Over the course of the last few weeks the foundation of my life has been shaken in a most profound way. I’ve been forced in to a situation where I find myself dealing with some difficult and harsh realizations about myself, my family, and my outlook on life… essentially everything.
The immediate impact of this ongoing experience has taken its toll on every facet of my life. I have been struggling to perform my duties at work and at home. But through all of this I have learned an enormous amount about myself and will continue to do so.
I can imagine that many of you are lost at this point and wondering if gasmonso is nuts. The reason for bringing this up in such a public forum it two-fold. On one hand I feel that I have a responsibility to everyone here. You have all contributed an enormous amount of time and effort to make this site what it is. For that I am grateful and wish to say that I am almost at a point where I can contribute once again in a meaningful way.
One of my favorite contributors is deletedsoul and I’d like to say a few words to her. A few weeks ago we started something that I know meant a lot to her. She opened her life to me as well and all of you about her past and the impact that religion had on her. She was gracious enough to answer questions from all of you and it pains me that I haven’t been able to complete my end of the bargain and post her responses. So deletedsoul, please accept my apologies… I will make you a priority and get those responses up as soon as possible.
Now I mentioned that there were two reasons for me posting this announcement. The second and primary reason I’m sharing this today is that I’ve come to a realization. ReligiousFreaks.com has been a part of my life for about a year and a half now. What I have come to understand over the last few weeks is how important it has been in my life… ok cue sappy music. But seriously, let me try to explain.
Like many of you, lately I’ve have been searching for answers to various questions about life. Essentially I’ve been soul searching and questioning many aspects of it. What has helped me make some strides in my personal life is reading the comments that you all have made… and yes I have read them all. When I reflect on this I have come to realize that you all have influenced my life in some positive way. I know sidfaiwu could shed some light on this with his background in philosophy :)
I’m being vague for a reason so allow me to explain. This journey that I have just started is going to be a long one. I haven’t completely come to terms with it nor do I fully understand where I’m headed. Once I get a better grasp of the situation I would love to share it with everyone to get some feedback… especially from our philosophical readers. So get ready sidfaiwu :)
Please stay tuned!
Sincerely,
gasmonso
Related posts:
- deletedsoul Resurrected After 21 Days
- gasmonso, Just Another Misguided Freak?
- Wiccas Seek To End Religious Tax Breaks
- Muhammed Has Spoken!
April 5th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Hello gasmonso!
I’m just glad that you are physically ok. I was starting to worry about you. I’ll be glad to have you back mentally as well, but don’t push yourself. Take care of your life first. Also, feel free to email me anytime if you want to discuss anything privately. And as always, I’m willing to share my thoughts on just about any topic ;)
Take care,
sidfaiwu
April 5th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Hi Gasmonso,
I hope everything is ok, and take it easy… it’s very disorienting when life serves up a major paradigm shift, and what might suddenly seem clear right now can often reveal subtle exceptions later as you gain a more nuanced view of whatever you have woken up to. Life most often provides plenty of time to “look before leaping”, but does not often provide an “undo” button… especially when you feel like “leaping” because you wish you had an “undo” button!
And let us not forget ’tis the season for chocolate :)
Take care,
RC.
April 5th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
@gasmonso
don’t tell me you got “born again” or something crazy like that… :-)
April 5th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
No Boris, I’m definitely not born again ;) But I have found myself getting drawn towards Philosophy in a big way. I remember making fun of those people in college and now I’m becoming one of them :)
What I’d like to know is how many self-proclaimed Philosophers are reading this blog. Come on, step forward and show yourself!
gasmonso
April 5th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
dear gasmonso,
Thanks for the insight into your search for truth. I too am searching for some deeper answers and have just started a Blog to God about my experiences of spirituality and God. I hope you will continue to enlighten us with your thoughts and I will be putting you into my del.icio.us
April 5th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
gasmonso,
I can only imagine what you’re going through, but if there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know. I have no idea what’s going on, but if I can help in anyway, I would like to. If you need to rant or cuss or spit or whatever, just shoot me an email.
I hope things start getting better for you as soon as possible.
April 5th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
This may seem like an out of place question, but since the field of Philosophy has been mentioned, I’d like to ask:
What do Philosophers do?
(root question being: what does a career in Philosophy entail?)
