Secular Expats Only
Mar 1st 2004 | 9:29 am
#61
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 29
From: Holland Landing, ON
Ok guys & girls….now you’re starting to scare me…..here I am in the middle of being sponsored to relocate to Colorado…..all very exciting…..however it now seems that I’m likely to end up living next door to the Lord Jesus Himself (or should that be Herself)….please tell me it’s not all bad….having three young children myself, I agree with what seems to be the common thread….let them decide for themselves…..as for my beliefs…not sure on that one….attended Sunday school as a youngster…can’t remember a great deal of what they taught us….although we used to get orange and biscuits at the end!!!.....more to the point…having to pass through armed checkpoints to visit the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem and taking into account the religious feuds that seem to occur on a daily basis…I’ve began to wonder if there’s a fundamental flaw in religion itself…(my 1st proper post, so please go easy on me):scared:
Mar 1st 2004 | 9:46 am
#62
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,149
When I was 16 my parents lived in Oklahoma and sent me to school in the Catholic school in the UK. What I found disturbing was the lack of middle ground between the god fearers and the trailer trash. The god fearers were confused beacuse I did not go to church yet I had not dropped out and started smoking copious amounts of dope. I had more empathy and got on with a few dopeheads but they were baffled as to why I was not a church goer.
Thankfully there were some expat kids in town and a few out of town Americans who were normal.
I only spent about 5 months there but any more time and I would have gone nuts with the god mob. Either that or become a pot head.
The next stop was Alexandria in Egypt which was infinitatley more interesting and fun that mid west US.
Thankfully there were some expat kids in town and a few out of town Americans who were normal.
I only spent about 5 months there but any more time and I would have gone nuts with the god mob. Either that or become a pot head.
The next stop was Alexandria in Egypt which was infinitatley more interesting and fun that mid west US.
Mar 1st 2004 | 10:07 am
#63
Thread Starter
You Are All Diseased
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,511
From: Farnham, UK
That ain't what "secular" means.
1 - Worldly rather than spiritual.
2 - Not specifically relating to religion or to a religious body.
3 - Relating to or advocating secularism.
4 - Not bound by monastic restrictions, especially not belonging to a religious order. Used of the clergy.
Most people prefer the term secular rather than atheist, because, well, some people don't know what secular means and find the wrong definition when they go and look it up.
Last edited by rincewind; Mar 1st 2004 at 10:15 am.
Mar 1st 2004 | 10:13 am
#64
Thread Starter
You Are All Diseased
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,511
From: Farnham, UK
please tell me it’s not all bad
My wife and I travelled to Louisiana over the weekend and stopped into an adult store on the way back. Whilst we were looking around, a man and wife entered the store with matching t-shirts with "Jesus Saves" on it. They started having a go at the poor woman behind the counter about how the place was a sin.
When we left, we saw their car outside and they had their kids in the back waiting :scared:
"Sit tight kids, mom and dad have some sinners to save inside this sex shop."
It's retarded.
I'm thinking about getting a t-shirt made up with "Jesus Enslaves" written on it but my wife insists that I would probably get injured if I left the house. The sad fact is, I probably would.
Mar 1st 2004 | 10:49 am
#65
Rock Goddess
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,429
From: Connecticut USA
Re: Secular Expats Only
Originally posted by Muswell Hill
Born in UCH, lived in Muswell Hill as a tot. The cinema in Muswell Hill is the one that was used in "Notting Hill". I was visiting one time and happened to see the film crew there!
I agree about the catholic church and its opulence. It disgusts me that an organisation so wealthy does not do more to relive global poverty and infact encourages it with the medievil rules on contraception and abortion...i know, if you are dirt poor and have no access to a Dr, have more kids!!! That way you are bound to starve and the mother die during labour.
I used to be catholic, but was 110% turned against it when the priest told me i was sinning as i was going to marry a divorced woman. What the **** does a celebate man know about marriage??? Rather like asking a blind man for his opinion on a Monet painting. The christian rhetoric spouted on abortion, divorce, contraception, homosexuality, sex before marriage etc etc makes me want to vomit.
