A must read for believers and non-believers
A truly enjoyable book to read. Essentially, religion ruins everything: medicine, peace, equality, etc. Hitchens speaks not just as a well-read intellectual, but as someone who has literally trudged through the trenches of war. As such he offers a well informed world-view and his observations should not be taken lightly.
First, watch this video for a cute overdose.
Interspecies friendships are just as incredible and awe inspiring to me as staring at the stars through a telescope. A lot of life is kill or be killed. Life is as cold and uncaring as the vacuum of space. But somehow things like this happen. Granted, in this case the tigers are cubs and I am certain the scenario would not play out the same with an adult tiger. Even human trainers keep a cautious eye out for adult tigers they have raised. But you can find countless examples of friendly interspecies relationships with a simple YouTube search.
My fascination with it began with watching my dogs. I’m 40 and had never really watched them or thought about it until the last year. I finally noticed that my dogs know each other and shared moments of cognizant recognition. I noticed the moments that my dogs and I shared with eye contact and cooperation to grant one another’s wishes. When we only had one parakeet, the same mutual recognition was there as well.
After realizing this connection, I realized something was wrong with theology. Considering the reality of choosing another human over an animal, or choosing my own family over another human, who am I to believe that humanity is so special and more deserving of divine attention than any other form of life? How could I think that humanity had any more value than anything else alive? The main difference between us is our convenient link between our intelligence and having the right appendages to manipulate our environment.
Every bit of life has some value. Even if it’s too gross, annoying, or killie to appreciate in the moment.
I realize this reads like some kind of hippie literature from the 60s, but I promise I’m not under the influence of anything other than air and some coffee. The wonder of life getting along where we think it shouldn’t is incredibly awe inspiring and it is difficult to communicate.
It’s a shame that some people spend their entire lives thinking they’re better than everything else, wondering over the love of an invisible sky god. They’ll never have a chance to enjoy the pleasure of just being a fancy ape sharing this wet, rocky ball that spins around a gigantic ball of fire.
Last week I got into a conversation with someone about religion. She was a woman of faith and the conversation sprang up when she overheard me saying I am an atheist.
It was the first time I’d spoken with a religious person about my loss and lack of faith. The woman was not only faithful, but the worst kind of faithful. The kind that thinks God talks with her every day, and the kind that thinks you cannot trust the words of man. The same kind that I used to be.
It was terrible. It was terrible because I had not spoken with any religious people about my atheism before and my words were clumsy. It was terrible because the thought patterns are literally insane (I feel this is a valid use because I used to think the same way). It was terrible because it was like looking in a mirror and being on the other side of what it was like to talk with me about different ideas.
There were a couple of amusing moments though. The “You can prove gravity” discussion was used when she argued something about “words of men that can’t be trusted”. “Walk off the roof of the building (4 stories) and see how it goes. Prove god is real by asking him to suspend that law for you.” Which she replied “that’s just like Satan tempting Jesus in the desert!”
But I particularly enjoyed the following exchange:
Me: You think God talks to you?
Her: Yes.
Me: What if he told you to break the window and jump out of the building?
Her: I’d do it.
Me: That’s the kind of thinking that makes people fly planes into buildings.
I decided a few days after this that I did need to talk with religious people more. When I became a Seventh-Day Adventist Christian I spoke a lot with non-christians and also christians of other faiths and became very knowledgable, confident, and capable within that expression of faith.
When I left Adventism to practice messianic Christianity (I refuse to call it Judaism due to its use of voracious lies and deception), I did the same thing again. I again became very knowledgable and confident in that expression of faith. And it was added to what I had already learned – there was little to unlearn.
When I left Christianity to become a Jew I engaged with others again. Wash, rinse, and repeat. In spite of my loss of faith, I still remain comfortable within the identity of Judaism.
Now, that I have been an atheist for probably over a year now, I think it’s time to start the process again.
Lumosity. That annoying commercial that features 20-somethings bragging about how good their brains feel because they’re playing a fucked up game of frogger.
This “neuroplasticity” is not real. There is no “plasticyness” to your brain. It’s wet and soft like a gross sponge. A three-pound gross sponge. Neurons “talk” to each other and give you the illusion of control, independence, and immortality. These are characteristics which I think are perfectly suited to a life form that will die.
The people who created Lumosity do not understand what it is like to be a parent. They do not understand what it is like to hold down a job, try to figure out a way to pay for college and braces while trying to encourage their children to go to college so that they are in a slightly better position than you when they are your age.
The people who created Lumosity are assholes that don’t understand the value of just shutting-the-fuck-down for a weekend. Hell, for five minutes! Go-Go-Go-Go! Everything is about them going! Jesus, man. Chill out for a minute and just rest. Enjoy the scenery. Watch a movie that makes you cry. Watch a child enjoy the ignorance of bliss of this fast, rushing life for Christ’s sake.
