A place for progressive atheists.

Right Illinois! that’s why people are so supportive of Andrew Cuomo.....he tells the truth and therefore, people trust him.

Wouldn't that be nice. Eren To? My fear is that we will see something more akin to what happened after the 1918 Pandemic. A worldwide depression and a rise in authoritarian dictators around the world.

During times of crisis, too many people are willing to give up their freedom in exchange for someone who promises to keep them safe. Scary times indeed.

Stay safe everyone.

Trish

The Bible is big on people making sacrifices. During the pandemic, church goers must sacrifice their gatherings for the good of all of us. How can those who don’t want to give it up see how selfish and ungodly that is? If God supposed to be everywhere, why does getting together in large groups matter? If Jesus walked the earth today, he might very well say, “just use Zoom, people!” I mean, come on.

My belief is that people project their own inner reality onto life, as well as God. There are gentle and intelligent religious people who believe in science and don't push anything on others: I am friends with several of them. Think of them as the 'wading in grace" christians. The "sinners in the hands of an angry God" christians are a different breed.

I work with abused kids (Foster youth - I am a CASA). The way we are seen and treated as small kids is so foundational to our beliefs about "reality." These beliefs live in the Right (unconscious) brain. People look for things that confirm this inner "realty" -- which is why we have optimists who soldier on through all kinds of bad circumstances, as well as bitter pessimistic people who have tons of apparent advantages. Some people like themselves and others hate themselves. Most of us know at least one or two very worthy people who nevertheless feel unworthy, That's early childhood.

In studies done by the NIH in the 1970s, James W Prescott realized certain child rearing practices created healthy/mellow/non violent people, and the chief one was carrying small babies around. Those early months and years when an available loving grownup is the lifeline for any baby. The societies which carried babies were 90% likely to be peaceable and low suicide.

I look at these crazy right wingers as a bunch of abused kids. Read about mike Pence's childhood home: he and his siblings were not allowed to SPEAK at the dinner table and had to rise and stand at attention if a grownup entered the room. Not surprising he's at attention when 'daddy' bosses everyone around imperious and enraged.

Hmmm, maybe that is part of the reason Trump has no much influence over people we once thought of as 'fairly' reasonable, but lost that resemblance after Trump came on the scene.

SCOTUS has stopped convening in person for social distancing, but won't offer it to voters. At least, not "those people" voters.

Pastor who vowed to preach 'unless I'm in jail or the hospital' dies of COVID-19 in VA

Quote from the article:

"I firmly believe that God is larger than this dreaded virus. You can quote me on that," the Bishop said, according to the New York Post. "I am essential. I'm a preacher, I talk to God!"

Something tells me he's never really read the New Testament. As I recall, Jesus made a point of saying people could contact God on their own.

Joke: Man is on his rooftop in a flood. Someone comes by in a canoe and offers to take him to dry land. He replies "God will take care of me." Then someone comes by in a motor boat and offers to take him to safety. He replies "God will take care of me." Then as the water continues to rise, He prays: "God take care of me." God replies, "I sent you a canoe and a motor boat. What are you waiting for?"

Continues to remind me of the saying that God helps those who help themselves. Then again I do realize that common sense is not common to everyone. I guess there are a few that continue to think a good Christian would trust their Savior. So they never consider that they can trust themselves. In my view, since I was one of the lucky ones ( not saying I get it right all the time mind you ) that was given a brain, it is up to me to trust myself and the intuition I am allocated. That has to be developed, but it kicks in -- like when your standing in the area of a mean dog -- you move away/

Didn't that letter just tick you off, magiclight? We got them as well. Urghhh.

I feel for the postal carriers who have to deliver letters from a moron who wants to kill the USPS. All so he can get back at Jeff Bezos for being more successful than he ever was.

Stay safe everyone.

Trish

Very good!

Just an FYI, magiclight, the owners of Home Depot are big Trump supporters. I've switched to my local ACE Hardware whenever possible.

Trish: UGH!! Hard now to deny that even health care is political. Update: As of this morning my town is requiring everyone to wear face masks. Will see how that gets implemented.