Happy Tuesday!
It's time for another great quote- this one comes to us from Tecumseh:
When you rise in the morning, give thanks to the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.
Be sure to check back on Saturday, YMR will have a new post!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
James Randi aka The Amazing Randi
Hello there and Happy Saturday!
First up, I want to give a big thank you to Infidel753 for sharing his very interesting perspective with us. I thoroughly enjoyed reading his post.
Next up, YMR has a brand new post. Please welcome James Randi aka The Amazing Randi! I know you're going to enjoy his post as well.
Here Is James Randi's Introduction:
James Randi has an international reputation as a magician and escape artist, but today he is best known as the world's most tireless investigator and demystifier of paranormal and pseudoscientific claims. Randi has pursued "psychic" spoonbenders, exposed the dirty tricks of faith healers, investigated homeopathic water "with a memory," and generally been a thorn in the sides of those who try to pull the wool over the public's eyes in the name of the supernatural. He has received numerous awards and recognitions, including a Fellowship from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation in 1986. In 1996, the James Randi Education Foundation was established to further Randi's work. Randi's long-standing challenge to psychics now stands as a $1,000,000 prize administered by the Foundation. It remains unclaimed.
www.randi.org
1) What religion do you practice?
I am an atheist.
2) Did you convert or were you born into this religion? If you converted, what did you need to do to convert? And what did you practice prior to converting?
See #1.
3) Would you consider yourself a moderate, conservative or other.
Politically, ethically, how?
4) In your opinion, what makes you moderate/conservative/other?
????
5) In your opinion, what makes someone conservative? What makes someone moderate?
I have no idea. I’d have to know the individuals involved.
6) What's your heaven/paradise like?
I don’t have any.
7) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
I have no idea, since this is all fiction, anyway…!
8) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
I DON’T HAVE ANY RELIGION!
9) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
See #1.
10) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
Yes, why not?
11) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? No.
Please explain why?
Because it’s superstitious nonsense!
12) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
The burka is hot and unattractive, and I’ve no idea what Sharia Law may be.
13) What are your thoughts on women not being allowed to become priests?
They should be allowed to be silly, just as much as men.
14) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
See #1.
15) How much does your religion affect your daily life and how much thought do you give it when making a decision? Does it affect in any way your decision on abortion, gay marriage, etc?
See #1.
16) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion? See #1.
17) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
See #1.
18) Who do you think is not a practising ----- in your religion and why? ie who in the public domain claims to speak for your religion? Do you agree with them or not?
See #1.
19) Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
No. I’ve no idea why not.
20) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
See #1.
21) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
See #1.
22) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
No, because there’s no evidence for it!
First up, I want to give a big thank you to Infidel753 for sharing his very interesting perspective with us. I thoroughly enjoyed reading his post.
Next up, YMR has a brand new post. Please welcome James Randi aka The Amazing Randi! I know you're going to enjoy his post as well.
Here Is James Randi's Introduction:
James Randi has an international reputation as a magician and escape artist, but today he is best known as the world's most tireless investigator and demystifier of paranormal and pseudoscientific claims. Randi has pursued "psychic" spoonbenders, exposed the dirty tricks of faith healers, investigated homeopathic water "with a memory," and generally been a thorn in the sides of those who try to pull the wool over the public's eyes in the name of the supernatural. He has received numerous awards and recognitions, including a Fellowship from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation in 1986. In 1996, the James Randi Education Foundation was established to further Randi's work. Randi's long-standing challenge to psychics now stands as a $1,000,000 prize administered by the Foundation. It remains unclaimed.
www.randi.org
1) What religion do you practice?
I am an atheist.
2) Did you convert or were you born into this religion? If you converted, what did you need to do to convert? And what did you practice prior to converting?
See #1.
3) Would you consider yourself a moderate, conservative or other.
Politically, ethically, how?
4) In your opinion, what makes you moderate/conservative/other?
????
5) In your opinion, what makes someone conservative? What makes someone moderate?
I have no idea. I’d have to know the individuals involved.
6) What's your heaven/paradise like?
I don’t have any.
7) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
I have no idea, since this is all fiction, anyway…!
8) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
I DON’T HAVE ANY RELIGION!
9) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
See #1.
10) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
Yes, why not?
11) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? No.
Please explain why?
Because it’s superstitious nonsense!
12) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
The burka is hot and unattractive, and I’ve no idea what Sharia Law may be.
13) What are your thoughts on women not being allowed to become priests?
They should be allowed to be silly, just as much as men.
14) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
See #1.
