The world through my eyes

I don't own paper. Digital thoughts.

2008-05-11T19:31:00.000-07:00

Atoms are comprised mostly of empty space - So is the Universe.

Our existence is the freak occurrence or possibly directed chemical combination resulting in conscious thought.

Is consciousness the effect of overdeveloped long term memory?

Psychology and Sociology are powerful tools used by ruling bodies to keep enemies(undesirables) in check and themselves in power, with the desire for wealth and power as the motivating forces.

Post Hitler - Creation of Israel Next to Palestine.
US History - KKK forces African Americans to move west causing conflict with preexisting locals.

Initial purge of Mexican Americans from the West Coast with the exception of exploited migrant workers, later apparent apathy allows for later migrations with similar effects and gangs are created in order to control the only feasible means of income amongst life in squaller.

Studies in these fields perhaps had altruistic intentions at their inception, but there will always be those with desires for power and control other who will manipulate and exploit this knowledge in order to achieve their desired results.

If I can conceptualize these ideas, it is safe to assume those with interests of advancing or maintaining power have already researched similar avenues.

If we are chemical combinations that while in our bodies are conscious, is it possible for enough of what was once me to remain and resurface somewhere in the future? During the life of this planet? On somewhere else?

Could all the consciousness of the Universe be allocated accordingly amongst the habitable worlds? With the destruction of one habitable planet there are potentially a billion beings of consciousness who have been displaced and their energy could possibly be searching or directed into capable hosts elsewhere? Since this energy is never destroyed it must go somewhere. There are over 3,000 studies of patients who can accurately describe events from previous lives.

If my energy is absorbed into this planet and someday this planet will be destroyed will my energies be relocated to the Universe cursed to traverse the void until life can begin somewhere else? Current speculations suggest there could be considerably more than 100 trillion years left in our Universe and speaking in higher numbers than that is really of no consequence in terms of human comprehension. Worlds will surely die and be born, and with that the occurrence of other worldly life becomes almost a certainty.

I'm your pusher man.

2008-05-11T19:30:00.000-07:00

They’ve Got All Bases Covered

Due to the supposed agreement that the usage of such substances makes for unproductive and potentially non-contributing members of society: The usage of all unprescribed narcotics not under the regulated care of the salesman with your best interest in mind is punishable with severity comparable of that to murder.

A Black Market shall rise with the newly added risk involved to procure the desired items. Rogue elements of our own government recognize the added source of revenue and paperless funding available through this Black Market, enabling them to explore more unscrupulous avenues of control without all those pesky questions or justifications.

Legitimate Government turns a blind eye to its black sheep as it recognizes the legitimate avenues for funds to direct their own way not to mention the occasional payoff. If successful in recapturing the contraband after its changed hands enough times to get it far enough away from home, they can assess fines, legitimize taxes.

If you don’t get them on the streets you’re going to get them somewhere.

Your cigarettes, your alcohol, and let us not forget the largest pushers that
exist: Pharmaceutical Companies.

It’s the perfect scam. You’ve got to get it, and you’ve got to get it from us. Anti-Trust laws are there for show. Doctors are paid by pharmaceutical companies to push their drugs to their eager consumers because their ads have infiltrated every popular time slot and even the pages of the supposed peer reviewed journals examining them.

The hardest part for me to figure out is where the line of intent vs. “giving us what we want” is drawn, but everyone needs to realize that there is one and some are unable to be ignored as successful and blatant manipulation.

Money itself is not evil; it is the things men are willing to sacrifice in order to acquire it. It is that fewer and fewer things are becoming unable to be bought. It's not a matter of good or bad, it's a matter of personal freedom. If done in a regulated environment, it might diminish the black market and the negative element of crime that comes with it. Just ask the Kennedy's. Remember, they've got all bases covered, but I'm sure I've left a few out.

Probably because I was high when I wrote this.

It's not dead babies, but it'll do.

2008-02-07T00:02:00.001-08:00

Nothing really matters to me

2007-12-12T10:01:00.000-08:00

Expansive thinking leads one almost to nihilism. In the cosmic sense, nothing we do matters. Ever. To the infinite(whatever that is) the finite is but a single stop in an encyclopedia of happenings.

Something.Nothing.Something.Nothing.Something.Nothing.Something.Nothing.Something.

