Who Is (((Billy))) and What Is He Trying To Do
Who is (((Billy)))?
I am a 42 year old man in Northeastern Pennsylvania. I have a loving wife (we’ve been married almost 19 years). I have two wonderfully weird children (my son will hit college next September, and my daughter will graduate from high school in three years). I have four cats. I play the guitar and the trumpet (and even play guitar in public (sometimes (under the right circumstances))).
I am (as the title may have suggested) an atheist. I am, to be more specific, a naturalistic atheist. I see nothing in the natural world which cannot be explained through natural processes. Just because we don’t have all the answers yet doesn’t invalidate the theories (you know, gravitation, elecro-magnetism, germ, uniformitarianism, evolution, etc.).
I was baptised Episcopalean, and then became a Unitarian (along with my parents). I went from non-comformist theist, to deist, to universal deist, to very soft atheist by the time I was 20. I realized I am an atheist right around my 42nd birthday. Okay, so it took me a while.
So what am I trying to do with this blog?
I’m not sure yet. I realized I was an atheist by reading (lurking) atheist blogs (most notably Atheist Revolution, the Spanish Inquisitor, and An Apostate’s Chapel). Then I started commenting. Now I am blogging.
Part of what I am doing is preaching to the choir. By writing about my experiences (and other people’s experiences), commenting on them, and trying to make connections, I hope to provice support, entertainment, and critical thinking. I don’t pretend that what I do is orginal, but I may be able to make some new connections.
The other part of what I do is to provide tools for theists to begin questioning their assumptions. Questioning is the single most important component of critical thinking. If you add logical processes to that, who knows what will happen?
Responses
By: bibomedia on 4 March, 2008
at 4:31 am
Your statement is clear. So are your thoughts. The links to others who are like minded are helpful. It’s pleasing not to be alone.
By: Susan on 18 March, 2008
at 4:07 pm
Bibomedia: Welcome to my blog. Hope you become more verbose in the future.
Susan: Welcome to my blog. When I discovered the atheosphere, I had the same feeling. Even though I don’t know what some of these men and women look like, I consider them friends.
By: (((Billy))) on 18 March, 2008
at 5:16 pm
I got a blog you would dig by a Christian about the church…
The Ongoing Adventures of ASBO Jesus
By: mattcario on 22 March, 2008
at 2:40 am
Why don’t parentheses get points in Scrabble? Seems a bit unfair.
And aren’t names a no-no?
Enquiring minds need to know.
By: Spanish Inquisitor on 22 April, 2008
at 9:51 pm
There are no parentheses in Scrabble. They are like god. They don’t exist. And, as they do not exist, there are no points for them.
Yes, names are a no-no in Scrabble. However, a billy is the pot used by Australian Bush Rangers in which they cook meals. They are also refered to as billycans.
By: (((Billy))) on 23 April, 2008
at 7:55 am
Dear Bill,
Hello! My name is Sarah Trachtenberg and I am currently writing a book proposal about the personal experiences of atheists. I am wondering if the book is published (Darwin willing) if you might be able to mention it (not necessarily plug it) on your blog. I plan on launching a site to promote the book and will naturally reciprocate. Please let me know.
Thanks,
Sarah
By: Sarah Trachtenberg on 13 May, 2008
at 9:39 am
Great blog Billy!!
Sarah, you can contact me if you want, your idea is great.
All atheists, please take a look at my song “god” and its video-clip on my website:
http://www.le-monde-pluriel.eu/content/0/70/
on youtube:
http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=RixoXcf7eso&feature=user
I have also filed a complaint against the bible and the koran for sexist and homophobic contents :
http://www.le-monde-pluriel.eu/content/0/63/
or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd1E141X6xw&feature=user
Thanks, Pertutti, France
By: salvatore pertutti on 23 May, 2008
at 4:23 am
Salvatore: Welcome to my blog.
By: (((Billy))) on 23 May, 2008
at 7:59 am
Rock On!! ;)) Peace*
By: BillyWarhol on 19 June, 2008
at 11:40 pm
Billy,
just wanted to inform you and anyone else who might be interested,that there’s a new secular group in our area.
The group is called “The NEPA Freethought Society”,based in Wilkes-Barre. I could go into details,but would rather direct you to the group’s site so that you can take a peek for yourself.
And with that,you can decide if the group offers anything of interest to you. But I seriously hope that you’ll take a few minutes of your time to check it out,I think you’ll like what you find.
Sincerely,
Info101
By: Info101 on 13 July, 2008
at 11:20 am
I’m gobsmacked - you treat each other with respect! Probably unique in the blogosphere which is a pretty corrosive environment so I don’t usually venture therein.
Keep it up.
I’ve been an atheist since 1957 (a sort of reverse Paul on the road to Damascus - note to Homeland
Security: biblical reference) when I suddenly realised that blaming it all on the supernatural is a load of old dingoes kidneys. Since then, the older I get the dafter belief in God (or gods) becomes. I sometimes say I’m a ‘wysiwygist’ (what you see is what you’ve got). Dates you, eh?
Cheers and keep up the good work keeping people thinking rationally instead of just knee-jerking.
Tom
By: Tom the Pom on 21 July, 2008
at 7:42 am
Tom: Welcome to my blog. I try to treat people with respect, but ideas are open to the mocking they deserve.
By: (((Billy))) on 21 July, 2008
at 10:25 am
