Turkey Day.....Have a good one

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving . As you sit around the table giving thanks for your family ,food and prosperity,keep in mind those people who have none of this to be thankful for . The sick ,lonely and destitude need your help ,whether it be a smile ,some food or just to talk . Know how lucky you are with all that you have . To really celebrate the Holiday you should give to those who don`t have the means or a reason to celebrate . Give to them as you do to your family . Happy Thanksgiving ,Ed Baker

Holiday spirit.

I wonder why ,,during the holidays ,people are so nice ,friendly and giving ? Shouldn't`t we all live this way everyday?I have seen the crowded malls all decorated ,but is it for SANTA or for their god ? Waling through the mall I see lights ,elves ,Santa and Snow covered animated displays .I thought this was to be a religious holiday ? I did not see ONE display of Jesus at all . All I see is pushing and shoving to get the hottest toys for the kids . Husbands mob the jewelry stores to get the wife or girlfriend those shiny trinkets and hope they get what is on their list . The push for ,sales ,record profits and donations for the poor ,are usually forced down our throats during this time of year .I don`t mind giving ,but I give Directly to those who need it .The way I give requires no salary to an overseer,or administrative costs .People need help everyday not just during the holidays .I`m sure if we skipped one winter holiday we could rebuild most of the inner city slums ,feed the poor and clothe the homeless. Why isnt there a push for this .I am only talking "ONCE" I don`t know the total amount of combined profits ,but iam sure it would be in the Billions . If they really want to do their gods work why not try this ???? Ah but the true god is MONEY and the benefactors are the rich .Happy holidays .

Karen Armstrong: 2008 TED Prize wish: Charter for Compassion

This is a talk from Karen Armstrong I enjoyed about how religions have often been about compassion opposed to literal belief. Whether you agree or not, interesting ideas worth contemplating.

"A lot of religious people would rather be right than compassionate." -quote from Armstrong's talk

PZ Myers at the Kelly Writers House Wednesday!

Wednesday, 11/19

5:00 PM in the Arts Cafe: A Discussion with science blogger PZ Meyers. Co-sponsored by the Department of Philosophy at U Penn.

PZ Meyers is a biologist and associate professor at the University of Minnesota, Moris. He writes the popular science blog "Pharyngula: Evolution, development, and random biological ejaculations from a godless liberal."

http://writing.upenn.edu/wh/calendar/1108.php

Growing Up different .

I just want to start out saying I was brought up by two wonderful and loving parents. My father A Roman Catholic was excommunicated for marrying my mother. My mother a reformed Jew loved my Dad and fell in love. They both loved each other deeply and suffered socially because of it. The wonderful Catholic church looked upon my mother as a "Dirty Jew "My father was excommunicated for marrying out of the religion. Growing up with them was wonderful.They were kind and loving towards each other and us children. The problems they faced were from their parents ,their religious leaders and socially in general. Those problems transcended on to us children. My parents both told us about religion but were not forceful or demanding that we believe in it. I remember my father telling me that when he went to school and ever questioned the bible and its stories, he was hit and punished by nuns and priests, then when he got home his mother chimed in on the beatings. My Mother told us that religion is taught in the Jewish home mainly as tradition. My problem was I loved both of them. I was called a 'Kike" and I was called a son of a blasphemer. I did nothing wrong, but at a young age I depised religion. It hurt me that two of the most wonderful role models in my life were outcasts because of religion.My two brothers were shunned also. Where was this god who was to protect me. Did he abandoned me because of my parents beliefs or was I to be punished for their decision to fall in love. Now that I am older, I realize religion is nothing more than a scam that is greed controlled by emasculating a persons self esteem. I see the hypocrisy when I watch the religious channels and see how they scam people out of their money to fund their million dollar lifestyles. I was shunned, beaten up, teased and ignored becaused I lacked the ability to believe in the imaginary. The one good thing that came out of this is, I Think Rationally, and I give to the unfortunate because they need it, not to reserve a place in an imaginary heaven.

Protest Prop 8 this Saturday at Philadelphia's City Hall

As most of you know, Proposition 8 passed in California, banning gay marriage in that state where it has been legal for several months. California was joined by Arizona, Florida, and Arkansas. Not to mention all the states which have banned gay marriage in the past. This blow to equal rights, motivated by religious bigotry, is being protested in cities all over the USA. Read about the national effort on The Friendly Atheist blog. Philadelphia is one of the cities participating in the protest - from 1:30-4:30 at City Hall this Saturday, November 15th. Come and support equal marriage rights! For more information on the Philly rally go here.

Letter to the Editor Published

Hello all,

I'm happy to inform you that I had a letter to the editor published today. "Children taught pseudoscience" was in reply to the Dino Pastor article from last week. I'll be watching for both positive and negative feedback in the next few days.

Children taught pseudoscience:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/320-11052008-1616559.html

Dino Pastor:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/113-10282008-1612241.html

Joe Fox President
HAGP
P.O. Box 161
Willow Grove, PA 19090
215-794-8548
Email:admin@hagp.org

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