15) How much does your religion affect your daily life and how much thought do you give it when making a decision? Does it affect in any way your decision on abortion, gay marriage, etc?
See #1.
16) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion? See #1.
17) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
See #1.
18) Who do you think is not a practising ----- in your religion and why? ie who in the public domain claims to speak for your religion? Do you agree with them or not?
See #1.
19) Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
No. I’ve no idea why not.
20) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
See #1.
21) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
See #1.
22) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
No, because there’s no evidence for it!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Albert Einstein Quote
Hello and Happy Wednesday!
Today's excellent quote is brought to you by Albert Einstein:
'Peace can not be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.'
And don't forget to check out Infidel753's excellent post!
Today's excellent quote is brought to you by Albert Einstein:
'Peace can not be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.'
And don't forget to check out Infidel753's excellent post!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Infidel753
Hello and Happy Saturday!
First up, I wish to thank Abe Solomon for sharing his perspective with us. I found his post both informative and quite interesting as well. Thank you Abe.
Next up, we have a new post! Please welcome Infidel753.
Infidel753 is an Atheist and I know you're going to enjoy this next post as well!.
Here Is Infidel753's Introduction:
I'm American, 49 years old, university-educated, blogger for almost three years, non-religious. I have a strongly optimistic view of the world. Over the years I've had an anthropological interest in religion at times because of its enormous impact on human history and culture, but I see no truth or value in it. I don't believe in anything supernatural, including the concept of humans having souls. The good that exists, exists because of human achievement.
http://infidel753.blogspot.com
1) What religion do you practice?
I don't have any religion, and never have.
2) Did you convert or were you born into this religion? If you converted, what did you need to do to convert? And what did you practice prior to converting?
I grew up without any religion. I never felt anything was missing.
3) Would you consider yourself a moderate, conservative or other.
I'm liberal on political and social issues.
4) In your opinion, what makes you moderate/conservative/other?
Since conservative attitudes on social issues (such as being against gay marriage and abortion) are often rooted in religion, I suppose not having a religion makes it natural that I don't have those attitudes.
5) In your opinion, what makes someone conservative? What makes someone moderate?
When I apply those terms to religion, I mean the extent to which a person's religion affects their behavior and attitudes. For example, a Catholic who wanted to ban abortion by law would be conservative, while one who was tolerant of it would be moderate.
6) What's your heaven/paradise like?
I don't believe in any kind of afterlife. Our free will and consciousness are generated by the electro-chemical activity in our brains. When the brain stops functioning, the mind it generates doesn't go anywhere, it just stops.
My idea of an ideal environment wouldn't be something static, the way people seem to imagine Heaven. It would evolve continuously, like the real world.
7) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
Since I don't believe Heaven exists, I don't believe anyone goes there.
8) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
Let me stress that atheism is not a religion or equivalent to a religion, as some religious people seem to think. Atheism just means not believing that any god exists. It tells you nothing about what positive beliefs a person has. Some atheists describe themselves as rationalists or secular humanists, some don't. Stalin was an atheist, but I have nothing in common with him at all.
Atheism is purely a lack of belief in a god, just as silence is an absence of noise (not a kind of noise) and health is an absence of illness (not a kind of illness).
I suppose not believing in a god is a "good fit" for me in the sense that there is no evidence for the existence of a god, any more than there is for unicorns, fairies, etc.
9) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
Not applicable.
10) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
I don't even know what religious beliefs most of my friends have, if any.
11) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
It would depend on the circumstances, but in most cases, no. Most religions are deeply morally offensive to me. Participating in their rituals would feel too much like endorsing them.
12) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
Islam is not just a religion, it's a totalitarian ideology. The burka, as a form of clothing which specifically symbolizes that ideology, strikes me rather the way a Nazi uniform would. Shariah law is the substance of the ideology -- a complete codified system for the ruthless oppression of women, gays, unbelievers, and anyone else who deviates.
Islam was my field of study at university. It's the religion I know the most about, though I have no family or ancestral connection with it.
13) What are your thoughts on women not being allowed to become priests?
I think any discrimination against women in terms of what positions or offices they can occupy is stupid. The fact that most religions restrict what roles women can have is, I suppose, their own business, but it's another sign that they're a reactionary force.
14) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
Not applicable.
15) How much does your religion affect your daily life and how much thought do you give it when making a decision? Does it affect in any way your decision on abortion, gay marriage, etc?
Not believing in the supernatural doesn't have much to do with daily life. As for abortion and gay marriage, see questions 3-4.
16) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion?
I don't have any children. If I did, it would be their own business whom they married. I'd advise them not to marry anyone who believed anything too dangerously crazy.
17) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
There's no such thing as Hell, so nobody can go there.
18) Who do you think is not a practising ----- in your religion and why? ie who in the public domain claims to speak for your religion? Do you agree with them or not?
Since atheism is the absence of one belief and not a belief system, it can't be "practiced" as a religion can.
Nor can anyone "speak for" it. However, I greatly admire atheists like Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, Pat Condell, Ibn Warraq, and Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who have spoken out strongly against religion, sometimes at great personal risk.
19) Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
Religious people have sometimes said nasty things to me on the internet, but I haven't experienced anything that rises to the level of a hate crime.
20) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
Not really applicable. I certainly don't feel devalued by not believing in the supernatural.
21) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
Atheism gives me peace of mind in some ways. I feel freer knowing that my life is my own and not cluttered up with some "higher purpose" imposed by a supernatural tyrant. I don't worry about being punished eternally for transgressing some silly bronze-age taboo that has nothing to do with real morality.
22) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
No. There's no evidence for it, and no plausible mechanism whereby it could happen.
First up, I wish to thank Abe Solomon for sharing his perspective with us. I found his post both informative and quite interesting as well. Thank you Abe.
Next up, we have a new post! Please welcome Infidel753.
Infidel753 is an Atheist and I know you're going to enjoy this next post as well!.
Here Is Infidel753's Introduction:
I'm American, 49 years old, university-educated, blogger for almost three years, non-religious. I have a strongly optimistic view of the world. Over the years I've had an anthropological interest in religion at times because of its enormous impact on human history and culture, but I see no truth or value in it. I don't believe in anything supernatural, including the concept of humans having souls. The good that exists, exists because of human achievement.
http://infidel753.blogspot.com
1) What religion do you practice?
I don't have any religion, and never have.
2) Did you convert or were you born into this religion? If you converted, what did you need to do to convert? And what did you practice prior to converting?
I grew up without any religion. I never felt anything was missing.
3) Would you consider yourself a moderate, conservative or other.
I'm liberal on political and social issues.
4) In your opinion, what makes you moderate/conservative/other?
Since conservative attitudes on social issues (such as being against gay marriage and abortion) are often rooted in religion, I suppose not having a religion makes it natural that I don't have those attitudes.
5) In your opinion, what makes someone conservative? What makes someone moderate?
When I apply those terms to religion, I mean the extent to which a person's religion affects their behavior and attitudes. For example, a Catholic who wanted to ban abortion by law would be conservative, while one who was tolerant of it would be moderate.
6) What's your heaven/paradise like?
I don't believe in any kind of afterlife. Our free will and consciousness are generated by the electro-chemical activity in our brains. When the brain stops functioning, the mind it generates doesn't go anywhere, it just stops.
My idea of an ideal environment wouldn't be something static, the way people seem to imagine Heaven. It would evolve continuously, like the real world.
7) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
Since I don't believe Heaven exists, I don't believe anyone goes there.
8) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
Let me stress that atheism is not a religion or equivalent to a religion, as some religious people seem to think. Atheism just means not believing that any god exists. It tells you nothing about what positive beliefs a person has. Some atheists describe themselves as rationalists or secular humanists, some don't. Stalin was an atheist, but I have nothing in common with him at all.
Atheism is purely a lack of belief in a god, just as silence is an absence of noise (not a kind of noise) and health is an absence of illness (not a kind of illness).
I suppose not believing in a god is a "good fit" for me in the sense that there is no evidence for the existence of a god, any more than there is for unicorns, fairies, etc.
9) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
Not applicable.
10) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
I don't even know what religious beliefs most of my friends have, if any.
11) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
It would depend on the circumstances, but in most cases, no. Most religions are deeply morally offensive to me. Participating in their rituals would feel too much like endorsing them.
12) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
Islam is not just a religion, it's a totalitarian ideology. The burka, as a form of clothing which specifically symbolizes that ideology, strikes me rather the way a Nazi uniform would. Shariah law is the substance of the ideology -- a complete codified system for the ruthless oppression of women, gays, unbelievers, and anyone else who deviates.
Islam was my field of study at university. It's the religion I know the most about, though I have no family or ancestral connection with it.
13) What are your thoughts on women not being allowed to become priests?
I think any discrimination against women in terms of what positions or offices they can occupy is stupid. The fact that most religions restrict what roles women can have is, I suppose, their own business, but it's another sign that they're a reactionary force.
14) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
Not applicable.
15) How much does your religion affect your daily life and how much thought do you give it when making a decision? Does it affect in any way your decision on abortion, gay marriage, etc?