I am here. This is obvious. Why? Is there any purpose? Is there any meaning to my desire for companionship? My desire for material wealth? Is it all illusions, perpetrated by society and popular culture?

"Make the most of this life, for it is all we have." And? Ultimately you will die. Your friends, family and everyone you've impacted will some day cease to exist at least in the sense we are alive today. Beyond that, I could not tell you. Does this mean that nothing I achieve matters? Does this mean that social status, financial gain are all irrelevant? Tools of corruption, tools of power! You have freewill, but growing up in such a place would certainly make one envious of newfangled gadgets and items seemingly straight out of the pages of Sci-Fi.

Starstuff. One of Carl Sagan's favorite words for what we are. We are one with the Universe. The same components of everything are a part of us. Inside our bodies our cells have some form of consciousness. Emotional addictions can be as strong as exterior chemical addictions. The receptors used for emotions are similar to those used for heroin. Continued usage causes said receptors to grow increasing natural responses, and discarding those unused. After extensive periods of time after corrupted development, will it even be possible to change?

Death. Life. Death. Life.Death. Life.Death. Life.Death. Life.Death. Life.Death. Life.Death. Life.

We have all died before. This I am certain of. If we are the Universe, if we are the same particles, we have all in essence died before. If our cells made up something else, that something else, can be no more, for us to exist in today. So we will die but we will be reborn, but our current consciounesses will surely not be in tact. Perhaps it will not be immediately, but at some level it will.

We can impact our environment, our expressed moods can alter reality. But what is reality? What is real? Is reality what we can see with our eyes? Feel with our hands? In a sense, but what about those things we will never encounter? People we shall never meet? Are they not just as real? Yes. No.Yes. No.Yes. No.Yes. No.Yes. No.Yes. No.Yes. No.Yes. No.Yes. No.
They have their own lives, but not in my reality. They may exist, but I will never know it.

I seek enlightenment. I seek to change my own perspectives. Why? What's the point? If my cells will die, then what of me am I improving? What impact does my time create? If none, what's the purpose of anything? I can impact those around me in this finite lifetime but if after that is over it starts all over; aren't I just spinning my wheels? No.Yes.No.Yes.No.Yes.No.Yes.

Such realizations could lead one to conclusions that meditation, benevolence, and altruism are all one should wish to profit. Nothing matters. Now matters those in the now. But the now will be gone tomorrow for at least a few thousand.

Atheism & the Rationality of Deism

2007-12-12T10:00:00.000-08:00

I want to avoid saying beliefs. Why are we afraid to label our non-belief as a belief? Because when you label something as a belief or belief system there are some negative connotations that come alongside it. The stench of religion. The erasure of individuality. Group Morals. Polarized political standpoints which can be manipulated. All that being said, I find it illogical to place those without firm beliefs in any category. How can you slap a broad label on millions of individuals with completely different viewpoints? You shouldn't, but as many of you know; it happens everyday. You wouldn't label "not collecting stamps" as a hobby, but it would seem as though many others may not have scruples doing similarly. Are there any associations or assumptions that can be made about those which do in fact remove God from the equation of existence? There is no absolute. There are exceptions to everything it seems. Just because one is an atheist does not even guarantee that they accept any scientific explanation of anything.

One could dismiss it all and remain content with the understanding that we cannot know or trust in ill-motivated and government owned men. We can hope at least that there are enough checks and balances and the requirement of verifiable evidence to protect us at some levels from the establishment. There is no way to know at this time what occurred prior to singularity, but surely even this must have originated somewhere. Perhaps it is my limited understanding of this topic that makes this such an unattainable answer. Perhaps it is because it cannot be positively known. And if religions are correct, perhaps it is not for us to know. If you consider this life an experience, and an opportunity to learn the difference of good and evil than philosophically you can rest easy. If you assume that everything will be explained upon death, than the now might just become more important because you realize that you will have eternity for cosmic pursuits. The now could be spent doing good for your fellow humans in the now and for the future. There are a few issues I have with this method of thinking as well.

