Conversations With an Ex-Jehovah's Witness
Virushead Posts For Ex-JWSLink: Blatant Misquotes In The Origin Of Life Booklet
By The Atheist Geek | August 30, 2010
Ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses who really dug into the Society’s old Creation Book (like myself) will appreciate Blatant misquotes in the Origin of Life booklet. The rest of the web site looks like it might be interesting for ex-Witnesses, too … if they speak it’s language, that is. But this article is in English.
Thanks to Copernic (as he’s known on JWD) for the article. He is looking for proofreaders to make sure his English is good. Maybe we can give him a hand by posting comments here.
Note that those curious about the honesty behind creationist literature can often contact any scientists, or other sources, being quoted by doing a simple internet search. I did this with the Creation Book to see if the critics were telling the truth when they said the quotes were misleading. They were right, of course. What you typically find is that the source’s words were taken out of context, or the source wasn’t qualified as an authority on the subject.
Enjoy.
Topics: Ex-Jehovah's Witnesses, XJW News and Links | 4 Comments »
One Month Left To Enter CFI’s Campaign For Free Expression Video Contest!
By The Atheist Geek | August 21, 2010
Check this out. I got this email from the Center For Inquiry about their Free Expression Video Contest:
The right to freely express oneself is vital in a modern society.
We would like you to tell the world why.
As part of the Center for Inquiry’s Campaign for Free Expression , our Public Service Announcement Video Contest is underway.
Example videos can be found on our CFI Youtube page
:
Participation is easy: create a short public service announcement style video about the importance of free expression, upload the video to YouTube, and tag it with “Campaign for Free Expression Video Contest”. Videos must be submitted by September 20th, 2010, and on International Blasphemy Rights Day, September 30th, 2010, we will announce the top three winners.
Third place will get $500,
second place gets $1,000,
and first place walks away with $2,000.
Please see the full instructions and rules
before creating your entry.
Help spread the word! Find the Campaign for Free Expression on Facebook
.
For more information, or if you have any questions, please visit www.centerforinquiry.net/campaign_for_free_expression/ or email videocontest@centerforinquiry.net.
©2010 Center for Inquiry
· 3965 Rensch Road · Amherst, NY 14228
(716) 636-4869 · info@centerforinquiry.net
Topics: Announcements, Atheist News and Links, Secular Atheist | No Comments »
News And Links For Atheists: From Hitchens on Cancer Diagnosis-”Why not me?”
By The Atheist Geek | August 9, 2010
VIDEO: Hitchens on cancer diagnosis: ‘Why not me?’
AUDIO: Atheist Experience Podcast
They talk about this somewhat disturbing article at length in the podcast, which discusses the (supposed) agnostic views on atheism. Note that the article’s title and subtitle go as follows: An Agnostic Manifesto-At least we know what we don’t know. Yes, kind of a smart ass about it. The folks in the podcast point out that many people totally get atheism wrong. The author of the article is one of them.
I’ve noticed that some agnostics have a problem with atheists, especially since many of us consider them to be atheists or wimpy atheists. Dudes … chill. Most atheists aren’t rabid bulldogs, ya know.
VIDEO: A Conversation Between Richard Dawkins and Stephen Hawking
VIDEO: Theory of Mind – Robert Seyfarth, the Richard Dawkins Foundation
The Associated Press: Far from ground zero, opponents fight new mosques
Muslims trying to build houses of worship in the nation’s heartland, far from the heated fight in New York over plans for a mosque near ground zero, are running into opponents even more hostile and aggressive.
And, on a similar note… Fla. church organizing Sept. 11 burning of Quran
From Debunking Christianity: My Best Substantive Posts So Far in 2010
Belief is about truth, not feelings
Belief isn’t a wormhole to knowledge about God – it’s a cognitive function that should be flexible and open to correction
Debunking the Myth that Atheism is a Religion
It is suggested by many people that Atheism is a religion. Applying the definition of religion toward atheism is an oxymoron and I concur with others who have come to the conclusion that the religious are are so caught up in their own beliefs that imagining another person without having any religious beliefs is largely incomprehensible to them. Either that or they simply don’t care that what they are stating lacks any sense. Those who claim that atheism is a religion do not have a clear understanding of what atheism is, and when religious terms are used to describe atheism, it is the always the beginning of the end of a sensible argument.
