I do think that those of us, who are or have become skeptics, free thinkers, or non-believers, tend to stay in the shadows or the closet. Most of us know and have personally felt the backlash from stating our beliefs or lack of them from a religious standpoint. We have lost or damaged family relationships and friendships by “coming out of the skeptic closet” and stating our thoughts and opinions. We have kept our true selves hidden at the workplace knowing we will feel the sting of prejudice if we are open about our feelings.

Skeptics or Free Thinkers tend to be quite individualistic and do not often feel the need to form or join a group of like minded folks to exchange ideas with or to have as support. We do not get together on specified days to sing songs, perform rituals, collects tithes, or to give lessons on “How to be a Good Skeptic”. We do not get together and make skeptic rules to follow with specific punishments for breaking them. We also do not get together and kick out others from our skeptic gatherings and clubs if they break a rule we made. We do not scare our children from birth by telling them that they will be tortured in some mythical hereafter if they are not as skeptical as we are.

While it is great to get together with others who feel the same way as we do, and there are opportunities out there for socializing, these are few and far between. Perhaps we skeptics just assume that skepticism is very personal and individual and does not need a hive mind. I may be more skeptical about some things and less than others. I may read a book on a subject and decide I agree with some of what the author says but disagree on some of the points made. It is very refreshing and “freeing” to be able to choose for myself what I want to believe or disbelieve and it is also very “freeing” to allow others the same choice.

So, what lead me to the point in my life where I now feel the need to blog? That is a story for a later time. The word blog in itself conjures up in my mind a hermit with no life other than the computer, conspiracy theories, and the blogger world. Well, a little about me, I know enough about the computer to be considered one step up from an idiot. I don’t know any bloggers and will be trying to figure out how and when to make time for blogging in between teenagers, sports, and a full time job. My kids are terrific and very compassionate, smart, and fun. My husband is intelligent, loving, and my best friend. The only conspiracy theories I know about are that food is out to get me and attack my thighs and that some hidden force is adding age spots on me as I sleep. Other than that, my life is fairly conspiracy free. (except where religion is concerned)

My girls are in fear that some of their friends, specifically their friends parents, will find out that I am a skeptic, non-believe, and dare I say the word, atheist. My husband, their step-dad, has never been around religion until he met me and he was brought into the crazy world of religious zealots. My daughters are skeptics too but they like me are also realists. They know that as soon as one of their friend’s parents finds out the truth about us, that we are skeptics, they risk being shunned by them. It doesn’t matter that we are honest, caring, compassionate, and all around good people. It doesn’t matter that my husband and I are involved in the girl’s schooling and lives and carefully monitor what comes into out home. We know, as do the girls, that if we came out of the “skeptic closet”, the girls could lose a good portion of their friends, just as I have. That to me, is one of the many reasons I find religion so reprehensible. So, I told them I would blog but keep a low profile until they were older and out on their own. How sad and twisted is it that we even need to fear being true to ourselves and all because we don’t believe in supernatural and superstitious nonsense.

Now don’t get me wrong here, I do not single out religion for my skepticism, although religion encompasses so many forms of impossibility and idiocy it is on the front burner. I have a great amount of skepticism for many things. I am also skeptical of astrology, mysticism, UFO sightings and abductions, remote viewing, healing crystals, voodoo, casting spells, psychics or readings in tarot cards, palms, tea leaves, entrails, bones, auras, or other weird stuff too numerous to mention. I am also somewhat skeptical of acupuncture (I am keeping an open mind on this till I know more), taking too many vitamins, and people who feel green tea is the answer to everything that ails you. I don’t really believe in faith healing but feel positive thinking can make you feel better and if you believe you will be healed, you might be. I do not feel it has anything to do with a God, just that positive thoughts are healthy. I do not feel eating sea weed or other weird health foods are any better for you than eating your veggies and cutting down on fast food. I don’t drink alcohol because it makes you do stupid things, muddies up your decisions, and taste like crap. Drinking the fermenting liquid from rotten fruits and vegetables bothers me. But then again I eat hot dogs.

So, join me if you will on a journey of skepticism and reality. I hope we will all learn something and have a good time in the process.

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