Windy Sydney

I have no words.

None.

Just pure, venomous hatred.

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I was alerted to this wonderful collection of photos on Facebook and I had to share a couple of my favorites. They are hilarious. I hope the owner of the shots doesn't mind... :>

These are signs seen primarily at Tea Party Protests.

They all feature "creative" spelling or grammar.

This new dialect of the English language shall be known as "Teabonics."

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I made a YouTube video a long time ago listing my favorite atheist quotes and cartoons, and an LDS gentleman started leaving me comments. I thought you guys would like to read the comments, so here they are. I changed the guy's name (YouTube username) because I thought I should keep him as anonymous as possible... well, as anonymous as you can get online nowadays...

I will highlight his annoying arrogance (according to me).

Mormon Gentleman:

You did in a sense misquote Einstein. He was not against religion and a general belief in a God or higher being. However in general, your video was fine (for atheists, I'm LDS, and was quite offended by it). The only thing I hate about some atheists (and I mean no offence), is they consider them selves high and mighty to say a person who believes in a God is dumb and can't make decisions without advice. If you do make another video, it would be nice if you left that out. :)

Me:

So sorry you were offended by my video, or the quotes in it, but let me be the first to say that there are MANY beliefs in the LDS faith that are MORE than offensive to me.

Racism
Sexism
Polygamy
Milk Before Meat
Baptism for the Dead

Guess we will just have to keep on offending each other. As for the quotes, I got them from a quote website and copied them as is. Even if they are misquotes or incomplete, I agree with the message they give... therefore they stay.

Mormon Gentleman:

Im just opinionating what I think you should change.Hell, one thing I cant understand about some atheists is they think we dont make our own choices. Same thing goes for the government then!Once you become military you basically sign over your rights. If you want to get a point through to the people you are trying to "help", act humble and give credit and discredit to both sides.

Well listen, Ive said what Ove said, and I don't intend my channel to be used for this. Even though you and I could argue forever about what's right and wrong, you stop a fight by not participating anymore. I do not intend to offend you, niether. That's another thing. Atheists say history proves religion is evil while they continue to fight and offend us while most of us don't fight back! And what does that prove? You're literally doing what religion did in the middle ages!

Me:

Why would I take offense to someone claiming that some atheists consider themselves high and mighty when SO MANY religious people act the exact same way?

Funny how that works, isn't it?

I will keep what I think I should keep. You might think it would be nice for me to check in with people before I make my videos, but that's not really something I'm interested in.

Thanks for watching.

Mormon Gentleman:

Its also sad how it works too, and I hope you keep yourself humble.

In my opinion, it's only the leader of a religion that acts high and mighty, while members of said religion will act more humble towards others

Heck, I don't agree or disagree with you. As far as Im concerned, where there is good, there is evil, and even a completely Atheistic world would have both, but we don't know how much.

I hope you know Einstein wasn't atheist. That is just assumed, since most atheists believe (in my opinion) that they are the only ones who make any scientific progress. He was very active and believed in a God.

I hope you have found great peace in your choice friend even though I dont agree completely with you :)

I don't think my church is perfect, and Im not in 100% in agreement with entire religious doctrine, but I do think there is a reason behind this universe, and that reason was not empty space with millions of molecules coming together in an explosion, something made that happen.

Me:

If you don't think your church is perfect, why do you believe in it?

Just curious.

I mean, take it from a girl who grew up in the church, then seriously studied church history and doctrine only to be blindsided by things the church kept from me:

There is more evidence that the LDS church isn't what it claims to be than evidence for the belief in it's doctrine. What is it that makes you so sure the LDS faith is correct... and the feeling you get when you pray doesn't count.

Real evidence.

If a church who claims to have a prophet of God has such serious problems, what would it take to convince you that the prophet isn't a prophet at all?

I'm not trying to say that you have to believe in evolution or even answer my questions.. I'm just curious about the answers.

Wouldn't God go to his prophet and say, "Monson... this isn't right. You need to do this, say this, put money where it should go, apologize for this old doctrine." Yet none of that happens... Why?

Let's take just one example of the thousands that I could choose:

God: Monson, we need to go to the people of the world and tell them I never once said black skin was a curse from me. I never once said that black skin on the earth was because the devil needed representation on the earth (as a prophet once stated).

We need to apologize for the racist statements and admit our past prophets were wrong. We need to make public amends.

Wouldn't a kind God do/say this? Would a kind and loving God have ANYTHING to do with the racism that came out of the church in its early days?

Doesn't the belief that God actually DID say these things scream "God's a racist" to you?" I know the answer to that question is probably "no," because I was trained to think the same thing... but it IS racist.

According to the church, God has a mouthpiece on the earth. If He wants us to join the true church, why doesn't he utilize that mouthpiece and clear things up?