Whether you admit it or not you are making assumptions. Religions, holy scriptures are all tainted by man. Men with motivations for power and control. As a lowly peon you are not privyed to truth. You are force-fed what is determined you can handle, because you are stupid and irrational; like stampeding buffalo. Who is to know what is real and what is manifested in our best interest? As one who has not researched all areas of discovery first hand, I could not with all honesty tell you I am certain of anything. I have not witnessed the birth or death of a star, galaxy, nebula firsthand. I have not reconstructed the human genome or split atoms in the storage room of my third floor apartment. I accept that I simply do not have the time or ability to encompass all areas of understanding in my lifetime. There are too many societal pressures that do not allow for a life of exploration and understanding. Here in the now we must focus on where we are and where we are going. America could eat you alive. Ask our homlesss millions. The forgotten and ill-labeled. The used and spent. The erased.

My Christian roots have certainly affected my way of thinking. A total disconnect has certainly not occurred for me. A desire for immortality, the need for greater meaning and importance still haunts me. Perhaps my thinking is too expansive because I require something more. If you consider existence at such an expanded perspective it is easy to feel small. If even our Universe must die than all pursuits are ultimately futile. But we do not exist on a timescale that large. In existence as we know it humans encompass less than 1%. But you could examine things from an alternative perspective. We are the universe. The same particles that have inhabited and explored the universe are within us all. Stardust. Organic elements such as carbon(from methane) carried here on comets whose reach stretch throughout our galaxy and farther are within us. When we die we shall return to such simpler places to perhaps become a piece of something or someone else. We become our parents because we are in some sense our parents, we are but an abberated clone of the combination. No matter how we attempt to disconnect ourselves from who our parents and even our society are we cannot escape because we are at some level, the same.

Deism, the belief in a god outside of religion. A personal relationship with whatever force is responsible for our creation, and what we are ultimately a piece of. To some degree this way of thinking is still illogical, because we cannot know. There is no verifiable evidence or any logical method with known evidence to assume that a creator exists. Where understanding stops, god is born. The problem is where in the chain, the equation, is god necessary? The more we know, the more we realize how little we truly know. The god concept, as far as I can tell, is the imagination of man in full effect. Internal debates wage inside many of us. Logic and desire conflict and struggle to overcome one another. Personally, there is no way to be 100% sure of anything; but as long as we remember to practice true altruism* and remember that we are just a piece of the whole we may just make our ignorance a little easier to tolerate. Irrationality on a theological or philosophical level is irrelevant unless it leads you to negative interactions with your fellow human. None are valid. All are valid. What's the difference?

The First Book of Enlightenment: Called Disposition

2007-07-23T06:46:00.002-07:00

The First Book of Enlightenment

Disposition
2
The Awakening

1. From his chivalrous sacrifice the blood of life was released.
2. The magmatic marvels thrust prime ingredients throughout the globe.
3. Strewn amongst the swirling molecules were those at genesis divine!
4. Combining in ever increasingly complex methods and patterns, the first living cells cried out for their first breaths.

The First Birth

5. Respiration, the exchange of gases, and the simplest form of life had taken shape upon the desolate surface of the Earth.
6. Many more years had passed and these cells combined, joined together, and formed more complex features of life.
7. All the while the Earth was changing, adapting, and preparing for its children.

Oceans

8. And then there were oceans.
9. Vast; nearly all encompassing bodies of water, and they were teeming with life; from the plankton to the earliest predators.
10. Ordered chaos, and innumerable failed endeavors; life refuses to be denied, refuses to be squelched.
11. But none so complex as their rudimental caretaker.
12. And more time passed.

How smart are you really?

2007-07-23T06:46:00.001-07:00

Does Atheism cause some to put up airs of arrogance? Does it lift one to some higher intellectual grounds? Or perhaps, if one is not careful it might tend to perpetuate a reverse effect. Arrogance is ignorance. Once you feel you know everything, you can learn nothing. Discarded advice, words of wisdom, tossed aside as foolish banter. "What knowledge could these fools bestow upon me?"

Logic is fine. Remember that when you examine new information, you must do so objectively, unbiased. You must examine this information as if you had no preconceived notions, no prior knowledge of its existence. If the logical paths lead to its supposed ends, it may be fit for absorption. If not, you must begin to consider it's writer's motives. What do they gain from my acceptance? Acclaim? Power? What is this reward which they are seeking?

