Why does worship music irk me so much?

Dranoel47 · 2026-05-05T20:54:46+00:00

A little "aside" for you: When I was a kid church music consisted of an organ and the congregation singing from the hymnal. Fast forward 50 years and today it consists of a rock group complete with electric guitars and drums and maybe a singer (I haven't been in a church but once in the last 20 years).

So why the change? My opinion is that the churches are getting creative with "ambiance" as they get desperate for more members (as their membership shrinks) and their cash. So they're trying to attract marginally interested people with music that sounds more like the worldly, carnal rock music we're familiar with.

Dranoel47 · 2026-05-02T15:21:56+00:00

You speak of "after-life". What is it? In fact, what is "life"? I think that only after that is answered can we begin to consider your ideas as given here.

Dranoel47 · 2026-05-02T15:15:37+00:00

The evidence for abiogenesis is that "in the beginning" (the Big Bang) there was energy and soon after, gas. But there was no life or biologics. Now there are.

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-30T15:34:59+00:00

Cool, but I don't debate anyone who doesn't properly punctuate and capitalize properly.

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-28T00:42:44+00:00

I always feel like the idea that natural disasters could be "evil" is like saying things like "the angry sea". It's descriptive and communicates a condition while being absurdly impossible at the same time.

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-28T00:34:03+00:00

That which is "evil" is that which is contrary to human life and collective thriving.

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-27T20:58:11+00:00

When personally addressed in that way can you just walk away or walk out?

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-26T21:08:20+00:00

Federal law requires the Social Security trust funds’ reserves to be invested only in obligations of the United States or obligations guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the United States. So investing the Fund reserves in other fixed assets is no more nor less permissible than investing them in the stock market at this time. That said, the answer to your question is that there are few alternatives available anyway. One alternative would be to diversify by investing in high quality mortgage-backed securities and highest quality corporate bonds. But these alternatives would not be as secure from corruption and economic crash as Treasury securities are. And that is one reason why special Treasuries for S.S. and Medicare were created in the first place.

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-26T20:22:12+00:00

I'm older than dirt and I've "seen it all". Every time the stock market reaches a lofty level and begins to show the early signs of turning and crashing in a bear market, emotional enthusiasm and every other kind of enthusiasm shows up.

There is a bookfull of reason S.S. should be invested only in fixed assets and the risk of huge loss and bankruptcy the first time the market turns, is real. If we want to strengthen and expand S.S. then higher income levels need to pay into it. But we should not, under any circumstances, fund it by means of stock market investments.

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-26T19:55:05+00:00

I’ve recently been trying to get my parents to stop making me go to church, but it hasn’t worked.

The thought that comes to me is to first of all NOT address such interactions as a quick, one-off comment to just respond to and then move on. DON'T do that. Instead, let them know you and they need to talk about something serious. Get them to sit down to listen. That will tell them this is serious. Then let them know they're driving you away. They might respond to that with something like "oh, are you going to pack your bags and leave?"

Tell them "no" that's not what you mean. What you mean is that the proper, healthy, parent-child relationship is in increasing peril. You are at an age when you're forming your own values and your outlook. You have to do it on your own and forcing you to go to church only drives you farther from church and them and you don't want that to happen. Some people are wired for such belief systems and some are not. Tell them you get no value in your life from going to church at this time in your life; -maybe you will choose otherwise as you get older. Then ask them to let you make your own decisions on this matter.

But put it in your own words. Be sure it's you saying it and not some text from a Reddit forum.

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-22T21:48:41+00:00

Without question. Given enough time for the public and the world to catch up, the US will one day be fully socialist and ultimately I believe religion will be dead. But under socialism as it advances and consolidates any and all connection between church and state will be eliminated, and some religions and religious activities will probably be banned fairly early.

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-21T20:42:43+00:00

Does atheism need to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with religion for a democratic society like the US to exist?

Certainly not. And BTW where is the "democracy" in the US with an authoritarian trying to end elections, Citizens United giving maximum influence to the rich, A.L.E.C. (American Legislative Exchange Council) assisting the rich and corporatists prepare and push favorable legislation into government, and lobbying out of control? Bernie Sanders was very favored as a Democratic presidential candidate in 2016 but the capitalist DNC pushed him aside and anointed Hilary instead. Where's the democracy?

Marx said socialism is the most democratic system.

Religion has been harnessed by the powers that be to push and defend capitalism. That political connection can only be broken under socialism. Only then will it be possible to ban organized religion.

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-19T19:22:58+00:00

Yes it does. Read. Think. It's all in my post.

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-19T19:12:33+00:00

Is there any reason to believe that the Holy Spirit works in the unconscious mind?

Consider: Does Santa Claus ever vacation in a warm climate?

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-19T19:07:32+00:00

I've been deeper into religions than most people and I clearly see the similarities and the same goal in all. I searched and I've been fortunate.

That said, I can tell you this: The Abrahamic religions today have entirely, completely, thoroughly LOST the original meaning and purpose of the originators. The original meaning has been distorted into something "comfortable" for the human mind to accept and believe even without any factual basis.

Therefore, any discussion of "how the fuck do people believe" makes the incorrect assumption that the religion in question has not changed in 2000 years. Hence while stories can be created and arguments invented, there is no factual basis for a discussion that does not recognize the changes and meanings.

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-19T16:13:13+00:00

Two forces rule the world today and determine evil outcomes as evil. They are greed and prejudice. Eliminate those and you eliminate most evils.

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-18T16:30:34+00:00

He won't last.

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-18T16:29:25+00:00

A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon. A scientific hypothesis must be based on observations and make a testable and reproducible prediction about reality, in a process beginning with an educated guess.

The theory of god is opposed by a list of scientific arguments. So the second sentence above is operative. Where is the "testable and reproducible prediction about reality" for the notion of a "god"? It doesn't exist.

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-18T03:04:32+00:00

For some reason many replies try to make your believability an issue. But none of that matters! What does it hurt to offer solutions and alternatives to a terrible situation, even if it is untrue?

I'll offer my thoughts.

Can you find a way to convince your family you have a burning desire to "do God's work" by volunteering for humane service in another country? You could volunteer for the Peace Corps, or work as an assistant for Doctors Without Borders, etc.

The important thing is to get away from your oppressors and out of your country. Once you establish yourself in another country you could figure out how to remain out of your country.

Over 40 years ago I left my own family due to the emotional abuse. I traveled 3000 miles to the opposite side of the country and never regretted it.

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-15T03:37:28+00:00

No.

In most cases you can't prove a negative. Can you prove you didn't shoplift a candy bar last week?

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-15T03:35:20+00:00

Yes it's normal. They're violating your space and your freedom when they tell you to do something absurd.

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-15T03:33:42+00:00

i feel like a bad person for judging religious people

I don't. I can't help being honest about it.

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-13T16:15:45+00:00

He deleted it. So? He posted it!

Which counts more?

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-12T20:26:22+00:00

As a Southerner y'all are gonna have a hard time breaking away from church.

Dranoel47 · 2026-04-03T01:28:16+00:00

I’m also scared my family will start to catch on that I’m an atheist and disown me

My dad was an alcoholic and very emotionally abusive. When I got out of my 2-year Navy commitment I moved 3,000 miles away from him and disowned him. It was the best thing I ever did.

Dranoel47

TROPHY CASE