Day 13: Today I need to laugh... so here's Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais on Noah's Ark

I've seen this Ricky Gervais video where he tells the story of Noah and the Ark quite a few times now, and he still can make me laugh so hard I end up crying.  

Ricky Gervais is kind of a Court Jester to Christianity.  Court Jester's of their time were the ones who had the freedom to speak truth to the King.  Maybe the King was laughing so hard that the truth tasted better and he didn't kill the court jester for being honest.   

For most of us that have deconverted, we understand more than most how silly some of the stories were that we believed so heartily in.  It's voices like Ricky's that give us the freedom to laugh at those stories. 

Ricky Gervais: The Unbeliever's Interview

What I like about Ricky is that he exposes the foolishness of the Christian belief system.  Not all of Christianity is foolishness, but there is a good amount of it that is, and Ricky has no qualms about casting some humour and honest reflection to a system that can use some humility.  

Ricky's comedy is only surpassed by his wisdom... here is a bit of that.  

“It’s a strange myth that atheists have nothing to live for. It’s the opposite. We have nothing to die for. We have everything to live for.”

“As an atheist, I see nothing “wrong” in believing in a God. I don’t think there is a God, but belief in him does no harm. If it helps you in any way, then that’s fine with me. It’s when belief starts infringing on other people’s rights when it worries me. I would never deny your right to believe in a God. I would just rather you didn’t kill people who believe in a different God, say. Or stone someone to death because your rulebook says their sexuality is immoral. It’s strange that anyone who believes that an all-powerful all-knowing, omniscient power responsible for everything that happens, would also want to judge and punish people for what they are.”

“The existence of God is not subjective. He either exists or he doesn’t. It’s not a matter of opinion. You can have your own opinions. But you can’t have your own facts.”

“Do unto others…’ is a good rule of thumb. I live by that. Forgiveness is probably the greatest virtue there is. But that’s exactly what it is - a virtue. Not just a Christian virtue. No one owns being good. I’m good. I just don’t believe I’ll be rewarded for it in heaven. My reward is here and now. It’s knowing that I try to do the right thing. That I lived a good life. And that’s where spirituality really lost its way. When it became a stick to beat people with. ‘Do this or you’ll burn in hell.’ You won’t burn in hell. But be nice anyway.”

― Ricky Gervais

Day 13: 2022 - "The Great 'I don't know'"

Day 13: 2023 - Confusing the Actor for the Character

Day 12: The Voices of 150 Renowned Academics... Speaking about God

50 Renowned Academics Speaking About God: Part 1

Another 50 Renowned Academics Speaking About God: Part 2

A Further 50 Renowned Academics Speaking About God: Part 3

Today, instead of bringing one secular voice to my blog post, I am bringing a hundred and fifty.  

I was listening to these videos last night while I was working on my 2000 pc puzzle.  They are short snippets with each academic, but a collage of voices from across a spectrum of disciplines... the sciences, philosophy, mathematics, history, anthropology, medicine, and psychology, just to name a few! 

I might do something more with these videos... like harvest some quotes, because there were good ones. 

One of my biggest struggles is communicating my thoughts in a way that makes sense to someone else.  But maybe that's not my responsibility.  I want to be a good voice for my experience, but that story will always go through the filter of another person's experience.  

I am encouraged as I listen to these very smart and educated people talk about something so simple as  "belief in God" or in their case... lack of.  For most of them, it's not hard to sum up their perspective.  It might take them hours to lecture on topics of physics if that is their specialty, but it only takes a few minutes to say something like... "No... I don't believe it."  

Maybe I don't need a thesis to state what really needs to be said.  Most just go on with their study of the stars or microbes.  "God" for the most part, is an afterthought, not required for day to day activity and life change.  

Starting Week Three of Authentic Lent, I think I will finally go across the pond for some inspiration.  

