I think it’s a good idea that people read the bible and other religious texts. I’ve flipped through the bible a few times, picking things out here and there, but recently I decided that I’m going to read it from cover to cover.
Why you may ask. Well as Isaac Asimov once said, “…properly read, the bible is the most potent force for atheism ever conceived.” From what I’ve read thus far, this is most definitely true and I’ll be getting into that in some future posts.
So, I thought it appropriate that today’s atheist humor post would be about taking a look at the bible. While Ricky Gervais doesn’t really take an argumentative position while checking out Genesis, he does spin quite a lot of humorous jokes from it.
Enjoy.
Tags: Atheism, Creationism, Humor
Just a quick post to wish everyone a happy new years.
I’ll be out of town for a couple days - got tickets to go see the US-CAN World Juniors hockey game, ooh yea. So this will be my last post of 2008!
Hope you all have a great new years eve and best of luck in the new year.
Tags: Misc.
Ah an interesting question that comes up quite a bit on forums, question boards (such as Yahoo R&S) and even in “real” life. Can a Christian and an atheist date? Well… obviously they can, but the better question to ask is: can an atheist and a christian date successfully. By successfully I mean having a happy and long lasting relationship.
This is a complex question and without a doubt the answer will be different for every couple as quite a few factors come into play. So, let’s take a look at some of those things that may play a key role in determining if an atheist and christian relationship will be successful; starting with the most immediate, and to me, the largest factors. Keep in mind that this is list is not exhaustive and that not every factor will apply to every couple. More so it is an account of the factors that I have personally experienced and feel are important.
- Initial Interaction: This may be the most obvious factor but nevertheless it is a large factor and worth noting. Initial interaction is of course the immediate connection between two people. You may have heard people claim “we just clicked” when describing their first few dates. This “click” is an important agent in any relationship but the importance is accentuated when opposing beliefs come into play. If two people can’t get along, find things in common and be able to communicate with each other from the start, then there isn’t going to be much hope of success when religion comes into play. This is especially dependent on the next factor:
- Degree of Beliefs: How strong a person is a believer or a non-believer and the extent to which they portray this is probably the second largest determining factor regarding the question of whether or not a religious person and an irreligious person will have a successful relationship. If you put a militant atheist with a believer it’s bound to spell trouble. Regardless of how strong of beliefs the believer holds, they are not likely going to be able to put up with the constant arguments brought about by the militant atheist. Of course the atheist could just not bring up arguments, but that wouldn’t be very militant ;). This also works vice versa: an atheist, even an agnostic is not likely going to be able to put up with the constant preaching of a a fundamentalist say. If you’re in a relationship and are a militant atheist and your partner is a fundamentalist evangelist, I’d like to hear about how that works. Tied in closely to this factor is the next point:
- Extent to Which the Christian Follows the Bible: This is definitely a defining factor for the christian, and probably not so much for the atheist. A year or two ago I would have said it wasn’t a big deal, but I have since been enlightened by a few christians who have pointed me to the scripture below:
(2 Cor 6:14-18): 14 Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship is there between light and darkness? 15 What agreement does Christ have with Beliar? Or what does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
The first sentence pretty much sums this up and nullifies the chances of dating an atheist for any christian that actually follows this crap. I’m not sure about how it is in the U.S., but in Canada I haven’t came across many people that take this into account. I suspect most christians don’t even know this is a rule. This could depend on the next factor:
4. Family: I suspect that most atheist families wouldn’t care if someone related was dating a christian or someone of another faith. Perhaps if they were a hardcore militant atheist then they might fuss about it, but for the majority of atheist families I doubt it would be an issue. On the christian side however, it would probably often be a huge defining factor. This is due to the way a lot of christians view atheists: evil, immoral creatures set out to fornicate with their angelic family member. Ok, it might not be quite like that, but you get the point. Like with any relationship, if the family is against the partner in question, it can put a lot of strain on the relationship and in the end it might just be the ruin of it. Finally:
5. Acceptance: This is pretty self-explanatory. You may not be able to agree on beliefs, but if you can accept each others beliefs and agree to disagree without frequently battling over them, then that can go a long way.
As you can see there are a lot of determinants intricately involved and intertwined in whether or not an atheist and a christian can date successfully. This is not, by far, a complete list but it is some things which I have myself experienced as some of you may have as well. Opposing beliefs can put a real and sometimes constant strain on the relationship and some couples just aren’t meant to be.
Not to fear though, for there is hope! As the christians would probably say “god works in mystereous ways,” and well, I say it has more to do with how bad you want each other. I’ve had my catholic girlfriend for over 2 years, and I admit at times it takes hard work when it comes to the religious debate… after all, I run an atheist blog. However, we both can look past our beliefs and find a common ground as I’m sure any couple is capable of - it just takes sacrifices (and I don’t mean pinning people on crosses).
Marriage and kids are a completely different story, and thus a different post.
- The Noose
Since posting my Top 10 Sexiest Female Atheist List, I’ve had a lot of requests for a top 10 male list. So I tried my hardest to rank the guys and here is what I’ve come up with.
Hope you enjoy.
Number 11 - Mike Davis (AKA The Noose) What? I had to put myself in here…
Career: University Psychology Student
Claim to Atheism: Take my word for it.