Do these fundamentalists and the various demoninations really think jesus or god gives a **** on whether i had sex before i got married, the fact my wife (through no fault of hers-she was cheated on by her ex) was divorced and now we are a loving family or i have many friends who are gay?? No, God would say go and play with your toys......if he/she existed as the christians believe in an omnipotent human like person.
I am amazed actually churches are still around, with todays enlightenment of science and art they are an anachronism of our past. They teach intolerance, conformity, survitude, ignorance and total obiedience to doctrinal teaching. That goes against 21st century open thinking, tolerance of others, the desire to understand science and a moral code based upon 5000 years of human history.
What makes me laugh most of all are the different bible editions...king james, baptist, catholic...i thought there was just one 'true word of god'? Picking and choosing what to include and leave out. Also they were written in arameic and greek and subtleties of translation and meaning have been lost, and why are the 'gnostic' gospels left out? Why...the vatican said so...it would 'contradict what has been included for years'....again, more hypocrasy and population control.
Born in UCH, lived in Muswell Hill as a tot. The cinema in Muswell Hill is the one that was used in "Notting Hill". I was visiting one time and happened to see the film crew there!
I agree about the catholic church and its opulence. It disgusts me that an organisation so wealthy does not do more to relive global poverty and infact encourages it with the medievil rules on contraception and abortion...i know, if you are dirt poor and have no access to a Dr, have more kids!!! That way you are bound to starve and the mother die during labour.
I used to be catholic, but was 110% turned against it when the priest told me i was sinning as i was going to marry a divorced woman. What the **** does a celebate man know about marriage??? Rather like asking a blind man for his opinion on a Monet painting. The christian rhetoric spouted on abortion, divorce, contraception, homosexuality, sex before marriage etc etc makes me want to vomit.
Do these fundamentalists and the various demoninations really think jesus or god gives a **** on whether i had sex before i got married, the fact my wife (through no fault of hers-she was cheated on by her ex) was divorced and now we are a loving family or i have many friends who are gay?? No, God would say go and play with your toys......if he/she existed as the christians believe in an omnipotent human like person.
I am amazed actually churches are still around, with todays enlightenment of science and art they are an anachronism of our past. They teach intolerance, conformity, survitude, ignorance and total obiedience to doctrinal teaching. That goes against 21st century open thinking, tolerance of others, the desire to understand science and a moral code based upon 5000 years of human history.
What makes me laugh most of all are the different bible editions...king james, baptist, catholic...i thought there was just one 'true word of god'? Picking and choosing what to include and leave out. Also they were written in arameic and greek and subtleties of translation and meaning have been lost, and why are the 'gnostic' gospels left out? Why...the vatican said so...it would 'contradict what has been included for years'....again, more hypocrasy and population control.
Mar 1st 2004 | 12:15 pm
#66
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11
From: Daytona Beach, FL
Re: something you all might find amusing
Originally posted by ms_bhon
Here's a little online test you all might find amusing. It proposes to determine what faith (or non faith) a person is and most, including secular humanism is included. I think it told me I should be a Unitarian, then a Buddhist, then a secular humanist... or something... it's been awhile since I took it. Here it is:
Belief-O-Matic
The funny thing is, is that when my husband took it, its aid he oughta be a reform Jew or something...
Lemme know what you think!
Here's a little online test you all might find amusing. It proposes to determine what faith (or non faith) a person is and most, including secular humanism is included. I think it told me I should be a Unitarian, then a Buddhist, then a secular humanist... or something... it's been awhile since I took it. Here it is:
Belief-O-Matic
The funny thing is, is that when my husband took it, its aid he oughta be a reform Jew or something...
Lemme know what you think!
Nice quiz. I had thought I was an Atheist but it turns out I am in fact a Secular Humanist.
Interestingly, the lowest ranking religion for me is Roman Catholic, which is the very religion I was brought up in!
Steve
Mar 1st 2004 | 12:24 pm
#67
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,149
Re: something you all might find amusing
Originally posted by Steve1962
Nice quiz. I had thought I was an Atheist but it turns out I am in fact a Secular Humanist.
