Private Idaho

     Growing up in Idaho has been quite an unpleasant experience.  There is an old B52 song called “Private Idaho” meaning this place is a private hell.  Idaho can be a living hell for anyone who does not ascribe to the hardcore conservative Christian lunatic perspective.  To give a better interpretation of how extreme the close-minded Idahoans are; I was banned from a Facebook page for publicly displaying pictures of local trucks with confederate flags and labeling them as racist, bigots.  It appears that when you call out the bigotry and hate you are quickly silenced.  If they cannot silence you, they work the back avenues to intimidate your position at work, society, and with peers using threats you could lose your job, or friends will flee to avoid the intimidation.

 These are the same “Idahoans” who are strong Christian/Mormon/Baptist/Catholic….etc. who will hide behind the forgiveness factor of their religion and continue doing the same hateful things.  I want to make it clear not all ‘Idahoans’ are religious nut-bag, bigoted, hate-filled, cowards.  Unfortunately those people are the ones who feel that they are righteous in their championing the cause of hate whilst hiding behind their religious doctrine.  Something interesting noted growing up in Twin Falls, there are more bars than schools, more churches than bars and more hypocrites than humanists.

Creep Factor: 9000

I ended up working for the schools or working in the schools as a professional it becomes painfully obvious that the indoctrination begins at an early stage and is pushed onto the student for the duration of their educational experience.  The high school graduation rate of Idaho is 77.3%  we are ranked 41^st of 50.  In a 2015 report only 17% of student from southern Idaho are ready for college.  Idaho has established a goal of 60% but has not even made any discernible effort to change the outcome for any of the students.  It becomes very evident early on that Idaho desires to keep its students ill-informed and under-educated.  Thus keeping two lines moving in two directions:  One is from pre-school to prison and from graduation to garbage collector.  Idaho is ranked 13th for prison population per person spending in state.  Idaho has spent more money building prisons than has been applied to secondary education.  Freakishly real: Pre-school to prison is alive and well here.

If the system can keep them dumb and following in their parent’s footsteps then they are likely to stay ignorant of humanity and close-minded to the rest of civilization.  It was a huge culture shock to me when I went away to obtain my bachelor’s degree.  I was mixing with a group of people that I had much more commonality with than my hometown peers.  I met my first atheist (other than myself) and became close friends with people who were not of the same race as me.  This was devastating to my peers in my hometown.  They clearly stated that I should not be mixing my time with “the sub humans”.  This raw bigotry was right in my face.  They used biblical statements to support their position that races should not mix and that I would have more support if I stood with my own ‘type’.  The white bigots are strong in Idaho.  They feel safe here:

I have also noted that when a group of Mormon ‘young adults’ prepare for their missions that they go to a preparation camp prior to their departure.  Many of the Catholics will have their graduates blessed in a ceremony before departing for college.  All designed to reinforce the social safety net that these individuals can hide behind if they find themselves away from home, beliefs, and morals are being challenged.  It does not take much to become elevated in stature in a church or social club, let alone have any education that may benefit the circumstances.  The lesser educated you are the more preferred you are in religious events.  Even the churches admit that reason is faiths greatest enemy:

This is even more clearly established by the faith healers killing their own children in northern Idaho.  The fully indoctrinated representatives ->(Lee Heider ex.) of this state continue to do nothing to save children at the risk.  They fear the religious/financial backlash that will befall them if they do.  That may be why in this state you can now carry a concealed weapon (gun) without training or permit.  It is becoming the wild wild west.  This state is thick with ammosexuals.  Even mentioning 'gun sense' will get a strong reaction from the ammosexual  as though their children were being murdered... No just limiting your access to guns.  They don't care about kids dying from preventable diseases - Just think of the guns!

I refuse to be ignorant and follow the same path that my hometown peers are currently taking.  They are the reason and rationale why Idaho is my personal hell.  What makes it even worse is the fact that the state is governed by these right wing jut-jobs and they are fervent Trump supporters.  I fully admit that I am liberal in my social perspective, have no religious beliefs, will call a racist what they are to their faces at profound risk to my social life. 

If I was living in the Middle East I would have my head cleaved off.  Unfortunately many my home town are members of the Christian Taliban would likely be cheering them on in the beheading process.

Four Reasons to Avoid Idaho at all Cost

I have lived in Idaho my entire life and it has become increasingly difficult to deal with constant back slide of humanity in this state.  The running joke is: “Welcome to Idaho, set your clock back 30 years.”  This joke has a tremendous amount of merit.  This locale boasts some beautiful outdoor activities and can be a fantastic place to spend camping or hiking.

