tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.comments2013-08-21T03:23:32.748-05:00Liberal Atheist HippieLiberalAtheistHippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126228320628970855noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-63044155066223418702013-08-21T03:23:32.748-05:002013-08-21T03:23:32.748-05:00Literally one of the best blog posts I have ever r...Literally one of the best blog posts I have ever read in my life. I'm just astonished by the beauty in this post. It is beyond amazing. I want everyone on this planet to be able to read this and just understand the life and thoughts of an Atheist. I completely agree and can relate to everything you've said here. I'm young, so I still have a lot to learn, I admit. I'm fortunate to not have been stuck under the trap of religion. I've lived my whole life without the "fear" of god, but what's worse than that is living in a world almost full to the brim of theistic people and having your opinion never heard or fully understood by a massive majority of humanity.<br /><br />But I am young, and have much to learn. But what I do know is that everything you've written here, is RIGHT. I know for a fact that if every single person on this planet shared yours and mine ideologies and strong sense of morals, this planet would truly be a happy place. I am lucky to be here, to experience life and hopefully be able to enjoy it and share my joy with other people. As I grow I learn more and more about people, and this planet, and I know humanity is not always pleasant. That's why I often turn to nature, which is really the answer to everything. Nature is so simple, but so incredibly powerful. It's life itself. I try to appreciate everything that I have, my family, friends, my good fortune, and especially the world around me. I love being able to think clearly and being able to question things. I want that. I'd much rather be right and most people think I'm wrong than be wrong and have most people think I'm right. (Haha, that's a good quote there. :P I should write that down....)<br /><br />Anyway. Enough of that. I just wanted to say thank you for making this post and I highly appreciate you sharing this with the world. I hope you're doing well and I wish the best for you and to the ones you love. Continue to inspire and change the way the world thinks! We need more people like you to voice their opinion and change the world's view on things.<br /><br />And since you finished off with a great quote, I will as well:<br /><br />“For me, I am driven by two main philosophies: know more today about the world than I knew yesterday and lessen the suffering of others. You'd be surprised how far that gets you.” <br />-Neil deGrasse Tyson Turnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01418157585496645071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-51875070581143728142013-07-16T00:05:46.360-05:002013-07-16T00:05:46.360-05:00Rebecca, I so wish you could be here, too! Hoping...Rebecca, I so wish you could be here, too! Hoping video will turn up at some point... :)LiberalAtheistHippiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02126228320628970855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-26997906492101139132013-07-15T20:53:41.399-05:002013-07-15T20:53:41.399-05:00I'm glad it's been a positive experience f...I'm glad it's been a positive experience for you -- I wish I could be there to see the show!Rebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13985776523945417578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-77932863865425809102012-03-29T15:35:35.606-05:002012-03-29T15:35:35.606-05:00Thanks, snicketmom! I'm glad I was able to sh...Thanks, snicketmom! I'm glad I was able to share it with you as well. Cheers!LiberalAtheistHippiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02126228320628970855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-86266025902235536702012-03-29T15:29:31.834-05:002012-03-29T15:29:31.834-05:00I just read all three of your posts and really enj...I just read all three of your posts and really enjoyed your summary and analysis, and sharing of the personal meanings to you. I'm so glad to have shared this experience with you and share many of your sentiments. I'm so glad I went too.snicketmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07487153057136367343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-86095253842812233792011-03-17T22:23:56.501-05:002011-03-17T22:23:56.501-05:00Aha! Interesting twist! Will ponder that a bit. ...Aha! Interesting twist! Will ponder that a bit. I think maybe it is similar to the other side of things where some think that way but the majority probably doesn't. I donated before even reading any blogs. Generally any time I see a disaster of this magnitude, my first act is to send cash. I also have an automated monthly donation through Foundation Beyond Belief. I set it up because it seemed irrational to send money only when there is a crisis in the news when people are suffering every day. I don't think I had an ulterior motive when I signed up but I do like knowing that it is clear that the donations come from non-believers. Perhaps all altruism is inherently selfish. Thanks for getting my brain going!LiberalAtheistHippiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02126228320628970855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-47915586122136483532011-03-17T22:16:58.572-05:002011-03-17T22:16:58.572-05:00I