Pants on Fire

I guess I am a big liar. The pants on fire kind! I hide things from friends, neighbors, and family members to avoid conflict, confrontation, and rejection. Hmmm... ironic that I get rejected anyway, in spite of the protective stance I take. Ugh.

So what the hell. Maybe if I just lay it all out... tell ALL the truth, then I will lose the dead weight of people that don't really care genuinely or accept me only conditionally. Conditional love - I think it is a fact of life. We all have certain things that are deal-breakers. And I'm kind of okay with that if people will just own up to the truth and be honest about it. But most people act like or say they love you no matter what, but it's just not true. When the shit hits the fan and I express opinions or beliefs that they don't like or disagree with, they can't accept me anymore.

If anyone needs a reason to hate me, reject me, or de-friend me on FB, let me give you some ammunition:

I question things. I always have. I don't know it all, but I will try to find out the truth. As I get older, I have less and less tolerance for bullshit. I'm sure others feel this way too and maybe that's why they don't want me in their lives.

One of the most awesome things about life is learning. I change my mind, my life, my opinons. I'm not afraid to say I don't know and I want to learn. Learning can change things and I am always changing. There are no sacred cows. That doesn't mean that I have no beliefs, though.

I am an Atheist. I do not believe in any god. I did not come to this lightly and if people are willing to throw me under the bus on this basis, then so be it. I despise religion. It has brought almost exclusively pain and suffering in my life. Religions have wrought destruction, torture, abuse, oppression, and war throughout history in the name of various gods. I reject religion as unacceptable. I also don't believe in a supernatural being to whom I should give over control of my life; therefore, religion has no place in my life.

I have been questioning my faith since my late teens. I have studied the Bible and Christianity extensively. I have researched and studied other religions. I have learned everything I can about belief, faith, science, and reason. No, I don't need to be saved, because I am fine exactly as I am. No, I'm not worried about going to hell because it doesn't exist. If I'm wrong? I will accept that the same as believers will have to accept their fate if they are wrong.

Many people think that atheists have no morals and believe in nothing. On the contrary, I have strong beliefs, morals and values. I don't need a god to give me those things, I've got it under control. Today, I'm taking a stand on my values, beliefs, and some of the things that make me who I am.

I support Gay rights. I have always had many friends who are Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered, Bisexual, Intersex, or Questioning. I have loved them and will continue to, no matter who rejects me because of it. If you have a problem with it, get lost.

Everyone should be able to marry who they love.  No matter what. "Traditional" marriage is a religious concept. Legally, religious concepts are irrelevant.

I reject corporatism and consumerism. The almighty dollar and the greed that follows is shameful. As a people, we have become slaves to materialistic values and possessions. Oh, and corporations are NOT people!

I reject the privilege claimed by the wealthy, by men, by the white race, by heterosexuals, by Christians, and by those who hold power. None of these things entitles one to restrict, oppress, and control the lives and liberties of others.

I support legalization and decriminalization of drugs. To focus on the important aspects of law enforcement, we need to move away from the national obsession over drugs.

I support handgun bans and automatic weapons. If you want to shoot animals, you don't need either of these. Handguns and automatic weapons are overwhelmingly used in violent acts against people, not in "hunting."

I strongly support separation of religion from government. Keep your god off my body and out of my life. Proselytizing or influence of laws and government are not protected "practice" of religion.

I support freedom of and from religion. If you have a faith, your right to practice it should be protected.

I believe in human rights for everyone. I believe in equality for everyone. I believe in empathy and compassion. Taking care of each other is one of the highest purposes for human life.

There! I feel freer already.

Getting my head right

 I wrote a Facebook Note on what's been happening in my life lately. Click the link to read... you must be my FB friend to access the note. Send requests with a message and I'll add you :) Thanks for reading.