Shotgun

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Everything posted by Shotgun

  1. Shotgun
    I'm sick of the word "atheist." Really, what is the point of labelling myself one way or another in relation to the god idea? I don't label myself according to other things that I don't believe in. Anyhow, in answer to your question: I just never believed in a god (as defined by most religions) and have never heard a convincing argument for the existence of one.
  2. Shotgun

    LAX to ONT

    Shotgun replied to Squeak's topic in The Bonfire

    That's what I was thinking. Plus, with the price of gas on top of the rental (unless it's included?), it's not going to cost much less than $62 anyway. I love L.A., but I tend to avoid going there because of the traffic.
  3. Shotgun
    OK, actually I keep looking at these tofu "sausages" in the grocery store that I've been thinking about buying to grill. Will they take my Texan card away if I do that?
  4. Shotgun
    I don't know. I think a lot of believers believe that they have experienced proof that God exists (though perhaps their idea of proof differs from mine, but hey, it's usually none of my business). I think that being faithful involves more than just the belief in God; it also has to do with having faith that God is good, that God will guide you, etc.
  5. Shotgun
    I'll join you for tea and crumpets!
  6. Shotgun
    Really? I know a lot of people who I would consider to be truly faithful, many in my own family. And most of them seem to be very good people. I don't know how most of them feel about my beliefs, because it's rarely come up. Though I have talked about my beliefs with several of my religious friends, and we've always managed to be respectful of each other's beliefs. I think you and I are using two different definitions of "rationalize." I was talking about looking at things from a rational point of view; I thought that was what the OP meant, but maybe he meant the "making excuses" definition?
  7. Shotgun
    It just occurred to me that I am actually wearing a Texas BBQ t-shirt today. Spyke's Bar-B-Que, Kingsland, TX - best brisket anywhere! Yep, I am a food snob.
  8. Shotgun
    WTF happened here? O well, what the heck, let's just marry and grow old together All three of us???
  9. Shotgun
    I'm sure you get enough of that being friends with me on Facebook. True.... OK, actually most of your food posts make me hungry.
  10. Shotgun
    Texas barbecue doesn't need no stinkin' wine to go with it! OK, I might be a food snob when it comes to barbecue. By now most of my friends know what I think of California barbecue.
  11. Shotgun
    Thanks. That's pretty funny. I was prepared to be annoyed with actual food snobbery.
  12. Shotgun
    There is only one person responsible for your behavior. When I feel like I'm getting nothing but negativity from this site, I leave it alone for a while.
  13. Shotgun
    Yet several people have stated on here how they rationalize their beliefs. I think most adults have rationalized their religious beliefs one way or another. For some, it might be as simple as deciding that it's wrong to even question what they were taught growing up, and for others it might involve questioning to the point of changing beliefs. But I suspect that most adults have at least had a moment of looking at their religion (or lack of religion) and asking themselves if it is "right," and I would call that rationalizing one's beliefs. (I'm using the positive/neutral definition of "rationalize" here, not the negative definition. Not sure if that is what the OP intended.)
  14. Shotgun
    I don't think Christianity is any more rational than Hinduism.
  15. Shotgun
    OK. But the link you posted seemed to be arguing against any similarities between Jesus and other religious figures.
  16. Shotgun
    ? Sorry, I'm not sure what point you're trying to make here.
  17. Shotgun
    How loving Jewish people worship God and reject Jesus. I think that, aside from Christians, most religious people don't think of Jesus as anything more than a human prophet. Well, except for those who believe we are all part of God.
  18. Shotgun
    What is it about Judaism that puzzles you?
  19. Shotgun
    Humans tend to search for meaning and comfort in their lives, and god/afterlife stories tend to pacify a lot of people. So it's no surprise that these sort of stories have stayed with us in one form or another for so long. But the number of people who believe has little to no relevance in whether there is any truth in the stories. However, I do think the number of people who believe suggests that there is some benefit to belief--probably something to do with social cohesion and individual comfort.
  20. Shotgun
    That's pretty cute.
  21. Shotgun
    I'm bumping an old thread, because I was about to start a thread with the same title. I've never had a flu shot (except maybe when I was a kid), and I keep wondering if I should get one. My doctor offered me one yesterday, but I declined. I have no particular reason other than it just seems unnecessary. Have you continued getting them each year?
  22. Shotgun
    It's catfishhunter. Be careful, people; I have a photographic memory.
  23. Shotgun
    Barstow has a Bob's Big Boy, so you can't go wrong there.
  24. Shotgun

    Facebook

    Shotgun replied to wmw999's topic in The Bonfire

    Well, I don't get any emails for it, and I don't "use it for nearly everything" (or even close), but I use it. It's a nice way to stay in touch with a lot of people, but the privacy issue concerns me a bit.
  25. Shotgun
    Good luck. Addictions suck. It's been a few years for me, and I don't consider myself a "smoker who doesn't smoke." I'm an ex-smoker who gags at the sight/smell of cigarettes (though I don't give other people a hard time about smoking unless they're blowing smoke in my face or something). Move to California. Cigarettes are so demonized here that it makes it easier to quit. No one will think of you as an annoying reformed smoker. Well, unless it's that other stuff that you smoke, then Cali's not the place to try to quit. Good luck!