Interestingly, the lowest ranking religion for me is Roman Catholic, which is the very religion I was brought up in!
Steve
Nice quiz. I had thought I was an Atheist but it turns out I am in fact a Secular Humanist.
Interestingly, the lowest ranking religion for me is Roman Catholic, which is the very religion I was brought up in!
Steve
Mar 1st 2004 | 1:29 pm
#68
100% Pure
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,185
From: Fort Worth, TX.
Originally posted by rincewind
My wife and I travelled to Louisiana over the weekend and stopped into an adult store on the way back. Whilst we were looking around..
My wife and I travelled to Louisiana over the weekend and stopped into an adult store on the way back. Whilst we were looking around..
Did you end up buying anything??
Mar 1st 2004 | 3:43 pm
#69
Thread Starter
You Are All Diseased
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,511
From: Farnham, UK
That's very uninhibited of you to share that with us! Did you end up buying anything??
I couldn't possibly share everything about the Adult Store visit
Besides, we bought more in another store the day before
It's great to be secular
Mar 1st 2004 | 6:18 pm
#70
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 148
From: San Jose, CA
There have been so many posts in this thread articulating the secular/atheist/rationalist point-of-view so clearly, I think the only contribution I can make is my experience of California (specifically the SF Bay Area) over the past 6 months...
I live in San Jose, and, ironically, given that 99% of the place names are rooted in Roman Catholicism via Imperial Spain (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Clara etc etc etc etc), this is probably one of the most tolerant areas in the US.
I have never encountered any proselytizing at work and very little elsewhere - about the most I've seen is the occasional newsletter from one of the local churches (which goes straight into the recycling) and the little stand at the mall with 'Free Religious Literature' - no more than the UK really.
I'm lucky in that I came here with my (English) wife and work in software - not really a religious breeding ground. Our neighbours are Catholic, but we inferred that from the evidence: (1) her family is Italian, (2) his family is from where I would call 'Northern Ireland', but they call simply 'Ireland' and (3) she's a teacher at the Catholic school in Saratoga. They've never mentioned God, Jesus or the Pope. Now, real-estate prices, that's a different matter .
Karen (other half) actually said last week that she couldn't imagine going back to Medway (N Kent) - not that we'll never go back to the UK, but we're here and happy for the time being.
Duncs - I would encourage you to check out the Bay Area. The cost of accomodation will make your hair curl/straighten (delete as appropriate), but it can be a great environment to live in. A quick spin on Google turned up this guy - even if you're not interested in the CA thing, he might have some advice/contacts for you.
Anyway - it's late, enough rambling. Thanks, Rincewind for an interesting thread. How's the luggage?
Cheers,
Pat
I live in San Jose, and, ironically, given that 99% of the place names are rooted in Roman Catholicism via Imperial Spain (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Clara etc etc etc etc), this is probably one of the most tolerant areas in the US.
I have never encountered any proselytizing at work and very little elsewhere - about the most I've seen is the occasional newsletter from one of the local churches (which goes straight into the recycling) and the little stand at the mall with 'Free Religious Literature' - no more than the UK really.
I'm lucky in that I came here with my (English) wife and work in software - not really a religious breeding ground. Our neighbours are Catholic, but we inferred that from the evidence: (1) her family is Italian, (2) his family is from where I would call 'Northern Ireland', but they call simply 'Ireland' and (3) she's a teacher at the Catholic school in Saratoga. They've never mentioned God, Jesus or the Pope. Now, real-estate prices, that's a different matter
.Karen (other half) actually said last week that she couldn't imagine going back to Medway (N Kent) - not that we'll never go back to the UK, but we're here and happy for the time being.
Duncs - I would encourage you to check out the Bay Area. The cost of accomodation will make your hair curl/straighten (delete as appropriate), but it can be a great environment to live in. A quick spin on Google turned up this guy - even if you're not interested in the CA thing, he might have some advice/contacts for you.
Anyway - it's late, enough rambling. Thanks, Rincewind for an interesting thread. How's the luggage?
