Dear LA Brights and others copied:
Two topics tonight:
First...I was interviewed by an LA Times reporter today discussing what it means to me to identify as a Jew and a Bright, why I "joined" The Brights, why I believe or don't believe what I believe, etc., so I shared loads of fun stuff (including that I, Fearless Leader of the LA Brights, was speaking as an individual...hope she heard that part!).
For example:
There is NO REASON for god or anything supernatural to explain life, the universe or anything else.
I don't know how life started, no one does, but once it did only natural laws controlled it.
I don't understand how the universe could start from nothing, but I maintain that some scientists either did already or would someday.
We're nothing more than mobile minerals, a natural result of the conditions that were local to our part of the universe, and cannot affect the universe via thought alone.
What the "intelligent design" crowd have exactly backwards is they see everything seemingly purpose built for our existence! However, we evolved in this milieu, that's why we're fit to survive altogether, evolution allowed us to survive in whatever environment presented itself.
Everything we are is contained within our chemistry, there is nothing else. There is no "soul".
Grandma doesn't come back to us in a dream to share stories of the afterlife.
Faith and belief are fine, as long as those in positions of power aren't basing their decisions on Revelations, that would be a clear and present danger.
Brights ought to organize for social (fun) and political (protecting our freedom of thought) reasons.
"Atheists have NOTHING in common" (Copyright Frish!)
Why answering to a "higher power" is due to evolution, not existence of god.
Why morality is built into our primate behavior, and is necessarily built in or we'd kill each
other and eat the children.
From a logical perspective the whole concept of an omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient being is fascinating. God's thoughts have to travel far faster than the speed of light. So, on what particle reside the thoughts of god?
How Nazi concentration camp films shown to us interminably during Jewish weekend religious school, had a lot to do with me being god free. If people could treat each other like that, not only is there no "just" or other kind of god, but I promised myself to never have kids, so that wouldn't/couldn't happen to them.
Not bad...on the road between sales calls!
Some article will be published sometime (next three weeks?) so we shall see.
SECONDLY:
On another note - GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT THIS ONE!
Looks like a great way to spend 12/25/07, for the matinee!
This was from some Christian Group's email intercepted by a friendly.
Subject: WE MUST BE INFORMED
PLEASE FORWARD TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW WHO HAS CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN!
THE GOLDEN COMPASS, a new movie targeted at children,
will be released December 7, 2007. This movie is based on a the
first book of a trilogy by atheist Philip Pullman. In the final book
a boy and girl kill God so they can do as they please.
Pullman left little doubt about his intentions when he said in a
2003 interview that "My books are about killing God."
The movie is a watered down version of the first book and is
designed to be very attractive in the hope unsuspecting parents
will take their children to see the movie and that the children
will want the books for Christmas.
The movie has a well known cast, including Nicole Kidman,
Kevin Bacon, and Sam Elliott. It will probably be advertised
extensively, so it is crucial that we get the word out to warn
parents to avoid this movie.
You can research this for yourself:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp(FRISH SEZ: YES, GET THE WORD OUT - BUY THE BOOKS AND SEE THE MOVIE!)
