Atheist AF: You Have Been Chosen

When I decided to learn about the bible, I did not know that the most difficult part would be actually finding one. In my search for a class, I have included links to churches offering study in case you want to check it out yourself.

The first one I tried was the International Bible Teaching Ministries, which is run by by the  International College of the Bible.  I had to read and then take a quiz. I bypassed the answers and commented. I said, 'I'm not going to BS you.' I'm not here to debate, I just want to learn the bible from someone else's perspective.

I have to wait to be matched with a teacher.


Bible Study Fellowship offers actual classes where you can question, discuss, listen and learn. You explore daily questions in the scripture. Then you discuss the passage with the class. Then you listen to the lecture. I sincerely want to go, and will if my schedule allows.


Master's: An International Online University offers not only university level classes, but also masters degrees. Being an independent course, which is another way of saying you on your honor, you need to apply for a certificate. By ordering the diploma, you "are affirming that you actually completed the course for which you are requesting the Official Certificate of Recognition, and that you understand that the fee is non-refundable." So, there's that. 


I found that at least a couple of these suggest that you pray to start out each lesson, or ask what church you go to, what your affiliation is, etc. A friend cautioned me that there are a lot of Christians who aren't very 'Christian.' Should make in-person meetings interesting. That will also play a big part in my decision in exploring other religions.

Joining an online bible study

Atheist AF: So, I am now in the habit of collecting religious publications. You know, those little publications that demonstrate what happens to the righteous and the wicked? I also have three bibles now (and like a naughty, baby-eating atheist, I even stole one...from a little free library, but, you know...)

At first, I was not sure why I wanted to collect what people normally throw away.
Now...I know.
I think I've found my calling.

via GIPHY

Just kidding. But I have been trying to find a reason to write. I'm going to join a bible study.

My intention is not to ridicule, not to argue. My intention is to follow a natural progression of thought. To learn.

That being said, I do have a sense of humor. Should be interesting.

Nix

god
demon
risen from hell

Banished, too
evil
sadistic

Fatuous in
Hell
lowly demon

children starve
sick
die

innocents
sodomy,
raped

butcher-kill
corpses

hellbound nothing
earthly cockatrice

blight of humans
or

Fairy tale....

much better story as 
nix-fiction

Intelligent Design: 'Look at me! I'm Science!'

In response to Mike Pence Wants Creationism Taught in Public Schools,

I wrote "[H]omeschool. My kids would be pulled out of school so fast if they started teaching this." I stand by this, even though my wife gave me her, Okay-honey eye roll. bracing herself for another discussion on religion.

I spared her the discussion because Intelligent Design is not religion and teaching it in schools is not teaching religion-- it is even worse: it is science tainted by religion.  The religious who push this want you to be confused. They want you to say, 'oh, that doesn't sound too bad,' and next thing you know, you're watching reruns of The Flinstones as documentaries.

I fully support the teaching of religious history, even religious theory (for lack of a better term, and on the condition that non-belief is presented as an option as well),  but Intelligent Design is built on the assumption that the bible is a historical account. A record of history. Time and time again it has been proven that the Bible is filled with discrepancies. Science depends upon the observation and interpretation of our surroundings, to constantly build new theories on how our world works. Intelligent Design piggy backs on science's credibility by calling itself a science, all the while denouncing it by its very premise: God exists.

Trying to put intelligent design on the same level as science is not bringing forth an alternative to or a new branch of science. It is a covert way to push religion onto the unsuspecting.