1. Does the Bible have a place in public schools?

Comment #63500 by ReasonIsMyHumeboy on August 14, 2007 at 3:20 pm

I graduated high school three years ago, and I think the only way to have an impact on students would be to require students to take a comparative religions course. Show them the parallels between Jesus' and the Buddha's teachings. Teach them about Islam, as well as the differences between Sunnis and Shias. Let them learn about the Vikings, the Greek and Roman gods, as well as Hinduism. But, for the love of (no) God, don't allow these teachers the arrogance to label past religions--as well as contrarian ones--as "mythology."

2. Religion beat became a test of faith

Comment #58897 by ReasonIsMyHumeboy on July 26, 2007 at 2:52 pm

It's much easier to see the idiocy of your beliefs from an outside perspective. But where I live is an entirely different place. I have no friends who are atheists. They're not all bible-thumpers, but if asked, they'd say they believe in God. People who once loved you look at you in disgust; it's only later that you realize those people didn't really love you in the first place.

3. Religion beat became a test of faith

Comment #58635 by ReasonIsMyHumeboy on July 25, 2007 at 2:12 pm

I think the majority of you are missing the beauty of this story. Perhaps because it's no fault of your own, but I followed much the same path as this man. The difference is that I determined I'd completely abandoned faith around the time I was 15. I've grown up in the South (Arkansas), in the middle of the Bible Belt. I was at a challenging stage in my life when I truly searched for something transcendent or supernatural.

I went to the weekend retreats. I went to Bible study. But since childhood, the idea of hell never sat well in my mind. It scared me enough to give me nightmares. Furthermore, I had a basic grasp on the logical inconsistencies of the Christian faith as a 12 year old. Therefore, I empathize with this story more than obviously many of you have. When you make a decision like we did--that you're not a person of faith, you're abandoning the lifestyle you've spent years maintaining. At first it's scary. You no longer have your favorite pastor to call for emotional support. People you once thought of as friends can't find the compassion to pick up when you call. Your basic foundation for your life crumbles. Understand that this man has just begun his journey, a journey of discovery, reason, intelligence, science.

I tell my friends that finding out you're an atheist is much akin to discovering you have a terminal illness. You can either love the life you have and try to make it enjoyable for yourself, your loved ones, and your environment, or you can take the negative path, often leading to drug and/or alcohol abuse or, even worse, suicide.

When the author used the term "gift" concerning faith, he used it tongue-in-cheek. It's a gift to some people, but for people like us, we'd rather have a lump of coal. Think of the saying that ignorance is bliss. The statement is true, but I couldn't live life happily without knowing I'll forever be able to further my knowledge.

It's only after a few years that resentment begins to set in. I tremble in anger when I recount the talks I'd had with pastors, realizing now how hateful, racist, and arrogant they are. Now, I take any chance I get to try to enlighten my friends who think "it's not that big 'a deal." ... Shit, I think that's all I have. How's that for a first post?