trying the google tracker, lets see what happens

this is a test of the google tracking system, if this is an emergency, well i dont know why you would be here

Fundamental Difference in Theistic depates

One thing I've noticed is that any time an atheist/secularist/scientist has a debate with a theist, the theist tends to look victorious. Why is that? Are we as observers willing to believe "god did it" as some kind of answer? Also the people on the science side of things tend to approach the issue from within their sphere of knowledge, things that they truly understand and feel comfortable backing up, (Dawkins within biology, Dennett from philosophy etc)whereas theists tend to say what ever they want to prove/disprove a point. It makes it hard for someone to defend their position if simultaneously defending biology, nuclear physics, cosmology, geology, and pseudo-science babble.

Mixed faith households

I came out to my wife a month or so ago as an atheist. She took it well at the time, she was shocked but things settled down in a couple days. Well this last week she had another moment of crisis. I had to explain why/how I came to disbelieve, and what that meant for me and us. I talked about the logical arguments for not believing in the supernatural. I'm sure this will come up again but thats fine, communication has always been a strong suite.

my favorite websites

This is going to be a quick post, I am going to share with (myself?) some of the websites that I have found on my path...

Science Blogs A great website that hosts great blogs that are science based. They discuss everything from breast cancer research to the ridiculousness of religious people.

Coming out godless An inspirational blog where people tell their story about how they became an atheist.

The Edger A great site that has news editorials, and events from an atheist/agnostic/secular humanist point of view

There are others but these are the ones that I am gravitating to at the moment.

constructive time in a meeting

Wracking my head
with kamikaze poachers
breaking down the soil
killing the name of the
"one true holy"
knocking on the empty room
or the home of the soul

Block the black heart of the faithful
Stall the plague of the human spirit
where triviality of live is harbored

Bags of bombs are the obvious threat
but what of the dawning dark age
where dinos walked with man
and life is stagnant

Dawning theocracy approaches
pushing truth away
claiming "divine right"
to live lives both yours and mine

NO CHOICE but gods
NO WILL but gods
NO FUTURE but gods
NO THOUGHT but gods
NO LIFE but gods
NO REason....
NO CRITIcal thought....
no hope...

My evolution of thought

I think I can directly attribute the evolution of my thoughts from ultra jaded christian (vague idea that if god did exist that the church has done its best to defame him/her/it) to an agnostic. Here it goes...

Ironicly it started at christmas last year, I got an ipod by my fairly religious in-laws. I started getting into podcasts, particularly science based podcasts. I started off with TEDtalks (www.ted.com) then moved into the skeptical arena. I started off with skeptoid hosted by Brian Dunning. This consisted of short (5-15 min) blurbs about various science, pseudoscience and paranormal phenomenon. This took me to skepticality hosted by Derek and Swoopy. Their podcast is about an hour and is filled with everything skeptical. I think the highlight of the podcasts are the interviews, with everyone from Niel DeGrass Tyson to James Randi to atheist rapper Graydon Square.

Through the journy I was exposed to many views and people that I had not heard about. Michael Shermer, James Randi, Phil Plait, The Skepchicks, and many more. I learned about and purchesed Julia Sweeny's "Letting Go of God".

Lately I have gotten into a routine of keeping up to date with the podcasts I enjoy as well as reading science based nonfiction. I am currently reading "The Science of Good and Evil" by Michael Shermer. It takes a look at individual and group morality from an evolution standpoint, including the origin of religion and the role it played to our ancestors.

My goal with this blog is going to put my thoughts out there for ridicule and praise, to share what I am involved with, what I've learned and what my short comings are.

Pre-Introduction

This is a test of the blogging service. In the event of actual thought or information it would appear here....