Consider your sources. In this great day of technology, the Internet is an infinitely powerful mechanism for discovering new information. With so many anonymous authors spouting hearsay and other words of mouth, separating the facts from fiction can be quite difficult. Be wary.

There are many with much to gain from their deceit and dishonesty. Analyze those who feel it necessary to proclaim their graciousness and honesty. Humility is wisdom. Be humble, be well.

The term "Free Thinker" is something parroted by non-believers daily. Becareful to make sure this is indeed what you are. Actual knowledge can only truly be gained from personal research; free from personal or third party opinion or influence.

The Revolutionary Bible

2007-07-23T06:45:00.002-07:00

The First Book of Enlightenment

Expulsion
1
The Creation

1 . In the beginning there was singularity.
2 . All the components of life, death, and all that ever was to be were as one.
3 . Within his hands, singularity was contained.
4 . The combination of such a large mass and density created uncontrollable temperatures.
5 . Although, he was great, the items contained could no longer be restricted.
6 . Life's only motivation is to thrive and to be, no matter the cost.
7 . A great explosion.
8 . And he died.
9 . Many years passed, as explosion propelled the now expanding once-singularity; spewing debris along the way.
10. Combining chaotically, and infinitely, in every way, shape and form.
11. Life must exist in infinity, there is no option but one.
12. Miniature reactors, the energies of life; left suspended in the anti-matter.
13.Debris, from Carbon, from Phosphorous, from Hydrogen, and all the pieces of the Universe; insignificant spheres began to take shape.
14.Pushed and pulled, turned and tossed, by the forces of the Universe.
15. And there was Earth; and it appeared silent.
16. Creation as we know it had just begun.
17. Beneath the surface, life was brewing.
18. Bubbling, reacting, changing; the greatest calculations, by the most unlikely mathematician.
19. Mountains arose, spewing fire, ash, and destruction.
20. There was great violence and chaos.
21. The air was thick, unfit for life, but the cycle had begun all on its own.
22. God was no more, existence was all that remained.
23. Chance and infinity, the only real truths.

Trust Who?

2007-07-23T06:45:00.001-07:00

Since the beginning of so-called civilized man, there has been religion. It told man how to live, who to love, and who to destroy. It has been a tool of power undeniably for thousands of years. "I am the chosen one of God!" Kings of olde would proclaim. Many even proclaimed themselves as Gods until less than a century ago. Why? What greater authority can one have than that of a God, an all knowing, all powerful Deity? His word is law and disobedience means death, and a one way ticket to an undesirable afterlife.

What are the reasons for such ignorance? You could say ignorance is a self perpetuating cycle. You could say the government has interests in keeping the people this way. Both of these would be fairly accurate. Those in power want to stay in power. It does not benefit those in power for the "non-elite" to have such an education. If those with humble origins can climb the economic mountains placed in front of them, their resent for their tedious climb may cause them to lobby for legislature that would benefit their friends and relatives, thus closing the financial gap. This of course, is another great idea behind America, if you can reach the top, you, one person, CAN make a difference. It just would appear that our government is continuously taking steps to ensure this does not happen.

Why do most Republican and Democratic candidates have some monarchical ancestry? The saying, things change, and things stay the same comes to mind. Although in America we have the freedom to vote, we are still limited to the candidates we are presented with. In the history of this country, no independent candidate has ever won the White House. It's almost like saying, “Would you like to vote for this Duke, or that one?" Nearly every mainstream presidential candidate has some ties to ancient nobility. How can we as a country founded on freedom: Freedom of Religion, have forgotten where we came from? As noble as our founding fathers would seem by this idea, there was, as always, a little more to the eye than it seemed. Overseas taxation by an absent King was also a great motivation for the origins of America. Money and Religion; the greatest evils of this planet. The founding inspirations of this country.

Education is not a focus of a Capitalist country. It pays to have a class of undereducated, easily influenced, cannon fodder. How would you convince a group of intelligent beings that going to war for the financial gain of a handful of shareholders is worth their only existence? It's simple really, you couldn't. Lies must be told. People must be fooled into thinking their efforts are for the greater good, that they are making a difference and their death will not be in vain or go unrewarded. Religion: enter stage right. An eternal reward, for their finite sacrifice seems a wonderful reward. "Support your leaders without question! They are in power because God said it must be so! We are doing God's work, by killing these heathens! They are worshiping false Gods!" Sounds like the speech of extremists, doesn't it?

