One Spring day when I was about 10, I decided I liked Spring more than Winter. In fact, I decided I really didn’t like Winter very much at all.
There was still a little snow on the ground, a remnant of the winter I was deciding I didn’t like, so I kicked it. I decided it was a good thing to kick the snow, as a kind of “death to Winter” statement.
Being a child, I made up a superstition that if I “kicked the last snow” I would have a good summer. Of course I knew it was something I made up that had no real value or consequence, but I did it anyway, just because. It became a tradition for me. If it snowed after I kicked the last snow, then I had obviously not kicked the last snow (merely the second-to-the-last snow, which didn’t count), so I had to go out and kick it again.
I taught my daughter the superstition when she was very young (maybe 3), and she seemed to enjoy it. Once she got a little older (maybe 6 or 7), I told her that I had made it up, just like every other superstition had been made up, and I swear, I SAW something click in her mind. I saw a light come on. Suddenly she knew about stepping on cracks, throwing salt, breaking mirrors, etc. It was a wonderful moment to witness and share with her.
Here’s the fun part: She told her friends it was lucky to kick the last snow, and then told them I’d made it up after they’d done it. She spread the meme, and the realization that followed!
So go out there and kick the last snow before it melts, or make up your own superstition and tell your kids. Enjoy — all that can happen is that it will spark a bit of skepticism in those who follow, and are then informed that you (or I) just made the stuff up.
Skepticism is great…one should always do an exhaustive search to find Truth.
Of course, there are always those who will believe what they want to believe simply because it fits their agenda…
So Dave…belief without proof. Not very atheistic of you now, is it…?
Phreedumbass:
“Skepticism is great…one should always do an exhaustive search to find Truth.”
When you believe that the bible is a perfect inspired truth of god, when the gospel writers give totally different accounts about the resurrection of the son of god, different numbers of angels, different people there, which one is lying? Dont try to school us on you “earth is the center of the universe” fairy tale book and question our skepticism.
Anyway, fuck snow, I want Al Gore’s winters to come true. Seems instead the next ice age is coming. But, that wont stop idiots from paying trillions to the third world for the right to pollute. That’ll jump start the economy and bail out our grandchildren. Right????
NeoWolfe
Just ignore him. Coherence is not one of his strong points.
To all (especially CPT who has been kind and especially helpful):
I see that “trolling” is not well thought of and generally despised. So I want to make sure that I’m up front. I thought that by noting that I was a pastor of a Church plant on my profile that all could see it, but I’ve found out that is not how it works. I didn’t want to present myself as something I’m not.
I would however like to be able to continue to visit this blog if it’s ok. I wanted to be a part of it because “sound” discussion/ debate on topics helps keep my mind sharp. Secondly, I generally fall more in line with atheists politically (- abortion) than I do my evangelical friends. Third, I find myself (due to my belief system) around religous people the majority of the day and being here allows me to look at how people see things from a different perspective. It helps me to see things from a different perspective.
I promise to never evangelize here as it’s not this sites purpose. I will attempt to keep my worldview as objective as I can and stay on topic. I’ll disagree with some of the posts, but I will never use my faith as the argument against.
Basically, I have enjoyed the dialouge here and have yet to verbally abuse anyone but the professed “believers”. I don’t believe it’s my place to hold anyone accountable (or point fingers) at anyone who doesn’t “claim” the same belief system as I. I would like to be able to keep posting here, but won’t if it’s unwelcome.
I would really like to keep visiting this blog. I think that this country was based on the freedom to believe and worship or not worship it whatever way pleases you and therefore despise the current attempt to legislate a Christian worldview or make America evangelical Christendom. I believe my posts thus far have lived up to what I’ve just said, but If those of you who are atheists (who this blog is set up for) would prefer I set sail then I will do so.
Thank you neowolfe and CPT for your posts they have been helpful and very insightful. CPT you have been a great help and if you are anything like your posts than I consider you a man of high morals and character.
jcc and freedom:
Please be careful not to take shots from the cheap seats. Your words affect how people of a different worldview engage me and I would prefer that some of these people, even though we have different worldviews, would still be able to call me friend.
Thanks to all
Just one more drop in. I forgot to thank reason and md. Their posts have been quite insightful. KA has been very entertaining at times as well and have enjoyed the sense of humor. Anyway…that’s it. If you guys want me to bail I will gladly do so. This is your site. I will always be a visitor.
The problem, conformnolonger, is that you’re a minority in the religious spectrum. That you are willing to offer mutual respect and allow dialogue that forces you to question your own believes is a very rare trait among those in religion. I don’t think any of us have disrespected you and we have no reason to tell you to shove off, but if anyone has been less than receptive when you’ve made it clear you’re a theist it’s because of people such as jcc and phreedm wearing our patience thin with believers. Of course, our arguments are also out there for those like you because we know Tweedledee and Tweedledum over here and others like them wouldn’t listen to our arguments if Jesus himself made them. People of faith, as opposed to those of religion, are the ones we know can be our friends and allies. I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself here.
