Theists, Atheists, and Some (Goddessly) Facepalms

(And yes, I just made up the word “goddessly” – I wanted a feminine adverb)

It was only this year that I got involved with a group who classified themselves as humanists and the Humanist Alliance of the Philippines, International (HAPI) has given me a lot of avenues to serve others as well as to meet people who share the same ideologies as I do. However, even before joining HAPI, I was already exposed to people can be classified as humanists. There are a lot of those in the advocacy. I was also exposed to people who classify themselves as atheists and agnostics.  I have more than a few friends who are quite happy (others quietly happy) in proclaiming this. I consider myself quite lucky to have found and fallen in love with these people. They are good friends who have taught me that to be kind is a blessing in itself and that true wisdom results in the burning desire to help others.

Quite a weird crowd to be hanging out with, especially for an ex-Catholic school girl.

Being on both sides of the coin – such as like being a bit of a nerdy, overachiever in some religious education class I enjoyed in college and now being an officer in a humanist organization and rubbing shoulders with some of the most atheistic atheists I’ve ever met – I can say that both factions have some good in them, but both also have something relatively nasty. In fact, if I were a goddess, I’d have probably face-palmed so much because of these unwarranted nastiness, I would have removed half of my goddessly make-up. Which means two things: (1) I probably need better godly face primer to save my damn foundation and (2) I should write about it before I go bonkers.

Goddessly Facepalm #1: The “Bahala Na” Attitude of Some Theists

Seriously? SERIOUSLY? If God(dess) did exist he/she gave you neurons, did he/she not? You haven’t got two. You haven’t got thousands. You have billions in your head, waiting to be put into good use. And problem solving would be an awesome use for those brain cells.

I do understand that many believers have the “bahala na” attitude – faith. That’s all well and great but whatever happened to “Nasa Diyos ang Awa, Nasa Tao ang Gawa” (Pity comes from God, Action Comes from (hu)man)? Do you just expect deities to wave a magic want and vanish all your troubles away? Do you expect divine intervention without flexing a bit of muscle? Life doesn’t work that way, you know.

Goddessly Facepalm #2: Read this in Draco Malfoy’s voice – “You believe in God? You must be inferior.”

I asked one of my most trusted friend if this is what militant atheism is all about and he said, “That’s being an asshole.” I would admit a moment’s desire to hug this person (and maybe kiss him senseless, but don't tell him that).

A lot of nonbelievers have this tendency to believe that being an atheist automatically makes them superior to those who still have religion…which further emphasizes my belief that freethinking does not equal atheism.

It’s discrimination all over again, and although discrimination has some good use, it does have its evil effects, especially when applied to, say, every single person belonging in a specific category. You know, like what Hitler did to the Jews? I'm sure everybody remembers Hitler.

Goddessly Facepalm #3:  You('re) gay/lesbian/transgendered/Pro-RH/like sex!

When theists go Sodom and Gomorrah because of other people's sexual preference, i can't help but cringe. Seriously, ladies and gentlemen, whatever happens inside people's bedroom is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. Unless of course it's legit porn then by all means, write a review on techniques and positions for all I care. 

Seriously, stop blaming other people's sexual preference for Yolanda. That's climate change, y'all, not gay sex.

Goddessly Facepalm #4: This picture (and all it represents).

Picture grabbed from Facebook.

This, according to some unbelievers, is intelligent. Seriously? Some people have beliefs and not every religious person has done inhumane, idiotic things. Many believers are truly concerned with the conditions of others and would sincerely love to help. Many ar Case in point: Catholics for RH.


Newsflash: Bastardizing an entire group's belief just because you think it's funny is not smart. It's stupid.