@Chris, I think your post is awesome. I too came out of the “christian closet” about a year and a 1/2 a go. I got sick of these Christians walking around preaching the good word, yet they can’t walk the walk. They do all their praying and preaching til something pisses them off, then they get all psycho. Preachers take your money so THEY can get rich and leave the poor to be even more poorer. Oh it’s a long story, but, I like your post and the hell with anyone else who doesn’t. If they don’t like, they should just stay away.

I guess to some folks it is a bigger deal than to others. Perhaps it’s all a matter of perspective and life experience. Living in a small community in the heart of bible country it’s still the kind of admission that can have significant consequences.

THis reminds me of all those “I started a blog!” articles that all the dinosaur journalists were writing a couple years ago, or all the “I gave up my typewriter for a word processor” articles before that.

So you’re an atheist. BFD.

If you’re still reading this, I’d just like to point out that the ‘middle road’, as you put it, is never a matter of ‘playing it safe’. It’s a matter of trying to decide between irrational faith and empirical, scientific proof as a deific presence.

I’ve been in Debi’s previous position, trying to force my way through faith during times when it was contradictory to what I felt was right based on my personal perspective. I chose being agnostic as my more comfortable path, as it makes sense to me to require logical and rational proof either confirming or denying the existence of God and other entities. It is not, by any theological standpoint, ‘playing it safe’ (which, in all honesty, Pascal’s Wager would be more definitive as a ’safe’ route).

Any consideration that the agnostic’s ‘middle ground’ is playing it safe is as equally offensive as referring to an agnostic as a ‘weak atheist’.

As a sidenote, I would like to point out the following from Webster’s Dictionary:

asshole – a stupid, incompetent, or detestable person

Or, in this case, perhaps we might say, “Pot….Kettle…”

P.S. Chris is, in some ways and to some people, an asshole. I, however, happen to find him a likeable one.

P.P.S. I’m one, too.

Just like you, some people have suggested that I have “turned away from Jesus” because I have a problem in my life. Actually, it’s been just the opposite. When I had problems, I thought the same way, but was afraid to reject religion. I was weak. I had problems. Now I don’t have any problems. I am quite happy. And feeling strong, I am being more true to myself. Perhaps you have come out because things are good for you?

I wrote about my rejection of religion on my blog. It’s called, “How Sarah Palin Turned Me off Religion.” I’d love for you to read it.

http://www.GreenerPastures–ACityGirlGoesCountry.blogspot.com

I will not delete your post just to prove you wrong, but in order to live up to your expectations I have to point out that you made 5 spelling errors in the space of 1 paragraph.

If you look at some of the fringe sciences (or, parapsychology and its bastard children), there are some ‘realistic’ theories to define spirits outside the realm of religion. A great deal of it has to do with the bio-electric engine that is the human body and mind and the ability of that energy to remain present after death. Honestly, I’m a little foggy on the principles, as I haven’t read much on parapsych since I was about 19 or 20.

As for aliens, well, it’s simple math if you think about it. The odds of Earth being the only planet in the Universe to have developed sentient life are slim, given the potential number of planets out there, many of them closer to the center. I wouldn’t doubt there are some rather highly evolved and/or highly tech-ed up civilizations out there.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, but I am a little confused by your comments. First off, I had absolutely no exposure to Christian Science until I was an adult, so I did not grow up with it. I’m also curious to know exactly what my blog is screaming. If you believe that I have some hidden desire to develop a relationship with God, that’s probably more wishful thinking on your part than mine.