Joseph P's Comments

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At 6:10pm on March 14, 2014, Luna Saxton said…

:) It's funny cuz my dad was a Scientologist for like 3 yrs and he tried to get me help for anxiety by...paying $400 for 1 session! I left them and went back inside when they started talking about past lives and almost lost my s when they used that e-meter crap.  I'm lucky to have been in Catholic school ("Everyone's a heathen but us! Don't worry about your little friend he's perfect safe with Father Lenard...well not really.") & Protestant church("We're the same but they worship false idols & have Jesus hidden in the basement of the Vatican!").


It gave me an early glimpse of how ridiculous/dangerous religion can be. I think he was Buddhism after and then Agnostic then Pagan..Then New age...Good thing he's an Atheist now.;) But he will tell people they are stupid (like his fundie sis)--He's a lot better than me regarding tuning stupid stuff out and debunking. I wish I was um...less empathetic? But then I wouldn't be me.

We are so jacked up inter-racially ;D but I do know we have African American, Iroquois, Cherokee (think they come from same batch right?),Irish, Scottish,Portuguese and Chinese in our gene pool. Whew...!It's not fair that everyone's tall but myself and dad...oh grammy was 4'8".So I guess like all short people in history I'm supposed to be a bitch:D Cool! I just turned 38 and still get carded.hehe

I try to get to the local bookstore maybe every other month. It's cool cuz they sell used books & u can pre-order as well. I don't take med for MS cuz it makes me sick but I do take vitamins:) It's not bad just feel really old  sometimes { I mean} when it comes to getting around. I have not read the books you mentioned but will check them out. Thank you:)

If you want to publish your work when you get everything organized- there are online publishers (one's Outlook Press). I'm working on a autobiography/poetry book [for about 5 yrs]. You'll laugh(maybe?) but one of my favorite sci-fi writers since childhood is Piers Anthony. He actually wrote me back 2 times...I freaked out:0 If writing is your passion- don't give up on it, even if you get a block. I find that observing people/nature helps & music too. I really need to get outside more. Can't you tell?lol

At 2:10pm on March 14, 2014, Luna Saxton said…

I'm really short--4'11"....I don't intimidate anyone:D

I'm boring 'cuz I'm in the apt a lot and that sucks; but writing is not boring at all.  Oh I just started reading The Awakening of Intelligence by J.Krishnamurti....Just to get more sides. Ugh it's already sounding like Deepak Choprah (sp!)

But yes sometimes it gets really annoying and I can't say: f off. I don't want to stoop to their level ('cuz you know they'll start cursing too and freaking out over the most logical questions). PS: Going to throw this book away. Any suggestions on good reads? Thanks:)

At 1:49pm on March 14, 2014, Luna Saxton said…


Jehovah's Witnesses freak me out! They sometimes come to my apt...There were these two guys & I asked one what's the difference between them and Mormons? Or Scientologists? For *some* reason they got mad....At least they left. (yay!)  But yes it's weird in Carteret County...every second they talk about god in conversation. It' s like being the only one not drunk at a shitty party.

There's more churches than social programs.

I'm scared to go to doctors 99% of the time because you can't argue with them.

I don't know how not to offend them (esp if I tried to work when I'm feeling better- I have MS but it's not too bad. Also social anxiety/agoraphobia...but in thinking of not being able to interact with rational people on a daily basis doesn't help.:)

 I'm not a tech writer. But I bet you have great writings!:)

At 10:46am on March 14, 2014, Luna Saxton said…

Hey! Yeah I would like to move to another area but funds low now...

I'm totally boring! I write poetry and short a lot. And of course, am on the internet like way too much. I've got some medical shit going on so going out is limited a.t.m....

A question for everyone I guess: Has anyone been to the doctors/hospital etc and they try to convert you? Or refuse service because you're not a christian? One PRN referred to me as a witch and that I needed to get saved or something. I felt sorry for her because she was looking like she was going to be sick. It was as if I was "possessed" in her mind and demons (lol) were going to attack her because she was near me. And I'm crazy..>:*/

That has happened to me and I'm sure a lot of others so wanted to hear your stories. Thank you and glad to be here!

At 12:34am on March 10, 2014, Karen Brown said…

I've only been a committed atheist for about 5 weeks. The seed was planted when I really asked is it all bullshit? Google came up with George Carlin- "it's all bullshit." George Carlin makes more sense than religion. 

At 6:00pm on March 3, 2014, Lillia Sanura said…
Seems we understand each other's delayed responses, being similar in that way. With that many long hours under your belt though, it's extra understandable. It sounds pretty rough for you lately.

