Greetings to all; I'm new here!

[Broede]

Greetings to all!  I saw the introduction forum and thought I'd post.  I'm by no means a new atheist but I've never taken the step forward to try and connect with other atheists.  As you all know, it is hard to be an atheist in America, especially when you live in a very religious state.  I hate the fact that I have to almost go out of my way to hide the fact that I'm an atheist to people I meet.

A little about myself:  I'm a late 30's husband and father of one, old school gamer, poker player and hardline atheist.  I was raised in a fundamentalist Christian household.  I was forced to go to church until I was about 10 years old.  I never really believed in any of the garbage, but I tell you, the one thing that sticks with you is the fear of hell.  Fear of God be damned, I was terrified for a long time, even well into my adulthood, of hell.  Once I stopped truly believing in any higher being (which was around 9/11), the rest became easier.

Now, I'm a big fan of Penn and Teller, and I've watched a lot of Bullshit (pardon the pun).  I've been watching and listening to the Atheist Experience out of Austin, TX for a couple of years.  I keep hearing people say they you have to "witness" God in some form or fashion to truly be able to suspend your disbelief (much like is expected at a movie theater).  Well, I've never had one of these experiences that people keep talking about.  I kept wondering if all this stuff was in their heads or they simply saw realistic, scientifically-explainable phenomena and played mental gymnastics long enough inside their own head to bend their experience into some kind of miraculous witness.

Well, I am here to tell you that I finally had my revelation!  A couple of nights ago I had this dream where I was an angel with wings, flying high above big rolling clouds.  I was flying with other angels, it appeared.  Well, suddenly I started plummeting really fast and crashed right through earth and into hell.  Next thing I know, I'm face to face with Satan himself.  I remember saying "Oh shit, is this it?  Is this the epiphany everyone's been talking about?  Am I finally having my big 'religious experience'?"

Satan laughed, started poking some guy with a stick and turned to me and said, "Nope.  It's all BULLSHIT!"

I woke up laughing all day.  Thanks for taking the time to read my post, I hope to get to know many cool people in the months/years ahead!

Cheers,
Broede

[Plu]

Haha. Awesome introduction :) Welcome aboard!

[Broede]

Haha. Awesome introduction :) Welcome aboard!

Hey thanks, glad to be here.  I just started a Twitter and am trying to follow some of the more well-known atheists.  I have Penn Jillette and Matt Dillahunty so far.  Have any recommendations?  I'm mostly looking for people who are somewhat activist in their atheism and enjoys spreading information and combating the horrors of religious legislation and things like that.

Cheers,
Broede

[Brian37]

I liked Penn's book, but I cannot stand his Libertarian "Bullshit" pun intended. Libertarians to me are republicans on steroids.

Anywho, be sure to barbecue kittens, record the NFL without their permission and rip the tags off of your mattress.

[Plu]

Can't help you with any Twitter things, I don't do social media :(

[Broede]

I liked Penn's book, but I cannot stand his Libertarian "Bullshit" pun intended. Libertarians to me are republicans on steroids.

Anywho, be sure to barbecue kittens, record the NFL without their permission and rip the tags off of your mattress.

I tend to agree with a lot of what he says.  At least, a lot of what he's said that I have personally seen (no, I haven't read his book).  I've watched a number of his Bullshit episodes and the Penn Points he's got on YouTube.  On top of that, he seems to be a genuine, likable sort of guy.  Of course, it's always possible that I'm wrong.  The magic of the internet!

[Brian37]

I liked Penn's book, but I cannot stand his Libertarian "Bullshit" pun intended. Libertarians to me are republicans on steroids.

Anywho, be sure to barbecue kittens, record the NFL without their permission and rip the tags off of your mattress.

I tend to agree with a lot of what he says.  At least, a lot of what he's said that I have personally seen (no, I haven't read his book).  I've watched a number of his Bullshit episodes and the Penn Points he's got on YouTube.  On top of that, he seems to be a genuine, likable sort of guy.  Of course, it's always possible that I'm wrong.  The magic of the internet!

Yes, his fans who have met him say he is likable. I love my mom, but that does not mean I like the fact she still has an imaginary friend. I don't like Libertarians because they take too harsh of a "screw you I got mine" Ayn Rand approach to economic issues. Life is not as simple as "sink or swim" that Libertarians like to make it out to be. Economics is much more complex than simple solutions.

It is possible to like someone without liking everything they might claim.

[Jason78]

Always nice to see a new face around here :)

[Broede]

I liked Penn's book, but I cannot stand his Libertarian "Bullshit" pun intended. Libertarians to me are republicans on steroids.

Anywho, be sure to barbecue kittens, record the NFL without their permission and rip the tags off of your mattress.

I tend to agree with a lot of what he says.  At least, a lot of what he's said that I have personally seen (no, I haven't read his book).  I've watched a number of his Bullshit episodes and the Penn Points he's got on YouTube.  On top of that, he seems to be a genuine, likable sort of guy.  Of course, it's always possible that I'm wrong.  The magic of the internet!

