I am new to CFI but I have been doing a lot of research. Since I am currently not working (disabilities from military) I was thinking of starting my own blog where Rational people can discuss/argue about anything. But I was hoping you all could help me get started with some subject you would 1. Want to know more about or 2. want to argue about (respectfully of course). Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated.
Well, JB, that pretty well describes this forum, however, you might try having people discuss the basis and origins of people’s political beliefs - not specific topics, but the core which makes some think liberal and some conservative.
Yeah that is what I figured about this forum. I have been looking at origins of modern liberal/conservative. Looking possibly at the influence of technology and the Progressive era. Thanks for the imput
I have been thinking a lot about the concept of atheist or humanist culture. To be more precise; it is important that nonbelievers have some room to explore and develop rich and plentiful atmosphere, when the society around us is so heavily under the power of religion; for example instead of Easter and Christmas, i have been celebrating equinoxes.
I hope you could write something about importance of this kinda healthy and recreational culture without theism.
LBoH makes a good point. While I enjoy the various holidays it’s always been a bit annoying to see all of the religious junk attached to Xmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. The problem with celebrating things like the equinoxes is that much of the pleasure comes from our social connections with others who are also celebrating. Maybe could come up with non-religious names and descriptions for the above three and co-opt them away from the religious.
Sorry, JB. Didn’t mean to start a discussion here when you may want it to be on your blog when it gets going.
LBoH makes a good point. While I enjoy the various holidays it’s always been a bit annoying to see all of the religious junk attached to Xmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. The problem with celebrating things like the equinoxes is that much of the pleasure comes from our social connections with others who are also celebrating. Maybe could come up with non-religious names and descriptions for the above three and co-opt them away from the religious.
Sorry, JB. Didn’t mean to start a discussion here when you may want it to be on your blog when it gets going.
Occam
You are absolutely right. I also think that it is possible to celebrate traditional, so-called christian holidays, without religious elements (and also do it loudly, with lots of reparations and food, so that everybody gets it).
And i have quite strong sense that many of those who are celebrating Christmas or Easter don´t necessarily do it for the Christ; those are more nowadays, i think, if not secular event, then commercial.
As you are a military veteran with a disability, this topic may be of interest to you, or then again, it may hit too close to home. But I would be interested in how our veterans have been treated throughout our nation’s history of seemingly perpetual wars. I think that our veterans were treated well after WWII, and abysmally after Viet Nam, but I know little about their treatment after the many other wars we have engaged in. I am particularly interested, also, in how this may relate to how our current veterans are, or are not, recieving the respect, care and support that they deserve now, and how veterans of our future wars will likely be treated.
Maybe could come up with non-religious names and descriptions for the above three and co-opt them away from the religious.
We don’t call it ‘Easter’ in our house, but ‘Bunny Day’. Hmm… Maybe we should call Christmas ‘Santa Day’ or something similar? Like many, we’ve long called Thanksgiving ‘Turkey Day’.
Weird… I never really thought of Thanksgiving as religious.
This seems to be the difficulty
Trying to replace ancient religious ceremonies and celebrations with more secular celebrations will not be easy. They are part of the glue that holds religions together.
Perhaps introduction of a whole new concept which is expressly all inclusive might take hold, if the Occasion is of interest to all.
This seems to be the difficulty
Trying to replace ancient religious ceremonies and celebrations with more secular celebrations will not be easy. They are part of the glue that holds religions together.
Perhaps introduction of a whole new concept which is expressly all inclusive might take hold, if the Occasion is of interest to all.
Depends on how far back you want to go Write. As most of the pagan ceremonies were geared towards natural events e.g. The equinoxes, and xtian ceremonies were just overlays anyway why not celebrate them in a secular fashion? I have for years. Halloween is and has been my favorite (the Celtic celebration of Samhain) but I do it for the candy. Same with Thanksgiving, turkeys and parades. Xmas speaks for itself. It’s really the natural Rhythm of nature without the taint of xtianity.
This seems to be the difficulty
Trying to replace ancient religious ceremonies and celebrations with more secular celebrations will not be easy. They are part of the glue that holds religions together.
Perhaps introduction of a whole new concept which is expressly all inclusive might take hold, if the Occasion is of interest to all.
Depends on how far back you want to go Write. As most of the pagan ceremonies were geared towards natural events e.g. The equinoxes, and xtian ceremonies were just overlays anyway why not celebrate them in a secular fashion? I have for years. Halloween is and has been my favorite (the Celtic celebration of Samhain) but I do it for the candy. Same with Thanksgiving, turkeys and parades. Xmas speaks for itself. It’s really the natural Rhythm of nature without the taint of xtianity.
Cap’t Jack
I agree and the connotation of the word “pagan” is one of the problems secularists have to overcome. Whatever we do to celebrate life on earth should be completely removed from any connection with religion, yet allow religious people to participate without fear of offending God.
Hmm… Maybe we should call Christmas ‘Santa Day’ or something similar? Like many, we’ve long called Thanksgiving ‘Turkey Day’. 
