Monday, March 24, 2008

The God Part of the Brain

A highly recommended read. Matthew Alper presents a very thorough explanation of man's propensity to establish a spiritual realm and faith in an afterlife. Through evolution and natural selection, this idea stemmed from man's knowledge and fear of death, as well as fear of the unknown after death. This fear debilatated humans, stopping all progress. Therefore, evolution stepped in and a created the false, but completely necessary idea of god and an afterlife to reduce fear, and return humans to being production beings who could progress. Alper presents his ideas in a very clear and concise manner. Not an easy read, but one that everyone thinking person needs to experience.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Atheist Quotes

Great video with incredible quotes from people all throughout history talking about the idiocy of religion and faith.


Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Birth & Death

"I cannot imagine a God who rewards and punishes the objects of his creation, whose purposes are modeled after our own -- a God, in short, who is but a reflection of human frailty. Neither can I believe that the individual survives the death of his body, although feeble souls harbor such thoughts through fear or ridiculous egotism." [Einstein]

"I cannot believe in the immortality of the soul.... No, all this talk of an existence for us, as individuals, beyond the grave is wrong. It is born of our tenacity of life – our desire to go on living … our dread of coming to an end." [Edison]

I have realized something. Being born and dying are NOT special. Why? Because every single person on the planet right now or who ever was alive was born and died or will die. Why do people see the birth of a baby as something special, even miraculous? I would define a miracle as something that is SO rare that it hardly ever happens normally. Being born is definately not rare because everyone has done it. Why does society say that this event that happens to everyone is somehow special? Because it happened to you? Because it happened to someone who you care about? Think about it: it has happened to everyone, whether you have met them, you hate them, or will never see them ever. Yet people still see it as a miracle. I don't get that. You know what another birth means to me? It means another consumer in this world. It means another being that populates this already crowded planet. It means another not special human being was brought into this world. Despite being not special, this being will be told that they are special for some reason. That even their birth was a miracle. I just don't get it. It doesn't make sense to me. Then all we have is entire planet full of people who think they are special even though everyone in the entire world is in the same place and is equally special ~ meaning not at all.

I have a similar view of death. Why is death special or even something to be feared? It is something that has or will happen to everyone. It is not miraculous or rare at all and thus should not be seen as special. Think about the animal kingdom for a minute. When an older beast knows that they will die soon, they are not sad or scared. They say goodbye and leave where their family is to die away from the camp to not spread disease to their living relatives. In their last moments they think of the well being of their family. They don't ponder what death will be like or if there is something after. They will be dead so it doesn't matter. They know that dead things rot and rotten things aren't good. So to help their family they wander away and die alone. How do they know to do this? I think it is something inside all of us. Human beings though must always make things that are NOT special or rare very special. So instead of allowing the elders of our communities to die away from the group, we bury them all together in a fancy coffin or burn them in a special way. We also hold a special party in their honor. Does any of that make sense? It doesn't to me.

As you are reading this sentence there are probably hundreds of people being born or dying at this very instant. Birth and death are not special because it happens to everyone. It is not more special if it happens to you because you are as special as everyone else ~ meaning not at all. And yes, to most people this view is coarse or harsh, but I don't really care. Just wait until I get started!

Sunday, March 9, 2008

My Homemade Cards

I have recently been enjoying making some homemade cards for friends and family. It is a great way to let my creative juices flow while keeping my hands busy and helping to brighten someone's day. I am learning about new techniques to use on my cards. I also like to try new things. I am attaching some pictures of the cards I have made. The ones included in this post are all birthday cards. 1: birthday card for Wendy, my sister-in-law. 2: birthday card for Doug, my brother-in-law. 3: birthday card for Evan, my nephew. 4: birthday card for Grandma Ault. Look here in the future for some new creations.









































Saturday, March 8, 2008

Death is the end

It matters what goes on right now. In the moment. Nothing lasts. What does it matter where you go or what happens to your body after you die. You have expired and will not know the difference. No longer feeling or experiencing, breathing no more. Life has ended and there is no more for you. You follow in the footsteps of generations gone by. I will follow also when it is my turn, as will everyone I know or have ever met. So will all the people who have ever been born. They too will die and meet the end of existence. There is no point in pondering what happens in death because it will make no matter when it happens. There is no point even regretting past mistakes or choices. Life in the now because it is what is right here in front of you.

In Memory of Mary Theresa Omiecinski, my grandma.