Natural Wonder Fellowship

North Carolina is at it again. Their legislators are not happy that Arkansas, Tennessee, maybe Georgia, or a few other states yielded to pressure over that pesky Constitution. They're moving forward (for now anyway) getting ready to display The Ten Commandments in their schools . George Carlin addressed this issue years ago, from a reality perspective not a rights issue (my right not to be bombarded in my public school with your religious dogma) nor a constitutional separation issue.  As an aside in the discussion, can anyone tell me why your god is so insecure? Why does 'god' need people to write his stories and tell other people how to live or worship and tell other people what this particular 'god' wants? Why? How impotent is this 'god' of yours? 

All good things come from 'god', but all bad things are your own fault. Don't be concerned, let 'god' handle your problems. Don't think, let 'god' take care of everything. It's all part of 'god's plan'. Lay all your problems at 'god's' feet. 'God' works in mysterious ways. 'God' is beyond our understanding. 'God' is love.  Somehow, the above self-contradictory summary makes sense to some people. I'm not one of those people.  We are a plague upon the face of the earth. My daughter hates it when I say that, hahaha. Really though, we have been destroying ecosystems for construction or farmland since we learned how. We have created oases where there was only desert. We have poisoned water and air and land with our noxious discharges. We have stolen habitat from other life forms so that many no longer exist, and many more are teetering on the brink of extinction, thanks to us. We have done this and worse...

I recently saw on Quora, someone asked: "Do you think Biden needs to "prove" that his 80 million votes are legal as Trump has demanded?" One of the 'answers' just tickled me. The below response from Han Wu is too, too perfect, far too accurate...  The person who came up with a stupid statement need[s] to prove it, not the other way around. So let me give you an example of how this works: Trump: “I think your wife is not human. She’s actually three sheep in a trench coat.” Biden: “That is ridiculous, and you are stupid.” Trump: “Well, prove that she’s not actually three sheep in a trench coat.” Biden: “I have been married to her for forty years. I can testify that she is human.” Trump: “Oh yeah? Post a naked picture to prove it.” Biden: “Why don’t you post your wife’s naked picture.” Trump: “Deal! Here it is! Look how big her tits are.” Biden: “That… was a rhetorical question. I don’t have time for this garbage anymore.” Trump: “I got ya! You can’t prove that...

This is written on Jan 9, 2021.  I know I've previously written on Churches and Presidents , but the ongoing travesty is bearing fruit. The poison of nationalism, especially the so-called Christian Nationalism, has been spreading for years. It has only gotten worse since TOB* was elected president. He was "selected by god" say the preachers. "God uses flawed people to do his work" say the pious. "We know his flaws, he'll grow into the position" said the faithful. "He's a 'baby Christian'" said the ministers. Meanwhile, TOB declared brown immigrants "invaders" and followers of Islam "terrorists" (it didn't hurt any that most of them were brown-skinned). The self-declared "Law & Order" president has furthered the rift among the American people. Protestors of seating Kavanaugh and inaction on global warming have been detained, ticketed , maybe even arrested. Protestors in the Black Lives Matt...

Hello Friday. Now what are they doing!? Haven't big tech and big pharma done enough? Remember the issue with the chemical compound dihydrogen monoxide? It's still happening! Dihydrogen monoxide is in the lakes, streams, and rivers in the east, and there's a severe clean freshwater shortage in the western U.S. Now they're talking about  the potential for that element to play a big role in decarbonization! A billion-dollar industry, but future estimated profits are even bigger. Why hasn't anyone done anything? Where are the protesters? Don't you care about your children's future?   In the same way TheOrangeBuffoon won the November election 'if you ignore' about 7million votes, and in the same way opening the Alaskan Wildlife Preserve to drilling rights was 'for the good of the country,' and the same way 'don't think, accept on faith' is a doctrine for life -- you too can become a sheep. The virus is a hoax, and masks don't work...

Hello Thoughtful Thursday. It's January 14, 2021. I've been wracking my brain trying to see how so many people can be so easily mislead in so many matters. That sounds a bit pompous I guess, but to think, to truly believe that there is a supernatural being who cares how you live or love, or that TheOrangeBuffoon has any interest beyond his own, or that the moon landing was faked... is just ludicrous. In spite of all the evidence to the contrary some people actually believe these things. I often extol people to just think, to examine the evidence, to seek answers other than the pat answers from those in their own circle of people who think as they do. I wonder if I've been wrong; if I'm expecting too much?  I ran across the work of Piaget not too long ago. Jean Piaget developed theories of human intellectual and cognitive development in the 1930s. He described 4 stages of a child's development. Beginning with object permanence (something hidden from a baby is gone a...