Cheers,
Pat
Mar 1st 2004 | 7:52 pm
#71
British/Irish(ish) Duncs
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 700
From: Cambridge MA, via Mississippi and Belfast Northern Ireland.
Originally posted by superpat
There have been so many posts in this thread articulating the secular/atheist/rationalist point-of-view so clearly, I think the only contribution I can make is my experience of California (specifically the SF Bay Area) over the past 6 months...
I live in San Jose, and, ironically, given that 99% of the place names are rooted in Roman Catholicism via Imperial Spain (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Clara etc etc etc etc), this is probably one of the most tolerant areas in the US.
I have never encountered any proselytizing at work and very little elsewhere - about the most I've seen is the occasional newsletter from one of the local churches (which goes straight into the recycling) and the little stand at the mall with 'Free Religious Literature' - no more than the UK really.
I'm lucky in that I came here with my (English) wife and work in software - not really a religious breeding ground. Our neighbours are Catholic, but we inferred that from the evidence: (1) her family is Italian, (2) his family is from where I would call 'Northern Ireland', but they call simply 'Ireland' and (3) she's a teacher at the Catholic school in Saratoga. They've never mentioned God, Jesus or the Pope. Now, real-estate prices, that's a different matter .
Karen (other half) actually said last week that she couldn't imagine going back to Medway (N Kent) - not that we'll never go back to the UK, but we're here and happy for the time being.
Duncs - I would encourage you to check out the Bay Area. The cost of accomodation will make your hair curl/straighten (delete as appropriate), but it can be a great environment to live in. A quick spin on Google turned up this guy - even if you're not interested in the CA thing, he might have some advice/contacts for you.
Anyway - it's late, enough rambling. Thanks, Rincewind for an interesting thread. How's the luggage?
Cheers,
Pat
There have been so many posts in this thread articulating the secular/atheist/rationalist point-of-view so clearly, I think the only contribution I can make is my experience of California (specifically the SF Bay Area) over the past 6 months...
I live in San Jose, and, ironically, given that 99% of the place names are rooted in Roman Catholicism via Imperial Spain (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Clara etc etc etc etc), this is probably one of the most tolerant areas in the US.
I have never encountered any proselytizing at work and very little elsewhere - about the most I've seen is the occasional newsletter from one of the local churches (which goes straight into the recycling) and the little stand at the mall with 'Free Religious Literature' - no more than the UK really.
I'm lucky in that I came here with my (English) wife and work in software - not really a religious breeding ground. Our neighbours are Catholic, but we inferred that from the evidence: (1) her family is Italian, (2) his family is from where I would call 'Northern Ireland', but they call simply 'Ireland' and (3) she's a teacher at the Catholic school in Saratoga. They've never mentioned God, Jesus or the Pope. Now, real-estate prices, that's a different matter
.Karen (other half) actually said last week that she couldn't imagine going back to Medway (N Kent) - not that we'll never go back to the UK, but we're here and happy for the time being.
Duncs - I would encourage you to check out the Bay Area. The cost of accomodation will make your hair curl/straighten (delete as appropriate), but it can be a great environment to live in. A quick spin on Google turned up this guy - even if you're not interested in the CA thing, he might have some advice/contacts for you.
Anyway - it's late, enough rambling. Thanks, Rincewind for an interesting thread. How's the luggage?
Cheers,
Pat
I saw Mr Carrows page before its pretty unusual. saying that when i was in the old bailey one time a barrister there was american and he was god awful. when he was questioning the witness he kept looking at the (highly bemused) jury and saying things like 'see! wake up and smell the cawffee'(think strong northern american accent) it was ****ing hilarious, i thought jurors were going to burst out laughing and when the judge kept warning him for it they looked like they would explode. Highly entertaining! I suppose i will need to work on a more theatrical style than i was previously used to?
I think it has to be Boston. I always loved the place and the irish influence makes it all the better. Plus i know lots of people there so i am sure once i get going my network will expand quickly and i will have all sorts of doors open up. just have to convince the wife, or maybe go without her?
By the way Muswell Hill that was a great description 'religotainment' dead on.