So it would seem, but how effective has this been at getting at least a large enough percentage of Americans on board. Very. Our attackers origins on 9/11 were determined to have links in Afghanistan and Pakistan, but where is all the news and most of our military focused? Iraq. On what pretext? That Iraq has WMD's.

"October 8, 2004

WASHINGTON – President Bush and his vice president conceded yesterday in the clearest terms yet that Saddam Hussein had no weapons of mass destruction, trying to shift the Iraq war debate to a new issue – whether the invasion was justified because Hussein was abusing a U.N. oil-for-food program. “- The San Diego Union Tribune

So now that we've effectively executed their leader, and occupied their oil-rich country, what are we still doing there? Setting up dummy governments that we can trade with freely and in American fashion: a cheaper expense to oil companies. How are they offsetting the start up costs of this global thievery? By passing the cost along to US citizens. Albeit that the US has some of the lowest gasoline prices in the World, prices are steadily climbing to unprecedented heights and price gouging has been running rampant and unrestricted. The cost: Trillions of Taxpayer dollars, and hundreds of thousands of innocent lives. We are the evil invaders, we are the terrorists. Freedom to Fascism.

Racial prejudice is also inspired by the government, embedded in the minds of its citizens and perpetuated for centuries in another attempt to ensure the non-advancement of minorities. Slavery, segregation, all at one time was condoned by our government. Then, after convincing their faithful followers of their target's inferiority, they throw us a 180 and tighten discriminatory laws a thousand fold.

Freedom of speech is nearly dead. Movie makers are encouraged and even paid to remove materials critical of the war and our leader. News agencies are told to run stories about Anna Nicole's death and Paris Hilton in jail around the clock rather than providing us with useful news. Partial blame can also be attributed to our education system. Intelligence is ridiculed, while rebellion and intoxication are revered in the media. Media is another tool of the government. Our lack of education makes citizens disinterested with real World issues and more complacent on the status of Britney Spears and Kevin Federline. Do not be another of the flock. Their celebrities tell us what to buy and what we need to have. "Oh you can't afford it? Charge it!" Thus, further ensuring the prolonged poverty and subjugation of the lower class.

There is more to this country, to this planet than it seems. Keep your eyes open. History is the greatest teacher. If we do not learn from it we will surely repeat it. You have the power to make a change in this world, even if it is but a small one.

Religion is the obvious beginnings to the ideals of, "Don't listen to man, he is fallible, we must trust in our God (or Government), for he knows what is right, and who are we to oppose the will of such greatness?"

If our founding fathers could see what we have become, I think you'd find them spinning in their graves at five thousand RPM's.

Preaching to the Choir

2007-07-23T06:42:00.002-07:00

While I realize that most of you have your own answers for the following questions, I'm curious about your opinions of the answers I've presented. I've got my Jack Daniels, what are you drinking?

Revised from friendly input: Magina, Tik

Frequently Asked Questions about Atheists and Atheism

What is an Atheist?
Atheists have been given many definitions throughout the ages including that of heretics, satanworshippers, and hedonists. This simply isn't true. Although there are persons from all walks of life that share some of the same beliefs, or in this case, non-beliefs; you will find that most Atheists are as kind, caring, and genuine as the next person. The literal translation of the word Atheist is: a·the·ist [ey-thee-ist] a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings

That's really all being an Atheist implies. As Atheism is not a belief system, but rather a lack of belief, there are no other common characteristics of those sharing in their disbelief. Each Atheist is an individual and has ended up at Atheism in their own way.

How can an Atheist still have morals without Religion?
em·pa·thy [ěm'pə-thē] Identification with and understanding of another's situation, feelings, and motives

Humans, for the most part, are intelligent beings. We have the capacity, to learn, discover, and empathize with one another. We do not need a supernatural being to tell us that it is wrong to take things that do not belong to us. We can understand that we would not like someone taking liberties with our personal items. Almost everyone has experienced the loss of a loved one at one time in their life. It is not difficult to understand the reasons for not killing another person. Murder has victims, and not only the one who has been killed. Consider the victim's families; their significant others, their parents, their children. By murdering someone you are, to some degree, destroying their family. We can empathize and realize that this is something that we would not want done to us.