Sorry for the partial thread derail Gas, and good luck with the harsh realizations…
April 5th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
“What I’d like to know is how many self-proclaimed Philosophers are reading this blog. Come on, step forward and show yourself!”
I consider myself a philosopher, but you knew that already ;)
“What do Philosophers do?”
The simple explanation: philosophers attempt to use reason to understand the universe. The complex answer: philosophers are not even sure. The definition of philosophy is debated by philosophers.
“(root question being: what does a career in Philosophy entail?)”
First of all, all scientists are philosophers. Indeed, science and philosophy were not separate subjects for most of western history. In the 16th and 17th centuries, a distinction started appearing. A subset of philosophy that was applied to the natural world started separating. At first it was called natural philosophy, but eventually adopted the name ’science’.
Other than science, philosophers deliver pizza’s, wait tables, bag groceries, or do anything else to get by. There are a few extremely lucky and/or talented philosophers that teach and/or write books.
In reality, most (non-scientific) philosophers do not do philosophy as a career. For example, I work as a financial analyst to help pay for my philosophy addiction.
April 5th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
10:
Oh, that’s easy. Philosophers write commentaries on other Philosophers.
(Yes, this is a joke, but anyone who has ever hung around a modern Philosophy department knows exactly what I’m talking about!)
April 5th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
Hi Gasmonso, sounds like an exciting time in your life right now. You know that we’re here for you to vent, good luck with it all!
April 5th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
I find the best way to answer any philisophical question, is to eat a whole bunch of Magic Mushrooms, sit in a field, and just go, “Show Me”.
April 5th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Do I sense a plot to take over the world? If so, I want in!!
In all seriousness, my thoughts are with you. Transitional periods can be the most exciting and frightening things in the world, I wish you all the best!
April 5th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
Um, you weren’t listening to this Joe Rogan clip were you?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txifCXGVtWo
April 5th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
“…I have found myself getting drawn towards Philosophy in a big way. I remember making fun of those people in college and now I’m becoming one of them :)”
So, funny story.
When I was in high school I did well enough (A’s) but didn’t care in the slightest about anything I was learning. I remember having an aunt ask me what I wanted to do, and I said, “I’m thinking I might study philosophy.” She said, “Oh, don’t do that. You’ll never get anywhere.” Oh.
So instead I decide I’m going to become a dentist. Good pay, excellent prospects, early retirement. Come to college. Within three weeks I drop the pre-dental. Decide I’ll do journalism. Well, from there, I drift to political science, then to political theory…
After my first year, I decided, as a student of political theory, I should start reading some classic works. I start with the Republic, eventually get my hand on a couple others (no book stores around here).
By the end of my third semester, I’m studying to become a professor of philosophy. Now I’m almost done with semester four, and I’ve already got something of a background in ethics and history of philosophy. So much for becoming a productive member of society :)
So, what is philosophy? I kind of think of it as the midway point between science and religion, mixing heavily in both but still having much to itself. The goal is total understanding, be it of the world, of language, of human nature, of how much we can know, etc. How you do it (philosophize) is probably as varied as the number of views on the world (which there are certainly many). We all philosphize when we decide on certain views of the world. The thing that separates a ‘professional’ philosopher from the rest is that he or she intends to hold no prisoners when it comes to the truth. That, and they do indeed just write commentaries most of the time…
Remember Gasmonso, whatever happens, we’re here for you. Besides, I get the feeling that if this site came to a close, a lot of us would suddenly find our days rather boring :)
April 5th, 2007 at 11:34 pm
Glad you are alright ^^ glad to make ya think and likewise being able to myself via your articles.
Ah philosophy is fun, but sciences is where its at. (either way, i love theories more than facts) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M_theory
April 5th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
Take care of yourself Gasmonso and good luck with your search.
April 6th, 2007 at 4:13 am
This Dollar Store Buddah
by. gabrielAmerican
This dollar store Buddah
was not made by Rodin,
of that I am certain.
Now, wisdom gained then
(by the life of the teacher)
is poured into moldings
and pressed into plastic-
to fit in my pocket,
rub when I’m nervous
and squeeze when I’m angry.
Under a tree
he sat in his world.
Where the smell of the land
and the sun of that time,
would today be unrecognizable
through chemical clouds.