Incompetent Drivers

Survey of drivers nationwide was conducted to determine what state had the worst drivers.  Idaho came out on top.  No surprise.  From the first day of driver’s education it is clear that the only goal is to just give the bare minimum of driving etiquette to the general population.  What is very clear is that the mentality of the drivers in this state is that they would rather assume that the other drivers can read their mind and get out of my way.  There is also the running theme of; turn signals are optional, seat belts are a hindrance, using mirrors to change lanes is an anomaly, and speed limits are just suggestions.

Profound Bigotry

In the 50 years living in the southern part of Idaho is becomes abundantly clear that; “If you ain’t white you ain’t right.”   Given the person cannot articulate using the English language there is an automatic out.  This is also a well-developed skill between the religious sects that are present here.  They can smell what sect you belong to and will actively discriminate.  There is a very large population of migrant Hispanic workers here and they are readily treated as slaves on the dairies, farms, and the overly agriculturally based setting.  The overt distain for gay persons is profound.  People have been targeted for aggressive discrimination by most of the population.  They are very vocal about not liking that we have a president that is black and is likely a ‘Muslim’.  There are several bills that have been presented to actively limit freedoms for those that may be considered ‘not right.’   The psychotic prosecutors are more willing to advocate for the Caucasian Christians than them ‘colored’.

Leadership Equates Right Wing Nut-Jobs

All of the representatives are (excluding the Sun Valley area) are firmly entrenched in the regular shit-bag mentality that is the extreme right wing.  There are a couple of teabaggers and they are proud of it.  There is a strong presence of anti-intellectualism.    No one with an education is to be trusted and there is a scary approach to education.  This state is ranked 49^th in education for a reason.  The politicians need to keep the populous under educated to maintain an uninformed and easily enslaved work force.  Funding for education, particularly secondary education is nearly non-existent.  The rates of pay are abysmal and there is unlikely any change seen in the foreseeable future.   Women are treated like property and the police forces are corrupt to the core.  

If you have money you are easily freed from your obligations but if you are poor and under educated you will likely end up in the state’s booming prison population.    There are more prison beds than there are housing beds in colleges and universities.  Expressions of Liberalism is not tolerated and openly confronted as ‘communist’ – Yes this place is that far gone.  Not to mention the Gun Nuts..

Religion is Everything and Nothing

You can experience any religious affiliation here unfortunately if you don’t belong to the ‘right’ one you are to be actively excluded or denied access to jobs, dignity, and respect.  Mormons tend to have a Stake House on every corner followed by the Catholics and the Evangelical whack-Os.   After 9 years playing silly games with the Catholics in southern Idaho (the Mormon Belt) - the goofy war of the worlds between these two sects is almost intolerable.  All the ‘faithful’ in this part of the state are just plain bat-shit crazy.  Coming out of the closet as an Atheist is more dangerous than being gay.   Direct open hostile responses from family as well as peers who will ‘Pray for you  to see and accept the love of Jesus.   They have no evidence to support their position and cannot even remotely grasp the concepts related to an intellectual conversation about a religion.  Many if not all the most religious are not even familiar with the dogma nor the written materials associated with their chosen faith.  It is just plain sad and painful to watch these humans walk around championing this banner to imaginary friends, believing that they can do no wrong by belittling and demeaning others because their forgiveness is secured.

Currently there are legislators and leaders of this state that advocate for the death of children to see god and faith healing is acceptable.  Another that believes he is being helpful to women thinks he is more knowledgeable of female health than a doctor.    If there was a ‘hell on Earth’  the gates are in Idaho.

I want out.  

Unnecessary Gods

I started a conversation with some Twitter participants yesterday with the comment that: Theists work diligently to define away a god’s omnipotence.   I may address this in a later blog with more detail.  This in turn led to a dialog regarding a statement that I raised regarding gods and religions being unnecessary, continuing on; also indicating that religious actions and resources collected by religious sects are also wasteful and misdirected. 

I was then asked the question, what is necessary?     My response was to indicate that the basic human needs are met (using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs) – there is really no need for humanity to neither accept nor embrace any religion.  Prayer has no effect on outcomes and is unnecessary.

