The Godless Grief Updates

Thanks to all who have been patiently waiting for the book to be published. I finally have firm news. The book is now split into two projects, the first "Godless Grief" encompasses a variety of losses, and deals with the secular response to each. A second book is now in the development stages (several chapter completed, and an agent selling it), with the focus primarily death-related. I'm working on a second title that leaves no misinterpretation, and will guide those who need an Atheist guide to the issues we face when dealing with the death of a loved one, friend, hero- anyone.

The Godless Grief book will be released as a self-published project due to the high demand by those of you who have written me over the years. The project taken on quite a few facets since it was first written in 2002, and many of you directly are part of those changes. Several contributors have died, and parts of chapters were read at memorials. That means a lot to me as the author, and to others who take part on the Godless Grief forum.

I invite anyone to visit those pages. The web address is http://www.godlessgrief.com/forum and you will need to email atheistgrief@yahoo.com before you register so you can get an authorization to post. There have been dozens of incarnations of the forum that have changed due to spammers. Now we're pretty good about screening religious fanatics and other cruel visitors from the conversations. The talk is open, caring, and kind. That is the humanity we all seek.

If you have anecdotes or stories that you'd like to see included on the death related book, please feel free to email me as well. ALL stories will be considered for inclusion, with special attention paid to secular, (atheist, humanist), based tales. Fact checks are part of the process, so please ensure your submission can be verified. Chapters include Family, Child, Friend, Co-Worker, Ritual, as well as other topics directly relating to loss and Atheism. The book also is an open dialog between those of us of no religion, and those who carry some sort of faith in whatever it is they think is godlike.

Thank you for the support over the years. I hope you find support in these books, and I will work hard to ensure your feelings and thoughts are respected.

Not Apparently The Atheist Way

I've posted this on the Godless Grief blog, but thought it wise to repost here. Some people have noted I'm not on the Atheist Way blog anymore. I decided after hearing an unending opinion of only ONE person, that it was not really interesting to me. A girl, I'm guessing, as it's posted anonymously, or under a pseudonym, seems to make it her mission to start arguments with just about anyone else who posts there. Rather than actually read a point anyone has made, she just jumps in with yet one more argumentative, and often misinformed comment, and it got to be rather dull reading. Anyone can give their opinion at a blog- but to give an opinion on every single statement is just- well, attention seeking selfishness, and doesn't offer dialog- it's a demand for monologue. Who cares? Write your own... That's my second point...

One thing I love about the Atheist community is that we're a community of very vocal individuals, as a whole. The irony of those who assume that atheists aren't community based isn't lost on me-- or many of the organizations that meet regularly. But it is a bit of a tragedy to hear that Free Speech and Free Thought aren't always in the forefront of people who congregate to discuss things godless. At the Atheist Alliance International meeting, I did note that there were quite a few people visiting the sales booths of authors, politicians, and organizations, only to offer THEIR interpretation of the booth sitter's P.O.V.

Case in point.. Dean Cameron, a righteous Atheist of fine skills in politics via theater- and all around good guy, by the way- sat at a table with his brilliant Bill of Rights Security Edition. It's a plate that cannot go through the scanners of the TSA in airports, and ensures that those who are in the job of security are taking away the Bill of Rights. Love it. Brilliant.

He was sitting there talking about this genius plan. And, he talked about the Nigerian Spam Scam Scam show, too. One woman explained HER world view, socialist, and why that HER world view should be HIS world view. She actually debated him for being of the belief that in a country that is founded on the rights of the individual, that HER rights were far more important as a socialist, and others MUST comply. What? What???

I think she missed a key point. Dean isn't her demographic. Neither am I. Yet, I get told I'm socialist all of the time. I do not believe there should be a bicameral election system, as it excludes those from the Libertarian Party, Green Party, and yes, Socialist party, to voice a vote prior to the primaries, as the Dems and Reps seem to assume they own the rights to- and that to me is archaic and sad. I don't like that any PARTY system puts more power into play than the individuals behind the vote, and I am told, this means I'm a socialist. Right. Not. Even. Close.

I think that if Amazon can count how many people like Harry Potter v. Sylvia Browne , there is a way to put a voting process in place that includes None of The Above, and ALL parties and can fairly tabulate the actual numbers behind the statistics. Maybe that's as silly as walking on the moon, but whatever. Doesn't make me socialist, it makes me a statistician with grandiose aspirations.

