I was Never on the Debate Team

While I do love a good conversation, a debate is where I falter. I don't have much of the wit or cunning to come up with immediate answers.

A religion vs evolution debate just happened between two of my co-workers. One higher up in the heirarchy of our business is an evolutionist. We'll call her Jynn. The other, who is a bit on the same level of the heirarchy, is a Christian. We'll call him Jonny. You can imagine the vibe within the room of those who happen to listen to their conversation. I was among those people within the room. I'm kind of glad I was there to witness the arguments.

The conversation about Sarah Palin somehow seeped into our business talk. It is a well known fact that Palin is a creationist. This angers Jynn. Jonny asks why and Jynn says, "If you're in the position of power, how can anyone believe such a ridiculous thing as creationism?"

Jonny asks Jynn how we go to where we are and she says, "We got to where we are through millions of years of evolution."

This does not sit well with Jonny and he responds, "How are you absolutely sure about that?"

"We have fossil records. Creationist don't believe in dinosaurs."

Jonny rebuttals, "I highly doubt that."

I jump in and say, "Well, there is that creationist museum in Kansas and they claim that dinosaurs lived among humans - which of course is ridiculous." I probably should have kept my mouth shut.

Jonny looks at me and says, "Oh yeah, I know about those museums, but did you know that they found human footprints along side dinosaurs?"

I make a grimiaced face, because the claim is ludicrus, "Oh really? ... Well, I guess I have to look that up."

"Yeah, they say the found footprints of both man and dinosaurs together side by side. They even found dinosaur eggs that are still soft in the inside." Jonny continues.

I just sit there just nodding away doing my job as if we were talking about sports.

At this point, Jynn and Jonny start talking back and fourth about creationism; the fact that the Bible doesn't specifically say 'apple' as the forbidden fruit; and how evolution can't be proven.

I think the conversation evolved where Jonny says that "A horse is still a horse" beliving that animals are immutable, while Jynn says that, "We are evolved forms."

"If you believe in evolution, how can you explain how perfect the universe is? How does chaos turn into order? Is there an example of chaos coming into order? If you believe in the big bang then how did something from immense chaos come into order and life on this planet is possible?" Jonny asks Jynn.

It's obvious Jynn is put aback by the question. Her reaction a bit hesitant. She doesn't know how to answer the question. I sit there hoping she can answer the question. She replies, "I don't Know."

I don't know? Oh come on! If you're going to argue religion vs science you should be able to answer something like that. That question has been used by so many religions I don't know why anti-theist don't give an answer. Jynn should have told Jonny that the universe is not perfect. We're not perfect. Why are our reproductive organs tied in together with our waste system? Why is the human wind pipe easy to block with food? If we were perfect nothing would be questionable about our lives. Chaos into order? Let's see, how about our sun? our solar system? How about our universe? Look at the bigger picture and not just your backyard. What chaos he speaks of probably is that of the big bang and the cooling effect of space.

We live in a world, solar system universe of constant chaos.

Give credit where credit is due, not where you believe.

Things I've stopped and others not so much

The Four Horsemen DVD made me think about what I've stopped doing ever since I became an Atheist. Richard Dawkins said he hasn't stopped saying grace at the table, because he can say empty words at the table. I found that be quite odd, but then I got to think that grace is a good way to just reflect on how the food got onto the plate and keep good thoughts about it. I, however, have never said grace by myself, I always have others instigate the act in a large group. I don't really mind it that much. Other's pray to god about the food, while I just think about the farmers and butchers.

Another thing I am gradually trying to stop is the use of anything related to god within a exclamation or a sign of disbelief. For example, when someone had a close call, I've had to catch myself saying, "Thank God you're alright." However, when someone does something ridiculous I still say "Oh Jesus Christ!" I figure it won't hurt to keep that exclamation and why not? It's probably the best outburst ever... well asside from "Holy Tap Dancing Christ!" You can tell I'm quite done respecting that fictional character.

One thing I will not stop doing is stop listening to "Ave Maria" when I hear a good rendition of it anywhere. Yes, I know the song is extremely influential to the Catholic faith, but it is a beautiful song. There are a lot of songs that use books as their main source of influence. I just don't see how Ave Maria is any different.

The last thing, so far, on this list is that I've stopped being so quite. I've noticed I'm saying a lot more than I used to. This blog is part of it as well.