Where crickets once sang
how hot the night was
in jungle or desert or plain,
we now electrify
Beatles and Stones and Violins.
Expertly placing
notes upon stanzas
for future endeavors
to bring to a world
(500 years hence)
the music
and musings of
spirited
souls
sharing
simple
songs.
This plasticine figure
of a very fat man
sitting cross-legged
and happy,
what did he see in his time
that would fall
through the ages
into my coat
pocket?
What song did he hear
(and undoubtedly sing)
knowing his words
would live beyond voices
and echo through all
the wisdom of man?
Perhaps, it’s the tune
playing over my head,
as I wander the aisle
between bagels
and bread.
The words of the masters
float down from above.
I think John said it best,
All You Need is Love.
I hope you’re well, gas. I’ve enjoyed the fruits of your labor, and hope to partake in more.:-)
peace
April 6th, 2007 at 6:33 am
Unless you’re interested in scientific philosophy, artificial intelligence or complexity calculations I don’t have too much to offer in terms of philosophy.
Glad to hear that you’re okay. I think all of us go through phases like that, but if you become a born again christian/moslem/whatever we’ll have to declare an atheist jihad on you.
April 6th, 2007 at 9:43 am
Thanks for all the support guys :) I would like to ask a question though…
Have you ever been at a point in your life where the people around you just didn’t understand your train of thought or your perspective on life?
Sometimes I feel like I’m staring at the Matrix. I see all these people around me and they appear happy. They have a spouse, kids, house, and everything else… yet for some reason I think they’re clueless and just going through life oblivious to something greater… and no I don’t think it’s God!
What I’m going through is related to this. I feel like I’m in the movie and now I just realized that I’m in the Matrix. I have everything anyone could ever want. I have a beautiful family, a house in the suburbs, and a cool dog :) Yet for some reason I feel as if I’m missing out on something. It’s the weirdest feeling. It’s as if I don’t see the point of all this. Now I have to chose the red or the blue pill.
It’s quite possible that I’m going crazy I guess.
gasmonso
April 6th, 2007 at 10:07 am
I am a bit reluctant to comment. I am not a well-studied philosopher or scientist. Although sidwaifu and others are giving me a great crash course. I was always taught God, as according to the Bible. I had some questions and now I’m here. As I explore this mindset most of you live in, I must admit that it is a sad one. At least from the first. I mean, I have been taught that my worth is immeasurable and that I was worth the Son of the King. Well, now that I am beginning to reflect on where some of you are coming from, (evolution) I am beginning to see that I may actually be quite worthless. Worth is exactly what I make of it. Yes, I have a family and yes I can make contruibutions to those around me, but…why? I guess because it’s nice to be loved and appreciated. But why have any passion. Passion was recently defined to me as “willing to go through hardship and struggle in pursuit of something.” Why would I want hardship and struggle if everything is worthless, meaningless, and it is dust and will return to dust. I don’t know maybe this is just preliminary evolution jitters. But if you feel as if you are missing something which is a feeling a lot of people deal with…then why? What basic evolutionary need is not being fulfilled. Have we evolved to be too intelligent for our own good. We can now figure out that we are worthless and we want all of our knowledge and accomplishments to be worth something greater than what they ever could be? It seems there is an evolutionary explanation or theory for most human behavior. Morality is one of the latest. Well, what about this? It reminds me of a movie where a robot “falls in love” with its ‘creator’, she eventually has to explain to him (robot) that he is just a thing and invention and although he thinks that he is more, he really is not. That’s kind of how this evolution thing makes me feel.
April 6th, 2007 at 10:29 am
gasmonso - glad you’re back. While i think i disagree with you guys on many ends, you never cease to amaze me, make me laugh, and cause me to think. I appreciate your hard work, and for what its worth, I’m praying for you that you would continue to get better physically, mentally, and spiritually. Thanks always.
for glory…
steve
April 6th, 2007 at 10:57 am
Gasmonso,
I’ve lurked here for some time probably a year or so. I don’t usually make board postings but this is important. First, I wish an interesting journey. Second, I feel the exact same way you do and have for several years. There is something more or less I can’t tell you what it is but I can tell you it is there. I also fancy myself a philosopher although I am not much appreciated in my efforts. My friends and family usually just glaze over when I start on certain veins of conversation. In any case I apologize for the content free post just want you to know your not the only one. I’ll be back after work when I can post intelligently.
