Recent posts

#1

Miscellaneous / "god" is immoral

Last post by iriss7480 - Today at 05:04:17 AM

I wrote another essay about how the Christian "god" is immoral and a sociopath who does not care about a person's well-being (emotionally, physically, mentally).  It is a being who only cares about some sick outcome.  It is nauseating and inhumane.
https://seylee.medium.com/god-is-immoral-6b438a3c22e0?postPublishedType=initial

#2

Politics / Re: Opponents of US Dominionis...

Last post by Recusant - Today at 03:20:24 AM

These guys are trying, but I don't think they're going to get much action from atheists. Probably not from liberal/non-fascist believers either. More emphasis on kinder, gentler religion to counter the frothing right-wing evangelical MAGA types? I admire the basic intention while being skeptical that their proposed path forward is promising.

"To save democracy, you might want to go to church" | Vox

To the average observer concerned with the future of American democracy, it might be easy to conclude that religion has been part of the problem — particularly over the last few years. Right-wing religious leaders, including the leading Southern Baptist televangelist Robert Jeffress, have endorsed "Christian nationalism"; other evangelical pastors and conservative Catholic intellectuals have been openly pondering if America should become more of a theocracy; Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who once called for an "American crusade," evoking bloody medieval religious campaigns, has referenced Christian theology in statements about the Iran war.

To critics, these examples show that American religion is becoming an active threat to pluralism and tolerance — the ideas that make American democracy work.

But what if the solution to this anti-democratic slide is also religion — more religion than the US currently has?

A new book by two thinkers from opposing ends of the ideological spectrum argues that declining levels of religiosity across the board, but particularly among liberals, have deepened political polarization, which in turn has corroded democratic norms. Now, they argue, one of the most effective ways for liberals to stand up for democracy is to engage with religious communities and their scriptural traditions with more respect, openness, and curiosity. The authors also urge liberals who are believers themselves to embrace organized religion and return to it themselves.

Conservative evangelical Christian Matthew Kaemingk and liberal Muslim writer Shadi Hamid argue in Can Religion Save Democracy? that there's a necessary and unique role that religious institutions and organized religion must play in American public life. Religion serves a fundamental regulating purpose, tempering emotions, fundamentalism, and nihilism. And when that fades away, those base instincts and emotions get channeled into our politics.

They write:

As Americans exit churches in droves, they're not leaving behind their religious passions. Instead, they're transferring those passions to the political battlefield. In this new post-religious context, Christian faith and Scripture function less as moral constraints within evangelical circles and more as political cudgels to use against one's opponents.

"We're not trying to convert [nonbelievers]," Hamid told me in an interview. "Believing is one thing, but believing that religion can play a positive role is another. And we want to encourage secular readers to embrace the second proposition, even if they don't believe religion is true or don't believe God exists."

[Continues . . .]

I note that they give some "credit" to New Atheism for the decline in religion in the US. In my opinion that seems like a desperation move--religion has been digging its own hole for a while now and doesn't need help from atheists.

#3

Miscellaneous / Re: Dealing with a delusional ...

Last post by Firebird - October 13, 2026, 03:39:35 AM

I don't mean to be a dick, but are you actually looking to engage, or do you just want more clicks on your blog? Because it's feeling like the latter. If you don't actually respond but continue to add new posts like this, I'm going to just assume the latter and not bother reading it.

#4

Miscellaneous / Dealing with a delusional abus...

Last post by iriss7480 - October 12, 2026, 10:17:36 PM

Thanks to all who responded.  It's hard to deconstruct fully because I know in my head that god is not real, but a part of me still emotionally believes this being is real (Ugh!)  I wrote another essay about how this being is like a delusional abusive ex who won't accept my realty and respect my decisions (hallmark sign of a gaslighter). 

https://seylee.medium.com/dealing-with-an-abusive-delusional-ex-4230a941b734?postPublishedType=repub

#5

Miscellaneous / Re: Help me escape this cult l...

Last post by Firebird - October 10, 2026, 07:10:03 PM

I read a little of your blog. How did you find us?

#6

Miscellaneous / Re: Help me escape this cult l...

Last post by zorkan - October 10, 2026, 04:00:09 PM

https://elenamiari.co.uk/blogs/religious-gaslighting

#7

Miscellaneous / Re: Help me escape this cult l...

Last post by Recusant - October 10, 2026, 05:58:09 AM

I wrote an essay about the Christian "god" and how it is trying to kill me through severe gaslighting and targeted aggressiveness.  This being's idea of guidance is through is abuse and I'm not okay with this obviously.  This being is an abusive delusional ex who has no qualms about engaging in monstrous abuse even against its followers (ex) for no reason.  This being is a terrorizing monster.  I need space to heal and just to breathe and process past experiences.  Of course, this monster is all about control and manipulation - antithesis of humanity.  What is the purpose of all of this?  It is sheer cruelty.  I would like to think of my soul as gravitating towards light and freedom - this being is a dark judgmental presence who is trying to suck the life out of me.  Even in my past toxic, hostile workplace, I encountered gross racism and misogyny from a crazy former co-worker who had a rodent obsession.  Instead of comforting and soothing and calming me, this being has been using this situation to intentionally stoke my emotional distress and to further traumatize me.  So evil!
https://seylee.medium.com/help-me-escape-this-cult-leader-23835ffe6065?postPublishedType=repub

What has convinced you that the being actually is real? What would it mean for your life to abandon that belief?

Rational, logical refutations of mythological beliefs can be helpful, but often they're not particularly effective. It's difficult to reason a person out of a belief that they did not acquire through reason. The saying attributed to Jonathan Swift which asserts that it's not possible is a bit too broad in my opinion, but it describes a genuine phenomenon.

Is there no doubt in your mind about this belief?

#8

Miscellaneous / Help me escape this cult leade...

Last post by iriss7480 - October 09, 2026, 09:32:57 PM

I wrote an essay about the Christian "god" and how it is trying to kill me through severe gaslighting and targeted aggressiveness.  This being's idea of guidance is through is abuse and I'm not okay with this obviously.  This being is an abusive delusional ex who has no qualms about engaging in monstrous abuse even against its followers (ex) for no reason.  This being is a terrorizing monster.  I need space to heal and just to breathe and process past experiences.  Of course, this monster is all about control and manipulation - antithesis of humanity.  What is the purpose of all of this?  It is sheer cruelty.  I would like to think of my soul as gravitating towards light and freedom - this being is a dark judgmental presence who is trying to suck the life out of me.  Even in my past toxic, hostile workplace, I encountered gross racism and misogyny from a crazy former co-worker who had a rodent obsession.  Instead of comforting and soothing and calming me, this being has been using this situation to intentionally stoke my emotional distress and to further traumatize me.  So evil!
https://seylee.medium.com/help-me-escape-this-cult-leader-23835ffe6065?postPublishedType=repub

#9

Laid Back Lounge / Re: What's on your mind today?

Last post by billy rubin - October 09, 2026, 06:08:05 PM

my posts about aristarchus of samos calculating the circumference of tbe earth got thrown out of the flat earth society internet forum.

i was using it to show that the height of the sun above a flat earth was approximately 3000 miles, but the moderators didnt like it.

i dont think they like attaching calculations to flat earth theory.

#10

Laid Back Lounge / Re: What's on your mind today?

Last post by Recusant - October 09, 2026, 04:37:24 AM

  Seconded.