Doubting Timus

[dottimus]

Recovering from Religion hotline

Please help support this project!

http://recoveringfromreligion.org/hotline-project/

[dottimus]

The true face of Anonymous?

There has been much controversy surrounding the actions and "political musings" of Anonymous, both good and bad. Whether this is a publicity charade or true story, the message is quite clear. You can take away the meaning that you wish, however I fully endorse the main work promoted by Anonymous and I hope it continues. 

[dottimus]

Zack Kopplin at TEDxLSU

[dottimus]

Medical evolution

Evolution is a huge part of medicine. 

Evolution and its elements of natural selection, population migration, genetic drift, and founder effects have shaped the world in which we practice public health. Human cultures and technologies have modified life on this planet and have coevolved with myriad other species, including microorganisms; plant and animal sources of food; invertebrate vectors of disease; and intermediate hosts among birds, mammals, and nonhuman primates. Molecular mechanisms of differential resistance or susceptibility to infectious agents or diets have evolved and are being discovered with modern methods. Some of these evolutionary relations require a perspective of tens of thousands of years, whereas other changes are observable in real time. The implications and applications of evolutionary understanding are important to our current programs and policies for infectious disease surveillance, gene–environment interactions, and health disparities globally.

It also helps these areas:

Susceptibility and Resistance to Infectious Diseases.

1)Antibiotic Resistance: An Arms Race Between Species—Evolution in Action.

2)Cultural Evolution—from Our Origins as Hunters and Gatherers to Contemporary Societies, which would be things like:

i)Persistence of Intestinal Lactase Activity vs. Lactose Intolerance.

ii)Origins and Evolution of the Western Diet: Basis for the Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases

iii)Evolution of the Thrifty Genotype in Relation to Diabetes.

3)Origins of Racial Differences in Human Populations.

4)Revealing Natural Selection Potentially Important to Public Health Through Genome Mapping Studies.

5)Global Climate Change; Looking forward, we can expect an increasing focus on modeling and predicting coevolution of humans and many relevant plant, microbial, invertebrate, and vertebrate species under the selective forces of global climate change and our attempts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. It is feasible to model and project geographic shifts with temperature and humidity for agriculture and for vector-borne diseases. 

6)Human Behavioral Phenotypes; For example, genetic variation and evolutionary psychology may help to reveal underlying neural and social determinants of personality traits.

So please go read a book.

(From and thanks to Santana Navarrette)

[dottimus]

There's nothing I like less than bad arguments for a view that I hold dear.

Daniel Dennet

[dottimus]

The ladder superstition

This superstition originates 5,000 years ago in ancient Egypt. A ladder leaning against a wall forms a triangle, and Egyptians regarded this shape as sacred (as exhibited, for example, by their pyramids). To them, triangles represented the trinity of the gods, and to pass through a triangle was to desecrate them.

This belief wended its way up through the ages. Centuries later, followers of Jesus Christ usurped the superstition, interpreting it in light of Christ's death. Because a ladder had rested against the crucifix, it became a symbol of wickedness, betrayal, and death. Walking under a ladder courted misfortune.

In England in the 1600s, criminals were forced to walk under a ladder on their way to the gallows.

[dottimus]

Question yourself

Do you believe or have faith in something you cannot prove? Have you ever questioned those beliefs? Why or why not?

[dottimus]

Atheism, FAQs and Misconceptions

Q and A

Many people have misconceptions or beliefs about what an atheist really is. Well, since atheists are humans and humans are infamous for being different from each other, there isn’t one clear answer to this but one. But, there are some basic answers and I would like to cover some common questions from theists with my answers, opinions and peer views based on facts. But first, a few definitions:

# What is atheism?  The one answer that I mentioned earlier is that atheism is a lack of belief(s) in god(s); NOT a belief that god(s) do not exist. It seems like silly semantics, however the difference is important. Believing something is a conscious act; that is to say nearly an action. Most atheists I have spoken with or known spend little time thinking about religion except for response to direct questions or assumptions; including responses to attacks on the American Constitution or subversion attempts.

# What is a theory? There are two definitions of this word. For the purpose of this post I am going to be referring to “scientific theory”, which is a system of ideas based on peer-review and repeated lab-tested evidence. Theories are valid as long there is no evidence to dispute it. Are scientific theories 100%? No, and for many people, that is the one great thing about the sciences. Ideas, technologies, understanding, methods and theories always improve with discovery and evidence. Scientists often even jump with excitement when proven wrong! However, to refer to the infallibility of theories, nothing is 100% true and yet most sane-minded humans do not test the theory of gravity by leaping from tall buildings – without parachutes, at least.

# What is a hypothesis? An idea or ideas based on little evidence and used in the process of forming scientific theories; basically an educated guess. There is nothing much more to be said here.

# What is science?  The most important tool humanity has to understand the universe and world around us, within us, make discoveries, gain knowledge and better the conditions for how life may continue; not for humans alone. Everything from the glue binding the pages in the books you read to medicine that eases, cures and eradicates illnesses was made possible by scientific study. The life you are living right now would not be possible otherwise.

