I've been on this forum for years. Yet I don't know a lot about many of you. Some of you are new, some have been here a while. Tell us who you are. What do you love? What turns you on? What are your favorite things? How would you describe yourself? What do you do for a living? We have a diverse group of folks who have the opportunity to celebrate the differences! Let's do so!
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@CyberLN: "Who are you?"
Hello Cyber. Thanks for the opportunity to write about my favorite subject.
I've only been on this forum for about six months, but I've been an atheist for about 50 years. I'm a Brit from Yorkshire (hence the Yorkist rose in my logo), but I've lived 30-plus years in New Zealand, 8-plus years in Japan, and so far about six years in Queensland, Australia. My forum name simply combines the first two letters of my Celtic first name, Greek middle name, and French surname. I believe I'm descended from Huguenots.
I've made my living as a translator of Japanese into English since the early 1980s. Before that I was a tour guide taking groups around the South Island of New Zealand. My translation output is equivalent to about one Bible a year, though my stuff is more accurate and makes a lot more sense.
I've been married to the same woman for 40-plus years. We have a daughter who's a schoolteacher and a son who's a translator like me. We're all atheists.
My likes are good conversation, humor, single-malt scotch, bourbon, Japanese food, historical fiction, and sci-fi. The only things I dislike more than religion are spiders and smokers.
Politically I'm libertarian. I believe that freedom is essential to a truly human experience of this one life that we have. I see atheism as also being about freedom.
"...my stuff is more accurate and makes a lot more sense."
LoL, you wouldn't be able to make a living from it if it was only up to the standards of the Bible... :)
(I'm envious now... I've always wanted to learn Japanese)
@Pragmatic: "LoL, you wouldn't be able to make a living from it if it was only up to the standards of the Bible"
Unfortunately there are too many people making a lot more money than me out of that lousy crock of committee-translated bullshit. Praise the Lord. Pass the Loot.
One thing I love about Japan is the virtual absence of religion in everyday life, and their complete unawareness of the precious sensitivities of religious whackos. Back in the 80s this poster appeared as part of campaign to stop people leaving their umbrellas on the subway. Loosely translated, it says "Verily I say unto you that without your umbrella, god will be your only protection."
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I am SO with you on the single malts and the spiders! And, btw, my mother-in-law's name was Hiroko.
I was actually tasting a Bunnahabhain Móine - Islay single malt scotch whiskey, while writing my previous comment. :D
Ah! Islay. Way too peaty for me. I'm a Speyside fan.
Praise whiskey
Amen, brother! You've been saved!!
Hi there Algebe
I have only just joined this site & it's nice to see you on this forum, I too have been atheist for 50 years & felt quite isolated & frustrated being an Atheist around so many believers who live in fantasy land.
I am also from England (Birmingham) my wife & i moved here to New Zealand 18 years ago & never looked back, I hope it's going to be an awesome experience talking to other Atheist's on this site who live in the real world & maybe have the same views/thoughts on god & religion as I do?.
A great question to ask, CyberLN.
I'm a 40 something, I live in Sweden, I'm a computer nerd, a software developer, a pragmatic and an amateur philosoraptor.
I'm a father of two daughers that are in primary school, a long time non-beliver, a recent (but exponentially growing) anti-theist.
I'm anti-hate, anti-irrationality, anti-theism, anti-war.
I'm pro-humanism, pro-science, pro-choice, pro-chosing-your-own-lifestyle.
I don't understand other peoples need to force their own predjudice on others. As long as no one is hurt, people should be free to live their lives as they want to. I don't get why racists, homophobics, etc, feel that they need to make the world conform to their ideals.
This is a big part of why I'm an anti-theist: Theism is constantly trying to push their views on others, constantly trying to change laws, change ecducation, etc.
If people believe in a god but take it figuratively enough to accept science, to not try to thwart education, and not try to push their beliefs onto others, I think they should be free to belive.
I want my daughters to grow up in a world that isn't fueled by hatred and clouded in ignorance.
I really thought the world was slowly moving towards tolerance, towards humanism, towards rationality. But then Trump was elected and my hopes for humanity fell like a bird blasted out of the sky by a shotgun.
I realize that rationality and humanism was set back a minimum of 20 years by that, but my hope remains that humanity will have grown up when my grandchildren are growing up.
I want your daughters to grow up in that world too.
Don't give up hope Pragmatic. I'm sure Trump is just a blip. I started out in the radioactive world of Eisenhower and Stalin. I was two when Alan Turing killed himself. There was still strange fruit hanging from trees in southern states. I shudder when I remember the gray, repressive, conformist world of 1950s England. We've come a long way since then, and mostly in the right direction I think. But some people are still blind to the follies of religious and political tribalism. Maybe it takes a Trump to really wake people up the venality, stupidity, hypocrisy, and dishonesty of politicians and priests of every stripe.