If email is your preferred method of communication, I understand. You can take your time a little more than with this method. If you want to exchange email, I'd be cool with that. Just let me know. I wouldn't mind a friendly communication every now and then. No pressure or obligation though.

What you say about the meet ups makes a lot of sense and sounds just about right and easiest for me. I went to my first Meetup for a local anime group recently, and it was movie watching in the local library, which suit me perfectly. You had the movie to keep you distracted and entertained, with a little conversation on the side, which was nice. Even got friended by a couple of attendees on FB. So far so good there, and I plan on attending more of those in the future. As for other local groups I joined, none of their planned activities has really grabbed my attention! but I will keep looking for one that suits me.

I wouldn't expect someone to drive a long way just to see little ole me, lol. Likewise, I wouldn't go so far out of my way for someone I barely know. That's kinda crazy and a bit unreasonable. I haven't met any local atheists though at the Meetup I attended some time back, mostly because it was more of a lecture kinda meet, more than a social get together. I have yet to try one of those, but without a clear group activity, it's a little intimidating. Still, I may try to work up the courage to give one a go when I can. I'll never know if I never try, right?

Cool that your writing fiction, and novels at that. Do you mind my asking what kind? Don't have to share details or anything, just a basic overview will do. I dabbled writing some time ago in collaboration with a close friend, science fiction based, and a few songs and poems. I wouldn't call myself particularly talented or prolific in it though, but I did turn out a few decent tries, I think.

You sound a little unfocused, like me, lol. I find it hard to stick to one particular thing. I've tried different avenues of creative things, like drawing (mostly), writing, crafting, and wouldn't mind trying my hand at clay sculpting and sewing sometime. I always wanted to be kind of a jack of all trades in art/craft.
At 10:54am on March 1, 2014, Stephanie Weeks said…

Boone is one of the most liberal (religiously and politically) areas of North Carolina which is one of the reasons I decided to go there ! And yes, we were targeted go make voting not as easy for us liberal college students. The town is actually conservative but pur university is very liberal and full of hippies haha.

At 6:08pm on February 16, 2014, Tricia Peterson said…

Hi Joseph, Thank you for the kind Welcome note. I'm looking forward to finding people I can relate to =)

At 7:00pm on February 11, 2014, Erin Mikkelsen said…

I was actually hoping to find an atheist/freethinkers meet group in my area. I'm originally from Northern Minnesota. I have been in Wisconsin for almost 2 years now and I haven't been able to find much of anything. Thanks for the welcome!

At 5:31pm on February 1, 2014, Lillia Sanura said…
Heya, sorry for the late reply.

I see what you mean about the social aspect of this site. I guess it would be fine for some online chatting here and there, but not so great for meet ups. I joined a local atheist group on meetup the same time I joined this group, and so far have only attended an educational lecture that was very interesting. I have yet to attend one of their more social meet ups. I tend to be a bit of a wallflower, so if I do get around to one of those, it's a fingers crossed and see how it goes type of deal for me.

My dad used to do some mechanical drafting if I recall correctly. You're right, it's not the same thing, but is interesting nonetheless, and entails some amount of skill as well, I wager.

Writing is very interesting. I used to have a friend who was very creative and good with her writing, and we used to collaborate her writing and my drawings. She inspired me to learn how to write a bit myself, though that is not my main interest/skill. If you don't mind my asking, is it fiction or nonfiction? I hear you on the inertia thing, and I understand a stressful job will definitely take some of the wind out of one's sails. I've been thinking of trying to sell some of my art and some crafts online for a while now, but still haven't mustered up the motivation and energy for it yet. Mostly I'm just trying to sort my life right now.

That's cool you're a musician, and that's an impressive list of instruments to have learned. I remember wanting to learn guitar and piano when I was younger, though I never did get around to it. And it is true when they say if you don't use it, you lose it. I also tend to get kinda rusty in drawing if I don't do it for a while, like say a year, and have to relearn a little when I pick it back up again. I'm sure if you really wanted to you could, though electronic composition could certainly be rewarding in it's own right as well.
At 12:33am on January 24, 2014, Laura McMillian said…

I grew up in Miami and moved back to Utah in April of last year. (Strange to consider 2013 last year.) Lots of Catholics in Miami, due to the Cuban and Latin in general influence, and I attended an all-girl Catholic school for all 12 years of grade school. I say moved "back" because I was born in SLC, and we moved to Miami when I was 3. But none of my family is originally from Utah. Dad was there on business and got into skiing. I've always lived here at least part-time.

I also ended up viewing paganism and Wicca in particular as being more superstition I didn't need. But it was a good transition out of Christianity for me at the time.

At 1:08pm on January 10, 2014, Lillia Sanura said…
Hi, and thanks for the friendly greeting. It makes it much easier to join a group when it's members extend a warm welcome to new members, especially when they're a little shy, like myself. It's nice to meet you.