Until then good health everyone
April 6th, 2007 at 11:23 am
Gasmonso,
I know the feeling. You look at everyone else and want to yell, “Don’t you want more?” But then you think, and they’re satisfied with what they have, but you’re not, even if you feel you may be getting closer to something important. It’s the great danger of thinking abstractedly. I have one brilliant friend who just says, “Just let ‘em do what they want, so long as they leave me the hell alone.” But I have to wonder sometimes, how can you possibly do that? You would just let some people remain in their own self-structured ignorance? But then, for some, it’s the better choice if they are to live their own lives. I’ve concluded that you can try to help if you feel you should, but some people are best off where they are, and you must respect that. Of course, when that ignorance comes to harm others, my friend is completely right, and then we must go into action.
To AJ,
I would say that the single biggest draw of religion is the sense of purpose it gives us. It helps many get up in the morning who otherwise wouldn’t. It drives many to succeed, and to help others. Without that motivation many would feel completely lost. If you become a strict scientist or a strict philosopher, it becomes much harder to do that. The philosopher Immanuel Kant drew into doubt virtually everything we think of as real. We cannot know the world of real things, he said. Yet, he also said that while maybe everything isn’t really what we think it is, we still have a life to live, and so we must live with what we’ve got. That is why as a philosopher I cannot let myself look down on the man who doesn’t question his beliefs, even if I believe he’s wrong. He has his own path, and frankly, it’ll probably work out better than mine. So long as he strives towards the right thing, and he does it with feeling, that’s good enough for me. So long as he cares for his fellow man, I don’t think there’s too much more to ask. But I could never live with switching places with him. I would feel like I’ve lost too much. And so we must find purpose not just in some higher being, but in ourselves. I live for the betterment of myself and through myself, for the whole of mankind. Perhaps my caring is just evolved compassion or something, but so what? Evolution may have made us smart, but it didn’t invent the wheel. We did. And we can be rightfully proud of that, and of the things we do for each other. We are humans, and so we have a duty to be the best we can be. That, I feel, is enough.
April 6th, 2007 at 11:48 am
Gasmonso, I think you got a “Getting Older” syndrome. Snap out of it!
AJ, in short of what Snurp said, It is all about happiness. You do like to feel happy, don’t you? Men strives to live in happier place, and does what ever it takes to get there: family, kids, sex, money, drugs, inventing a wheel, what have you…
April 6th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Gasmonso, iv been going through something somewhat similar. I think everyone goes through a few in there life. Dont let it make you sad or depressed, you will learn from this experience and grow into an even better man.
April 6th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Hello gasmonso,
“Have you ever been at a point in your life where the people around you just didn’t understand your train of thought or your perspective on life?
Constantly. What keeps me sane is a very small group of close friends and family that do understand my thoughts and perspectives. I would suggest that you seek out other deep thinkers in your area. You can find plenty of us on the web, but nothing beats philosophical discussions with a few friends over some whiskey. That’s an invitation if you ever find yourself in the vicinity of Charlotte, NC.
“What I’m going through is related to this. I feel like I’m in the movie and now I just realized that I’m in the Matrix. I have everything anyone could ever want. I have a beautiful family, a house in the suburbs, and a cool dog :) Yet for some reason I feel as if I’m missing out on something. It’s the weirdest feeling. It’s as if I don’t see the point of all this. Now I have to chose the red or the blue pill.”
This sounds like an existential crisis to me. They are characterized by coming to the realization that this life is all there is, a feeling of pointlessness and/or hopelessness, a sense of isolation, and an acute awareness of one’s own mortality.
I go through them periodically, and went through a BIG one ten years ago. They are common when one loses their religion or when one thinks about certain areas of philosophy. I was doing both at the same time. What I’ve come to realize is that there is something greater than us: our own ignorance. There is so much we don’t know, and thus so much that we can learn!
