<![CDATA[Atheist Forums

<![CDATA[Atheist Forums - The Arts]]> https://atheistforums.org/ Thu, 07 May 2026 00:16:13 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[George Orwell - The Animal Farm]]> https://atheistforums.org/thread-66603.html Tue, 27 Jan 2026 23:19:26 +0000 https://atheistforums.org/thread-66603.html
Here is a book that I had read years ago and that I revisited thanks to a local theatre play.

In this story George Orwell is actually making an allegory of the communist Utopia in his time. While many in his generation saw great potential in the Leninist approach in the Soviet Union and the communist bloc in general, Orwell saw everything for what it is.

In the book / theatre play it says “All animals are equals, some are even more equals”. Meaning that the pigs (the bureaucrats) simply became the new masters after the humans (the capitalists) were kicked out of the farm.

Orwell has very interesting remarks on the afterlife and the priestly class of animals who are spreading lies about the afterlife in order to control the animals Smile

This book was published in 1945. If it had been published today and I had read the book today, I would probably say that the story is an allegory of the Maduro regime of Venezuela or the Mullah regime in Iran.

In fact this is rather a universal theme in human society. Someone comes with some great ideas (Karl Marx or the prophet of a religion). No one really understands the guy. The enlightened person or prophet dies. People start talking in the name of that intellectual or prophet. The “message” becomes somes sort of religion with another group of people “guiding” the rest of society toward better days. Then there is the animal farm.

The original idea might be socialism, communism, UFO’s visiting the earth, Islam…

In the end it ends up being some cunning people using their intelligence to fool other people and exploit them for their completely ego-based interests.

/This is why the only possible utopia in this world is the principle of justice (the Maat principle as the Egyptians called it). There has to be limits to everybody’s actions especially the actions of the ruling elite even the monarch himself. In ancient Egypt Pharaoh himself was not above the law and that’s probably how their civilization managed to last for 2-3 millennia.

Today modern societies are rediscovering this. We have laws that prevent anyone from being punished unless their crime has already been proven. Our rulers / presidents are not above the law and must answer to independent legal authorities. + We have not divine guides or anything like that. Our spiritual evolution is our own issue so it is harder for people to fool us for a better life after this life (whatever that means) Smile

]]>
Here is a book that I had read years ago and that I revisited thanks to a local theatre play.

In this story George Orwell is actually making an allegory of the communist Utopia in his time. While many in his generation saw great potential in the Leninist approach in the Soviet Union and the communist bloc in general, Orwell saw everything for what it is.

In the book / theatre play it says “All animals are equals, some are even more equals”. Meaning that the pigs (the bureaucrats) simply became the new masters after the humans (the capitalists) were kicked out of the farm.

Orwell has very interesting remarks on the afterlife and the priestly class of animals who are spreading lies about the afterlife in order to control the animals Smile

]]> <![CDATA[Asimov's "Foundation"]]> https://atheistforums.org/thread-66552.html Wed, 08 Oct 2025 14:47:46 +0000 https://atheistforums.org/thread-66552.html
It's currently rated at an 87%, with mixed reviews.

Have you seen it? What's your opinion?]]>
It's currently rated at an 87%, with mixed reviews.

Have you seen it? What's your opinion?]]> <![CDATA[Book Passages]]> https://atheistforums.org/thread-66538.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 16:52:40 +0000 https://atheistforums.org/thread-66538.html

Here’s one of mine, from Twain’s A Double-Barreled Detective Story:

Quote:‘It was a crisp and spicy morning in early October. The lilacs and laburnums, lit with the glory-fires of autumn, hung burning and flashing in the upper air, a fairy bridge provided by kind nature for the wingless wild things that have their home in the tree-tops and would visit together; the larch and the pomegranate flung their purple and yellow flames in brilliant broad splashes along the slanting sweep of woodland, the sensuous fragrance of innumerable deciduous flowers rose upon the swooning atmosphere, far in the empty sky a solitary oesophagus slept upon motionless wing; everywhere brooded stillness, serenity, and the peace of God.’

He got LOTS of mail about that.

