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I got the posting problem fixed, but in part, to do that I had to "reset" the skin and update it to a newer version, thus its set to default and looks like ass. I tried to make some quick changes to it as I have to run out the door (no choice) damn life. Will work on it more as time permits. Sorry for the trouble.

More like detroitgothICKY ASS THEME! Also if you do that XKCD hyphen moving thing, it still applies. Theme currently looks like ass (It's hard to imagine that it looked worse than it does now.) https://www.xkcd.com/37/ I mean don't get me wrong, I like creepy bats and spiders and implements of destruction. However this seems forced and cartoonish. Well at least we can post, and it isn't a white theme, joy! Oh also you can now login with Failbook. That's a bug, not a feature

Did a little work on it, dead ass tired. We now have something no one will probably even notice so I'll point it out. Its an "ico" file, that is the tiny little icon that shows up at the very top of your browser tab (above the address bar at least on IE and Chrome) small version of our still nameless bat mascot. (Best I could do with so few pixels to work with) Tons of other little changes, and some things that just WONT seem to change to work on.

I can see the post and can reply now too.

I can respond now. I couldn't earlier

Can I post?

I agree with the (general) sentiment ,which people and which religion (in modern times, not historically) is an issue. I'd strongly suggest Letter to a Chrstian Nation by Sam Harris that makes the same argument, but in detail and it's a quick, smart come out of it armed with more specific info type book. Top 10 book suggestion (my suggestions) besides. =D (would suggest this book to everyone of high school reading level in the country , world would be a better place) But the point of the topic is , to be more detailed, civility toward people , they are human beings, they were (mostly) taught a certain way of thinking, they made no "choice" , nor in most cases especially in the west are they being "mean". Being mean / rude will not help change this "great evil". Some of it will never change due to human nature. But some of it can change, and a lot faster with honey than vinegar. Vinegar will change no ones mind. Also it just has no ethical basis for it (being rude) at least not on mine, and I'd say probably the "best" moral compasses. I can understand the outrage at some things, and the difficulty in not being rude / abrupt. Hell i know people in real life that I think are nice people, but I have a HELL of a time not just ripping into them when they say something that just seems ... totally outside of reality. But is it more important to evetually have a civil conversation and try to change things, or is it better to just be an angry ass? The angry ass might "feel" cooler, but in reality , being nice wins the race. Can still be firm/steadfast and be at least (fairly) polite.

I am going to Nevermore Tuesdays tonight in Ferndale. Anyone else going? I am driving from Novi so I can give someone a ride if they need one.

Good summary thanks for posting.

I feel that there's different ways to handle people, based on why they believe what they believe. I think that for MOST people, belittling or being a jerk about it is only going to reinforce their ideas. "This person who believes differently than I do is being a jerk, therefore people who believe differently than me are bad people and should be avoided." See what that does? It just shuts down the whole conversation. You've lost them. I'm not talking about people who know the truth and lie about it for personal gain. Those people can fuck off. Those are the ones you should feel free to belittle, if it makes you feel better. What would be better would be to expose them as frauds, though. This ends their shenanigans and shows the people who believed them that they should do more research, which also opens them up to reason. Besides the liars, there's the people who just don't know from lack of information and the people who are scared. People who are scared - When you're told from the time you're a baby that things are a certain way and that there are eternal repercussions for going against it, damn right you're going to be scared! That idea is a part of life for you just like knowing that if you jump into an active volcano, you're going to die. You've probably never seen it happen and you've certainly never tested it out yourself, but you believe it to be true because that's what you've been told and it seems logical to you. With these people you have to take baby steps. Trying to force a person like this will just make them never want to talk to you again. Forcing a person to do something they're scared of will make them shut down and then you've lost them. People who have a lack of information - These people fall into two groups: those that are willing to learn but may be apprehensive and those that are willfully ignorant. Many times I feel that the willfully ignorant are just scared, which takes you back to the scared group and the need for a more gentle approach. As for the ones that are willing to learn, as long as you don't be a condescending jerk about it you should get far with them. If someone seriously won't listen to reason after taking all of that into consideration, you need to just walk away. You'll only frustrate yourself and that frustration will spill into the rest of your life. I agree that religion CAN be dangerous. I also see hope people can think they need it. The idea that when I die I'm just going to cease to exist scares me. I have an overly strong fear of death because of this. It would be a lot more comforting if I believed that there was somewhere I would go. The human brain doesn't handle the idea of not existing well. It would also be nice if I felt there was someone looking out for me, that I could talk to when things get tough, and that loves me unconditionally. Everyone needs that. I won't delude myself into believing in a god just to have those things because I'd know in my heart that it's not true, but it would be nice. That's what you're fighting against. Taking away someone's security blanket is going to be hard. It's even harder if you're a jerk about it.