I just added that nice big red ‘A’ to my blog (atheistic pride or shameless plug? who knows). And darn it, doesn’t it just look GOOD there. And very nice video. Made me want to stand to attention.
Richsays
Oh Crap. A certain WITCH’s blog is in there. I’ll never hear the end of it..
The other day I was reading a blog thread where the readers were telling their personal “how they became an atheist” stories. I was struck by how many of them talked about their astonishment of one day unexpectedly coming across a book — or an essay or a column or an article — written by an atheist, on being an atheist, and having a “wow” moment. They suddenly thought “Hey, it’s not just me! There are others who think like this! I’m not alone!”
I doubt very much that anyone who believes in God, or belongs to one of the major religions, really knows what that’s like. They’ve been surrounded their entire life by books, movies, churches, and a cultural assumption that believing in God was like believing in the sun, or believing that your mother loves you, or being grateful, or being … normal.
I’ve read articles on how the internet just explodes with religious resources for the faithful, and I think huh. Big deal. They’ve always had that. We’ve had the crumbling paperback by Bertrand Russell found lodged in a bus seat, snuck home, and read in secret. Lucky.
Not any more. The internet has changed things for atheists.
Charles SOtosays
Cool! WordPress rears its evil, same-looking-banner head! ;)
Sastra, I’d suspect that many atheists are atheists because of religion. They’ve explored it, and found it lacking. I live surrounded by a sea of “red state” bible beltism (Austin, TX USA), it was really a matter of time. But I’ll agree that a book or two or three will often help one crystallize their thoughts on the matter. For me, it was the writings of Frank Herbert (yup, sci-fi). While his books are somewhat rambling and fanciful, his most solid theme has been the hypocrisy and demagoguery associated with religion. I absolutely love the fact that his later books’ heros are of a sect whose only purpose is to manipulate mankind through the use of religious practices.
Anyway, the only bad thing about the video is that it makes me long for BSG (“coming in 2008” my butt!).
I too am pleased to see this (and happy happy that UTI makes an appearance!) So often it feels like we’re just a few lone stragglers, when confronted with the overwhelming magical thinking – seeing this helps to bolster the, ah, spirits…
Jim D.
Sastrasays
By the way — anyone recognize the music?
Ubersays
It is no accident that the access to information provided via the internet has decreased the stranglehold religion has on the population. This is most evident in the younger populace where in recent polls 40%+ show no religion or atheist/agnostic claims. Overall the numbers are at 17%-22% and growing.
This should continue exponentially simply because 90+% of people know little about their religion- when confronted by what it really means often are agast- and as such the trend should continue. The USA will change within the next 2-3 decades if not sooner. The shift has already started.
Uber: The USA will change within the next 2-3 decades if not sooner. The shift has already started.
I think you’re right, and I hope you’re right.
But I also still worry that we might underestimate how vicious and dangerous the other side of this thing can be.
It’s rare for reasonable people to kill each other. It’s less rare for unreasonable people to do it.
Peter Ashbysays
Weeeeep! what a roll-call. Almost makes me want to start a blog myslef. However if everybody had one who would be left to read them? Someone has to be the audience, so I selflessly volunteer ;-)
Always always always… I join something right after something cool happens with the list. Cool choice of music – I recommend it.
Ubersays
But I also still worry that we might underestimate how vicious and dangerous the other side of this thing can be.
Yes but the big disclaimer is that the nutters are loud but relatively few. Most folks are more blah about the whole thing and as time progresses will be more so.
Brian McEnnissays
The Panda’s Thumb should not be on that blogroll. There are several contributors to that blog, and at least one (PvM – one of the more prolific) identifies himself as Christian.
Nifty. I am so proud to be part of this movement I could just burst.
RamblinDudesays
“I doubt very much that anyone who believes in God, or belongs to one of the major religions, really knows what that’s like. They’ve been surrounded their entire life by books, movies, churches, and a cultural assumption that believing in God was like believing in the sun, or believing that your mother loves you, or being grateful, or being … normal.
You are so right, of course. And the inverse is also true; those who haven’t grown up in such a system probably don’t realized how strong the conditioning is.
When I saw this video, it was interesting to observe the dynamics going on inside me.
At first I thought it might be a religious message calling all Christian soldiers to take up the fight against the evil spread of unbelief–Satan’s most successful tactic!
While I felt disgusted at the thought, there is a residue of Christian fundamentalism that is still inside me (and probably always will be), that reflexively began squirming uncomfortably upon seeing this video and the word atheist so many times in a row. The little kid in me wanted to go, “Ahhmmm, that’s bad!”