Look, I’m excited about your excitement. Really! I used to have it once. Then reality set in and I realized, just like my parents told me, it’s not all about me. I’m a piece of the puzzle. Assuming there’s a puzzle, of course.
All you single, childless people that are so busy doing and hoping everything… keep those things in mind, but be humble and accept that your fate is the dust. Don’t even assume about the afterlife. Just look at yesterday and today. Know that these are the only things you have. Tomorrow is just a hope. A bold assumption.
Relax a little.
The Universe is not sending you a message. It’s not looking out for you. It’s not trying to make things okay for you.
If you’re so arrogant to think that the universe cares more about your situation than the mom who has cancer, or the baby that’s dying, or the toddler starving to death, then you’re an arrogant fuck that has no idea of the world around you.
The universe does not care about you. You come, you go. For some weird reason, you’re aware of it. You won an interstellar lottery living in a 1st or 2nd world country. Good for you.
All you are doing is assigning meaning to where there is none. That’s it. No thing is talking to you. No one is trying to send you a message. You think Jesus only cares about white people.
Now get off your high horse and recognize where you stand. You stand on a piece of silica or carbon. An element which ultimately floats on a ball of magma. Which ultimately is forced to the core of a ball that just happens to be in a good place in space, around a just right star.
Way to go, Goldilocks. That bear’s gonna eat the meat off your bones.
In anticipation of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ forthcoming I’m With You album, being released 8.30.11, I am listening to their discography from beginning to end. While Don’t Forget Me was playing I got stuck on the lyric, “all will be revealed, my friend” at the end of the song. It got me thinking about what and why something will be revealed. This is a hard topic to express, but I’m really going to try. Hang with me and post any questions in the comments.
Unlike my earlier days when I was new to faith, I’m usually a pretty calm guy. I’m comfortable enough in my own skin and beliefs so that there’s plenty of room for other peoples’ opinions without me even batting an eye. That said, this rapture thing has gotten me all worked up in a tizzy. The first and foremost reason it bothers me is I know who started this whole thing. And I hate that it has gained so much attention that even my favorite radio station was talking about it the other morning. Then there’s a flowchart circulating to help you figure out if you’ll need to pick up a white robe today. Finally, this is not even sound practice from an eschatological standpoint—and I’m Jewish, so this is saying a lot about Christian theology. (more…)
There was a movie produced in 1984 called 2010: The Year We Make Contact. While we haven’t had business lunches with aliens this year (which I don’t consider to be entirely bad considering the bad rap they have), we have had some spectacular astronomical discoveries. We discovered a “potentially habitable planet of similar size to Earth in orbit around a nearby star” in Gliese 581. Another important discovery, whether you are a proponent of the eternally cyclical or eternally expanding model of the universe, is that we have discovered evidence that there may be multiple universes. I’m starting to think that Men in Black was written by scientists with inside information who were trying to let the masses know what’s going on.
Both of these discoveries are amazing. Things that were merely figments of science fiction only a few years ago are becoming science. I’m left breathless when I think about it too much. The problem now is we have no way of going to see and experience these things first hand. Maybe 2011 will be the year we make contact and we can stop pussy-footing around our solar system and get out to the deep waters.
On a very light note related to science, if you’re into science fiction and a little bit of suspense, you should watch Sunshine. The story is a little far-fetched, and there’s a pretty big plot hole that leaves you wondering, but overall the it is very entertaining and there are some great special effects. This turned out to be a great segue for…
Movies of 2010
This was a great year for some enjoyable films, but none of them come to mind off the top of my head… wait… … there was an alien movie I had high expectations for but it turned out to be quite bad. It’s called Skyline and the best thing about it was leaving.
Defendor was a fantastic movie. I was expecting a silly Woody Harrelson film, but got so much more. It’s a very enjoyable movie with an unexpected presence of sweetness, honesty, and truth. Have a box of kleenex handy for this one. It came out 2009, but it was released in the US February 2010 on video. This was a Canadian movie that did not get the publicity it deserved here.
I enjoyed The Crazies, a remake of a ‘70s b-film by the same title. How to Train a Dragon was a great movie I saw with my older boys. We all enjoyed it. My wife and I had some good laughs with Hot Tub Time Machine. Date Night was a bit of a let down on our date night, but Kick-Ass totally made up for it. Get Him to the Greek was funnier than I expected, and the remake of The Karate Kid was enjoyed by my kids and my wife and I who remember the original. RED I saw twice, once courtesy of AMD, and the second time with my aunt while she was visiting—a very enjoyable flick, but not for those who dislike violence. And finally Shrek Forever After was a great wrap-up to an amazingly funny series of films.
