Secularism, Atheism, Agnosticism, and Discrimination

     I often get the question as to why I'm an atheist, and why I do not call myself Agnostic. The answer is a lot simpler than it seems. You see, Theism and Atheism address one question, the question of belief, Theism is the position of those who believe in a deity, Atheism is the lack of belief in a deity. When it comes to Gnosticism and Agnosticism, the gnostic position is one of knowledge, one who knows whether there is a deity, or one who knows there isn't one. Agnosticism is the position that one does not, or cannot know whether there is a deity, or not. 

     Secularism in its most common, and basic definition is the understanding that religion, or religious affiliation has no place in government, and that all religion -even lack thereof- need to be hel equally under the law. This does not mean that any religious group, or atheist group  can discriminateagainst any group, simply because they disagree with the other group's creed. If it did, it would be absolute and complete anarchy. I mean, Muslims would discriminate against Jews, Jews would discriminate against Christians, Christians would discriminate against atheists, atheists would discriminate against theists, and we would have a big fat mess on our hands as no one would actually tolerate each other. 

     And then, there is discrimination. A lot of Conservatives seem to believe that they can discriminate against any group they like (the flavor of the month seems to be LGBTQ) and not have to suffer the repercussions from the very values they claim to hold dear, such as the value of the free market. Indeed, it seems Conservatives have the right to discriminate against Muslims, Atheists, people in Polyamorous relationships, and gays without having to suffer from backlash from the community when they stop frquenting the guilty establishment. They can vote with their money, but people who disagree with them shouldn't be able to. This shows the typical martyr mentality religion tends to give people. "No, sir, I will not frequent your establishment because you support <insert minority> rights. But if you stop frequenting my establishment because I stand against those rights, you are making a martyr out of me, and you are persecuting me". No double standard there. The Religious Right is rapidly dwindling, and the generations which support it are dying. More and more people are fleeing churches because the core of what is being preached is actually in direct contradiction of the younger generation's values, and morality. A morality which, by the way, is greater than that of those who claim to have the higher moral ground. Every generation tends to redefine morality, eventually achieving a rather peaceful cohabitation between people who follow different creeds. Live and let live, disagree respectfully, and let people believe what they do. The opposition is actively trying to force its version of morality down everyone else's throat. and attempting to destroy any chance we have at peace, simply because they believe they have a divine right to do so.

     Churches are losing people, not because atheists are spreading the words of Hitchens, Dawkins, Harris, Hawking, Darwin, Krauss, and others, but because their values belong in the Bronze Age, and have no place in a civilized society. Religious values have had to change in the past to accomodate for the growing Civil Rights Movement to abolish Racial Segregation, yet seems to be unwilling to evolve in order to abolish sexual segregation, or even religious segregation. It is not about being smarter, or more knowledgeable than others, but rather about being more compassionate, and showing more empathy towards one another. Yelling at a dog simply because it is a dog doesn't make sense. Belittling a Mexican child because he isn't America is just as senseless, and cruel. Nobody asks to be who they are, they just are. Try to understand that, and try to live your life with more compassion, empathy, love, and understanding than what we see all over the World.

On The State of American World Leadership

     There are many in America who think that war is the only answer to certain issues, and that anyone who doesn't agree, whether they are an individual or a sovereign nation, is weak. Because America is know for its absolute Victories in War. Indeed,with the United States ever growing debt, and a Defense Budget (not including discretionary spending) making up 22% of the Nation's expenses, it is easy to see the rational behind the lack of willingness to go to war against the United States. 

     But what about the different issues one can take against the notion of a War Mongering American Empire, as is seen throughout the Globe? The United States, is the only Nation with Military bases on Foreign soil, including allies, such as Italy, England, and Germany? Why is there such a need to occupy other nations? The reason is simple, America, as a culture, wants to preserve its status as a World Leader, and due to its lack of competitivenes in metrics that actually matter, such as Healthcare (31st), Education (36th), Ignorance of World Affairs (2nd), and the list goes on, America has to feel empowered, and so it bullies its allies, and rivals alike. Regarding the the issue of Education, it is no wonder the US is trailing, with the absolute idiocy of Standardized tests, every year, and extreme low pay for teachers, couple with the fact that Texas sets the standards for books, and just accepted a history book mentioning Moses (yea, the Burning Bush guy) as a Founding Father. But that is a complaint for another day. Anyways, the United States try to remain a World Power, and it cannot do it with Smarts, or Innovation, it does it by bullying other nations, furthering its debts, and accelerating its downfall. 

     The second point I want to make is that the nations which are considered weaks, (including most of Europe) are those who have the most to lose, as they are close to the areas of conflict, unlike the potential aggressor, America, whose shores are thousands of miles away from conflict. It seems those who hae not seen a warzone in a long time (since the Civil War) are also those willing to start wars all over. Granted, the opposite is also true, that those who see war on the daily (I'm looking at you Israel) want the entire World involve in their silly conflict, and their constant warmongering lifestyle. It is no wonder that the two consider each other to be their closest allies. 

     Last, but not least, we can easily see the lack of foresight used in matters of overseas conflicts in the United States. Everyone, except, it seems, the politicians who send the troops overseas, can see that there is an enormous issue with the treatment of veterans in the United States. You may give your legs for your country, but that doesn't mean that your country will repay the debt it owes you, as veterans can almost forget about healthcare, with a log backed up for several years, and no funds sent to help those who fought for their country, it truly is a wonder why people still enlist, as it seems that once you've served your purpose, you are discarded, and trated like a moocher for wanting the basic commodities you sacrificed your health for.

     It is sad, because America has the potential to be a World Leader, but its population seems dead set against doing things a different way. From resisting Education Reform, to Healthcare Reform, and even going so far as to be willing to set the clocks back a few decades on Human Rights. America, you used to be beautiful, but it seems you are wanting to institute a neofeudal system, and it is goign to cause you to fall further down in the world rankings. You military might may be strong now, but will dwindle as you fall further and further into debt. Your population needs to understand how bad things are on a World Level, as you are further down in education than some 3rd World Nations, and the same for Healthcare. You are no longer a leader in Scientific, and Technological advances, you only lead in two things, Marketing, and Military. These are not the qualities of the Future, but of a dark past we have left behind several centuries ago.