Disqus - Latest Comments for vjack

Re: Time for mandates

vjack — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 06:20:06 -0000

As a good first step, I'd like to see all public colleges and universities require vaccination for students and employees. That seems like an obvious step since most already require proof of other types of vaccination. Then I think it would be helpful to get as many employers as possible to do the same. As soon as we have options for children under 12, I'd extend the vaccination requirement to all schools.

Re: Bertrand Russell, b. 1872-May-18

vjack — Tue, 18 May 2021 16:25:05 -0000

Thanks for writing this! Russell has a great impact on me too. I found Why I Am Not a Christian: And Other Essays on Religion and Related Subjects at a used bookstore when I most needed it. It was the first thing I'd encountered that suggested it might be okay not to be a Christian.

Re: Secretary of State Pompeo pushes Christianity at home … and abroad

vjack — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 06:34:20 -0000

It certainly is discouraging how common this sort of thing seems to be and how little can be done to prevent it.

Re: This Atheist Is Going Vegetarian

vjack — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 09:14:59 -0000

I did the vegetarian (though not vegan) thing for about 12 years. What got me in the end was moving to Mississippi. None of the local restaurants offer vegetarian food, and I was going out a few times a week in a desperate attempt to fit in and have some sort of a church-free social life (I failed at both). Even worse, none of the grocery stores sell the foods I was used to eating when I lived in civilized parts of the country. These days, I'd say my diet is probably about 80% vegetarian. It is strange how much of a difference where one lives can make. I hope your experience is easier.

Re: Debunking Christianity: Liar! Christian Organizations Paid Norma McCorvey (a.k.a. “Roe”) To Speak Out Against Abortion

vjack — Sat, 23 May 2020 10:14:20 -0000

I have a feeling that this kind of thing happens far more often than we realize. It is almost enough to make this atheist curious about how he can get in on the con. I'd probably feign Christianity for the right price.

Re: Disheartening tweet of the day

vjack — Sat, 23 May 2020 10:12:38 -0000

I don't feel much inclination to try to protect them from themselves, but I'd sure like to protect the rest of us from them. It is disturbing that those of us who would never set foot in a church might catch this thing from those who insist on doing so.

Re: Atheism And The City: It's Been A While...

vjack — Sat, 23 May 2020 10:10:48 -0000

If you are tired of refuting theism and religion (and who isn't?), you might want to consider writing about other topics more often. Just because atheism has a fairly narrow definition does not mean we need to limit ourselves to only writing about it.

Re: No lockdown in the south

vjack — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 06:31:22 -0000

Mississippi's statewide shelter-in-place order takes effect today...finally.

Re: It’s OK to refuse family functions in religious settings

vjack — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 07:00:52 -0000

No kids here, but I'm with you. I won't go to these things either and for pretty much the same reason. My analogy would be a Klan rally. I don't go to those, and I don't have any more interest in supporting religion with my presence.

Re: Elizabeth Warren’s loss

vjack — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 15:29:20 -0000

I suppose my initial reaction would be something like this: as long as voters continue to prefer the sort of candidate they want to have a beer with to one that is genuinely intelligent and capable, we deserve what we get. I think Warren would have been great, but I'm also ready to support whoever emerges (which will almost certainly be Biden).

Re: The debate

vjack — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 06:34:34 -0000

Great summary! I share most of your impressions about the individual candidates. In fact, I thought your post was so effective that I linked to it from https://www.atheistrev.com/...

Re: The problem with Buttigieg

vjack — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 06:18:00 -0000

This is the same argument I made against Obama in 2008. I underestimated Democratic voters at the time.

Re: New Poll: Will Some Democrats Vote For Trump?

vjack — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 09:02:35 -0000

I think the more interesting question is how many Sanders supporters will vote for Trump if Sanders does not get the nomination. From what I have seen on social media, several have indicated that they will not vote for any of the other Democratic candidates.

Re: Op-ed: Why we get the movies we get

vjack — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 10:01:15 -0000

I'm part of the straight male audience, and I have trouble relating to this. Two of my all-time favorite characters were Sigourney Weaver's character in the Alien movies and Linda Hamilton's character in the Terminator films. I can't imagine either series of films being as good if their roles had been played by men. On the other hand, some of my favorite non-action films featured multiple women doing things that had little to do with men. I can't be all that atypical here.

Re: The Nightmare Electoral College Scenario

vjack — Sun, 28 Jul 2019 08:58:22 -0000

In the event of a tie, they might just give it to Pence. You know, because he's the closest thing we have to Jesus these days.

Re: Virtue Signalling And Why It’s Okay To Care About The Things You Do

vjack — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 15:32:28 -0000

Two quick comments, one stupid and one serious. First, the stupid one. Yes, I am convinced. I will focus on nothing but "manspreading" until this most serious of all atrocities has been fully eradicated. Okay, now for the serious one. We all have different priorities, and that is as it should be. It does not bother me when someone else is far more concerned about something I find trivial...until they try to persuade me that I should share their concern and condemn me when I don't. Notre Dame is a great example. I have no attachment to it or any other building, and I don't agree with those who have been suggesting that I am flawed if I don't agree with them. As adults, we should be able to agree to disagree. The part of this that bugs me is when those trying to convince me decide that I must be demonized because I remain unconvinced.

Re: The Only Thing Flat-Earthers Have to Fear

vjack — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 16:16:35 -0000

Thanks for the mention!

Re: Arab racism and slave ownership

vjack — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 16:08:28 -0000

Thanks!

Re: Arab racism and slave ownership

vjack — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 07:07:49 -0000

Hi there! I really appreciate the link to Atheist Revolution in your blogroll, but I noticed that it links to the comments section of a post rather than to my home page. I was hoping you'd consider replacing this link with the following: https://www.atheistrev.com/ since that should make for a better user experience.

I'm sorry to leave such an off-topic comment, but I didn't see contact information. Thanks for your consideration!

Re: Reducing Political Outrage On Twitter

vjack — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 07:12:55 -0000

Thanks for the mention. I have enjoyed Twitter more without so much of the outrage, although plenty still slips through.

Re: Life After Religion: What Now?

vjack — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 15:18:16 -0000

There are parts of the U.S. that sound similar to what you describe. Not nearly enough of them, but there are some.

Re: When You’re Running Low On Gas (And God)

vjack — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 08:22:17 -0000

I usually just point out that I'm criticizing the belief itself and its consequences. There is some validity to the "ridiculing people" complaint, so it is important that we don't stop there but seek to help others move beyond religion.

Re: Erect In The Pew: Stop Wearing Leggings For Jesus!

vjack — Mon, 28 May 2018 14:51:42 -0000

I can't help but wonder whether the woman with the leggings might feel more at home in a Muslim country where she could wear one of those ninja outfits.

Re: My SO Doesn’t Approve Of My Clothing Choices, How Do I Respond?

vjack — Wed, 16 May 2018 15:42:16 -0000

There aren't many things I miss about being married, but being told what to wear and what not to wear in various situations is one of them. I've never had much interest in fashion or much sense for how to dress for various occasions. Getting some input in that area was often helpful.

Re: Twitter's Policy Violations Are A Joke And Biased Against Atheists

vjack — Sun, 08 Apr 2018 10:03:30 -0000

From where I'm sitting, calling people "retarded" isn't a good look. Sure, I've seen plenty of religious believes call atheists far worse, and I haven't reported them. So yeah, I do think you are right that the way they have set up these policies is likely going to restrict speech from atheists more than it will restrict speech from religious believers. At the same time, the name-calling needs to go. We're the ones who are supposed to be reasonable, and I think we can stand to do a better job of that.