Random Thoughts of an Atheist
I was looking through my Tumblr feed earlier today, as well as thinking on a conversation I had with my LDS father a couple of weeks ago, and I realized that as time had gone, my thoughts on various topics have slowly become clearer. That said, here are some random (but also slightly related) thoughts about various topics!
1. Men are not taught the Importance, nor the Value, of Restraint
One major issue with almost any religion (Iām really hoping thereās at least one out there decent enough to have properly addressed this) is that they prefer to teach that fault forĀ āManās Seduction by a womanā (to use their way of putting it) lies with the woman because of how they dress or act.
Restraint of impulse, when faced with someone that you (men) find physically attractive, can go a very long way with not just random strangers, but also friends, neighbors, and community members! That ability to putĀ āMind over Matterā (a phrase not said anywhere near enough in my area) and viewing women as human beings deserving of respect for their boundaries is something as vital as knowing how to properly manage finances, yet neither are truly taught.
2. Itās worth it to Vote
A couple of weeks ago, I was in the car with my father, an active LDS man, and one whom I look up to in a lot of ways. Normally, he and I donāt talk much about more sensitive or controversial topics, such as politics, sex, and the like. However, this time around, he admitted to how troubled he was by the upcoming elections (not just for Utah, where he and I both live, but throughout the country) and how badly divided we are becoming here in the United States. Itās not like him to show this side of himself (a strength I admittedly admire), but it helped us both gear up better for the elections next month. However, he definitely helped bring to light for me a very discouraging pattern of behavior between the two major parties in the States. So many are promising to cross the aisles and work with both parties, but watching how they act in debates and off stage just proves otherwise.
Yet, despite the times Americans have now, there is light at the end of the tunnel! There are so many people in my age group, as well as multiple younger groups, that realize where the true faults lie, and are investing in the futures that will bring us, I feel, much further forward than previous generations have! For now, we need to get the people in that will help pave the way. We also need to get involved in the workings of our local and national politicians to help them know when weāre happy with them, as well as when weāre eyeing the torches and pitchforks.
That said, Hell Yes to Prop 2. I know too many people that could benefit from the legalization of medical marijuana.
3. Pro-Life or Pro-Choice? How about Pro-Motherās-Choice!
Another major issue in both politics and religion is that both think that they can control what a woman does when pregnant. Granted, some things are common-sense, like alcohol and tobacco, that obviously offer a noticeably positive difference when thereās a lack of drugs and drinks.
However (I feel like Iām saying that word a lot in this post...), when it comes to abortion, government, religion, businesses, and really anyone without the proper medical license and direct involvement in the individual case needs to S.T.F.U. and stay the hell out of it!
Let me give you an example from my own life (yes, I know Iām a guy, but bear with me):
When my ex-wife and I were together and trying to have a child, we realized that because of our differing blood types, there was a moderate chance that the baby could have killed her. Granted, there were options for the two of us; one that would theoretically have made the babyās blood-type match hers, and one that would have limited my exās immune system so as to not attack the fetus. Yet, the risks involved with both of those options were still high, and we decided it wasnāt worth risking her health nor the potential childās.
Now, while my ex and I had compiled our own records, as well as information from her OB/GYN, and came to that conclusion before we tried to conceive, we also had much easier access To that information than many other places; even in the United States! That said, not only should proper, anatomically correct sex ed be taught, but medical records pertaining to genetics (focusing on potential genetic inheritancy from parent to child) and fertility should not only be openly accessible to the potential parents, but also used to determine the success-rate of a pregnancy.
I know what youāre thinking; that I want population control. While this could help serve that purpose, please also know that I would also be barring myself from reproducing under that system. Honestly, the un-treatable conditions I have that were passed down, and could be passed down... Some of you would wonder how the hell Iām even able to leave the apartment!