find that to be a very good, philosophical quest...I find that to be a very good, philosophical question. I would delve more deeply, but I have so much Pharyngula to catch up on! I think some slight modifications to your own statements will express an idea I have:<br /><br />"Certainly most [atheists] feel compelled as I do to help their fellow humans but many are donating solely because their [bloggers] told them they should. Some might even think it will help them [convince the world that atheists aren't evil]. My first thought on this type of donation is that it is a meaningless act and may even be considered to be an act of cowardice. Do they think that [others] would not know that they were not donating out of the goodness of their hearts? Is it only ultimately out of fear of [being stereotyped] that they do good deeds?"Luc Duvalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06232346813098798037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-51308402080585019292011-03-16T08:58:58.738-05:002011-03-16T08:58:58.738-05:00Not sure how familiar you are with my blog, but I ...Not sure how familiar you are with my blog, but I clearly don't care if I offend people (I kind of enjoy the odd hate mail, to be honest, great fodder for posts). But honestly, you can easily not offend anyone, especially since you'll be contrasted against people who are going out of their way to be crude.<br /><br />Then again, some people are just offended by asking simple questions or even suggesting that their imaginary comfort blanket in the sky isn't real.<br /><br />I'll probably check in regularly because I'm slowly growing tired of name-calling contests with atheist conservatives (I was frankly shocked to see how many there were... who knew you could get one thing like so right and another so wrong?).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02504734487692109101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-91221769772497622352011-03-16T06:48:02.404-05:002011-03-16T06:48:02.404-05:00Hi! I love your writing style. Your political post...Hi! I love your writing style. Your political posts are sometimes a bit over my head, but I enjoy reading your ideas on religion. I am horrendously inconsistent with my reading of blogs, mainly because I'm aware that I can get very time-consumingly involved... So please don't take any lack of interaction on my part as lack of interest! I admire anyone who manages to write a regular blog, especially when it's about such important issues. I haven't even got around to contributing anything to ours yet! :D Keep up the good work!<br />ElaineThe Rational Pixieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10811476348822181122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-8453296602055081112011-03-16T06:10:00.918-05:002011-03-16T06:10:00.918-05:00Thanks so much for your insights, Bret! I'm t...Thanks so much for your insights, Bret! I'm trying to find a balance between rage and enlightenment and get out my thoughts without pissing off too many people that I care about. Not entirely sure that's possible but we'll see...LiberalAtheistHippiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02126228320628970855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-21001682867586391052011-03-15T23:27:41.083-05:002011-03-15T23:27:41.083-05:00My best advice is post anything and expect nothing...My best advice is post anything and expect nothing back. The reality isn't that grim, but it takes some times before you get regulars reading and interacting on the blog.<br /><br />Some people say you should follow more people or comment on more blogs or join blogging groups, and I suppose that doesn't hurt, but usually it's just a matter of time before like minded individuals find their way over and check your stuff regularly.<br /><br />Even people with 400+ followers post stuff for a week sometimes without a comment, while other people have 15 followers and get over 10 comments per post. I'm not sure there's a formula, although nudity or tales of horrible past experiences seem to be the most popular, followed by food blogs. But political and religious/atheist blogs do okay.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02504734487692109101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-2037899149723496122011-03-14T21:44:21.079-05:002011-03-14T21:44:21.079-05:00Thanks, tuff517. Don't think of yourself as a...Thanks, tuff517. Don't think of yourself as a bad Christian; think of yourself as a good person. I also respect an individual's right to believe as they choose but when someone tries to indoctrinate my child or legislate Christianity or justify horrific acts with a holy book, I get pretty upset. If all Christians were moderates, there would certainly be a lot less debate. I have many friends and family members who are Christian and I love them dearly. As you say, there is much more to people than their ideas of religion.LiberalAtheistHippiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02126228320628970855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-63607674206589708382011-03-14T21:16:58.242-05:002011-03-14T21:16:58.242-05:00I'm not an atheist, but I still respect your b...I'm not an atheist, but I still respect your beliefs (or non-beliefs?). I feel like a bad Christian because I don't put on this act of how awesome I am and how I never sin and how people who sin are horrible