I'm Noodle! Well, That's what everyone calls me, so I guess its as good a name as any other.
The name? Long story, maybe I'll tell you someday.
I'm a geriatric ol'fart who's reached his 'sell by' date.
I'm a pale, male, African, which means I was born in Africa, lived here all my life, and never set foot off the continent.
Turn your globe round, so that Africa shows, roll your eye down to the bottom of the continent, and look for a spot where, if the world were a human being, you would stick an enema pipe. That's where I live.
I don't believe in any kind of 'Deity' or supreme intelligence who is directing this whole 'Theater'.
I don't believe in Heaven, or any kind of kind of 'Pie in the sky' reward for good behavior that you have to die to collect.
However, as a lifelong sufferer from MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) I can tell you first hand, there is a Hell, and you don't have to die to get there.
So, Yes, I'm an Atheist... but I have not always been one. I was brought up in a strictly religious environment, and although I wasn't Catholic, I went to a Catholic school.
I was thoroughly indoctrinated from both sides, but somehow, it didn't seem to 'take'. Oh  sure, for a long, long, time I hummed the tune and mouthed the words, but only because I was afraid of the repercussions if I didn't.
It took me until 1986 when, a bitter divorce, a suicide attempt and a 'Church comforter', who Told me to read the book of Job, and to '...take comfort...' really opened my eyes to the absurdity of the whole thing, and I rebelled.
Not that I got away easily.  Church Elders, well meaning members, and even 3 sets of missionaries all tried to convince me to mend my ways, and to 'come back to Jesus' - They still make the occasional foray into my 'lost' life to try and rescue my soul, but I think they're starting to get discouraged.
Once, after they'd made some assertions, I asked my visitors some questions I was sincerely interested in hearing their answer to. At the time, they couldn't come up with any answers, so I told them that I wouldn't mind if they wanted to take some time to research the matter and/or pray about it. 
Although I didn't mean it to happen that way, only one guy came back. Seems the other guy came over to the 'Dark Side'. 
My kids are all still believers, and I've never tried to influence them with my new-found Atheism. My one daughter, however, was so livid at my 'Apostasy', she was about ready to rip my arm off, and beat me to death with the bleeding end! Took a while to calm her down, but as soon as she realised that I wasn't about to 'Preach' Atheism, she calmed down somewhat. Somehow, I can't help feeling that she's somewhat ashamed of me. *sigh*
I like history, and I enjoy studying the Bible from my new perspective. I like to research historic facts, that may support or disprove Biblical events. I also find great value in some of the, lets say, 'ethical' lessons portrayed.
As for the factual or historic events, I've found that major events portrayed in the Bible, never happened in the Biblical contexts, but were mostly 'cribbed' form real historic events of other cultures, and adapted to fit the Biblical narrative. - Fascinating stuff!
I've joined this forum because I notice it's not one of those huge forums with thousands of members, where it's so easy to get lost in the crowd, but that you have a relatively small membership list. - Makes it so much friendlier.  I hope I will be able to contribute constructively to these discussions, and I look forward to learning a lot more about, and from you.
Thanks for reading.
Noodle.
			
			
			
				Anybody that can call himself noodle with a smile is okay by me, but even better that one uses "enema" in any context.
			
			
			
				Quote from: "aitm"Anybody that can call himself noodle with a smile is okay by me, but even better that one uses "enema" in any context.
I agree.  Anyone who can go by the handle of "Noodle" is already up by 2 points.
Welcome Noodle. Hope you like it here.
(one of my favorite movie characters - "Noodles" from Once Upon a Time in America - damn fine flick)
			
 
			
			
				Welcome to the forums! :)
			
			
			
				You may change your name to 'Welcome' now.
			
			
			
				Welcome. After 3,000 posts you are eligible for a prostate exam.
			
			
			
				Quote from: "Noodle"I'm Noodle! 
Thanks for reading.
Noodle.
Please don't offend the FSM.  Well, maybe it's OK.  Lot's of Mexicans call themselves Jesus.
			
 
			
			
				Noodles were invented by the Chinese and "co-opted" by the Italians. His Noodliness understands. He is nothing if not flexible.  :-D
			
			
			
				Welcome Noodle. I'm glad people like your name. Nobody really liked mine at first, for obvious reasons. :rolleyes:
			
			
			
				Quote from: "Savior2006"Welcome Noodle. I'm glad people like your name. Nobody really liked mine at first, for obvious reasons. :rolleyes:
We are a suspicious bunch.
			
 
			
			
				Quote from: "stromboli"Noodles were invented by the Chinese and "co-opted" by the Italians. His Noodliness understands. He is nothing if not flexible.  :-D
How dare you speak for his Noodliness!?!?!  BLASPHEMY!!  Burn the heretics like overcooked noodles!
			
