Affairs of a Heathen

I had a great conversation this weekend with an old friend, Craig. I took a trip up to his house for an experiment he was working on. It went better than he expected which led us to the discussion on the properties of God, existence, dreams, and the rest of our waking life. Its been awhile since I’ve had a talk like that. I originally planned on sleeping over but we ended up talking until the early morning like some gossiping teenagers. I was wide awake and decided to just head back home and pass out.

I really enjoyed my talk with Craig. It set my existential gears in motion once again. He kept bringing up something that confuses me. I’d expect the word to be used by a theist, but coming from him was odd. I hear it all the time: purpose. It’s one of the few things about faith and belief that I don’t know if I’ll ever understand. I never saw how people can reduces themselves to servitude to a higher power because they believe that this world isn’t it, and there is more to come after they die. I’m down for the idea of eternal existence but there are too many variables and fine details surrounding it that forces me to completely dismiss the idea.

On side note, Steve Harvey made some comments in the past months that are beyond words. I might write a follow-up post about it. Basically, he stated that Atheists have no moral “barometer” and that a woman (or man) of faith should “just run” when faced with a spouse who is an Atheist. I wish I had the link to a comment made toward Steve but I love what the guy had to say. It’s funny how Steve Harvey is embracing the religion that was once used to justify slavery.

This is our last week of production at work until June 1st. We have the Memorial week and July 4th week off for a mandatory shutdown. It is next in the effort to reduce the chance of another layoff. Although I have to burn through my vacation/personal time to avoid unpaid time, it did come at the best time for Jen and I to move. We had originally planned on getting our keys to our new place this Friday and be done by Sunday. Now we have weekend to weekend to move. I’m also taking summer off from classes to focus on some goals at work. I plan on working a split shift to finish up my training for the “machine programmer” position. That’s just one of the few things I need to work on. My cell at work had a value stream meeting this Monday, which is a follow-up of last year’s VSM. The most important thing I learned from the meeting was I’m officially not geared for a 1st shift job.

Something else I’ve been doing is catching up on some reading. Since I started working about 3 years ago I can’t remember that last time I dedicated myself to reading. I’m currently listening to audiobooks at work which seems to be the best way for me to read. Right now I’m in a mood for atheist discussions so currently on my playlist is “God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything” by Christopher Hitchens and “The End of Faith” by Sam Harris. After listening to the first half of Hitchen’s book, I’m finding myself aligned very close to his views on religion. I’ll probably sit down sometime and follow up on the books.

Is it rude to not accept someone’s blessings after sneezing by saying, “No thank you”? I’ve been asking myself this question and debating on whether or not I should stick with it or just give up and unwillingly accept something that isn’t necessary. I understand the motive behind someone who says “God bless you” but I would prefer that they don’t say it to me. If someone gives you something and you don’t want or need it, you would politely say, “No thank you”. A harmless response in my opinion. So why is it when religion is involved, the same response is considered rude?

Religious tolerance is something else I’ve been mulling over lately. I would like to be as extroverted as a theist with my beliefs and how they affect my life. This ties into the idea of the origin of morals and why we do good. Doing good was prosperous for us during development into what we are now. Giving to others in need and getting help when offered helps the population of a species. By accepting a “blessing” from someone without hesitation, out of respect to their beliefs, avoids conflict and maintains the social bonds between us. Why would I want to challenge this?

Well, I’m to the point in my life where I realize that my actions can actually affect society in some way and I would like to take advantage of this. I need to start helping my generation change the world that we are inheriting and will pass on to the generations after us. I plan on removing God from my life, starting with family traditions and eventually the government. A secular lifestyle is something I’m aiming for. I hope to stop the growth of religion in politics and help remove it entirely.

I should make a clear distinction between religion and people of faith. I am not against the latter. It is the force of organized religion that worries me. Everyone who has faith can keep it… but out of my way. Let the consciousness raising begin!

This week is my spring break although I don’t get much of a break working full time. I am trying to enjoy the late nights without having to get up early for class. I’ve been spending my time online or working on a database for work. I’ve put off programming Blitz for now until I can sit down and plan out a flow chart for the AI part of the game. There are so many conditions I need to plan for so that will take up an afternoon.

I plan on finishing up this break with a “Spring Edition” of Mullet Camping. The group has grown so actually it won’t be at Mullet Camp this time. I’m not too sure how I feel about so many people going. Sure, its nice being with everyone but now its no longer a get-away…its a gathering. Too many bodies.

I’m not too sure what to do after this semester. The rumors are starting to pick up again about layoffs and I don’t know what Rockwell will do now. Hopefully I still have a job by the end of May though it might be on a different shift. That will be a problem for school. I’ll most likely have to move to 1st shift and I can’t recall many options for night classes.

On a much more positive note…I’m seeing more news reports about the increase of Atheist Americans or more who check “none” under “Religion”.