Windy Sydney

Someone just left this comment on WindySydney. I don't post it here to make fun of the person who left it, I just found the comment so funny that I can't help myself from sharing it.

I'm LDS and don't understand atheism--doesn't sound scientific to me. Nice pictures of the cat, though.

Not making it up.

Promise.

Hilarious, no?

I guess to make up for the fact that I posted the comment for the world to see (well, technically they did) I should post a picture of "the cat." Since I am not sure which cat is *the* cat, I will include both.


Andee

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Since this whole coming out of the Atheist closet is new to me, I decided to do some research on the different Atheist groups on the net.

It's amazing how many like-minded people there are out there...

People who think logically and rationally instead of magically. Let me tell you... living in Utah I thrive on being able to communicate with those who really understand me. I am surrounded by conservative, religious people who are convinced their way is the right way.

Their way is batshit.

Yeah, I said it.

The Out Campaign invites Atheists from all over the globe to stand up for ourselves. Don't be ashamed to be an atheist. Don't be embarrassed. Be proud. There are a lot of us out there.

I remember when I was first learning about the true history of the Mormon Church. I felt as if the walls were closing in on me and that my entire life was one big joke and lie. All of my goals, all of my desires were not my own, they were taught to me.

I will never forget the moment when I took a step back and realized, "Oh my God. Mormonism is false, and other religions are not that much better."

I mean, lets think about it for a moment... Virgin births? Burning bushes? Giant arks? Living in the belly of a whale? Magical underpants?

Really?

How did I ever buy this crap?!

Would I have ever bought into this if it wasn't fed to me when I was a kid? Forcing children to attend any form of church is just wrong to me... and I won't feel sorry about that or apologize for it. Kids are not allowed to make up their own minds about things like this. They are taught to believe what their parents believe. They don't have a chance.

I have a hard time explaining the feelings that were going through me, but relief is the best word I can come up with. Relief. I didn't have to be who they wanted me to be. I could just be Andee.

I wish I would have learned that a long time ago.

I think about the nights where I would lay in bed and feel bad about myself because I didn't want what Mormon women were supposed to want. I didn't want to get married young and start popping out children just to appease my fellow ward members and family. I didn't have any desire to be a stay at home Mom. I wanted to go to school. I wanted a career. I didn't fit in with those people, I never did. I thought there was something wrong with me and that I would pay the price for not following God's plan when I died.

Now, thankfully, I recognize this as programmed fear. If I were too afraid of God's punishment I would just keep my mouth shut and fall in line. Hahaha... right.

This post is really going nowhere fast. Sorry.

If you have similar thoughts about atheism and religion, check out The Out Campaign and display your scarlet letter A on your blog proudly. I am!!

Open minds are a beautiful thing.

Andee

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I just got through having a conversation with a Mormon missionary.

Don't worry kind believers, I was more than pleasant and understanding to him. I didn't even use the keys on my keyboard to make a frownie-face :(

The reason I went to Mormon.org was because I had a question about why women are not allowed to hold positions of authority over a man. This has always bothered me (not to the surprise of my frequent readers) and I was interested to see what he had to say about it.

He didn't know that I was a member of his church (technically) or that I knew a lot about Mormonism. He assumed I was completely green to the church so he really "dumbed things down" for me. I thought that was funny.

Anyway, I began the conversation by asking him how Mormons get to go to the temple. He replied with the standard "you must live the commandments, attend church, and have an interview with the bishop." Notice how he didn't mention callings, tithing, or many other things that fit into this little "worthiness" bubble. He wanted to make it sound easy. Ha.

Eventually things got around to me asking if women could become bishops. He replied quickly with, "No, but women have other leadership positions."

Ha. Again.

Lets think about "leadership" positions for a moment, shall we?

Do women get to lead men? Well, lead them in things that don't include things like choir practice?

The answer to that question is no. Women do not hold leadership positions over men. Why? Because GOD WANTS IT THAT WAY!!

Sorry, more like MEN WANT IT THAT WAY!!