I think there was some misunderstanding of the shape.  The shape of the hierarchy is a pyramid defined from the bottom up.  The bottom being the basis, or the foundation of human need being; Food, Water, Shelter, Sex - once those needs are met that can be built upon and establish the development of Safety and Security and the process goes on.  Maslow indicated that if primary needs are not met you will have difficulty, if not impossible, to get the higher order needs met.  This makes the persons who are lesser educated and in poverty highly vulnerable to cults, religions, and other con artists who work to obtain power and influence.

Religions were first formed for the need of making sense of the things that we as humans did not or could not understand.   Earth was a scary and unsafe place.  Religious/cultural leaders encouraged investment in an imaginary deity and huddling together sharing food, shelter, and meeting each other’s needs.  This was reinforcing the behavior of all parties and survival was enhanced.   As humanity becomes more informed and understands the dynamics of the space where we live, the need for religion to provide; Food, Warmth and Safety and Security are no longer necessary.   Many religions continue to use these as leveraging tools to keep their flocks attending or maintaining their commitment by controlling getting their parishioners needs met.

Given an entity (religion, church, or cult) is so influential as to use primary needs to control the actions of others; use of food, safety and security to elicit compliance to the dogma or tradition seems manipulative, unnecessary and bordering on criminal.    It is unneeded.  An argument that morals are delivered via religion is fallacious argument, morality is established by empathy and social reciprocity.  Religious morality is artificial and static imposed by sly hucksters.

Humanity will continue to exist without religion.  It becomes extremely wasteful of religions to construct building so that people can sit and listen to well-paid con men/women to convince them that the only way to survive death is to continue to come back and give them money, time and prayer.  If all that time, money and thought was invested in the development of a cure for some diseases or disabilities there would be far less suffering in the world.

Religion meets the needs of some persons.  Atheists (this atheist) do not need religion to feel safe and to have a productive life.  Defined: Atheism – A lack of belief, or faith in gods or deities.   It is not a religion.  There is no belief structure, commitment to any authority, and any exchange of funds or resources is typically done as an act of kindness and not a tithing to any deity or representative.  To define it as a religion is a projection of cognitive dissonance.

I am not my atheism.  I worship no man, deity, and do not waste my time praying or sitting in a church listening to someone lecture me on outdated, stagnant, and festering morality.

God's Plan - Pathetic Excuse

I recently had an exchange with set of twitter users that indicated that all the death and suffering currently being imposed by religious extremists in the Middle East is all part of a plan imposed/implemented by god.  They openly admitted that they are comfortable with this plan.  This plan contains everyone who is murdered or tortured by the Islamic fundamentalists.  All of this is based on some perverse love of Bronze Age ideology

One of these persons used the martyrdom term and prayer to cover for their rationalization of the horrors committed in the name of a god.  They will pray for those persons beheaded or slain in a bathroom because they did not meet the standard of the persons using god’s law to cleanse the earth of kafirs.  It is atrocious to think that prayer or doing nothing but thinking about god’s plan, will actually help anyone or anything change for the betterment of humanity.

What becomes evident quickly is that there are victims/cowards identified and barbarians/murderers and those who believe in any god will comfortably slip between roles because they are championing gods great plan.    Congratulations you have equated the phrase, it was part of gods plan to  - Allah akbar.  

The use of the term, gods plan, is an excuse to murder, torture, or marginalize humanity or is a way to watch from a safe distance and do nothing.

For those who do not speak up or act up to change the outcome of your own future hiding behind a plan from an imaginary sky daddy are actually worse than those who commit the atrocities.  You had the ability to act and you failed.   You are cowardly little shits and deserve the guilt you feel.    Unfortunately it is likely you feel no guilt for these people, their families, or the persons who watched these horrific events. 

Until you realize that guilt, sadness, fear, and anger are signals that something must change you are destine for a horrific outcome.

I am an atheist and do not support nor understand your twisted sense of reality.  I support humanity hoping that it will shed the need for a religious construct to feel better about the way we treat each other.  Facts are facts humans are animals, religion does not elevate us from that fact.  Some of these animals are so profoundly damaged by religious zealotry that that they cannot see belonging to a religion does not keep you safe it imperils your existence.

Religion poisons everything and will eventually destroy humanity.  I will work diligently to conversationally neuter any person or entity that supports this pathological perspective.  

Abrahamic Theism Is A Death Cult

I have seen frequently in the exchanges between theists and atheists the claim that atheists/atheism has killed more people and is responsible for more of the world’s tragic human events.  This would be the one fallacy that the theists cling to for comfort when the facts point to the contrary.  Theism – Abrahamic sects [Christianity, Islam, and Judaism] are in fact the most prolific death cults on the planet.

