#Thinkering and #Tebowing

We all know that the #Tebowing thing is complete horseshit, but since it's a popular meme, why not use it to spread some good real news?

#Thinkering >> #Tebowing

Here is David Silverman - President of American Atheists' #Thinkering photo.

Here is my - an immaterial atheist from Texas' #Thinkering photo.

(note The Humanist Magazine on my desk. Nice plug!)

And here is #Tebow - admittedly the best looking of the bunch - #Tebowing when he should be practicing his throws or reviewing the playbook.

If you want to pray, then pray. The Constitution grants you that right. However, when you decide to use your athletic celebrity status to influence the minds of young football fans, and even draw in additional support from Christians who don't give two shits about football, you are crossing the line. With all of the troubles going on the World today - it is down right disgusting that am omnipotent, benevolent being ignore the basic necessities of life (food, water, shelter, medicine, and plenty of porn for everyone) to help one man win a fucking game.

Tebow is a well coached, exceptional athlete who surrounds himself with other well coached, exceptional athletes. The Broncos success is attributed to a bit of luck, and an enormous amount of effort. That should be the story. That should be the source of the praise.

You're a good player, Tim. Use your status to encourage your fans to work hard at everything you do.

Associating success with the divine is a huge slap in the face followed by a Dirty Sanchez to the countless millions billions suffering in the world.

Now, then. Where is your #Thinkering photo!?

...one last thing

"Absolutely no religious rites of any kind, relating to any religious faith, should be associated with my funeral." Period.

These were the wishes of Arthur C. Clarke, and I humbly submit myself to the same request.

An open-casket funeral is both barbaric and a waste. In death, my wish is to contribute to the betterment of the living. My body should be put to the best possible use - whether it be organ donation, scientific research, or medical training. Any other remains should be cremated and mixed with soil for the planting of a Cupressus macrocarpa tree in a location for the community to enjoy.

Hello, World.

I suppose that your most pressing question has to be, "why do I give a shit what some 27 year old fuck has to say?" I'm not famous, I don't have any special talents, I'm not an expert – even of amateur status – on any noteworthy subject matter, my writing style is bland and overtly crude at times, and I don't find myself particularly interesting.

At least one person gives a shit though – me. Ego is a bitch. The monumental task of extracting the chemical reactions that translate into thoughts and ideas from my mind to readable text is an exhilarating – albeit difficult and impossible to complete – notion.

If someone else wants to read – or is coerced to (though I can't imagine by what means this would happen) this, then so be it. Still, the primary audience for this (the blog) is me, myself and I – and also for anyone who speaks about me when I'm dead. The thought of people misrepresenting what I am and what I stood for – even when I'm fucking dead – is troubling.


So here we go; I'll record as much as I can.

"united," under god

Religion doesn't unite; religion divides.

It's ironic and sad that the word "indivisible," follows the phrase "under God," in our Pledge of Allegiance.

Since god is not explicitly defined, every American constructs a particular version of god that remarkably resembles his or her personal views on life and morality. With this, somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 million Americans are - quote unquote "united" under different definitions of god.

Furthermore, there are others of us - growing rapidly in number as access to information becomes more widespread - who choose to accept as true only that which is demonstrable, especially when the consequences of accepting unsupported claims are substantial.

The erroneous coupling of "under God," and "indivisible," was an addition to The Pledge of Allegiance prompted by fear and paranoia that religion successfully exploited in the 1950s.The original author - a Christian - saw no need to include god, religion, or faith in a pledge for a secular nation.

I am glad to be an American, but I am troubled that many of my fellow citizens still cling to ancient superstition,  making every attempt possible to destroy the secular foundation - the freedom of religion - that is the core of individual liberty and the freedom to choose.