Precious was the peacemaker, the considerate one. Whether dealing with Chad's bullying or Toes' crotchety-ness or her litter-mate's epilepsy or Princess' and Taylor's jealousy or Minnie's bouncy energy, she was the soother, the companion, the comforter, the friend -- or she would just ignore if they were not receptive at that moment. She wasn't great buddies with any of them, but she was soother to all. She had lost a lot of her chubby self over the past year or so. Of course, blood tests were "normal". We knew she had given up a week or so ago when she decided to not eat and not drink any longer. I've been able to keep her going for a while with lots of special foods, coaxing, and an appetite stimulant prescription ear goo, but she was tired. She will "lie in state" in the family room for a bit, so the rest can see understand what's happened. She'll be buried later today, up on the tree line near those who went before. Precio...

The anniversary of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor naval base in 1941. A "surprise" attack. Three days later, the United States still hadn't taken measures to respond, besides talk maybe. Germany and Italy declared war against the United States, then the United States responded with its declaration of war.   I started this post about 20 minutes ago. I think the actions of TOB supporters yesterday reminded me so much of the "surprise" attack before I was even born that my mind did that weird thing it does occasionally. Today is Thursday I knew because I'd posted my ongoing 'Thoughtful Thursday' piece. Today is January 7 of a new year, not Dec 7 of last year. The "surprise" attack on the Capitol Building by TOB supporters yesterday was too similar to the "surprise" attack by the Japanese almost 80 years ago. It wasn't really a "surprise" at all, or shouldn't have been anyway. Just as we could have noticed the te...

Hello Thoughtful Thursday. The "Christian Nationalist" agenda has undertaken its boldest step yet. Following their loving god's message "I did not come to bring peace, but a sword"; "For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against..." Even in your own house, if they don't look like you or think like you, they can be discarded. "If you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one" (so you appear to be a typical band of sword-wielding zealots, per the apologists). "I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? …" (Luke 12:49). This hatred of "other", the brown-skinned, those who don't think or believe like you, those who dare demand equal rights (how dare they!) is not new to TOB's reign. It's been happening for years. TOB's audacity and open display of narcissism only exacerbated it, carried it to the extr...

I am deeply conflicted right now. It's 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 6, 2021. The votes in the Georgia senate races are still being counted. It is close, very close. One has been called for the democrat, Warnock. The democrat (Ossoff) is leading, by a tiny margin, in the other.  Reuters  is checking for results every 30-seconds. I saw no change in the numbers since 9:43 a.m. I'm certain I want no more of Trump's (henceforth TOB) Toadies in the government. But I'm not certain I can trust the democrats with lopsided control of both the executive and legislative branches of our government.  I can't trust the republicans to not lie; I've found them lying too, too often. But every great once in a while, I'll see a story on Fox News that sounds like it might be actual news (as opposed to some weird conspiracy story) but haven't yet seen on Reuters or WaPo. I go searching and sometimes find, "under the fold" or in a sub-section, coverage of that event...

I don't believe being a minister is defined as preaching the gospel. I believe that to minister is to care for, to help, to teach. I've done that most of my life, long before I was ordained. On the ministers' board I frequent, I often post questions or comparisons of bible quotes, and sometimes I mock church doctrine. A fellow minister posted directly to me a link to a video. I don't remember in response to what, if anything. It's entirely possible it was a response to my asking for evidence or explanation of some dogma or another. It's rare that anyone will actually answer any questions I pose, so I was interested in seeing this video. I'd never seen the video nor heard the points made but I was delighted. I didn't know that anyone had ever addressed the "darkening of the sun" nor the "shaking of the earth" nor the "opening of the graves" except to call it a metaphor or parable or simply demand I accept it "on faith...

Hello, 2021.  We can make this a better year than last year, hahaha! Don't we say that same thing every new year? Last year was a doozy from this point of view. Will we still think it's been the "worst year ever" in a decade or so? Or will we instead remember other "worst year ever"? The assassination of a president and massive civil unrest in the 1960s? The shameful presidential abuse of power and presidential resignation of the 1970s? The mini stock market crash of the late 1980s? The terrorist attack on U.S. soil in 2001 led to wars and murder of foreign nationals on foreign soil, by our government. Giant military and local police buildup, restrictions of individual rights, and privacy violations continued through the 2000s? There have been many "worst" years prior to this one. We've always managed to make it better *this* year. There are many ways we can be better. Let's continue that tradition. 

Mrs. Betty Bowers, America's Best Christian TM   has some thoughts on the rigors of being Republican in today's politics. I wonder if anyone realizes it applies equally well to today's Christians?  Whether it's 'the old testament doesn't count anymore' or the 'inerrancy' of the bible or the 'loving' god, today's Christian apologists have an answer to every question or objection. They object if you point out the fallacy of their practiced response though. 