Let’s start with the Christian claim the Pol Pot, Chairman Mao, Hitler (actually Catholic), and Stalin being ‘atheists’, killed millions of people.  There is no question that these persons did horrible things and worked to eliminate persons who did not conform to their perceived ideology.  

I cannot find in any document that these pariahs used atheism to further their causes.  No evidence exists indicating that these populations were put to death due to their failure to participate in atheism.  Unless – you put on your biblical glasses (thanks Ken Ham) – then you can lie for Jesus all you desire to support your position and attract new followers.

When asked for evidence to support validity of this claim; the debate tends to devolve into accusatory statements and spraying hostility to deflect from the fact there is no direct evidence to support the position.  I have yet to have a Christian produce ANY clear evidence that the persons mentioned are acting on behalf of ‘Atheism’ to rid the world of non-participants in atheism.  North Korea is not a good example… the practitioners believe that their leader(s) are gods and it appears that atheism is not a good way of describing the necrocracy in that country.

Challenge: Theist please provide a clearly defined case of an atheist, leader or singular atheist who has advocated and acted on the presumption that atheism prescribe(s) death to those who do not follow the established dogma and ideology.

Actions of theists: - Especially ~ those of the Abrahamic sects, toward those who are not of the same faith paint a far different story.  The Christian, Islamic and Jewish operator’s manual (Bible, Koran [Quran] and Torah) have clearly defined actions to be performed by the believer on the non-believer… Death.  They also describe very horrible ways of dispatching non-believers.  This accomplishes three things:

1.       Affords the opportunity for the punisher (killer) to experience a euphoric event of taking the life of another person, sense of complete control.

2.       Inflicts horrible pain and suffering on the person being killed.  Usually in a humiliating way.  (cutting off your head, burned at a stake, throwing stones, shot in the head) whilst saying, “Allah -Ackbar”, “May Jesus have mercy on your soul.”

3.       Clearly advertises: Join us, and follow our dogma, or we will kill you – in a horrific fashion – in front of your friends and family.

Theism is a Cult of Death, and the practitioners are fully aware of this fact; but work hard to deceive themselves, conscript others given; the promise of eternal life in paradise, 72 virgins, and the Promised Land of milk and honey.  This being an “Army of god.”   Christians, Islamic fundamentalists... embrace genocide - In Africa, Christians/Muslims are working diligently to kill off the homosexual population:

History has presented, a well-documented, long and growing list of atrocities associated directly with the belief in a god(s).  Projecting these events onto atheism to escape the guilt and culpability is pure spinelessness and using your indoctrination to protect your fragile psyche.

Abrahamic Religions are barbaric and abhorrent cults with the emphasis on inclusion of the feeble minded and imposition of a horrific death of those who should be excluded for any dogmatic reason.  Mormons are included in this ever increasing cesspool of human detritus.

Theists:  Please be aware that your words, dogma, and actions do not match: this is a sign that either you are profoundly mentally ill or so intensely brainwashed that it would be in your best interest to seek help.  I am willing to fight you to the death to prevent your dogma from retarding humanity back to the dark ages.  Self introspection is highly recommended.....  You have pledged your allegiance to one (or more) of these sects. Think about it.

Bullying and Cowardice of the Theists

Watching the constant ebb and flow of exchanges between the theists and the atheists on twitter something becomes more relevant at every exchange.  Escalating emotional responses to perceived hostility and/or disrespect directed at one person’s religious beliefs or perspectives.

What makes this even more salient is the amount of personalization that takes place in the exchange, where the religious person thinks that because their religion is under attack, or their beliefs are being ‘disrespected’ that they are personally being attacked.   Quick and visceral reactions range from simple name calling to threats of physical violence and promises of death due to a violation of religious doctrine.

What is painfully evident is the media is they work hard to sanitize their approach and presentation of the happenings in the world due to the responses from the fundamentalists and even some of the moderates.  This is ever more unmistakable with the presentation of Islam.  There is a prudent effort on the part of media to ‘not offend’ the Islamists.

Politics.... 

There is strong reason and evidence to continue to do this based on plain and simple fear.  Islam explains the use of violence, in some of the most cruel and hostile fashions, when the perception their doctrine or dogmas are threatened with disrespect or offense.  What is even more astounding is the response of Christians and other faiths to these threats – capitulation, lending to a very unhealthy and abusive relationship between the two parties.  

