"First I came to God...

While doing dishes today, a phrase came to me that I'm... admittedly rather pleased with. As a soundbite type phrase, it does explain things rather well.

"First I came to God. Then I came to my senses."

It really does work that way, for myself as well as many others. Many of those who call themselves atheist started off as believers, to one degree or another. (And not just to Christianity, though it's what we in the US are most familiar with.) We went to church, were "saved" one way or another - because, face it, there is really no agreement among the sects on how "saved" you are, and they insist the others are wrong. We "brought God into our lives" or "invited Jesus into our hearts."

Then something happened. Things didn't make sense. Many of us went out and actually did more than the Sunday Skip - you know, "read Romans I... now back to Ezra... now over to II Corinthians... a verse from Deuteronomy... and let's throw in some Revelations for spice." This is not reading the Bible (or any other book, "holy" or otherwise.) No, many of us *read* the bible, or perhaps the Qu'ran, and found it more than just wanting, but even vile. Hardly a moral book. Definitely not consistent. And searched...

Eventually coming to "I cannot believe in God, not as described. God and religion do not mesh with reality." Maybe we drifted through other religions, seeing them with a critical eye, before settling on atheism - a lack of religion, a lack of belief in a deity, because the world works the way it does without the intervention or need of one.

So, yes. First, I came to God. Then I came to my senses.

How true it is...

So what is it the atheist doesn't believe in?

Or to put it another way, "What is a god?"  (Remember, "Ray, when someone asks you if you're a god, you say yes!" )

Hopefully this one will last a while... Generally, believers tend to see atheists as being "against" their god and/or belief system - a popular question being "why do you hate God?" And the answer, "We don't hate what we don't believe in," tends to be looked at oddly. 
After all, "How can you not believe in God?" 

Well, let's do something here, and take that capital G away. "god." Making it nicely generic, and still true. Atheists don't believe in a god or gods. Why?

Well first, what *is* a god? 

If you ask someone that, they'll likely go into whatever the specifics of their chosen deity or deities are... but that's not the question. Atheists don't just not believe in *your* god, it's the entire class of beings known as gods we're disbelieving at. 

But why? I mean, we have to believe in *something,* right? Maybe it's the specifics that turn you off! 

Let's step back. I think if we look at the species as a whole, we can agree, generally, on what a cat is. Not if one's better than the other, but just what it *is.* Everything from the little fuzzy kitten in the pet shop to the lions and tigers most of us will never get closer to than a TV set or the zoo - they're all *cats.* Similarly, with a few outliers, we all have general agreement on what a "car" is, or a "tree." 

So if a god or gods are so fundamental to the universe, why don't we agree on what they are? About the only thing that can be agreed to is that something labeled a god is "divine." Which... is defined as "coming from a god" or "being godlike." 

Well, that's a fairly useless definition. Well, "Deity" is another word for a god. But it's defined, via Mirriam Webster, as... having the rank or essential nature of a god. Or someone exalted or revered as supremely powerful... which itself doesn't work, as there are plenty of examples of  gods who were decidedly not "supremely" powerful. (The defeats of Set and Osiris, Ragnarok, the fear of sun gods dying and thus requiring sacrifice and more.) 

We could just call a god the "supreme something," which allows usage like calling Clapton a "guitar god." But that's simply a rank. It works, honestly, but as a top rank, nobody worships a general (usually.) 

How about something "more than human?" It's a vague phrase, but understandable - that said, there have been plenty of everyday humans worshipped as gods (generally kings,) and plenty of natural phenomena with gods assigned to them. Not to mention plenty of tales of humans outwitting and defeating gods. So as part of the definition, it's kind of useless. 

How about "Having a supernatural component?" (Or more specifically belief that there is one.) Well, we'll start ignoring the use of things like "Clapton is a guitar god" then. The problem is defining what this "component" is and what it does. It's not innate - there are, after all, tales of humans being raised to the level of gods. There's no real definition of what this component is. It's certainly not the same between every one. But the belief it exists - sure. So we've got a "supreme something" with a "spiritual component." 