# What is evolution?  Evolution is the scientific theory from fossilized, living chemical, genetic and even geologic evidence. Evolution can be observed and is a factual explanation for the variations of species in earth’s history. A comprehensive list and guide to some FAQ’s can be found here: Talk Origins

# What is abiogenesis?  Abiogenesis (or biopoiesis) is the study of how biological life could have arisen from inorganic matter through natural processes. This term usually refers to the processes by which life on earth may have arisen, which has absolutely nothing to do with the theory of evolution.

The Common Misconceptions

# Atheism is a religion: This THE biggest confusing misnomer and public atheists waste much of their time combating it. Take all of the atheists in the world and you’ll find that the only things they have in common are the lack of god(s) beliefs. We’re not a collected group, can disagree about a great many things and some can even have their own personal religion – such as non-deistic (religion without god[s]) Buddhism. But atheism by itself is no more a religion than breathing air. Also, for those that make distinctions between religion and faith, atheism is not a faith, either. In order for atheism itself to be based on a faith, it would have to assert that a god does not exist, which it does not do. I am certain there are a minority of atheists that DO assert that god(s) do not exist, but that is not because of atheism. I do not have faith that a god or gods do not exist. Have you ever met someone that had a faith that something did not exist? Summary: atheism is not a religion or a faith.

# Science is the atheist religion: Science does not belong to any one individual, creed, group nor serve as a religion to atheists. People of all creeds, walks of life, beliefs and groups work side by side regardless of what their backgrounds are. Just to be very clear: SCIENCE IS NOT AN ATHEIST RELIGION. Nor do atheists have faith in science. The definition of faith is belief without evidence, and the very foundation of science is that it is built upon evidence which is subject to change. Without that change, we would base our medicine upon blood-letting, leeches and drilling open holes into our skulls.

# Atheists say they know there is no god: er . . . no. Yes, of course, you’re always going to find that handful that asserts without a shadow of a doubt that there is no god or gods – period. Some will even say that the existence / non-existence of a god can be knowable, but this does not equal a 100% assertion. The majority of atheists find no evidence for any god, but as with most things, leave it as a tiny, insy-weensy .0000000001% chance. As I’ve said before, nothing is 100% certain or uncertain, and non-theists differ on this across the board. If you wish to know the differences between strong atheists, agnostics, weak atheists, etc: http://bit.ly/U5zHj

# Atheists are evil: You caught us in the act! It’s a conspiracy that’s been planned for thousands of years to subvert you to worship goats, drink blood and kill babies. Seriously, we’re no more evil than the next person. This also includes the silly notion that we believe / worship Satan, Lucifer, The Devil or whichever title-of-the-day one wishes to give the character. The problem with this is that Satan is synonymous with Yahweh – the god of the Bible – and if we lack a belief in Yahweh, Jehovah or Jesus, why exactly would we suddenly take up Satanism?

# Atheists have no morals: Some believe that because we don’t have a set of religious or divine-given morals we have no reason to live. Religions DO NOT have a monopoly on morals or even necessarily the best morals. This is not to say that atheists do, but I suspect our “instinctual” morals began long before religions did. Even other species act as if they realize that without basic cooperative relationships, groups would fail. We humans are certainly NOT the only species with a social society. And for the record, most atheists do have a set of morals, those of which include human rights, treating others as you would have yourself treated, do not steal nor murder. The last two are important because of a very simple reason. If we were to go around willy-nilly stealing and killing as we wished, it would not be beneficial to a cohesive society. Period.

# Atheists believe in evolution: I won’t speak for all atheists, but most of us DO NOT believe in evolution; we don’t need to. We accept the scientific theory of evolution based on the large amount of available evidence. Atheists and other non-theists aren’t the only ones to accept evolution, either. Many Christians, Jews, Muslims and people from all sorts of creeds also accept it. But, it is not a religion, nor is it ours: http://bit.ly/pHHfjd

This is not to say atheists don’t believe something. As I mentioned before, like any other random group of people, individuals have different feelings, beliefs, etc. – and not every person sees life exactly the same way as the next. Because of experience, I myself believe the sun will be in the sky tomorrow or even that the house won’t burn down. But I’m also a realist in knowing it could happen. I believe my family loves me and will continue to do so because they always have. Most of the things I believe I do so with evidence and experience, and those things I have no evidence for are seemingly unimportant thoughts in my life, such as the existence of aliens or planets like earth. The planets, however, are quickly gaining evidence, so perhaps within my lifetime my belief will become fact.

# Atheists hate theists: I would gather there are a few, just as a select few theists hate atheists. Some people just hate other people. That doesn’t account for the vast majority, however. This would mean that I hate my family and at least 30% of my friends. My hate is reserved for people that cause other people pain, hunger and anguish because of their ideals or religion. In these cases, I couldn’t care less what your beliefs are; you’re causing major difficulties for fellow humans. But if you do it BECAUSE of a belief, that just puts extra icing on the cake no one wants to eat. Even so, some of these awful people can be reformed.