Parents in law are trying to get us to accept tickets to see the 'Passion' and telling us how we should go see it, bloody awkward. ****ing Mel Gibson what a dick. Mind you the wife got a good score the other day. Her mum was talking about how shocking and upsetting the suffering of Jesus was in the passion and my wife pointed out that he was executed following due legal process(for the time) for commission of a capital crime so how was that different to them supporting and voting for capital punishment in mississippi? No answer was forthcoming. Christians they have all the answers until they dont have the answers!!
Last edited by Duncs; Mar 1st 2004 at 7:59 pm.
Mar 1st 2004 | 11:39 pm
#72
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 469
From: Hinsdale, IL
Originally posted by rincewind
Where I live, the bible belt, it is pretty much in your face.
My wife and I travelled to Louisiana over the weekend and stopped into an adult store on the way back. Whilst we were looking around, a man and wife entered the store with matching t-shirts with "Jesus Saves" on it. They started having a go at the poor woman behind the counter about how the place was a sin.
When we left, we saw their car outside and they had their kids in the back waiting :scared:
"Sit tight kids, mom and dad have some sinners to save inside this sex shop."
It's retarded.
I'm thinking about getting a t-shirt made up with "Jesus Enslaves" written on it but my wife insists that I would probably get injured if I left the house. The sad fact is, I probably would.
Where I live, the bible belt, it is pretty much in your face.
My wife and I travelled to Louisiana over the weekend and stopped into an adult store on the way back. Whilst we were looking around, a man and wife entered the store with matching t-shirts with "Jesus Saves" on it. They started having a go at the poor woman behind the counter about how the place was a sin.
When we left, we saw their car outside and they had their kids in the back waiting :scared:
"Sit tight kids, mom and dad have some sinners to save inside this sex shop."
It's retarded.
I'm thinking about getting a t-shirt made up with "Jesus Enslaves" written on it but my wife insists that I would probably get injured if I left the house. The sad fact is, I probably would.
Why is it so many of them frown on drinking yet get blind drunk and ogle at naked young women (nothing wrong in itself) when they are married with 10 kids and preach this family values stuff.
I almost fell off my perch when i saw how many strip joints there were in SC, but the best are those road side ads...one near me is for the penthouse club, followed by a jeses saves....ROTFLMAO!!
Can i have one of your 'jesus enslaves' t-shirts please. I'll swop you one for my "think, no thankyou i'm baptist".
Mar 2nd 2004 | 7:09 am
#73
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 148
From: San Jose, CA
Originally posted by Muswell Hill
Can i have one of your 'jesus enslaves' t-shirts please. I'll swop you one for my "think, no thankyou i'm baptist".
Can i have one of your 'jesus enslaves' t-shirts please. I'll swop you one for my "think, no thankyou i'm baptist".
"AGAINST ABORTION? Fine - don't have one"
Pat
Mar 2nd 2004 | 9:06 am
#74
Wurzel turned redneck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 363
From: Columbia, SC (was Bristol, Wessex)
Originally posted by rincewind
Most people prefer the term secular rather than atheist, because, well, some people don't know what secular means and find the wrong definition when they go and look it up.
Most people prefer the term secular rather than atheist, because, well, some people don't know what secular means and find the wrong definition when they go and look it up.
Mar 2nd 2004 | 9:49 am
#75
Thread Starter
You Are All Diseased
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,511
From: Farnham, UK
When you join the Brights, do you get a badge saying "I really am so much cleverer than the common folk, you know"?
I think that the Brights have a good idea in that certain issues need to be more secularized, but there is a danger that the "Bright Movement" could make the rest of us look bad.
I personally think the name Bright was a bad choice as it gives people the assumption that Brights are, well, brighter in an intellectual way. Which is the wrong message.
I don't consider myself more intellectual than religious followers but I firmly believe that I have been exposed to more worldly situations and experiences than they have. And this is why I am who I am.
If you are raised in a very religious family that teach you nothing except religion, then what else do you have to go on? Which is why I think it is ridiculous when I read that States are trying to remove evolution from its textbooks. It's denying children the right to explore the world in total and that to me is a crime.