You think members of the LDS faith, including the leaders of the church are humble? Really?

Is being totally convinced that they are right and everyone else is wrong... to the point that they take dead people and baptize them after they die without permission of family of said deceased person humble?

That is the opposite of humble.

A man claiming to be a prophet of God, without any proof of his being a prophet of God, and telling his church members to do as he says isn't humble either.

Religion can be evil.

The crusades
Waco
COUNTLESS other examples...

"Atheists say history proves religion is evil," isn't a true statement. We claim religion can be evil. There is historical evidence to this. Religion molds the minds of the believers, to the point that they are willing to do anything their leaders say.

If Monson asked you to do something, would you do it? I mean, he's a prophet of God to you, right? Why would or wouldn't you?

If you don't want to continue the discussion, thats fine. I just don't think you understand where atheists are coming from. You lump us all in together, much like you think we lump all religious people together.

The complaints most people have about atheists can be said about the people complaining. Just saying.

Members of a religion do as their leader instructs, sometimes without thought.

Are you saying that your church leaders are not humble? I would agree with you, but I'm just curious.

I think that I dodged his arrogance pretty well... he had no idea how condescending he was... it was hilarious to me... then again, I might come off the same way, at least I recognize that.

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Check out this complete dumbass:

Former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.) said Sunday that the expansion of state laws allowing gay marriage could lead to people marrying horses.

"You see, the Massachusetts Supreme Court, when it started this move toward same-sex marriage, actually defined marriage - now get this - it defined marriage as simply, 'the establishment of intimacy.'"

"Now how dangerous is that?" asked Hayworth, who is challenging Sen. John McCain from the right in Arizona's GOP Senate primary.

"I mean, I don't mean to be absurd about it, but I guess I can make the point of absurdity with an absurd point," he continued. "I guess that would mean if you really had affection for your horse, I guess you could marry your horse."

Yeah, marrying an animal who has no ability to give consent to a marriage is the exact same thing as two adults joining in a union together.

Yep.

Exactly the same.

What the Hell is wrong with these people?

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We all know that if we were not raised in whatever religion we happen to have been born into, we probably wouldn't believe in things like Jesus, large arks containing two of every animal, talking bushes, and the rapture.

I would have never believed... EVER... that a man named Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I wouldn't have been duped into feeling guilty that I didn't want to marry at 19 and have tons of babies with a return missionary, I wouldn't have gone through one of the hardest times I have ever had in my life. Realizing that Mormonism, and then God, were not really true.

After coming to the realization, I had to mourn my deceased loved ones all over again. Of course I was sad when they passed away, but in my heart I felt I would see them again, and that made me feel better. Now, understanding and taking into account all of the information at my fingertips, I have to realize that there might not be anything after we die, and that they really might be gone. Forever. It's not a good feeling, as a matter of fact, the first time I thought about this I cried for hours.

I was brainwashed into thinking these things. I didn't CHOOSE to believe in them, they were taught to me. By my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, neighbors, schoolteachers, and almost everyone I came into contact with in my hometown in Utah. Of course I believed them, why would they lie to me?

They didn't know they were lying to me.

Thats the thing.

They believed because they were taught to believe... just like I was.

I thought I would share some videos that really depict how kids are brainwashed into believing religious dogma. They are worth watching, and they really make you think... they might make you angry as well. :\



This kid reminds me of Lurch from the Adam's family:


Sounds like Lurch, too... doesn't he?

What is crazier than getting a group of teenagers together and having them make a video expressing the thought that everyone was going to die in the near distant future? Seriously... what the fuck?? Christians don't even think twice about this because they are so convinced the end of days in near, that we will all face judgment before a God, and that it is their duty to convince everyone else to subscribe to the same beliefs.

How would they feel if a Voodoo Priestess made a similar video, expressing the idea that all kids were going to die in the near distant future and she was the only one who could cast a spell and help them live for eternity? Is that really any different? Both sides are convinced they are correct, and both sides are mistaken IMO.

In this next video we see another approach to getting your kids to believe dogma:



Oh, that will teach him to be an atheist! Take away Christmas! No presents for the kid unless he agrees that Jesus Christ is his savior!

Again, WTF is this woman thinking? Is she taking into account that her Christian beliefs are not in harmony with her behavior to her son? Did she just walk up to him, threaten him, tell him to give her a "fucking break Michael," and get in his face like that?

Hypocrite much?



This lady is a well-known wack-job who was the main focus of the documentary "Jesus Camp."

She had these kids crying, singing, speaking in tongues, convulsing on the floor, and promising to devote themselves to the "War" against the devil.

One of her comments in this video gives me the chills...

"I believe this so much, that I have given my whole life to see to it that you get there."

