A Mental Challenge

When tragedy strikes  our country or abroad  we deal with it in many personal ways. Some aspire anger,others sorrow,grief or tears. Fill in the blank here of how you react to the news of school shootings or massacres in movie theaters. Many people seek their comfort from misery in God. The mass majority of people I know will utter prayers,and declare that God is in control even though we don't understand his ways in times like these. As many believers seek solace in a higher power for comfort,Us non-believers cope in a much different way. 

As a non-believer sometimes I grow tired and often get frustrated over the overwhelming approach that people seek prayer for comfort. "Putting everything in God's hands" is not a valid reasoning for trying to understand the why and how tragedy strikes in our world. To me its a failure to reason honestly about the nature and understanding of the world. It almost seems to the non-believer like the situation is being ignored all together,even though I know that's not the case it sure seems that way. 

As an atheist I can tell you that based on the people that surround me from day to day and those of whom I interact with on a daily basis via Facebook makes one feel very alone in the world. My view vs hundreds of believer's views. And so I make it a point to challenge the mind of the believer. In a haste of rushing out the door I quipped the following status update on Friday evening that started a firestorm.

"God this and God that...and Praise Jesus for survivors! This not intended to be insulting but merely factual when I suggest that believers are mentally challenged....."

Now that's far enough. This status was spawned from the outcry of the terrible school shooting this week that left some 20 school children dead. Most of everyone's status was referencing this shooting and most were turning to higher power and prayer. So I lashed out... Hastily.  And unfortunately my statement can easily be interpreted as I think believers are mentally retarded. This is a mistake on my part and my apologies are being declared here.

My intentions were not in any way to insult of belittle the believer. My intentions were,as with all, anti-belief status or posts meant to cause believers to think. And consider a non-believer's approach to coping with such madness as witness in CT.

My posts are always meant to challenge the believer to understand what its like to be the non believer. I'm issuing a mental challenge. It is,after all, mentally challenging to understand anyone's point of view that can conflict your on personal beliefs not just with religion but with any subject matter. 

Lesson learned...think before you speak(or type) and not rely on anger to voice haste opinions. This should apply to all.

Happy New Year! What's Happening?

Elaine Benes: You know I got happy new yeared today?!!


Jerry Seinfeld: I once got happy new yeared in March!!




Happy 2012 everyone. I have been taking a breather from a weekly blog but will continue to write from time to time. I hope everyone had a great holiday season and is enjoying the beginning of 2012 as much as I am. January is a pretty busy month for me. The last two years I have been spending a week in Amsterdam this time of year but this year I went and played a GLTA event in Miami, FL. I was seeded 10th and upset the #7 seed to make it to the quarterfinals where I ended up losing to the #1 seed and eventual champion. It was a good run and I felt good going into the match but I refused to move my feet and my body was feeling lazy from the previous day of 3 total matches. I feel as if I'm getting too old to do both singles and doubles in these events. Might just try the singles draw only to try to win some hardware this year. Next up is Fort Lauderdale in February. 


The Australian Open is in full swing as well. It's been tough to watch this year . I have no cable and find myself being unable to stay up all night to watch the action. Ironic seeing how I work at night. Good thing for live radio feeds while I'm at work. Go Federer!


Ive taken on a lottery pool at work as well. This keeps me on my toes. Deacade$ of Dollar$ with 14 other coworkers. We plan on striking it rich this year. Maybe I'll buy a new car with my winnings.


That's whats been happening on my side of town. The Super Bowl is set. The Aussie Open finals are this coming weekend. My tennis is in full swing on the weekends. I've made my doctors appointments recently. (I'm overdue a skin check and physical). Ive booked my flights to Mexico and Fort Lauderdale. I celebrated Oliver's 12th birthday this month,and this weekend my newphew turns 4! Boom! Busy 2012 so far....bring on the next 11 months.


PS, Just heard a rumor that the Roanoke P&DC is safe from losing jobs til at least January 2013. So I guess I can start to finish unpacking at my apartment. and a possible buyout is in the works by March...stay tuned...