Thank you! I already joined your Origins group. :-)

Thanks for the welcome.  I will stop by when I have time to catch up on the topics being discussed.

Sel

Thank you for the warm welcome!

thank you for welcoming me, greatly appreciate all the support and what everyone does 

Dr Meaden,

I particularly enjoy corresponding with folk who have a real education, since I've none beyond high school.

I might have gone into physics (like my best friend from the US Navy did after he was disabled and the Veterans Administration set him up with college, and even sent him to CERN last summer on the government dime for an internship), but the VA declared me unemployable and took my college benefits.

So now I am married to a woman (BethKz here) with two college degrees (computer science and business administration). She has one for each of us.

Thank you for the welcome, Dr. Meaden, i look forward to the discussions!

Thank you for the welcome, Terry, I appreciate it! :-)  And thanks for the pointer to the group. I'll definitely check it out.   

Thank you for the welcome Terence. I added part of my real name because FrustratedAtheistDad was getting a bit too long for conversation. I will check out the group you posted. Thanks.

Ok, thanks for the invitation. I'll take a look at the group.

 Thanks.

Thanks for the welcome Terry!

Dear Terrance;

I'm half way done my MMS at the moment.  The book will be short, so might it garner some of your attention, perhaps for a chapter or two?  I estimate being finished it ahead of schedule.  I know another Oxford-educated prof who's willing to take a gander... but I'd appreciate as much involvement from as many people as possible.  RSVP!

Thanks Terry

I heard about the site on a podcast so  I thought I should check it out.

Jim

Thanks for the welcome.  I've read your thoughts above and although I may agree with all or none, I believe one fact should be considered in any conversation about atheism or any belief in a supreme being.

Most folks, not through any fault of their own, do not possess the capability to think beyond a certain intelligence level.  The relatively small percentage of humans that acheive higher learning are born with that ability to grow intellectually.  And yet some of the brightest minds choose to believe in a higher power.  Why?  I am persuaded there are many reasons.

My point:  Even though I don't agree with many that choose to "believe" they don't upset me to the point that I have to deride them.  I am not that intelligent to the extent that I am an elitest, so I have compassion for folks that don't see things as clearly as I.

My understanding and patience with "believers" (not religious activists) is explained in a few words of Paul Simon's song "Quiet".

"If they say you are not good enough.....the answer is - your not!

But who are they?  And what is it?  That eats at what you've got?"

So I choose to liken civil "believers" as a children believing in Santa Claus.  If it comforts them in this world of problems - created by greed, selfishness and the pursuit of power - let them pass through this life without us looking down on them with disdain, contempt and ridicule.  Just because they may 'seem' not as intellectual or educated as us we must be patient, understanding and compassionate for folks that don't meet our standards.

My best regards,

Ken 

Thank you for your welcome.This site is my sanctuary from the world of nonsense currently going on around me. I want to retreat to a silent room to block out the sounds of jingle bells etc.