Boru]]>

Here’s one of mine, from Twain’s A Double-Barreled Detective Story:

Quote:‘It was a crisp and spicy morning in early October. The lilacs and laburnums, lit with the glory-fires of autumn, hung burning and flashing in the upper air, a fairy bridge provided by kind nature for the wingless wild things that have their home in the tree-tops and would visit together; the larch and the pomegranate flung their purple and yellow flames in brilliant broad splashes along the slanting sweep of woodland, the sensuous fragrance of innumerable deciduous flowers rose upon the swooning atmosphere, far in the empty sky a solitary oesophagus slept upon motionless wing; everywhere brooded stillness, serenity, and the peace of God.’

He got LOTS of mail about that.

Boru]]> <![CDATA[Spaceballs Sequel!]]> https://atheistforums.org/thread-66458.html Fri, 13 Jun 2025 22:20:25 +0000 https://atheistforums.org/thread-66458.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/movi...rcna212873]]>
https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/movi...rcna212873]]> <![CDATA[Random Celebrity Appreciation]]> https://atheistforums.org/thread-66357.html Sat, 15 Mar 2025 22:26:20 +0000 https://atheistforums.org/thread-66357.html
Clint Walker

[Image: bday03b.jpg]

Dang, he was a big guy. Naughty

]]>
Clint Walker

[Image: bday03b.jpg]

Dang, he was a big guy. Naughty

]]> <![CDATA[The Heretic Movie]]> https://atheistforums.org/thread-66196.html Wed, 13 Nov 2024 16:06:15 +0000 https://atheistforums.org/thread-66196.html
I'm not even sure I'd call it a horror movie though....maybe psychological thriller with religious subject matter?

Also, as a musicologist, I enjoyed that aspect and clever end credits song immensely.

Anyone seen it? Was the ending satisfying enough for you or could be better?]]>
I'm not even sure I'd call it a horror movie though....maybe psychological thriller with religious subject matter?

Also, as a musicologist, I enjoyed that aspect and clever end credits song immensely.

Anyone seen it? Was the ending satisfying enough for you or could be better?]]> <![CDATA[Dogma 25th Anniversary]]> https://atheistforums.org/thread-66195.html Tue, 12 Nov 2024 14:05:16 +0000 https://atheistforums.org/thread-66195.html
I just read that there is a new release of it coming out next year and Kevin Smith suggested possible future movie or TV projects based on the concept. Crazy to think that getting to the church on time could magically erase all your sins...

Would you watch any offshoots based on the film or do you feel it's a classic best left as is? Room for improvement in the story perhaps with 25 years to reflect on what has happened in the world since then? Hope Smith can do it justice!]]>
I just read that there is a new release of it coming out next year and Kevin Smith suggested possible future movie or TV projects based on the concept. Crazy to think that getting to the church on time could magically erase all your sins...

Would you watch any offshoots based on the film or do you feel it's a classic best left as is? Room for improvement in the story perhaps with 25 years to reflect on what has happened in the world since then? Hope Smith can do it justice!]]> <![CDATA[The Invention Of Lying Concept]]> https://atheistforums.org/thread-66173.html Tue, 22 Oct 2024 15:54:43 +0000 https://atheistforums.org/thread-66173.html
So, in a world where people are incapable of lying, the main character lies to his Mother on her death bed that she is going to a great place after her death where she will be reunited with lost loved ones and surrounded by beautiful scenery in the wonderful world of "heaven"

What's so bad about that? Yes, things get out of hand later in the movie, but looking at just that one scene, what is the harm? We lie all the time for various reasons, and sometimes with good intent, just to make someone feel better, and in this case she is dying anyway, so why not make her feel like it's not really the end....that she has something to look forward to?

My own Mother was Christian, but was aware of my thoughts on religion, and we respected each other (after her initial shock, of course) and she was open to my way of thinking as she entered her 70's. However, as she laid in the hospital bed, in pain and dying, I would have said or done anything to make her feel better, regardless of my own personal views.