I’d like to see Tron: Legacy and I hope it’s better than the original which moved about as fast as cold molasses, but the effects were good. It was ahead of its time. While Yogi Bear doesn’t interest me I did enjoy this alternate ending:
While this final movie does not pertain to 2010, I am anxiously looking forward to The Tree of Life. It looks like a brilliant piece of work.
Music
It’s no surprise to me that my favorites have stayed the same. If you know me even moderately well you probably already know that my favorite band is the Red Hot Chili Peppers. There’s an almost spiritual connection with their music—something in my soul connects with what they say in their beats, rhythms, and lyrics. There’s a new album coming out soon and I can’t wait for it.
This year I took a liking to John Mayer’s music. I didn’t like him too much at first, but his work has grown on me. His songs have meaning and depth that ask questions and deal with being a man. It’s good stuff.
Finally, my interest in hip-hop/R&B has stepped up a notch. It’s a mix of Kanye West and Professor Elemental. Yeah, some of it’s a little silly, but so am I.
Goals for 2011
There’s a lot this year to think about. Bithia and I feel quite positive about the new year. There are a couple of things cooking on the side that may turn into additional revenue for us. And for a single-income home (Bithia stays home with kids) you can use all you can get.
On the more important front, I think I’m finally coming out of the last two years of being a caregiver. It’s been a long and difficult road, and as normal shifts again I’m wrestling with G~d, and trying to understand where I fit with the whole scheme of things. While the last 2 years have been personally challenging, the year before we experienced some life-altering events with a very close friend that forever changed the way we view the world.
In short, and to be plain, G~d’s sovereignty is the question. What is His role in the world? Does every event, good and bad, bear his impression, or is the world merely left on its own and we as Jews are responsible for following the instructions and showing the world a better way? I know there are no simple answers, but it’s something to try to come to grips with and try to learn what He expects of me. I guess I’m at a place of making Judaism my own this year and understanding how I should view the world as one. Maybe I can even pick up a couple of mitzvot this year too. I’ve certainly let enough of them go by the wayside…
And with that, let’s see how it goes and what we can do.
Godspeed, everyone.
In the opening chapter of Vayeira:
And he said: ‘Oh, let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once. Peradventure ten shall be found there.’ And He said: ‘I will not destroy it for the ten’s sake. And the LORD went His way, as soon as He had left off speaking to Abraham; and Abraham returned unto his place.
It got me thinking of this dialogue between Abraham & G~d. What is going on here? How is this happening? Did G~d heed Abraham’s request in the beginning of the parashah and waited for him while he tended to his guests? But what really interests me in this passage more than the recorded dialogue is, “as soon as He had left off speaking to Abraham”. I get the feeling that there is unrecorded discussion in this passage.
I know that men will just say goodbye after finishing the topic of discussion, and it’s nothing to think twice about. It’s we’re done talking about this subject and we have to go. No problem. Rashi favors the judge and defender argument, that once the case is done court is adjourned.
But friends will finish a discussion, maybe have some smalltalk, or tell a couple of jokes, or somehow drag out the visit because they enjoy the other’s company. This is what I think is alluded to in these few words. It’s not like Sodom and Gomorrah were going anywhere? What’s a few extra minutes to the Creator when it comes to delivering Divine wrath, when he can enjoy the presence of someone He just let in on his Divine plan?
After all, He did say (and I paraphrase), “Shouldn’t we tell Abraham since he’s so diligent in his faith to me? He did just rush to meet these visitors on the worst day of his circumcision. We should give him a little something.”
It is my layman’s opinion that after settling the legal matter of Sodom & Gomorrah’s fate that there was some lingering conversation. Maybe a thank you. Maybe just a few minutes of silence enjoying each other’s presence.
I like to think that there was a common familiarity between these two personalities that went beyond the legal commitments Rashi discussed. Maybe there was simply a few minutes of familiar conversation as they spoke about all that had transpired between them the last three days. Maybe G~d told Abraham that he’ll feel a lot better tomorrow morning.
This leads me to believe that perhaps G~d enjoyed Abraham’s company more than Abraham enjoyed His. Consider that Abraham asked G~d to wait while he took care of guests. It seems that G~d did heed Abraham’s request because He stayed a little extra and G~d gave a little extra attention to dust. G~d let a man in on His plans simply because He considered how faithful Abraham is and would be to Him. There’s certainly an affection that goes beyond legal obligations.
That’s something to think about.
“And the LORD went His way, as soon as He had left off speaking to Abraham; and Abraham returned unto his place.”
funkyink.wordpress.com 