It awakened memories of all those sermons designed to terrify with images of eternal hellfire. And all those conflicting emotions, the fear, the desire to believe, the guilt–Oh, My God! the guilt–and the doubts that, even as a little kid, started poking holes in my faith because I would look around at all the believers and realize that something was just wrong about the whole thing.
Anyways, irrespective of my superfluous angst, I’m glad to see the tower of babble begin to come tumbling down. I hope it doesn’t crush us all in the process.
zer0says
BEST MUSIC CHOICE EVAR! Bear McCreary really does a great job on that show, and his other works are equally worth a listen. I especially loved what he did with “All along the Watchtowers” in the Season 3 Finale. I want to have his babies, and I’m a guy… so yes, if by some miracle of modern science it were possible, I would go through the procedure to have his babies. Don’t get jealous PZ, I would quickly bounce back after delivery to also have your babies.
The USA will change within the next 2-3 decades if not sooner. The shift has already started.
Posted by: Uber | November 13, 2007 11:11 AM
You’re making the assumption that the religious wackos don’t have us all rounded up and killed. Given their control over almost every aspect of society including the police and the military that is something that should be in the back of your mind.
J Myerssays
You’re making the assumption that the religious wackos don’t have us all rounded up and killed.
Well, that might be an instantaneous solution for them, but rationality would certainly re-emerge to some degree before too long. And then, maybe, finally, just possibly, the twits might realize they have no place complaining about Stalin and Mao and Pol Pot (on the grounds of their alleged atheism, anyway).
Oh geezsays
*sniff* I’m so proud.
LeeLeeOnesays
Wish I’d have a few tens of millions of dollars to produce and air an “ad” like this on traditional tele/internet networks, newspapers, and international news sources. Hey, maybe even adapt it for the radio; traditional and nontraditional such as Pacifica. BTW…. what ever happened to micro band radio? (hint, ask NAB and NPR)
Brian Mackersays
You know when I was a kid I had next to zero access to such ideas so I had to reason out my atheism all by myself. I’m not sure if that was a plus or minus since it was good brain exercise.
My general approach was to apply scientific methodology to religion and morality. I did have easy access to science. Turns out that if you curse god during a thunderstorm he doesn’t behave the way he is described in the bible.
By this experiment and others I learned that either he doesn’t exist or he isn’t as vindicitive and jealous a god as the stories they taught in Sunday school. As far as I remember however I started doing such experiments before I had any formal science education.
I always felt like it was a secret that the for the most part crazy adults wouldn’t understand. In fact, I found the general atmosphere about religion depressing.
Good to see that the same is not true for my kids.
Sure, you sodomites can write as many blogs and books as you want while Christians create new life in our families. (Yup, that’s our edge–sodomy does not make more babies!)Your control over the media, courts, and schools will eventually fall before our overwhelmingly superior numbers!
Oh Crap. A certain WITCH’s blog is in there. I’ll never hear the end of it..
Well, Prof. Steve Steve and I saw Rich the warlock change from an intenet frog into a prince on our Field Museum trip, but try as I might, I can’t change him into a blog. Too bad. ;-)
charleysays
“Sure, you sodomites can write as many blogs and books as you want while Christians create new life in our families.”
Go ahead, make all you want. Thanks to the internet, you won’t be able to shield them from the stupidity of your religion forever. Once they grow up and emerge from the dark, stifling cave of homeschooling and Christian education they will find out from blogs like these what fools their parents are.
Yup, that’s our edge–sodomy does not make more babies!
A fact that really helps so many priests to get away with their activities.
Pyresays
“And then, maybe, finally, just possibly, the twits might realize they have no place complaining about Stalin and Mao and Pol Pot (on the grounds of their alleged atheism, anyway).”
Has that stopped the Christian Right from endorsing torture?
Colugosays
Have a look at this by Pat Condell, who bashes the Islamist Muslim Council of Britain and white supremacists.
Brings a tear to me eye.
Hey, cool! I’m in there!
That was incredible. I felt a little teary too, that MY people are making this wave of rationality happen.
And so many beautiful banners! Wow.
Wow! That is soooo groovy! I really love that they use the music from Battlestart Galactica!
That video is made of win.
Now does anyone have an OPML file of them?
I just added that nice big red ‘A’ to my blog (atheistic pride or shameless plug? who knows). And darn it, doesn’t it just look GOOD there. And very nice video. Made me want to stand to attention.