Day 12: 2022 - "Longing to be a bird" 

Day 12: 2023 - "Climbing a different kind of flagpole" 

Day 11: A Christian and an Atheist walk into a Conversation

I first was introduced to Sean McDowell when I found a video of him  role playing an atheist for a group of students at a private Christian school.  I didn't know who Sean was at first, but the idea that a Christian would want to attempt to step into the shoes of an atheist intrigued me, so I watched it.  

A Christian Role-Plays an Atheist to a Group of Christians (then reveals who he is) 

After watching the video, I realized that Sean was the son of well known Christian apologist and author Josh McDowell.  Sean is also a Christian apologist that teaches at a Biola University (A Christian University).  

I wasn't that impressed initially, because Sean got real technical really fast, and I was wondering if that really emulated a conversation between an Atheist and a Christian.  Who really goes to the multiverse and string theory in their first interaction with Christians.  It seemed staged to me, and not that authentic.  

Later, I saw Drew from the Genetically Modified Skeptic Youtube Channel do a reaction video and it confirmed that there were some great issues with Sean's portrayal of atheism.  

Christian Apologist impersonates Atheist and Atheist responds. 

I've enjoyed some of Drew's videos over the last couple of years.  He is a former Christian turned Atheist and is not as abrasive as some of the other online Atheist voices I was trying to avoid at the time.  He reminded me of a fellow traveller on a journey... like me.  

Sean McDowell saw Drew's reaction video and reached out to Drew.  He invited Drew on to his channel to have a conversation.  This was huge for me, because I didn't know it was possible to have these two camps put down their armour and just talk.   Debates are common, but seldom life changing for either side.  Conversations are a rarity, and after listening to Drew and Sean, I gained hope that it could be a real possibility for me.  I needed to learn some skills in case I was ever invited into that space.  

Breaking Down Walls : A Christian and an Atheist in Conversation.

Live Q&A with Drew, The Genetically Modified Skeptic

I found myself actually appreciating Sean for his attempt to connect and even appreciated his role-playing.  It takes a lot to want to crawl into someone else's shoes and learn what that might be and feel like.  Even through he goes at it through a Christian lens, he is making an effort to... 

A - Humanize Atheists.  This is a message all Christians need to hear and understand.  Atheists are human just like them.  That is our common ground. 

B - Treat Atheists with respect, compassion and ask that others do the same.  It is what I find so helpful about his role-playing, (though a little off of reality as it may be.) At least he is bringing the conversation into his circles and giving the Christian youth something to think about.  

C - Find Common Ground.  I still see Sean as having a strong Christian Agenda to make the rest of the world Christian.  He believes it's true.  But he is walking towards a common ground and not demonizing the perceived enemy of Christians.  I think he is trying to follow Love in this.  

All these conversations were downloaded two years ago.  I found a new role play that Sean posted last year and thought I would watch it to see if he had learned something in his interaction with Drew.  I was amazed at the change.  

Dr Sean McDowell: The Atheist Encounter

This time, he prepped the audience as he usually does at these events.  I thought that a better approach instead of initially portraying an atheist without the audience's knowledge.  

I admired the questions that the kids asked and they seemed heart felt.  I tried imagining myself in their shoes what kind of questions I might ask.   It helped me see a bit of who I used to be and how I once looked at life.  

Sean's responses this time seemed more down to earth and less analytical and out of a textbook.  I found myself agreeing with his responses, and this time, he actually came close to portraying an atheist with some authenticity.  

I look forward to Drew doing a reaction to that video.  I would hope that he also found an improvement.  

I don't know the best way to have these conversations, that is why I soak them in when I can find them.  I really don't want to hurt people in the process of my conversation, but wish I could do what Sean and Drew did.  It's a dream.  

Day 11: 2022 - "The Invisible Gardener and my struggle with Authenticity"

Day 11: 2023 -  "Exist or Not Exist: Why are we still asking the question?"

