What Even Is Christianity?

December 3, 2017 No Comments

https://audioboom.com/posts/6532569-what-even-is-christianity

Show Notes

Jon & Logan discuss Christianity’s roots and current state and forbid listeners to watch “The Attic.” Don’t do it!

Jon talks to Callie Wright about progressive Christians and making allies in the religious community.
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Twitter: @GaytheistCallie

Jon roasts Bill Donohue of the Catholic League for his butthurt over HBO.

Jon and Logan break down a verse from the New Testament and decide that CHURCHES SHOULD BE TAXED!

Intro music by Austin Colón: http://austincolon.wixsite.com/music
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Twitter: @waywardwillis

Bible Critique, Religion

What Even Is Scientology?

November 19, 2017 No Comments

https://audioboom.com/posts/6500627-what-even-is-scientology

Show Notes

Jon and Logan talk about Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard’s shady life.

Jon talks to YouTuber/author Chris Shelton about his ex-Scientologist and critical thinking projects!

Welcome

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF326xyA0QHI7Z5xAwKQDJg
http://patreon.com/chrisshelton
http://facebook.com/chris.shelton.3914
Twitter: @sheltondesigner

Jon goes off on some rant about stupid men and their stupid behavior.

Jon and Logan break down a verse from the Bible and discuss detachable penises.

Intro music by Austin Colón: http://austincolon.wixsite.com/music
We have a Patreon page!
http://www.patreon.com/wayward/
http://www.facebook.com/thewaywardwillis
Twitter: @waywardwillis
https://willisweb.com

News, Social Commentary

Staying Out Of It: A Reflection

October 5, 2017 No Comments

Those who don’t know Thomas Smith (@TandtheB) and haven’t followed the controversy over Mythicist Milwaukee probably don’t have any interest in debates, Shitlords, or…Mythicist Milwaukee (MM). While I’m not in that camp I have stayed away from the controversy surrounding Sargon of Akkad, an apparently horrible human being and YouTuber with a rather rabid following. I had several reasons for doing this, which I’ll detail below, but after the nightmare that was MM I feel like I’ve dropped the ball as someone who calls themselves an activist and a part of the skeptical & humanist communities. This is a long overdue retrospective on my handling of this situation.

Politics, Random Thoughts, Social Commentary

Respect Revisited: Drumpf

July 4, 2017 No Comments

Back in 2011 I wrote a blog post titled “Respect For Respect’s Sake” detailing the reasons why a request for respect without good reason is invalid and not worthy of consideration. Over the weekend I was told I needed to stop calling Donald J. by his original family name, Drumpf, because he obviously changed it and I should show him some respect. This imperative was given to me by a Drumpf voter in my immediate family and I said I would neither do it on the grounds of a legal name change nor on the grounds of showing respect. I’d like to detail my reasons, as though any reasonable person would need help figuring it out.

Drumpf Middle Finger — Fuck you, America! I’m president and you’re not!

First let me outline the reasons I don’t respect Donald J. Drumpf:

He behaves like a spoiled child
He revels in his ignorance of how the world works
He uses the words, “Trust Me”
He continues to demean women
He never tells the truth

Now, to my main points regarding respect:

Social Commentary

The Catholic Cool Kid

May 22, 2017 No Comments

Matthew Archbold penned an article in the Catholic Register today wherein he professes to have proof that atheism is not a “cool choice.” Given that premise alone, I wouldn’t really disagree with the guy. The decision to embrace atheism or not, if based on whether it’s “cool,” would be a poorly reasoned decision and demonstrate a thought process counter to what most atheists view as rational or based in logic. We, in the United States, appear to have a fascination with celebrity and perceived authority so it’s no surprise that famous, outspoken atheists can have an impact on people’s decision-making processes but I’d argue that if the “coolness” of these people were the sole basis for someone’s atheism then we’re filling a pool with irrational people that will ultimately undermine the rationalist basis for the atheist movement (if you believe there’s a “movement” as such). In order to “prove” that atheism is uncool, Matthew presents eight arguments against the choice. I’d like to break these down and discuss them.

Religion

Dear Catholic League, Again

May 4, 2017 No Comments

I’ve addressed the Catholic League in a prior post, which amounted to a disappointing lack of action from an organization that seems to be content in its role as a repository for outdated views on the world and society. I really wish they would have contacted me.

In the absence of a good story to tell about Catholic visitors, let’s talk about the religious freedom to discriminate. Catholic League’s Bill Donohue makes inconsistent and ignorant claims about a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by a teacher against a Catholic school. The teacher is a gay man who got married, was so happy about it he posted about it on Facebook, and promptly got fired. You know, for being married.

Legal & Politics, Social Commentary

Hanging Out The Walsh – Persecution

May 2, 2017 No Comments

This “Hanging Out The Walsh” series will be an ongoing critique of Matt Walsh’s blog posts and podcast in an effort to highlight misinformation, blatant lies, and misapplication of religious ideas to the real world.

Mr. Walsh published an article decrying the political persecution of David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt of the Center for Medical Progress due to charges being brought against them for having misrepresented themselves, filmed discussions without consent and heavily edited them before release in order to present an argument that Planned Parenthood murders as many babies as they can in order to sell fetal tissue to research companies and, I suppose, make a bajillion dollars in order to fund their Satanic cult.

Entertainment, Religion, Social Commentary

The Voice Of God

March 17, 2017 No Comments

Passively watching The Voice, I heard an amazing singer named Chris Blue who did a version of Smokey Robinson’s “The Tracks Of My Tears” that raised the hairs on my arm.

He managed to turn Alicia Keys around and get on her team, and she’s lucky to have his talent on her side. After his performance, Chris offered up a personal story that went something like this:

This is my fiancée who has battled bone marrow cancer and [some time ago] during surgery she flat-lined. I asked god to heal her and he did, so I made him two promises: I would marry this woman and I would try out on this show.

My issues with this statement (and statements like it) stem from the apparent disconnect with reality and a lack of awareness as to the human element of this story. I understand that people maintain deeply held religious beliefs and that those beliefs entail crediting that person’s chosen deity with miracles, coincidences, and happy accidents. I understand that, in the absence of a simple explanation for an event, it becomes easier and more natural to fall back on the “god did it” mantra and stop thinking about it.

Entertainment, Politics

Poor Baby Drumpf

January 9, 2017 No Comments

In what appears to be a never-ending toddler tantrum, Drumpf again lashes out at a critic and attempts to hand-wave away his awful behavior. I’m posting this not because I want to give a crap about Donald Drumpf’s Twitter feed or his feelings, but because this man is our next President. The American electorate put this man in office. As such, I feel it’s important to make sure we understand who and what this guy is.

Random Thoughts

Mind Your Manners

January 26, 2012 No Comments

JT Eberhard’s contributor, Christina, wrote today of an article regarding atheist billboards in Colorado and the reaction of a “research fellow” from Focus on the Family named Glenn Stanton. He calls the billboards “bad manners” because they mock the beliefs of no less than 70% of Americans. The billboards read as follows:

God is an imaginary friend; Choose reality, it will be better for all of us.