Another way of stating it is that humanity has a seemingly limitless potential for improvement. The universe is extremely young. Current estimates put it at roughly 1% through its ‘life’ before it experiences heat-death. We potentially have a very long time to learn and do more. Furthermore, the universe has only had the ability to understand itself for a few million years (as far as we know. No aliens yet ;). Just think of how much we’ve already discovered in that short time. And, so far, all indications are that your knowledge and abilities accelerate! For a real enthusiast on human potential, see Ray Kurzweil.
I want to be a part of that potential. I want to contribute to realizing our species full potential, even if it is in a small way in the long run. That is what drives me to study philosophy and science. By the way, I think you are already contributing to realizing human potential by fighting progress’s evil opposite, fundamentalism.
Take the red pill, man. Consciously contribute to our future. There is so much that we don’t know, that we’re not even sure what is possible. I’ve said it before, but I’ll state it again here: it may even be possible to create God in our image. My vision of the future is continual human improvement; the fundamentalist vision of the future is Armageddon, the end of the age of humans. That is why I frequent this site, to battle the anti-progressive world view.
April 6th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
sidfaiwu is right the mere act of seeking the truth is enough of a purpose.
Before I continue I must let everyone know where I stand. I am a Buddhist and actually a rather devout one but a different one. Grew up in the Midwest raised in a Methodist family all except my father who felt that a child should be educated in all religions and philosophies so we could choose our own path in life. This went over surprisingly well with the rest of the family. In any case I was spared any sort of drama in the breaking or converting area.
Something else happened though. Without a belief system fed to me I collapsed into an existential funk relatively early. I dealt with it by deciding I would be like Mr. Spock (I am a nerd too I grew up with good sci-fi). What the hell am I talking about, this is why people glaze over when I talk to them.
AS I got older I started searching for more forming my own belief system studying religions philosophy and science. I also started to realize knowledge must be tempered by something, wisdom, if you will. We can not know everything we are only a small part of the plan there has to be another way.
Here is where I get back on topic. Everyone has their own path to follow. The only reason being that truth is singular and we all start somewhere else there is no way that any path can be the same an any other. For me it started in Martial Arts. I started because I wanted to find a way to control my ADD without meds (which I did). I found a lot more though. It was an activity that allowed me to clear everything out of my mind. There is a truth there. I started to think about these things continue to study with more insight and like Gasmonso started to wonder what the hell was going on. I wondered why other people seemed so oblivious so happy. Did they now what they were missing? Why did they just go along with things?
OK now I’m getting long winded so I’ll sum up where I am now and come back to this later.
I have realized that a lot of people are not as oblivious as they appear even if they don;t know it themselves. There is nothing purer than an idiot who just does what they should do because it is who they are. There are also people who live in a lie all we can do is gently help them realize that. They built the house they live in and locked it from the inside. We can only pound on the front door until they unlock it. Anything else is just puts a different color on the house. We should pursue knowledge and science with passion but always remember it is a study of things that we see around us right now and that there has been and will be different truths to find.
That is to say the truth for everything is contained in everything else.
Okay, sorry about the rambling I’m not even sure I ended where I wanted to when I started. Anyway good health everyone.
April 6th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
“There is so much we don’t know, and thus so much that we can learn!”
That’s where my purpose in life comes from. I love to learn, am always getting side tracked by some new bit of arcane knowledge. Never quite mastering anything, but never getting bored either. My wife’s eyes glaze over sometimes, but that’s cool. I’m me, why should she be me?
April 6th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
You need Jesus! Err… Jesus needs YOU! Err… Jesus needs your money and support to fight the global war on non-conformism!
Seriously though… I do have a bit of advice that comes from personal experience.
1.) A sense of humor is key.
2.) Grab hold of anyone and everyone whom you know beyond a doubt loves you unconditionally. Relate with them. Laugh with them.
3.) Being alone with your own thoughts is often a revitalizing break and can allow some fantastic strides in the area of perspective. Perspective (as far as I am concerned) is all about the bigger picture, and can be extremely helpful. Emphasis here.
4.) Laugh.
5.) Cry.
6.) Laugh at your sorry weeping ass.
7.) NEVER, EVER, sacrifice your individuality. This is self-mutilation. Know yourself. Make decisions on that basis. Make changes (if needed) on that basis. Your own ass is all you have; don’t get duped into being a slave to others. Decisions and changes need to come with this understanding first and foremost, else you’re lost.
8.) Laugh.
