I'd like to point out another factor, to which others have somewhat alluded but not outright stated:
Not only are we gaining in shared experience and information, we're able to support one another in ways heretofore unimaginable. In small communities (as many of us have experienced personally!), atheists and other "misfits" to the social norms of American Judeo-Christian bullshit were previously left to feel alone and isolated, and often had to hide and never admit anything to anyone. Now there are "people who are like me!" circles where such support is offered.
Even to those of us who were brave enough to "come out" and face the social ramifications, it can feel very lonely as an atheist (sorry to borrow your title, Natalie Angier)... I can't count the number of days coming here has "saved me" from some really awful feelings of isolation and hopelessness, especially when I was first trying to get sorted in my new "free" life.
I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you to all of you (most especially you, Dr.Fuzzy, who went out of your way!) for all you have done for me here on the Interwebz.
Here's the article to which I refer, above. Don't feel like bothering with the linking code:
http://partners.nytimes.com/library/maga...heism.html
Not only are we gaining in shared experience and information, we're able to support one another in ways heretofore unimaginable. In small communities (as many of us have experienced personally!), atheists and other "misfits" to the social norms of American Judeo-Christian bullshit were previously left to feel alone and isolated, and often had to hide and never admit anything to anyone. Now there are "people who are like me!" circles where such support is offered.
Even to those of us who were brave enough to "come out" and face the social ramifications, it can feel very lonely as an atheist (sorry to borrow your title, Natalie Angier)... I can't count the number of days coming here has "saved me" from some really awful feelings of isolation and hopelessness, especially when I was first trying to get sorted in my new "free" life.
I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you to all of you (most especially you, Dr.Fuzzy, who went out of your way!) for all you have done for me here on the Interwebz.
Here's the article to which I refer, above. Don't feel like bothering with the linking code:
http://partners.nytimes.com/library/maga...heism.html
A Christian told me: if you were saved you cant lose your salvation. you're sealed with the Holy Ghost
I replied: Can I refuse? Because I find the entire concept of vicarious blood sacrifice atonement to be morally abhorrent, the concept of holding flawed creatures permanently accountable for social misbehaviors and thought crimes to be morally abhorrent, and the concept of calling something "free" when it comes with the strings of subjugation and obedience perhaps the most morally abhorrent of all... and that's without even going into the history of justifying genocide, slavery, rape, misogyny, religious intolerance, and suppression of free speech which has been attributed by your own scriptures to your deity. I want a refund. I would burn happily rather than serve the monster you profess to love.
I replied: Can I refuse? Because I find the entire concept of vicarious blood sacrifice atonement to be morally abhorrent, the concept of holding flawed creatures permanently accountable for social misbehaviors and thought crimes to be morally abhorrent, and the concept of calling something "free" when it comes with the strings of subjugation and obedience perhaps the most morally abhorrent of all... and that's without even going into the history of justifying genocide, slavery, rape, misogyny, religious intolerance, and suppression of free speech which has been attributed by your own scriptures to your deity. I want a refund. I would burn happily rather than serve the monster you profess to love.