What would you do? Have you done anything similar in the past? Share your thoughts on what would be the last lie you ever told a person.]]>
So, in a world where people are incapable of lying, the main character lies to his Mother on her death bed that she is going to a great place after her death where she will be reunited with lost loved ones and surrounded by beautiful scenery in the wonderful world of "heaven"

What's so bad about that? Yes, things get out of hand later in the movie, but looking at just that one scene, what is the harm? We lie all the time for various reasons, and sometimes with good intent, just to make someone feel better, and in this case she is dying anyway, so why not make her feel like it's not really the end....that she has something to look forward to?

My own Mother was Christian, but was aware of my thoughts on religion, and we respected each other (after her initial shock, of course) and she was open to my way of thinking as she entered her 70's. However, as she laid in the hospital bed, in pain and dying, I would have said or done anything to make her feel better, regardless of my own personal views.

What would you do? Have you done anything similar in the past? Share your thoughts on what would be the last lie you ever told a person.]]> <![CDATA[Artificially Interpreted]]> https://atheistforums.org/thread-66074.html Wed, 07 Aug 2024 18:25:58 +0000 https://atheistforums.org/thread-66074.html
Atheist:

[Image: f890a07fbb774355b0ba53b54335bf81.jpeg]

[Image: f890a07fbb774355b0ba53b54335bf81.jpeg]

[Image: daa05f51-416e-459c-b70e-01e1e831d974.jpg]

[Image: 90124a7d44be4730ada16b94445fdb28.jpeg]

Atheism:

[Image: c0d2a29e2c654ebdb6a9ee2ae35672c8.jpeg]

[Image: 4f348aff32d240d5a4629a00b2982b5d.jpeg]

[Image: 1bcd1f5fdcc945f29b9965304177891a.jpeg]

]]>
Atheist:

[Image: f890a07fbb774355b0ba53b54335bf81.jpeg]

Atheism:

]]> <![CDATA[Atheism quotes]]> https://atheistforums.org/thread-66063.html Mon, 29 Jul 2024 20:48:47 +0000 https://atheistforums.org/thread-66063.html the most potent force for
atheism ever conceived."
—ISAAC ASIMOV (1920-1992),
scientist and writer

[Image: Isaac-Asimov-citat1.png]

]]> the most potent force for
atheism ever conceived."
—ISAAC ASIMOV (1920-1992),
scientist and writer

[Image: Isaac-Asimov-citat1.png]

]]> <![CDATA[Upcoming concerts/shows]]> https://atheistforums.org/thread-65965.html Sun, 26 May 2024 22:43:03 +0000 https://atheistforums.org/thread-65965.html I'm looking forward to the 30th of this month though, I'm meeting an out of town friend to see an awesome show. It's BLOODBATH, PRIMORDIAL, ARCHGOAT, and a 4th band I can't remember.

PRIMORDIAL are an Irish black/pagan metal band that has been around for 30+ years, but rarely, if ever, tour the US. I've been listening to their music for over 20 years, and finally have a chance to see them live, so I'm really looking forward to that.
The show is at EL Corazon in Seattle, a place I've been too countless times in the past 30 years. It's going to be a lot of fun.
On November 30th, I'll be back there to see MORBID ANGEL and SUFFOCATION, another killer show to look forward too.]]> I'm looking forward to the 30th of this month though, I'm meeting an out of town friend to see an awesome show. It's BLOODBATH, PRIMORDIAL, ARCHGOAT, and a 4th band I can't remember.

PRIMORDIAL are an Irish black/pagan metal band that has been around for 30+ years, but rarely, if ever, tour the US. I've been listening to their music for over 20 years, and finally have a chance to see them live, so I'm really looking forward to that.
The show is at EL Corazon in Seattle, a place I've been too countless times in the past 30 years. It's going to be a lot of fun.
On November 30th, I'll be back there to see MORBID ANGEL and SUFFOCATION, another killer show to look forward too.]]> <![CDATA[Random movie news]]> https://atheistforums.org/thread-65959.html Sat, 25 May 2024 05:43:56 +0000 https://atheistforums.org/thread-65959.html
[Image: Zane.jpg]