Doorbell Discussion: Selling God

I was in the kitchen eating and watching a television programme. The doorbell rang. I ask my sister, "Are you expecting someone?" She said no. Curious as I am, I decided to open the door.

Unknowing to the person or persons behind the door, I thought I would be ready to toss them away if they were selling anything. If my sister was not expecting anyone, then sure as heck my parents weren't expecting anyone else either. Upon opening the door, I see a man in denim pants and an indigo shirt with the words Toronto Challenge and a silhouette of the Toronto Skyline in front of a yellow sun. He was probably in his late 50s; more gray hairs upon his head than black and sported a very thin gray goatee. Beside the aged man was a very young person, possibly as old as me. He had a white shirt with black slacks and held a clip board. Clipped on to his left breast was a name tag that said Ariel... something. I could not read his last name, because it was foreign to me. Right then and there I knew they were going to sell God to me. Unfortunately, I had not prepared for this conversation, but I was not afraid. I knew they had something I don't have, a god.

"Hello," said the old man, "are your parents home?"

I replied, "Nope, actually she's in the shower." That was not a lie, it was the absolute truth.

"Oh, look at that a U of T shirt. Do you go there?" the man said, quickly to change the subject to me.

"Yes, I actually graduated from school there." I said trying to figure out how to get them away from the door.

Surprised, the man replied, "Really? How old are you?" I told the man I was old enough.

He asked again if there was no one available. I sternly said no. I did not know what to expect, because the beginning of the conversation threw me off. Normally, when Christian groups approach the door, they go straight into their spiel and sell their god right off the bat. Instead, this man eases his way into an irrelevant conversation. His confidant on the other hand is just watching and starring. It's as almost as if he was training to be like this man.

The man looked down and around when he spoke these next words, "I'm from a Christian group," Bingo! I thought, "just getting others opinion about god and their beliefs and I was just..."

I just had to interrupt him right away, "Oooh, Yeaah, You know what? I don't think you're talking to the right person."

"Oh?" He looks over to his young friend, "are you an Atheist or of another religion?"

I quickly replied, "Atheist."

"The whole family?"

I looked at the young man and his older counter part for a second and responded, "Yes" An absolute lie, as I am the only atheist in the family. Why did I say it? To keep it nice and simple for this Christian solicitor? Yes, I guess that's it. When I told him the family was atheist, The man's eyes widened and turned to his younger counterpart as if to find approval of what he thinks of the situation. At this point, my cat was trying to peek her way outside. I grabbed her before she approached their feet and pushed her back inside.

"Really?" the man continued, "I've not met many Atheist... [Yeah well, you're speaking with one.] You're a thinker [points to my U of T shirt], I know that for sure. Could you give me any reason why you're an atheist or are you afraid to speak about your atheism?"

It was right then and there that I decided to have this doorbell discussion. If I don't have it now, then I will never forgive myself for the opportunity. I specifically told the man, that I don't believe in the supernatural and life after death. I don't believe in the superstitions that come with religion. I choose to live in the now and never aspire to relish the possibility of the after and I apologise if I offend.

His response was thus; Not everyone can understand in everything in the universe and therefore a belief in God - someone much bigger than we are - is something to consider.

My response is that those are not options to me at all. I've told him that I've read the Koran [working on it] and the Bible and others [still working on it] and those collection of books cannot be something to live only by. [Keep in mind, I've told them that I do not mean to offend, but just offer my point of view.]

He called me a thinker. There was no sarcasm in his remark, but I almost took offensively. He introduced himself as Mike and his friend Ariel. Apparently Ariel is from Sweden. [I was wondering when I could bring up Thor, it'll be in here shortly] We all shook hands and continued our conversation. He told me that there were not many like me. [I'm sure there are many like me, but are afraid to speak out]. He said that people who know most about the facts of all religions are agnostic. I told him flatly that it is not an option. [By now you should know that being an Atheist is hard work, because facts about other religions is something I strive to feed my atheism. Being ignorant about other religions is just not the way to go for me.]

