2.07.2024

You Don't Have to Remain a Member of a Hate Group

American flag in front of a church

I wrote a post on Medium recently called "Taking Responsibility for Your Church" in which I considered a question I've had for some time. If your church is not accepting of people like you, why would you keep going back? It isn't like Christians don't have plenty of church options. Most of those living in the United States are surrounded by churches. If the bigotry at Church A is a problem, why not try Church B? Wouldn't that make more sense than sticking with Church A while complaining about it?

After writing it, I recognized a problem. We don't do this when it comes to our political parties or even how we vote. Consider the Republican primary for a moment. Voters in Iowa and New Hampshire could have done the right thing. They could have said "hell no" to nominating a criminal. They didn't. And I'd bet that few Republicans will stop being Republicans when he's nominated. They won't stop voting for Republicans or even donating their money. No matter how dissatisfied they may be, they'll stay the course.

1.01.2024

Atheists, Vote Like Your Life Depends on It

Bald eagle

In the United States, we like to talk about our rights. We rarely have much to say about the many responsibilities that go along with these rights. But we sure do love to discuss our rights! And so help anybody who threatens to restrict them.

One of these rights is the right to vote. Our low voter turnout suggests that too few of our neighbors exercise this right. They'll offer many reasons for this, and some seem more valid than others.

Atheists and other non-Christians should have among the highest voter turnout of all. Why? Because of how much we stand to lose when Christian extremists gain power. We should vote like our lives depend on it because they do.

11.12.2023

Why Should Their Religious Beliefs Limit Your Freedom?

Sunrise morning chairs

What if I was vegan? What if I was vegan and you weren't? Let's imagine that both of these things are true for a moment.

Not only are you not vegan, but you enjoy all the foods vegans don't eat. You are happy with the status quo and have no desire to change your diet.

I show up one day and demand that you become vegan. Why? Because of my religious beliefs. Based on these beliefs, I've decided that everybody should be vegan.

11.03.2023

More Americans Say They Are Spiritual but Not Religious

Angel sorrow farewell

We've all heard of people who identify themselves as "spiritual, but not religious." Who are they? What do they believe? We should have many opportunities to find out in the coming years. After all, a recent Gallup poll shows that 33% of Americans describe themselves this way.

Some atheists will celebrate this. They'll consider it more evidence of the declining influence of organized religion. Others will question whether this reflects progress. They'll argue that "spiritual, but not religious" is replacing one type of woo with another. Who's right?