After I did some research it appears that this fear goes back centuries.   The populous of most of the world is genuinely frightened by the Islamists.  Not due to any feigned threats to act, but due to the actual facilitation of described threats.  When these actions are on put on display to a very wide audience to see and appreciate.  This public display of horrific acts of violence, retribution, desecration of humans and other religious faiths persons or property, with the intention of intimidation.   Much of this is Muslim on Muslim but open threats toward others are also common.

This is not just an Islamic issue only there are other sects or cults that use fear or intimidation to elicit compliance to demands for respect and conversion.    Christians often use the threat of eternal damnation to coerce their flocks to join and to establish retention.  Christians often prey upon each other not for conscription but for wealth and prestige.    They want your money not your soul.

The most disturbing part of this relationship is that, Christians are taught to forgive and to accept that they may be asked to die for their faith.  Muslims are taught that they should kill for theirs.  Christians are told that they are guaranteed a trip to heaven in service to their god and Muslims to paradise with lots of virgins to remove non-Muslims from the living.  This lends to a very ugly looking system of abuse.

When an atheist becomes involved and threats are made we are not likely to surrender to either party.  This causes the situation to escalate rapidly.   The roles being played are that of abuser and victim.  Atheist chooses to not play and calls the bully (Islam) on their aggression and the victim (Christian) on their cowardice.    Atheists are likely to stand up for the victim but they actively decline the assistance under the pretense of continuing to be the victim.

Any attempt to threaten me to achieve surrender becoming a bully or join a culture of victimization and the likely end will be a strong hostile response.  Bring it!

Psychology of Fundamentalism and Limiting Projection Issues

Given my propensity for evaluating human behavior in its many forms, one thing becomes evident; the individuals who identify themselves (passively or actively), as bible fundamentalists, young earth creationists, evangelicals, Teabaggers (all inferred insults applied), Christians, right-wing-nut-jobs etc. have a very well developed defense mechanism of Psychological Projection. 

Defining Projection -   albeit an older term (Freud) it still fits the thought paradigms today.  Simply defined:  A person will reject their own negative personality/character attribute(s) and then assign those same attributes to the person or entity they are in conflict with, in an effort to quell or reduce cognitive dissonance.  Described as a defense mechanism it works very well for the user as a way of displacing responsibility or distracts from the harm produced by one’s comments or actions.  This has also be identified as a False-Consensus  event but for the purpose of simplicity and ease of use I will continue to use ‘Projection.’

This can take on many forms.  As a whole Americans are naive to the effects of projection.    A person makes an assumption that all persons of the same persuasion or belief system thing and behave in the same fashion as he/she does given they ascribe to the same system – Both positive and negative. One is the perception that all Christians worship the same god or that all follow the same interpretation of the bible.  

More insidious Projection takes place when an Atheist confronts a Fundamentalist on their negative character attributes or perceived bias and they are reflected back with strong emotion and hostility.

An example of this was and exchange between a talented blogger nonprophetess and a random fundamentalist here.  He clearly has very biased views and aggressively projecting them on her and the other participants of the conversation.   

When addressed directly the dialog becomes immature and is resembles the grade school dialog “I know you are but what am I...?”  This will generally elicit a strong Counter Projection (Jung) escalating the conflict.

Example:

Makes one think, "Are you that unaware?"

When addressing Projection events one must understand that this is taking place at a rudimentary behavioral level and typically based on a defect of character or personality.  In the simplest terms it is like arguing with a five year old who needs a nap.  How to successfully address an exchange one can rely on the basic application of Applied Behavior Analysis.  Strongly reinforce any positives identified in the dialog even if that requires re-framing the dialog (this can and will elicit a very strong negative emotional response from the projector).

Dialog with a person projecting should resemble that of a dialog with a five year old.  Treat them accordingly.  You may have to break down the dialog into short simple sentences – state a core topic and stick to it.   They like to take people down the rabbit hole of delusion.   Continuously redirect them back to the core topic.  Consider if you will gain any benefit from it or will the other party?  Remember you are the one in control of the conversation and your emotions.  They are not.  Don’t own their issues.  We have enough of our own.

When a ‘Projector’ hits Crisis Phase (cognitive dissonance) this can and will elicit ‘Word Salad’ from the more disturbed individuals.   This should be a trigger to end the conversation due to individual being in an emotional crisis and unable to respond coherently.    This is also identified when scripture or bible verses are being quoted.  This is a signal that there is no longer a productive dialog going on and the person has recluses into their mental safe zone.

Decline the invitation to be angry and stay rational.