The Pragmatic,
I have a relative in Torsas, and every summer they go over to Vasa in Finland. I think it is from that enclave of Swedes that my dad's family came from.
Right, Torsås, in the far south. [Tor - Thor, ås - ridge, Thors ridge]. I haven't had the opportunity to visit those parts.
My belief ( here we go again!) is that the drive behind evangelism is two-fold. One fold is about extending the possibilities of further financial gain - the other is about self-doubt. People evangelise their own insecurities - the more people they can convince, the better they feel about their own doubts.The problem with that is it never quite works, so they have to keep on doing it.
This thread is a great Idea, thanks Cyber.
I joined this forum about 4 months or so ago. I don't know too many non believers in real life so It's been a relief to interact and debate with you guys.
Here's a little bit about me:
I'm 26 years of age and currently live in New York City. I grew up here until moving to Florida at age 13. I've recently moved back a couple months ago and this is my first major move on my own. My parents are from Trinidad and Tobago. We are of Indian Descent. I studied fianance and I originate Mortgages for families that seek to buy homes. I'm working hard since I'm still new plus I still study so It's been difficult to make new friends, but I still make time for things I like.
Passions include Fitness and I also have a passion for the protection of the environment and oceans. Having worked at aquariums and zoos has given me opportunity to educate people and also take care of all kinds of different animals from land to marine life. So much fun.
I love bacon Latin American food and sushi. I like eating at food trucks, solving riddles, cooking, exercise, sex, Jokes, and mixing music on turntables. Also a good date, wine, rum, that occasional puff of marijuana (in private) Sience Fiction everything, science fact everything,
Movies, and a show called Archer. Reggae, soul, rap, Opera, classical, Rock, 70's - 90's American music, Andrea Bocceli & similar international music.
Tea rather than coffee.
Dislike: Cigarettes. Cigarette smokers, hard drug users, Lack of tact, Racism, lack of hygiene and the fact that I'm allergic to avacado.
Hobbies include reading physics, astronomy, geology & comics, trying beer from all over the world, and learning languages. English, the Trinidadian dialect, and jamaican patios are already native to me. I've gained fluency in Spanish and have a goal to learn a couple more!
Left wing political views. Not a Trump supporter.. like at all.
Lastly my heroes in this world are my parents, Dr. Niel DeGrasse Tyson, Leonardo Dicaprio, Will Smith, Barack Obama, Jackie Chan, Ricky Gervais, Kal Penn and I'm a fan of Bill Maher.
I'm 67, an atheist for over 40 years.
Largely self educated, I've had the chance to work on the Mars Phoenix lander, I'm currently an IT systems administrator for a global corporation. I've got a wife (also atheist) and grand children. I have a fondness for tinkering with old cars (especially Jeeps).
I'm politically libertarian (I was a lefty in my ignorant youth), philosophically conservative along the lines of Roger Scruton (culture takes centuries to build, can be destroyed in a couple of decades). I think the national temper tantrum over Trump's election has exposed the authoritarian conformity-obsessed left's craziness at the thought of losing their absolute social control as arbiter of right and wrong. It's a mess, but had to happen if the people are ever going to get the country back again.
I am 57. A registered nurse.I enjoy reading books by scientists explaining science to non-scientists. At this time I am reading "The Black Hole War" by Leonard Susskind. Recently divorced. Three adult children , one grandson. Been an atheist since 13 years old , took a short trip into Hippy Dippy Mysticism in my early 20's , got over that. I enjoy red wine, blended Scotch, beers from everywhere, cognac , coffee. Left leaning libertarian politically. Voted for Johnson but I have my own brand of libertarianism. Maybe next election I will just write myself in.
Atheist, apolitical, anti-social, and in opposition to pretty much anything that groups people into special interest divisive psyches. I need the world's entire population to live together in one large group of shuttered self-assembled ignorance allowing me to focus my repulsion on them. It isn't hate, mind you. It's tolerance of the highest order. It isn't a sense of superiority, for if there was a single button to push that annihilated all mankind I would not exclude myself as my finger grew heavy upon it. It isn't a lack of spirit to continue life as I've made it for myself because I do what I like to do.
There is no single resolution to the problem of the divisive human psyche that I can imagine, such that mine alone can reveal, that leaves me in a fond mood after an hour or so in its midst (shopping, etc).
It's a question of purpose, which mankind does not have, that invalidates his existence, philosophically speaking, and certainly on a planet his parasitic presence degrades with each new day.
I have two adult atheist sons and a theist wife. Oil and water, her heart is heavy and mine is guilty for her sadness. I would gladly change all that now if I had the power of righteousness over selfish conceit, but it would be impossible for me to exhibit a lifetime of dishonesty. So, we mutually suffer a co-existence of tolerance versus the joys of marriage. I cannot imagine I am alone in this kind of relationship, whatever the cause.
