Human Adaptation/Evolution

Here is a quickie, evidence that humans are adapting to high altitude life. From my understanding geographic isolation is one of the ways that evolution goes into the fast track. From National Geographic

Something to tide over the masses

While I try to post something everyday it's hard while your religious parents are home. So while I am getting an extra couple days of work, here is something great to tide you over...

This song is addictive and great

Garfield minus Garfield

I found this site there is as funny as it is depressing. They took the Garfield out of the comic strip.

Fear of coming out

I have a fear of coming out to my family. The funny thing is I usually have no problem telling strangers or most friends that I am an atheist. I have told a couple people at work and some of my friends know. I think this is the fear of the unknown, the fear that what we don't know is infinitely worse than what we do. I can't say for certain that telling my parents will have any negative repercussions. I think that my dad wouldn't care all that much, my mom is a different matter, she is heavily entrenched within her church. Sometimes I even go with her when I am in town to see the people I grew up with. My inlaws are a different matter, while my father in law is really quiet, he is very religious, my mother in law is very vocal and petty. I know that if they found out there would be some consequences. I don't know what nor do I want to find out. I don't know...So far coming out to my wife has been the toughest leap so far. We never really discussed religion all that much before hand (only in the context of future kids and private/public school). I am glad that I came out to her... it allows me to be who I am with absolutely no pretext.

I still tend to hold onto my truth pretty closely, today I was helping my neighbor and her girls build a snowman, we were talking about christmas traditions. (I already knew they go to church every sunday) I said that growing up we would go to church on xmas eve then come home and make tacos. I told her that we didn't go to church, that I was raised episcopalian while my wife is catholic.

Ive noticed in writing this that I tend to use language carefully, "I was raised" points to the past and says nothing about current beliefs. These thoughts tend to weigh heavily on me, especially around this time of the year.

Were covered in snow, how about you?

We are covered in snow. Not a surprise to anyone I'm sure, but for Seattle this is more snow since 1996, and if it keeps up who knows what record we are going to beat. Right now I am just dreaming about The Bahamas
I am not planning on going any time soon but 80 degrees sounds about right...*loud sigh*

"Think for yourself, question authority"

Why do you think the way you do? Why are you (non) religious? Why are you monogamous? If you are an agnostic/atheist/secular humanist etc... why? Were you just raised godless or was it an evolution of thought? Why?

One of the things that got me to where I am today was to examine every belief that I have held. I do not believe in a god because there is no proof, existence is better explained in man inventing god instead of god inventing man. Pain and horror are easier to explain in a godless world, shit happens; it has always happened and it will continue to happen. Good and bad things happen to both good an bad people.

As a skeptic and an atheist I feel the driving need to constantly question everything around me. Why is the most powerful word in the human language.