She is a gifted speaker. She has the kids right in the palm of her hand. Making the kids feel like they are really important to her, to God, to the supposed war that is taking place. Telling them Harry Potter is evil, challenging them that they are one person at church and another at home or with their friends, telling them that they do things they shouldn't do (HOW WOULD SHE KNOW???) talk dirty (HUH?) and the kids look at her with awe and tears in their eyes.

She has CONVINCED these kids that they are bad, sinners, that they don't deserve the things they have, that they are selfish in their lives. Why is this so important to religious groups? Guilty people want to feel better.

What does this do to a kids self-esteem, though?

Personally, I would constantly question myself and my actions as a child. Would God be okay with what I was doing? Was I trying hard enough? Was I good enough?

I had nothing to feel guilty about. I was a good kid. I was on the honor roll, I had friends that I loved dearly, I didn't lie, cheat, or steal... yet I was made to feel like I was scum, and the only thing that could make me better was Jesus, God, Joe Smith, the Mormon Prophet and of course the religious dogma that caused the guilt in the first place.

This goes on and on in a person's life. I was 28 years old when I stopped believing in Mormonism. I was a grown woman with a full time job, I volunteered, I was kind to EVERYONE, yet I felt I wasn't good enough. I wasn't good enough because I wasn't following God's plan for me. Marriage, children, temple, church attendance, tithing, and guilt.

This is so unfair.

Looking back at the people who shaped my religious experiences, I find myself wondering where they are now. I know my Mom is out of the church, and that she is happy. I know my brothers are okay and not really subscribing to any particular belief system, my cousins are somewhat believers but not active, and the rest of my relatives are pretty much the same as they were when I was a kid. Mostly on my Dad's side of the family. Very, very, very Mormon.

This is an example of Mormon videos meant to teach members of the church how to introduce their children to the doctrine and help them develop their own testimonies:



This is a perfect example of how over-produced and fake religious videos can be. The lack of sincerity, lets face it... not everyone is an actor... The cheesy music, the young boy sitting in the back of the car sad because he wasn't sure if he had a testimony, the father getting a serious look on his face as he comes to terms with the fact that his son is questioning the church and his lack of a testimony, the mother sitting there... silent... letting the penishood holder do all the talking. She is, after all, just a woman.

Then things get serious. Mom looks at Dad again, gives him an encouraging, adoring smile, and keeps her mouth shut. Dad shuts off the radio, because this is serious... we are talking about Mormon testimonies here...

Then Dad starts reminding his son about the warm fuzzies. How they are proof that God listens to our prayers. They aren't just "feelings." They are special feelings. Put there by the Holy Ghost! Then, 2:14 into the video, the actress playing the mother finally gets a line!

Mom: Remember the other day when we were reading the Book of Mormon and you wanted to keep reading? Why didn't you want to stop? Son: I got this tingly feeling inside... that's the Holy Ghost? Dad: That's right son! That's how a testimony FEELS.

Um... sorry. Don't buy it. Nope. No little kid is going to sit down with his parents, read the Book of Mormon and enjoy it to the point that they don't want to stop. They would jump off the couch, run to the door and say, "Gonna go to Jack's house! Toodles!"

This video was made to tear at the emotions of Mormon parents. Making them connect with this man's parents who are probably long dead. That is another way the church tries to keep people in the fold. Reminding them of the sacrifices their ancestors made when they came across the plains to Utah for the church, the fact that they suffered for their faith, how many of them died and how hard it was. This was used on me countless times by MANY people. My ancestors came from Sweden, by boat, only to discover the saints had left for Utah. They were tired, hungry, and they had very little... but they made the decision to keep going and join the Saints in Utah.

I was told that if I left the church, I would be pretty much slapping them in the face and telling them that their sacrifices meant nothing to me. That I was telling them I didn't want to be with them for eternity.

Now look at this man's parents, how they helped him when he was a child realize that he had a testimony, and had they not helped him, where would he be?

Of course, any faithful Mormon thinks that nothing good happens to people who leave the church. Where would he be? Probably addicted to meth, in prison for rape and murder, and *gasp* drinking coffee on a regular basis.

Brainwashing puts irrational fears in your mind, consequences you will face if you don't do what the group wants you to do. It's actually quite scary how often they do this... and how MANY of them do it.

This next video is something I have shared before, but she says what I think so well that I want to share it again. She really takes the words out of my mouth:



I always had a problem with what she was describing, and I, too, never got up to share my testimony with the congregation on fast Sunday.

The paragraph repeated over and over to these young kids, and then they are encouraged to repeat it to everyone else, is a form of brainwashing. Let's also remember that everyone also fasts on this day, making the brain a little more easy to be manipulated. A child sits there, with their family, listens to the people they know and trust promise the church is true with tears in their eyes, and they believe them. Why shouldn't they? These are the people that love and take care of them.