Oh Crap. A certain WITCH’s blog is in there. I’ll never hear the end of it..
I feel left out. . . .
<emo>
The other day I was reading a blog thread where the readers were telling their personal “how they became an atheist” stories. I was struck by how many of them talked about their astonishment of one day unexpectedly coming across a book — or an essay or a column or an article — written by an atheist, on being an atheist, and having a “wow” moment. They suddenly thought “Hey, it’s not just me! There are others who think like this! I’m not alone!”
I doubt very much that anyone who believes in God, or belongs to one of the major religions, really knows what that’s like. They’ve been surrounded their entire life by books, movies, churches, and a cultural assumption that believing in God was like believing in the sun, or believing that your mother loves you, or being grateful, or being … normal.
I’ve read articles on how the internet just explodes with religious resources for the faithful, and I think huh. Big deal. They’ve always had that. We’ve had the crumbling paperback by Bertrand Russell found lodged in a bus seat, snuck home, and read in secret. Lucky.
Not any more. The internet has changed things for atheists.
Cool! WordPress rears its evil, same-looking-banner head! ;)
Sastra, I’d suspect that many atheists are atheists because of religion. They’ve explored it, and found it lacking. I live surrounded by a sea of “red state” bible beltism (Austin, TX USA), it was really a matter of time. But I’ll agree that a book or two or three will often help one crystallize their thoughts on the matter. For me, it was the writings of Frank Herbert (yup, sci-fi). While his books are somewhat rambling and fanciful, his most solid theme has been the hypocrisy and demagoguery associated with religion. I absolutely love the fact that his later books’ heros are of a sect whose only purpose is to manipulate mankind through the use of religious practices.
Anyway, the only bad thing about the video is that it makes me long for BSG (“coming in 2008” my butt!).
another victim of tribbles lol
one of the most vivid homemade videos ever seen
Charles, next weekend (yay!) we get a 2 hour flashback episode of the Pegasus. And then in January comes the rest of the season…
This is fantastic and one of my favorite satirical spots is on there too: the stubborn curmudgeon. if you have a hankering for satire check it out.
http://thestubborncurmudgeon.blogspot.com/
The atheist hussy is a good one too …
I, too, am feeling warm and fuzzy …
I too am pleased to see this (and happy happy that UTI makes an appearance!) So often it feels like we’re just a few lone stragglers, when confronted with the overwhelming magical thinking – seeing this helps to bolster the, ah, spirits…
Jim D.
By the way — anyone recognize the music?
It is no accident that the access to information provided via the internet has decreased the stranglehold religion has on the population. This is most evident in the younger populace where in recent polls 40%+ show no religion or atheist/agnostic claims. Overall the numbers are at 17%-22% and growing.
This should continue exponentially simply because 90+% of people know little about their religion- when confronted by what it really means often are agast- and as such the trend should continue. The USA will change within the next 2-3 decades if not sooner. The shift has already started.
@10
http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/
November 24.
w00t!
I think you’re right, and I hope you’re right.
But I also still worry that we might underestimate how vicious and dangerous the other side of this thing can be.
It’s rare for reasonable people to kill each other. It’s less rare for unreasonable people to do it.
Weeeeep! what a roll-call. Almost makes me want to start a blog myslef. However if everybody had one who would be left to read them? Someone has to be the audience, so I selflessly volunteer ;-)
Ah, well, if I don’t make it onto the Godless Evilutionist list, at least I still get interesting e-mail.
Always always always… I join something right after something cool happens with the list. Cool choice of music – I recommend it.
Yes but the big disclaimer is that the nutters are loud but relatively few. Most folks are more blah about the whole thing and as time progresses will be more so.
The Panda’s Thumb should not be on that blogroll. There are several contributors to that blog, and at least one (PvM – one of the more prolific) identifies himself as Christian.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON MUSIC CLUB
STOP THE INSANITY
Yay! GIFS makes it on the roll…
Cool beanos…
I never realized just how many there were…
Jesus…
This makes me want to sit down and type the blog posts that are always rattling around my head.
Hey, Ma! I’m on the teevee!
Nifty. I am so proud to be part of this movement I could just burst.
“I doubt very much that anyone who believes in God, or belongs to one of the major religions, really knows what that’s like. They’ve been surrounded their entire life by books, movies, churches, and a cultural assumption that believing in God was like believing in the sun, or believing that your mother loves you, or being grateful, or being … normal.
You are so right, of course. And the inverse is also true; those who haven’t grown up in such a system probably don’t realized how strong the conditioning is.