people. And I won't try to convert you. And I'm not going to not like you if you don't believe in God because there's so much more to people than their ideas of religion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-63792563583302064942011-03-14T21:03:47.227-05:002011-03-14T21:03:47.227-05:00Bret - great points! I heard an interview with Pe...Bret - great points! I heard an interview with Pete Stark on the Freethought Radio podcast. It's too bad there aren't more as outspoken as him. I wasn't aware the Biden's replacement was an atheist - is that Kaufman? <br />Deanna - I'm kind of surprised. From here in the USA, my image of New Zealand and Australia are pretty much atheist utopias, which, in comparison, they kind of are. ;)LiberalAtheistHippiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02126228320628970855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-30589951263578737892011-03-14T20:42:33.237-05:002011-03-14T20:42:33.237-05:00Even in New Zealand, which is largely "lazy a...Even in New Zealand, which is largely "lazy agnostic", people get distressed when I tell them I'm an atheist. I live with a Muslim and a Christian, so dinnertime conversation about religion can be awkward - even though they believe in different things, they both believe in something...which I clearly don't.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-7449129335486791392011-03-14T20:12:12.262-05:002011-03-14T20:12:12.262-05:00I think being an atheist is like being part of the...I think being an atheist is like being part of the greatest untapped minority. There are more atheists in America than there are black people, gay people, Jewish people, gun owners... the list is very long. In fact, even by the most conservative estimates (in both senses of the word), there is only one singular religious group larger than non-believers in America, Catholics.<br /><br />And yet, we have only a handful of representatives who openly admit to being atheists (I suspect there's quite a few "in the closet," in more ways than one), and only one Senator... who was not even elected, he was selected to replace Biden when he became the VP.<br /><br />I think it's just a matter of being open about it and not being afraid to stand up to the loud, boisterous individuals who are drunk on faith. I guess that's what blogging is about.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02504734487692109101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-13539973459728831572011-03-11T16:46:21.071-06:002011-03-11T16:46:21.071-06:00I agree OptiPess. The labor protests are hearteni...I agree OptiPess. The labor protests are heartening but the majority of Americans are still sleeping. Let's hope they wake up soon.LiberalAtheistHippiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02126228320628970855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-14631455325658440602011-03-11T16:20:43.599-06:002011-03-11T16:20:43.599-06:00This is situation is beyond words to describe. I c...This is situation is beyond words to describe. I can't believe that people are allowing this to be done to them.OptiPesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15790862604819401779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-89168108812289360932011-03-08T21:11:22.024-06:002011-03-08T21:11:22.024-06:00Thanks so much for the encouragement! I will try ...Thanks so much for the encouragement! I will try to stay away from the aggression and ignorance!LiberalAtheistHippiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02126228320628970855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-68715973036842120092011-03-07T07:50:14.731-06:002011-03-07T07:50:14.731-06:00Yay! I read your posts from latest to earliest, bu...Yay! I read your posts from latest to earliest, but I like 'em and I'm glad you're writing because it's great to read intelligent writing that is unapologetic without being aggressively ignorant. Or ignorantly aggressive. ~DixieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-78022188536420600842011-03-06T20:58:12.489-06:002011-03-06T20:58:12.489-06:00Thanks for the kind words, Dixie! Glad you enjoye...Thanks for the kind words, Dixie! Glad you enjoyed the post!LiberalAtheistHippiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02126228320628970855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-47850395755049644432011-03-06T20:40:17.391-06:002011-03-06T20:40:17.391-06:00This is a very revealing post. It shows that you a...This is a very revealing post. It shows that you are a very tolerant person, you're not afraid to stand up for your beliefs, and that some people involved in education have respect for all views. Very well written and insightful! ~DixieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885591691121012077.post-40975082339122310812011-03-04T23:25:11.982-06:002011-03-04T23:25:11.982-06:00I think what pisses me off the most about all of t...I think what pisses me off the most about all of this is the teachers. If there's one thing you don't do, you don't go after the people that go in there every day and work 15 hour days teaching our kids.<br /><br />I would go on but Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe's character on The West Wing) has described it so eloquently here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND_a8rA67VATheSchmaranzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11369194680179019150noreply@blogger.com