And as an aside to your abortion thing, I HATE the Pro-choice VS Pro-Life labeling because we are ALL prolife, it’s just some of us don’t have religious conviction to think for us (just who would actually WANT to kill the unborn?). Abortion is a lose-lose situation since it infringes on the rights on the mother and the unborn no matter which way the pendulum swings and how many compromises are made and that is how the debate should be painted as opposed to how it is now. Until medical technologies advance to such a point that abortion is made a non-issue, this all-shades-of-grey issue needs to be looked at maturely and rationally.
Thanks everyone. Glad I’ve been invited to stay for a bit. I didn’t intend on ripping off the topic, but I just wanted to make sure that I was as trasparent as possible.
Back on topic: Superstitions are alright if they don’t run amuck (- the perception that my entire life is being spent perpetuating one). However if they’re not addressed with reality things can get out of hand quite quick. Take Christmas for example. Even without the divinity issues of Christ it’s a backwards way of doing things. 1. No where near the historical birth 2. It really doesn’t have anything to do with even the historical Jesus. It’s more like the celebration of the birth of capitalism.
When I went through this with my kids they were a little freaked at first, but they appreciated knowing the truth. Plus it gave my son validation for us going trick or treating. We’ve caught some flak in the past for taking the kids, and he figures Halloween ain’t got nothin’ on the celebration of pagan holiday’s now. hehe
I think the realization that kids talk to each other about stuff is important. Of course there is risk of parents complaining.
I remember telling my kids at a very young age that the tooth fairy wasn’t real. We still had fun with the tradition where they tried to stay awake to catch me put the money under the pillow.
But, I wanted to share that my 14 yo son just a few days ago announced that he now believes that the bible is a myth! And my daughter (16) has been an agnostic for 2 years. I had worried about the indoctrination by their mother (my ex) who is fairly religious Jewish (we share custody 50%). My son tells me that about 30% of his class at public school are atheists or agnostics. This gives me hope that future generations will be rational thinkers. What do other’s children say about their classmate’s beliefs?
Pastor Conformnolonger; as a pastor, is it not your duty to always evangelize your absolute truth? Aren’t you concerned for all of us burning in hell for all eternity? If I were a true believer, I would spend my every waking moment trying to save everyone, because the thought of eternal torment for anyone would be too much responsibility for me to bear if I knew I could save them… Well, that is, unless you don’t really care. Or, you don’t really believe the system you have conformed to. Seriously, how do you enjoy heaven, much less sleep at night, knowing there are folks having their eyes poked out with hot irons for ever and ever in a sea of fire? All for the simple crime of not obeying/believing nut-bags like phreedm?
Not trying to wave you away, I appreciate you dropping in. I think dissenting opinion is VERY welcome here! Just PLEASE be coherent and I’ll just gently advise you not to align yourself with the likes of phreedm if you want to be taken seriously
Thanks 3E8. When I said I wouldn’t be “evangelizing” I meant it from the most common contemporary understanding. Being argumentative at every turn with those of dissenting views. To dig a little deeper than the surface, my whole life is evangelistic. I try however to make sure that my actions and ablitiy to “turn the other cheek” are a part of my walk, not just my theology.
What you said is very true. If I believe that I have the cure for cancer and don’t share it; it makes me a monster. However; if I am unable to communicate that I’m a physician do to language barriers, cultural not linguistic, than it’s neither here nor there. If I can’t by my actions prove that I’m different than any of the other shaman then my ranting is pointless.
So I agree 3E8. When I spoke of evangelism I meant it in the most broadly understood context. I hope this has clarified any misunderstanding. Thank you for your post.
Conformnolonger
I hope you stay the more viewpoints the better hopefully we can all learn from eachother and make this a better world.It does get heated in here once and a while but if enjoy watching people wrestle in the mud this is the place to be.
I am an infrequent poster here but I think it is great to have theists here as long as the discussion stays respectable. It is great to gain a better understanding of each other. I think the book “Good without God” by Greg Epstein is a nice attempt to try to bring reasonable theists and atheists to better understanding of each other. I am involved in a an intense discussion with a very conservative catholic on another board. We have sparred for a few years. Now, I am reading the New Testament (there is actually a lot of good stuff in it which approaches humanistic ethics – probably what Jefferson kept in his Bible). I had never read it before. Lots I disagree with but we are finally having a cordial discussion and he is to read Epstein’s book. Better to try to understand each other and try to reach some common ground rather than to fight. We should seek out theists who are interested in having a good conversation even though we wont agree on a lot of things.