When I saw this video, it was interesting to observe the dynamics going on inside me.
At first I thought it might be a religious message calling all Christian soldiers to take up the fight against the evil spread of unbelief–Satan’s most successful tactic!
While I felt disgusted at the thought, there is a residue of Christian fundamentalism that is still inside me (and probably always will be), that reflexively began squirming uncomfortably upon seeing this video and the word atheist so many times in a row. The little kid in me wanted to go, “Ahhmmm, that’s bad!”
It awakened memories of all those sermons designed to terrify with images of eternal hellfire. And all those conflicting emotions, the fear, the desire to believe, the guilt–Oh, My God! the guilt–and the doubts that, even as a little kid, started poking holes in my faith because I would look around at all the believers and realize that something was just wrong about the whole thing.
Anyways, irrespective of my superfluous angst, I’m glad to see the tower of babble begin to come tumbling down. I hope it doesn’t crush us all in the process.
BEST MUSIC CHOICE EVAR! Bear McCreary really does a great job on that show, and his other works are equally worth a listen. I especially loved what he did with “All along the Watchtowers” in the Season 3 Finale. I want to have his babies, and I’m a guy… so yes, if by some miracle of modern science it were possible, I would go through the procedure to have his babies. Don’t get jealous PZ, I would quickly bounce back after delivery to also have your babies.
Rational thought-Fuck yeah!
The USA will change within the next 2-3 decades if not sooner. The shift has already started.
Posted by: Uber | November 13, 2007 11:11 AM
You’re making the assumption that the religious wackos don’t have us all rounded up and killed. Given their control over almost every aspect of society including the police and the military that is something that should be in the back of your mind.
Well, that might be an instantaneous solution for them, but rationality would certainly re-emerge to some degree before too long. And then, maybe, finally, just possibly, the twits might realize they have no place complaining about Stalin and Mao and Pol Pot (on the grounds of their alleged atheism, anyway).
*sniff* I’m so proud.
Wish I’d have a few tens of millions of dollars to produce and air an “ad” like this on traditional tele/internet networks, newspapers, and international news sources. Hey, maybe even adapt it for the radio; traditional and nontraditional such as Pacifica. BTW…. what ever happened to micro band radio? (hint, ask NAB and NPR)
You know when I was a kid I had next to zero access to such ideas so I had to reason out my atheism all by myself. I’m not sure if that was a plus or minus since it was good brain exercise.
My general approach was to apply scientific methodology to religion and morality. I did have easy access to science. Turns out that if you curse god during a thunderstorm he doesn’t behave the way he is described in the bible.
By this experiment and others I learned that either he doesn’t exist or he isn’t as vindicitive and jealous a god as the stories they taught in Sunday school. As far as I remember however I started doing such experiments before I had any formal science education.
I always felt like it was a secret that the for the most part crazy adults wouldn’t understand. In fact, I found the general atmosphere about religion depressing.
Good to see that the same is not true for my kids.
Sure, you sodomites can write as many blogs and books as you want while Christians create new life in our families. (Yup, that’s our edge–sodomy does not make more babies!)Your control over the media, courts, and schools will eventually fall before our overwhelmingly superior numbers!
For something so simple, that’s surprisingly moving.
Oh Crap. A certain WITCH’s blog is in there. I’ll never hear the end of it..
Well, Prof. Steve Steve and I saw Rich the warlock change from an intenet frog into a prince on our Field Museum trip, but try as I might, I can’t change him into a blog. Too bad. ;-)
“Sure, you sodomites can write as many blogs and books as you want while Christians create new life in our families.”
Go ahead, make all you want. Thanks to the internet, you won’t be able to shield them from the stupidity of your religion forever. Once they grow up and emerge from the dark, stifling cave of homeschooling and Christian education they will find out from blogs like these what fools their parents are.
Wait…Rich is a warlock??!? They’re even worse than witches, because at least I like to watch witches dance naked in the moonlight.
Euuueuu
I just thought of morphodyke nude. But that is “bitch” not “witch.”
Yup, that’s our edge–sodomy does not make more babies!
A fact that really helps so many priests to get away with their activities.
“And then, maybe, finally, just possibly, the twits might realize they have no place complaining about Stalin and Mao and Pol Pot (on the grounds of their alleged atheism, anyway).”
Has that stopped the Christian Right from endorsing torture?
Have a look at this by Pat Condell, who bashes the Islamist Muslim Council of Britain and white supremacists.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=ead_1195057244