hello

[amaurer2]

Hello all, I'd just like to say a bit about myself as a new member of this forum.
I'm actually not too new. I found this site about two years ago and I lurk around periodically. I basically have one of the more "typical" atheist stories. cradle catholic, went to a private christian elementary school, grew up in the bible belt. When I was about 13 I realized just how stupid all this religion shit really is. Now I'm in college very very far from where I grew up, and so far I really like it. Although there are far more religious idiots here than I expected :(
Well, I suppose that's about it. it's good to (finally) be a member!

[Professor Chaos]

Welcome, amaurer2! Good to have you. :)

[nkb]

Come in, come in, make yourself at home.

[Jeremy]

Welcome Skeptical Friend, I trust you've recieved your Darwin Devotional and are ready to recite prayers?

[Sternwallow]

Welcome amaurer2. What new perspectives and opinions do you bring us? What, if anything, do you want to know about ours?

We don't stand on ceremony here, we pretty much crap on it instead.

[ubs]

Welcome amaurer2! We have Catholic's post here now and then. It will be handy to have you help us defend the castle.

[antix]

Welcome amaurer2. What new perspectives and opinions do you bring us? What, if anything, do you want to know about ours?

We don't stand on ceremony here, we pretty much crap on it instead.
You mean to say that I've been indulging in baby-eating ceremonies to honor atheism for nothing? Damn.

[Sternwallow]

You mean to say that I've been indulging in baby-eating ceremonies to honor atheism for nothing? Damn.Fear not! Your efforts have not been wasted. Just like the case of capital punishment, each of those babies learned a valuable lesson. Also, the baby eating ceremony serves to counterpoint all of the wishy-washy ceremonies that do not honor the baby eating traditions.

[amaurer2]

Sternwallow: Welcome amaurer2. What new perspectives and opinions do you bring us? What, if anything, do you want to know about ours?

Honestly, I'm always in the process of changing my perspectives and opinions as I grow up and learn about other people/opinions. Sorry if that seems like a cop-out answer....but it's the truth. I try to always be open to someone's opinion, and as there are definitely issues that I'm not sure where I stand. Abortion is a good example. I'm taking a philosophy class and we're currently discussing this issue. I think the abortion should be legal, but only to a certain point in fetal development. However, I have been struggling to determine whether it is moral or if it even makes sense to make a determination like that. Did that make sense?
In the same vein, I am looking forward to browsing this forum and participating in discussions to both strengthen my existing opinons and to be exposed to new ideas and others' opinions.
I must admit, however, that there are some opinions I cannot even pretend to be open to...i.e. the opinion that there is an all-loving, all-powerful god out there who actually cares what the fuck I do every second of every day...:\

[Rat Bastard]

Sternwallow: Welcome amaurer2. What new perspectives and opinions do you bring us? What, if anything, do you want to know about ours?

Honestly, I'm always in the process of changing my perspectives and opinions as I grow up and learn about other people/opinions. Sorry if that seems like a cop-out answer....but it's the truth. I try to always be open to someone's opinion, and as there are definitely issues that I'm not sure where I stand. Abortion is a good example. I'm taking a philosophy class and we're currently discussing this issue. I think the abortion should be legal, but only to a certain point in fetal development. However, I have been struggling to determine whether it is moral or if it even makes sense to make a determination like that. Did that make sense?
In the same vein, I am looking forward to browsing this forum and participating in discussions to both strengthen my existing opinons and to be exposed to new ideas and others' opinions.
I must admit, however, that there are some opinions I cannot even pretend to be open to...i.e. the opinion that there is an all-loving, all-powerful god out there who actually cares what the fuck I do every second of every day...:\

There are theists who will insist that this is a FACT. But you already knew that it was BS. Welcome, Amaurer2

[Jeremy]

Amaurer2,

You mentioned that you’ve been lurking for awhile so I assume you’re familiar with the old Raving Atheist site (no “s” at the end) from which this forum was spawned. RA was a pro-life atheist and wrote quite a bit on the abortion subject. http://ravingatheist.com/archives/abortion/. Here’s a link.

Also, here’s a link to another group of pro-life atheists. http://www.godlessprolifers.org/home.html

Personally, I’m also pro-choice with reservations. But if you’re looking for a different perspective on the issue that isn’t muddled in theology, these are good starts.

[amaurer2]

Thanks, Jeremy, I hadn't found those articles by the RA before. I think I'm going to enjoy going through them!

[Sternwallow]

Sternwallow: Welcome amaurer2. What new perspectives and opinions do you bring us? What, if anything, do you want to know about ours?

Honestly, I'm always in the process of changing my perspectives and opinions as I grow up and learn about other people/opinions. Sorry if that seems like a cop-out answer....but it's the truth. I try to always be open to someone's opinion, and as there are definitely issues that I'm not sure where I stand. Abortion is a good example. I'm taking a philosophy class and we're currently discussing this issue. I think the abortion should be legal, but only to a certain point in fetal development. However, I have been struggling to determine whether it is moral or if it even makes sense to make a determination like that. Did that make sense?
In the same vein, I am looking forward to browsing this forum and participating in discussions to both strengthen my existing opinons and to be exposed to new ideas and others' opinions.
I must admit, however, that there are some opinions I cannot even pretend to be open to...i.e. the opinion that there is an all-loving, all-powerful god out there who actually cares what the fuck I do every second of every day...:\
A good, straight-forward answer, thank you. :D

[Rocketman the Sequel]

Stern--I just can't see asimov using smilies...I try and I try but I just can't/

[Sternwallow]

Stern--I just can't see asimov using smilies...I try and I try but I just can't/I have attended a number of presentations by Isaac Asimov and I am sure that, as fine a communicator as he was, he would use smilies and any other technique available to enhance clarity and understanding. :angel:

[clambake]

I have attended a number of presentations by Isaac Asimov and I am sure that, as fine a communicator as he was, he would use smilies and any other technique available to enhance clarity and understanding. :angel:

I caught one presentation not long before he died (:cry:), I would agree with that. It's nice to know that despite the probably dozens of books I've already read, there's oodles more I haven't. I think the most fascinating thing he "taught" me was that there are orders of magnitude of infinity. One of my favorite works of fiction by him was actually an off the wall murder mystery at a book convention in which he "appeared" in a cameo. Without question my favorite author in every genre. Well, almost, Douglas Adams wins in the humor genre.