]]>

]]> <![CDATA[Forced, a poem about the bans on abortion.]]> https://atheistforums.org/thread-65904.html Wed, 10 Apr 2024 15:16:30 +0000 https://atheistforums.org/thread-65904.html
April 10th, 2024
Forced, By Brian37 (AKA Brian James Rational Poet on FB/META and @brianrrs37 on Twitter/X)

Do you know of ectopic pregnancy
Do you know a miscarriage
Isn’t always expelled immediately

These politicians aren’t trained medically
All they do is prey upon people emotionally
And these ham fisted laws can end tragically

For many who don’t have the means
To leave the state, theocratic minds seal their fate
The American Taliban are at the gate

They don’t care for females that are raped
Or incest trauma that they negate
They ignore because of a book of lore

Keep it in your pants or you’re a whore
You're just a factory for the cross company
Forced birth is your only destiny

Here are the words of Susan B:

“I distrust those people who
Know so well what God wants them to do
Because I always notice it coincides with
Their own desires”

Old Christian white men
Did back then, beat her up
Because she dared spoke up

They didn’t want her to vote
To them that chance beyond remote
Despite their misogyny

“Well behaved women
Seldom make history”
This ban on abortion

It is oppression
Nothing short of
It is time for women to take off the gloves.
(end)]]>
April 10th, 2024
Forced, By Brian37 (AKA Brian James Rational Poet on FB/META and @brianrrs37 on Twitter/X)

Do you know of ectopic pregnancy
Do you know a miscarriage
Isn’t always expelled immediately

These politicians aren’t trained medically
All they do is prey upon people emotionally
And these ham fisted laws can end tragically

For many who don’t have the means
To leave the state, theocratic minds seal their fate
The American Taliban are at the gate

They don’t care for females that are raped
Or incest trauma that they negate
They ignore because of a book of lore

Keep it in your pants or you’re a whore
You're just a factory for the cross company
Forced birth is your only destiny

Here are the words of Susan B:

“I distrust those people who
Know so well what God wants them to do
Because I always notice it coincides with
Their own desires”

Old Christian white men
Did back then, beat her up
Because she dared spoke up

They didn’t want her to vote
To them that chance beyond remote
Despite their misogyny

“Well behaved women
Seldom make history”
This ban on abortion

It is oppression
Nothing short of
It is time for women to take off the gloves.
(end)]]> <![CDATA[Lyrical]]> https://atheistforums.org/thread-65881.html Thu, 28 Mar 2024 19:37:40 +0000 https://atheistforums.org/thread-65881.html

]]>

]]> <![CDATA[Post A Pool Cover]]> https://atheistforums.org/thread-65867.html Sat, 23 Mar 2024 20:44:37 +0000 https://atheistforums.org/thread-65867.html

Boru]]>

Boru]]> <![CDATA[Post a Stool Cover]]> https://atheistforums.org/thread-65866.html Sat, 23 Mar 2024 20:25:50 +0000 https://atheistforums.org/thread-65866.html ]]> ]]> <![CDATA[Post a Cool Cover]]> https://atheistforums.org/thread-65865.html Sat, 23 Mar 2024 02:05:41 +0000 https://atheistforums.org/thread-65865.html

]]>

]]> <![CDATA[Any writers here (or readers, especially of Fantasy or Magic Realism)?]]> https://atheistforums.org/thread-65839.html Sun, 03 Mar 2024 23:29:21 +0000 https://atheistforums.org/thread-65839.html
Here's the thing though - it's FICTION, and Fantasy books challenge the imagination. It's fun to write about magic and there is an emotional satisfaction in envisioning a world where it exists. One thing I always liked about Harry Potter, for instance, is how JK Rowling used the imaginary magical world to make social commentary about the real world.

Fiction in general (even the more "realistic" kind) is very contrived and yet this is why it can be so satisfying - in a fictional world the good guys usually win, and the bad guys get punished. I think this is especially important to someone like me who doesn't believe there is a puppet-master in the sky pulling the strings to create justice in real life.

I'd be interested in hearing from other readers/fans of Fantasy and of magic realism, as well as writers.