From Austin Cline’s Mailbag: Childish Atheism
It takes maturity and experimentation to move past the childish and immature arguments of atheism. Atheist are the “living dead” for the most part. You can stay if you like, it’s ok.
The living dead? Sweet! Let’s say it together: braaaaaaaaaaaaaaains!
I have my Google News page set to capture articles on Atheism, among other things. Every day I get as many articles as I can stand about Atheism, among other things. Over the months I have noticed a trend among the Atheist related articles, towards labeling Atheist as “angry”. This trend is followed closely by soulless, depressed, monsters and variants – you can guess which type of “news” sources these come from. Mr Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins are often the targets of the accusation “angry Atheist.”
I have watched many an Atheist debate that included Mr. Hitchens and Dawkins, so I am pretty familiar with their approach and demeanor. After giving this allot of thought and going back over how I personally debate, I have come the conclusion the accusation is overall (only a fool claims to never get angry), without merit. What also became clear to me is the reason behind the accusation.
Deceptive Apologetic Strategies
Have You Signed Up for Skepticon?
Protest the Pope Film Season 13
A Letter From A House Divided: Atheist vs. Christian
I’ve been asked many times about the dynamics of being an Anti-Theist married to a Christian and I’ve written about my personal experiences a few times in various venues. I’ve received a lot of letters, emails and comments from many of you describing your experiences in “unequally yoked” marriages and they ran the gamut from living a peaceful co-existence to what amounts to a war zone. Unfortunately, most of these stories reveal an unpleasant reality and some of you have written to me to tell that the end result had been divorce. The reasons that many of you have given in your communications are not surprising, but they are no less disturbing. This brings me to Randy. He sent me a rather long letter a few days ago that took me quite a while to get through, and after asking his permission, I will tell you his story.
Psychic Offers Up Vatican Tabernacle for a Mere $22,000.00
Drakar Druella just wanted a palm reading, but later down the line after paying out the starting fee of $265.00 to psychic Cathy Stevens, he found himself paying for his own personal tabernacle, direct from the Vatican. And it only cost him $22,000.000! What a steal. Drakar is now bankrupt to the tune of somewhere near $150,000.000 and going on record to warn others not to waste their money on phony psychics. Good for you Drakar!
Topics: Atheist News and Links, Secular Atheist | No Comments »
News and Links For Ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses: How I obtained my personal files from Bethel…
By The Atheist Geek | July 23, 2010
How I obtained my personal files from Bethel using the Australian Privacy Act 1988
The Watchtower Society collects and stores a variety of records regarding its followers which are retained even after a member requests to be no longer considered a Jehovah’s Witness. Included are publisher report cards, pioneer applications, and letters to the body of elders when a person moves congregation. In particular, records of judicial committee cases are stored regarding the investigation and discipline of “sins”. This account is divided into two parts. The first details the lengthy process I undertook to gain access to my personal records from Bethel, including scans of the legal correspondence. The second part includes scans of the information Bethel holds on file, with a brief description of the background behind each form or letter.
Recovery from Mormonism – the Mormon Church
A site for those who are Questioning their faith in the Mormon Church And for those who need support As they transition their lives to a normal life. We are not affiliated with any religion and we do not advocate any religion.
MP3s !!! 2010-2011 DC TALKS (1), WatchTower SocietyJWD Real Deal on Watchtower Properties
The Real Deal looks at the Watchtower’s Brooklyn Heights real estate holdings and speculates how much the organization could make once it decides to put its remaining properties here on the market:
How Jehovah’s Witness Help Battered Wives
Spiritual Abuse 12 question checklist
Prince – world exclusive interview: Peter Willis goes inside the star’s secret world
For those who are into famous Jehovah’s Witnesses…
And, to a fellow ex-Witness turned atheist blogger, Moxie, best wishes to you. Sorry for the bad news. (She knows why…) Luckily, you have a lot of friends online to help you get through the tough times. For everyone else, if you’re a former Jehovah’s Witness and haven’t been to Moxie’s ex-Witness site, check it out. There are plenty of new friends over there waiting for you.