Day 10: Dave Warnock is "Dying out Loud"... as an Atheist

 

“I am more interested in the quality of my life than the quantity of my days.” DW

Dave Warnock: Dying out Loud

Dave Warnock: Childish Things

Dave Warnock on "Humanize Me"

Dave Warnock on "The Graceful Atheist" 

Today, Let's talk about death.  That's right.  The most awkward, uncomfortable, avoidable subject on the planet.  Death.  It's inevitable for everyone, yet so taboo as a topic of conversation.  That has to stop... and it's voices like Dave Warnock's that bring a different perspective to the conversation around death.  It's why his voice matters to me.  

I was introduced to Dave on the "Humanize Me" podcast, and have since enjoyed listening to his story and conversations around the subject of  life and death.  Dave mentions occasionally that he's not afraid of death, but afraid of not living while he still has breath to offer the universe.  Dave has A.L.S..  It's the same disease got its nickname from baseball player Lou Gehrig. It gave the Sue Rodriguez the fight of her life up here in Canada, to have the legal right to have help to end her life.  And in 2017, A.L.S. took the life of one of the most inspirational members of my extended family... a woman by the name of Suzie Lane.  

Dave is evidence that there are "atheists in foxholes."  His is a valuable voice among the atheist and humanist activists.  He adds so much to the conversation that "THIS life matters".  While he has the energy, he uses it wisely and strives to make every day count.  We can learn from Dave.  As a person who has tasted so much pain and loss in her own family, every day has to matter to me.  I don't know how much time my loved ones have left and I don't know how much time I have left.  I need to spend more time in the space making ever day count.  Oh, how I wish I could spend every day there.  

Day 10: 2022 - "Learning from Robert Ingersoll" 

Day 10: 2023 - "Hold On, Pain Ends" 

Day 9: When who I am would be the death of me... in some parts of the world?

There Are 13 Countries Where Atheism Is Punishable by Death

Atheists living in 13 countries risk being condemned to death, just for their beliefs (or non-belief) according to a new, comprehensive report from the International Humanist and Ethical Union out on Tuesday. All 13 countries identified by the study are Muslim majority.

The countries that impose these penalties are Afghanistan, Iran, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. With the exception of Pakistan, those countries all allow for capital punishment against apostasy, i.e., the renunciation of a particular religion. Pakistan, meanwhile, imposes the death penalty for blasphemy, which can obviously include disbelief in God. 

(article taken from "The Atlantic") 

Next year marks the 500th anniversary of the Anabaptists. I have had it in my hopeful itinerary to find a place to honour them next January because people died doing what I was free to do in Canada.  Even though my adult baptism in 1996 is no longer a rite that I find necessary for life, I still want to honour the people who made it possible for me to be baptized as an adult (almost three decades after my Lutheran infant baptism), without being burned at the stake.  

Now as an Agnostic Atheist, my honour needs to go in a different direction.  I am grateful to live in Canada where being a vocal Atheist doesn't mean my death, because in thirteen countries around the world, it would.  Today I want to highlight one Atheist from one of those thirteen countries.... Ex-Muslim Armin Navabi is an author, podcastor and Youtuber who was born in Iran, but now lives in Canada.  

I first discovered Armin Navabi through a Youtube Channel "The Atheist Experience". I find some strange joy watching Atheists having conversations with theists about all kinds of subjects.  I guess because it is a dream of mine to figure out how to have constructive  conversations across the divide of belief and non-belief.  

Armin is a former Muslim.  I am not that familiar with the deep parts of Islam, so I was inspired to dig a little deeper into Armin's story.  

Armin Navabi: The Poison Pill of Islam: Part 1

Armin Navabi: The Poison Pill of Islam: Part 2

There is a reason my heart tugs to the country of Iran and it all is because of a beautiful Iranian-Canadian former co-worker of mine.    That is a country she can never return to because of who she is and the voice she has given to oppose the regime of the country that she remembers as "beautiful".  I have to agree about the beauty part.  My husband turned me on to some female Iranian Youtubers who make food and show off the beauty of the countryside homes and landscape.  

