Disqus - Latest Comments for Mike_aka_MonolithTMA

Re: When A Mad TV Sketch Goes Awry

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 08:08:35 -0000

In case anyone is wondering why the title mentions Mad TV: https://www.youtube.com/wat... 😂

Re: David Bowie and Freddie Mercury Under Pressure By Christian Right

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 09:08:26 -0000

She sounds terrific!

Re: David Bowie and Freddie Mercury Under Pressure By Christian Right

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 20:32:49 -0000

“If you are shoved in the dirt and covered in sh**, you are a seed ready to grow into something beautiful.” I love that quote!

Re: Religion and Philosophy in The Last Jedi: My Nietzschean Take (Spoilers Galore)

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Sun, 24 Dec 2017 09:31:38 -0000

Great stuff, as usual. Dan. You and I disagree on the prequels and Episode VII. Episode VII restored my love of Star Wars after the prequels had crushed it. I need to watch TLJ again, as I was too focused on if and when they would kill off Leia. I was thrilled to see Yoda, and a proper non-CG Yoda at that. Can't wait for it to come out digitally so I can watch it again along with the behind the scenes videos.

Re: Have I Considered Catholicism Sufficiently?

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 01:33:43 -0000

Shortly after my deconversion, a devout Catholic friend tried to convince me that I lost my faith because I was Protestant (Presbyterian USA and later Evangelical). He sent me article after article and finally asked me to meet him at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Having come from a tradition that taught me that Catholics worshiped Mary, the name already turned me off. I met him and his argument came down to the fact that the Eucharist would change everything. My reply: "If I didn't believe in Transubstantiation then, I sure as heck am not going to believe it now." That pretty much ended his campaign to convince me.

Re: Losing at Losing my Religion – a 10 year perspective

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 10:15:23 -0000

"That's me in the corner..." The church down the street from us would take you, and I think you'd love the community there. They are broke AF, but still reach out to the community. They are open and affirming as well. Now you just need to move to Ohio. We've got a few houses for sale nearby. ;-)

Re: Beautiful Light - Day 734- Baa Baa Black Sheep

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 15:13:58 -0000

Same for me,

Re: Beautiful Light - Day 734- Baa Baa Black Sheep

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 12:56:58 -0000

I think I was a pseudo black sheep in my family, but because I was more religious in my fundamentalist days, now that I'm more liberal, and open to new ideas I think I am back to being a white sheep. I too was sensitive growing up, but we weren't taught about Hell, I managed to grow that belief on my own. Very glad to have left it behind. I follow this blog because I consider you a brother and think that all of our experiences can help each other grow and deal with the challenges that life throws at us.

Re: A Personal Reflection on Camels With Hammers’ 8th Anniversary

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 11:34:45 -0000

8 years How time flies! I'm very happy that so much good has come from your experiences as a blogger. it's been great getting to know you over the years!

Re: An Odd Grief

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Fri, 05 May 2017 07:28:13 -0000

Thank you, for sharing your story. I knew bits and pieces of it. I'm so happy that you turned out the way you have, in spite of the lack of a good father. "I’m less angry about who he was than who he could have been" sums it up perfectly.

Re: Beautiful Light - Day 546- Friday the 13th

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 09:24:18 -0000

Robyn remembers all the dates, it's crazy how good she is. I have Shayna's birthday in my Google calendar, I started making a practice of that a few years ago, when someone passes I record their birthday and the day of their passing, so they and their loved ones can be in my thoughts on those days.

Re: Beautiful Light - Day 187- Human Fear of Other Life

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 23:32:08 -0000

She is indeed a beautiful light.

Re: Beautiful Light - Day 17- SENS- Sudden Empty Nest Syndrome

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 10:39:57 -0000

I love that you are such a loving father. I am proud to call you my friend.

