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Amy, Easter IS celebrating the torturous death of a religious leader.  It's a "suffering" cult.  Have you not seen The Passion of the Christ?  All of 8 minutes of the film doesn't have any violence or gore in it.  If Christ were put to death today they would be wearing Electrocution Chairs around their necks instead of crosses.  It's twisted. 

And Jews have twisted the meaning of Passover to rationalize feeling good about all the death and suffering their god caused.  After all, the Pharoah was ready to free the Hebrews after the third plague but "Yahweh hardened his heart so that He could show His might." 

My boyfriend is also a secular Jew.  We've had some interesting discussions!  I think it's odd that secular Jews celebrate a myth as if it's real, and such a disturbing one at that!  There are Passover toys on the market that make my jaw drop.  Check out the "First Born" death mask, http://www.amazon.com/Factory-Card-and-Party-Outlet/dp/B001QF5FXK/ref=pd_bxgy_t_img_b.  Who buys this stuff?!

It reminds me of Mother Goose nursery rhymes.  They're twisted.  Why would anyone sing "Rock-a-Bye Baby" or "Three Blind Mice" to their children?  Understanding our ancestors is interesting history, but why do we have to keep the traditions of our ancestors when we recognize that we would act in a much more civilized manner today?

posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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Emilee, I would find your eloquence about "rich diversity" sincere if it were not for the fact that Mormons are known for knocking on doors all around the world trying to convert everyone on the planet to Mormonism.

posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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Passover has taken on this warm and fuzzy meaning that you describe, that of the Exodus, but I wonder how many understand what "Passover" literally means.  Who passed over what?  It's actually kind of disturbing to celebrate the death of children to me, even the children of your enemies.

posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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Tom, Sam Harris is giving a free lecture on his book in Portland in a couple weeks:  http://www.centerforinquiry.net/portland/events/sam_harris_lecture/

posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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Wow, Jacob, I'm trailer trash? 

I describe myself as atheist, however I define atheism much differently than you.  In fact, the opposite.  I went from agnostic--being apathetic toward religion-to atheist after doing an extensive investigation into the history of world religions.  You will find many books on religion on my bookshelf.  We atheists always knew that on average we knew more about religion than the religious so this survey doesn't surprise us at all.  It is because we have done our homework.

I don't believe in the supernatural because I see no evidence of it.  I am open-minded to evidence but so far have not been presented with any.

posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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