Finally, a side note for the regulars: Faabo (one of those news/”buzz” sites) has added Atheist Geek News to their list of atheist sites. Cool. Well, for me it is…
Topics: Ex-Jehovah's Witnesses, XJW News and Links | No Comments »
Review: Inception
By The Atheist Geek | July 18, 2010
|
|
Like most of you, I was hooked by the buzz over Inception. Shots of Leonardo DiCaprio talking about entering people’s dreams, dudes fist fighting while floating in air, and buildings colliding over a cool soundtrack made my eyebrows go up. It was all very Matrix-like. Only Inception reminded me of the first Matrix, not the crappy ones that came later. So, despite the lack of a stripper pole or hot leading ladies (Ellen Page looks like an underdeveloped 14 year old to me) I wanted to see it. Hell, even my wife wanted to see it. Then the reviews finally came in from Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes. Both showed that the critics loved it. That put it over the top: we were go for Inception!
So, with the sun just 6 inches from our heads and nothing to protect us from its blistering rays save my beloved Chrysler, we headed off to the movies. All I could do was hope that it was worth it. Well, I was also hoping the car’s air conditioner would cope with the 5,000 degree heat. But that’s beside the point.
Bet I know what you’re thinking. Was Inception worth the sweltering heat, or did it suck like that family get together at the state prison last year?
Topics: Geek Entertainment, Geek Review | 1 Comment »
News and Links for Atheists: A cancer diagnosis suspends Christopher Hitchens’ book tour
By The Atheist Geek | July 11, 2010
A cancer diagnosis suspends Christopher Hitchens’ book tour
Holy crap! I can’t believe I didn’t hear about this sooner.
VIDEO: Christopher Hitchens reviews ‘The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ’
Logo Designers: We need your help!
The producers, working behind the scenes of the Skeptologists TV series and other related TV projects needs the assistance of a talented graphic designer to help us create a new logo.
Here’s your chance to hit the big time. Well, sorta.
Billboard seeks to tell non-believers: you are not alone
The billboard isn’t meant to mock religion or even deny the existence of God, says Rhoades, the coordinator of the coalition. It’s a message to folks out there who don’t believe: There are other people who think like you. You, too, can find a community.
VIDEO: A Conversation Between Richard Dawkins and Stephen Hawking
Atheist-agnostic coalition promotes its patriotism
A statewide coalition of atheists and agnostics has placed billboards in six cities, including Winston-Salem, to show that the nonreligious also are patriotic, including one along a parkway named for a famous evangelist.
The sign in Winston-Salem is on Business 40 near Kernersville.
The sign is sponsored by the Forsyth Area Critical Thinkers and the Forsyth County Chapter of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. It shows an American flag in the background and the words “One Nation Indivisible.”
The words “Under God,” are left out, organizers of the campaign say.
What Atheist Should Be on Obama’s Faith Advisory Council?
President Obama has a “President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships” consisting of 25 people. They help advise the Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
Strikingly, there are no atheists on the Council.
There are Jews, Catholics, Protestants, Episcopalians, Methodists, Baptists, Muslims, Interfaith-supporters… but no non-theists.
My Answers to a Question People Often Ask Me About Atheism and Homelessness
Seems that people think her problems are her just rewards for being an atheist. I keep waiting to hear the same sorta crap about my migraines. ::Sigh::
A quiet place for free thinkers on the Internet
If you just want to see his site, it’s here.
Creation, the 2009 film about Darwin starring Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connolly, will be available on DVD and for digital download on June 29, 2010. In her review of Creation at The Panda’s Thumb blog, NCSE’s executive director Eugenie C. Scott described it as “a thoughtful, well-made film that will change many views of Darwin held by the public — for the good.”