How about all knowing? No. Here we get into specifics of deities. And all it takes is a quick browse through mythology - including the bible - to show gods being taken by surprise. So they definitely aren't all knowing. 

All powerful? Nope. For the same reason. It doesn't take much looking for anyone to find stories of gods being overpowered or being unable to do something. Honestly, we can throw out almost everything that starts with omni- or all - ... because it's not consistent. 

 How about immortal? Again, no. There are plenty of acknowledged gods dying and not coming back in their myths. Though the idea is popular.

 We can't use definitions that include just (as there are plenty of unjust gods, tricksters, liars, cheats and the like,) or wise (different from all knowing, and there are plenty of gods that do stupid things.)

Which leaves us with what? A "something divine?" 

"I'll know it when I see it?" 

Just what is it that makes a god a god, other than belief that it is one?

"People with dementia see ghosts, should I get a priest?"

Yes, it's been a while since I've posted, thanks to the job and nothing really jumping out as an "I have to write about this!" subject.

Until now.

See, I do tech support for a company that supports long term care and nursing homes. Which means I get to utilize my knowledge in a way that, generally, is helping take care of some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

A lot of what I hear in the background, as these older citizens deal with the problems of getting older, some of the mental illnesses, etc. is heartbreaking. Of course, there's a lot of bingo playing and karaoke (I kid you not here) going on, as well - sometimes very loudly. And there's the people who just need a bit of help but otherwise are sharp as a tack and in great spirits - which always brings a smile to my face.

But it's not the older folks that have me writing here - though someday I may get to thoughts on mortality. No, this is a nurse. I won't say who, not that it would matter, or what facility, only that it was one down south.

They were discussing some patient in the background and how she was walking - apparently keeping her head bowed or some such. The patient could hold her head up if she wanted, but apparently she believed (from the comments of the nurses) "that ghost makes her walk like that."

This led to some discussion among the nurses (apparently it was a mean ghost, easily angered, and a lesbian to boot, which caused much tittering among the staff.) However, in the course of the discussion, the nurse who had called for tech assistance was talking about how ghosts, spirits and demons can cause problems.

Not "They can believe it," but saying it as seriously as if she were discussing medication delivery or how warm it was outside. This, to her, was a fact. Ghosts, spirits and demons can cause problems... like it's the tenth century.

Now, I was professional and said nothing - they're not calling for help with THEIR delusions, only their computer. But the fact this medical professional, educated in first-world schools, entrusted with the care of these people, was saying this... just floored me. But that itself wasn't the kicker.

Within a minute, she also mentioned "People with dementia often have supernatural experiences." Way to go, girl. You've just pinned down the cause of this poor woman's "ghost." She has mental issues (she did, actually, this is not my opinion.) End of discussion. You may "humor" her, sure. But someone with dementia seeing things and believing things that aren't real? Of course!

... Except not four sentences later, she was asking if she should call her pastor to perform an exorcism. And not in the "to make her feel better" sense - which I would fully understand. Given tone and wording, she was asking if the woman needed her pastor (not priest, not catholic) to perform an exorcism like she was asking if they should call the doctor to adjust medication.

... We have a long way to go before this sort of superstitious nonsense is eradicated. Listening to this... I honestly, despite my past, cannot wrap my head around this sort of belief any more. And it made me very glad I was not entrusted in this woman's care.

Thanksgiving and the American Atheist

I say American Atheist because, well, it's a bit late for our friends in Canada, who don't have as big an issue with this as I understand. :)

For us down here in the US of A, though, the first of our real family  holidays show up. Yes, we had halloween, but we don't typically have people joining together for halloween dinner or the like - it's more a time to let the kids dress up (or go to a party yourself.) So the first one - Thanksgiving - is on its way.

