Note: Thanks to Jim and Elizabeth, I learned that my header photo is not seen by all, unless they actually visit the site. I am including it here so that it will show up. I also removed the meme. ~ Bill
Credit: Old man on a bench, Santiago.jpg
The new header image I selected for Dispassionate Doubt is a photo called Old man on a bench, Santiago.jpg. It’s from Wikimedia Commons, a free media repository.
I like the picture and hope to write at least one ekphrastic poem from it. I assume others have.
I don’t use the word resonate often. But that man, his posture and expression, his clothing and surroundings, his hair and skin all combine to arouse my emotional curiosity. I want to know what he is thinking and why. I want to know his back story.
Why do I like the photo? Why do I relate?
I want to tell his story.
I am a septuagenarian who likes to sit on benches and watch life happen. I prefer earlier darker periods of mornings and the later evenings better—just before day light and just after.
I use the word ponder regularly because I enjoy my private contemplation and brooding meditation. I like to muse about life and to write my thoughts.
Look at him. What is he thinking? What do you think?
A lady who phoned the internet show, The Atheist Experience, said, “I cannot imagine how anyone could be an atheist.” Despite a long and patient discussion with the show’s co-hosts, she never really changed her view, outlook, or conclusion of what it means for someone to identify as atheist. She saw atheism as the rejection of an existing god, of her own personal spirituality, and the exact opposite of what she believed. She saw it as the flip side of the same belief coin that she applied to herself. When the hosts would try to explain her error, she would interrupt with defensive or attacking arguments. It’s entertainment.
Watching the show is a good lesson about human nature and communication. It is educational. However, for many believers, the puzzling question is indeed how anyone could not believe.
When callers identify as believers, they are usually invited to explain why they believe in a god, have some specific metaphysical world view, or follow a certain religious tradition or dogma. This is usually when there are silent pauses on the part of the caller. That’s understandable.
In day-to-day life, believers are seldom challenged to explain or show how they arrived at some theistic view, so they are ill-prepared to logically present salient facts regarding their belief (often a certainty to them) and how or when they came to such a conclusion as there must be a god. The internet is replete with arguments defending belief or faith. Those I have read are fallacious illogical tripe that eventually falls to pieces before melting into a just because it’s true and I have faith defensive stand. Or worse, because the bible says so.
I like to hear people explain why they believe in a god, a higher power, an invisible force or energy, or whatever it is that causes them to conclude that the high and mighty one exists. It reinforces my own conclusions. However, I do find most honest explanations refreshing for two reasons. One is that, while I’m comfortable with what I think, honesty and sincerity feel good. The other reason is that I get to listen to someone talk through what they believe. So, here are some of my favorite reasons why people do believe in god.
I don’t know why. I just do.
Ninety-five percent of all people believe, so I must be right.
God personally spoke to me or showed himself.
Things exist (universe, people, magic). The only possible explanation is a god.
I define god however I like, and that is what I believe in.
I prayed for something and it came to be, thus proving to me that there is a god (what else?)
It is beneficial within our society for me to say I believe and to act that way because it brings social privilege, economic gain, and personal protection.
It is what I was taught as a child. I have always been a believer.
Everyone will hate me if I do not say that I believe in god. I would be rejected and ostracized, as I have done to others. (That could also be a closeted atheist.)
I don’t want to spend eternity in Hell and I’m afraid of dying and other things.
It is just obvious that god exists. What else could it be?
I’m hedging my bets. If there is a god, I win. If not, I’ve lost nothing.
I think most people who believe in supreme beings and spirits make their claim for cultural reasons. Those reasons are based upon social and educational factors (indoctrination), not on intuition or logical analytical thinking. Therefore, many fundamentalist religious groups want to teach intelligent design as science and religion in public schools. Apparently, they agree with me about the indoctrination part. May I suggest additional required courses in argumentation and basic logic?
UFOs – are flying objects which are not identified. They could be planes, birds, or weather balloons. There is no proof they are alien flying saucers. I don’t know if advanced aliens visit our planet or if there are life forms on other planets. I doubt the former and have seen no evidence of the latter.
Unicorns – Noah messed this up. Right? There are no horse type animals with one horn that only virgins can capture and which fart rainbows. But they seem a harmless myth. I’ve added the unicorn song link here, in case you missed it the first time.
