24 December 2006

some answers this Christmas Eve

as some (or all) of you may or may not know, the wife and i are atheists. we still celebrate xmas in the same way the vast majority of the country does. we don't feel this is hypocritical as xmas is no longer a christian holiday (or, at least, an exclusively christian holiday) and is more about celebrating the previous year (as well as getting a day or two off of work). also, if jesus was a real man (something that has yet to be proven) he wasn't born in December, but in sometime in the spring. a pagan winter celebration was expropriated by the christians.

anyway, i've been reading some fine "atheist" books lately (The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, and Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris). they are tremendous books that should be read by all (atheist, religious, agnostic alike). the philosophies and arguments contained inside can help make this world a better place THROUGH the elimination of religion, not by expanding it. let's put it this way, religion has had thousands of years to eliminate pain, suffering, hatred and unnecessary death; yet it has done nothing more than increase the instances of each, in some cases unforgiveably so. the authors rationally and logically posit a case where atheism is better for a society. i agree.

so, for this xmas, here is a great little article on the 10 myths (and truths) about atheism by Sam Harris. enjoy.

Merry Christmas to everyone (in the secular way, that is, meaning a healthy, peaceful, happy and safe weekend!) and i hope everyone has a Happy New Year.
the wife and i are ready to wad up 2006, douse it in gasoline and set it ablaze. we are hoping 2007 is considerably better.

let us pray... :)

5 comments:

christopher cunningham said...

good show, jb. merry xmas to you and yours.

j.b said...

thanks bud.
ditto to you, my man.

j.b said...

no worries, Casey.
not everyone will get it.

but, if you think rationally and logically long enough you'll come around.

even if you didn't enjoy it, i hope you had a nice holiday weekend!

BMcG said...

I enjoyed the article, cheers. Though now past (only online in work today then off for another while) I’ll still wish you a very Merry Christmas in the way you wish it offered, secularly, sincerely – and yes I hope ’07 is a good bit better for the Barrett’s.

j.b said...

Brian-
hey man, good to hear from you. glad you enjoyed the article. hope you have a great new years. don't party it up too much! ;)

and your broadside looks amazing. can't wait to get to hiding it! :)