He then told me about a man named Josh McDowell. He compared McDowell to me and said that McDowell had a professor who was very Christian. He explained that McDowell would ridicule his professor's Christian faith. After graduating from university, McDowell traveled to the locations of where the stories took place in the Bible. After this so called pilgrimage, McDowell became a Christian believer. He suggested to me that I read "Not Just a Carpenter by Josh McDowell". I honest to goodness was in need of reading material, even if it was pro-Christian.

Thinking about it now, if you go to places where the Bible states where the stories took place, it will most definitely make the person believe. But, think about this: If you were to take a fictional story that takes place in a city or town and reference to major landmarks, city streets and environment and have that person roam the city with that book, then that person would believe those events actually happened... Well give or take, because we know that authors write what they know, so there could be part truths and some lies. However, the point is that the experience is much more real than a movie, but that person needs to know that the bible writers drew much of their writing from personal experience of Jerusalem and an expansion of their own imagination.

I was wondering if at some point his younger friend was going to talk. I seemed to focus this discussion towards the somewhat wiser of the two. Throughout the conversation he always asked for my name. My name is a biblical name, because apparently my parents have no creativity at all. He mainly talked about God and Jesus and how Jesus said he was God. He spoke of other religions and their leaders, who don't claim to be God, but it is "because in the scriptures Jesus says that he is the light... The way... he is the son of God.. He is God... What other religion claims that?" I took it as rhetorical, but I almost answered when he said "None." My response comprised of the mention of Thor, Dyonisus and Horus and their motifs used in the Christian religion. His response was that the gods of those times exhibited human emotions. I think at one point he mentioned gods having children... I thought nothing of it, but thinking about it now... Isn't Jesus a part human God, like Hercules?

After a pretty long conversation, considering he knew he wasn't going anywhere with me. He politely said he will pray for me and my family to god. He understands that it does not mean anything now, but it will at some point. He told me that his devotion to god was almost as if he was a person stricken with cancer praying for a cure - that was the observation he said his friends perceived. He confirms that there is a higher power and that there is something much greater than we are. We are just little compared to god.

I was going to leave it at that, but I had to say something. I said, "Do you want to know why I don't believe in god? Why is it that others praise the grace of god for their fortunes, when they can attribute the goals and achievements to themselves? I believe we are in charge and god's intervention has noting to do with it... Do you have an answer to that?" I probably shouldn't have said that, because it is as if I'm implying he does! Ugh!

He said he did and explained that there will be times where there will be an amount of distress in a persons life. They will soon realize they are helpless. With the grace of god they can find their own path and grow from there.

I said with a mindset like that, of course!

What he asked next didn't sound like an attack, but writing will. He said, "Is there anything in your life that made you hate god? You were a Catholic before you became atheist am I correct?"

I said, "Yes, I was once a Catholic when I was a child, but I did not hate god. I found the people who follow him unbearable and you know the fundamentalist aren't really appealing to your cause." [good save!]

Both men laughed, "Don't we know it!"

"Look no matter how you view it there are fundamentalist on either side of Christianity, Islam, heck even atheism. I just choose not to follow the superpositions, life after death, and ghosts - which I know from Christianity you believe in the Holy Ghost. As a Catholic through the consecration we were supposed to believe it was the real body of Christ after the priest blessed them, but no matter how you put it. It is still bread and wine."

With that he said, "Well, this Friday we're going to have a prayer session at [a chruch]"He handed me a pamphlet that says, "We Want To Change Forever The Way You Think About Church" Morningstar Christian Fellowship. I said, "I'm simply and humanist. I believe more in humanity that I do of religion." He shook my hand, then with Ariel and he again reassured me he'll pray for me and my family. I just said "thanks" because I still don't know what to say to that without being blunt and say, "I don't need your prayer or your god."

This account may not be a full recollection of what transpired between me and the Doorbell Christians, but they approached me and my home. There may be things that I added and subtracted from the conversation, but rest assured my responses in this writing are my own opinions. The Christians may seem a bit one sided in this account, but we did not full go far into deep discussion. We only scratched the surface. If they wanted to go further, I would have undoubtedly pursued, but again it was just on the surface stuff. I could tell they wanted to move on to another house, because a conversation with me about religion would rob them four or five houses with potential listeners and followers.

Gifts from Above

Well, not really - more like California. I purchased two items from richarddawkins.net. I ordered the A for Atheist lapel pin and The Four Horsemen DVD. The one thing that took me by surprise was that I got also the AAI Conference DVD as well and I didn't order it. I guess someone working at the store is really passionate about giving away free stuff.