Then, I did the Atheists United meeting last weekend, and it was also eye opening as to what I'm apparently 'allowed" to say, as a comedian, or perhaps, as a woman. Three people felt it their duty to explain to me, what I said, and what it did to insult them, or rather in one case, what it didn't do. A lot of my writing/comedy is about what people aren't supposed to say, and for over 20 years, I make it a point of pointing that irony out during every show. But, one gent didn't quite understand that point and instead, wanted me to "just say it"...which is the antithesis of my point. One person had zero problem with me pointing out flaws in the stereotyping of people- yet didn't want me to talk about 'the Jews'. And, still another apparently huffed for a full 50 minutes after he came into the event 20 minutes late, and I made the remark, "I hope you shook twice and thought of me.." as we all heard a toilet flush as he walked in. The joke was there..yet, he was primed to tell me how much he didn't appreciate me talking about, ready? his penis. Okay. And then proceeded to tell me to "never talk about that again. Ever."

So much for free thought or free speech. But they made my point. They didn't even realize they are now part of the act. Just as the woman who tried to convert Dean Cameron to Socialism, and I am thinking vegetarianism, if I'm not mistaken- people who use free speech to shut OTHERS down aren't free thinkers in any way shape or form. They are welcome to their opinions, but to squelch another's thought process is just as wrong as any other form of censorship.

This brings me to the Fuck Censorship Show. I've been writing this for some time, and it's now part of the Short Bus Comics show. I use Barbie and some other "fashion" doll, to speak in a childlike way, about the ridiculous stereotypes we have- and if we didn't have them- we would be liars. Liars. Yep. I said it. Stereotypes exist as basic truths, and politically correct addicts are those who lie, and censor more than anyone.

I am a gimp. I own the word. I am disabled, chubby, opinionated, and frankly, enjoy it. I know I'm in pain, and I know I have great parking. I have a family that has black, asian, european, poor, rich and weirdly insane people. When someone says to me, "Don't say "gimp', that's self defeating" I think, "this person has been abused by the PC-world." Political correctness is an insufferable tool. The Bush regimes used it to label people "Unpatriotic" when they've had opinions other than christian and about the War. When anyone hangs on the "you can't say that' phrase- I have to wonder - what are they lying about and why are they censoring others?

Fuck censorship. We should be able to disagree with each other. We SHOULD be able to tell someone our opinion, but not at the expense of ordering another to think as we do. If they do, great, we get along. If they don't. LISTEN. Learn. Understand. You may get an insight as to why someone has a belief or understanding of things you do not comprehend. It's how we work as a society. But telling someone else what to say or do- without being asked, I mean, of course- is just selfish, egotistical, Bushwacked, and Censorship. It is disrespectful of that person's humanity. It's disrespectful of your own right to free speech. I may hate what you say, you may hate what I say, but who the hell am I , or who the hell are YOU to tell each other "don't say that".

And, back to the first point- who are you to try to talk so much that it's apparent you never really wanted to hear any other opinion but yours in the first place? No wonder people aren't posting to the other blog. They can't get a word in edgewise- THAT is censorship.

Fuck censorship.

A Comic Walks Into An Atheist Convention

On February 22, 2009, the Atheists United hosts their monthly get-together at 11am, at the Center for Inquiry. Comedian and author, Cathe B. Jones is the featured entertainer, providing comedy relief, and discussing her books, Godless Grief, and My Doctor Is Killing Me. The event is free, and the day show also serves as a luncheon. Cathe's humor is described as vibrantly witty, thought provoking, and emphatically not politically correct, taking on the topics of atheism, racism, and political satire.

Led by indomitable Bobbie Kirkhart, the Atheists United (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization) has a three-fold mission:

* To promote atheism through education and outreach;
* To promote the First Amendment and the separation of government and religion;
* To create and support a vibrant atheist community.
AU has a full schedule of events, often inviting vibrant speakers, and highly evolved discussions. The meeting on February 22nd is held at Center for Inquiry-West, 4773 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angles CA. This general meeting is Free and open to the public, and begins at 11am.

Kirkhart is currently the president AU, but also led organizations including Atheist Alliance International, Secular Coalition for America, and serves as board member to Humanist Studies and Darwin Day Celebrations. Her first article published nationally was "I Protest: A Santa Claus God", and was written by a woman who was devoutly protestant. Later, she learned through the efforts of her work as social worker, that her world wasn't created by any religion or gods, and since 1983, she has been a member of AU. As public speaker, author, and leader she continues to inspire atheists here and abroad with her wit, fiery sense of purpose, and ability to reach even the most ardent of the religious right.