Re: Cutting Off Your Family in the Name of Jesus

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 10:28:46 -0000

Even though I've considered myself an atheist since 2008 I still find my old apologist instincts kicking in. Of course I don't know what the historical Jesus was like, if he said these words, or if he even existed, but still some part of me clings to the kinder, gentler Jesus I believed in. That said, Jesus' words used to divide and destroy families really breaks my heart, because I've been very fortunate in that the Christians I am friends with do not act in such a manner. Their empathetic, humanistic tendencies allow them to love others despite verses like these. I wish that were true of all who claim to follow Christ.

Re: Let’s Call Out CSI: Cyber’s Hilariously Absurd Technobabble

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Sat, 23 May 2015 06:53:25 -0000

Holy crap, the formatting of r/itsaunixsystem just about made me puke, but it's entirely appropriate for the subject matter. ;)

Re: OK Bethesda Gaming Studios, Get it Together (Skyrim)

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 11:24:16 -0000

In their defense, that's pretty much every RPG ever.

Re: Why this generation is really leaving Christianity

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 11:54:03 -0000

Good stuff. I thought we left so we could sin all the time? ;)

Re: For us Geeky Folk Who Would Rather Stay Home (Comic)

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 13:14:10 -0000

Yep, I can relate. It's funny, I have no issues blasting my own music, but hate, hate, hate loud restaurants and bars.

Re: Four Refutations for Pascal’s Wager

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 06:55:49 -0000

Yeah, it doesn't surprise me when it comes up in casual conversation, but in a formal debate?

Re: Four Refutations for Pascal’s Wager

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 12:16:29 -0000

Yep, I considered it silly even back when I was still a Christian. My usual response is something like "We are all going to Zoroastrian Hell anyway".

Re: What You Lose when Losing Your Religion

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 13:46:34 -0000

1. My community was small, mostly Bible studies, I was never involved with actual churches for any great length of time. I did miss the Bible study groups, because that was the most consistent way to socialize with some of my friends.

2. My immediate and close extended family were totally cool with my new found lack of faith. There were some distant relatives that weren't exactly thrilled, but I was by far the most fundamentalist of all those close to me.

3. Yes, the practice of prayer gave comfort, but I found comfort in quietly thinking about whatever I would have prayed about before. I missed intercessory prayer more, telling believers you'll pray for them when they are in a rough spot can be very comforting, and give you a sense of doing something useful, even in those situations where you could do nothing else.

4. I never bought into the whole tithing to one church thing. I always sought out charities I believed in. I still do that, and some of them are still Christian based.

5. For me it was more about the whole of humanity being depraved, that everyone from birth to death was lost without Christ. Sure, I felt like a terrible sinner most of the time and repented on a daily basis, but I still felt like I was "saved" according to my view of Scripture.

6. I struggled with many parts of Scripture, and would study and pray until an answer was found. Yes, there were some "easy" answers, but to me they were far outweighed by the passages that made me question the supposed inerrant status of the Bible.

Thanks for sharing this, Matt. It was good for me to revisit some of these topics in my own life.

Re: Star Wars—Without The Music

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 13:18:26 -0000

Music can be one of the most powerful elements in a film. It can sometimes elevate a film to a higher level, and can evoke emotions during a scene where you wouldn't feel emotions otherwise. John Williams is truly a master of knowing exactly the right music for each scene. Show me a picture of Superman and I'll probably have no reaction, but play me the opening notes to John Williams score for Superman and I'll sometimes swell with emotion.

Re: It’s Wrong To Sexually Exploit People (Even Celebrities)

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 07:05:33 -0000

I completely missed this discussion, but I probably would have worn out my mouse by clicking "Like" on all your comments and a few of the others. Obviously this is newsworthy, for two reason, the sexual exploitation, and the fact that a major cloud service's security features were by passed to allow it.

Re: A Plea To Game Developers To Keep Making Single Player Games

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 20:00:59 -0000

What happened to Disqus? The site wants to me to log into Wordpress, but it seems to be specific to Unreality, and I see no place to register.

Re: A Plea To Game Developers To Keep Making Single Player Games

Mike aka MonolithTMA — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 19:24:01 -0000

G-4 Sunbathing. Oh how precious oxygen is.