I really need to find time to watch these DVDs and read all the books I picked up. So far right now I am on the third chapter of The Origin of Species; Finished A Letter to A Christian Nation in one read; read a few pages of Nothing to be Frightened of by Julian Barnes; and I have The Blind Watchmaker unopened, but I am eager to read. I am treating The Origin of Species like a school text book and reading a chapter every week. It's too large of a book to digest in one sitting. I am debating whether I should pick up Richard Dawkins The God Delusion, because I remember watching a BBC special witht he same title. Is the content in that video be a true representation of the book? I cannot decided at the moment, because I am absolutely swamped - both with work and reading during leisure time. Although, all of these books are extremely antithetical, I do indulge in fiction books as well.

I am 2/3 done Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. I never read the book in my life. The book is littered with misery, helplessness and religion. For some odd reason, I actually enjoy the book. I think it's because Dickens knows how to paint a picture with words. The first chapter sealed the deal with me with his writing style. I also have in my posession the three books from Lord of the Rings, but those will be read much later on this year or possibly next year. I've watched the films first and always wondered what Tolkien wrote to illustrate the world of Middle Earth and aided Peter Jackson in his vision. The last of the new books I have in my posession is the Swiss Family Robinson in a small almost leather bound soft covered book I bought from the Goodwill. I heared good things about Swiss Family Robinson from fellow peers.

Question: Have you read any Antithetical books that inspired your transformation?

George Carlin

One of my most favourite Anti-Theist comedians died tonight. He has brought laughs and powerful insight with his brand of comedy. His words will live on and will teach the future about the ironic reality of our age.

The first time I've seen Carlin's work was when I was an impressionable child watching Shining Time Station - a children's television program about the on goings in a magical train station. I recognized Carlin throughout my childhood as Mr. Conductor. When I grew up, possibly around my mid to late teens, I discovered a lot of content created by Carlin that was totally outside my first impression of him from Shining Time Station.

The internet was young and before Youtube there was Napster. I found audio clips of Carlin's comedic work on the early P2P network and just found his work astounding. It wasn't until the "You're All Diseased" stand-up with his views on religion and God where I found similar feelings from his observations. I remember my parents having a listen to "You're All Diseased". Confident that they raised me with God in my mind and heart their response was as banal as the next religious defender: Take it with a grain of salt. There must have been a lot of salt I wasted and tossed over my left shoulder to realize that salt goes on food and not in the eyes of the devil.

Carlin is possibly the catalyst started my slow transition. I owe it to his loud mouth and speak no bullshit personality. Carlin is truly a legend and he will be missed.

Atheism = I R Smart?

A Telegraph article reports that people with higher IQs are more likely to believe less in god. While I tend to believe this is true, I don't believe that being an atheist is solely exclusive to those with PhDs; Mensa members; or geniuses.

I'll provide an example using myself as a subject for a moment. I am university educated and hold an Honours Bachelor of Arts (HBA) degree, I am far from those in the high IQ bracket. I was hardly the top of my class. I hardly passed with a 4.0 or a 3.0; more in the vicinity of 2.40. I've taken some online IQ test [I dunno if they count] and find myself within the vicinity of 100-110. I always say that I'm at a smart person and the academic world can't measure it. Am I stroking and inexistent ego? Possibly, but I am far from dumb and that's for certain.

Much of the criticism the article receives, deals mainly with the ideal that Atheists can only be of high intelligence. Being smart helps, but one must be able to form their own opinion. While being educated in a post-secondary institution may encourage free thinking, there are those who can discover their own path. I think what I am trying to say is that there is a difference between being Atheist due to I.Q. and just being well informed. We cannot expect future Atheist to be of the professor variety and not the average person making minimum wage. If this were true, then Atheist would be a dying breed and go away like the elite language of the Romans. For myself particularly, I am using atheism to learn more about the world rather than sit on Pascal's wager and waste my time. While the report does bring a sense of "the more informed you are the more you will question"; it instead seems to insult at the same time, because of the extreme claim that only I.Q is only directly related to a lack of belief. I say it's more of a removal of reasoning and inserting rationality in its place.