Yes, his fans who have met him say he is likable. I love my mom, but that does not mean I like the fact she still has an imaginary friend. I don't like Libertarians because they take too harsh of a "screw you I got mine" Ayn Rand approach to economic issues. Life is not as simple as "sink or swim" that Libertarians like to make it out to be. Economics is much more complex than simple solutions.

It is possible to like someone without liking everything they might claim.

Examples of where I agree with him are gay marriage (for it), religion (against it), abortion (for it), gun control (against it) and war (against it).  He seems to be liberal leaning on many social viewpoints but thinks the government should stay out of the way wherever possible (something I'm also, to a point, in agreement on).  So it isn't just that I like him, but I seem to be in agreement with him on many issues so far.

I regard him in the same vein along with Jon Stewart (though they are definitely not on the same page).  They are decent human beings trying to get their points across, who don't think that life is black and white, and is willing to have the debate.  This is something that sets them apart from someone like Bill Maher and George Carlin, who seem unable or unwilling to get along with anyone they disagree with.

Now I realize there are hardcore ideologies we are up against, and that sometimes a hardline stance is going to be required.  Hell, it may some day come to the point of civil war (not that I think it will, but I can't rule out that possibility).  But we kind of have to pick our fights a little better, and having atheists in the community that best represent us as we truly are -- decent human beings who simply reject that a god exists, or even needs to -- is going to be better for the "movement" in the long run, and frankly, better for societal health as a whole.

But that's just an opinion, mind you.

Always nice to see a new face around here :)

Thanks, Jason78!  :)

Cheers,
Broede

[LikelyToBreak]

Welcome, from another new guy.  :-D

Broede wrote in part:

Examples of where I agree with him are gay marriage (for it), religion (against it), abortion (for it), gun control (against it) and war (against it). He seems to be liberal leaning on many social viewpoints but thinks the government should stay out of the way wherever possible (something I'm also, to a point, in agreement on).

This is my take on politics exactly.  I don't think someone has to be a social Democrat to be an atheist.  Frankly, I get tired of the sports team style of politics, which all too many espouse, in my opinion.  I used to be a hardcore Libertarian than I read more about socialists and their concerns.  Libs and Socialists are not as far apart as many seem to think.  Both are concerned with government giving special treatment to monied interests and both want better lives for the masses.  They just see different ways to go about getting there.  As far as the Democrans are concerned, they are bought and paid for.  They allow for sound bites making them seem like they are different, but both will vote to keep the rich, rich and the poor, poor.  

Personally, I think there would have already been a civil war in the US, if the people were not so divided over some issues which neither party really stands behind.  It is as if the two parties, the one party really, look at the polls and then divide up issues so as to appear to be conflicted.  Then carry on as usual.  Screwing the masses for the rich.  

Just my opinion.

Bottom line, atheists do not have a chosen political party, like the religious right do.   Part of being freethinkers.   =D>

[viocjit]

I liked your introduction. This is very original.

[Solitary]

:-D  Welcome aboard Broede ! Solitary

[Solitary]

Welcome, from another new guy.  :-D

Broede wrote in part:

Examples of where I agree with him are gay marriage (for it), religion (against it), abortion (for it), gun control (against it) and war (against it). He seems to be liberal leaning on many social viewpoints but thinks the government should stay out of the way wherever possible (something I'm also, to a point, in agreement on).

This is my take on politics exactly.  I don't think someone has to be a social Democrat to be an atheist.  Frankly, I get tired of the sports team style of politics, which all too many espouse, in my opinion.  I used to be a hardcore Libertarian than I read more about socialists and their concerns.  Libs and Socialists are not as far apart as many seem to think.  Both are concerned with government giving special treatment to monied interests and both want better lives for the masses.  They just see different ways to go about getting there.  As far as the Democrans are concerned, they are bought and paid for.  They allow for sound bites making them seem like they are different, but both will vote to keep the rich, rich and the poor, poor.  

Personally, I think there would have already been a civil war in the US, if the people were not so divided over some issues which neither party really stands behind.  It is as if the two parties, the one party really, look at the polls and then divide up issues so as to appear to be conflicted.  Then carry on as usual.  Screwing the masses for the rich.  

Just my opinion.

Bottom line, atheists do not have a chosen political party, like the religious right do.   Part of being freethinkers.   =D>

 =D>  I couldn't agree more. Divide and conquer. Slogan of politicians. Solitary

[AllPurposeAtheist]

I'm in one of my, 'I don't care about politics.' phases. It's just a phase. :)
Welcome I suppose. I also don't really care what the religious nutters think or do as long as they stay the fuck out of my hair.
Once my phase is over they'll be notified to knock off their bullshit.

[Mister Agenda]

I hope you like it here, Broede!