I try not to let religious belief or political views interfere with who I am friends with, or how I treat people...but If you believe that wealthy people deserve to pay less taxes then people who are not well off..I lose all respect for you.
It's not about the hard working paying for the lazy..its about equality. first of all, taxes pay for everything. everything from our infrastructure to social security for the deserving are paid through taxes. oh and, trickle down economics didn't work the first time. THAT is what the fiscally conservative would like to continue doing.
If you feel that the wealthy have the responsibility to create jobs..and that's why they are taxed less, then what exactly makes them NOT responsible when it comes to paying more taxes? Where is the logic in that?
How can someone support that while knowing there are single mother's in this world who have worked three jobs while getting assistance and STILL had a hard time making ends meet?
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Friday, October 5, 2012
NaNoWriMo
Ok, so Hannah finally talked me into participating in National Novel Writing Month this year. It's this November and the goal is 50,000 words by the end of the month. My subject? Atheism of course. While I'm here I figured I'd type out a little synopsis.
The title?
Leaving The Flock: My Journey To Atheism
here's a little bit of what's going to be covered (so far):
This is a non-fiction book designed to explain my experiences and a wide range of reasons why I have left the faith of my family. My goal is to make people understand what atheism is, and to understand why someone may have this point of view. I want to stress very much that this is not meant to insult anyone or to be taken as offensive. It is my own honest reasoning of why I believe(or dont), the things that I do. So far there will be five sections: Introduction, History, The Bible, Followers and Final Thoughts.
The introduction will explain what atheism is, and what common misconceptions there are about it. I will also describe my own indoctrination into Christianity, why I am specifically talking about Christianity even though my same thoughts apply to all religions and why I would want someone to understand where I am coming from.
Under the first section ( History) I will be covering things such as the pagan roots of certain traditions, ways in which the religion has spread, Eurocentric ideas, the protestant reformation and of course how each of these things influence my beliefs.
Under the second section (The Bible) I will be covering things such as how the bible was written/compiled, books that have been added/removed, Bible Stories/Teachings that I find immoral or outdated, Old Testament vs. New, mistranslations (Greek to Hebrew to English), how it is irrelevant today, contradictions, lack of proof/confirmation and inconsistencies from a scientific point of view.
Under the third section (Followers) I will be talking about how Christian’s view God, views on other beliefs including different sects within Christianity, evil done in the name of god (in real life as well as the bible), indoctrination, miracles (debunking them) and arguments made to prove that there is a god (debunking them).
The last section (Final Thoughts) I will be relating this to my life, how I see other religions in the same way and how we can have morality without religion.
I'm adding stuff as I go along so I dont think I'll have too much of a problem reaching my goal. Hannah said she'd help me edit when I am finished, so I'll be putting excerpts up on my blog when they are done.
The title?
Leaving The Flock: My Journey To Atheism
here's a little bit of what's going to be covered (so far):
This is a non-fiction book designed to explain my experiences and a wide range of reasons why I have left the faith of my family. My goal is to make people understand what atheism is, and to understand why someone may have this point of view. I want to stress very much that this is not meant to insult anyone or to be taken as offensive. It is my own honest reasoning of why I believe(or dont), the things that I do. So far there will be five sections: Introduction, History, The Bible, Followers and Final Thoughts.
The introduction will explain what atheism is, and what common misconceptions there are about it. I will also describe my own indoctrination into Christianity, why I am specifically talking about Christianity even though my same thoughts apply to all religions and why I would want someone to understand where I am coming from.
Under the first section ( History) I will be covering things such as the pagan roots of certain traditions, ways in which the religion has spread, Eurocentric ideas, the protestant reformation and of course how each of these things influence my beliefs.
Under the second section (The Bible) I will be covering things such as how the bible was written/compiled, books that have been added/removed, Bible Stories/Teachings that I find immoral or outdated, Old Testament vs. New, mistranslations (Greek to Hebrew to English), how it is irrelevant today, contradictions, lack of proof/confirmation and inconsistencies from a scientific point of view.
Under the third section (Followers) I will be talking about how Christian’s view God, views on other beliefs including different sects within Christianity, evil done in the name of god (in real life as well as the bible), indoctrination, miracles (debunking them) and arguments made to prove that there is a god (debunking them).
The last section (Final Thoughts) I will be relating this to my life, how I see other religions in the same way and how we can have morality without religion.
I'm adding stuff as I go along so I dont think I'll have too much of a problem reaching my goal. Hannah said she'd help me edit when I am finished, so I'll be putting excerpts up on my blog when they are done.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Blind Nationalism
you know, It drives me up the wall when I hear people say that people in the military risk their lives for the rights of the common people to vote. It's complete utter bullshit. Our own government denied it's citizens the right to vote, not some foreign threat. If you are a black American man, a woman of any ethnicity, or an 18-20-year-old, you didn't have the right 141, 92, and 41 years ago, respectively.