Professor Gordon Lynch, director of the Centre for Religion and Contemporary Society at Birkbeck College states in the report:

"Linking religious belief and intelligence in this way could reflect a dangerous trend, developing a simplistic characterisation of religion as primitive, which - while we are trying to deal with very complex issues of religious and cultural pluralism - is perhaps not the most helpful response."

Religion is a primitive by-product of early human civilization. I don't doubt that for a second. What religion has morphed into is a dangerous trend of creating infantile minds among the masses. I constantly say this in my writing, but religion halts the mind and keeps an elementary way of thinking. The mind either regresses to believing doctrine as absolute, or the mind stays in a state of limbo [hate using this word, but it's a good word in this case] where an individual isn't quite sure what to think. The former are the fundamentalist and the latter are the liberals and moderates of religion. I always seems to associate the liberals and moderates with the Roman Catholics, because their look on the Bible is very tame that Pascal's wager seems enticing for those who cannot let go of their faith. In my case, if there is anything to be fundamental about anything, then being against all religions is the way to go.

5 Things Atheist Must Consider

I don't believe in god. I reject religious faith. I want out.

When one comes out and denies god, one must consider the consequences. The consequences are whether one wants to be an educated or an uneducated atheist. Leaving your faith is one thing, but one must be educated enough respond to believers. A simple, "I don't believe in Christ [Mohammad or Moses] and God" does not quite cut it as a response. When considering oneself into an Atheistic mind set, one must understand that being a non-believer requires a lot of hard work.

1. Know how to defend yourself from Bible-thumpers - The one misconception religious people believe about atheism is that they think atheist don't know doctrine; which is an explanation for the fall out. There are atheists that know more about the bible and its contradictions than any religious person. Most religious people know their faith through church sermon lies.

2. Read Atheist Publications - Remember you aren't alone. There are those who have questioned their faith. Their views are the other side of the argument that is constantly muted by the religious. If you strongly agree with the publications then you are on your way. If you find yourself easily offended, then you may want to consider your stance.

3. Study the facts from other Religions - Sounds ridiculous right? But, it is not! Being an atheist doesn't mean rejecting the exclusive faith you've practiced. Being an atheist means you deny all faiths. By better understanding other faiths from your former religion, you get an understanding of what you are rejecting on a global scale.

4. Never use the word 'evidence' when speaking against god - This response is constantly used when Atheists answer, "I don't believe in God because of evidence" Always contend the question of god with a legitimate question: to take an example from Richard Dawkins in all his interviews says, "Why do you not believe in Thor, Zeus or any other non-Judean Christian God?" This will definitely lead into discussions, but the question proves a point on belief.

5. Research an "I dunno, God knows" topic - Question something that would make your primitive religious self say "I don't know, God knows" and research the topic. [Note: This has helped me coincidentally when a religious person questions something that can be scientifically explained (i.e. how is a rainbow formed)]

I hope these 5 Things Atheist Must Consider help you as they have helped me with my stance of Atheism. I never claim to have all the answers, but I do the best to my ability. The one thing I would suggest Atheist to do is read Darwin's The Origin of Species. If you can appreciate Darwin's findings, then your are on your way [Journal to come soon on my progression of reading The Origin of Species].

My Journey to Freedom

s a child growing up in Catholic Elementary and High School, I never quite grasped the concept of the Bible. I always found science better at explaining the reality of the world rather than the mythology of the Bible. The schools I went in both Elementary and Secondary where not Bible thumping schools. In elementary, we always lead each day with our national anthem and prayers for the day. In high school, it was every once in a while the school would attend church, but in classes learning was top priority. Science class never deviated from the facts. We'd make lab reports based on hypothesis and observations. I often wondered if anyone in that class at any given point in time used the "God" excuse to explain their findings. I found myself rolling my eyes when someone mentions "God" as an absolute explanation. You know when sometimes you experience something, but don't have all the facts yet and some idiot beside you says, "Oh well, only God knows." That's when I roll my eyes. Anyway, my love for science was soon replaced for my love for the theatre; drama and art. I always found creating entertainment to be a calming experience. I once tried to go back to study science in grade 12, but for some reason I wasn't cut out for it's advanced curriculum. I eventually dropped science class in the early semester and focused my work in creating art. I've never looked since.