April 6th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Hi Gasmonso,
I was going to remind you of the old bhudist saying, “before enlightenment, chopping wood and carrying water. After enlightenment - chopping wood and carrying water”.
But now I just wanna say “yeah, what sidfaiwu said” :)
ignorance -> bliss
enlightenment -> peace and understanding and acceptance (or so I hear)
the road between -> chaos, doubt, confusion
…and the journey often leads back to where you started from, so don’t dispair too much at the ignorance of all the other sheeple.
And if you ever write anything half as good as Alain DeBoton’s “status anxiety”, I want a signed copy :)
Keep walking! :)
April 6th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
Balls. :p
April 6th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
8.) Take a break once in a while.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4412027748204910365
April 6th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Err… that was supposed to be nine.
Am I driving home the pint well enough? If it helps to know, I’m pulling for you. Or, at least, I want to. Fond hopes are all I can offer through a computer terminal.
That, and porno links. Want some porno? ;p
April 6th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Gasmonso: Glad to see you are still kicking. I think to some extent all of the regular denizens of this place are philosophers of some bent or another. I am personally a fan of Nietzsche. My question is, which philosophy is it that has you all topsy turvy?
April 6th, 2007 at 6:36 pm
I get the feeling it isn’t a particular philosophy that’s the problem here…I think that sidfaiwu is probably closer with it’s being a bit of an existential crisis. We all have those moments. Every so often I wonder what the hell I am going to do with myself and whether I’m really making anything of my time in life. But those are the times where you have to count your blessings and push forward with what you believe, with friends to support you and a meaningful job to do. That, and those periods don’t last over two hours for me anyway :)
April 6th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Gas:
I go through this tons! Fearful and doubtful, restless and uneasy, devoid of meaning.
It’s during times like these when I find meditation to be the greatest source of focus. Not relaxation so much; but when done right it can bring a great clarity and center back into your life. Start off with some slow breathing techniques, then work your way to slowing your heart to the lowest you can go.
I promise that if you try hard enough, you will find the dreams, goals and love that have left your heart and mind.
April 6th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
I hope all is well, or at least gets well, with you.
Eddie
April 7th, 2007 at 1:05 am
I hope everybody here feels what Gasonmo feels, I think it’s healthy to feel this way, to question every thing, that’s the right thing to do.
Talking about that, you are talking about thing happens to me every day(being Muslim in USA, and now inn Egypt I don’t like what I’m seeing).
I wish I can comment more than that, but I’m going to see the pyramids right now(not kidding).
See ya later.
April 7th, 2007 at 2:56 am
You might want to buy a red convertible.
April 7th, 2007 at 10:26 am
Wow, have a great trip, Mohamed.
April 7th, 2007 at 11:01 am
Holy Nuts! You’re a lucky man, Mohamed. Enjoy the sights. The awe of the pyramids is almost impossible to describe.
peace
April 7th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
I could show you how it looks like when I get back to USA, I just have to do some work and edit some videos, and I hope Gasnomo will approve to put it on here after upload it you Utube.
April 7th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
Its OK if you are gay, gasmonso - we accept you as you are.
April 9th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
My name stinks, what do you think? Is it a denominational or existential funk? At least it’s not Cloaca….
April 9th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
I agree Sue Ridge, you do stink. At least your not genitalia. Can it be existential when you don’t exist?
May 4th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
You made it sound as though you were breaking up with us.
May 4th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Have read the site so many times, have never sensed so much humanity. God bless, Gas, from someone who has never met you but who has infinite appreciation of your site. Heavy credit to your contributors who have wheighed in with good wishes. Signing off, 53-yr old hetero male, 3 grandchildren, in tears, on another continent.
May 4th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Having recovered my composure after reading the kind regards on the site, may I present my feelings vis a vis religion? Ever since 9/11 I have been studying the source material leading to religious fanaticism in order: Qu’ran, New Testament, Old Testament, Apochrypha, Dead Sea Scrolls, Lord Of The Rings, Flying Spaghetti Monster, Harry Potter, God. Unfortunately for this lot my wife has rheumatoid arthritis and is unable to walk from her bible to her koran. Fuck God. Sorry, I’m not kidding. She came out of hospital today and i’m not God’s bigest fan.
Seriously, a God which allows this shit needs lynching.