It's sick. It's wrong. I hope it stops one day. I really do!

Andee

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I had a dream last night that I was walking around temple square in Salt Lake City with my Dad (who passed away from cancer in 1998). Dad wasn't religious at all, and that is what made the whole dream even weirder... I guess it was just one of those things. I have always had dreams with my loved ones who have passed away.

A couple years ago, if I had this same dream, I would be jumping up and down because my Dad came to visit me in a dream. I used to think that they were really reaching out to me and trying to communicate with me or give me a message. Now? Not so much.

Church dreams usually piss me off. Probably because I never remember the whole dream and I start obsessing about what happened. This leads to more thinking about the church, it's doctrines and how much it really fucked with my head.

Sometimes I feel like I have been able to put the church thing behind me, other times I get just as angry as I did when I found out the truth for the first time. Is it something I can get over? Maybe. I think it would be easier if my family members didn't assume the worst of me all the time, dropping not-so-subtle hints about going to church or saying a prayer, giving me the evil eye every time they see a coffee mug in my hand... you get the idea.

When I started learning the truth, I was really mad. I was mad that I was lied to. I wanted to drive to Salt Lake City and demand answers from the men in white shirts. I wanted to scream from the balcony of a hotel...

"They are lying!!! Lying!!"


Of course that would have been counterproductive and I would have ended up in jail :) So, I started WindySydney instead, starting out as an anonymous person questioning Mormonism in the heart of LDS Country. I am glad I did. It's great therapy.

The truth.

The church taught me to tell the truth since the time I was a sunbeam. Tell the truth, kiddos! God is always watching you. The Deity won't hesitate to put down marks on your permanent record! Lies only get bigger and bigger until they explode and ruin your life!

Why can't they take their own advice?

Why is it that they are not completely truthful to the members of their church? To the people who are considering getting baptized?


Oh, I know... there are many Mormons who will claim they know everything about church history and they still "know" the church is true. They claim that the lack of information or lack of complete information isn't important at all, and that we shouldn't worry about it. Seth, the Mormon commenter I finally started ignoring due to his arrogance and condescending attitude, would always make these points.

If it's not important, then why bother hiding it? Why go out of your way to tell the people in the church that they can't trust information from anyone else? Why edit the Book of Mormon and change things? Why don't they discuss certain aspects of church history and really get into the heart of the matter?

My Mom and I were talking a long time ago, and she told me she wanted nothing more than to go to Relief Society and have a lengthy conversation about polygamy, both in this life and the afterlife. That would never happen, though. It's not talked about because they would rather not talk about it and live in denial.

People are afraid of the truth.

How is it that certain people automatically get believed when they spout off nonsense? Pat Robertson is a good example, Thomas S. Monson is another. Regardless of what these two people say or do (among others) their followers will believe them. No questions asked. None.

Anyone who sets him or herself up as God's infallible wing-man on earth should be looked at from every angle. Instead, the sheeple nod their heads, say their prayers and thank their God that they belong to the right church.

What has Thomas S. Monson done to prove he is a prophet? What kind of prophecy has he given that has come true? Has he ever made comments about meeting with Jesus and God in the temple? Having conversations with them about things? Has he ever even attempted to show the people on earth that he really is a prophet?


I think it comes down to one very important decision everyone has to make at one point or another...

Do I want to go along with the flow, or do I want to find the truth about things?

Is the truth more important than the warm fuzzies?

Is the truth worth alienating friends and family members?

Is the truth worth the constant comments and aggravation from members of the church who are convinced I am being misled?

The answer to those questions is a big, fat YES.

I want to know things, to understand them, to embrace what we have in the moment. I don't want to cross my fingers that I choose the right religion, waste time in hundreds of meetings, pray to a God that will ignore you, give up 10% of my money, or belong to a corporation that doesn't think twice about trying to limit the rights of people who are different than they are.


It wasn't easy to learn the truth and have to make big decisions about who I should tell or shouldn't tell. I knew first hand what the church tells members about apostates. I knew what I was up against... and until Mormons go through that themselves they have no idea just how huge and life-changing that can be.

The church was a part of my very existence. It was something I thought about constantly. It's hard to walk away from the normalcy, the comfortable bubble.

I still find myself humming church hymns. I will be walking over to my Mom's house and I will find myself singing Nearer My God to Thee, Choose the Right, Teach Me To Walk in the Light, Count Your Blessings, and I am a Child of God. Those melodies will be in my head forever... and they are catchy, too. Especially after singing them every Sunday (sometimes more) in a boring, slow paced, nearly monotone, funeral death march beat.

So, I have a question for you guys...

Why is it that certain topics are taboo? Not discussed? Why doesn't the church address these things head-on instead of pretending they are not there?