This leads to my university career. My first year lead to turmoil when I broke up with my high school girlfriend of three years. Where did I turn to for ease? That's right, I turned to religion. I went to church every Sunday for that year, but my attendance slowly declined in the following years. During my second year at university, I studied Greek plays and the gods of Ancient Greece. I found the subject very interesting especially the festivals honouring the gods [i.e. The Festival of Dionysus] and their importance in their world/plays. While it was an interesting class my faith was still very much a part of me.

The question of faith never entered into my mind until the first semester of my final year [September-December 2007]. I took a class in early English drama that studied The Croxton play of the Sacrament and since then I've discovered my decline in believing in a god or any such god. The story of The Croxton play of the Sacrament, revolves around conversion. It uses elements and teachings of the Bible to educate the audience. Not only are the characters in the play on the road to being converted, but those who were not Christian in the audience were encouraged to believe the teachings and convert. The play is very similar to racial profiling, because if you were not Christian, then you were the "other" in the religious dichotomy; either us or them as the saying goes. The story used elements of spectacle [power of the Eucharist] to highlight the Christian reason. I then started thinking about my place in my religion and where I stood. The play borrowed many of its themes from the Bible. I then started thinking about those who wrote the Bible and often wondered if there were similarities prior to Judaism and Christian belief.

It wasn't until I discovered Zeitgeist - The Movie, that had a powerful beginning about religion, a very questionable second act [9/11 conspiracies is not part of my skepticism] and a very strong third. After watching the movie I hit up sites such as Wikipeida to verify the similarities between Dionysus - since I was familiar with this Greek god - and Jesus. I then started reading about all the other gods [i.e. Horus and Set in Egyptian mythology] and compared it to the teachings of the Bible. It was staggering what I discovered. There was no doubt in my mind that I was living under a veil my whole life. This started the slowly, but surely transition into who I am today. However, not everything was clear cut as I was still on the fence.

In my final semester of my final year, exams came upon me. I was in much stress and under the pressure of trying to finish school. After I pseudo-rejected my faith my involvement in university became hard to control. Reality hit me hard when I realized that I didn't put much effort into my school work. So what did I do? You guessed it, I regrettably turned to religion. I begged and pleaded my god to help me finish school, because I could not stand thinking of taking summer school or another year.

In my mind I would often say, "So does it come to this? Do I have to believe in you in order to help me pass? I want to reject you, but it's so hard not to." So what happened? How did I go from embracing religion to sort of rejecting it to going back to it and then finally rejecting religion?

Let me tell you what I did weeks prior to exams. I stayed up late at night reading, reading and reading. I would often find myself in the library 24 hours. I worked hard, drank redbull and retained enough information for me to pass all my exams. Was it the grace of god who helped me through those times? Nope, it was all me. Did god fill me with the holy spirit to retain all the information I learned? Nope, it was all me. Did I give god any credit? Nope, because it was all me!

When my final marks came in I breathed a sigh of relief. I then went into a personal debate about my stance on religion and often talked to my father about his faith and his knowledge about the Bible. One of my friends let me borrow his DVD, What the Bleep!? Down the Rabbit Hole. After educating myself more and more I came to one crucial realization: I am in control.

I don't need a religious leader to tell me how to lead my life.
I don't need follow others.
I don't need to force myself into something I don't believe in.
I don't need god.
I can speak out for myself.
I am my own leader.
I am in control of my own life.

Coming to the realization that there is no god made me almost feel like a person being lifted into the three-dimensional world from flatland. I even went as far as comparing my new found freedom to being let go from the Matrix. The experience is just as profound and the similarities between letting go of religion and being unplugged from the Matrix are similar to gaining a new look on life. It is up to the individual to free ones own mind. As much as I loved the first Matrix movie, I could not help but notice that the following sequels represented a similarity to a saviour freeing humanity from evil, but I digress [I'll probably write something about it in the future blogposts]. Having the power to set one's self free is really an exhilarating experience, because I realized I've lived in ignorance my whole life. I admit I was weak at certain points, but I am stronger now than ever.


I questioned myself once: Now that I have this new freedom of the mind, would I ever want to go back?

The indefinite answer is: NO!

