for a short while eluded to the possibility of refusing medical treatments to remove the cancer as that might interfere with gods plan for her.  Any whoodle-  Sheryl pops her head in my door, and starts with the small talk- How have you been? Is everything going good? Do I have plans for my upcoming vacation?  I play nice, despite my outward  appearance and my curse laden rants on this blog I'm a pretty polite guy!  Next topical stop-  her hair growing back. More polite small talk, now I'm just hoping I get outta this whole thing soon because I think I just got a text message... Then, out of nowhere- BAM!  "You know Larry, I just thank the all mighty lord for taking this cancer out of my body, through him all things are possible".  Que awkward smile for me.  "Uhm, okay Sheryl" I reply.  Then as she retreats back out the door and I think I just got grazed by the bullet- she pops her head back in.  "Heavenly father deserves all the glory Larry,  and that's who I give it to. Don't you agree"? Que still awkward, now horrified smile "uhm, sure Sheryl".  I had officially been ear fucked by Jesus- again.

  Look,  I'm not trying to play the poor me card. Such is life in the work place, it's not always ideal.  But here's the catch.  If I was an office manager, and I walked up to ANYONE under me and through polite conversation tossed in a little "Hey,  how bout that whole god thing you believe in being a big ole joke?  A fairy tale, a myth, malarkey." or "I'm calling shenanigans on your bible, whats up?". Would I be seen as some  insensitive prick?  I think so.  Maybe I'd be written up, suspended or fired.  Who knows.  Thing is,  I would never do that.  My personal life is a matter I prefer to keep to myself.  The fact I am an atheist bears absolutely no weight on my ability to do my job (and to do it well I will add).  It just pisses me off that the stigma attached to atheism and my attachment to that word could very well be detrimental to my employment.  I have bills to pay, kids to feed, and a life to live. Advantage- bullying Christians (and they know it). You should have seen the gleam in her eyes, it was more then a little frightening.

  Here's the thing, you guys have churches for that kind of talk.  Really, I see em all over the place!  Chances are you go to one a few times a week.  Unless we car pool to that church together, assume (by all means in this regard) that I think your a fucking idiot and I'm personally offended by your lack of couth.  Now, if I happen to walk into your church feel free to bombard me with all the bullshit you can sling.  I asked for it,  I came to your place.  If I walk into your church and start telling you what I think about your beliefs, then I'm the total asshole and I can accept that. Please realize that your house, and your church are really the best places to keep your religion. I don't want to take it away from you, as that right has been afforded to you by the Constitution.  Just  keep it the fuck out the schools, the government, the work place and especially my office.