Let’s get personal, shall we? I’ve been here a while now, and as I’m feeling quite comfortable at Mastodon, I’d like to share a bit more about myself beyond my passion for the climate and the environment.
To begin with, I’m a male, he/him, hetero, strongly supporting LGBTQ rights. I’m a baby boomer, born at 312 PPM 🌏, a United Statesian, although I lived in Europe (mostly Hungary) for several years, and traveled extensively for work before retiring in 2012. I’ve never been good at sustaining long-term romantic relationships, and I’ve finally settled into comfortable singlehood.
I like to say I’m made of contrasts.
For example, I’m rather funny and quite personable, but I don’t enjoy small talk and I hate parties. I currently live in the Bible Belt, but I’m an outspoken atheist. While I can easily fit into most social situations, I don’t feel comfortable around large groups and prefer being alone most of the time. I live near two huge military bases, but I detest the USA’s militaristic, troop-worshiping culture. I’m almost always cheerful, which masks my deeply felt existential nihilism. I’m a neat freak, but also rather lazy, preferring fun over work.
I’ll finish up with some hashtags to add flavor...
For some reason, Christians like to use "it's a religion" to insult #atheism.
First off, it's NOT A RELIGION in the sense Christianity, et al, are. There's no worship, no superhuman power—no gods.
Second, suddenly religion is bad? 🤔
And finally, the only way it could be applied is to atheists who do place importance on issues relating to religion, such as church-state separation. As I've said before, sportsball checks far more "it's a religion" boxes than #atheism.
Controversial statement for a left-winger like me to make:
When people say that #science explains the 'how' and #religion tries to answer the 'why' they are ignoring the fact that science does not, and never will, explain the only 'how' that matters:
How did anything come into #existence in the first place?
Any entity, system or law that we discover cannot be the answer, as it will always require another explanation.
Tonight there's a rare chance to see me volunteer for the Swedish Church, an organisation that I left 33 years ago. I'll be selling tickets for a choral concert with Gabriel Fauré's 1890 funerary mass. Before you ascribe any religious awakening to me though, note that both my wife and my ex are in the soprano section.
Received a review copy of an American techno thriller where atheists are being hunted down by shadowy theocrats. And I'm like "I'm Swedish. We've already beat theocracy. Atheists are the establishment here, not some beleaguered minority that needs comforting tales about our plight. I don't care about #atheism."
I was raised atheist, and by most definitions I still am. But what I actually practice is non-dualism.
You can just as well call me a theist and I wouldn't disagree with you.
To me these world views are just two different ways of looking at the same, one thing. Two sides of the same existential coin.
Make no mistake though: Atheism is a religion just like the rest. It's the religion of non-belief, which if practiced puritanically can cloud good judgement.
A Syrian buddy of mine: "Lots of people are afraid that Muslims will change Sweden radically and make it a theocracy. But look at us. It's the other way around for most of us. We're changing. Sweden allowed me to come out as an atheist."
In a sweeping package of stories, photos and video, The Associated Press Religion Team takes an in-depth look at how the "none" phenomenon is playing out in the United States, South America, Nigeria, India, Middle East, Japan, Italy and Israel.
"Anti-Religion", "Atheism" or "Humanism" is primary a Christian, European viewpoint.
The idea of separating out religion from culture only exists when your culture/religion is the dominant one, and what you are separating out is an aspect of your own culture.
The idea of secularism as expressed in North America and Europe exists almost exclusively within this cultural backdrop.
People are becoming less religious, and some scholars argue that will lead to a decline in community engagement and other indicators of well-being. One possible solution? Atheist church. @TheConversationUS explores how secular congregations are meeting people's need for togetherness with collective singing, readings, sharing of testimony, and no God. Tell us in the comments what you think.
What does Tenet III, “One’s body is inviolable, subject to one’s own will alone,” mean to you?
This Tenet can have a lot of interpretations and they’re all correct in my eyes....
the terrifying reality of our situation
Nonreligious Americans Are The New Abortion Voters (fivethirtyeight.com)
This article shows how nonreligious voters have prioritized abortion as a issue while white evangelical have deprioritized since Roe overturn.
The Nones (projects.apnews.com)
In a sweeping package of stories, photos and video, The Associated Press Religion Team takes an in-depth look at how the "none" phenomenon is playing out in the United States, South America, Nigeria, India, Middle East, Japan, Italy and Israel.
I made a Satan Bless America piece, inspired by a 'god Bless America' flag I saw. Color variants + HQ inside!
Color variants