I am so happy!!!

I bugged for the longest time for this board. I sometimes have difficulty dealing with all of the prayers and praising God that goes on the main board. I am a very firm, educated Atheist. It will be nice to have some conversation when I get some time. Welcome everyone!!!!

WELCOME TERRI!!!!! I'm just as happy to see you here!! I have resolved to check this board every day so that I can meet everybody who comes by! I think being an atheist is about taking responsibility (and CREDIT) for your actions in the here and now. What we're all involved in with our weight loss is one of the greatest achievements we will accomplish in our lives. We need to have a place to discuss our questions and issues in realistic and practical terms without someone telling us "it's in god's hands." I'm going to get catty for a minute... There's a post on the main board about how some woman thinks that crushing a desk chair at her child's school was a "sign from god." She admits she needs to lose 150 pounds. She sits in a chair designed for an elementary school child, crushes it, and she thinks it's a sign from god. mmmmmmkkkkkkk......

Ditto, ditto and DITTO! It is so nice to see people know and understand. Responsibility is key! I will be looking forward to the conversations here. Thanks Terri! You rock! ~Van

Our tiny little outpost is growing one by one. Hello Vanessa!!! I feel that issues concerning a deity are actually irrelevant to my life. "Atheist" is just a label; it does not define my life philosophy of responsibility for my own actions and seeking to find the inherent right or wrong in all matters of judgement. I think it's also about living in a pro-active way. There's a post on the main board right now that is the sort of thing I have to admit I find quite upsetting. A woman is literally pleading with her god to "please please please please" give her the surgery. What is she doing while she's waiting for this almighty to alter her insurance company's policies by divine intervention? Has she thoroughly researched their criteria? Has she gone over the criteria with her doctor? What does she need to do to meet the requirements? Or is she just waiting for "His timing"? How much LIFE do some people miss because they're waiting for their god to make their hopes and dreams come true?

BTW Van, I DIG your Betty Page profile!!!! Congrats on your fantastic success!!!

What a great idea to suggest this messageboard. We need a place where we can be free from those who simply take for granted that all of us want their prayers, and all of us believe in their god. I've always been a thinker...to simply take a book at face value, and quote it every time I want people to find validity in what I'm saying....it just doesn't do it for me. Thank you for pushing and getting this site here for us. Jessica

When I first started visiting this site about mid-July I saw the "Atheism" interest listing but when I selected it, there was no forum. I'd get an error. I just happened to check again the other day and there was a single post from an OH admin person to start the board and here we are!