I am glad for my friend that she has found a home in Canada and a better freedom for her and her family that she would not have had in Iran.  But her heart is still there with the homeland she longs to see changed one day.  

I can't understand what is so threatening about not believing in something.  There is a world of things not to believe in and a world of people not believing in them.  So why does my not believing in this one little thing make it such a big deal.  Maybe because in some people's worlds, that one "little"thing... isn't so little.  It is everything.  Maybe my not believing in "it" and being okay means that "it" may not be that big of a deal as a whole.  I can understand then that unbelief may come across as threatening.  I hope humanity evolves past this and sooner than later.  

Day 9: 2022 - Seeing the people behind the words

Day 9: 2023 - Why I stopped asking "Why" 

Day 8: "Your Better God"

Do you mind if I take a break today from people?   I have a lineup of influences that I have over a month to share, and I will get back to them.  But today, I have to leave at 6:00 am on a road trip with my hubby and I have a headache.  

I do want to share with you a poem I wrote early this morning.  I was battling emotions I couldn't quantify.  A thought came to me... "You have a better God".  I don't have to do the math anymore to figure out how the Beautiful Christians in my life can have such a strong faith in a character that the Bible portrays as an egotistical tyrant.  I figured it out this morning and wrote a poem called "Your Better God".  (this links to my poetry blog) 

This is my supposition.  I could be out to lunch.  But thankfully, I can get away with it in the form of poetic ramblings.  

 Day 8: 2022 - "When are you going to quit playing the game, Charlie Brown?"

Day 8: 2023. - "Camped at the Crossroads" 

Day 7: At least the son of a president can be an atheist.

Free Thought Matters : Ron Reagan Interview on FFRF (Freedom from Religion Foundation) 

I was listening to Ron Reagan yesterday share his story and he mentioned that the New York Times asked him if he wanted to run for office.  He said no, but after they persisted, he said something like this and it shut them up.  

"I'm an atheist, I'd never get voted in." 

It was the same idea that Bill Maher discussed with President Barack Obama, and Obama didn't deny it.  The common saying is that "There are no atheists in fox holes."  But maybe in reality, that is where they are... but where they aren't is in the Oval Office.  

I'm not American, so I can't really testify how damaging this is for me, but I can agree it's damaging for my neighbours, especially this year with the up and coming election.  

I like Ron's story.  I envy him in a way.  He didn't wait decades to deconstruct a religion passed down from his parents, he figured out while he was still a young boy that it wasn't real for him.  He was spared so much, and I think he understands that.  Maybe that is why he just is who he is.  He's not trying to repair his past.  So many Post-Christians that have spend years in church and now have to come to terms with how they spent their time and money. It's not that easy to forgive yourself for that. 

Ron didn't have to do that. He understands the plight of those who have and has supported Atheist organizations with the intent to further the separation of church and state.  His country is having a different kind of war within it's own boundaries and he is on the front lines to help move reason ahead of theology in the matters of state.  

Today's Day 7 readings from AFL are both tugging at my heart today.  Jean Meslier was one of the greatest voices of my 2022 AFL journey.  He let his words speak after he died.  He never did come out of his closet until his body was in a grave.  He words lived on after he did, to encourage many more than just me.  

Bertrand Russell was a favourite of mine from 2023, but my heart was struggling a little more.  In 2022, I was just discovering my place in the atheistic ideal, by 2023, I knew I was well rooted.  I struggled more understanding that this place I dwelled was not welcome in my world, tolerated maybe, but not welcome.  

Now it is 2024 and I am back in Authentic Lent wondering how I can be authentic in more than just a blog.  It's why I want to share all the people, their stories and their voices this season.  I admire them and in my dreams wish I could help them more.  I can't do much in my physical world, but I can write and hope, like Jean Meslier, that one day my words will reach people but I may never know.  

 Day 7: 2022 -"Finding Life after Death in Jean Meslier

Day 7: 2023 -"I already have lost too much."