Freethinkers/Atheists/Naturalists Unite

Andrew, Jr. · 12-08-2009, 04:23 PM

I am very open minded, and more of a naturalist than anything else. As for religious beliefs - I am Roman Catholic with a mix of Buddist principles I follow. I am involved in the paranormal, and have been for a number of years.

I left organized religion for well over 20 some odd years, but when my older sister was diagnosed with skin cancer, I tried to bargain with God. I went back to Church, and hoped and prayed that my actions would save her life. She died on Oct. 16, 2008 at home with everyone by her side. I was the very last person to talk to her alive. She went into a coma, and then passed away less than an hour later. I will always treasure that 15 minutes I had with her.

Now I have a more peaceful life than ever before. I do more volunteer work than I have before. I enjoy working at food banks, homeless shelters, and at a local hospice center. However, now that my sister died, I just cannot bring myself to go back to the hospice center.

How I got involved with the paranormal is at the hospice center. See when the dying are transitioning to a new life, it is like a baby being born. It is a process. Unfortunately, some people die alone. And some people die with family surrounding them. For those who are skeptics, I just say this to them...go volunteer for just a day or a few hours at a hospice center. You will see things that you cannot explain. You will feel things that you never felt before. And you will experience life like you never have before. It changes everything you ever thought about or believed in.

Same thing happened to me at NIH in Bethesda. I could walk around Building 10 - that is where some cancer patients go. Jo was on floor 8. However, when she was being taken for Pet Scans, Xrays, Blood Work, or whatever, I would have to walk around. In walking around I would see, feel, and hear things that were not very pleasant. In fact, I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy. I always say cancer sucks. And it does. I am not sure of what is worse, cancer or the treatments.

Namaste,
Andrew

MsDemeanor · 12-08-2009, 11:27 PM

An Aj thread!!!! And me too damn busy right now to toss in my two cents worth!!!!

I'll be back. You've all been warned.

weatherboi · 12-09-2009, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsDemeanor

An Aj thread!!!! And me too damn busy right now to toss in my two cents worth!!!!

I'll be back. You've all been warned.

Oy Vey everybody scatter!!!

Medusa · 12-09-2009, 10:15 AM

An interesting article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert..._b_384515.html

Andrew, Jr. · 12-09-2009, 10:41 AM

Dusa,

Did you see on SyFy the attempt to show near death experiences? It was done at a hospital I believe in Europe (Germany I think it was at). The dr's placed signs up on the ceiling and on equipment in the ER and Critical Care Units to see if patients who were revived could show time travel, after life, and so on. It was fascinating.

Years ago people laughed at people who were free thinkers and naturalists. Now, today, look at what we do. We fly into deep space, and fly back to earth on the same plane.

MsDemeanor · 12-09-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weatherboi

Oy Vey everybody scatter!!!

Where's a good snort coffee out my nose smilie when you need one?

Linus · 12-09-2009, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsDemeanor

Where's a good snort coffee out my nose smilie when you need one?

<-- not quite the same but close

MsDemeanor · 12-09-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linus

<-- not quite the same but close

That'll do!!!

Linus, you rock!!!

NJFemmie · 12-09-2009, 12:34 PM

I am not an atheist, but I consider myself to be a free thinking and open minded recovering Catholic. I have and still incorporate Buddhist principals into my daily life, but there is a large part of me that would like to believe that something much bigger exists out there. I don't necessarily believe in God as the bible or religious practices would state (hence why I am no longer a practicing minister) - but I like to think there is at least a collective energy that drives and pushes us forward.

In any case, I am always interested in learning new theories and beliefs - and think this is a great thread topic and look forward to some useful and educational information on here

MsDemeanor · 12-10-2009, 03:40 PM

I wonder what they mean by "Almighty God". Christian God, Muslim God, Tribal God? Would they consider Buddha to be a God? How about Goddesses? Is "God" gender-specific? The Parking Goddess - the only deity that exists as far as I am concerned - was very kind to me yesterday. Twice. And I have a witness to prove it. Is she "almighty" enough to pass their test? If they ever had to find a perfect parking space in a busy city on a regular basis, would they possibly reconsider their position on the Parking Goddess? Could I snark on all day about the high level of bullshit that is this unconstitutional law? You betcha.