Number 10: Sam Harris (1973-)
Career: American Author and Neuroscientist
Claim to Atheism: Author of An Atheist Manifesto
Number 9: Cillian Murphy (1976-)
Career: Irish Stage and Screen Actor
Claim to Atheism: Interviewer: “You said that your experiences on Sunshine, and particularly the time you spent with the scientists turned you from an agnostic to an atheist – what changed your perception?” Murphy: “I did a lot of reading, I spoke to those guys a lot, and I was always an agnostic, which I think is a very safe place to be in terms of your faith or lack of… It just seems to me to be irrational that there’s an omnipotent, omnipresent being who was there at the beginning, and will be there forever, it’s not logical, it doesn’t help me as a person…” April 2007 interview in Total Film (Accessed November 20, 2007)
Number 8: Derren Brown (1971-)
Career: English Psychological Illusionist and Mentalist
Claim to Atheism: Professed to being an atheist in his book Tricks of the Mind and described Bertrand Russell’s collection of essays Why I Am Not a Christian “an absolute joy.”
Number 7: Bruce Willis (1955-)
Career: American Actor
Claim to Atheism: Willis comments on religion in an interview in the July 1998 issue of George magazine. “Organized religions in general, in my opinion, are dying forms,” he says. “They were all very important when we didn’t know why the sun moved, why weather changed, why hurricanes occurred, or volcanoes happened,” he continues. “Modern religion is the end trail of modern mythology. But there are people who interpret the Bible literally. Literally!” he says incredulously. “I choose not to believe that’s the way. And that’s what makes America cool, you know?”
Number 6: Guy Pearce (1967-)
Career: English-born Australian-raised Actor
Claim to Atheism: “I’ve got a T-shirt that says, ‘Jesus saves,’ and the ’s’ in ‘Jesus’ is a big dollar sign,” he says. “I’ve worn it here [in America] and had people come up on the street and go, ‘You can’t wear that.’ People in Australia think it’s funny. I’m fascinated by religion. I don’t believe in God, but the thing I do believe in is that we’re all connected.”Actor Guy Pearce is all about the details”. latimes.com.
Number 5: Maynard James Keenan (1964-)
Career: American Singer for Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer, Winemaker
Claim to Atheism: A reader reports (Editor asks, when and where?) that “when asked about whether or not he reads The Bible, Maynard responded ‘Sure, I love fairy tales. Also evident in many songs written by him.
Number 4: Wil Anderson (1974-)
Career: Australian Comedian, Radio Presenter, and Former TV Host
Claim to Agnosticism: As an out-and-proud atheist, he asks, “If the world truly does have an intelligent design, why is everything so f—ed?”—Lallo, Michael (April 5, 2007), Wil to Succeed, The Age, Fairfax Media. Retrieved November 15, 2007.
Number 3: Hugh Laurie (1959-)
Career: English Actor, Comedian and Writer.
Claim to Atheism: “I don’t believe in God, but I have this idea that if there were a God, or destiny of some kind looking down on us, that if he saw you taking anything for granted he’d take it away. So he’ll be like: ‘You think this is going pretty well?’ Then he’ll go and send down some big disaster.” Stargazing: Heather’s angry, Jane is ill, Hugh is anxious[dead link], Kansas City Star, Wed, Oct. 31, 2007 (accessed November 1, 2007).
Number 2: Keanu Reeves (1964-)
Career: Canadian-American Actor
Claim to Atheism: “Film star Keanu Reeves, promoting his new supernatural thriller Constantine, told a South African newspaper that making the film - about demonic possession - had not caused him to embrace religion, and he still thought of himself as an atheist. “COMING OUT AS ATHEIST: IAN McEWAN & KEANU REEVES”. secularism.org.uk.”
Number 1: Trent Reznor (1965-)
Career: American Singer and Producer for Nine Inch Nails
Claim to Atheism: There are just some things that don’t seem very fair in the world, like this fucking hypocrisy of organized religion. I just don’t understand how people can blindly believe a bunch of the shit they’re fed, to believe it so that they don’t think too hard about other issues. ‘Be a good boy and you’ll go to heaven.’ If it works for you, fine, but it doesn’t work for me and that pisses me off because I kind of wish it did. (source unknown; mentioned in [Wikiquote]) Also evidence in his songs.
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Tags: Atheism, Celebrity Atheists
It’s been a while since I’ve posted (minus last nights post) as I’ve been quite busy setting up some other blogs and christmas, I admit. However, I just couldn’t miss atheist humor day. I was searching around the internet for something to post and I’ve came across the Mr. Deity episodes. There seems to be quite a few and I’m not sure how popular they are. I haven’t had the chance to watch them all but of the ones I have watched this is my favorite.
Subtle, yet point-driven and humorous.
Here is a treat for the atheist community and well, really it’s a treat for anyone. Enjoy this hilarious documentary on religion by atheist comedian Bill Maher.
*** SORRY, I HAD TO TAKE THIS DOWN ***
************TRY HERE INSTEAD***********
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I was going to wait and save this for my atheist humor post… but I think this one’s important enough to deserve a post of it’s own nature.
Support this movie and films like it: Buy It Here!