Why do Atheists Hate God?
I have heard the claims numerous times by many religious believers that Atheists hate God, and are denying him simply so they may live their lives in sin. This simply is not true. How can you hate something you truly do not believe exists? I cannot hate Santa Claus, or the Easter Bunny, in the eyes of an Atheist, God is equal to the former, and as such, cannot be an object of hate. We are not willfully disobeying him because we hate him, we have found him to be self-contradictory and his existence impossible as laid out by scripture. Many Atheists/Agnostics live their lives fairly similarly to believers. They have jobs, families & friends they love and care about, and give to charities. Many Atheists, you might say, hold higher personal standards of themselves than religious followers because they are not acting out of fear or guilt, but altruism. They realize that raping, murdering, stealing, etcetera are not, and should not be acceptable in the eyes of society without any supposed supernatural direction.

Why do Atheists think we came from monkeys?
Atheists do not believe we came from monkeys and neither does the Theory of Evolution. The Theory of Evolution states that humans evolved from a common ancestor of apes. There are many observable similarities between humans and apes and it is not much of a stretch to make such claims. Why would humans be disconnected from the rest of the living world? Why is it strange to think that we, inhabitants of this world, have no relation to any of the other beings located within it? Biologists would agree. We are also mammals, vertebrates, metazoans, etc. We have all of the defining features that anchor us right into our phylogenetic slot and connect us to all other living things, and we are no more evolved than any other living organism (including bacteria, protists, fungi, plants, etc.)

Is Atheism a belief system/religion?
Simply put, No, Atheism is not a belief system and/or religion. Atheists are individuals, all pulling their knowledge and experiences from different sources. There is no all-knowing book for Atheists. There are no set of moral guidelines, or rules to follow to be a good Atheist. Atheists are individuals; individuals who simply do not believe in any gods. This does not imply any other traits. There are Conservative Atheists. There are Liberal Atheists. There are Moderate Atheists. Some might say that it is the belief that there are no Gods, but to that I say that this is more accurate a description: The disbelief in all known Gods, but with proper evidence presented one would be open to the concept. It is not rejection out of disdain, but discourse for irrationality.

Do Atheists worship Satan?
Atheists do not worship Satan. Even those Atheists in the Laveyan Church of Satanism do no worship Satan as a diety. He merely represents a figurehead to their religion. They choose Satan as their figurehead because the objects in life they place value on are contrary to those of Christianity. True Atheists do not believe in Satan. How could we believe in a demi god created by the Almighty God we don't believe in? We don't. There are no true Atheists who believe that Satan is an actual entity and therefore are none that truly worship him.

What is the Atheist stance on Pascal's Wager?
Blaise Pascal offers a pragmatic reason for believing in God: even under the assumption that God’s existence is unlikely, the potential benefits of believing are so vast as to make betting on theism rational. This is reffered to as Pascal's Wager. The Atheist stance on this topic is this: It is more logical that God does not exist, therefore I will not waste my only existence following restrictive outdated dogmas, contradictory scriptures, and absent dieties. I will do with my life as I choose, and blame no one but myself for the outcome. Thomas Jefferson, a non-religious deist, states: Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear. This is also the viewpoint of some Atheists. If God does exist, we should think that he would revere independent thought, and reasoning over those just trying to save their skins.

Do Atheists have Spirituality?
Some do, some don't. Atheists are not a collective grouping. They are individuals. Some are Buddists, which requires no God. Some are pagans, having alternative views and interpretations of what God is. Some find spirituality by seeking their place in this vast Universe. Others reject all ideas of the supernatural including spirituality. There is no stock answer for this question as Atheists each have their own opinions about everything.

Why do people become Atheists?
We all have our own reasons for finding or leaving religion. The most common reason for one to become Atheist is they've examined the facts presented and they just didn't add up. Although many believers would disagree, there are many inhumane passages in the Bible and the Qu'ran. There are numerous verses advocating murder, rape, bigotry, and sexism. It is easy to see why someone may not agree with some of these advocacies.