Thanksgiving is the first one that can be awkward for an atheist. Especially a new one. I don't know about your home or family, but mine had everyone together (or everyone local, depending) and giving thanks meant praying. It's not a religious holiday - though I'm sure some will paint it as one. But it still can lead to this awkward moment where you're asked to give thanks. Or the fact you're an atheist may come up.

If this is when you expect to out yourself... I'd generally suggest another time. It's easier, to me, to approach people one or two at a time when you think they can deal with the news and say "Hey, by the way" than stand up in the middle of everyone and go "Guess what, folks!" You don't want to be that person remembered for "ruining" thanksgiving. (Which some may see it as.)

You might mention it to one or two people at this time, though - that's up to you.

So what if it happens? What if you're all sitting at the table and they look at you and say "Hey, Phil (or Susan or Eddie or Jasmine or whatever your name is,) would you say grace?" Some of us are going to have *that* moment where we ask ourselves just what we do?

You can say no, of course, but that's awkward. You'll be "that guy," again.

Or you can think about it ahead of time, just in case, and when they ask you to give thanks, say sure - and then *give thanks.* This doesn't mean praying! This doesn't mean giving up who you are and what you believe (or acting like you believe in something you don't.) Remember, thanksgiving is not a religious holiday, or even act. Just *give thanks.*

Something like...

"Instead of praying, I'd like everyone to just think about the last year. This day, today, that we're together is called thanksgiving - and we have a lot to be thankful for. That we're here at all to be thanksful, and to spend time with each other. That we have a roof over our heads and heat (or air conditioning, depending on where you are.) That we are fortunate enough to live in a country where we aren't fearful to leave our homes, we're not wracked by civil war or invasion. That we didn't have to go out day in and day out to farm the fields and raise the food we're gathered to eat tonight - someone did, and we should be thanking them, and the people who delivered and thanked it, but that despite recent times we're prosperous enough to be able to go to the store and buy the fruit of their labor...."

And so forth and so on. Just get people to think about what they *are* thankful for. Go with whatever your situation is. There's no need to mention a god at all.

And if you're not the one saying it? Sure, hold hands... they're your family. But keep your eyes open. Look around.

... Then get ready for hannukah or christmas.

Just something that needed to be shared. From Home on the Strange via Facebook.

"Sorry to hear that..."

Well, I finally got this reply thrown at me... and pretty much from one of the people I expected it from.

The setup - Facebook, of course. Sending a link to the Senate chaplain's daily berating of congress in the prayer. Now, as an atheist, I don't think this should start with a prayer - but I appreciate and applaud what this guy's doing with the seat he's given. And I say as much, pretty much that way.

The reply I get? Nothing to do with what's shown. Nope. "Sad to hear the atheist part."

*Tactfully,* I just reply, "Should never be sad for that."

What I want to say?

Why would you be sad that I've chosen to live my life no longer enslaved to bronze age mythology and a book run through with hatred, racism, sexism, people being rewarded for lying and deceiving?

Why should anyone be sad I choose to actually DO something whenever I can as opposed to mumbling at the voice in my head when someone needs help?

Why should anyone be sad I give credit to the police, the soldiers, the doctors and other professionals, other PEOPLE, who do something nice instead of giving credit to a nonexistent being? You know, the people who ACTUALLY put the time in to learn their profession?

Why should I be sad I no longer carry Christian guilt for the "sin" of being human? Or the christian "never good enough, only God is" complex?

Should I be sad I have to take responsibility for my own deeds, as opposed to "praying the guilt away" if I do something wrong?

Should I be sad I do believe in the equality of all people, man, woman, regardless of race or sexual orientation?

Hell no. I'm not sad. If anything, I'm sad you've decided to stay chained to that ancient bullshit.

Religion and its effects - Documentary BBC - A History of Syria (2013)

Just watch this. This region is complex, but how often do we hear this same thing - religious hatred fueling conflict.

Why? Because of two different religious leaders hundreds of years ago.
Because of a 700 year old bias against another group that "isn't really Muslem."

... If we get rid of religion, how many conflicts like this can we lower or eliminate completely?