Is anyone else an atheist with BC besides me?

Scwilly and Wren, your countries do it right with regards to religion (and most other things, too!). Religion shouldn't be part of politics, period. Separation of church and state here is a joke. In Texas, where I live, Jesus is inescapable. I went to a civic club meeting for our neighborhood long ago and they rented a room at a local church. The pastor came in and said a prayer, ending with "in the name of our lord and savior, JC." This wasn't a church event; this wan't a religious gathering, and I am Jewish. I don't want someone praying over me in the name of JC. I never went back.

Our moronic fundamentalist governor and state lege just passed a law that fetal remains (from abortions/miscarriages) must be buried or cremated. Sheer patriarchal insanity.

Ugh. I'd move to England in a heartbeat.

if only that tree had done its job..

I agree Smurfette, If we talked about atheism as much as others talk about christianity we are seen as combative or antagonistic.

It disgusts me that brainwashing of children is condoned.

I appreciate every day that I live in Australia especially as we have universal health care but that's another topic.

For those on FB this page may give you a laugh:

https://www.facebook.com/TheGoodLordAbove/?fref=ts

That is hysterical!

Hi I just wanted to say hi to ananda8 (once anatma?) and SoCalLisa (and all your gorgeous flower photos) - I used to be Flannelette, then was Zucchini for a bit, now am Flannelette2 - I rarely check here any more but once in a while get curious - also maybe because my shoulder aches at night recently and I think - arthritis? then a little voice wonders - bone mets? but not worried enough to do anything.

Also someone new right in my area, KB870 from Brockville, ON - hey I live near Mallorytown! right next door to the Purple Door on the 1000 Islands Pkway. I mention this because it's a metaphsysical/new age type book & gift store and lovely.

Not one single person here talks about their religion, though there are anglicans active at a pretty little Church nearby - very unobtrusive and inclusive and once in a long while I go there to listen to hymns. Not one person here has ever said they would pray for me but if you go a few miles north away from the river & into the country there are odd little churches which are not the main kind. We're all pretty much atheists and hate the Dumpster too. Scary, as we live right across the river from the US. We're going to build a wall to keep him out! I LOVED the most recent SNL creepy hallucinogenic skit on the world as seen by the world's nuttiest and most deranged narcissist.

Please excuse, off-topic, couldn't help it, just came from FB.

Hope you are all doing well and great to see your posts!

we do have a Santa Day for family , but with all the drama this year over who goes to what house maybe next year we will have happy solstice instead .

Flannelette,  Good to see you again.  The SNL skit was breath taking in its insight into what must be the mind of Trump.  I watched it twice.  Here's a link. http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/snl-jabs-president-elect-donald-trump-ego-abstract-sketch-article-1.2906452

HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE to everyone

It will be at 11:44 today here in central Europe. The time for your zone is here:

https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/winter-solsti...

This is a really big deal for animals who live outside. In about a week, my hens will notice the change and start laying more delicious eggs. I can't wait!

and for longer days

Happy Holidays! I hope you are all safe, warm, and enjoying some extra time off (pain-free, of course!)

xoxo

Jeff Sessions, the Trump nominee for Attorney General, just said the following as reported by Slate.

"In what seemed to be the only moment gobsmacking enough to bring the Senate chamber to almost complete silence, in the late afternoon Sessions had this terse exchange with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island.

"Whitehouse suggested that lists were already circulating suggesting there might be purges or demotions of certain career appointees in the Justice Department. Whitehouse wondered whether Sessions would have a problem with career lawyers “with secular beliefs,” having in the past criticized department attorneys for being secular. Sessions replied that he has used that language about secular attorneys to differentiate between people who recognize objective “truth” and those who take positions “in which truth is not sufficiently respected.”

There are two Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who might be open to rejecting the Sessions nomination.  They are Senator Lindsey Graham (R- SC) (202) 224-5972 and Senator Jeff Flake (R – AZ) (202) 224-5972.  Please call their offices now and ask them to vote against the Sessions nomination.  Calls a much more effective than emails.  You will be talking to a staffer. The staffer will be polite and will make a note of your comments.  Lindsey Graham is already uncomfortable with Sessions and is such a powerful Senator, he can afford to piss off Trump supporters.  Jeff Flake is a moderate Republican and serves in the Senate along with John McCain.

Calling Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee will just be preaching to the choir.

It is vitally important for secular humanists and atheists to stop this nomination.  No matter how uncomfortable you may be, make the calls now.

Lulu, I know what you mean. I have a friend with late stage ovarian cancer who is extremely religious. I'm glad it makes her feel better, but she posts religious stuff all the time that totally turns me off. I don't want to block her on Facebook, but I sure wish there's a filter to get rid of those posts. I think attitude may possibly influence outcomes, if only to not give up, but belief is totally irrelevant. You're sister's entitled to her beliefs, but she should have taken into account your beliefs as well. Good job on not smacking her.