That's my outlook on all mankind and, as such, the very lives of all of us here, myself included. It would not "hurt" any of us to immediately die and knowing loved ones would simultaneously cease to exist makes it all that much easier to mentally digest. But, that's not reality so we continue to suffer being human and having to dwell in our own midst. It isn't life so much as it is an affliction suffered by an entire planet and its flora and fauna.
The things I like to do are tempered by a lack of purpose. I have come to accept what another person might call life's rewards as distractions from a senseless existence.
There, that about details my outlook on life. I won't detail what I think of other people who actually think they have purpose because it edges into fact versus fantasy and I'm quite done with the latter's champions as I am a recent bowel movement.
As a head of household, I'm in an upper management position in a highly technical environment. I won't detail that. I distract myself as a concert guitarist, fine artist, fancier of ecology, and an observer of the ongoing global human struggle with itself.
I am 38 years old. I recently realized that I am an atheist again. There's not much about my life that is exciting or note-worthy.
Politically, I gravitate mostly towards a one-nation conservatism. I am unmarried and do not have any kids. For many years, I was really looking forward to finding a great match for me with extreme enthusiasm and I was also looking forward to being a parent. Nowadays, I can't see the point of meeting someone special or having children. I wouldn't mind meeting a nice atheist lady and becoming best friends with benefits.
I have very few hobbies in life. I enjoy creative writing, especially fantasy and science fiction. I adore *Star Trek* (the original series, TNG, Voyager, and quite a few of the movies that came out). Even though I am not religious, religions continue to fascinate me. I want to learn biblical languages like Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic so I can construct a new and better "Skeptics Bible" because I think that the *Skeptics Annotated Bible* is horrifically lame.
I like watching Marvel movies, love watching superhero shows on TV (I have limited them to, *The Flash*, *Legends of Tomorrow* and *Agents of Shield*). I cannot stand most drinks with alcohol in them. I want more secular friends but I am tired of the secularists who do nothing but bash religion and theism all of the time. I have a love for history, archeology, and all of the sciences. I love reading science books and books on scientific skepticism.
I am interested in being an aspiring author. I am working on my own science fiction and fantasy series. I love to write. I strive to be a very honest person. I want to make the world a better place. Life has been very fucked up in the past for me and so I want everyone to live a better life than I have lived.
That's all I can think of to share right now. If anyone wants to know anything more, feel free to ask.
Matthew
Hey I love Science fiction and Superhero movies/ Tv too. I don't however, have the discipline to limit the shows like you do. I somehow watch them all. Luch breaks, waiting room at the doc, before bed. They're so good though. Now syfy has a show called the Magicians that's pretty good too.
I stumbled upon Atheist Republic about 8 months ago and it was like finding a brightly lit clearing in the forest. I was born in rural NC some 60 years ago and brought up Southern Baptist as was everyone I knew. I never much car ed for church, seeing it as a chore and a waste of a perfectly good morning for sleeping in. I escaped to college and grad school. I went to church for awhile with my first wife but soon realized I had questions that were unwelcome in the young adult class. I just walked away and didn't think about it. Second marriage at 39, I'm calling myself agnostic, new wife is atheist. It took me a few years to realize I wasn't really agnostic but a true atheist. It has felt so liberating. Aside from my unbelief I spent 35 years working with autistic adults and children and becoming an accomplished ballroom dancer. I also love skiing and my wife and I are currently in the midst of one of our retirement dreams of spending an entire season as ski bums. I love to dabble in Indian cuisine (I make a mean kofta kari and my chicken vindaloo is not to be missed). I read SF, mysteries and historical fiction, avoid tv (except Dancing with the Stars and Big Bang Theory. Royals is one of my guilty pleasures.) I have all 3 seasons of Star Trek on dvd. I enjoy crosswore puzzles, jigsaw puzzles and number puzzles. In my spare time I love to read the Atheist Republic boards and see the outlandish things the religionists say. I live as an out loud atheist and seem to have attracted a small group of unbelievers. I also have Christian friends who accept me as I am. In fact I'm quite close with a Catholic Deacon who is bedeviled by the concept that I'm "the most moral person" he knows. Go figure.
DancingFool,
You're making me hungry with all that talk about Indian cuisine! Yeah, there are a lot of decent Christians out there. Some of them are my friends.
I’m in my mid 60’s, a retired scientist who spent 40 years either in and/or managing a biomedical lab. I worked on vaccines and diagnostics tests for infectious and parasitic diseases. Originally from the UK, I have worked in Egypt, Brazil and the US, where I currently reside. My wife is from Tennessee and a large family that indoctrinates its children into the Church of Christ.
