Matthew's Groups

Star Trek

55 members
15 Comments 4 Likes
Evolution Defenders

387 members
36 Comments 48 Likes

Vegetarian & Vegan Athei…

256 members
172 Comments 25 Likes
Milwaukee, Wis. Atheists

17 members
10 Comments 1 Like

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Matthew's Discussions

Science and Race / Discrimination

Started this discussion. Last reply by Reggie Dec 19, 2009. 16 Replies 0 Likes

Did I violate the establishment clause?

Started this discussion. Last reply by Sabrina Gonzalez Nov 8, 2009. 10 Replies 0 Likes

CNN Poll wants to know if you believe in God.

Started this discussion. Last reply by Robert Tobin Nov 18, 2009. 10 Replies 0 Likes

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Profile Information

Your Religious Status: Atheist

About Me:: I'm a middle/high school science teacher and frankly, I'm still nervous to reveal myself openly as an atheist. I'm so unsure that I'm not putting anything very revealing about myself on this page. I'm currently job hunting and worry about the repercussions. This fear makes me slightly more than annoyed at American society, but not quite enough to jump out of the closet. Besides, it's easier to shape young minds to think critically about science and religion when they aren't scared of the big-bad-atheist-science-teacher warping their minds.

I don't think I really believed any of my religious education since about junior high/high school, but really started doubting in college. It wasn't until I was about 30 that I finally admitted to myself that I really was an Atheist after all. My acceptance of this can be contributed to "Misquoting Jesus," "The God Delusion," my wife, and some key friends.

I grew up Lutheran - Missouri Synod. My wife and I tried the Episcopal church for a while...they were nice and liberal, but still Christian. We then tried the UU Fellowship, but were turned off when the atheist sermon turned out to be a list of reasons why atheism is unreasonable. I also don't like how they focus on all the feel-good stuff about religions and pretend the negative things don't exist. I have been happily churchless for about 2 years now - a dream I've had since I was a kid.

Other than that, I'm married and have some pets. I think that's probably all you care to know for now.

Age: 31-35

Why are you here?: I'm here because it's a friendly place to speak openly about atheism with no judgments. I've been lurking for a few months and have been impressed. I look forward to exchanging ideas.

The religion you left: Christian

Matthew's Blog

Ironic Health Care Positions

Posted on April 22, 2010 at 12:28pm 8 Comments 0 Likes

Has anyone seen this going around Facebook?

DEAR LORD, THIS YEAR YOU TOOK MY FAVORITE ACTOR, PATRICK SWAYZIE. YOU TOOK

MY FAVORITE ACTRESS, FARAH FAWCETT. YOU TOOK MY FAVORITE SINGER, MICHAEL

JACKSON. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW, MY FAVORITE PRESIDENT IS BARACK

OBAMA. AMEN.

I'm not going to get into their picks for favorite actors and singers. I'm not even going to get into the fact that they are… Continue

Jesus' "Sacrifice" Wasn't THAT Great

Posted on December 2, 2009 at 12:00pm 8 Comments 0 Likes

I was talking with my wife (also an atheist) the other day about Jesus. It suddenly dawned on me that his "sacrifice" wasn't really all that great. In fact, Jesus was kind of a jerk about it.

If you were told by god that you could save all of humanity that ever existed, exists, and will exist in the future from everlasting torture, wouldn't you be willing to do that? Then you hear the terms...by simply being tortured and humiliated for one day, and dying, you win everyone's… Continue

Holy Book Morality or Anarchy...I Choose Neither.

Posted on July 24, 2009 at 12:07pm 6 Comments 0 Likes

This discussion got me thinking:

http://www.thinkatheist.com/forum/topics/did-you-become-an-atheist-to

I have been having some trouble reconciling something in my mind. I do NOT think we need god(s) to keep us moral, but I DO think we need government and laws to do so. Someone once challenged me on this and said I may as well be an anarchist. I couldn't come up with a satisfactory response to explain why that was false at that moment.

Finally, this morning, it dawned… Continue

We're on the F****ing Moon!

Posted on July 23, 2009 at 10:21pm 0 Comments 0 Likes

I know this is late, but it's one of my favorites from The Onion.

Jonathan Park: The How-do-I-refute-ID-without-offending Adventure Begins

Posted on July 8, 2009 at 3:57pm 16 Comments 0 Likes

I'm teaching high school summer school right now. The kids aren't there because they have to be, they are there because they want to be. This program I'm in is nice because I can pretty much talk about whatever I want. I got an interesting question about evolution, so we discussed it for a while. It wasn't long before I spotted the religious student. He gave himself away when he tried to debunk all of science because of our lack of total understanding of the beginnings of the universe. It seems… Continue

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At 6:53pm on December 30, 2009, Gaytor said…: Have I flown over the Cukoos Nest yet Chief? He seems to only respond to doing this in letter form. Authors, what are you going to do with them?

At 9:16pm on December 17, 2009, Meg Gallagher said…: Hi Matthew! I go to Lawrence University, which is up in Appleton. Thanks for the welcome :) There seems to be a nice community on this site

At 3:45pm on July 25, 2009, Rhiannon Smith said…: Thank you, Matthew, I really appreciate it. Hope to be hearing more from you soon. :]

At 5:20pm on July 4, 2009, Misty: Baytheist Living! said…: Hi there,
I've read some of your stuff on chiropractic therapy and if you've got time, I have a few questions for you.
I've sent you a friend request so we can email. I'd attempt to catch you on chat, but one of the dogma of atheist life for me is 'no chatting unless properly intoxicated' Seriously. If I break this tradition, the sky might fall or the sun could forget to rise.
Anyway, give me a yell when you've got time!