cjla1987 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Some secular thoughts spoils our world. This guy's definition of Secularism sounds fantastic, but is that what it really is? I have heard some secular thoughts that they made me sick to my stomach.

BeatBuddy (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

You remind me of Voltaire, who was also raised by Jesuits, but had an unusually strong mind, and was able to unleash himself from mental slavery.

LostFREEDOM (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

As a life long indoctrinate Jesuit from the age of 5 . prepairing to serve the cloth, i made my way to the Vatican , i learned at the age of 23 it was all a delusional lie.I bare witness to the millions of murders around the globe by religion in the name of God. Religion is a form of delusional madness, almost requiering man to belive in something, Mans unreal fear of death and beign alone.

cjwaldie (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

You are absolutely right! God is unkowable...unless...He choses to reveal Himself. What if God showed himself as a creator by putting design and information in the universe? What if God became a man and demonstrated power over nature and even death. I have never seen, heard, touched or smelt the builder of my house. But I'm pretty confident he exists.

Aufhetzer (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

As for "coming out" as an atheist, it seems a really appropriate way to phrase it because we are even more of an unaccepted minority than gay people and it is about as hard to just say- but on the bright side I now have about 3-4 people on my job that are asking me questions and it gives me a chance to appeal to their reason and pull some more "weeds"

Aufhetzer (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

now we talk about it from time to time, but he often asks questions and all I have to do is answer or point the way to the answer... It also helps that I know a guy from Canada who writes his own programs and he and I are collaborating on a website for the promotion of freethought, so I can often write things there for my son to find on his own- he knows they are his dad's writings, but it is my way of passing info to him without "preaching"...

Aufhetzer (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

That's cool, Its good to run across some kindred spirits in a world full of delusional people. My son is an atheist as well, and I didn't have to indoctrinate him at all- I just left a few books sticking out slightly from the others on my bookshelf and made a few well placed comments about religion without expounding on it too much and let his natural curiosity and intelligence run their course...

elvismilk (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Your words and thoughts are mine also. I just shake my head. I tell people my son is an atheist, and no joke, they look at me and say,"I can't believe you are indoctrinating him." I say hello, folks who indoctinates whose children? And also you describing it as coming out, that's exactly my wording, currently I am in heated discussions with three Christian friends, and willing to belittle those who believe 2+2=5

Aufhetzer (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I havent had alot of time to really read anything lately... my son has left for the Military within the last few days and I have been trying to cope with that-plus I have recently been in a lot of debates at my work because I have recently come out about being an atheist and there are a lot of people looking to fight with me-as if "god" will bless their violent souls for being just like him (in their perception) I really thought as an adult that people would outgrow that kind of shit

elvismilk (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Are you reading a book you recommend right now? I have many to recommend, but modern authors just to name two , are James Morrow's "Towing Jehovah" and Daniel Quinn's "Ishmael" and "My Ishmael" they have both written other good books but those I know you cannot enjoy.