Let's pretend for one moment that God did exist. I know it's hard, but try. ;)

God is a busy dude. Think about prayer alone. Seriously. Do you know how many prayers God would have to sit through on a daily basis? This is a perfect example of what I am talking about (watch it, it's awesome):



If you took the time it would take for God to handle prayers alone he wouldn't be able to care about who was bishop of the 15th Ward. As a matter of fact, He would probably be happy as long as the person was capable of leaving him alone for 10 minutes.

Why would he care about the gender of the person running things?

Why should that matter?

It shouldn't matter to an all-loving God, should it?

Missionary Man then told me that women were special because we got to bring God's children into the world.

Big mistake Missionary Man. (I was nice!)

This is the oldest, crappiest excuse given to me about this topic (happens a lot!!!).

You see... women are supposed to WANT to be mothers. We are supposed to nurture our children, have as many of them as possible, and keep the house running like a well-oiled machine.

Guess what?

No.

We are not living in the 50's.

I can't believe I ever bought into this bullshit. Ugh.

Andee

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Yesterday I ranted about the recent mass shootings that have taken place.

I am still pretty pissed off at the men who took the lives of others, but now I am more calm and I can look at things from a different perspective.

You can probably tell from the past entries on WindySydney that I am a news junkie. I like to know what is going on in the world around me. I am also fascinated with crime, and I frequent forums to discuss crimes in the news. I like to see if I can figure out why people do things like rob, kill, torture and lie. Most of the time the answers are greed, power, the lack of ability to control anger, and revenge... but sometimes, the people who commit some of the most unbelievable crimes do it for God.

In the case of the shooting at Ft. Hood in Texas, many people on true crime message boards are jumping to the conclusion that Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, a Muslim, did the shootings because he wanted to take out American soldiers and help Jihad. There is rumor that he shouted something about Allah before pulling out two hand guns and killing 12/wounding 31. Many news agencies that reported on this rumor have stated that it's important not to jump to conclusions that his attack was terrorism related. I have to agree that we don't know the true reasons behind his attack... yet.

One particular poster on this forum said that no Muslims should be allowed to serve in the armed forces because it is only a matter of time before they all pull something similar.

I read that and I snapped.

I called him a bigot, because... he is one.

You see, not ALL Muslims believe in wiping out America just like not ALL Mormons believe in polygamy and not ALL Christians believe in bombing abortion clinics.

We are talking about extremism here. Fundamentalists. Fanatics. People who let themselves believe that they are chosen by God for some amazing task.

Oh yes, christians. Your religion is so much better and your God is so much more loving than everyone elses. Thats why you are against equal rights. Makes perfect sense.

There is more killing done in the name of God than anyone really notices. It's chilling.


Months and months ago I read about a Christian preacher whose daughter suffered from diabetes. He believed that God would save her. When she went into shock he didn't take her to the hospital. He grabbed his wife and other kids and prayed. Needless to say, the girl died due to lack of medical intervention. She was killed because of the fanatic beliefs of her father.

It's no secret that I don't believe in God, nor to I like religion. As a matter of fact, I think religion does more harm than good. But it just shocks me how many God-loving, preaching, bible-quoting, conservatives out there feel that their God wants them to be bigots and assume the worst of people who are different than they are.

This is only one of the many reasons I embrace Atheism.

One thing I will never do is harm someone else because of my beliefs. You won't see me praying for someone when I should be doing CPR, you won't see me bomb a building because God wants me to. Most of all, you won't see me force my beliefs on anyone else. I might SHARE them, but I would never force them. Religions don't get this.

God bless 'em. ;)

Andee

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I'm pissed.

What is up with these crazy assholes who think that walking into a building full of innocent people and shooting them one by one is a great idea?

What. The. Fuck.

Seriously.

If you feel like you can't handle life anymore, or that you are angry because something is wrong in your life, why do you take it out on other people?

Hmmmm?

I mean, I have been angry at the Mormon Church and religion in general for a very long time... did it ever once occur to me that I should drive to Salt Lake City and take out everyone inside the Church office building?
Of course not!