Doomsday Birthday

Whelp, I guess I won't have a birthday this year, because some lunatic who heads the House of Yahweh in Texas claims he believes nuclear war will break out. The man in question calls himself "Buffalo Bill" Hawkins. I'm guessing he's never seen silence of the lambs. Like all religions, what Buffalo Bill is doing is absolute torture to his weak minded followers. He is as creepy as Buffalo Bill from Silence of the Lambs with the exception of making a suit made out of human flesh.



It's very odd to see how religion can mutate all followers common sense and their learned reason. This Buffalo Bill is not exception to the fact. Again this is one news report among many about religious cults, but it is really hard to ignore the fact skewed reality garners a large following of mindless zombies who can't think for themselves. Why is it so hard for these people to realize they can be the beacon for their own lives... I guess people want and need to be told what to do like children.

A Belief in God is a Belief in Lucifer

I agree with Rick Wingrove from The Assertive Atheist, there is no money in being an atheist. I say it's all in the sheepish religions that horde money better than anyone on Earth. Well, religion and the oil companies. The only difference is oil companies gouge the wallet and religion gouges the brain, wallet and your entire life. But, that's not what I want to focus on at the moment. I want to talk about the other Christian god. Do not be mistaken, I know the Christians meld three things and call it one (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost) which on paper and in practice doesn't make much sense, but we'll just play along with their game.

So who is the other Christian god? Surely there can't be any other god besides god himself!

Blasphemer! Away! Off with his head!

Let's define god or the qualities of being a god.

Definitions of god on the Web:

- the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in ...
- deity: any supernatural being worshipped as controlling some part of the world or some aspect of life or who is the personification of a force
- a man of such superior qualities that he seems like a deity to other people; "he was a god among men"
- idol: a material effigy that is worshipped; "thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image"; "money was his god"

Source: Google

The "personification of a force" phrase really describes religion. The Hindus have different gods representing forces (i.e Shiva - destroyer) much like the Ancient Greek gods. As for all Christian sects and the Muslim faith, there are only two sides - like the sides of a coin - good and evil.

I'll have Wingrove explain further:

Excerpt from: The Other Xian God
"I am talking about an entity with powers apparently as strong and far-reaching as godhisownself. An entity who has the same ability to extract souls as "god". An entity who has the ability to micromanage and meddle in the lives of 6 billion individuals on this planet - same as "god". And I'm talking about an entity who, by all accounts, has a great deal more success in luring converts than "god". That's right, I am talking about Satan - by all evidence, equal in kind and equal in power to godhisownself." - Rick Wingrove

Good = God, Yahweh, Allah
Evil = Satan, Lucifer, Devil

Ladies and Gentlemen let's get ready to rumble! In this corner weighing in at infinity and living for all eternity, the man who created man and the cosmos, I give you God! In this corner also weighing in at infinity and living for all eternity, the dark lord of the underworld [aka Hell], I give you Satan!

Sure you can debate that Satan isn't a god, because God created the fallen angel, but even god couldn't contain his perfect creation; the angel Lucifer. He has the same power of suggestion as god does and he has his agenda to damn sould as god strives to save souls. The Earth is just one huge board game between the two oposing forces. Unfortunately, they're not playing Risk, but a really screwed up game of Life. Wingrove made a good point about the denial of this other god in their faith. It's because the devil is the antagonist of the black and white, good vs evil dichotomy. No one wants to recognize the antagonist as an equal to the protagonist. Good triumps evil. There are no shades of gray in religion. There are only blinders and what is absolutely right through mythological doctrine and what is absolutely wrong through mythological doctrine.

Without god there would be no devil. Therefore, a belief in god is a belief in lucifer. You cannot take one away from the equation, because they exclusively work together in the world of religion. Make a prayer to god and thank him for lucifer your other christian god.

The Point of No Return

In my whole 23 (soon to be 24) years being alive and living within this social world, I have never experienced anything of such caliber than this very instant. I have literally reached the point of no return. I ask the question: If I had the option to go back would I want to? The answer is N-O!

This decision didn't come to me abruptly. Instead it has been a long grueling process that I am glad that I'm over with and content with my unbreakable decision. I can live with this new and content frame of mind. I have broken free from these shackles that have chained me to a mythological wall of lies. I will never look back on it, never associate myself with it and most definitely not expose future kin to it as well. The mind is much clear and enjoying life is only the beginning.

Religion is no more in my life. I have banished belief in a corrupt system. I am a free-thinker. I am independent. The truth is all I seek.