 
			
			
				:lol: 
Quote from: "SGOS"Quote from: "Noodle"I'm Noodle! 
Thanks for reading.
Noodle.
Please don't offend the FSM.  Well, maybe it's OK.  Lot's of Mexicans call themselves Jesus.
Duh!?? Sorry guys, I seem to have missed something here.
Seems to me there's some connotation to the name 'Noodle' I was unaware of.  Could someone please enlighten me?
For now, I can tell you that I was dubbed 'Noodle' by Santa Clause when I was about 5 years old (which was a long, long time ago). Sorry if it offends anyone.  :oops:
 #-o   Of course!! Silly me... FSM - Flying Spaghetti Monster  #-o  
Never made the connection. Sorry, no relation.  :lol:
			
 
			
			
				LOL, welcome, Noodle!
			
			
			
				(//http://www.no37.net/uploads/ImageLadle/FSM.gif)
			
			
			
				Quote from: "stromboli"Noodles were invented by the Chinese and "co-opted" by the Italians. His Noodliness understands. He is nothing if not flexible.  :-D
Are you implying he's cooked? I suppose that would make him more flexible.
			
 
			
			
				Quote from: "Noodle":lol: Quote from: "SGOS"Quote from: "Noodle"I'm Noodle! 
Thanks for reading.
Noodle.
Please don't offend the FSM.  Well, maybe it's OK.  Lot's of Mexicans call themselves Jesus.
Duh!?? Sorry guys, I seem to have missed something here.
Seems to me there's some connotation to the name 'Noodle' I was unaware of.  Could someone please enlighten me?
For now, I can tell you that I was dubbed 'Noodle' by Santa Clause when I was about 5 years old (which was a long, long time ago). Sorry if it offends anyone.  :oops:
 #-o   Of course!! Silly me... FSM - Flying Spaghetti Monster  #-o  
Never made the connection. Sorry, no relation.  :lol:
I think the name Noodle is funny and great! (or great fun........ I'm undecided)
Anywho
Don't let these guys rattle you. We will 
all try. We're funny.  Shows you've been taken by the herd and the sheep dogs are circling you too - but in a hairy, slobbery-wet-nose kinda way. By all means jump in and start some rattling of your very own. Kick down the fence and be smooth, rowdy or free range both.  Just don't wonder too far off from reality path and start talking some lame-ass, crack-head bullshit under the guise (lie) of philosophy or the dogs may just sit on your head.  They fart.
I thought you should know.
Newbies have such a hard time here.
LMAO
			
 
			
			
				Howdy Noodle!  You sound pretty cool, pilgrim.  :)
			
			
			
				Quote from: "WitchSabrina"Just don't wonder too far off from reality path and start talking some lame-ass, crack-head bullshit under the guise (lie) of philosophy 
LMAO
Where is ThoughtoftheDay by the way?
Edit: I really can't honestly say newbies (like myself) have such a hard time here. You guys were honest when you said you didn't like my name, and I was just as honest when I said it wasn't well thought out, but I liked it just the same. There was no problem after that.
Sure we chase off the dumbasses. So what? They're called dumbasses for a reason.
			
 
			
			
				Quote from: "Savior2006"Quote from: "WitchSabrina"Just don't wonder too far off from reality path and start talking some lame-ass, crack-head bullshit under the guise (lie) of philosophy 
LMAO
Where is ThoughtoftheDay by the way?
Edit: I really can't honestly say newbies (like myself) have such a hard time here. You guys were honest when you said you didn't like my name, and I was just as honest when I said it wasn't well thought out, but I liked it just the same. There was no problem after that.
Sure we chase off the dumbasses. So what? They're called dumbasses for a reason.
SHhhh. *whisper* Don't tell the Newbies that we don't give newbies a hard time.
You don't get to goof up like that. You taint newbie no mo sugah!   :-"
			
 
			
			
				sabrina come see us in the chat
			
			
			
				Quote from: "aitm"sabrina come see us in the chat
Somebodies in trouble. Tisk, tisk.
			
 
			
			
				Quote from: "WitchSabrina"Don't let these guys rattle you. We will all try. We're funny.  Shows you've been taken by the herd and the sheep dogs are circling you too - but in a hairy, slobbery-wet-nose kinda way. By all means jump in and start some rattling of your very own. Kick down the fence and be smooth, rowdy or free range both.  Just don't wonder too far off from reality path and start talking some lame-ass, crack-head bullshit under the guise (lie) of philosophy or the dogs may just sit on your head.  They fart.
LMAO
Bring it on Baby! Nobody farts like an ol'fart... 
and I eat raw garlic, and drink rancid fish oil!!  :twisted: 
Thanks for the welcome guys.
I think I'm gonna like it here. :lol:
			
 
			
			
				Quote from: "Noodle"Quote from: "WitchSabrina"Don't let these guys rattle you. We will all try. We're funny.  Shows you've been taken by the herd and the sheep dogs are circling you too - but in a hairy, slobbery-wet-nose kinda way. By all means jump in and start some rattling of your very own. Kick down the fence and be smooth, rowdy or free range both.  Just don't wonder too far off from reality path and start talking some lame-ass, crack-head bullshit under the guise (lie) of philosophy or the dogs may just sit on your head.  They fart.
LMAO
Bring it on Baby! Nobody farts like an ol'fart... and I eat raw garlic, and drink rancid fish oil!!  :twisted: 
Thanks for the welcome guys.
I think I'm gonna like it here. :lol:
If you are going to fart, please go outside. :P  Anywho, welcome.