It's equally frustrating when people say that our soldiers are fighting for our rights in general. Under any context it isn't true. We have been at war or in some sort of conflict for almost every year since the revolutionary war.
but that was the last real time we have been in a war because our rights have been infringed upon. every war other then a select few...and there has been a lottttttt..have been about foreign policy, or some made up shit like defending ourselves from terrorist by finding the nuclear weapons that arnt there in the first place. i just..i fucking hate that people have this godlike respect for the military branch of government.
most people join the army because they need the money, or they cant fucking cut it doing anything else. i know so many people who dropped out of high school..and knocked up some chick..so they went into the army. i know people who are horrible fucking people, who frankly, just wanted to see some combat. its disgusting.
that isn't being a patriot..its blind nationalism and we defend that idea when its coming from America, but we are scared to death of the idea if its from somewhere else. if a foreign country are nationalist...communists or anything else WE think we have to defend our selves from it. what the hell is wrong with our country were have have only been at peace for a hand full of decades.the reason for this blind reverence towards our troops? its unavoidable. its easier to make them into a hero then to protest. We just simply dont have to think about it.
It's equally frustrating when people say that our soldiers are fighting for our rights in general. Under any context it isn't true. We have been at war or in some sort of conflict for almost every year since the revolutionary war.
but that was the last real time we have been in a war because our rights have been infringed upon. every war other then a select few...and there has been a lottttttt..have been about foreign policy, or some made up shit like defending ourselves from terrorist by finding the nuclear weapons that arnt there in the first place. i just..i fucking hate that people have this godlike respect for the military branch of government.
most people join the army because they need the money, or they cant fucking cut it doing anything else. i know so many people who dropped out of high school..and knocked up some chick..so they went into the army. i know people who are horrible fucking people, who frankly, just wanted to see some combat. its disgusting.
that isn't being a patriot..its blind nationalism and we defend that idea when its coming from America, but we are scared to death of the idea if its from somewhere else. if a foreign country are nationalist...communists or anything else WE think we have to defend our selves from it. what the hell is wrong with our country were have have only been at peace for a hand full of decades.the reason for this blind reverence towards our troops? its unavoidable. its easier to make them into a hero then to protest. We just simply dont have to think about it.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
A Little Lesson On Responsiblity In The Business World
People in certain positions need to start taking more responsibility for their choices and actions. I've spent most of my adult life looking for work, and I think this is one of the best lesson's I've learned.
I've recently had a job interview for a company that I have prior experience working for. During the interview, the employer was looking into my records and reviews that my previous boss for the same company left for me.
Now, when I worked there before, it was my first job and I had no idea how the world of employment actually worked so I think its pretty obvious that I wasn't the best of employees, so..the review was a little negative. One of the comments was that I didn't take initiative and because of that, they took it as me being unmotivated. The thing is though, I did my job..I did what I was told to do. That, in my mind, was my only requirement. I thought it made me a good worker...hell, I even worked more overtime then most people in my position!
Had my boss at the time told me any of this..I would have become a better person for it. I would have done better work..I mean, it really would help me in future endeavors. I just feel that since I was unaware of this, it was my boss's job to direct me. I'm not hard to talk to..I DO take advice so..if your my boss and you think I'm not doing something right...fucking tell me. that makes YOU bad at your job...not me. That's just how I feel about that.
I dont understand..what's hard about being honest with someone and taking responsibility? I would have taken responsibility for my actions..so why cant you, my direct supervisor? Do your job and direct me.
Here is another example:
I also hate it (and I've had plenty of experience with this), I hate when you apply somewhere and they tell you they'll call you...then that's it. You dont hear anything. Whenever I hear "we'll call you", I take it as a no for now on because they dont..they dont take responsibility and let you know that you didn't get the job. Instead they leave you hanging. Fuck..I mean, I've only had two places tell me that I didn't get the job..and I respect that a hell of a lot more. I'd rather hear that I didn't get the job, and not get my hopes up. I mean...it means more to me that you told me that I didn't get it. It means probably more to me then if I would have gotten the job anyway!
Anyway, the lesson that I've taken away from these experiences is that it is important to be honest with people from the beginning. Take responsibility for the choices you make. Even if you work for a large corporation...please, dont hide behind it.
I've recently had a job interview for a company that I have prior experience working for. During the interview, the employer was looking into my records and reviews that my previous boss for the same company left for me.