Why are there historically incorrect pictures shown to members of the church that conveniently leave out things like seer stones?

Why doesn't the church recognize that the Book of Abraham isn't even close to being what Joseph Smith said it was?

Why do they tell the members of the church that they shouldn't go on the internet for information about church history and instead only trust info that comes directly from the men in white shirts?

I think I will always be angry about this. Not because I have a dark, Godless heart... but because I went through so much guilt and drama. My anger isn't directed at the members of the church, it's directed to the leaders who have the information at their fingertips and continue to make excuses for the actions of prior leaders.

If you aren't angry, you aren't paying attention.

It's not even close to being a moral thing to do... picking and choosing what information to give. It's so underhanded and sly that it makes me shake my head in disgust.

How do they get away with it?

Shouldn't people all over the world hold religious organizations accountable for the outright lies they tell on a daily basis? Why aren't there more people willing to stand up and demand answers from these people?

I do take comfort in knowing that there are more and more people coming to their senses about Mormonism. That goes for other religions as well. The age of information is upon us, and those who take advantage of the wealth of information learn and grow. Atheism is getting more and more common, and while I don't really care what people believe (as long as they don't make me live by their religious rules: UTAH) I think it's good that people are looking at things in a logical and careful manner.

Blind faith gets you nowhere. You just spin your wheels, devoting time and energy to a belief system that just isn't right. You feel guilt for normal things, you give money to an already wealthy church, and you beat yourself up for not being who the "Lord" wants you to be.

I love truth.

Andee

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As a follow up to my post about Pat Robertson and his hateful and ridiculous comments about the earthquake in Haiti being punishment from God because they made a pact with the devil, I would like to share this sad news from CNN.



How DARE Pat Robertson make comments that God was responsible for the events that took this child's life. How FUCKING dare him!

He sincerely believes that this child went through that much agony, pain, stress, fear and ultimately died because of a God we are supposed to WORSHIP?

This little girl didn't deserve what happened to her. She did nothing. She was living her life, growing, learning and he has the guts to say that she or people in her country were responsible for this?

How do people look at the words of Mr. Robertson and sit back and agree with him? How do people justify the cruel and sick things he said and still consider him a preacher who knows about God? Why are there people sending him money?

That being said, even *IF* Pat Robertson's statement was true (and we ALL know it's not... but for the sake of argument) why would we, as a people, need to worship and praise a God that could do this to innocent people?

Where was their God when this happened?

Was God with this child? No.

Did God hear the prayers of the people who watched her story unfold on television? He supposedly hears all prayers, right?

So God hears the prayers, and does nothing? Nothing at all? Why? Even if this creator wanted her to die as a part of some sick master plan, why didn't he ease her pain or comfort her when she needed it?

Instead, she laid there at the mercy of rescue workers. Crying in agony and struggling to survive. She suffered.

Yeah, "God" is great.

Andee

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This is one of those completely random links to a website I find funny/interesting.

Flights From Hell is a blog dedicated to voicing outrageous stories that happen to people on airplanes. There are stories from pilots, passengers, stories about crazy luggage mishaps... you name it.

I have a Flight from Hell story, but I will leave that for another day.

Andee

Here are a couple airplane vids that I entertain me in one way or another to ad more pizazz to this otherwise bland post. ;)

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Pat Robertson.

Just hearing that name makes my blood pressure rise. He is one of the biggest douchebags in religious history. Don't take my word for it, let the Amazing Atheist give you the real scoop:



Yeah, so Pat Robertson says Haiti was hit by an earthquake and thousands of people will die because of lack of supplies, because the people there made a pact with the devil?

What the flying fuck is wrong with this guy?

He is so full of shit that I can't even stand looking at his ugly mug for longer than 4 minutes. He makes me sick.

How is it that people look to him as a religious leader? People actually listen to him, ask his spiritual advice, give him money, and look up to him as something they should aspire to be like. All he has to do, as the Amazing Atheist said, is put the "God" band-aid on it.

Pat Robertson and Jerry Fallwell didn't hate anyone... God did.



So, let me add to the growing number of people asking Robertson and his followers this question:

"If God is sick enough to wipe out an entire group of people in Haiti, including children, infants, toddlers, and unborn fetuses, because of some pact with Satan the kids had nothing to do with, why should we worship this God?"

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Sarah Palin has just signed a multi-year deal with Faux-News.

Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin will appear on Fox News as a contributor, The New York Times' Jim Rutenberg reports here.

Palin, the GOP's 2008 vice presidential nominee, has penned a multi-year deal with the network, but will not have her own program, Rutenberg said.

Are you kidding me? As if I needed yet another reason to hate this so-called "news" station? I wonder how long thing deal has been in the works, and I wonder how much she is going to get paid.

