In Case You Were Wondering . . .

Trying to gouge your eye out is not a good idea, no matter how fun it sounds.

. . . Just in case you were wondering . . .

Iowa Tornadoes

Is it just me, or does it seem as though there's been an unusual amount of tornado damage this year? This time, it was Iowa City and the University of Iowa campus. One person was killed, and a couple dozen others injured, although none seriously. That's impressive, considering bone-headed actions like these:

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP)

. . . University of Iowa sophomore Melissa Fortman huddled with friends in the basement of their sorority as the sirens sounded. But then she decided to run upstairs for her homework just as the tornado hit.

"There was debris flying everywhere inside the house," Fortman told ABC's "Good Morning America" today. "I couldn't go downstairs because there was debris and glass flying up the stairs, so I just hid in a telephone booth we have in our house, and I just hid there crying . . . "

. . . Firefighter Darrall Brick looked on with dismay after the storm as he watched some people walking around downed power lines.

"These students just don't realize how dangerous it is," he said, noting how crowds initially prevented emergency crews from reaching disaster sites . . .

The first girl was so close to doing everything right, but had to ruin it in the end. I'm sure "The tornado ate my homework!" is a legitimate excuse. But then again, she is a sorority girl... As for the others, I bet you can't turn in your precious homework at all if you get electrocuted! Pretty stupid, if you ask me. Those tornado sirens are there for a reason, people. Unless you're a meteorologist or are very familiar with the nature, position, and movement of severe storms, TAKE COVER WHEN THE BLOODY SIRENS SOUND!

If you're ever unfortunate enough to be caught in the aftermath of a tornado, stand back and let the professionals do there job unless you're actually able to help rather than hinder their work.

I may chase storms, but at least I'm not stupid about it...

Christianity

I found an article that pretty much sums up my beef with (most) religions. It's a pretty good read. The views of the author pretty much mirror my own opinions.

...Within Christianity, humans are depicted as born-in-sin pieces of garbage, while God, His Son and the Holy Ghost are glorious and perfect. In Catholicism, there are a few others who deserve honor and reverence, such as the Virgin Mary, Joseph and many saints. Other than that, you are out of luck in trying to garner respect for yourself...

...Ingersoll was correct when he said, "If a man would follow, today, the teachings of the Old Testament, he would be a criminal. If he would follow strictly the teachings of the New, he would be insane." To this day whenever I read the New Testament, I begin to feel ill. I am certain that the book has the same effect on others, as this madness is manifested all around us on a daily basis...

...Within Christianity and other monotheistic religions, it is widely believed that it is humankind's purpose to serve and worship God. This purported purpose is what many Christians live their lives for. But, what does such a purpose say about God? Why would God, who is supposedly omnipotent and therefore self-contained, need or want creatures to serve and worship "him?" It seems like a very egotistical act to create such creatures. I found this incredibly egostical God to be repulsive; nor did I care for the inherent sexism within the various modern religions that depict God as a "he." There can be no question that God exclusively as "Father" is a sexist depiction and that women are considered second-class citizens - the Adam and Eve story set that bigotry in motion...

...Needless to say, many other aspects, concepts and experiences led me to step outside of Christianity and to critique what I feel is a deleterious ideology that is keeping humanity from realizing its potential. Not the least of these experiences is the constant ad hominem abuse by Christianity's most fervent followers, who essentially represent what can only be termed "Christian terrorism." Instead of refuting sound arguments that challenge their beliefs, which we have seen are illogical and harmful, the fanatics continuously make personal attacks on the individuals who put forth such arguments. This terrorism is no less a derangement than any other mindless persecution, and it needs to be addressed as an illness that has the potential of destroying humankind...

The site as a whole is a pretty interesting read, but here's the article link here.