Comments on Mildly Regarded: Religulous

Interesting stats, I would have never guessed. You...

2009-02-02T21:44:00.000-08:00

Interesting stats, I would have never guessed.

You don't need to doubt your ability to be an openly atheist politician - check out my congressman Pete Stark: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Stark he's openly atheist, very popular, and has been in office since the 70s!

nice post,thought you might find this posting amus...

2008-11-03T11:00:00.000-08:00

nice post,
thought you might find this posting amusing.

i've had lots of 'discussions' with creationists and i just can't do it anymore. if a person chooses to turn of logic (i.e their brain) in a discussion, then there's no hope.

Hey GregI remember when we used to have conversati...

2008-10-31T11:05:00.000-07:00

Hey Greg

I remember when we used to have conversations about this. I am sure that those conversations made me a more complete person too.

Just a few thoughts...

I feel lonely often too. I'm sure being an atheist in Utah is difficult, but you're not alone in feeling lonely. Try being an active Mormon who has constant conflict in his mind between compelling, rational arguments against the existence of God and good feelings associated with his admittedly irrational belief system (that's me). I think I have the heart of a Mormon and the mind of an agnostic. I don't even have any of those mystical stories that you mentioned to back up my beliefs.

It's only been in the last few years that I've realized that if there is a God, he gave me this mind that doubts that he exists sometimes, and that he doesn't want me to close it off to science and philosophy or any other triumph of human thinking.

I feel like I can relate to you more than to many people in my own faith because we don't pass judgment on each other and don't try to convince each other. (I'm not a good convincer anyway.)

Bill Maher alienates me quite a bit because I have never seen him interview anyone that represents religious thought well. I've only seen ignorant people on his show. (Haven't watched "Religulous".) Then he uses them to represent people like me who go to church but who are just as frustrated with those people as he is.

Anyway, I think it's important to distinguish between:
*fanatics/fundamentalists
*ignorant but peaceful people
*people who want to legislate their belief system onto others
*religious philanthropists
*people who go to church but don't believe
*people who believe but don't go to church
*people who sometimes believe

I could go on, but I don't think you can say "religion" and have it convey all these nuances.

Sorry for the long post. And good to find your blog!

Wow...this post was a little difficult for me to r...

2008-10-21T09:52:00.000-07:00

Wow...this post was a little difficult for me to read. It wouldn't be if I hadn't lost my mom. My precious, loving, angelic mom. And here I am, sitting here and can't stop the tears from coming. (having an emotional day anyway) I feel like I can't survive this life without her, there's just no way. But if I didn't believe I would see her again, that there was a greater purpose I would have left this world right along with her the day she did, that horrible awful day that I cannot erase from my mind. But I know I have to see her again...that person who gave me life...who loved me...my best friend. I know she still exists because I have felt her, and I know she wouldn't leave me all alone without her in this horrible place. Without religion I would not be here living right now I promise you that. I miss her. Sorry, I probably have no right to leave a comment. Just feeling especially sad and vulnerable at the moment. Faith is the only thing getting me through this...and even with that I'm not doing well. Love you to death Greg always will. I think you are one of the sweetest people I have ever met and always will. Thanks for your comments on my blog. -Shannon-

Love your posts . . . and, as you know, I love you...

2008-10-11T16:11:00.000-07:00

Love your posts . . . and, as you know, I love you no matter what you believe or don't believe. As I have often told you, my religion is love without condition, and to keep fear out of the equation. The true measure of a person's beliefs is whether it derives from love or from fear. And it is more important to examine what's in your own heart, than what is in the heart of another.
Love always,
Your Mom

As an openly religious person, I am probably not e...

2008-10-05T20:50:00.000-07:00

As an openly religious person, I am probably not exactly the type you would want to comment on this post...

I don't want to get into the discussion of what is "right and wrong" about belief/lack of belief in a specific religion.

Having lived in Utah most of my life, I understand and have seen that there are many things about its culture (dominated by mormonism) that are closed-minded and judgmental.

I can never "convince" you of what I believe, just as you can't "convince" me about your lack of belief on God.

The thing I think is important is that we create an open, honest dialogue. I think you are right that people get defensive when religion comes in the discussion... Especially criticisms.

I think part of being human is discovering how you fit in this world. For some religion provides adequate answers; for others it doesn't. It is up to an individual to decide what he or she wants to believe, and others should accept your decision.

Although I haven't seen Maher's movie, I think the main source of violence and conflict that he references regarding religion is related to lack of communication and acceptance of others' viewpoints. One major aspect of religion is to help a person live a peaceful, good life. However all too often, people of religious persuasion, result to non-religious (ie non-peaceful) methods to assert their beliefs on others. I believe this is where the true essence of religion and its practice part ways. Moreover, I have met plenty of non-religious people who are more generous, kind and compassionate than I am.

Agree to disagree... I think that is the key to promoting a peaceful existence.

Thank you for your post. It made me take a step back and evaluate how I interact with people regardless of belief system.