Yesterday, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, walked into a building where soldiers were preparing to get shots and eye tests before leaving for Iraq. He brought with him two handguns, and started shooting.

He took out 12 people, and 31 are injured. Did these people do anything to Maj. Hasan? No. They were just targets to him. He wanted to make a point. The only point he made is that he has no soul.

News reports are saying that he was depressed and that he didn't want to be deployed.

Does anyone WANT to be deployed to a war zone? Hell, no.

I want nothing more than to get in this asswad's face and remind him that the soldiers he wounded and killed are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters. Many of these people enlisted to help take care of their families, for a better education, or because they wanted to serve our country. It makes me SICK that a fellow solider killed them. SICK.

How wrapped up in your own little world can you be?

You don't want to do something so you kill a bunch of people that have nothing to do with it?

Fuck that. Just take yourself out.

Today brought yet another mass shooting in the town I spent 7 years in: Orlando, Florida.

Jason Rodriguez, 40, walked into an Orlando high-rise building and started shooting. He killed one and injured 5 more.

He was fired from the architecture company over 2 1/2 years ago for poor performance. Instead of moving on with his life and possibly learning a valuable lesson about what is expected of him in his job, he holds a grudge for two years and then tries to take out his ex-coworkers.

He got away, too.

Police ended up finding him at his mother's home and they arrested him without any further violence.

Guess he didn't want to get hurt.

This whole idea of killing others before killing yourself is absolutely mind-boggling to me. If you are tired of living your life and you want to put a gun to your head, I can't stop ya. I don't think its a wise decision, and suicide is not in the best interests of the friends and family who love you, but people make that decision every day.

How many stories have we heard lately about husbands and wives losing their jobs, their homes and everything they worked for before killing their family and then themselves?

Why do these people think they have the right to kill someone because they are having a bad day? Because things are going wrong in their life?

It's the definition of selfish.

Sorry for the rant, guys... but if people would just express their anger in ways like this rather than hurting innocent people, the world would be a better (and much safer) place.

Andee

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One of the things that was constantly thrown my way when I was beginning this blog was comments like this:

"Are you just bitter?"

"If you don't believe in Mormonism, fine. I don't see why you can't let it go and move on with your life!"

"Just because you don't believe doesn't mean you have the right to talk so much crap about Mormonism."

"You obviously have no idea what you are talking about!"

The last one is hilarious, especially if you are an ex-Mormon and have done the research into TRUE church history. People have no idea that they are being lied to on a daily basis, that they are giving their faith, money, and love to people who don't deserve it.

Don't believe me?

Check for yourself.

I triple-dog dare you.



So, now that I have come full circle and realized that I was pretty much brainwashed into believing half the things I was taught as a child I take a step back and marvel at the mental, emotional anguish of it all. Lets not forget that many members of my family refuse to talk to me just because I openly disagree with Mormonism.

Religion has shaped, changed and molded my life forever whether I like it or not.

The same goes for you, too.

So, in this article I hope to explain why religion is such a big deal to atheists like myself.

Religious institutions inflict their beliefs on me every single day. Thats why I care.

Let's start with the laws that tell people what they can and cannot do on certain days of the week... In Utah, you can't buy alcohol on Sunday. Why? Because the religious institutions in this state claim that it's for everyone's best interest.

For those who believe this moronic way of thinking, let me ask you something: Why would your God care what day of the week you get plastered? Either your God is pro-getting wasted or not. The day of the week doesn't have anything to do with it... and I am stuck following your stupid rules because you think it's best for me. Screw that. For those who are interested, I don't drink. At all. It was just an example.

Why else do I care so much about religion?

The battle for equality goes hand in hand with religion. Why is it so hard for certain groups of people to acquire the same rights as everyone else? I will tell you why. Because religious groups feel they have the right to tell people how they should live their lives. Thats why.

The voters in Maine have recently repealed same sex marriage.

Why do so many people feel they have the right to vote on who gets to live their lives as they see fit? Are same sex marriages hurting you? Of course not. It's all about religion, and thinking that you have the right to tell people what they should and shouldn't do. Who they should and shouldn't be able to marry.