I grew up in England and went to church on Sunday morning because that was what my mother told me to do. The whole god/jesus thing never really made sense to me and I considered religion a chore and a waste of time. So, by a process of indoctrination, I sort-of believed, but there were all these discrepancies with my scientific knowledge. Therefore, I kept my belief in a little walled off area of my brain. Religion was never a major part of my life and it was never a big deal either way to resolve the discrepancies. And thus it stayed for over 55 years until I was challenged by a sister in law to “research it.”
In my research, I came across the Atheist Republic; it felt almost sinful at first to visit the site and read everything indicating the lack of reproducible evidence to support the claim for the existence of god. I also studied the history of Yahweh and discovered that originally, he was just a warrior god with a wife and equivalent to Baal and others in a pantheon of gods. Yahweh was the guy who was supposed to have created the whole world, yet he and his buddies were lesser gods than the great god El, (as in Israel rather than Isreayahwey).
That was the final straw for me. I was sitting at my computer one morning, when I realized, “I am really an atheist. There is no god, no devil, no heaven, no hell and the bible is just another book.” It was very liberating and everything religious that did not make sense before, suddenly became non-existent.
I then told my wife, who is still religious though she does not attend any church. After some discussion, she considers me to be an agnostic. I can accept that without pressing the point. Our marriage is more important to me than fighting over a non-existent god. Apart from her and my atheist sister, I have only told about 4 more people. The hassle it would cause us, both from her family and our friends is not worth me “coming out.”
Weather permitting, I leave home most mornings and walk for 2 – 3 hours along different routes. You never know what you will see or hear, whom you will meet, how the weather will change. I like to fish a lot and spend considerable hours during the colder weather in the basement, tinkering with ideas for amazing fishing lures that I thought up during my walks. Once on the water, the fish unanimously reject them.
Oouu, this seems interesting!
My name is Endri Guri, I am from Albania and I live in the city of Kukës which the major religion is the Islamic faith, along with a small percentage of Christians that live in harmony with Muslims. I am going to be 15 years old by the end of this month (28 February), and it's the getting to nearly a year since I joined here (10 months).
My family did believe in "God" but not as much as going to the Mosque (or Church) or reading any Holy Book, expect for sometimes me and my Sister went to visit the Mosque, which I found boring for 1 hour of bowing in front of someone's ass (literally, people were we put in lines). My Sister although was a semi-believer, because she went to the Mosque on certain days, but thankfully she doesn't wear a Hijab. My life has been taking dramatical courses which I've sometimes just knelt to or held high, my Uncle died in 2012, my Grandfather 2 years later. And my Dad was diagnosed with cancer of some sort, my Mother is actually doing quite a shit job at hiding it while I already know it's cancer, but not of what sort it is, it's really weird that I've known the facts by watching Breaking Bad at the time.
I was for a short period of time a victim of bullying until I got the kid suspended from School thanks to my angry Mother and my superior wits to a fat thick-headed moron.
There's really not much to my life story, other than the details I wish not to unveil, my Book seems really empty, well, still young I guess.
That guy is me.
Favourite quotes:
"I'm not anti-social, I'm anti-idiot."
"I don't have a short temper, I just have a quick reaction to bullshit."
Wishes:
Would love to smoke some non-addictive type of pot (seriously, I am getting so much curious nowadays, but under supervisement of course).
Would love to "touch" things when there are labels about "Do no touch" them.
Would love to Drink tea while dressing up as Abraham Lincoln and middle-finger my way to Washington D.C.
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Nice to (unofficially) meet you Endri. I enjoyed reading your story. It's totally understandable with the bowing. They did that at the Hindu temples too. Personally, I never bowed all the way down like that. Just a bowed head and a kneel. Cause who's watching right? Lol
Totally, nice to (unofficially also) meet you, well, there are differences on how they bow in the Islamic and Hindu faith, but at least, they both have in common the frustrating and unnecessary back pain, seriously, it felt like walking with scissors up my ass afterwards.
I know right haha
Were lined up in a row and sitting forever. Losing blood circulation in the lower body. Most people in my old temple bowed similar to the muslim way though. That's why I'd sit by a wall if i could, to support my back and just avoid doing the shit I didn't wanna do.
I can handle the pain, but jesus (uh the irony of saying this word), hire a personal Masseur for the old people, 20% of deaths are being caused by walking downstairs. Imagine the horrors whenever someone said "Allah Akbar" and had to bow, me being like: "Incoming ass!!"
I can handle the pain, but jesus (uh the irony of saying this word), hire a personal Masseur for the old people, 20% of deaths are being caused by walking downstairs. Imagine the horrors whenever someone said "Allah Akbar" and had to bow, me being like: "Incoming ass!!"
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