Don't Atheists realize they will goto Hell?
Atheists don't believe that Hell exists. For the reasons stated above, Atheists do not believe in any gods, and therefore, do not believe in the punishments handed down by these gods. Hell had not even made an appearance in Western Religion until Christianity and its origins are debatable. Some scholars agree that the concept of Hell originated from the the Greek word "gehenna" was the translation from the Hebrew word "gueh hin-nom" (Valley of Hinnon). It was mistranslated as hell. The truth is that the Hebrew word was used in regards to a trash dump-site on the outskirts of town. What was the method of disposal? You guessed it, they burned it. Along with bodies of the deceased. The 1800's doctrine of hell that the church adopted and we all know today is based on Dante's "The Divine Comedy".

How can there be Atheists if there is no way to disprove the existence of God?
Absolute knowledge of the non-existence of God is not necessary to be an Atheist. All that is necessary is sufficient evidence that all of the Gods represented on Earth are man-made. There is sufficient evidence of these claims. God cannot exist as laid out by the Bible. He possesses multiple mutually exclusive traits that cannot be contained simultaneously by the same individual. If all religions are man-made, then the concept of God is man-made. That being said, there has never been a shred of evidence to support the existence of such a being. This makes the idea of the existence of a God illogical. The disbelief in all gods is fulfilling of the requirements of an Atheist by its definition.

Once again, these are merely things from my perspective, you may not agree, or choose to understand, but I hope this has at least put a few misconceptions to rest.

America - Chosen Theocracy

2007-07-23T06:42:00.001-07:00

What is it about group organization that does not appeal to Atheists? Perhaps its the stench of religion: group morals, and ideas. There is no need to go so far.

Unite on this concept and nothing further: America is the land of the free, not the land of the free for the majority. Keep God out of Politics, keep America free.

No one is going to just grant our freedoms. We must fight for them. Although it is promised by the Bill of Rights and Constitution of America, these original ideals have been lost through the pursuits of opportunists and theocrats. Democrat, Republican; different labels to the same beast. Both sides are pushing their own agendas, and still not truly representing the people as intended.

The Pursuit of Happiness: A freedom granted to all men, but what does our Government do to ensure all an equal opportunity to pursue such goals? Nothing. They actively attempt to subjugate the lower classes by brainwashing us with media and forcing consumerism down our throats. It would at least be more honest if left as: The Pursuit of Happiness*.

*As long as you can afford it

"Not buying American is unpatriotic!" - Typical Right Wing Brainwashee

Oh really? It's unpatriotic that I choose to buy products of the best quality for the lowest price available no matter the source? Such claims are lunacy. Do you suppose all our trusted Corporations use all American labor, raw materials, and manufacturing? It is almost unanimously that they do not. President Bush claims that outsourcing is actually good for America and Americans. I would agree but only so far as that it is good for those doing business in America, not those depending on jobs from domestic companies. He claims that Americans will actually benefit from this because they will be re-trained for higher paying jobs. Of course, he fails to mention that this training will be at their own expense, and impossible now that they've lost their jobs.

Corporations run rampant, employing Lobbyists to pay off Politicians to provide legislation that will make them another buck at the expense of the people. Essentially every major politician by the time they take office has already been purchased. If we look at Presidents of the past and their top campaign contributors you would see an obvious correlation.

What is the outcome of these monetarily driven ambitions? Tax breaks for the rich, outsourcing of jobs, unchecked destruction of the environment, a sub par education from a system ranked 95th in the World just before Afghanistan, and a complete disregard for the health and well being of the populace with a Health care system that ranks 37th in the world.

How does this happen? How does a country with such noble intentions fall so far from its original ideals? The answer can be ironically taken from the previous sentence. Noble, or Nobility. Although America has made great strides in allowing equality and the ability for any man to achieve success in America, the tools necessary are seldom provided. If you are going to be somebody in America, it will be of your own accord(or what Daddy can buy you).

Democracy alone is flawed, it can be manipulated, and the majority still does not represent a whole. The freedoms granted in the Constitution state that they only extend so far as to imposing upon the freedoms and rights of others.