Fox News executives and Palin have confirmed the news in a statement:

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has signed a multi-year deal with FOX News to serve as a contributor across all FOX News platforms, announced Bill Shine, Executive Vice President of Programming.

In making the announcement, Shine said, “Governor Palin has captivated everyone on both sides of the political spectrum and we are excited to add her dynamic voice to the FOX News lineup.” As a contributor, Palin will provide political commentary and analysis for FOX News Channel (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOXNews.com, and FOX News-produced special event political programming for FOX Broadcasting.

In addition, she will host periodic episodes of FNC’s “Real American Stories,” a series exploring inspirational real-life tales of overcoming adversity throughout the American landscape that will debut in 2010.

Palin added, “I am thrilled to be joining the great talent and management team at FOX News. It’s wonderful to be part of a place that so values fair and balanced news.”

Fair and balanced my ass.

Oh, and it looks like she is going to be buddied up with Bill O-Reilly.

Palin will make her first appearance as a Fox pundit Tuesday night on The O'Reilly Factor. That news was first reported by The Los Angeles Times.

If I believed in God or the end of the world, I might be a little worried about the Apocalypse. This has got to be one of the scariest things I have read in a looooong time.

She will put her foot in her mouth at some point and remind everyone how lucky the US was that Obama won the election. She sucks. She sucks bad.

One of the things that scares me the most about this woman is that she believes the Bible should be taken literally. She has also stated that she believes that Jesus will return to earth during her lifetime.

The people in her church believe in demons, witchcraft, speaking in tongues, Holy War, and once asked questions about how to go about banning books.

A video about Sarah's church:



Andee

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For the record, I haven't really read much on the whole Tiger Woods mess. I did get to see Tiger a couple times in Orlando during events when I worked at the theme parks, and he always seemed like a nice enough guy.

So, apparently, he has had countless affairs and cheated on his wife more times than he can count. There are still mistresses coming out of the woodwork for their 15 minutes of fame and attention.

To be honest, I don't really think it's anyone's business. This is between Tiger and his family.

That certainly doesn't stop Brit Hume from FauxNews from telling the world that Tiger needs a little Jesus.



Here is what Keith Olbermann had to say on his show about Hume's comments:



I hate fauxNews as much as I hate religion.

Andee

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I have mentioned this story before, but I came across an article Christopher Hitchens wrote about the topic. It was linked in Christian Nightmares, be sure to check out that website if you haven't already. It's amazing. For the entire article in Vanity Fair, click here.

Some of the things that made me cringe?

...Lieutenant Colonel Gary Hensley, chief of the United States’ military chaplains in Afghanistan. He was telling his evangelical audience, all of them wearing uniforms supplied by the taxpayer, that as followers of Jesus Christ they had a collective responsibility “to be witnesses for him.” Heating up this theme, Lieutenant Colonel Hensley went on: “The Special Forces guys, they hunt men, basically. We do the same things, as Christians. We hunt people for Jesus. We do, we hunt them down. Get the hound of heaven after them, so we get them in the kingdom. Right? That’s what we do, that’s our business.”

Holy Shit, right?

No, Hensley, your job is to fight the war on terror and come home safely to your family and friends. You job is to protect America from those who want to do harm to it.

It is *not* your job to go to other countries and "witness" to people who are already devoutly religious. Do you not see how fucking arrogant that is?



I would like to know this Chaplain's thoughts if a large group of Muslims came to the Unites States and started sharing their word with American children.

No wonder so much of the world thinks our heads are up our asses.

A certain Sergeant James Watt, a candidate for a military chaplaincy, is shown giving thanks for the work of his back-home church, which subscribed the dough. “I also want to praise God because my church collected some money to get Bibles for Afghanistan. They came and sent the money out,” he beamingly tells his Bible-study class. In another segment, those present show quite clearly that they understand they are in danger of violating General Order Number One of the U.S. Central Command, which explicitly prohibits “proselytizing of any religion, faith, or practice.” A gathering of chaplains, all of them fed from the public trough, is addressed by Captain Emmit Furner, a military cleric who seems half in love with his own light-footed moral dexterity. “Do we know what it means to proselytize?” he asks his audience. A voice from the audience is heard to say, “It is General Order Number One.” To this Sergeant Watt replies: “You can’t proselytize but you can give gifts.… I bought a carpet and then I gave the guy a Bible after I conducted my business.”

Again, it shows that they know what they are doing is wrong according to the instructions given to them by the US Military. They just weasel their way around it.

...A Pentecostal chaplain warned cadets that they should accept Christ or “burn in hell.” About the latter incident, the air-force investigative panel decided to be lenient, on the perfectly good grounds that such language is “not uncommon” in this denomination.