Urine therapy – is drinking piss, preferably one’s own. Bodily waste is meant to go out, not come in. People do this and believe it a cure-all for many maladies. Folks, I am not making this shit up. People do this. And they think it’s healthy.
Un-American – is how many American believers see atheists (and liberals, gays, lesbians, people who want common sense gun laws, Hollywood, Californians, Jews, Muslims, and people of Mexican, Hispanic, or Latino descent).
I get the in god we trust motto and the under-god thing (both added later), but that is simply forcing religion on other people who don’t want it. And it is the repulsive essence of all religion – that it must be forced or coerced. Quite un-American to me.
Uterus – The part of a woman’s body that people of religion want control over. But they would also like to prevent any form of pleasure and happiness for all of us. Suffer, you heathens.
Ya know what?
I want you to think of me, sitting here, thinking of you.
I am writing this and wondering about who’s reading it.
That’d be you. Where are you?
Did ya watch the video on farting yesterday. The wife
nearly busted one. Then she found four more on line.
I am sitting on my back porch in a double chair, an outdoor loveseat thingy.
Got on an aggie ball cap with mossy oak on top.
I don’t often wear camo or this, but
two bucks at Tuesday Morning, it works. Better ‘n bald.
Wearin’ old shoes, soft on bottoms so I can walk quiet.
They’re battered and worn stringy deals with counters I’ve walked down
cuz I’m lazy – unofficial slides.
My shorts match the ball cap.
Also got a white tee undershirt thingy,
kinda my Brando look.
It’s been a cool rainy day here in central Texas.
I looked up a while ago, and a fucking pole cat (skunkaroo)
was charging me from across the grass –
headin’ my way, a friendly Pepé Le Pew comin’ to say Howdy.
He heard me
and skedaddled back yonder toward the neighbor’s house.
Dang it! Wanted a selfie with old Pepé.
Do any colleges use pole cats or skunks as mascots?
I know a while back
McMurry U. in Abilene, TX was NCAA forced to quit bein’ Indians.
Apparently it upsets folks who want to be called native Americans
or something. But not Indians, so why it matters?
Anyway, McMurry Pole Cats, we’ll spray your ass.
Honest Injun.
I think McMurry got a new one (War Hawks).
It’s a Methodist affiliated bunch. 1,500 studs.
I would not be offended if they named it after me (Billy Goats?).
The hawks don’t care, and it sounds kinda Indian name-ish anyway.
The University celebrates native heritages every year.
Maybe someday all the kissin’ up will get some love.
I took a lot of classes at TCU (Disciples of Christ) to get a Master of Public Administration.
They got the government’s money, but I quit going.
They wouldn’t let me smoke and drink beer in class, so I found a friendlier bar with better music.
Fuck the Horny Toads! Cool purple though.
I lived near Baylor for a while.
One frat night the studs invaded my local Coonass Bar there.
Ya gotsta love ‘em Southern Baptists. We don’t drink (or dance, or have sex, or vote left).
“Oh, no sir. We don’t go to Baylor. County Junior College. That’s us.”
Ima wearing a hoodie thingy, light weight with Air Force patch.
Wife or daughter steals it sometimes. It was cool earlier,
but rain’s gone now, and it’s warming up around here.
Wife just came and asked if I wanted to go for a burger, beer, and fries.
I get silly questions like that all the time.
I’ll be back, but I ain’t gunna stop thinking about cha.
I’d give ya a big hug, but Ima Demo and thinkin’ bout runnin’ fer prez, and you know – Joe.
He’s from Scranton.
We almost hoodies, me and old Joe.
No mo’ touchy-feely shit until after the Inauguration.
We back. It was some mighty fine eats and good old Red Poppy ale.
I cleaned my plate.
Ain’t cha proud?
The place was great in all areas I review on restaurants and bars.
I did not check out the boy’s room.
Never been there cuz wife read a bogus review and x’d the joint until now.
Then we went to Wally World to bra shop.
I got lost somewhere else so as not to confuse the natives.
I was thinkin’ about you. I hope yer having a good weekend.
Tomorrow is G-day on A to Z.
Dispassionate Doubt 