Do you know how many people die every day because of religious beliefs?

The holocaust? The crusades?

Do these events in history ring a bell?

Let me share a recent news story with you:


In Phoenix, Arizona a young woman was run over by her father because she was becoming too "westernized" and strayed from her traditional Iraqi values. She was killed because of her feelings about how she wanted to live her own life.

This is just one story out of thousands that happen every single day.

It needs to stop.

Believers, if you want to belong to a religion that is 100% fine with me. Just keep yourselves from forcing your thoughts, ideals and rules on my life.

Let's talk stem cell research. Stem cells might hold the key to allowing people to walk again, to bettering the lives of millions of people around the world. Too bad religious groups feel that stem cell research is wrong and that leaders of these religions asks their believers to vote against studying stem cells.



Oh, well... God must want them to suffer.

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Well, since I am officially back from taking time off from things I thought I would make a post about random things I have learned and loved during my time away from the blog.

First, this is a clip from Bill Maher's Real Time. I have to say that when I first saw this clip on YouTube I wanted to find someone to drive me to Los Angeles so I could give him a big wet kiss on the lips. I love this piece of material more than words can say. He also brings up Mitt Romney and his magical underwear, and that is a plus. It's worth the watch, believe me!!



I also want to add this one:



So, what else have I been up to? Tons...

First of all, as most of my followers might notice, I finally came to the conclusion that I am an atheist. I decided that there is no real evidence (note to Mormons and other religious believers: real evidence does *not* include warm fuzzy feelings) that God exists. I am pretty open about it now... for the longest time I didn't want to throw the baby out with the bath water... but there isn't a baby IMO. The baby is imaginary. Just like Santa and the Easter Bunny. It's something we created to make ourselves feel better.

I hope there *is* a God. I hope that we all live with our magical space-daddy and that He parties with our ghosts forever after we die (taken from the Bill Maher clip above). I hope that I get to see my deceased family and friends again after my heart stops beating and my lips turn blue. I just don't think that is likely.

I truly believe that if a God exists He would understand why I came to this conclusion. A God that is all loving and wonderful wouldn't punish people for using the brains He supposedly gave them during the 7 day creation. As a matter of fact, if I were the God that created the Universe I would be pleased as Hell that my little earthlings were constantly learning and adapting... being smart about what and whom they should put their faith into.

I know that there are certain atheists out there that are extremely vocal about trying to get people to "see the light" (something I find ironic because that is what most religious people do too!). I promise to do my best to not get up on a soap box constantly and berate people who believe in God. I think that is counter-productive and it doesn't help anyone. One thing that won't change is my feelings about religion (mainly Mormonism for obvious reasons) and how people are taught to behave and conform through fear. I think people on both sides of the fence get too passionate at times trying to convince others that they are right. Bottom line is that being different and believing in different things and discussing those differences of opinion helps us grow and learn.

I am more than willing to discuss why I feel the way that I do, and debate (as adults mind you) those who challenge my beliefs. As long as the conversation is based on FACTS and not on personal attacks (Yes, strange person who insists on emailing me just to tell me I am a sad and pathetic person... I'm talking about you).

You don't need to believe in God to have morals, empathize with your fellow man, or reach out to people in need. That is a part of me that will never change. I don't have morals because I fear God and what He will do to me, I have morals because that is the right way to be.

A couple days ago my Mom and I were on a walk and I noticed something in a gutter along the side of the road. It was a credit card. Just laying there... waiting for the inevitable.

Someone was going to find it.

Would it be an honest person?

Would it be someone who had zero dollars in the bank?

Would they be tempted to use the card and possibly steal the person's identity?

It's surprising to me now how many people think that religious people would do the right thing and that those who don't believe wouldn't. There are plenty of holier-than-thou Christians out there who have been convicted of crimes like this (and worse). I am not saying that all Christians (or other types of believers) would take advantage of the situation. Not at all. I am just trying to make the point that religion does not a good person make.

Thanks for reading the blog... I am happy to be back.

Andee

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