I can relate to the voluntary solitary confinement thing. I've been kind of afraid of socializing with people for a little while, cooped up in my home. I want to change that, connect more with like-minded folks, and maybe make a new friend or two with similar interests.

My creative outlets manifest in visual art (mostly), sometimes in written form (poetry, song, story), and rare bits of craftiness. How about you? What creative outlets do you turn to?
At 10:32pm on January 5, 2014, Jessica said…
Not that I know of. It's a topic that has just recently come up with my spouse and not something we see eye to eye on. Something we probably should have discussed before marriage (ha!)
At 9:12am on December 4, 2013, Molly Mcguire said…

Yeah! I don't know it's more of the "oh I'm too good for politics. Omg government man". The only political view anybody has is one and "obama is cool". A lot of people believe that for having one political view, everyone else's is invalid and they don't even want to debate about anything because that means they have to (GOD FORBID) think, or talk to people that may or may not have different views than them. The other day in American Political Process, the teacher says "so who even likes politics" and the entire class raised their hands and said "omg who wants to be involved in the corrupt system run by old white men omg no thanks " like a bunch of damn babies. Granted, I am not THE most politically intensive person ever, in comparison to my siblings who work in DC, but on some level shouldn't everyone be slightly interested in the policies that run our lives? And on that level I do try to read and understand political science, and philosophy as much as I can (although I completely realize that I have a LONG way to go, just as anybody should realize that they are not always accurate in their interpretation of the world, but thats fine! Because there are always people willing to debate that, hopefully.)

Also, I lived in Washington State last year, and there are people like that wherever you go. Luckily, I was able to find friends that shared common interests as me. Being in a new place though, it's hard to find people who actually share that sort of interest in life. 

At 1:34pm on December 2, 2013, Ateulatos said…

The wild-ass assertions from religious people are backed up usually by scripture. That's their evidence, and that's what I was referring to.
Like Sam Harris said, if one person believes in something completely illogical without evidence, he or she is labelled 'crazy'. If a large number of people do, it's labelled 'religion.

At 6:40pm on December 1, 2013, Kara Kauffman said…
At 1:39pm on November 25, 2013, Mika Mikaela said…

It's ok. They say it's difficult to distinguish Asian people apart.What did you think the first time you saw me? Chinese? Yes,I'm sure your sister in law is a firm believer.She should have been a bit liberal by now because she has travel away from a conservative society.I have this curiousity since I was kid but didn't bother to challenge myself.My father was a member of autonomous christian congregation.He insist that we should all join the Chruch of Christ.I've been a very good follower.I imagine I would be in the same faith if I didn't left the country and educate myself.

I felt so lucky the first time I  set my foot in the Holyland. I thought it's a good place to practice Christianity. I can visit an ancient chruch, see the footprints of Jesus Christ and all these things.I began learning Judaism and read some pages of the Old testament. I have read between the lines, compare things and see the conflicting situation in the Middle East.The thing that influence me a lot are the stuff I saw on National Geographic,History Channel, Ancient discoveries, Ancient Aliens and a bunch of Science fiction movies.Then I began reading and searching until one day I realize I'm quite convince that religion is for the weak and blind.Still my atheism is only visible to my platonic friends.

Another thing that I find challenging is socializing with my friends even going on a date. I feel like I do prefer to be with someone who is a free thinker and rational. I don't see a lot of ardent atheist in my Asian community. Some people would say it shouldn't matter at all. What do you think? Is a religion a deal breaker for you?


At 10:41am on November 25, 2013, Mika Mikaela said…

I'm an Asian migrant worker.Just move here several years ago and enjoying my freedom and creativity.Tel Aviv is vibrant and diverse.I fell much comfortable here though I wouldn't disclose to my relatives that i have been converted into atheism.I'm getting my news from BBC and France24. 

How long have you been an atheist? What about your parents? Believers or nonbelievers?
At 4:15am on November 23, 2013, Mika Mikaela said…

It doesn't affect me much. My Jewish employer is not really religious and I know a lot of Jews that consider themselves as agnostic/atheist.You'll be surprise to see a number of secular Jews out here who doesn't really care about religion.I live in a ethnically diverse city. I feel like nobody cares if you are religious or not. But things would be different in some places like Jerusalem. The thing that worries me most is my Asian friends. They are all religious and I'm sure they will hate.I'd rather keep it to myself.

At 2:33pm on October 31, 2013, Jessica Hough said…

I don't mind driving to Raleigh, I hear the night scene is on point. I have an ENFJ personality type so I have a lot of energy and I want friends who don't mind having an explosive social life. Happy Halloween, BTW.

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