Now, when I worked there before, it was my first job and I had no idea how the world of employment actually worked so I think its pretty obvious that I wasn't the best of employees, so..the review was a little negative. One of the comments was that I didn't take initiative and because of that, they took it as me being unmotivated. The thing is though, I did my job..I did what I was told to do. That, in my mind, was my only requirement. I thought it made me a good worker...hell, I even worked more overtime then most people in my position!
Had my boss at the time told me any of this..I would have become a better person for it. I would have done better work..I mean, it really would help me in future endeavors. I just feel that since I was unaware of this, it was my boss's job to direct me. I'm not hard to talk to..I DO take advice so..if your my boss and you think I'm not doing something right...fucking tell me. that makes YOU bad at your job...not me. That's just how I feel about that.
I dont understand..what's hard about being honest with someone and taking responsibility? I would have taken responsibility for my actions..so why cant you, my direct supervisor? Do your job and direct me.
Here is another example:
I also hate it (and I've had plenty of experience with this), I hate when you apply somewhere and they tell you they'll call you...then that's it. You dont hear anything. Whenever I hear "we'll call you", I take it as a no for now on because they dont..they dont take responsibility and let you know that you didn't get the job. Instead they leave you hanging. Fuck..I mean, I've only had two places tell me that I didn't get the job..and I respect that a hell of a lot more. I'd rather hear that I didn't get the job, and not get my hopes up. I mean...it means more to me that you told me that I didn't get it. It means probably more to me then if I would have gotten the job anyway!
Anyway, the lesson that I've taken away from these experiences is that it is important to be honest with people from the beginning. Take responsibility for the choices you make. Even if you work for a large corporation...please, dont hide behind it.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Grammar Nazi's Are Annoying.
People overlook the actual point you are trying to make just because you make a typo. I've been told its for my benefit..it "helps" me...but look..if you go out of your way to correct me and not even listen to what I'm saying when I'm making a sincere point and I'm not willfully being ignorant; then your just an ass.
i have no problem admitting that my grammar isn't the best it can be, but in very many instances, yes...they are ignoring the point. prove that they dont and ill change my opinion.
hell, i can understand correcting misconceptions or misunderstandings when it comes to the way you actually express your view..but when it comes to simple mistakes...fixing it doesn't add anything to the conversation.
do you get some sort of ego boost when you correct others for such minor mistakes? it might seem helpful to you, but to others you just come off as a pretentious snob.
minor mistakes happen; if its from a simple typing error, or a misuse of a word, granted..you should know how to use words, but if its not something that you cant figure out form the context clues, or if i used the word effect instead of affect...then then is when i can see correcting someone.
for simple words that are so often misused, really it just means that you have a certain pet peeve that you feel obligates you to be pretentious.
If I thought most pages on the internet were the appropriate forum for perfect grammar then I'd be more careful about my writing.
i have no problem admitting that my grammar isn't the best it can be, but in very many instances, yes...they are ignoring the point. prove that they dont and ill change my opinion.
hell, i can understand correcting misconceptions or misunderstandings when it comes to the way you actually express your view..but when it comes to simple mistakes...fixing it doesn't add anything to the conversation.
do you get some sort of ego boost when you correct others for such minor mistakes? it might seem helpful to you, but to others you just come off as a pretentious snob.
minor mistakes happen; if its from a simple typing error, or a misuse of a word, granted..you should know how to use words, but if its not something that you cant figure out form the context clues, or if i used the word effect instead of affect...then then is when i can see correcting someone.
for simple words that are so often misused, really it just means that you have a certain pet peeve that you feel obligates you to be pretentious.
If I thought most pages on the internet were the appropriate forum for perfect grammar then I'd be more careful about my writing.
Sexism In The Bible
First let me just say that these are only a few examples, there are other passages that command exactly the same thing.
For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. *1 Cor.11:7
(this is pretty self explanatory, woman have to cover their head because they are not as "glorious" as men.)
...If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days.
But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks. *Leviticus 12:2-5
(if a women gives birth to a girl she is considered to be unclean for a longer amount of time).
Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. *Corinthians 11:14-15
(men shouldn't have long hair because it is meant to cover the head of a women. covering, as shown by other passages is shameful.)
