Think Atheist Book Club

Cover of The God Delusion

I am not sure how many of my readers are members of Think Atheist, but for those that are or may be interested in joining they have just started a book club. The first book on the agenda is The God Delusion. The preface and the first chapter are slated to be discussed Sunday, March 22nd.

I have already read this book, but I am planning on reading it again. The first time that I read it, when I started, I wasn't ready to call myself an atheist. By the end though I had my answer. This was a life changing book for me and I am excited to read it again now that I have been an atheist for 2 years.

Naming Computers and a Server

Image via Wikipedia

We currently have a naming scheme of atheist metaphors for our computers. It all started when I named my laptop Teapot after Bertrand Russell's teapot analogy. Then we decided to call our new computers Unicorn and Monster after The Invisible Pink Unicorn and The Flying Spaghetti Monster. Then the computer that we run Myth TV on is going to be called Hank after the story Kissing Hank's Ass. All we have left to name is a server that needs to mesh well with this theme, but I can't think of another name that would fit in. So, I am turning to you guys I know you are brilliant and will help me. Thanks a million!

Dawkins Lecture

Image via Wikipedia

As many of you know I went to see Richard Dawkins speak at the Wharton Center on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing yesterday. The title of his lecture was "The Purpose of Purpose". When we arrived we were greeted just outside the door by fundies passing out fliers which basically just had a bunch of the same worn out crap that they think proves their invisible man is real. I might share some of this in a later post; some of the wording is good for a few laughs. Anyway, after that we made our way into the building and up to the center of the second to last row in the huge auditorium and waited for Dawkins to start.

His lecture began with how natural selection isn't bullshit and how even though some think Intelligent Design is correct, they are most certainly wrong. To elaborate on this point, he played the following video by Ray Comfort.



After the laughter died down, he then went into how animals in the wild are survival machines and basically everything they do is so that they survive and pass on their genes. He then pointed out how humans are different and we do things that actually hurt our chances of passing on our DNA, such as adopting other peoples' kids or using contraception. We have goals beyond just surviving and passing on our genes. He then explained that this is due to the fact that our brains have evolved to be flexible, and therefore we are able to change our goals away from just survival mode. He also showed that we weren't the only ones to change our minds about our goals. Sheep dogs have done the same thing, which is evident when you see that the way that they herd sheep and the way that wolves hunt their prey are identical.

He then gave examples of ways that we have subverted our goals in the areas of hunger, sex, parental roles and a few other areas. After that there was a short question and answer period. There really weren't any really hard questions or questions that I felt were particularly insightful.

Overall I felt that this was a great lecture and was very happy that I had the chance to go. The only thing that I have to complain about was the fact that the audio wasn't delayed properly so we heard a major echo effect that, coupled with Dawkins' thick accent, made it difficult to hear parts of the lecture.

I hope that those of you that have yet to see Dawkins live will get the chance to do so when he is in your neck of the woods.

New Cat

We adopted another cat from the Humane Society. This time it was a 1 year old female and we named her Phoenix (thanks to dreid for the name suggestion). She is very playful and her and Apollo are getting along great. I know that isn't the greatest picture, but she will barely sit still for a moment. We now have 3 cats which I am being told by my husband that means I am on the border of becoming "the crazy cat lady". I don't really mind the title, but we are going to be giving Gemini to my brother-in-law because when we took her there on vacation she seemed to really like being the only cat in the place. It will be sad to see her go, but I know that she will be happier.

Now for a bit of advertisement for the Humane Society. If you are ever looking for a new pet go to the humane society. Depending on your location they may have more than just cats and dogs so keep that in mind if you are in the mood for a more exotic pet. Now more than ever the shelters need your help. Most of them are over populated because of the economy which just puts more stress on the animals. So please if you can afford to take in just one animal do it, every single animal deserves to have a home.

God in Public Schools

Image via Wikipedia

My head is hurting after reading this article form One News Now. Here are some of the highlights.

"God has become THE four-letter word in most public schools in the United States," says Whitehead, founder of The Rutherford Institute. And he explains in a commentary why that has come to pass: "An elite segment of society that views God as irrelevant has come to predominate."

Hint they are public schools! That means that many people of all different faiths are going to attend them and they all have the right to an education free of bullshit. Don't try to pull that crap about being silenced you guys still are more than welcome to gather in churches and enjoy a host of other special privileges because of your imaginary friend.

"What's happened is [that] the elitists -- the people who run American society, from the public education system to certain governmental institutions and figures -- have basically decided that God is irrelevant to public discussion," says Whitehead during an interview with OneNewsNow.

There is this thing called separation of church and state, ever heard of it? Also, God is talked about a lot in public discussions, watch the news, or read a newspaper it seems like they are always talking about God, religion, churches or a miracle of some sort.

Now for the best part some of the comments:

If God is a four-letter word in public schools, perhaps the schools should spend more time teaching spelling and less time teaching "intelligent design."

It is the parents' duty to educate children about religion, not the schools. In a melting pot country where many religions are practiced and where even those who call themselves Christians do not always agree, it is counter productive to the things school is supposed to teach: reading, writing, math, science, history, civics, etcs.

Maybe it's the fact that there can be no state-sponsored religion. If we teach about God, then we have to teach about Allah, Shiva, Zeus, and Flying Spaghetti Monster too. Isn't it more efficient to let parents handle teaching their kids religion at home?

"Whitehead believes that what exists now in America is akin to the old Soviet Union and China, where it is religious believers fending off the state." Sounds to me like he needs to crack open a history book. Are believers being killed en masse? Are they being driven off of their land by a governmental force? Aren't they free to meet openly in public, when and where ever they want? This is nothing like China or the USSR.

Thinking

Image via

I have been thinking about getting my own domain and running wordpress. In addition to a blog I was thinking the new site could also have a forum, photo and video galleries, as well as a section that has my reading list with a way for viewers to submit books that maybe I have overlooked.

So, what do you guys think? Is there anything else that I should add to it?

Lonely

Recently I have been getting really lonely. Between deconverting and moving away from where I grew up I have lost all my friends, except for my husband. I have tried to get more involved in online social networks but it isn't the same as having a someone that I can hang out with.

I am considering checking out a local UU church, but I don't think that I will be comfortable in that enviroment. I really like the fact that being an atheist means that you don't have to waste part of the weekend in church.

I have looked for atheist meet-up groups in this area and saw that there is one that meets in Livonia and another in Southfield, but most of the time their meetings conflict with my schedule so I haven't been able to get involved with them yet.

With all that said, if anyone is in the Ann Arbor area and would like to get together let me know. I need friends!