Regular readers will know I'm fairly easygoing about most things. Some things really "bug me" though.  There’s a theist on my doorstep, And he’s asking me to look At some godly threats and promises Inside some holy book. I’ve no time for fairy stories, And I’ve heard this one before, So I think I’ll tell him “Thank you, no,” And simply shut the door. For he seems a pleasant fellow, Trying to do what he deems right, And while his fantasies harm no-one, There’s no need to start a fight.     There’s a theist in my village Who’s a preacher, I’ve heard tell, And he speaks in fiery rhetoric Of sinners and of hell. His dogma is offensive, And there’s cruelty in his words, But his congregation’s smaller Than his shoe size by a third. So I mostly leave him to it. After all, it’s his free choice, And I think he mostly talks to hear The sound of his own voice.     There’s a theist on the internet Whose blog is read worldwide. He has thousands of supporters At his feet and ...

Please don't be "like god". DO something to actually help people. No, I don't mean occasionally help someone find their car keys right where they left them, or find a good parking spot on game day. The below video is from Youtuber DarkMatter2525. The continuing animated character of Jehovah is actually a teen boy in a future where he's tested for personality traits to determine his best vocation (I think it was). The floating "angel" is Jeffrey who is accidentally drawn into Jehovah's computer simulation. Jehovah somehow determines he could be a god -- and is now stuck in the simulation, with Jeffrey. Jehovah's antics throughout the series are remarkably like the god of the bible story, though this is the first one where I've seen Jehovah's dance moves, LOL! Be useful, not mysterious. Visit the Youtube channel to read visitor's comments. They're pretty enlightening, too. 

Hello Friday. Merry Christmas! Or, if we still used the Julian calendar of ancient Rome, Happy Solstice  . "a document written by a Christian scribe later in that century explains that the authorities chose December 25 for the feast of the Nativity because people were already accustomed to celebrating on that date. Moreover, some Christian leaders found celebrating Jesus' birth at the time of the winter solstice especially appropriate as they considered him "the sun of righteousness" (Malachi 4:2) and the "light of the world"(John 8:12). With the new festival date in place, Christian leaders exhorted the populace to dedicate their midwinter devotions to the birth of Jesus rather than to the birth of the sun ."  It's great to know the whys of common practices, like the names of the months and days of the week to determine the "day of rest". Our ancient ancestors were learning the "motions of the planets around the earth" and movi...

Thanks to The History Guy. This is a different take on it than I'd previously heard, LOL. I enjoy almost all his offerings.   

Happy Solstice!! We're not gonna freeze!!! The sun is "as far away" as it's gonna go. You will see it start coming back tomorrow or the next day at sunrise. Yay!! Our ancient ancestors didn't know about the southern hemisphere, tho the people there certainly did. They know this as the summer solstice, and had their own celebrations to know they're not going to be baked alive, easing of protocols to protect themselves from the dangers of excess heat and lack of water are coming soon. Not sure that Seth mentions this. The Christians Don't Know Christmas video is at bottom of the page. UPDATE 12/21/20 - Seth posted a follow-up on his plea the other day to help a woman.  Note that earth is not closer to the sun now. We are actually at our furthest point in our orbit around the sun ( perihelion ) during northern hemisphere winter.. Earth is closest to the sun in June/July.  In checking for discussion on the adoption by Christianity of other religious beliefs f...

Don't you trust your holy text? Are you  questioning "god's" choices? Someone posted "What does it mean to reject the Word of God? Is it a result of ignorance to scripture?". That someone should know that, based on scripture, salvation is determined by 'god' alone, not by our acts or beliefs. You can't work your way into salvation with righteous deeds, nor work your way out of it with unrighteous deeds; we're saved by grace, by gift of 'god'.  It is God who has (first) chosen us, not we who have chosen Him (John 15:16). Those whom God saves do not seek Him; they are saved by God's selection (Romans 9:30-33). They are saved not because of what they are, or what they will or could be (Romans 9:11). They are chosen and saved, not because of any decision they make; rather the decision is the result of His doing, not man’s (John 1:12: Acts 13:48; 16:14; Philippians 1:29; 2:12-13). God regenerates the one dead in his sins, giving both l...

A Rescuer's Thoughts... The last male cat was recently blessed with adoption. Just saw a young feral tom on the deck. No! Not a colony up here;    that was one of my biggest fears! Gotta look into it, I've gotta check. To leave that unanswered isn't an option. I'm tired, burned out, been doin' it too long...  Precious, one of the first, is slowly dying, starving herself.   Companion to Boots her litter-mate, was epileptic himself. Tasha's ear goo stimulant for a day or two helped a tiny bit    about a month ago when Precious first started it. She's almost 16 now, litter was found about 3-weeks along. To again set up a shelter, feed 'til he trips the trap. Hope my old vet will help again with the medical care. The vets up here are surprised by my queries. Folks up here may ignore or even shoot the cats.     Or call me to come get them, take them away, get them out of their hair. A deliberate misunderstanding of TNR? The '...