Not believing in the supernatural doesn't have much to do with daily life. As for abortion and gay marriage, see questions 3-4.
16) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion?
I don't have any children. If I did, it would be their own business whom they married. I'd advise them not to marry anyone who believed anything too dangerously crazy.
17) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
There's no such thing as Hell, so nobody can go there.
18) Who do you think is not a practising ----- in your religion and why? ie who in the public domain claims to speak for your religion? Do you agree with them or not?
Since atheism is the absence of one belief and not a belief system, it can't be "practiced" as a religion can.
Nor can anyone "speak for" it. However, I greatly admire atheists like Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, Pat Condell, Ibn Warraq, and Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who have spoken out strongly against religion, sometimes at great personal risk.
19) Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
Religious people have sometimes said nasty things to me on the internet, but I haven't experienced anything that rises to the level of a hate crime.
20) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
Not really applicable. I certainly don't feel devalued by not believing in the supernatural.
21) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
Atheism gives me peace of mind in some ways. I feel freer knowing that my life is my own and not cluttered up with some "higher purpose" imposed by a supernatural tyrant. I don't worry about being punished eternally for transgressing some silly bronze-age taboo that has nothing to do with real morality.
22) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
No. There's no evidence for it, and no plausible mechanism whereby it could happen.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Maya Angelou Quote
Hello and Happy Thursday!
Time for another excellent quote. This one is brought to you by Maya Angelou:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Be sure to check back on Saturday, YMR will have a new post!
Time for another excellent quote. This one is brought to you by Maya Angelou:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Be sure to check back on Saturday, YMR will have a new post!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Publish Date Changes
A sneak peak at what's to come:
For August:
7th-we'll hear from Muslimah who is Muslim,
14th-we'll hear from Tirzah who is Catholic,
21st-we'll hear from Jason who is an Objectivist,
28th-we'll hear from Don Emmerich who is an Agnostic.
For September:
4th-we'll hear from Kola Boof who is a Womanist,
11th-we'll hear from Sarita who is Pagan,
18th-we'll hear from Ilene Rosenblum who is Jewish,
25th-we'll hear from Noor who is Muslim.
For October:
2nd-we'll hear from Anne Johnson who is a Druid,
9th-we'll hear from Jake Collyer who is an Atheist,
16th-we'll hear from Chanan who is Jewish,
23rd-we'll hear from Rand who is Christian,
30th-we'll hear from Rachel who is Jewish.
All great posts! You won't want to miss any of them!
For August:
7th-we'll hear from Muslimah who is Muslim,
14th-we'll hear from Tirzah who is Catholic,
21st-we'll hear from Jason who is an Objectivist,
28th-we'll hear from Don Emmerich who is an Agnostic.
For September:
4th-we'll hear from Kola Boof who is a Womanist,
11th-we'll hear from Sarita who is Pagan,
18th-we'll hear from Ilene Rosenblum who is Jewish,
25th-we'll hear from Noor who is Muslim.
For October:
2nd-we'll hear from Anne Johnson who is a Druid,
9th-we'll hear from Jake Collyer who is an Atheist,
16th-we'll hear from Chanan who is Jewish,
23rd-we'll hear from Rand who is Christian,
30th-we'll hear from Rachel who is Jewish.
All great posts! You won't want to miss any of them!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Featured Religions
Hello and Happy Saturday!
I was reviewing the religions/belief systems (past and future) that have been featured on YMR, and the amount of participants within that particular group.
Below are the numbers collected so far:
Agnostic: 1
Atheists/Objectivists: 9
Buddhists: 3
Christians: 5
Druid: 1
Jews: 5
Muslims: 5
Mystics: 2
Non-denominational: 2
Polytheist: 1
Sufi Darvish: 1
Taoist: 1
Wiccans/Pagans: 7
and
Womanist: 1
Here's to learning even more from the groups featured and ones we've yet to feature!
We always need more participants, so hope you'll consider!
Have a great week!
I was reviewing the religions/belief systems (past and future) that have been featured on YMR, and the amount of participants within that particular group.
Below are the numbers collected so far:
Agnostic: 1
Atheists/Objectivists: 9
Buddhists: 3
Christians: 5
Druid: 1
Jews: 5
Muslims: 5
Mystics: 2
Non-denominational: 2
Polytheist: 1
Sufi Darvish: 1
Taoist: 1
Wiccans/Pagans: 7
and
Womanist: 1
Here's to learning even more from the groups featured and ones we've yet to feature!
We always need more participants, so hope you'll consider!
Have a great week!
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