Cathe B. Jones has performed stand-up comedy in three countries, since 1981. She has three shows in Las Vegas, performing several times a week. As an Atheist Author, Cathe works to inspire other atheists to proactively promote the idea that kindness and free thought should be practiced in all aspects of life. As a writer, her themes are action-based and humanitarian based, serving advocacy pieces. Godless Grief is the first book written about loss for and from the atheist perspective. My Doctor Is Killing Me is a patient advocacy hand book for those who have not been heard by the medical community. Her husband, Mike Jones, is the music director for Penn & Teller, and they reside in Las Vegas with their pets and pianos.

Thinking on 1945

I stand out side of my house in Las Vegas, watching each penultimate moment of the explosions George Romero termed "Sky Flowers" in his epic Day of The Dead. In the background, I hear the screams of the corner bought rockets, as they are launched by children from HOA approved driveways. I think on how many of those children are waiting for a parent if not both to return from the Middle East in a war that no one quite understands. This is my forty-fifth year on the planet, and I am struck at how deeply the sight is affecting me.

At the Veterans Clinic I've met dozens of World War II, Korean, and Viet Nam soldiers, as well as those who fought in the battles of my contemporaries. Once I spoke with a man who was stationed on the Arizona. He started to talk and the entire waiting room just stopped any other conversation, and we all sat attentive to his remembrance of that day. You could hear in his voice, and see his eyes, and know that every minute of his life there after was only a shadow of what was then.

He had been a boy of nineteen. I say, boy, although, anyone who is given a machine gun, and told to either live by his wits or die in a foreign land is certainly no child. His brother was already a survivor of other battles in Europe, and was already home by the time he enlisted. Despite protests from his war-scarred sibling, he marched into the recruiting office ready to submit to duty. His first command in the Navy was aboard the USS Arizona. He was there for only a week when he saw the planes overhead, and heard the first of what he thought was several explosions. He said he was just complaining to someone that he wasn't going to have leave for weeks because he was such a rookie. The next thing he remembers is bending over the same guy trying to determine if he was alive or not, then watching water take over. You could hear it in his voice that he was still listening for the sounds in life in the dead sailor.

Not a week later, I heard the story of Pat Tillman, who was only one example of the over three thousand who had died in the war that no one understands. His death, shadowed by more confusion than most, certainly was one that was prefaced with the sound of screaming rockets, and the launch of mortar in the air. It's the loss of the thousands that diffuse my excitement of the bright lights, colors, and shiny lights of fireworks. It's my forty-fifth year and it's not a joyful experience. In 1945, the lights of the rockets were not beautiful. In 2005, the lights were equally horrifying.

And, here I am in the 45th year of life, wondering how many children are losing their parents to the same beautiful firecrackers that they are excited to see on this holiday. My innocence has finally left.

Science Goes Religious... unwillingly

It's been happening for over forty years. A scientist named Peter Higgs claims there is a "god" particle which appeared just after the Big Bang. But, Higgs, an Atheist, thinks the "god" notion is just foolishness. In fact, he's just making a point that there is a place after the Big Bang that created a field that draws particles toward it made these able to bond, and thereby produced planets, stars, moons- the universe as we know it.

Higgs often gets credit for proving there is a "Greater Power" than life itself- although he doesn't make any qualms about telling his students in Edinburgh, nor the press, that the idea that this is proof of a deity or all-knowing, all powerful being is simpleton thinking. He is only pointing out that due to his theory, the comprehension of mass which developed after the Big Bang finally makes clear scientific sense.

Higgs Boson has been in theory since 1964. He will finally get the opportunity to test his theory. According to AFP reporter Patrick Baert, "The thousands of scientists who work there have spent years preparing for the experiment which will deploy the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) -- essentially the world's biggest atom-smasher -- in a bid to recreate the conditions of the 'Big Bang' when the universe is deemed to have been created."

The elder gentleman of science states he will celebrate the results with a bottle of Champagne, provided the group in Chicago testing on their own collider don't reach results first. There will be no church services, nor ritual of religious faith.

The most interesting thing regarding the response to Higgs' theory is the idea that these experiments will create some sort of black hole or apocalyptic result. This of course is a notion that anyone uneducated, and unaware would jump to, and is simply ridiculous. The scientists are well versed in what the OFF button looks like, and have worked in the field of physics long enough to extract science fiction from facts. Doctor Who will not be needed to save the planet this time.