Some of my favourite books and movies include traditional Fantasy and sword & sorcery, like Tolkien. But my very favourite genre is stories set in the real world but with magical elements - this could range from movies like The Illusionist to Matt Haig's novel _The Midnight Library_.]]>
Here's the thing though - it's FICTION, and Fantasy books challenge the imagination. It's fun to write about magic and there is an emotional satisfaction in envisioning a world where it exists. One thing I always liked about Harry Potter, for instance, is how JK Rowling used the imaginary magical world to make social commentary about the real world.

Fiction in general (even the more "realistic" kind) is very contrived and yet this is why it can be so satisfying - in a fictional world the good guys usually win, and the bad guys get punished. I think this is especially important to someone like me who doesn't believe there is a puppet-master in the sky pulling the strings to create justice in real life.

I'd be interested in hearing from other readers/fans of Fantasy and of magic realism, as well as writers.

Some of my favourite books and movies include traditional Fantasy and sword & sorcery, like Tolkien. But my very favourite genre is stories set in the real world but with magical elements - this could range from movies like The Illusionist to Matt Haig's novel _The Midnight Library_.]]> <![CDATA[The Wrong Road Taken]]> https://atheistforums.org/thread-65807.html Mon, 12 Feb 2024 06:50:25 +0000 https://atheistforums.org/thread-65807.html
A: I can write.
B: I don't know where the market is let alone how to swim in it. Is it wet? A wet market like fishes?

I'm thinking of self publishing a book as part of a three part series. I've done all the prerequisites, read it and rewrote, had a few read it, rewrote it. Had beta readers and rewrote it. Had an editor, and everything was so great they didn't even charge me a dime. The last bit is embellishment. But where to go from here?

How would you market it? Should I look of "book influences" online or go for the mainstream critics? I don't think there are any rules other than I want to put a badge that says "No AI involved."

Open to Ideas.]]>
A: I can write.
B: I don't know where the market is let alone how to swim in it. Is it wet? A wet market like fishes?

I'm thinking of self publishing a book as part of a three part series. I've done all the prerequisites, read it and rewrote, had a few read it, rewrote it. Had beta readers and rewrote it. Had an editor, and everything was so great they didn't even charge me a dime. The last bit is embellishment. But where to go from here?

How would you market it? Should I look of "book influences" online or go for the mainstream critics? I don't think there are any rules other than I want to put a badge that says "No AI involved."

Open to Ideas.]]> <![CDATA[Project? Collaborative Fiction, based on a true story kinda]]> https://atheistforums.org/thread-65803.html Sat, 03 Feb 2024 00:23:08 +0000 https://atheistforums.org/thread-65803.html
He needs to take a tele-health call. The man notices the guy - with suitcases and a duffel bag - on the way out. The guy is sitting on the bench in front of the pub in the cold. It's cold enough to snow.

The tele-health call is quick and uneventful. The man notices the guy again on the way back inside. The guy is rubbing his eyes.

The man finishes his meal, buys a round for the bar, takes his leftovers, and settles up. A quick trip to the loo and he's off to get his daughter ready for her dance class.

The guy has moved into the anteroom, with his suitcase and duffel bag. The anteroom is heated. The guy is weeping.

The man sees this. He pauses, considers.

Then the man hears himself seem to say, "Hey man, are you okay?"

[insert what happens next. please quote reply. most kudos is the next paragraph. Timing is a couple of days.]]]>
He needs to take a tele-health call. The man notices the guy - with suitcases and a duffel bag - on the way out. The guy is sitting on the bench in front of the pub in the cold. It's cold enough to snow.

The tele-health call is quick and uneventful. The man notices the guy again on the way back inside. The guy is rubbing his eyes.

The man finishes his meal, buys a round for the bar, takes his leftovers, and settles up. A quick trip to the loo and he's off to get his daughter ready for her dance class.

The guy has moved into the anteroom, with his suitcase and duffel bag. The anteroom is heated. The guy is weeping.

The man sees this. He pauses, considers.

Then the man hears himself seem to say, "Hey man, are you okay?"

[insert what happens next. please quote reply. most kudos is the next paragraph. Timing is a couple of days.]]]>