linkyloo

12-09-2009, 12:34 PM	#9
NJFemmie Senior Member How Do You Identify?: The original lime-twisted femme Preferred Pronoun?: I answer to most things, especially lesbian. Relationship Status: Still loving my Mare ;) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 4,683 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,343 Thanked 11,419 Times in 2,976 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	I am not an atheist, but I consider myself to be a free thinking and open minded recovering Catholic. I have and still incorporate Buddhist principals into my daily life, but there is a large part of me that would like to believe that something much bigger exists out there. I don't necessarily believe in God as the bible or religious practices would state (hence why I am no longer a practicing minister) - but I like to think there is at least a collective energy that drives and pushes us forward. In any case, I am always interested in learning new theories and beliefs - and think this is a great thread topic and look forward to some useful and educational information on here __________________

12-08-2009, 04:23 PM	#1
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	I am very open minded, and more of a naturalist than anything else. As for religious beliefs - I am Roman Catholic with a mix of Buddist principles I follow. I am involved in the paranormal, and have been for a number of years. I left organized religion for well over 20 some odd years, but when my older sister was diagnosed with skin cancer, I tried to bargain with God. I went back to Church, and hoped and prayed that my actions would save her life. She died on Oct. 16, 2008 at home with everyone by her side. I was the very last person to talk to her alive. She went into a coma, and then passed away less than an hour later. I will always treasure that 15 minutes I had with her. Now I have a more peaceful life than ever before. I do more volunteer work than I have before. I enjoy working at food banks, homeless shelters, and at a local hospice center. However, now that my sister died, I just cannot bring myself to go back to the hospice center. How I got involved with the paranormal is at the hospice center. See when the dying are transitioning to a new life, it is like a baby being born. It is a process. Unfortunately, some people die alone. And some people die with family surrounding them. For those who are skeptics, I just say this to them...go volunteer for just a day or a few hours at a hospice center. You will see things that you cannot explain. You will feel things that you never felt before. And you will experience life like you never have before. It changes everything you ever thought about or believed in. Same thing happened to me at NIH in Bethesda. I could walk around Building 10 - that is where some cancer patients go. Jo was on floor 8. However, when she was being taken for Pet Scans, Xrays, Blood Work, or whatever, I would have to walk around. In walking around I would see, feel, and hear things that were not very pleasant. In fact, I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy. I always say cancer sucks. And it does. I am not sure of what is worse, cancer or the treatments. Namaste, Andrew

12-08-2009, 11:27 PM	#2
MsDemeanor Member How Do You Identify?: queer stone femme Relationship Status: Happily married to MisterMeanor, the man of my dreams Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 703 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 165 Thanked 1,852 Times in 511 Posts Rep Power: 2698180	An Aj thread!!!! And me too damn busy right now to toss in my two cents worth!!!! I'll be back. You've all been warned.

12-09-2009, 10:15 AM	#4
Medusa Mentally Delicious How Do You Identify?: Queer High Femme, thank you very much Preferred Pronoun?: Mme. Relationship Status: Married to JD. Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,446 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 5,995 Thanked 42,685 Times in 7,831 Posts Rep Power: 10000025	An interesting article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert..._b_384515.html

12-09-2009, 10:41 AM	#5
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	Dusa, Did you see on SyFy the attempt to show near death experiences? It was done at a hospital I believe in Europe (Germany I think it was at). The dr's placed signs up on the ceiling and on equipment in the ER and Critical Care Units to see if patients who were revived could show time travel, after life, and so on. It was fascinating. Years ago people laughed at people who were free thinkers and naturalists. Now, today, look at what we do. We fly into deep space, and fly back to earth on the same plane.

12-10-2009, 03:40 PM	#10
MsDemeanor Member How Do You Identify?: queer stone femme Relationship Status: Happily married to MisterMeanor, the man of my dreams Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 703 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 165 Thanked 1,852 Times in 511 Posts Rep Power: 2698180	I wonder what they mean by "Almighty God". Christian God, Muslim God, Tribal God? Would they consider Buddha to be a God? How about Goddesses? Is "God" gender-specific? The Parking Goddess - the only deity that exists as far as I am concerned - was very kind to me yesterday. Twice. And I have a witness to prove it. Is she "almighty" enough to pass their test? If they ever had to find a perfect parking space in a busy city on a regular basis, would they possibly reconsider their position on the Parking Goddess? Could I snark on all day about the high level of bullshit that is this unconstitutional law? You betcha. linkyloo