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. *Corinthians 14:34-35
(women are not allowed to speak in church, therefor if they have any questions they must ask their husband afterwords)
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church *Ephesians 5:23
(it seems the order of importance is christ, men, then women because women are to obey their husband, not the other way around because the husband is the head of the household)
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. *Timothy 2:11-14
(women are not allowed to teach or have authority over man and must remain quiet. this is because Eve was deceived..not Adam. which is odd considering there are verses in the bible that say that children are not held accountable by God for the sins of their parents; for example Deuteronomy 24:16 and Ezekiel 18:20).
he shall pay the girl's father fifty shekels of silver. He must marry the girl, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives. *Deuteronomy 22:29
(this verse is about rap. If a man rapes a women he has to pay her father for her hand in marriage. not only does she have to marry her rapist, her father gets paid for it)
If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay the bride-price for virgins. *Exodus 22:17
(not only is a women her father's to give wither she agrees or not, she is bought. A few passages in the bible tell us how much a wife costs. if she is a rape victim its 50 sheckles of silver. There is also a reference to paying with animals if the male suitor can not afford 50 sheckles)
Genesis 4:19,Genesis 16:1-4,Genesis 25:6,Genesis 26:34,Genesis 28:9,Genesis 31:17,Genesis 32:22,Ex.21:10,Dt.21:15,Judges 8:30,1Sam.1:1-2,2 Sam.12:7-8,1 Kg.11:2-3,1 Chr.4:5,2 Chr.11:21,2 Chr.13:21,2 Chr.24:3,Mt.25:1,Titus 1:6-7 ALL of which men have more then one wife, however, NOWHERE is it mention that a women can have more then one husband.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
What Makes America The Best Country In The World?
Is America the best country in the world? What makes it the best? Is it all of the freedom that we enjoy? We know that we arnt the only country in the world who has some sort of document that sets up government in a way that protects the citizens rights..and we certainly arnt the only country that has a democratic system..
Maybe its the attitude of its citizens. We all support the "American dream". What IS the American dream? The American dream, is being able to make something out of yourself, no matter what social class you come from. Is this really possible, and are there really no other countries like that?
I'll use our past presidents as an example. The American dream means that ANYONE could be anything they wanted regardless of class, even the president of the united states. So, why is it that there were only seven out of forty four presidents who were anything less then a lawyer or teacher who ran our country? you might say, but that's ridiculous..all lawyers and teachers arnt successful...No, but do you know how much money it takes to go to school to become a lawyer? More then an average working class person of that time could afford, and that's just not something a lower class citizen could identify themselves with.
Speaking of the attitude of our citizens, is a countries nationalism really proof of anything? If that's the case, why is it that we are skeptical of other countries that support blind nationalism?
Maybe we are the best country in the world because we do the most good for our citizens. How well are our citizens taken care of?
Here are a few figures, that show us how we rank with other countries in the world:
7th in literacy.
27th in math.
22nd in science.
49th in life expectancy.
178th in infant mortality.
3rd in median household income.
4rth in labor force.
4th in exports.
Now, compare that to the things that we lead the world in. Here are two that I am the most ashamed of:
1st in incarcerated citizens per capita.
1st in defense spending..which is more then the next twenty six countries combined.
Now, of course we do have programs such as social security, medicare and medicaid to name a few, but most people will agree that there are aspects of these programs that need reform.
Looking at these few examples, I think its safe to say that we dont have the right to call our selves "the best country". Are we a good country? yes, I think everyone should be proud, but at the same time, realize that when there is something to be critical about, the best thing to do is to fix the problem, not ignoring it by blind nationalism.
Maybe its the attitude of its citizens. We all support the "American dream". What IS the American dream? The American dream, is being able to make something out of yourself, no matter what social class you come from. Is this really possible, and are there really no other countries like that?
I'll use our past presidents as an example. The American dream means that ANYONE could be anything they wanted regardless of class, even the president of the united states. So, why is it that there were only seven out of forty four presidents who were anything less then a lawyer or teacher who ran our country? you might say, but that's ridiculous..all lawyers and teachers arnt successful...No, but do you know how much money it takes to go to school to become a lawyer? More then an average working class person of that time could afford, and that's just not something a lower class citizen could identify themselves with.
Speaking of the attitude of our citizens, is a countries nationalism really proof of anything? If that's the case, why is it that we are skeptical of other countries that support blind nationalism?
Maybe we are the best country in the world because we do the most good for our citizens. How well are our citizens taken care of?
Here are a few figures, that show us how we rank with other countries in the world:
7th in literacy.
27th in math.
22nd in science.
49th in life expectancy.
178th in infant mortality.
3rd in median household income.
4rth in labor force.
4th in exports.
Now, compare that to the things that we lead the world in. Here are two that I am the most ashamed of:
1st in incarcerated citizens per capita.
1st in defense spending..which is more then the next twenty six countries combined.
Now, of course we do have programs such as social security, medicare and medicaid to name a few, but most people will agree that there are aspects of these programs that need reform.
Looking at these few examples, I think its safe to say that we dont have the right to call our selves "the best country". Are we a good country? yes, I think everyone should be proud, but at the same time, realize that when there is something to be critical about, the best thing to do is to fix the problem, not ignoring it by blind nationalism.
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