# Hitler and Stalin were atheists: Hitler was not an atheist, and Stalin’s atrocities were due to political and – let’s face it – purely insane ideals, not atheism. This includes Pol Pot and Mao Zedong.  http://bit.ly/HUBVB4

My concern isn’t what your religion is as long as you keep it away from the laws that govern. Do not indoctrinate my children with religion ideals as I do not do so with yours or mine. I try to teach the Golden Rule, critical thinking, skepticism, human rights, history, general science, comprehensive religions and a spectrum of other things. By the time a child’s mind is fully developed (17 – 20s), then can they decide for themselves; which I would support no matter what. Unless you become another Hitler, Bin Laden, Pol Pot or Stalin, of course.

Further, I would die for your right to believe what you wish. This is the simple idea that the forefathers of the United States had in mind.

I could continue with enough material to write a book; and many have. But, I know that many of you – for any given reason – see no validity in reading such books, so I’ve written this in hopes you might change your views towards non-theists and atheists alike, not your religion.

[dottimus]

Inaccurate

I quote Emmett F. Fields:

"Atheism is more than just the knowledge that gods do not exist, and that religion is either a mistake or a fraud. Atheism is an attitude, a frame of mind that looks at the world objectively, fearlessly, always trying to understand all things as a part of nature."

Now, as an atheist, I take issue with this statement. I cannot and will not speak for all non-theists, however many among us are constantly attempting and working against dozens of misconceptions about atheism / atheists. People such as this individual are not helping matters. Atheism doesn't claim anything nor is it a frame of mind. It is simply a state one can be in when lacking a belief in something; NOT an active belief something doesn't exist. I think one would be hard pressed to find an atheist that says they actually possess knowledge that any particular god or set of gods do not exist.  Mr. Fields impedes understanding for atheists just as fundamentalists and extremists do. Be clear about definitions so this sort of damage can be drowned out if not undone. 

[dottimus]

I care about this major and little covered issue. You should too. 

From warchild.org.uk:

The Lord’s Resistance Army began life in the early 1980’s as the Holy Spirit Movement, led by a woman called Alice Lakwena who claimed the Holy Spirit had ordered her to overthrow the Ugandan government, which was accused of treating the Acholi people of the North unfairly. As resentment towards the Ugandan government intensified, supporters flocked to Lakwena and the Holy Spirit movement gathered momentum, until a battle won by the government led to Lakwena’s exile.

With no clear direction for the movement, a man claiming to be Lakwena’s cousin, Joseph Kony, took over as leader and rebranded the movement in 1986 as the Lord’s Resistance Army. Kony initially stated that the LRA’s mission was to overthrow the government and rule Uganda based on the Ten Commandments. He rapidly lost support, however, and in frustration Kony began abducting thousands of children to swell its ranks, turning them into killers and unleashing them on villages.

The rebels often masquerade as military soldiers, or pounce as villagers gather together for occasions such as church services. They launch vicious attacks, killing the weak and the old with machetes, swords or stones, and cutting off people’s ears, lips and noses to serve as a warning to others. The rebels capture those who can be useful to them, including children strong enough to carry weapons. The captives are tied together and marched to camps where they are violently indoctrinated and turned into soldiers, porters, cooks, or sex slaves. Captives are often forced to kill or rape family members, making it impossible for them to think about returning home. Those who do resist or try to escape are tortured and killed.

Numerous attempts to reach a peace agreement were made between the LRA and the Ugandan government, but Kony withdrew each time. The Ugandan People’s Defence Force (UPDF) – i.e. the Ugandan army continues its pursuit of the rebels and claims that they have substantially weakened the LRA, but the ongoing attacks suggest otherwise. In the DRC, the UN mission MONUSCO is under-resourced and unable to protect civilians or contain the LRA’s activities. Communication is also a severe problem; attacks are happening in extremely remote regions, and news of incidents can take weeks, even months, to come to light.

[dottimus]

Stop

Sometimes people ask me why I or other non-theists have to talk about religion so much. I cannot speak for others, but I will stop when priests stop raping young boys. I'll stop when muslim extremists stop blowing themselves and others away. I'll stop when Christian fundamentalists stop trying to remove science from public schools. I'll stop when when they stop. 

[dottimus]

Heroes

I don't have heroes. Many of you may gawk at this and wonder about firemen that save children from burning houses, etc. The reasons behind this are rather simple. No matter how beautiful or wonderful a person might be, they're still human. When we raise them up to a "heroic" status, we have tendency to forget that they're still fallible and human such as we are.

Further, when a hero does something immoral, "wrong", "bad" or makes a mistake in the eyes of the general public, we also have a tendency to mistrust the next good deed done by another fellow human whom others put into hero status. This vicious circle is a ridiculous and pointless waste of time, in my opinion, and causes mistrust in the human equation.

I do, however, admire people for feats accomplished, no matter how big or small and I don't get upset when they make a mistake; after all, they're human. Remember this when electing a government official, a scientist makes a mistake or someone next to you has a bad day.

[dottimus]

Chaos remedied

To my fellow Doubting Timus readers. There has been some issues between synchronizing the original Tumblr posts with Blogger and material was lost in the process. However, I will continue to write via Tumblr (retweeting with Twitter) and my writing will now continue after the chaos, long time gaps in between and confusion. Thanks for your interest thus far.