I hate religion.

I hate it sooooo much.

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I was just looking at the traffic info on my blog, and someone did a google search on "incest stories" and ended up on my Grandpa Heston article.

Ewww.

No. No. No.

Damn there are some weird people out there. I'll bet you money that the person who did it is a Christian ;)

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Time for another trip into the WindySydney mail bag!

A man by the username Grandpa Heston left me a couple comments that I want to reply to. Grandpa Heston's comments will be in quote blocks and italicized and my responses will be in bold letters to help keep things easier to read/understand.

Lets get started...

Your comments are interesting to me. Being obedient means that we subject our will to the Father in Heaven. No one should blindly follow the prophet or anyone else in the flesh. As for me I pray (as you said the only way that you would be obedient is if God told you himself)for an answer from God. He either confirms to me or not that what is said by anyone is from Him. So far the score is: 100% right for the prophets teaching me. For others that I trust enough to pray about the record is less favorable. YOu ought to try it with a sincere heart and see what you find.

Your comments are interesting to me, as well. I am especially interested in the comment you made about being obedient to our father in heaven and not blindly follow the prophet. First of all, there is zero proof there is a father in heaven, a space-daddy, a super fantastic club we get to hang out in after we die.

Who is it you want me to be obedient to? Because here is the thing... all scriptures are man made. The bible says shellfish is an abomination, sell your daughters into slavery... the list is endless. Should I be obedient to that God? Why or why not?

Have you ever played the telephone game? Someone whispers something in a friends ear and they keep passing the same message around the room? This is kind of how I see the bible and other religious texts. These are not God's words. These are words that men claim are God's words. So, if I am to be obedient to the God of the bible, I need to do some of these things:

-Abandon boys who are uncircumcised. Genesis 17:14

-Incest is best. Moses was the product of an incestuous marriage. Exodus 6:20

-God says it's okay for slave owners to split up slave families. Exodus 21:4

-If you "entice" an "unmarried maid" to "lie" with you, then you must marry her, unless the father refuses to give her to you, in which case you must pay him the going price for virgins. Exodus 21:16-17

-God orders Saul to kill all of the Amalekites: men, women, infants, sucklings, ox, sheep, camels, and asses. 1 Samuel 15:2-3

Believe me when I say I could go on and on. I have before. Many times. I need to obey a God that would do those horrific things? Interesting. Sorry, can't do it.

If there is a God, and He wants me to be obedient to him, then He needs to make his presence known. Mormons believe the prophets are communicating with God, and therefore they have more answers to things than other regular church members. The only way I would know what God wants from me is to what? Read scriptures that can't be trusted completely, and ...listen to and obey the prophet.

I didn't necessarily appreciate the Brigham quote. He had a great many things that he said. This is one small one that detractors use. How about quoting the rest that read a more favorably?

Oh, what quotes would thou like me to share?

There are great things?

Really?

How about his teachings that Adam was God, that there were Quaker-like men living on the moon, that anyone bearing children with someone with dark skin should be put to death immediately to save his soul?

Brigham Young had an ego the size of Texas, and by reading my copy of the Journal of Discourses I learned a lot about him. He treated women like property, he took anything he wanted, and he would publicly chastise people who openly challenged anything he said or did.

Next time I will check with you before quoting something a pretend prophet said as to not upset you. I am oh, so sorry.

Do you really think a true prophet would do the things he did?

Don't you think that if Brigham was really speaking and communicating with the Lord that God wouldn't have a few things to say about his sermons that the church now pretends don't exist? How about the Mountain Meadows Massacre? That was God's will?

Love you. Enjoy your coffee. I prayed about that too. Prophets were right. Coffee Bad! All it does is give you headaches when you don't have it and a lot of other little maladies like bad belly, the jitters etc. etc. Prayer is the soul's sincere desire. You enter Heaven through prayer.

Oh, I love the coffee dig.

Yes, I stopped going to church because I wanted to drink coffee.

That has got to be one of the stupidest arguments ever proposed to me on this blog, and I have had some doozies.

You love me? Want to get married and have babies? I can cook. Only vegetarian, though... and I would like to get to know you a little better before agree to return to the church as one of your many polygamous wives that are promised to you in the afterlife. The Celestial Kingdom always sounded kind of moronic to me, as if women would be jumping at the chance to share a husband with other women and populate their own worlds with spirit children they had to carry. Sounds like hell, not heaven.

Your comment makes you seem arrogant and sarcastic. Very bad way to get people to listen to the points you are trying to make.

If prayer is the soul's sincere desire, then lets take a look at that...



How do you know anyone hears your prayers? How about instead of praying to your heavenly father for a week, you pray to a can of Spam:



The results would be the same. They would.