Within the last forty-five years, major theories of science have become day-to-day facts. From the discovered paths of electrons to string theory, the greatest minds of our world have breached the boundaries of limitations set forth by any notion of gods or "outer beings". Those here on this planet, from Higgs, to Tuana, to Harding, to Pickering, and yes, even to Hawking, are truly the masters of the universe.

http://public.web.cern.ch/Public/Welcome.html

Adding RatRoomTV to the World..

 

I haven't posted in a while because there are so many things going on lately. The biggest one- The book- is back on track now that we have an editor assigned. Whatever the title ends up being, people are invited to godlessgrief.com/phpbb/index.php to talk about loss.

 

And, the other news... my comedy world is getting bigger again. I'm starting a comedy school which opens February 12th at Family Music, West Sahara at Cimmaron, open house  5-7 pm. CatheB.com/clinic/about_clinic.html

 

Finally, my favorite project combines my critters, with the work I studied in Calarts- editing. I LOVED editing, and miss it so much, that I thought..hmmmm, got a camera, got critters, got a new computer..let's make this all work. SO I invented, "Rat Room Television". Just check out Youtube.com/ratroomtv to see a glimpse! Hopefully some how this stuff will end up on REAL tv sooner or later!

 

And writing... the next book is called, "I'm Just As Screwed Up As You Are" and my publisher has first dibs. Hopefully they'll like it better than the grief book. It's funny, and really a lot of fun to read. I hope to have that out to them this year.

 

All else... still trying to stay healthy enough to write when I can. Thanks for the support!

The Insanity of the World

You have to wonder how the press puts out stories without typing ROFLMAO at the end of them sometimes. There are two tidbits that recently appeared, and any Atheist with half a wit will think it is from a spoof magazine. In fact, it's not. It's Reuters. It's real. It's pathetic. Ready?

Bill Nye Science Guy BOO

'D Off Stage:

Bill Nye, the harmless children's edu-tainer known as "The Science Guy," managed to offend a select group of adults in Waco, Texas at a presentation, when he suggested that the moon does not emit light, but instead reflects the light of the sun.

As even most elementary-school graduates know, the moon reflects the light of the sun but produces no light of its own. But don't tell that to the good people of Waco, who were "visibly angered by what some perceived as irreverence," according to the Waco Tribune. Nye was in town to participate in McLennan Community College's Distinguished Lecture Series. He gave two lectures on such unfunny and adult topics as global warming, Mars exploration, and energy consumption. But nothing got people as riled as when he brought up Genesis 1:16, which reads: "God made two great lights -- the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars." The lesser light, he pointed out, is not a light at all, but only a reflector. At this point, several people in the audience stormed out in fury. One woman yelled "We believe in God!" and left with three children, thus ensuring that people across America would read about the incident and conclude that Waco is as nutty as they'd always suspected.

Yeah, that's the first story. Are you done chortling, and stuffing your tissue into the key board? Okay, here's story two. http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSEIC47086020070905

KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Officials at Nepal's state-run airline have sacrificed two goats to appease Akash Bhairab, the Hindu sky god, following technical problems with one of its Boeing 757 aircraft, the carrier said Tuesday.

Nepal Airlines, which has two Boeing aircraft, has had to suspend some services in recent weeks due the problem.

The goats were sacrificed in front of the troublesome aircraft Sunday at Nepal's only international airport in Kathmandu in accordance with Hindu traditions, an official said.

"The snag in the plane has now been fixed and the aircraft has resumed its flights," said Raju K.C., a senior airline official, without explaining what the problem had been.

Local media last week blamed the company's woes on an electrical fault. The carrier runs international flights to five cities in Asia.

It is common in Nepal to sacrifice animals like goats and buffaloes to appease different Hindu deities.

Yes, we are now in a world where sacrificing goats to appease Sky Gods is acceptable flight behavior. A pilot can now use a blessed knife rather than a box cutter, I guess.

Now the link to the Bill Nye story is from 1990. That's the powere of the Internet. It lets you in on stories that are nearly 20 years old, and doesn't tell you so. I got the link today in an email, and it was sent as part of a great "What is this world coming to?" post. BUT the world had arrived there back when I was still in Graduate school, and we were still driving cards made of rocks we had to push with our feet.

Yet it holds up. It holds up because we're willing to believe that these crazy people are still around barking at scientists and telling them how insane they are for telling truths. And the airline story will appear in someones blog in 20 years, because in 20 years no one will remember that it happened this year. And people will think that it's just weird enough to have happened that day. Crazy people are ALWAYS around us, and insanity because of religion ALWAYS exists.

And it's up to us to point at it and laugh.