ScottinSoCal 🇺🇦 🕊 🏳‍🌈 @ScottSoCal@computerfairi.es

i need a hug

@JaniceSelbie This is great advice! Atheism is just a lack of belief in a god - but there's so much more than that, as it turns out, to becoming an atheist!

I wish someone had shared this with me 20 years ago, when I became an atheist - it wouldn't have changed my rational, intellectual, choice one iota, but man is it hard to separate the real 'you' from the 'you' defined by the tensions between your rational independent self and the childhood/familial/communal psyche you broke from.

At least, that's how it's been for me, coming from a religious household and community whose identity and worldview are inseparable from their religion. So atheism didn't just mean a break with God, it meant a break with my family, their lifestyle, their aspirations, their community, even their politics.

1/

ADVICE TO NEW #atheists

1. Mourn your losses of #identity community, & worldview
2. Read “Leaving the Fold”
3. Subscribe to https://youtube.com/@ComeToCORT
4. Get a secular #therapist
5. Beware the pull of #fundamentalism in any sphere
6. Educate yourself about how #beliefs form (Hassan’s BITE Model)
7. Learn about #codependency
8. See that anger is both a part of the grieving process & an indication of boundary violation
9. Build a supportive #secular network
10. Be compassionate with yourself

Some years ago, I was having a lovely afternoon reading a book in Point Pleasant Park in #Halifax, when I heard this loud chittering above me. Looking up, this cute little guy was giving me one hell of a scolding, lol. Happily had the camera nearby

#photography #WildlifePhotography #NovaScotia #squirrel #WildlifeWednesday

It’s easy to make fun of these bizarre rationalizations. But this is scary: Faced with young people and the clear majority of Americans more generally turning their backs on them, Republicans show no signs of introspection or moderation - but embrace conspiracy theories instead.

If only there were dogs
#dogsofmastodon
#DogsOfMastodon
#cringe

"The practice of the Supreme Court policing itself needs to end. The members of the court should be made to abide by the same laws as other government employees. They're one of the three branches of our government and we have a right to know who's buying them"

"Maybe the rest of the Supreme Court should expel Thomas. I hear that's popular now"

http://claytoonz.com/2023/04/08/report-the-booty/

Happy? Easter from
#ClayJones
#ClayToonz

Because these have some of his best Easter eggs

Angry yet still LMAO!

I yearn for a simpler time when bears would try to steal picnic baskets and not cocaine.

Shoot went great !!

Well. I guess I made it. There is a scammer attempting to impersonate me. Please block and report. Thanks!

New report that Donald Trump wanted to add racist grifter Laura Loomer to his campaign for the White House in 2024.

Loomer has extensive connections to neo-Nazis and white supremacists. During her failed bid for a congressional seat in Florida, she was supported by then ally, Milo Yiannopoulos, when then went on to work with Nick Fuentes and Kanye West.

Loomer was also a recent speaker at the white supremacist, "American Renaissance" conference, known for hosting such neo-Nazis as Richard Spencer, Nick Fuentes, and David Duke.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/07/us/politics/trump-laura-loomer.html

M51: X Rays from the Whirlpool
Credits: #NASA, CXC, Wesleyan U., et al., #NASA, STScI
#nature #space #astrophotography

#WildLifeWednesday

This is “my” young male resident Anna’s #Hummingbird. Fortunate to have them here, in the #Seattle area year round.

These little winged wonders flutter their wings at a remarkable 80 times per second! They do NOT flap their wings, they rotate them in a figure 8.

#Birds #BirdsofMastodon #Photograph #AYearForArt #FediGiftShop #CreativeToots #PNW

Prints, cards etc: https://pixels.com/featured/beautiful-anna-s-hummingbird-ez-lorenz-imagery.html

Happy triple-religion weekend!

@ScottSoCal @1finekitty
Who knows? Maybe the guy thought CNN was interested in who’s playing the Grand Old Opry this season. 😄😄

I've been here on mastodon.art for a week, and I feel really welcome. It's nice to find an instance where I can be my romantic/curious/erotic/strange self, and somehow fit right in. Thanks for being rad!