I forgot. I always ask this of those that have left the church. Why do you never comment on the things that you know that the church (its people) and their leaders do right? If you are truly the free thinker that you purport you are, why not put the good things that you left to balance out some of the junk that you feel is so wrong? But alas. that would require you to be honest wouldn't it?

There are many ex-Mormons reading this last paragraph, and I can garruntee that they are laughing as hard as I am.

What should I praise the church for?

I should praise the church because they go out of their way to limit the equal rights of fellow human beings who don't even belong to their church?

I should praise the church for not allowing blacks to hold the priesthood until they were forced to change that rule to keep their tax-exempt status?

I should praise the church for not giving equal rights to women?

I should praise the church for telling women that they needed to be in polygamous marriages in order to reach the celestial kingdom?

I should praise them for their dishonesty?

I should praise the church who spends millions and millions of dollars on temples, church buildings, and expensive high-rise condo complexes instead of putting that money to use in a more helpful way... like feeding the hungry... that sort of thing.

I should praise the church for not being honest to me when they taught me the stories about church history? The translation of the Book of Mormon is my favorite example...

I should praise them for these things?

I know that most of the people in the church are good people, and if you had taken any time whatsoever to read more than one article on this blog you would know that. My entire family is Mormon. I love them no matter what, even if they act like you and assume I left because I crave Starbucks.

What you don't seem to understand is that my points and concerns with the church are valid.

As for the last sentence you wrote, you are implying that I am being dishonest. If you want to make that claim, please be prepared to show evidence to prove I am lying or being dishonest in any way.

I take that for what it is, a dig, a jab, an internet "F-you!"

What you have done is use every single apologist tactic out there. Trivializing my concerns, claiming I am dishonest, and being an all-around jerk. If you want to really communicate with people honestly about their concerns over your church, try being a little more kind and understanding. You sure came off as a egotistical jerk who thinks he knows everything.

If I had a dollar for every time some jerk-wad called me a liar without offering any kind of example or evidence I would be living in my dream home, attending college full time, traveling the world, and donating to charities that show where their money goes. I would be wealthy beyond imagination, almost as wealthy as the Mormon church!

If you had read more than one lonely article on this blog, you would know that my concerns are not just with the Mormon Church. That just happens to be the religion I was born into. I believe all religion is more negative than positive. Look at what it has done to you!! I am sure that without religion you wouldn't be so quick to judge others.

If you excuse me, I have to go to the store and stock up on coffee beans.

Andee

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Sorry I haven't been updating as much the past few days. I haven't been feeling well. Kind of shaky and wobbly... its hard to explain. I think I am getting better though. I need to watch my sugar I think. It's strange.

Anyhow...

Here are some of the videos that I have decided to add to the blog. Hope you all enjoy them :)

Andee





This next one is really sickening. I would love to believe he is really good at satire, but unfortunately I think he is the real deal. Be sure to check out his other video telling everyone why women should never be allowed to be president. He is a nutcase.



Here is another of his videos on how Barak Obama is talked about in the Bible. I love how he says that the only reason Obama won was because the American people didn't pray and fast enough. He even goes as far as to say that the Lord gave him pain in his shoulder because he didn't do everything he could in regards to the presidential election.

Again... I would love to think this is satire. Please, tell me this is satire. Pretty Please. With a cherry and sprinkles on top.

This guy is out of his mind!

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Christian Side Hug.

Remember that video I posted ages ago?

If not, here it is:



Yes, those silly christians think that giving a hug the "normal" way is too dangerous and will lead to things like becoming sexually attracted to the person you are touching. This is bad. Sex is bad. Don't do it. Just say no.

Well, I found this well-made response to Christian Side Hug and I wanted to share it. These guys are awesome. I laughed out loud.



Andee

P.S. It's satire. I guess some people don't get that.

I also love that the guy on the left has underwear on his head.

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Yeah, Glenn...

Just because the guy is a Muslim you have to make him prove that he isn't working with terrorists?

"Prove to me you are not working with the enemy?"

This guy is the biggest douche bag in the history of man.

WHY do people like him? -Because dumb people like other dumb people.

WHY do they watch his show? -Because they are as stupid as he is.

WHY are my relatives like zombies as they sit in front of their television screens absorbing everything he says? -Because they get into some idiot trance every time a Mormon becomes successful. He is successful because the Church is true, you know! We have to support fellow Mormons, and look how the Lord has blessed him!

WHY do they have every book he has ever written? -Because He's a Mormon and successful, therefore full of the spirit.

How does he not get fired for this bullshit? -Because Faux News doesn't care about what he says/does as long as he has the ratings.

The name Glenn Beck sends shivers down my spine, and not in a good way. In the way that makes me cringe turn my head away in horror. Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly are also in that category. Hypocritical assholes.

Ugh.

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