GodBlock is a web filter that blocks religious content. It is targeted at parents and schools who wish to protect their kids from the often violent, sexual, and psychologically harmful material in many holy texts, and from being indoctrinated into any religion before they are of the age to make such decisions. When installed properly, GodBlock will test each page that your child visits before it is loaded, looking for passages from holy texts, names of religious figures, and other signs of religious propaganda. If none are found, then your child is allowed to browse freely.
An Abundance of Amusing Apocalypticism
As a former Jehovah’s Witness, I know nothing about this.
After years of silence, Nate Phelps faces off with his anti-gay father
The father, the son, and a whole of lot ghosts: with the controverisal pastor Fred Phelps as a father, Nate’s upbringing resulted in a journey to atheism
On a related note, some may also find this link interesting.
PZ Myers on Kenneth J. Howell and Hate Speech
Mark Twain’s view of Christianity revealed
Sinead O’Connor No Longer Alone In Church Protest
In a 1992 appearance on Saturday Night Live, Sinead O’Connor sang an a cappella version of the Bob Marley song “War,” but substituted the word “racism” with “child abuse” in protest of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. What she did at the end of the song shocked viewers: She held up a picture of Pope John Paul II and ripped it in two.
Eighteen years later, amid continuing revelations of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, O’Connor’s anger is matched by the public worldwide. A Facebook page has even been started called “Apologize to Sinead O’Connor NOW.”
Martin Gardner’s Signs of a Crank
When recreational mathematician Martin Gardner died earlier this year, he left us a huge number of books. One of these is called Fads & Fallacies in the Name of Science. In his first chapter, Gardner went into some depth on characterizing cranks. Cranks are folks whom I encounter quite frequently in my work on Skeptoid; not only from the side promoting pseudoscience, but also from the side of skeptics. I find that a few skeptics are little different methodologically from the pseudoscientists they so fervently argue against, and so I believe it’s of great value to everyone to familiarize himself with Gardner’s list.
Hate Speech Comments – Almost Always Anonymous
Yeah, weird, isn’t it? I tend to get comments from people offended on behalf of Jehovah’s Witnesses who never respond when I leave my reaction to their posts. Kinda like getting a shotgun blast to the face, only they scamper off before you can hit’em back…or before you can present them with the aftermath of their knee jerk reactions. Nice.
‘Star Trek’ franchise an homage to humanist philosophy
At least it used to be. I think Trek slowly moved away from Roddenberry’s original atheist ideals over the years.
Topics: Ex-Jehovah's Witnesses, XJW News and Links | 2 Comments »
Billy, The Creepy-Ass Spider That Lives Under My Desk
By The Atheist Geek | July 5, 2010
I realize this isn’t my usual AGN fodder of choice, but between my computer problems, migraines, and nitpicking through my own private little essay about the Watchtower Society, I didn’t do much here online last month. So tough nipples. Here we go.
|
|
I was at work about a month ago (I try to show up at least twice a week so they’ll keep me around) and started cleaning up around my desk. I was sweeping when I noticed a big-ass spider just sitting there by a bug trap. He had one leg leaning against the entrance, waiting for something to come out so he could chow down. (I don’t think Billy understands how bug traps work.) He was taking a drag off a cigarette with another leg when he noticed me. “Sup,” he said, then went back to work as a tiny plume of blue smoke wafted to the top of my desk. Well, at least now I knew where that damn smell was coming from.
Anyway, I decided to leave Billy alone for a while. That’s his name, by the way. Don’t question how I know such things. Anyhow, I waited an hour and Billy was still there. I was afraid to look, but I could hear him puffing away. “Dammit, Billy!” I thought. “I’ve got work to do. Can’t you hang out by another bug trap?”
Don’t get me wrong. I could see that Billy had it tough. He had one leg missing and was probably an Ex-Jehovah’s Witness or something. I could tell because he was still wearing a tie and he had a flaming ball of old brochures he was using to keep his cigarettes lit. He had placed it behind the trap, presumably to drive something out so he could catch it in his mouth. Damn clever, I have to say. Poor little fella. His choosing my desk to hide under kinda made me feel … well … sorta special. I don’t have many friends, ya know.
Topics: Announcements, Personal, Stories | 3 Comments »
« Previous Entries