Religion seems to ignore this fact. Time and time again religious followers have organized and done their own lobbying, and even harassing; writing letters, protesting, and voting other fundamentalists into office. Who has the responsibility or should I say the right, of determining absolute morality? Religion seems to think that they alone are the judges, juries, and executioners. Their scripture says, "Thou shall not kill," so brain dead patients on life support remain in limbo for DECADES whilst the red tape is sorted out and Yahweh feels appeased. Victims of rape, expecting mothers, are berated, condemned, spit at, and sometimes attacked, because they do not wish to carry a constant reminder of their torment, and shame. Loving, consenting, adult couples are denied the financial benefits of marriage, and the right of determination when their partner is incapacitated. These dogmatists, spread hatred and violence under the guise of peace and love. The Worlds greatest hypocrites, blind to their own teachings. Their scriptures teaches, "Do not steal, Do not covet." Do they mirror these values? I would say primarily and emphatically, No. In their eyes, you are free to be whatever you wish as long as it's Christian, heterosexual, and white. They are thieves of free speech, free thought, and free religion. If they were not coveting, would there be such a consumer driven market? There couldn't be. How are we supposed to accept the values and morals of a group that refuses to even practice what they preach? If they were truly the patriots they claim to be they would stand for freedom, America's founding principals. Their claims show another basic flaw in their logic. They say if we don't share their beliefs we should leave the country, but I say, you oppose the principals of this country, you want to defile and manipulate it into a theocracy, you are the terrorist and you do not share these beliefs, YOU should leave.

Soul Searching

2007-07-23T06:41:00.000-07:00

What specifically is a soul? In what region of our bodies does it reside? Is it something that can be picked up, or moved?

The reality is reflexive consciousness. The chemical reactions in our brains, the ability to think, recognize feelings, and react is thanks to chemistry.

Once you die, your brain functions cease within 4 hours. Then you begin to decompose. If your consciousness, your soul, the essence of you becomes energy for worms and fungus; what is left to take? What could be relocated to the supposed eternal dimension?

Simply put, nothing. Your cells, your personal chemistry, changes after you die. Your nutrients are absorbed and become pieces of new life. One could state this as a form of reincarnation. Cells influenced by your existence integrated into new life. But this does not mean that you live again. You do not possess your brain. You are no longer yourself. You are no more than the dead skin and hair you shed each passing day. When you break things down to what they really are: chemical reactions, bound molecules; where we go is not such an unattainable answer. People make it difficult by involving the supernatural.

"Your spirit is carried off to Heaven by Jesus!"
"If you accept Christ you'll fast lane tickets at all of heaven's amusement parks!"

Well, let's talk Heaven. What is Heaven? The perfect paradise, the abode of God himself! Where is Heaven? Originally thought to be literally in the clouds, but later revised to exist only outside the physical reaches of man.

Let's talk perfection. The book of Revelation speaks of a war inside God's own domain! How can this be? How can God's perfect paradise contain war? War is killing on a monumental scale. War is waged by imperfects, not the perfect creations of the Almighty. One could not wage war with the unbeatable, the all powerful. Doing so would most certainly be the most extreme case of foolishness ever observed. How could one, knowing the Almighty personally; actually standing in his presence, and be defiant? The idea is utterly, and completely ridiculous.

Revelation 12:7-10 (KJV)
Michael the Archangel defeats the Great Dragon

Revelation 12:7-10
A supernatural battle occurs between the Angels of God and the Fallen Angels of Satan.

What is the logical path to thinking that a paradise awaits you after you are dead? Are 4.5 billion years of evidence not enough for some? All creatures past and present have show us undoubtedly that life is all we have. When you die, you do not travel to the Underworld; whether it be for reward or punishment. These are both synthetic concepts. The ancients of this planet had similar beliefs which almost all of us can agree were incorrect. Osiris has not carried the Pharaohs of yesterday away to the Underworld to be reunited with the other gods. If we can agree that certain religions can become outdated; what is necessary to unanimously agree that all religions can be put up to the same scrutiny?

The problem is this: People fear the unknown. Fear is the basis for hate, intolerance, and ignorance. Religion gives them the answer and the reason. It provides them solace and reaffirmation that they are not losing their loved ones, and they themselves, are not lost. It is understandable that non-existence is a concept difficult to come to terms with for beings aware of the uncertain, yet assured demise. The desire to delude oneself of this fact is juvenile, yet understandable.

It is far more noble recognize that you will die, and therefore live your life to its fullest extents, than to spend it on your knees, filling your lives with restrictions of outdated dogmas plagiarized by elderly Jewish men. We will not see the end of religion in this lifetime. All one can do is live and let live.